Rochester Prep Elementary School

Rochester Prep Middle School - Brooks Campus

Rochester Prep Middle School - West Campus Staff

Uncommon Schools | Rochester Staff

Stacey Shells    Founding Principal - Elementary School

Stacey Shells is the Founding Principal of True North Rochester Preparatory Charter School, which opened the fall of 2006.  In addition to opening the middle school, she recently opened the second True North Rochester Prep School, which is Rochester Prep’s first elementary school. Prior to joining True North, she served as a Lead Teacher for New York City Public Schools, training teachers, and modeling instruction. Stacey also has experience as a classroom teacher, and a high school counselor. A 1999 Teach for America Alum, she taught in Baltimore, Maryland.  She also taught in the South Bronx for 5 years.  Ms. Shells received her B.S. in Psychology from Hampton University, her M.S. in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University, and a second M.S. in Educational Administration from Pace University.

Brian Marciano    Director of Operations - Elementary School

Prior to joining Rochester Prep, Brian Marciano most recently worked for six years as Branch Business Manager at Rochester Coca-Cola. Previously, Mr. Marciano spent seven years developing a deep accounting background in vending and food service, as the accountant for Anderson Paramount Vending and Food Service Co. Mr. Marciano attended a local elementary school and high school in Rochester and understands the importance of closing the achievement gap. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the State University of New York, College at Brockport.

David McBride    Principal Middle School

Mr. McBride was the founding history teacher at Rochester Prep before becoming principal at the start of the 2009-2010 school year. Prior to joining Uncommon Schools, he was teaching American History and Foreign Policy at the University of Leicester in England while earning postgraduate degrees at the University of Nottingham.

Marya Murray-Diaz    Director of Operations - Middle School

Ms. Diaz is the Director of Operations at True North Rochester Prep – Middle School. She started her career at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, a policy think tank in Washington, DC. She then joined the 2004 corps of Teach for America, teaching bilingual fifth grade in the South Bronx for two years to English Language Learners. Ms. Diaz also taught sixth grade Math in central Harlem at Democracy Prep Charter School. She then moved to the operational side of education, working as the first School Operations Manager at KIPP Infinity Charter School, establishing the role and collaborating with others in operations at KIPP to create, develop, and grow the role of Operations Managers within the region. Ms. Diaz joined Uncommon Schools | Rochester Prep in 2009 and is overjoyed to work towards closing the achievement gap in her hometown of Rochester, NY. Ms. Diaz holds a Bachelors and a Masters degree from Georgetown University and a Masters in Education from Lehman College, City University of New York.

Anna Hall    Chief Operating Officer

Anna Hall is Chief Operating Officer of True North Public Schools network. Before becoming Chief Operating Officer at True North, Anna served as Director of Operations at Troy Prep. Prior to joining the True North Network, Anna worked as an Operations leader for the North Atlantic Region of Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions. Anna began her career in education as a Teach for America Corps Member in Eastern North Carolina as a 7th grade teacher. Anna holds a BA in Politics from Princeton University, and a Master’s in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School. Her Master’s thesis examining education funding policy in Massachusetts was awarded the Fischer prize and has been published by the Rappaport Institute.

Marina Accordo    5th Grade Math Teacher

Marina Accordo joined Rochester Prep in 2011 as the 5th Grade Math Problem Solving Teacher. Prior to this year, she worked as a substitute teacher in several different school districts in the Rochester area. Marina holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Saint Francis University and is currently working towards a Master’s Degree at the State University of New York at Brockport.

Matthew Arcovio    8th Grade History Teacher

Mr. Arcovio founded the 8th Grade History program at Rochester prep in 2009. He joined Rochester Prep after retiring from his career as a Minor League Baseball umpire. Mr. Arcovio holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Rochester, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Empire State College.

Eric Bellinger    Math Specialist

Eric Bellinger is currently in his third year at Rochester Prep. After spending the previous year as a fifth grade math teacher, Eric has now taken on the role as a math specialist where he provides math support and tutoring. Eric holds a B.S. in Childhood Education from Roberts Wesleyan College and a M.S. in Education from the State University of New York, College at Brockport.

Courtney Betar    6th Grade Writing Teacher

This is Courtney Betar’s first year teaching at Rochester Prep, and she is grateful to be part of such a hardworking team. Prior to joining the Uncommon network, she was studying at St. John Fisher College where she received a B.A. in English Literature and Adolescence Education. Ms. Betar enjoys working with her students, and she has the highest expectations for them in the future.

Ashley Buroff    Director of High School Placement and Alumni Services

Ms. Buroff is the Director of High School Placement and Alumni Services at Rochester Prep. Since 2008, Ms. Buroff has been a part of Rochester Prep and has fulfilled the roles of 7th grade writing teacher, High School Placement Coordinator, Compassion In Action Coordinator, and the founder of the Rochester Prep Running Club. Ms. Buroff began her career in education as a 2006 Teach For America Corps Member in Phoenix, Arizona teaching students with special needs.

Jennifer Chapin    Math Fellow

Jennifer Chapin joined the Rochester Prep team prior to the 2011-2012 school year. Ms. Chapin works with the sixth grade Math team as the Math fellow. She received her Bachelor of Science in Childhood and Special Education at Roberts Wesleyan College. Ms. Chapin is passionate about seeing her students work hard and achieve success.

Tondra Collins    8th Grade English Language Arts Teacher

Prior to joining Rochester Prep in 2008, Tondra taught Special Education in the Rochester City School District and Andrew Trahey School (Hillside Children’s Foundation). She received a B.S. in Psychology and a M.S. in Inclusive Childhood Education from Nazareth College. Currently, Tondra is a doctoral student at the University of Rochester, pursuing an Ed.D. in Teaching and Curriculum. Her research interests include black masculinity formation in public schools and the connection between resiliency and achievement.

Lisa DelFavero    Special Education Coordinator

Ms. DelFavero is the Special Education Coordinator and Special Education Teacher at Rochester Prep Middle School. She received a Master’s Degree in Urban Education from Hunter College and an Undergraduate Degree in Childhood and Special Education from the State University of New York at Geneseo.

Dominick DiFalco    Alumni Services Coordinator

Mr. DiFalco is the Alumni Services Coordinator at Rochester Prep. He began his career in higher education as Writing Center Director at Pace University. He then entered the not-for-profit sector, serving as Director of College Academics for the Knowledge is Power Program. Operating out of the South Bronx, Mr. DiFalco assisted low-income high school and college students, developing and implementing academic support and college persistence initiatives and managing the successful KIPP Through College Scholars Program. Prior to joining Uncommon Schools, Mr. DiFalco held a consulting position for KIPP Foundation. He earned his M.A. in English Language and Literature from Brooklyn College in 2006.

Kaitlin Driscoll    Athletic Director

Kaitlin Driscoll started her career at Rochester Prep in 2007 as a physical education teacher and basketball coach.   In 2008 she founded the Athletic Program and moved into the Athletic Director position.  Her program has evolved to include athletic, community service, and academic opportunities for its athletes, aimed at supplementing the school’s mission of academic and character development.  Kaitlin holds a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education from The College at Brockport:  State University of New York and a Master’s Degree in Sports Management from West Virginia University.  She has her Professional Certification in New York State to teach as a Physical Education teacher.  

 Scott Hassall    7th Grade History Teacher, History Department Chair

Scott Hassall received a B.S. in History from SUNY Brockport in 2007. He began his teaching career as a 7th grade history teacher at Burger Middle School in the Rush-Henrietta School District. This is his third year teaching at Rochester Prep. Scott is currently completing an internship at Rochester Prep as he pursues his M.S. in Educational Leadership.

Robert Hopkins    5th Grade Math Teacher

A graduate of the Rochester City School District, Rob Hopkins is incredibly excited to be a part of, “the civil rights movement of our time,” urban public education. Holding degrees in Human Services and Psychology/Teacher Certification from SUNY Empire State and SUNY Brockport respectively, Rob is in his fourth year of teaching mathematics at Rochester Prep and is currently working toward his Master’s Degree specializing in Childhood Education/Curriculum Development.

Elizabeth Incardona    Reading Specialist

Elizabeth Incardona is the reading specialist for Rochester Prep, Brooks Ave. Mrs. Incardona holds a M.S. in Literacy from the State University of New York at Geneseo, and a B.S. in Childhood and Special Education. Prior to joining Rochester Prep in 2009, she taught for the Volunteers of America Children’s Center.

Trisha Kilbourn    School Social Worker

Trisha Kilbourn began at Rochester Prep as a reading teacher in 2009, and has been the school social worker since 2010. Ms. Kilbourn earned a Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education and Special Education from SUNY Cortland. After college, she taught English to elementary and middle school students in Suwon and Seoul, South Korea. After coming back to Rochester, Ms. Kilbourn worked at Hillside with children and families while earning her Masters in Social Work from the University at Buffalo.

Kelly Kreskow    7th Grade Science Teacher

Kelly Kreskow joined True North Rochester Prep in 2009 after graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Childhood Education with a concentration in Biology from SUNY Cortland. Kelly is currently working on her Master’s degree in Special Education at St. John Fisher College. Kelly is interested in giving the students an opportunity to perform labs to help create a deeper understanding of the 7th grade science concepts and prepare them for high school and college.

Cory Lamberton Dean of Students

Mr. Lamberton has been the Dean of Students at Rochester Prep since the 2008-2009 school year.   Prior to joining Rochester Prep, he was a Physical Education Teacher and baseball coach in the Brighton and Churchville-Chili School Districts.   He holds a B.S in Physical Education and a Minor in Sports Management from the State University of New York, College of Brockport.

Colin Orr    6th Grade Science Teacher

Colin Orr is the 6th grade Science teacher at Rochester Prep Preparatory Charter School. In addition to teaching Science for three years, Colin has also taught English Language Arts. Prior to teaching at Rochester Prep, Colin was a ski instructor and special education teacher at St. Joseph’s Villa Campus School. Colin earned a B.S. in English from Providence College, and an M.S. in Education Policy from the University of Rochester.

Casandra Pagni    ELA Fellow

Casandra Pagni joined the Rochester Prep team prior to the 2011-2012 school year. As an ELA fellow, her daily responsibilities vary, but mainly focus on working with 5th grade writing. This past spring, Pagni graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English and a secondary education certification in both English and History.

Annette Santiago-Michaels    7th Grade Writing Teacher

Annette Santiago-Michaels is the seventh-grade writing teacher at Rochester Prep. Prior to joining Rochester Prep, Santiago-Michaels taught high school English in the Rochester City School District, served as the middle school Latin teacher at Hyde Leadership Charter School in the Bronx, New York, and spent six years as a writer and editor at Aviation Week and Space Technology. She received her B.A. in English (Writing, Rhetoric, and Genre) and professional certificate in writing from Georgetown University in 2002 and her M.A. in Second English Education from The City College of New York in 2009.

Emily Volpe    8th Grade Science Teacher, Science Department Chair

Emily Volpe joined Rochester Prep in 2008 and has taught 5th, 6th, and 8th grade science during that time. She holds two undergraduate degrees from Johns Hopkins University as well as a graduate degree from Pace University in New York City where she was also a Teach for America corps member.

Dana Williams    6th Grade Math Teacher

Dana Williams started with Rochester Prep in 2009. She currently teaches sixth grade math. Prior to joining Prep, she taught sixth grade for the RCSD. She holds a BA in psychology from University at Buffalo and a MS in Childhood and Special Education from Nazareth College.

Amy Woodworth    Special Education Teacher

Prior to joining Rochester Prep, Amy worked for six years as an Art Teacher in Horseheads School District, in Horseheads, NY. During her time there, she created and taught a series of professional workshops to colleagues, entitled “How to implement an inter-disciplinary curriculum.” She also was a guest speaker for Alfred University’s education department, presenting a piece on teaching strategies for students with disabilities. She received her B.A. in Art Education and Art History from Elmira College and her M.Ed. in Special Education from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

Boris Zarkhi    5th Grade Non-Fiction Studies Teacher

Mr. Boris Zarkhi is the Non-Fiction Studies teacher of True North Rochester Preparatory Charter School, Brooks Ave Campus. He is entering his fourth year with the school, and has seven years of experience in teaching and tutoring. Mr. Zarkhi was born and raised in Rochester, NY; he attended elementary, high school and college in the area and understands the importance of closing the local achievement gap. Mr. Zarkhi attended St. John Fisher College and earned his B.A. in History and M.A. in Adolescent Literacy.

Robert Zimmerli    Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Robert Zimmerli is Director of Curriculum and Instruction of True North Rochester Preparatory Charter School. Robert started at Rochester Prep at the founding Math teacher when the school opened in the fall of 2006. He came to True North from KIPP Academy Fresno where he was the founding Math teacher. Prior to that, Robert taught 4th and 5th grade in the Greece Central School District. He received his B.S. in American Studies with a minor in African-American Studies from SUNY Brockport. Robert also attained his Elementary Teaching Certificate as well as his MS in Education through SUNY Brockport.