Aisha Al-Muid
Aisha Al-Muid has over 15 years of service inside of both traditional and charter public educational institutions. Her service as an Early Childhood Field Administrator for the School District of Philadelphia’s Office of Early Childhood is her current role. Aisha began her career in education as a ECE substitute teacher and has served in roles as a pre-kindergarten assistant teacher, elementary school teacher and financial literacy program administrator. She was able to create “Carpe Diem” a multifaceted offering of extended learning activities through a Before, After, and Summercare program where Aisha also served as Director at the Russell Byers Charter School. She started doing research and developing mini curriculum units for elementary school with a focus on English Language Arts and Social Studies using PA standards and fresh content with support from TIP (Teachers Institute of Philadelphia) and served in a leadership role as a teacher mentor and advisor. Aisha holds an Associate’s degree in Early Childcare from BMCC (Borough of Manhattan Community College), Bachelor’s degree in English from Hunter College, Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Lincoln University, as well as Pennsylvania certifications in Early Childhood, Level II Elementary Education K-6, and Administrative Principal K-12. In addition to her passion for education, Aisha is an entrepreneurial spirit and has ventured out on several business endeavors within the fashion, media, beauty and wellness industries. Aisha has a vision of combining her passion for education, creativity, and business to provide alternative education for parents who want DEI embedded thoroughly in their children’s learning experiences.
Omari Baye
Omari is a native Philadelphian motivated by a strong desire to assess and understand how trauma and barriers to resources impact child development. He earned a degree in psychology at Morehouse College and pursued Master’s Degrees in Childhood Studies, Psychology, and Public Affairs & Policy at Rutgers University. Omari has wide-ranging experience in the social services field; first in the educational and behavioral health settings, then later as an emergency housing provider as a Program and Compliance Director. Omari Baye joined PEC in February 2021 after partnering with the BELL Project (Building Early Links for Learning) for three and a half years. He currently works to connect families experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity to high-quality early childhood education programs.
Keshia T. Bell-Jones
Keshia Bell-Jones is the Director of Operations for Young World Early Learning Center, where she runs an early childhood education program that partners with the Philadelphia School District and provides a Head Start Program and Pre-K Counts Program. Keshia coaches a staff of 17 to implement Creative Curriculum and Second Step Curriculum, focusing on children’s social emotional development. Keshia has over 20 years’ experience in Early Childhood Education with 15 years as a Head Start Teacher. She has worked in various programs spending the past 12 years with Young World Early Learning Center. Keshia is also a Yoga teacher, and has offered yoga as apart of her program. Keshia has serviced as an adjunct professor at Prism Career Institute. She is a recent new hire for Lake Side Global Institute, where she will work within the community providing training around trauma and trauma informed care.
Keshia attended Chestnut Hill College where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. At Lincoln University she received her Master of Educational Leadership. Currently Keshia is participating in the DEEL Fellowship and the First-Up Fellowship, with the hopes of pursuing her Doctorate.
Shineal Hunter
Shineal Hunter is a lifelong learner and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Psychology, from Lincoln University, a dual Master’s degree in Education Administration and Adult Continuing Education from Cheyney University and a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Temple University. Currently, she owns and operates Family Circle Academy in Philadelphia, PA. Shineal’s journey started four generations ago- her great grandmother, grandmother and mother have all owned and operated childcare businesses. While growing up Shineal spent her childhood helping, learning, and assisting in their businesses. As she got older rather than immediately carrying on the family tradition, she started her career as a clinical therapist and high school social worker. The opportunity to return to her roots came when she opened her own family child care home in 2008 to have additional income. In time her family childcare home grew; going to year-round programming and transitioning into a commercial space in 2011 serving 87 children. Family Circle Academy allows her to give back to her community and honor her ancestors at the same time.
Shineal’s education in human services, psychology, and administration has given her insight into the therapeutic needs of individual children and families she serves. Her love for childcare has allowed her to work daily doing what she is passionate about, supporting children and families, and early childhood educators who look like her. She is inspired by the diverse ECE community and knows as everyone continues to work together, we can ensure everyone will have a seat at the decision-making table. With this action, we will have a strong future that can meet the needs of children, families, and communities.
Taheerah Igus
Taheerah Igus is a project manager at the School District of Philadelphia. She works alongside mental health professionals in the District to provide support for student mental health and trauma resources. Prior to this role, Taheerah led the teacher residency program and managed fiscal compliance for Pre-K partnerships for the District. She received her Masters from Temple University’s Urban Education program and her Bachelors from Rutgers University in Childhood Studies. Taheerah also has experience in charter schools as she worked on an administrative team supporting teachers and principals, while also leading initiatives to increase family and community engagement in the school community.
Jennifer Nieves
Jennifer Nieves currently serves as the Director of Career and Technical Education at Olney Charter High School. Olney Charter High School is the second largest comprehensive high school in the City of Philadelphia. As the founder of the OCHS Childcare Center and Director of Career and Technical Education, Jennifer is responsible for both the management of the fully licensed Childcare center and the development of the schools’ newly developed Career and Technical Education programming. Ms. Nieves coaches and/or mentors numerous team members across multiple departments, ensuring the implementation of processes and protocols to create an environment of quality customer service and equity.
Jennifer has earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science and Psychology from LaSalle University. She has earned a Master’s in Business Administration from Walden University and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Wilmington University. She has completed her course work for her Doctoral Degree at Aspen University and is currently in the process of writing her dissertation in the area of CTE and urban Education. She holds a Principal Pk-12 certification and a PA Vocational Administrator certification.
Briana Sanders
Briana Sanders is the Senior Site Manager for Jumpstart Philadelphia, at Temple University. Jumpstart is a national (supplemental) program working towards the day every child in America enters kindergarten prepared to succeed. At Jumpstart, Briana works to recruit and train college students to provide high-quality early childhood education services to support early childhood readiness in the North Philadelphia community. With over 8 years of experience in the field of Early Childhood Education, Briana has worked to support early child care centers in their daily operations– Infant/Toddler, Preschool, and After School program implementation. Briana also has experience connecting families to education and community resources, overseeing family engagement programming, serving as a Family Advocate, providing home visiting service to children and families during her time at Maternity Care Coalition.
Briana has a Bachelor of Arts in Adult and Organizational Development, from Temple University and a certification in the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS). In her work, Briana focuses on providing high-quality services to the education landscape in Philadelphia communities, in hopes of working towards dismantling systemic barriers for underserved communities.
India White
India White is the founder and CEO of Fairy Godmother of Childcare. Ms. White supports commercial childcare centers through the Keystone Stars process in record timing with accuracy. As well as provide one on one and group training, prepare annual audits, aid in finding grants options, develop programming, and much more. In conjunction to operating FGMOC, she is the full-time Executive Director for Your Child and Mine Early Education Center/Personal Touch company located in Philadelphia since 2016. She currently provides oversight for many childcare centers in Philadelphia, PA, and has over 10 years of experience in the childcare/education industry.
India White has obtained an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood education from Harcum College, as well as her Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Studies from Chestnut Hill College and has her Director Credentials.
Brittney Williams
Brittney Williams is an Academic Coach for the School District of Philadelphia Office of Early Childhood. In her current role Brittney provides instructional support to Eight PHLpreK sites in the city of Philadelphia. Providing early learning support to inner city students has been her passion for the past ten years. She holds the belief that while at times disadvantaged, young students can achieve high standards.
Brittney began her teaching career as an Assistant Preschool Teacher at a prominent childcare center in the city of Philadelphia that is NAEYC accredited; and that she had the pleasure of attending herself as a young child. Brittney soon expanded her reach and became a teacher for the School District of Philadelphia, primarily working with 1st and 5th Grade. Her desire to return to the preschool level prompted her move to her current position as an Academic Coach. In addition to her teaching experience; prior to her time as an Academic Coach, Brittney obtained her Bachelor of Science in Education along with Certifications in Early Childhood Education and K-6 Elementary Education from Rosemont College, and her Masters of Education from Cabrini University. Brittney is currently in school for her Principal Certification from Eastern University and desires to continue having an impact on students and teachers in the field of Early Childhood Education.
Currently, Brittney is a part of two equity initiatives within her district and department. She is leading a group of skilled individuals on dismantling systemic racist procedures and practices in order to have a greater impact on children and families within the city of Philadelphia.