Dr. Rahesha Amon is the Chief Executive Officer of City Teaching Alliance and is an award-winning career educator, executive, and Google GSV Fellowship alumna with more than 25 years of leadership experience. In 2024, she joined City Teaching Alliance as CEO from New York City’s Department of Education, where she most recently served as Senior Executive Director of School Support and Operations. Dr. Amon began her career as an award-winning classroom teacher and progressed to roles including Educational Coach, Assistant Director of Early Childhood, and Assistant Principal. Eventually, she became the founding Principal of Frederick Douglass Academy III in the Bronx, New York, before advancing to the positions of Deputy Superintendent and Superintendent of Community School District 16 in Brooklyn. The recipient of numerous awards and accolades, Dr. Amon’s impact spans local, regional, national, and international spheres, from establishing an aspiring entrepreneur fellowship in New York City with funding from the Sterling Foundation to serving as an International Advisor for the Ministry of Education, the Abu Dhabi Education Council, and ALEF education, playing a crucial role in the establishment of a charter management organization serving over 6,000 students across six campuses in Abu Dhabi. She holds a doctoral degree from New York University, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Fordham University, and a Bachelor of Arts from North Carolina Central University.

Charity Jones is the Chief Educator Learning Officer at City Teaching Alliance, with over 25 years of professional experience in public K-12 educational settings, higher education, and the nonprofit sector. Her career includes experience as an educational consultant, instructional coach, director of clinical faculty at American University and Johns Hopkins University’s Graduate School of Education, school principal, administrator, senior professorial lecturer at American University, and public school teacher with professional certifications in elementary and secondary school principalship and secondary education. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, a Master’s in Teaching from Wayne State University, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Administration from Concordia University.

Kayla Colianni is the Chief of Staff at City Teaching Alliance with over 15 years of experience in organizational leadership and strategic operations. Her professional career includes experience in cross-functional team management, operational strategy, and leadership development. Kayla earned her bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a master’s degree in Human Development and Leadership.

Sarika Simpson is the Vice President of Growth & Partnerships at City Teaching Alliance, with over 18 years of professional experience in K-12 education, district leadership, and the EdTech sector. Her career includes experience as a classroom teacher, school leader in Plano ISD, district leader, and senior EdTech executive, where she helped transform organizations, launched services that generated more than $10 million in revenue, and built systems that drive instructional improvement at scale. She is a first-generation college graduate and a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Bachelors of Arts with a degree in History and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership and Administration from Cardinal Stritch University.

Jeff Glowik is the Regional Executive Director of City Teaching Alliance, Philadelphia Before becoming the Executive Director of City Teaching Alliance – Philadelphia, Jeff served as the Director of Clinical Faculty for City Teaching Alliance and American University. As the former Principal and Assistant Principal of Mastery Schools. Jeff brings more than a decade of experience and a nuanced understanding of school leadership and classroom needs to his current role. He has seen firsthand the impact that preparation has on high-quality teaching, student outcomes, and the student experience, and is well-positioned to actualize City Teaching Alliance’s mission and vision in Philadelphia. Jeff holds a Bachelor degree in Political Science from Temple University and a Master of Science in Education from Pace University.

Dr. Kimberly Washington is the Regional Executive Director for City Teaching Alliance Baltimore. Kimberly’s leadership journey in Baltimore began as principal of Booker T. Washington Middle School, an experience that shaped her deep commitment to the city’s students, teachers, and leaders. For over a decade, she has supported Baltimore’s efforts to strengthen its principal pipeline, helping to prepare and empower the school leaders to drive meaningful change in their schools and communities.

Before joining City Teaching Alliance, Kimberly served as the Executive Director of Programs for New Leaders, Inc., where she led partnerships in Washington, DC; Louisville, KY; Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA; and San Antonio, TX. Before New Leaders, she served as principal of Hyattsville Middle School in Prince George’s County, MD, where her leadership led to record-breaking student achievement growth in just one year.

A lifelong advocate for educational equity, Kimberly believes education is a gateway to freedom, freedom from generational poverty, and freedom to live in one’s purpose. She holds a B.A. in Secondary Mathematics Education from Norfolk State University, an M.A.

Anthony Dorado is the Regional Executive Director of City Teaching Alliance, Washington, DC, and a proud alumnus of both City Teaching Alliance and AmeriCorps. Anthony began his career in education after transitioning from the corporate sector, driven by a commitment to expanding access and opportunity for students and communities historically underserved by traditional systems.

As a former City Teaching Alliance resident and AmeriCorps member, he brings firsthand experience in teacher preparation, service leadership, and community impact. Anthony has held multiple leadership roles in education, including serving as CEO of Education for an international school network, where he led program development, educator training, and cross-cultural partnerships. His leadership is grounded in equity, collaboration, and building strong systems that support teachers to thrive and students to succeed. Anthony holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Law and a Master of Science in Education and Special Education from Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Alexes Terry is the Regional Executive Director of City Teaching Alliance Dallas, where she leads regional strategy and school partnerships focused on recruiting, preparing, and retaining highly effective educators across Dallas-area schools. She brings over 15 years of experience in education, including classroom teaching, instructional coaching, teacher preparation, and nonprofit leadership.

Her expertise centers on culturally responsive teaching, educator development, and building sustainable systems that help teachers thrive so students and communities can thrive. Dr. Terry also serves as a professor and holds a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Urban Education. She is a certified wellness coach and the author of REAL LOVE: Strategies for Reaching Students Who See No Way Out.