Staff

Teacher Office Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays
9th Grade 3:30-4:30pm & 10th Grade 2:25-3:25pm
*By appointment only; please see below for staff emails to make arrangements during times noted or to discuss other options.

Ms. Kenya Crockett: School Leader
(MA in Education; Organization Administration)

On July 1, 2012, Ms. Kenya Crockett joined the JRLA Family as the School Leader.  As the lead member of the school administration team, Ms. Crockett will be held accountable for the overall performance of JRLA while establishing the school culture and ensuring sustainability of the school, it’s mission, vision and goals through effective leadership and management.  An educator from Oakland, CA, she has served as a Principal and Assistant Principal through New Leaders, a national nonprofit that develops transformational school leaders and designs effective leadership policies and practices for school systems across the country.  Ms. Crockett holds advanced degrees/certifications in Educational Leadership, K-12 Education, as well as Reading and Language Arts.  She brings enthusiasm and a wealth of knowledge to JRLA and believes that all children can learn regardless of background, given a positive learning environment that encourages exploration, enhances student development and promotes student achievement.  Email: crockettk@jrladetroit.com

A message from our new School Leader: Ms. Crockett Family Intro Letter

Pamela English: Assistant School Leader
(MA: Public Administration; MA: Curriculum & Instruction)

Pam English brings a strong background in curriculum, instruction, and assessment to the JRLA family. Ms. English is an experienced leader of professional development seminars. While teaching at Detroit Cass Technical High School, she organized teachers and students to take part in the Student Leadership Consortium and organized students from Michigan State University to work with her students in leadership seminars. Ms. English was also the School Activities Coordinator for six years. This involved overseeing and coordinating over thirty different student organizations. She also supervised student teachers from Wayne State University.  Ms. English was the Yearbook Advisor but the growth of the Detroit Free Press and Ford Motor Company Journalism Program was a huge feather in her cap when her students were awarded over $125,000 in journalism scholarships, internships and camera equipment. Ms. English’s Education Administration Internship was through the University of Michigan. In this role she engaged in curriculum and staff development in addition to contributing to special education committees. She has presented on multiple intelligences as well as school culture and a highlight from her master’s degree from the University of Detroit Mercy was her presentation on the “Effect of Innovative Curriculum on Reading Motivation of 10th Grade Students.” Email: englishp@jrladetroit.com

Kim Moore: Office Coordinator

Ms. Moore is a highly skilled office professional with more than eight years of extensive office experience performing a wide variety of administrative and support duties.  As the Office Coordinator, Ms. Moore will assist the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy school administration and staff with administrative duties for all phases of school operations.  We are pleased to have such a dedicated professional on our team. Email: moorek@jrladetroit.com

 

 

Curtis Hervey: Dean of Students & Athletic Director 
Coach Hervey has enjoyed basketball coaching stints at the Fisher YMCA (2-Time Metro Champs), St. Mary’s of Redford, St. Cecilia (3-Time CYO Champs), University of Detroit Jesuit, Schoolcraft College and with Team Michigan (7-Time AAU 19U State Champs & 2-Time National Champs).  He is also the founder of Superfriends, a youth development program that not only focuses on basketball, but encourages youth to excel in the classroom (100% high school graduation rate) and earn a college degree (94% college graduation rate).  Over the years, Superfriends has earned many accolades including 24-Time AAU State Champs, 1-Time AAU National Champs, 8-Time Youth Basketball of America State Champs and 1-Time Youth Basketball of America National Champs.  Over the years, he has influenced many players who have made it to the NBA.  Coach Hervey currently serves as the Dean of Students as well as the Head Boys & Girls Basketball and Cross Country Coach and enjoys being a mentor to the JRLA student body. Email: jaguars@jrladetroit.com

**********************************************

Artra Bell – ELA Teacher
Artra Bell is a proud Detroit native who was born and raised in the heart of the city. She is a prestigious alumnus of Cass Technical High School and Wayne State University. She is currently working on her Master’s degree at Saginaw Valley University in Urban Educational Leadership. Because she grew up and attended schools in the city, it has always been her desire to work with those schools servicing Detroit children. Ms. Bell began her love of teaching in 2001 when she began teaching pre-school; she has been teaching for over 10 years.  After graduating from Wayne State sum cum lade, she began her journey of teaching high school. She is certified to teach Advanced Placement Language and Composition and looks forward to pushing the students at JRLA into the rigor and relevance of such courses. Like many, Ms. Bell’s job does not stop at being the 10th grade English teacher; she also volunteers as the Assistant Coach to the girls’ basketball team. She looks forward to the wonderful opportunity to facilitate and nurture an environment conducive to learning that will help the students who enter JRLA a learner, exit a leader. Ms. Bell is the proud mother of a 13 year old daughter whom she adores and spends most of her free time with. She enjoys traveling and attending professional developments all over the country to bring best practices back to her classroom. Email: bella@jrladetroit.com

Katie Colaccino  – Science Teacher
Katie Colaccino teaches biology and forensic science at JRLA.  Miss Colaccino graduated from Central Michigan University with a major in Biomedical Sciences and a minor in Leadership.  She decided to further her education at the University of Michigan in an accelerated program to become a teacher.  Miss Colaccino spent last year teaching in south west Kansas in a primarily Spanish-speaking community.  She is a big supporter of the arts, with formal vocal training, theater acting and directing experience.  Miss Colaccino loves animals (she owns an albino hedgehog) and truly enjoys reading science fiction and fictional novels.  She loves to travel and her favorite American cities are Denver, Chicago, Savannah, and Detroit.  If she could travel anywhere in the world, she would follow her roots back to northern Italy. Visit my classroom website: http://sciencestar.weebly.com/
Email: colaccinok@jrladetroit.com

Michael Cosnowski – Math Teacher 
Michael Cosnowski is the 10th grade Geometry and Number Theory teacher at JRLA.  Mr. Cosnowski graduated from Wayne State University with a B.S. in general physics, co-major of university honors, and a minor in mathematics.  After completing honors calculus through the Emerging Scholars Program, he obtained a position as an undergraduate assistant… this along with his experience with the Math Corps summer program helped him realize his passion for teaching.  After graduating, Michael was accepted into the Woodrow Wilson National Teaching Fellowship.  He is currently working on a maters degree in teaching mathematics and will be finished in the summer of 2013.  Mr. Cosnowski loves to travel, but also loves to just explore Detroit with his wife and friends.  His hobbies include origami, art, music (both listening and playing), playing cards with friends and golfing with his brother.  Mr. Cosnowski strives to be a great teacher allowing his students to find the fun in learning math and science. Email: cosnowskim@jrladetroit.com

Dorothy Crain – Special Education
Coming soon!
Email: craind@jrladetroit.com

 

 

 

 

 

Bridgit DeCarlo – Social Studies Teacher
Bridgit DeCarlo is in her first year of teaching, and a recent graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in both history and German. As a student at U of M, Ms. DeCarlo traveled all over the world. While living in Tübingen, Germany for eight months, she traveled to France, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, Spain and the Czech Republic. In addition to living in Europe she traveled to Japan and Ireland on separate occasions. These experiences provided Ms. DeCarlo with insight into many other cultures and habits of thoughts that help her present a more well rounded account of history to her students. Ms. DeCarlo was also a member of the Michigan Marching Band Flag Line for four years. This experience truly shaped her in punctuality, perseverance and leadership.  Throughout college, Ms. DeCarlo was a member of New Life Church in Ann Arbor. She currently still serves there and leads a bible study group. At the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, she is primarily teaching freshmen world history and global issues. Along with teaching these content areas, Ms. DeCarlo strives to teach social skills and character development to her students. Email: decarlob@jrladetroit.com

Jessica Foster – Math Teacher
Ms. Foster has been teaching in Detroit area schools for almost five years. As a student-focused teaching professional, Ms. Foster is committed to providing a solid education for all students, regardless of their learning styles or academic capabilities. As a caring educator, Ms. Foster brings an excitement for math to the classroom, creating a positive and nurturing learning environment for every student. Ms. Foster earned her BA degree from the College of Engineering at University of Detroit Mercy, majoring in mathematics and completing a minor in English. Email: fosterj@jrladetroit.com

Mimi Henderson-Hudson – ELA Teacher
Mimi Henderson-Hudson is the daughter of a bestselling author/professor and a retired Detroit Public Schools teacher. A graduate of Cass Technical High School, Wayne State University and Marygrove College, she has been an educator teaching English, Speech and History for 14 years to students in Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Detroit. Mimi is a married mom to 6 children and spends her free time educating students in extracurricular programs on weekends, enjoying her family, reading books and going to see films. This year has been especially wonderful being a part of the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy family and she looks forward to accomplishing great endeavors with the young people under her guidance. Email: hendersona@jrladetroit.com

Nate Hingst – Title I ELA Teacher
Mr. Hingst comes to JRLA with seven years of teaching experiences in a myriad of different environments.  Most recently, he spent a year and a half teaching in China, at both the university and high school levels.  Mr. Hingst earned a Master’s degree in Education from Arizona State University and a Bachelor’s degree in business from Michigan State University.  Apart from education, Mr. Hingst enjoys books, sports and travel. Email: hingstn@jrladetroit.com

 

 

Melissa Leaym-Fernandez – Art Teacher
Coming soon!
leaym-fernandez@jrladetroit.com

Domal Loomis – Music Teacher
Donal Loomis has been teaching in the Metro Detroit area for over 16 years.  Mr. Loomis has a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Oakland University and a Master of Educational Leadership degree from Concordia University.  He is certified to teach Music, History and be a school administrator. In his past experience, he has directed performing groups that have played for the President, opened the Chrysler Tech center, and been active in the community. Mr. Loomis is married and has a 5 year old son. Email: loomisd@jrladetroit.com

 

James McKenzie – Social Studies Teacher

One of the newer additions to the JRLA family, James McKenzie teaches tenth grade World History as well as African American Studies.  James graduated from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor with a double major in Political Science and History.  Additionally, he pursued his teaching certification and is now certified in three content areas: History, Political Science, and the broader Social Studies.  After graduation, he traveled to Honduras in Central America.  While in Honduras, he taught English to students in an orphanage located in a village outside of Tegucigalpa.  The lives he saw in Honduras that were affected by extreme poverty and abuse have changed his outlook on life forever.  James strives to teach in a manner where his students know that he genuinely cares about who they are and believes in their success.  In his free time, he loves to be in nature, especially in northern Michigan!  James dreams of one day starting JRLA’s first varsity tennis team. Email: mckenziej@jrladetroit.com

Dorothy Miller – PE/Health Teacher
Coming soon!
millerd@jrladetroit.com

Gladys Stoner – Math Paraprofessional

Ms. Stoner brings a wealth of experience to the JRLA learning community. She retired from Detroit Public Schools in 2008 after 35 years of service. During her tenure, she spent 18 years teaching mathematics at the middle and high school levels. She moved on to become a district supervisor, Mathematics Specialist for Area C and department chair. In 1999, Ms. Stoner was given an opportunity to serve as Assistant Principal at Denby High School. Her next assignment was Principal of Cervany Middle School. Under her leadership Ms. Stoner and her team were able to reverse an academic decline of at least six years.  Shortly after retirement, she realized she had more to offer to ensure the academic success of the children in Detroit. Ms. Stoner returned to service working as a leadership coach for Cody and Osborn High School. Once this program concluded, she decided to continue her journey by providing services to the students of JRLA to support them as they realize their academic goals. Email: stonerg@jrladetroit.com

Kimberly Wang – Mandarin Teacher
Ms. Wang is a native Mandarin Chinese speaker from Nei Mongo, China. She graduated from Baotou Normal University in China with a major in Chinese language and literature. Following graduation, she successfully taught Chinese in China for five years. After that, she studied at the University of Detroit Mercy and obtained her Master’s degree with the major of educational administration. She teaches Mandarin Chinese and Chinese Culture & History at JRLA. She hopes to help students at JRLA learn Chinese so that they can master a foreign language and become international talents.  Visit my classroom website: mandarin4jrla.weebly.com. Email: wangk@jrladetroit.com

180 Degrees Leadership Staff:

  • Gary Gayle
  • Rodney Jenkins
  • Rudolf Jones
  • Hope Moore
  • Anthony Wallace
  • Alexis Williams

**********************************************

JRLA Founding Team:

  • Jalen Rose: Founder
  • Michael A. Carter, Sr.: Co-Founder
  • Mick Koster: Vice President & Philanthropic Advisor Comerica Charitable Services Group
  • Diana Manica: University of Detroit Mercy, College of Liberal Arts & Education
  • Kenneth Perkins & Dale Randels, Jr.: Pinnacle Construction Partners, LLC
  • Michelle Ruscitti-Miller: Executive Director, Operation Graduation
  • Dr. Barbara Smith: F1 – Innovations for Education
  • N. Kendell Walton: Walton Business Management Solutions