Leadership Team

Before taking the role of Chief Academic Officer in 2022, Natalia had been the principal of KIPP Harmony Academy since its inception in 2009. Natalia came into her leadership role after completing the Fisher Fellowship with the KIPP Foundation. Prior to KIPP, Natalia most recently served as the Director of Instruction and District Strategy for the Philadelphia institute of Teach For America. Natalia came to Baltimore as a corps member in the Teach For America program, where she taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade over 3 years at Holabird Elementary School. Natalia has also served as a Corps Member Advisor, Curriculum Specialist, and School Director at various Teach For America summer training institutes. Natalia received a BA in Human Services from The George Washington University in 2002 and her teaching certification from Johns Hopkins University in 2004. Natalia most recently completed her Masters of Supervision and Administration from National Louis University in 2009.

A native Baltimorean, Rita has worked at KIPP Baltimore for the past six years as a teacher, Manager of High School Placement and, most recently, as Senior Manager of College Placement. Rita leads the KIPP Forward staff in setting and accomplishing the yearly goals for over 1,000 students and alumni. Prior to joining KIPP, Rita taught social studies and served as a Dean of Instruction in Baltimore high schools. Rita holds a Bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and a Master’s in Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University.

Carol joined KIPP Baltimore in 2011 as a kindergarten special educator. She served in this role until 2015 when she became the Director of Special Education for Harmony and worked with the team to build inclusive environments for all learners. Carol has stepped into the Director of Special Education role for the region where she is supporting high qualify instruction for all students with disabilties Pre K-8. Prior to joining the KIPP team and family She served as a 1st-5th special educator at Fort Worthington Elementary School. Carol has received the Mentor of the Year award from city schools in 2011 and and the Teachers are Heroes Award from MECU in 2015. Carol has earned a bachelors degree in Special Education and Elementary Education from Kutztown University in Pennsylvania and a Masters of Education from Johns Hopkins Univeristy.

Davalyn came to Ujima in June 2005 as Development Director and PE Teacher. She transitioned to Office Manager in 2006-07 and Operations Manager the following year. From 2008-2010, Ms. Cunningham led the KIPP Carerra Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program as the Site Director. She took time away from Ujima to raise her children and focus on her family. She returned to Ujima as a 6th-grade math teacher in 2015. She then continued her tenure as a Special Education teacher and Instructional Coach. Beginning in 2021-22, she moved out of the classroom serving as an Instructional Coach and 504 Chair until she was called to be an Assistant Principal in February 2022. Ms. Cunningham received a Bachelor’s in Sociology and African American Studies from Rutgers University where she also played on the Women’s Final Four Basketball Team. She received a Master’s of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins University and a graduate certificate in Administration and Supervision from Trinity Washington University. In her leisure time, she enjoys going on adventures and sports trips with her boys and traveling to visit family and friends all over the world.

Mary joined KIPP Baltimore in 2009 as a founding member of Harmony’s kindergarten team. She went on to serve as a K-2 assistant principal focused on ELA instruction and curriculum for 10 years. As the Director of Literacy, Mary is dedicated to ensuring that every student is equipped with the skills to become a strong, confident reader and writer. Prior to coming to KIPP Baltimore, Mary taught kindergarten and 3rd grade at Collington Square School in Baltimore. She holds a BA in Geography from the University of California, Berkeley and a Masters in Teaching and graduate certificate in School Administration from Johns Hopkins University.

Tieast began her leadership journey at KIPP Harmony as an Assistant Principal and then became the Lower Academy Administrator, leading grades K-2 for seven years. She was a 2nd grade teacher and math content lead at Beechfield Elementary for five years before moving to teach 2nd grade at KIPP in 2013. Mrs. Harris believes that your zip code should never define the quality of education that you receive and the opportunities you are afforded. It has been her passion and life’s work to give every student the same love, affirmation, and guidance that she was given as a student in Baltimore City Schools. Mrs. Harris received her bachelor’s in Broadcast Journalism from Bowie State University and her Master’s in Leadership and Teaching at Notre Dame of Maryland. Under her leadership, she makes it her mission to empower and equip each adult, scholar, and family member to be the change they want to see in the world.

Eryn joined the KIPP Baltimore team in July, 2020. Eryn is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing all of KIPP Baltimore’s fundraising and communications efforts; additionally, she will provide strategic support to advocacy efforts on behalf of KIPP Baltimore and oversee family/communit-y engagement work. Prior to joining the KIPP team, Eryn was a middle school social studies teacher, an elementary school librarian, and most recently the Director of Differentiation, Operations, and Partnerships at Maree G. Farring Elementary-Middle School in the Brooklyn neighborhood of South Baltimore. Eryn holds a BA in Art History from Smith College, a Masters in Secondary Education from the University of Michigan, and is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University Education School Leadership program.

Gloria has over 19 years of experience with Baltimore City Public Schools. She joined KIPP Harmony Academy in 2009 as the Enrollment Coordinator. Gloria has worked in many roles here at KIPP including Attendance Monitor, Office Assistant, Student Support Manager, and Payroll Clerk. Gloria currently uses all of the skills she has developed to serve as KIPP Baltimore’s Office Manager. She is leading the front office team as they support our schools grades K through 8. Gloria and her team are responsible for recruitment, enrollment, attendance, and all other student services.

Caitlin joined the KIPP Baltimore Team and Family in 2013 as a founding fourth grade special educator. After teaching fourth grade for three years, she served on Harmony’s leadership team as a math instructional coach, the 4th grade assistant principal, and then the Upper Academy Leader for grades 3-5. Before coming to KIPP, Caitlin taught 6th-8th grade math for three years at the REACH! Partnership School in Baltimore. She double majored in mathematics and public policy at The College of William and Mary and earned her Masters in Leadership in Teaching from Notre Dame University of Maryland. In all of her teaching and leading experiences, Caitlin has worked to make learning math accessible, joyful, and affirming for her teachers and students, and she is passionate about continuing this work as KIPP Baltimore’s Director of Math.

Carina joined KIPP Baltimore as a founding 3rd grade special educator in 2012. Carina served as a Teacher Development Leader and Grade Level Chair before serving as Harmony’s Director of the Student Excellence Team. In this role, Carina lead the 504 team, the SST team, the Gifted Advanced Learning Team, and the School Test Coordination team. Carina led the GAL team through a rapid expansion from only 9 GAL identified students in 2018 to identifying 10% of the KIPP Baltimore student population as Gifted and Advanced Learners. Carina was recognized by the MSDE as an Outstanding Educator in Gifted and Talented Education and received an Official Citation for Exceptional Service in Baltimore City Public Schools for this work developing finding, identifying, and serving the homegrown brilliance of our students in West Baltimore. Carina holds a BA in History from the University of Pennsylvania and a Masters in Leadership in Teaching from Notre Dame University of Maryland. Carina was also a member of the US Peace Corps, Teach for America, and New Leaders.

D’Andre joins KIPP:Baltimore as the new Chief Operating Officer after having spent the last 15+ years serving in various higher education leadership roles. D’Andre began his career in education serving as a 7th-Grade Social Studies teacher in Prince George’s County Maryland. He is a leader who is passionate about helping underserved communities through the gift of education and believes that his greatest professional accomplishments revolve around helping his fellow colleagues advance into leadership roles. “Real Leaders Create Other Leaders” is a phrase that guides D’Andre in all of his professional and community endeavors.

D’Andre holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Hampton University, Masters of Education in Leadership of Educational Organizations and is pursuing an Education Doctorate from Northeastern University. He is currently serving as an Executive Committee member for the Greater Washington Community Foundation’s “Emerging Leader’s Impact Fund” and Committee Chair for “Project Alpha” – Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated Pi Upsilon Lambda Chapter.