The Brooklyn RISE School Leadership Team
Cary Finnegan, School Director
School Director Cary Finnegan leads the Founding Team and brings extensive educational experience from a variety of roles. She has been a teacher, curriculum developer, nonprofit consultant, program director, and teacher developer working in Hartford, Boston, New York, and Washington, DC. In addition to her work in the classroom, Ms. Finnegan has experience in education policy, curriculum development, and teacher professional development. Ms. Finnegan is joined by a diverse Founding Team, with a variety of skills and perspectives, whose members all have a steadfast conviction to design and oversee a school that increases access to high-quality education and provides students with the academic and social-emotional supports that will place them firmly on the path to college.
AKilah bond, Elementary head of schooL
Akilah has worked in education for over a decade; she has held teacher-leader positions in grades K-3 and supported school and district-level leaders across the United States as a consultant. Akilah’s core values drive her passion, strengths, and commitment to education:
1) An unwavering belief in all children
2) A thirst for collaboration; learning with and alongside others
3) Curiosity and the principle that teaching and learning have no endpoint; there is always more to know and people (and literature!) to learn from
Akilah earned a BA in Government from Hamilton College and an MS in Education from Hunter College. She brings energy, passion, and an open mind to BRCS and is excited to be part of the Founding Team.
Sarah Caney, Head of Middle School & Leadership Development
Sarah Caney began her career in education teaching secondary ELA in both traditional and alternative settings within Hartford Public Schools. She served as a Curriculum Specialist within the district, where she worked with a team of 6-12 instructors to lead the transition to the Common Core. She has trained incoming corps members with Teach for America, and completed a Principal Residence in Boston, MA, before joining the Phoenix Academy Network in Lawrence, MA, where she served as Principal of a turnaround high school. Sarah spent 5 years as Deputy Superintendent at East Harlem Scholars Academies, where she led the founding of two secondary schools and supported new and emerging leaders throughout the network. Most recently, she has served as Deputy Chief of Schools at Prospect Schools, where she managed a portfolio of middle and high schools. Sarah completed her undergraduate degree at Hamilton College, and earned her Master’s degree in School Leadership from Harvard University. She lives in Brooklyn, and is a proud mother, partner, friend, mentor, and avid reader.
Chantal Zúñiga, Head of Operations
Head of Operations Chantal Zúñiga began her career in education after earning her BA in Psychology and Sociology from Fordham University. Ms. Zúñiga has experience in school operations, student enrollment and data, family engagement, community outreach and education advocacy. She has worked on operations teams for founding elementary schools in Harlem and Coney Island. Ms. Zúñiga has worked on building family and community engagement programs for schools in Central Brooklyn as well as supported families in advocating for more high-quality school options across the city. Born and raised in Sunset Park, she is most excited about bringing her experience and commitment to education to her hometown.
Shelby Everett, Head of inclusive Learning
Shelby joined the Founding Brooklyn RISE Team as a kindergarten teacher in her 4th year of teaching, she then transitioned to the role of Student Supports Coordinator, and now serves as our Founding Director of Inclusive Learning. She is originally from Indiana where she attended Indiana University and studied Religious Studies and Sociology. Shelby found her way to NYC and teaching through a wonderful friend and mentor, and has since fallen in love with the profession! Shelby completed her Master's Degree at the Relay Graduate School of Education with a dual certificate in Special Education. Shelby is passionate about supporting all students and providing differentiation to support all learners. Shelby is passionate about the opportunity to collaborate colleagues. In her spare time Shelby enjoys a good book, karaoke, and spending time with her 3-legged cat, Mouse.