Our leadership
Shakina Hinton
Head of SchoolShakina Hinton
Head of School
Hyrjana Dibra
Associate Director of Science & LanguagesHyrjana Dibra is currently serving as the Director of Operations at Emblazon Academy Charter School. Originally from Albania, she moved to the Bronx at the age of 17. A decade ago, she embarked on my education career at Lehman College, earning a degree in Biology. During this time, she co-founded and led the BxCHL pre-health program, dedicated to establishing a pre-med initiative for underrepresented college students. The program's mission focused on providing a platform for healthcare exposure and offering academic and social/emotional support.
Her journey also led her to the New York State Assembly, where she gained insights into the mission of Charter Schools and the educational landscape in New York. Driven by a passion for education, she transitioned to teaching science in various charter schools with the goal of inspiring students to pursue science-related careers amid resource challenges.
In 2018, she joined Emblaze as a 5th-grade science teacher. Her mission was to establish and develop a robust science department, ensuring Emblaze students felt well-prepared and thrived in their future science high school courses. Over the years, she expanded the science curriculum and created a hands-on science program, allowing students to explore through engaging projects.
This year, she took on the role of Director of Operations. In this new capacity, she is committed to approaching education with a fresh perspective, laying a solid foundation for the teachers and students. Her goal is to establish an environment where education is rigorous, equitable, and addresses both academic and social-emotional aspects for all our students.
Ms. Dibra can be reached at [email protected].
Hyrjana Dibra
Director of Operations
Dasmin Croft
Director of ELA [email protected]Dasmin Croft
Director of ELA & Languages
[email protected]
Michael McCray
Director of MathMichael McCray
Director of Math
Rebecca Tilakdharry
Associate Director of History & EnrichmentRebecca Tilakdharry
Director of History & Enrichment
Peta Gaye Morrison
8th Grade Science [email protected]Peta Gaye Morrison
Director of Science
[email protected]
Shauniece Turner
Director of School Culture
[email protected]
Toni Vails
Assistant Dean of School CultureToni Vails
Dean of School Culture
Chante’l Johnson
Director of Special EducationChante’l Johnson
Director of Special Education
Miguel Pena
Operations ManagerMiguel Pena
Operations Manager
Stacy Chavez
Operations ManagerStacy Chavez
Assistant Director of Operations
Natalie Claudio
Office Manager
Ms. Claudio was born in New Jersey but spent most of her childhood in the Bronx. Four years ago, she moved her family back to
NYC. Though it has its challenges, she is proud of her large, blended family as each of her babies (6 children – from ages 7-18) bring life and love to each day. Ms Claudio has an Associates Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing Management.
Natalie Claudio
Office Manager
Our faculty
Brittany Watson
5th Grade ELA Teacher & School Instructional SpecialistBrittany Watson
5th Grade ELA Teacher & School Instructional Specialist
Caryn Rhodes
School Counselor [email protected]Caryn Rhodes
School Counselor
[email protected]
Braden Waller
ELA SETSS [email protected]Braden Waller
ELA SETSS
[email protected]
Eric Shellhase
6th Grade ELA & School Phonics [email protected]Eric Shellhase
ELL Program Manager
[email protected]
Junior Johnson
Math SETSS
D’Andre McPhatter
Enrichment Teacher
Kashean Alston
STEM Specialist
[email protected]
Kashean Alston
STEM Specialist
[email protected]
Kiara Simmons
Literacy Specialist [email protected]Kiara Simmons
Literacy Specialist
[email protected]
Viviana Budhu
5th/6th Grade History
[email protected]
Oma Seepersaud
5th/6th Grade Science
[email protected]
Oma Seepersaud
5th/6th Grade Science
[email protected]
Angelica Almanzar
5th/ 6th Grade MathAngelica Almanzar
5th/ 6th Grade Math
Demi Nunez
STEM Specialist [email protected]Demi Nunez
STEM Specialist
[email protected]
Tiffany Thomas
6th Grade ELA Teacher
Simuel Stevenson
5th/6th Grade EnrichmentSimuel Stevenson
5th/6th Grade Enrichment
Akeelah Blenman
7th Grade Science
Michael Sherman
7th Grade MathMichael Sherman
7th Grade Math
Jaron Williams
7th Grade Enrichment [email protected]Jaron Williams
7/8th Grade Enrichment
[email protected]
Stephanie Ramirez
ELA
Hi My name is Ms.Ramirez and I teach ELA.
Stephanie Ramirez
7th Grade ELA
Marco Antonio Santiago
6th Grade LiteratureMarco Antonio Santiago
7th Grade History
Priscella Castillo
8th Grade Science
Regine Simmons
7th Grade Science [email protected]Regine Simmons
8th Grade History
[email protected]
Autumn Letson
8th Grade ELA [email protected]Autumn Letson
8th Grade ELA
[email protected]
Krystal Streat
8th Grade Math