Staff

Aja Bethea

Tracey Bruton, M.S.W.

Pauli Cherubini

Cindy Duran

B.A. Rutgers University – Newark; M.S. Montclair State University

Cindy Duran is the Director of Admissions at Bard High School Early College in Newark. As a first-generation college graduate born and raised in New Jersey to immigrant parents, she brings over three years of experience in operations, compliance, data analysis, and project management. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Rutgers University and a Master of Science in Sustainability Science with a concentration in Leadership from Montclair State University. Bilingual in Spanish and English, Cindy uses her language skills to ensure that families fully understand the quality education offered at Bard High School Early College, helping bridge access for Spanish-speaking communities. She is deeply passionate about educational access and equity, particularly ensuring that students from underrepresented backgrounds access the opportunities they deserve. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, baking, exploring nature, and spending time with her family and three cats.

F. Foster, Ed.S.

BS, City College of NY; MA Jersey City University; Ed.S.

Ms. Foster is the School Counselor at Bard High School Early College Newark. She is a proud New York City raised graduate of public school and a second-generation college student. Ms. Foster has vast experience as an educator, in both the public and private sector, along with school leadership. Ms. Foster’s most prominent strength is her ability to establish a positive and respectable rapport with students, families, and community outreach sources. Ms. Foster ‘s career began with advocating for families in protected services for domestic violence as a lead educator. She has had roles from teacher of all subjects to adjunct professor at the community college. Ms. Foster credentials include Bachelor of Science in Education Psychology, Master of Art in Guidance and Counseling, Educational Specialist in Administrative Organizational Policy and Leadership. She holds state licenses and certifications in a specialized area of practice. Ms. Foster currently resides in NJ. She enjoys being active in the community, dancing, nature walks, and all the things that contribute to smiles and hearty belly laughter. 

Sabrina Franco

Briana Hall

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Bachelor of Arts in progress at Southern New Hampshire University

Ms. Hall is the Parent Liaison at Bard High School Early College. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree at Southern New Hampshire University. Since 2019, she has been working with children, beginning her career as a paraprofessional, then becoming a substitute teacher, and now serving as a parent liaison. Her overall goal is to connect families with the school community and provide aid and support to all students and their families.

Naja Houston

B.A., New Jersey City University; M.A., Rutgers University

Ms. Houston is a school social worker at Bard Early College High School in Newark, NJ. A proud first-generation college student born and raised in Newark, she brings a strong commitment to supporting students and families in her community. Ms. Houston attended Arts High School and earned her B.A. from New Jersey City University and her M.A. from Rutgers University. She chose to become a school social worker to help students overcome challenges and thrive both academically and personally. Passionate about giving back to the community that shaped her, Ms. Houston enjoys art and film in her free time as ways to relax and stay inspired.

Rafael Inoa

BA, Rutgers; MA, Saint Peter’s University; PhD, Seton Hall University

Dr. Rafael Inoa is the principal at Bard Early College High School Newark. A proud graduate of urban public schools and a first-generation college student, he brings over 20 years of experience as an educator, researcher, and school leader. Dr. Inoa began his career as a middle school English teacher and has served in roles ranging from classroom educator to assistant professor and program evaluator. He holds a B.A. from Rutgers University, an M.A. from Saint Peter’s University, and a Ph.D. from Seton Hall University. Deeply committed to educational equity, he enjoys collaborating with faculty, families, and the community to support every student’s success. Dr. Inoa lives in New Jersey and enjoys music, sports, and spending time outdoors with his family.

Mini Jayaprakash

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BS, MS, PhD, University of Madras, India; Ed.S. Seton Hall University

Dr. Mini Jayaprakash is the Vice Principal and Dean of Studies at BHSEC Newark, with over 24 years of experience in education. She began as a high school teacher and college professor in India before serving 11 years in leadership roles at Newark Public Schools, including Lead Science Teacher and Resource Teacher Coordinator. Dr. Jayaprakash holds a Bachelor’s in Zoology and Education, a Master’s in Mariculture, a Ph.D. in Marine Biology/Chemistry, and an Ed.S. from Seton Hall University. She is committed to fostering student success through collaboration with faculty, staff, families, and the community. Passionate about student empowerment, academic equity, and integrating college-level learning, she strives to create inclusive environments where all students can thrive. Outside of work, Dr. Jayaprakash enjoys gardening, traveling, listening to music, and spending time with family.

Rosa Lazzizera

B.A. Kean University; M.A. Kean University

Radhiya Mattox

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BS, William Paterson University

Tamar Mitchell, M.S.W.

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BA, Douglass College; MSW, Rutgers New Brunswick, The State University of New Jersey

Ms. Mitchell is proud graduate of the Newark Public Schools having attended Dayton Street School and Malcolm X Shabazz High School, both in the South Ward of Newark, NJ. She has over 20+ years of experience as a school social worker for the Newark Board of Education. Originally starting her career at the NBOE in the Office of Alternative Education in a middle school setting, then working several years as an elementary school social worker prior to transitioning to BHSEC Newark to become a High School social worker. She obtained her B.A. degree from Douglass College and MSW from the School of Social Work at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. She is a first generation college student. She strives to understand the needs of her students and families and the challenges they face on a daily basis. Much of who she is has a lot to do with her upbringing and the values instilled in her at an early age by her grandmother: hard work, perseverance and integrity.

Shaviece Osborne

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BA, Rider University; MA, Montclair State University

Ms. Osborne is the Dean of Students and the Director of The College Transfer Office at Bard High School Early College Newark. A product of Essex county public schools, Ms. Osborne is a first generation college student and proud EOF alum. She brings over twenty years of experience as an educator to BHSEC Newark. Ms. Osborne began her career in education in the Office of Admissions at Drew University and has served in roles that have always served her students.  She holds a B.A. from Rider University and a M.A in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University. Ms.Osborne is passionate about guiding future leaders and ensuring that her students are supported during the college admissions process.  It takes a village to raise a student and Ms. Osborne is proud to be a part of the village at Bard High School Early College Newark.  Ms. Osborne lives in New Jersey with her family, enjoys being a “Boy mom”, dining out and volunteering for philanthropic organizations.

Matthew Rice

BA, San Francisco State University; MA, University of California; Ed.D, Baylor University

Dr. Matthew Rice is the Department Chair of Science, Health, and Physical Education at Bard High School Early College Newark. A longtime educator and advocate, he brings two decades of experience as a teacher, instructional coach, and school leader. Dr. Rice began his career as a high school science teacher and has led district-level initiatives in curriculum alignment, teacher mentoring, and culturally responsive practice.

He holds a B.A. in Biology from San Francisco State University, an M.A. from the University of California, Davis, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Baylor University. His scholarship centers on advancing equity, inclusion, and human rights in education.

Dr. Rice and his son live in New Jersey, and outside of school, he enjoys reading, writing, and cycling. As the parent of a profoundly disabled young adult, he brings both personal experience and professional commitment to his advocacy for disability rights and LGBTQIA+ inclusion. He often says that his greatest gift has been his ability to translate the world to his son—and his son to the world.

Shannon Saint Louis

Shannon Saint Louis serves as support to BHSEC students, parents and staff as School Operations Assistant. She provides support to students while they utilize school facilities; ensuring students are learning in a safe and supportive environment. She is the single point of contact for support in navigating Kronos, purchasing, school level budget and student accounts. As an essential link amongst the students and their teachers; she ensures a positive school climate and culture. Her philosophy is to focus on student success through a safe environment promoting self motivation and creativity to prepare for the ever-changing world.

Tiffany R. Sims

BS, MS, New Jersey Institute of Technology; PhD, Rutgers University and University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

Dr. Sims’s interests include robotics, sensorimotor integration, physical rehabilitation,  and the development of outcome measures for movement disorders. She has taught 9th grade physics, Geometry, College Physics, Engineering, Bioengineering, and Bioinformatics. She is also the coach for the robotics team.

Jonae Spann

A.A., Bard High School Early College; B.S., Johnson & Wales University

Carol Wisneiski, B.S.N.