14th Cohort

Left to Right: Carl Hermanns, Shonda Huery, Petal Walker, Barbara Adams, Sean Mc Phetridge, and Miche Harvey

Barbara Adams

Portland Public Schools

Miche Harvey

Carl Hermanns

Doctoral Candidate

Carl is currently focusing on the emerging literacy development of preschool-age English language learners. His dissertation research specifically investigates vocabulary development in this population. Prior to attending Harvard, Carl taught in urban elementary schools and was the founding principal of the Museum School, a San Diego City Schools elementary charter school. Before returning full time to education, his career path also included fifteen years as a professional musician and conductor.

Education: M.Ed., Harvard Graduate School of Education; M.F.A., Carnegie-Mellon University; B.Mus.Ed., Temple University.

Contact: usphermanns@aol.com

Shonda Huery

Doctoral Student, & Principal, Memphis, Tennessee

Upon completion of an internship with Superintendent Carol Johnson in Memphis, Tennessee, Shonda was responsible for coordinating the opening of a newly constructed elementary school. She currently serves as the principal of the new school where students are exposed to an enriched instructional program emphasizing the following areas: Math, Science, Technology and the Arts. Her previous experience includes: School Improvement Coordinator (Memphis), School Administrator (Washington, DC), Instructional Facilitator (Washington, DC), English Teacher (Washington, DC), Congressional Correspondent (US Congress).

Education: Ed. M Harvard University; MA in Education Administration, Trinity College, BA in Journalism, Howard University.

Contact: shuery@aol.com

Sean McPhetridge

Doctoral Student, & Director of Secondary Education, Alameda Unified School District

As Director of Secondary Education with Alameda Unified School District, CA, Sean has led numerous instructional improvement initiatives, ranging from exit exam curriculum design to career technical education course development. Sean has also served as Principal of Alameda Science and Technology Institute, a nationally recognized Early College High School. Sean's teaching experience spans elementary to graduate settings. Before USP, Sean was a high school administrator after building a college degree program at San Quentin State Prison.

Education: MA, Claremont Graduate School; BA, UCLA.

Contact: mcphetridge@gmail.com

Petal Walker

Doctoral Candidate, & Law Student

Mrs. Petal Walker taught History at the Frederick Douglass Academy (FDA). She focused on holding low-income students to high standards and inculcating them with the discipline and tenacity to succeed in college and beyond. While at FDA, Petal's students performed well on standardized tests and other measures of student achievement. At FDA, she served in several extra-pedagogical functions including chairperson of the history department, co-director of the HBO Mentoring Program and coordinator of the Historical Society.

Education: Ed.M., Harvard University; B.A., Yale University, Summa cum laude