Founders In Residence
Jessica Rooney
Jessica Rooney is an NCSF Founder in Residence and the future Leader of People's Preparatory Charter School in Newark. Ms. Rooney comes to NCSF after a yearlong residency in Urban Education at New Leaders for New Schools, during which time she served as a Resident Principal at Bronx Lab School. Additionally, she has served several roles at New York's New Design High School, including Department Chair, Spanish/English Teacher, Facilitator of Inquiry Process, and Targeted Academic Group Coordinator. Ms. Rooney firmly believes that when strong school leadership is combined with community support, all students have the capacity for success regardless of their demographic characteristics.
Ms. Rooney holds a B.A. in Women's Studies from Smith College and an M.S. Ed. in Educational Leadership from the CIty University of New York--Baruch College.
Marshaé Newkirk
Marshaé Newkirk is an NCSF Founder in Residence and the future Director of Roseville Community Charter School in Newark. With 14 years of experience as an urban educator, Marshaé is an alumnus of both the New Leaders for New Schools and Teach For America programs, and has held instructional and leadership positions at schools in the Bronx and Mount Vernon, New York. Prior to coming to NCSF, she was the Lower School Director of a charter school in the Bronx. Throughout her career she has focused on literacy as an instructional cornerstone, implemented data-driven instructional practices, and facilitated teacher development and training.
Marshaé holds both a Master of Science in Elementary Education from Lehman College as well as a Master of Science in Educational Administration and Supervision from Fordham University.