Our Team

Lesley Blouin is a veteran Akili teacher in 2^nd Grade after beginning her career at River’s Edge Elementary in Fayette, GA. She grew up in Chicago, IL and is proud graduate of Dillard University with a B.A in Early Childhood Education.

Jermaine Bennett enters his 3rd year with us a para-professional supporting our Special Education department. Jermaine graduated from Southern University in Baton Rouge.

Hannah Bunis comes to us from the University of Arizona, and is a second-year TFA Corps Member teaching 1st grade.

Elise Butler-Pinkham teaches Kindergarten and is entering her 3rd year at Akili Academy. Elise graduated from the University of Michigan. Prior to teaching at Akili, Elise toured nationally with the percussion group JUICE, and worked as an aide at the Northwood Child Development center.

Elyse Carr, a graduate from Carnegie-Mellon University, joins us as a second-year TFA Corps Member to teach in our Special Education department.

Blake DiMarco is our Director of Finance and Operations, and is entering her 3rd year at Akili Academy after working in Global Operations at Goldman Sachs in New York City. Blake is a graduate of Tulane University with a B.S.M in Finance and Legal Studies.

Liz Earnshaw is Akili's Director of Student Support after spending a year as the school's first Mental Health Coordinator. She comes to us from Philadelphia, PA where she earned degrees from Temple University and Thomas Jefferson University.

Gabie Frey joins our Kindergarten team as a second-year TFA Corps Member. She is a recent graduate of Tulane University.

Christine Fulton is returning to Akili for a second year as a 3rd Grade teacher after teaching for 3 years at Abramson Charter School in New Orleans. She is a graduate of Tulane University.

Lourdes Fulton is a 2nd Grade teacher and a a native New Orleanian. She attended Loyola University New Orleans where she got a B.A. in public relations. Before working at Akili Academy, she was a student intern at Schaumburg Elementary assisting in 3rd grade classrooms.

Zuri Gracin teaches 1st Grade and is entering her 3rd year at Akili as a Corps Member. Zuri graduated from Howard University with a Bachelors degree in Business Management, minoring in African American studies. Prior to working at Akili, Zuri worked with the DC public school system.

Robyn Gulley teaches 3rd Grade teacher at Akili. Prior to Akili, she taught for two years in Mexico and for three years in the Mississippi Delta, where she received her Master's Degree from Delta State University in Elementary Education. She is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado where she received a B.A. in Africana Studies and Journalism.

Kevin Lurkins joins us as a para-professional supporting the entire student body. He has played trumpet for over 20 years and has toured extensively across the country. Kevin studied Music Education at The University of Tennessee at Martin.

Julie Patterson MacFetters is Principal of Akili Academy. She began her career here as a Founding Teacher and Akili's Director of Student Support. Julie moved to New Orleans directly after graduating from Indiana University with a Degree in Sociology in 2001. Julie taught 1st grade for six years and worked for the local Teach For America office.

Meg McElwain is joining our 4th grade team after teaching Kindergarten at Akili Academy. Prior to joining Akili, she taught at Green Charter School in New Orleans. She is a native New Orleanian and a graduate of Tulane University.

Erin Meyer is returning to Akili Academy for her second year as the Operations and Projects Manager. Erin has degrees from Drake University and Webster University.

Mike Milano teachers P.E. at Akili Academy after spending his first year as a 3rd grade teacher. Mike studied at the University of Michigan and is a second-year TFA Corps Member.

Hannah Nestler is in her third year of teaching and is thrilled to be working at Akili Academy where she will teach 1st grade. She graduated from Scripps College with a degree in psychology.

Grace Nixon is a veteran teacher at Akili and will be supporting our 1st grade team as a Intervention Teacher. Grace grew up in South Dakota and graduated from Santa Clara University with a B.A. in The Art & Science of Professional Speaking.

Patricia O'Rourke teaches Kindergarten and is a third year teacher at Akili Academy. Patricia grew up in Syracuse, NY and graduated from Syracuse University with a B.S. in Public Relations.

Jessica Pivik is the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Kindergarten through 2nd grade. She previously taught 4th Grade math and 1st grade at Akili. After starting her teaching career in St. Louis, MO, Jessica taught 1st grade at KIPP McDonogh 15. Jessica grew up in Baton Rouge, LA and graduated from LSU with a B.A. in English.

Travis Starkey is the Directof of Curriculum and Instruction for 3rd grade through 5th grade at Akili Academy. Previously Travis was the lead 4th grade teacher and spent five years in the Mississippi Delta, as both a Corps Member and Program Director. Travis graduated from the University of North Carolina.

Alison Stevenson teaches 2nd grade at Akili Academy. Originally from Oregon, she graduated from Concordia University and is a second-year TFA Corps Member.

Niti Suchdeve is returning as a Special Education teacher at Akili Academy. Prior to Akili, she taught Special Education at Priestley Charter School here in New Orleans. Niti is a graduate of the University at Albany.

Grant Thomas is teaching 4th Grade at Akili Academy for the second year after teaching for two years in LaPlace, LA. Grant has a degree from Washington and Lee University.

Nora Wentworth teaches 4th grade in her 3rd year at Akili Academy. Nora grew up in New Jersey and graduated from The College of New Jersey with a B.A. in Psychology and Women's and Gender Studies. Prior to teaching at Akili, Nora was a 5th grade teacher at Abramson.

Brandon Worthington, Akili's Data Manager was a Founding Teacher at Akili 3 years ago as a TFA Corps Member. Mr. Worthington grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and graduated from Ohio State University with a B.A. in International Relations. Prior to teaching at Akili, Mr. Worthington was in the Army R.O.T.C. program at Ohio State.