This diverse, experienced cohort of educators will develop and prepare for executive leadership.
NSNO is proud to celebrate the first cohort of Greenhouse E3 Fellows. These New Orleans educators are part of the national Greenhouse E3 program, which develops future executive-level leaders for public charter schools. Greenhouse E3 has cohorts in Washington D.C., Indianapolis, and Jacksonville, FL, and is quickly expanding to more states and charter networks nationwide, but it grew from NSNO’s own E3 program. NSNO’s E3 program had three successful cohorts starting in 2020, after which it expanded into “Greenhouse E3,” and is now being run externally by educational leaders who we’ve worked with for many years. We will continue to support their work and steward the New Orleans cohort.
Greenhouse E3’s programming fills a critical role in our system. In New Orleans, we need great leaders teaching students in classrooms each day. We need great educational leaders on our basketball courts and in band rooms, and we need great leaders serving schools as principals. We also need great leaders running school networks. Charter leaders often support multiple schools at a time–they coach principals, manage executive teams and operations, set the network-wide goals and visions, and are ultimately responsible for the education of all their students.
NSNO is proud to help support teachers through our New Orleans teacher community and principals through our Novice Leader Academy program. Greenhouse E3 allows us to help support charter leaders as well. Their programming includes personalized coaching, site-visits to top-performing schools across the country, and professional development sessions with a cohort of fellow leaders.
This year’s New Orleans cohort of the Greenhouse E3 Fellowship includes five strong, experienced educators with a deep commitment to New Orleans’ children.
Kevin Barnes, Jr, Chief of Staff for InspireNOLA Charter Schools
Kevin Barnes, Jr. is born and raised in New Orleans. He has worked in community relations, communications, fund development, recruitment, and nonprofit management in roles at InspireNOLA, KIPP New Orleans, Xavier University of Louisiana, St. Augustine High School, and NOLA Public Schools. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Xavier University of Louisiana, and was a Xavier University 2018 “40 Under 40” Honoree and a 2019 UNCF Young Alumnus of the Year recipient. His favorite New Orleans food is seafood gumbo.
Shanda Gentry, School Leader, Arthur Ashe Charter School
Shanda Gentry is from New Orleans, Louisiana. She has served as a kindergarten teacher, teacher-leader, mentor teacher, and director of curriculum and instruction across New Orleans, including at Benjamin E. Mays Preparatory School, KIPP McDonogh 15 School and Pierre A. Capdau Charter School. She is a graduate of McDonogh 35 High School and holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and master’s degree in Public Administration degree from the University of New Orleans. Her favorite New Orleans food is gumbo.
Dr. Tammi Griffin-Major, Chief Operating Officer for the Algiers Charter Schools Association (ACSA)
Dr. Major was born and raised in New Orleans. She was a math teacher at Sarah T. Reed High School, St. Mary’s Academy, and O. Perry Walker High School and later held multiple roles in ACSA’s central office: director of community relations, executive director of external and internal affairs, and chief of staff before entering the role of chief operating officer. Dr. Major has earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education from Southern University of New Orleans, a Master of Arts Educational Administration from Xavier University of New Orleans, and a Doctor of Education in Executive Leadership from the University of Holy Cross. Her favorite New Orleans food is crawfish.
Kaitlin Karpinski, School Leader and Executive Director, Rooted School New Orleans
Kaitlin Karpinski served as a math resource curriculum lead and special educator for the Hawaii State Department of Education, a lead facilitator for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, and as a Director of Teacher Leadership, Assistant Principal, 8th Grade Academy Principal, and Principal of Lighthouse Academies before becoming the a founding assistant school leader and eventually school leader and executive director of Rooted School. She graduated from Wilkes University and holds a Master’s degree in Special Education degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Her favorite New Orleans dish is barbeque shrimp with French bread.
Rachael MacIsaac Parker, Principal, KIPP Believe Primary
Rachael MacIssac Parker served as a special education teacher in Baton Rouge, LA, on the Teach For America staff in New York City designing new teacher training, as a Special Education Coordinator for KIPP New Orleans, and as an assistant principal before becoming principal of KIPP Believe Primary. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University. Rachael’s favorite New Orleans food is white beans, sausage, and greens on Mondays (specifically those made by the Believe Primary cafeteria staff).
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Mr. Barnes, Ms. Gentry, Dr. Major, Ms. Karpinski, and Ms. MacIssac Parker already have so many children and educators counting on them. The scope of their impact will only grow from here. This is an enormous responsibility. We look forward to being a part of their journey as they hone their skills in leading, and supporting networks of schools where students grow academically, prepare for their dreams, and feel loved.