LEAD Staff
Natasha Anderson
Data and Operations Coordinator /
Operations Lead - 571 Campus
Natasha Anderson is the Data and Operations Coordinator for LEAD Charter School. Natasha is currently pursuing her B.S.W. at Walden University. In her free time, Natasha enjoys spending quality time with her nephews, binge watching shows on various streaming platforms and traveling.
Gisele Bartley
Program Manager - 571 Campus
Gisele Bartley is the Program Manager at LEAD Charter School, with more than 15 years of youth development and advocacy experience. Gisele has been a part of the Newark Opportunity Youth Network since 2006, serving as an administrator, counselor and technical assistant. Gisele earned a M.S. in Human and Social Service from Walden University with Honors. When she's not supporting young people, she enjoys art, music, and photography and incorporating creativity and art into her work. She also uses data to help tell young people's Stories of Transformation.
Khaya Caine
Program Manager - 201 Campus
Khaya Caine is a Program Manager at LEAD Charter School. Khaya is a Certified Professional Life Coach who holds an M.A. in Communications/TV/Film from Syracuse University and a B.A. in Journalism from Clark Atlanta University. She enjoys helping others create opportunities for mindfulness - whether it’s through individual or group coaching, prayer, meditation, yoga or her published work that serves to inspire hope and promote growth mindset.
Daniel Cerdas
Humanities Teacher
Danny Cerdas is the Humanities Teacher at LEAD Charter School. He joined LEAD to help students make a positive impact on their communities. Danny has a M.A. in Liberal Arts from Temple University and a Bachelor’s from Rutgers University. When he’s not teaching, Danny is reading, watching movies, and chasing after his very energetic son.
Shaylah Counts
Graduate Engagement Coordinator
Shaylah Counts is the Graduate Engagement Coordinator at the Newark Opportunity Youth Network (OYN) supporting LEAD graduates. Shaylah joined OYN to help support Newark's young people in their transition after high school. She earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a minor in Psychology from Rider University. Shaylah is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. When she is not serving the young people at LEAD, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, mentoring teens, traveling and coaching track and field.
Deray Gaskins
Math Instructor
Deray Gaskins is the Math Instructor at LEAD Charter School's 571 campus. Deray has two years in secondary education. He earned his undergraduate degree in Mathematical Science at Kean University. When he's not working with young people, he enjoys exercising, spending time with his family, watching football and eating seafood.
Terry Lang
Senior Vocational Instructor
Terry Lang is the CTE Instructor at LEAD Charter School's 571 campus. Terry is a proud YouthBuild Newark graduate from the inaugural class of 2004. He holds 13 years of experience in youth development and CTE training, with multiple instructor certifications from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and several other technical certifications. When he's not supporting young people, he enjoys music, watching sports and coaching young athletes in football and wresting.
Gloria Oh
Manager of Performance and Systems
Gloria is the Manager of Performance and Systems with the Newark Opportunity Youth Network (OYN). Gloria has taught middle school math and science in Philadelphia public schools and she led an English language department for Sookmyung Women's University in South Korea before returning to the states to pursue an M.P.A. focused on data analysis and program evaluation. Gloria is passionate about OYN's mission, and she hopes to use data to impact decision-making for young people's needs and bring young people's potential to the forefront of educational and labor discussions. Gloria also enjoys spending time with her family and her dog, playing video games, reading an eclectic array of articles, and gardening.
Dr. Jerome Patterson
Special Education and Financial Literacy Teacher
Dr. Jerome Patterson is a special education and financial literacy teacher at LEAD Charter School's 201 campus. Dr. Patterson earned a B.S in Business Administration from University of Phoenix - Philadelphia Campus, a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from American University in Washington, DC; a Master's in Teacher Leadership from University of Phoenix - Online, and he's currently completing his Doctoral Residency and dissertation from Capella University in Educational Systems Performance Improvement. When he's not teaching, Dr. Patterson is an avid roller skater, a licensed hair stylist, loves pets, and loves to cook Maryland Blue Crabs all year long.
Isahony Shaida
Technology Teacher & Coordinator
Isahony Shaida is the Technology Teacher and Technical Coordinator at LEAD Charter School. She has been a Paraprofessional for New Jersey’s Department of Education, a Microsoft System Administrator at Avtech Institute of Technology and she’s certified in Comptia A+. She recently pursued CTE certifications to explore teaching programs that align with workforce readiness and creating career pathways. She joined LEAD because she believes in the potential of young person. During her free time, she enjoys being a mom to her daughter and son, traveling to new cities and being happy around family.
Lakiesha Smith
Advocate Counselor
Lakiesha Smith is an Advocate Counselor at LEAD Charter School. Lakiesha joined LEAD because of her passion for providing social and emotional counseling to those in her community. Lakiesha takes pride in building and maintaining healthy relationships and encourages those behaviors in others. She earned a Bachelor’s from Morgan State University, where she became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. When she is not supporting young people at LEAD, she enjoys spending time with her 12-year-old daughter, feeding the homeless, mentoring teens, traveling with family and dining out with friends.
Jeanetta Springer
Advocate Counselor
Jeanetta Springer is an Advocate Counselor at LEAD Charter School. She joined LEAD because she enjoys serving and creating safe spaces for young people to develop their healing processes. Jeanetta earned a B.A. in Public Administration. Jeanetta specializes in implementing policies and structural systems as a means of organization. Accountability is her strong suit; holding people to their higher selves is what she advocates for. She believes in Newark and encourages young people to pursue their purpose to impact change in their community.
Bilal Walker
Program Manager for Policy and Advocacy
Bilal Walker is the Program Manager for Policy and Advocacy for the Newark Opportunity Youth Network. He is an aspiring anthropologist with expertise in developing and managing culturally-responsive education and advocacy programs in undeserved communities. He is skilled in analyzing and synthesizing research and tracking policies and practices at the federal, state, and local levels. Bilal works closely with program directors and advocates counselors to create leadership engagement opportunities for LEAD Charter School students. Walker is currently pursuing a Master’s in Child Advocacy and Policy from Montclair State University.
Andrea Bey
Academic Instructor
Andrea Bey is an Academic Instructor at LEAD Charter School. She joined the LEAD community because of its shared focus on social and emotional learning, career technical education and academics. Andrea has a B.A. in Environmental Science from Ramapo College and a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University. She began her teaching career in 2012 at Kean University and has also taught at Union County College and Centenary University.