BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS BIO

Lisa Bleich is a lead trainer, facilitator, and mediator with Resolution Works. She brings 15 years of experience in community mediation and organizational development in the Baltimore metropolitan area. Her many clients have included Baltimore City Public Schools, Baltimore County Public Schools, the University of Maryland’s Department of Planning, and the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City.

Tammie Szafran is a Legal Services Program Specialist with the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS). In her ten years with PDS, she has been responsible for training development and delivery, providing direct client services, and supporting litigation on systemic criminal justice issues affecting low income minority groups. She also currently works as a volunteer attorney with both Catholic Charities and World Relief, providing pro bono legal services to low income and indigent immigrants. Tammie earned her B.A. in psychology with a minor in visual arts from Boston University and her J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law. She is a member of both the Maryland and District of Columbia bars.

Chaundra R. Parker, M.Ed., is an educator, curriculum developer and diversity consultant. With 20 years of classroom experience, Chaundra has worked with a variety of learners in both the public and private sectors. In public schools she has experience as a classroom teacher, Lead Teacher, Mentor and Advanced Learner Support Teacher. During her ten years tenure in independent schools, Chaundra was both a classroom educator and Diversity Coordinator at a progressive school. At this institution, Chaundra led a team of stakeholders on a Board-Appointed Diversity Committee in changing the school’s culture to a more inclusive environment through carefully outlined Board-supported initiatives designed to impact students, families, and faculty members. As Diversity Chairperson she managed and designed curricula for all student programs related to multicultural education and inclusivity. She also worked with faculty and staff in diversity training and curriculum development for the classrooms. At the board level, Chaundra worked on the development of the school’s strategic plan which for the first time included diversity initiatives as first priority for the school moving forward. Chaundra earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from Coppin State University, her M.Ed. from Notre Dame of Maryland University and is currently working on her Ph.D. in Instructional Leadership in Changing Populations, also at Notre Dame.

Jamyla Brewton-Bennu: “I have an independent arts background and two small children. I have made my living as a creative entrepreneur for more than ten years, which gives me experience in problem-solving and relationship management. My eldest son’s speech delay and gift for math have taught me the value and humility and flexibility in education, and to honor the multiple intelligences in which our children may shine. I am a proud product of public/magnet schools in New York State and relish the opportunity to participate in Creative City’s mission and bring arts integration, small classes, and child-led, progressive education to the children.”

Marisa Canino has shown her commitment to the Baltimore community for 15 years through her professional and volunteer work with nonprofits serving Baltimore families. In her 11 years at Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, she progressively served as Development Director, Deputy Director, and Chief Operations Officer, garnering resources of up to $12 million annually, and managing programs that enabled more than 100 low-income families to purchase safe, decent, affordable homes of their own. Her volunteer experience includes her oversight of the community effort to rebuild the playground at Stadium Place from the ground up with hundreds of volunteers after an act of arson in 2008. Marisa holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Franklin & Marshall College, and a certificate in fundraising management from Indiana University. Her passion for education and the opportunity for parents to be able to choose the school that is best for their child led her to become a parent-founder at Creative City for two years before being hired in the role of Executive Director after a broad search.

Peter C. Murrell, Jr., is currently Professor of Urban Education at Loyola University Maryland, where he was the Founding Dean of the School of Education. He is also co-founder and Senior Research Associate for the Alliance of Community Teachers and Schools. He has long been a community organizer and developer of community schools and teachers. Peter’s research focuses on the relationships among social identity, academic performance, and scholastic achievement, and investigates the development of academic identity and racial/cultural identity in the varied social contexts existing in urban schools and communities. He has authored numerous articles and book chapters on building culturally centered learning communities for teachers and students, including his most recent monograph Race, Culture and Schooling: Identities of Achievement in Multicultural Urban Schools (Lawrence Erlbaum). He is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education TEAM-C (Teacher Education as a Moral Community).

Patrice Shelton: “Growing up in Baltimore City, I observed first-hand the many strengths and weaknesses in the current state of our school system. I believe in a progressive approach that enables our children to express themselves creatively as well as actively molding them into well-rounded individuals. It would delight me to serve such a purpose at Creative City.”