Our Teachers & Staff
Gus Connelly, Executive Director, Middle School Principal
Gus Connelly brings over a decade of strong experience in teacher development, school operations, student investment and leadership as the Executive Director and Middle School Principal at Memphis Rise Academy Charter School. Mr. Connelly joined Memphis Rise Academy in 2013 as the founding Director of Operations, and has been serving the school in various network leadership roles since 2018. Beginning his journey into education, Mr. Connelly served as a 2012 Teach for America corps member and was a beloved 11th and 12th grade math teacher at Memphis City Schools. He is active in the Memphis arts and non-profit communities, including spending a two-year period as the president of the board of directors for Memphis ChoralArts. Mr. Connelly holds a bachelor’s degree in Theater and Norwegian from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. Through the continued support of many community stakeholders, Mr. Connelly continues to lead a network of 765 students and 86 staff members to achieve Memphis Rise Academy’s mission of college preparation for all students.
Contact Mr. Connelly at info@memphisrise.org.
Network Staff
Gus Connelly, Executive Director, Middle School Principal
Emmanuel Blair, High School Principal
Shara Ayers, Network Director of Operations
Rebecca Olivarez, Director of Academics – Math & Science
Rhiannon Lewis DeFeo, Director of Academics – Literacy
Emily Luth, High School Director of Operations
Nick Tilley, Middle School Director of Operations, Athletic Director
Pam Dyer, Network Operations Coordinator, Student Health Services Coordinator
Erin Magliozzi, Science Instructional Coach
Bradi Bair, Math Instructional Coach
Martella Thomas, Social Studies Instructional Coach
Meg Cochran, ELA Instructional Coach
Joan Chavez, Director of Family Communications
Denise Ayala, Associate Director of Family Communications
Troy Robinson, Director of Facilities
Stephanie Burnette-Winston, Facilities Associate
Sherrie Howard, Facilities Associate
High School Teachers & Staff
Emmanuel Blair, High School Principal
Emily Luth, High School Director of Operations
Antwoine McClellan, High School Dean of Students
Jessica Zoutendyk, High School Dean of Students
Gabriel McCulley, High School Assistant Dean of Students
Michael Logan, High School Registrar
Michelle Gonzalez, High School Operations Coordinator
Jamesha Harris, High School Special Education Data/Intervention Coordinator
Amanda Villani, Director of Post-Secondary Counseling
JeCarey Rushing ’22, Post-Secondary Counseling Intern
Kiara Collier, Social Worker
Bradi Bair, High School Math Instructional Coach and AP Calculus
Erin Magliozzi, High School Science Instructional Coach and AP Biology
Brad Rodgers, English I
Sandi Edscorn-White, English II
Becky Faber, English III
Brian Harris, English IV
Caleb Soto, Algebra I
Mark Winburne, Geometry
Ien Harris, Algebra II
Yetunde Adewuyi, Precalculus
Claire Kolheim, Statistics
Angelina Mendez, Biology
Sahid Adejumo, Chemistry
Jazmin Berlanga, Physics
Trace Hamby, U.S. Government and Geography
Caleb Taylor, World History
Jaime Moseley, U.S. History and AP U.S. History
Gina Ramos, Psychology and AP Psychology
Jessica Davila, Spanish I and II
Suzanne Varnon, German I and II
Christie Peet, Computer Science
Anya Jones, Personal Finance
Quintel Cooks, Lifetime Wellness
Quanicia Robinson, Physical Education
Lori Brown, Visual Art
Gunter Gaupp, Music
Cecelia Cunningham, ESL
Ingrid Gonzalez, ESL
RaChelle Fields, Special Education
Erin Peery, Special Education
Trakeisyia Miller, Student Government Advisor/Assistant Teacher
Middle School Teachers & Staff
Gus Connelly, Middle School Principal
Devonna Nickeo, Middle School Dean of Students
Ramon Moses, Middle School Dean of Students
Nick Tilley, Middle School Director of Operations, Athletic Director
Julia Chavez, Middle School Operations Coordinator, Technology Coordinator
Madi Bienvenu, Middle School Math Instructional Coach and 8th Algebra
Haley McLeod, Middle School Math Interventionist
Yevett Bell, Middle School ELA Interventionist
Shay Hudson, Middle School Social Worker
Frances Leslie, 6th Reading
Jalyn Brown, 6th Writing
Ari Sellers, 6th Math
Madalyn McClelland, 6th Social Studies
Rachel Reape, 6th Science
Jessica Graves, 6th/7th ESL
Jamarr McCain, 7th Math
Tina Aguilar, 7th Math
Skylar Rutledge, 7th Reading
Traci Logan, 7th Social Studies
Katie Depperschmidt, 7th Science
Bemnet Teferi, 7th Student Supports
Francheska Meeks, 7th Writing
Tristen Ferguson, 8th Reading
Ashleigh Wilson, 8th Writing
Alexia Hernandez, 8th Pre-Algebra
Marci Morris, 8th Social Studies
Ashtyn Miller, 8th Science
Heather Siegel, 7th/8th ESL
Quanicia Robinson, Physical Education
Anya Jones, Computer Technology
Catrina Walls, REACH Period
Michelle Jarrett, Assistant Teacher
Jenny Pepiton, Assistant Teacher