Leadership Team

At Destine Prep, we believe that every student deserves a safe, supportive, and academically rigorous environment where they can reach their full potential. Our team of dedicated educators and professionals strives to deliver exceptional instruction while fostering a strong, values-driven school culture.

Our leadership team sets the tone: operating with clarity, consistency, and a solutions-oriented mindset. We prioritize coaching, collaboration, and data-informed practices to ensure our staff has the tools and support needed to succeed—and to ensure students thrive every day.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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 also holds a Master’s in Jurisprudence, focusing on Labor and Employment Law from Tulane University Law School. Lastly, Erik has his 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 the 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.

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  • 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.

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  • Special Education Coordinator

    Ms. Oliver was born and raised in Albany, New York, and has always had a deep passion for education and empowering underserved communities. She is an experienced educator who has served as an elementary school teacher, an intervention specialist, and most recently as an English Language Arts Instructional Coach.

    Ms. Oliver now serves as the Special Education Coordinator.Her philosophy is centered on focusing on a student's strengths just as much as their areas for growth. She is passionate about finding innovative and individualized approaches to help each student reach their full potential.

     In this role, she is excited to collaborate with the Leadership Team, educators, and families to ensure that all scholars are part of a joyous, inclusive learning environment that nurtures growth and empowers them to become successful lifelong citizens.

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  • Dean of Humanities & Coaching

    Ms. Thais Gutierrez was born and raised in the Bronx to Honduran immigrant parents. As a first-generation college graduate and bilingual educator, she centers her community, her culture, and her students in everything she does.

    She earned her bachelor’s in Childhood Education with a minor in Sociology from Ithaca College and completed her Master’s in Special Education and Literacy at the University of Albany.
    Ms. Gutierrez’s career began in K–5 subbing, followed by serving as a Special Education Consultant Teacher and later as a 4th Grade ELA Lead Teacher, where she coached educators and deepened my passion for urban education.

    Now she will be supporting teachers in delivering high-quality, culturally responsive instruction. Ms. Gutierrez believe that when we invest in teachers, we transform entire communities, and she remains committed to creating empowering, inclusive, and joyful learning environments for every child and educator that she serves.