Meet Our Leadership Team

At Destine Prep, our founding team is passionate about creating a nurturing and academically rigorous environment where every student can excel. Our team of dedicated educators and professionals is committed to providing exceptional learning experiences while laying the foundation for a thriving school community.


  • FOUNDING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Re’Shawn has been an educator for over a decade, working as a teacher and school administrator before joining BES Fellowship to bring high quality, free public charter school to Schenectady’s students. BES is a non-profit organization that discovers and trains outstanding leaders to reform education in their communities.


  • FOUNDING DIRECTOR
    OF SCHOLAR SUPPORT

    Dr. Nikisha M. Taylor, born and raised in Albany, NY, brings a deep-rooted passion for education and community empowerment to her role as the Founding Director of Scholar Support at Destine Prepatory Charter School in Schenectady, NY. Having attended both public and private schools in Albany, Dr. Taylor has a unique understanding of the diverse educational experiences scholars face. This background fuels her commitment to creating equitable opportunities for all scholars, particularly those from underserved communities. Throughout her career, Dr. Taylor has focused on building strong, meaningful relationships with both scholars and families. She understands the vital role these partnerships play in fostering academic achievement and personal growth. As an educator, she has always been dedicated to providing a supportive environment where scholars feel seen, heard, and empowered to succeed. Taylor's professional journey includes serving as an Associate in Intercultural Relations for the New York State Department of Education, where she oversaw 64 school districts across New York State as part of The My Brother’s Keeper Family and Community Engagement program. In this role, she was passionate about developing community connections and engaging families to provide essential resources for scholars educational and career success. With over 15 years of experience as the Dean of Scholars at Brighter Choice Charter School for Girls, Dr. Taylor has developed extensive expertise in behavior management, social-emotional learning (SEL), and school culture. She is dedicated to fostering an environment where scholars develop resilience, emotional intelligence, and positive relationships. Through a combination of SEL strategies and effective behavior management techniques, Dr. Taylor empowers both scholars and educators to navigate challenges with confidence and compassion. Dr. Taylor firmly believes in the power of community partnerships and works tirelessly to connect students and their families with the resources they need to thrive. She is committed to ensuring that every scholar has the support they need to excel academically, socially, and personally. Dr. Taylor holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Utica College of Syracuse University, a Master of Arts in Human Service Counseling from Liberty University, and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Liberty University.

  • Founding Dean of Humanities & Coaching

    Dr. Nicole Diaz is an experienced educator and researcher with a strong background in secondary and higher education, specializing in developing tailored curricula for diverse student populations, including English Language Learners, at-risk students, and those with special needs. She has extensive experience in managing grant programs to support educational initiatives and fostering inclusive, engaging learning environments. Holding a Ph.D. in Caribbean English Literature from the University of Puerto Rico, her research explores cinematic techniques in Jamaican and Puerto Rican films. Throughout her career, she has taught college courses, presented at academic conferences, and contributed to scholarly publications. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Dr. Diaz is dedicated to advancing educational equity through innovative teaching, community engagement, and ongoing professional development.

  • FOUNDING SPECIAL
    EDUCATION COORDINATOR

    Ms. Shufelt was born and raised in Upstate New York, where she continues to reside today. Growing up in a close-knit community fostered her deep commitment to supporting others and creating opportunities for students to thrive. She is passionate about learning and has a strong love for educating students and helping them grow both academically and personally.

    Ms. Shufelt joined Destine Prep in 2022 as a first-grade teacher and later taught second grade while also serving as the Special Education Coordinator. Her love of teaching inspired her to create change not only within her own classroom but also across the school community, which led her to step into a larger leadership role. She now serves as the school’s Special Education Coordinator as well as the 504 Coordinator, overseeing and advocating for the supports and services students need to be successful.

    She earned her Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Development (Birth–K) from Schenectady County Community College, followed by a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education (K–3) from Notre Dame College in South Euclid, OH. Ms. Shufelt later completed her Master’s degree in Special Education (K–6) at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ.

    Ms. Shufelt plays an integral role in many of the systems that support both students and staff at Destine Prep. She is a strong advocate for fairness and works diligently to ensure that all students have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. She also believes in fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment where every child’s needs are met and their voices are valued.

    When not at work, Ms. Shufelt enjoys exploring historical landmarks and discovering the stories behind them, always seeking to learn from the past to better shape the future for her students.


  • FOUNDING HR PARTNER

    Erik J. A. Morrison is an experienced Human Resources professional and a passionate advocate for servant leadership, with over 10 years of experience in HR management, talent acquisition, and organizational strategy. He has held various positions in HR including leadership roles; Erik is now the HR Partner at Destine Prep Charter School. 

    His approach to HR centers on servant leadership principles—listening, empathy, stewardship, and commitment to people’s growth. Erik is deeply committed to building environments where employees feel valued, supported, and motivated to contribute their best work. By aligning HR strategies with business goals, Erik has helped organizations build high-performing teams that thrive in a culture of respect and collaboration.

    Erik holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and Arts Administration from Skidmore College and a Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in HR Management from Notre Dame de Namur University. He is completing his Master’s in Jurisprudence, focusing on Labor and Employment Law from Tulane University Law School. Erik also holds the Society for HR Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification.

    Outside of his professional work, Erik is actively involved in local community initiatives and organizations, including Skidmore College as the Fund Chair for the class of 2015, former Treasurer and Marketing Manager for the Saratoga Book Festival, a former tax preparer for VITA with the Tri-County United Way and is newly elected as Treasurer/Finance Chair and a member of the programming committee with the Capital Region HR Association Board. 

  • FOUNDING DIRECTOR

    OF OPERATIONS

    Mashoma is a longtime operations leader - owning her own in-home childcare service. She has years experience as a district secretary and is a mom of three. Mashoma is dedicated to lifelong success of students and families of Schenectady. She has centered her life and career around supporting families who are most in need. Ms. B is most excited about ensuring that the school’s operations are run efficiently so that every student is safe, nurtured, and loves school.

  • Founding Dean of STEM & Coaching

    Freddy Woods was born and raised in Manhattan, New York, and has always had a deep passion for empowering youth and equipping them with the tools they need to succeed both academically and in life. He began his teaching career in 2009 at Albany Community Charter School, now known as KIPP: Albany Community Charter Elementary School.

    Over the course of his 16-year tenure, Freddy held a variety of roles, including cooperative teacher for grades 4 and 5, lead teacher for grades 3 and 4, lead math teacher for grades 3–5, grade-level team leader, and Instructional STEM Coach. He also proudly coached the boys', girls', and co-ed basketball teams, demonstrating his commitment to student growth both inside and outside the classroom.

    Freddy now serves as the Dean of STEM at Destine Preparatory Charter School. He is excited to collaborate with the leadership team and staff to deliver a high-quality education that prepares students for success. Freddy is committed to fostering a rigorous and inclusive STEM program that inspires curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning.

  • FOUNDING SCHOOL
    INFORMATION MANAGER

    Ms. Ginder started at Destine Prep as the Founding School Counselor. She has recently changed positions to become the Founding Student Information Manager while still holding a title as the School Counselor. Ms. Ginder attended the College of Saint Rose in Albany NY for both her Bachelors, Masters, and Advanced Certification degrees. She has a Bachelors in Psychology with a Concentration in Childhood Development and a Masters in School Counseling with an Advanced Certification in School Counseling. She spent the first five years working in education in an Elementary School in Albany. Ms. Ginder wears many hats around the Destine Prep building. When she is not in the building she can be found sitting outside reading on her balcony or spending time with her animals.