Charles King,
Chief Executive Officer

Charles is the Founder and CEO of The Educator Academy, driven by a deep commitment to improving local schools—one teacher and one classroom at a time. With over 20 years in public education, he has worked tirelessly to close opportunity gaps and address systemic inequities.

As a former principal, his school consistently outperformed district averages in reading and math, earning a Texas Education Agency distinction in 2015 across multiple subjects and for top student progress. Charles credits this success to passionate, results-driven leadership and its direct impact on teacher and student outcomes.

His journey began after earning his bachelor’s degree and joining Teach For America, where he saw firsthand the transformative power of educators. As a social studies teacher in Houston ISD and KIPP Academy, he empowered students to explore history’s recurring themes and inspired them to become change agents in their communities.

Leslie McTighe
Chief Program Officer

Leslie is the Chief Program Officer at The Educator Academy, bringing with her 19 years of education experience. She is dedicated to enhancing our community through the impact of quality teaching and learning in our education system. Joining The EA in its early years, Leslie served as the Director of Curriculum and Program, crafting a curriculum grounded in the science of learning and the art of teaching, with a focus on strategic instruction, learner development, and effective assessment. As Chief Program Officer, she now oversees strategies for teacher development and retention at all career stages. Prior to The Educator Academy, Leslie was an elementary teacher and principal in Kansas City, Missouri.

Bethany Schofield
Director of Educator Preparation

Bethany Schofield is an experienced education leader with over a decade in teaching, coaching, and program leadership. She holds a Master’s in History and Education and a B.S. in History from Truman State. Her work focuses on teacher sustainability, equity-centered coaching, and instructional improvement aligned with Missouri Learning Standards and Common Core.

As Director of Educator Preparation at The Educator Academy, Bethany leads professional development for mentor teachers, supports early-career educators, and facilitates initiatives like Coaching for Equity. Her previous roles include Continuum Manager, Continuum Coach, and Liberal Arts Teacher, where she built systems to support coaching and educator development at all levels.

Geneé Johnson
Assistant Director of Educator Preparation

Geneé Johnson is a passionate and driven educator with 8 years of experience in middle school classrooms. She holds a Master Teacher Certification in Culturally Relevant Teaching and has served as a curriculum writer, conference presenter, and professional development facilitator.

Geneé is known for creating engaging, equity-focused learning experiences that integrate students’ cultural backgrounds and current social justice issues, resulting in documented gains in standardized test scores. She leverages data-driven instruction and strong classroom management rooted in “warm demanding” practices to foster student growth and achievement.

In addition to her classroom impact, Geneé brings her expertise to educator development—coaching and supporting pre-service teachers and playing a key role in designing and implementing an educator preparation program.

Iyshia Sims
Program Manager of Educator Preparation

Iyshia Sims is an experienced educator and literacy specialist with over a decade of expertise in teaching, coaching, and leadership. She holds advanced degrees in Literacy and Early Childhood Education and certifications in Special Reading (K-12) and Early Childhood Education (Birth-3rd Grade). As a former teacher and literacy coach, she excelled in developing strategies to support diverse learners. Now, as Program Manager at The Educator Academy, Iyshia provides actionable feedback, collaborates with mentor teachers, and creates coaching plans to drive teacher growth. Her commitment to excellence and innovation continues to inspire educators and improve student outcomes.

Vonnchet Clark
Program Manager of Educator Preparation

Vonnchet Clark is a dedicated educator with 12 years of experience in teaching and instructional coaching. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from UMKC and a master’s in Early Childhood Education. After nine years in the classroom, she transitioned to instructional coaching, where she has spent the past three years supporting teacher growth and development.

Vonnchet is passionate about educating the whole child and designing instruction that is both academically rigorous and socially and emotionally supportive. She now channels that passion into equipping new teachers with the tools and strategies they need to deliver high-quality, equitable, individualized, and joyful learning experiences.

Ericka Morris
Program Manager of Educator Development

Ericka is an experienced educational consultant specializing in trauma-informed teaching, student and family advocacy, educational equity, self-care, and best practices for urban educators. A proud former Philadelphia public school teacher with 20 years in the classroom, she brings deep expertise and lived experience to her work.

She holds an M.Ed. in Multicultural Education with a focus on Urban Education from Eastern University and a B.A. in African, African American, and American Studies from the University of Kansas. Ericka has partnered with numerous schools and nonprofits to expand access to educational equity, consulting with institutions such as Louisiana State University, the University of Delaware, and Marywood University’s DEI Certification Program.

Melissa Noland
Program Manager of Educator Development

Melissa is a Program Manager of Educator Development at The Educator Academy. Melissa has over 10 years of coaching experience and has been a coach with The EA since 2018. She has coached all grades and contents in K-12 education and has a high level of experience in secondary science. In addition, Melissa has developed and facilitated instruction for pre- and in-service teachers, including developing a certification pathway for secondary teachers. She is certified as a Marzano Evaluator and an Equity Facilitator (DEEP). She has also received a Certification in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Cornell University. 

Vernon Birmingham
Admissions Manager

Vernon Birmingham is a dynamic leader and educator with over two decades of experience across education, nonprofit management, and community development. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated expertise in curriculum development, teacher training, program management, and fundraising, impacting thousands of students and educators nationwide. Vernon’s commitment to leadership, diversity, and community engagement is further reflected in his current role as Admissions Manager at The Educator Academy, where he recruits and supports future teachers entering the education field.

Andrew Stuart
Managing Director of Growth

Andrew is the Managing Director of Growth at The Educator Academy. In his time working in the education space, Andrew’s focus has been on providing excellent education for all students, and ensuring that there are more compassionate and driven educators in the teaching space. As part of the founding team at The EA, Andrew initially led the organization’s recruitment and placement operations, before shifting to also focus on school partnerships. In that work, he has remained dedicated to ensuring that the bar for EA participants and partners remains high. As the Managing Director of Growth, Andrew supports The EA’s development work, as well as securing new partnerships and revenue streams. Before joining The EA team Andrew worked as an ELA teacher in Kansas City and New Orleans.

Beth Benkert
Chief Operating Officer

As a founding member of The Educator Academy, Beth has worked to design our organizational metrics, internal systems and structures, and recently spearheaded our strategic planning process. Beth is responsible for monitoring the effective implementation of the program continuum with fidelity. With a deep commitment to designing and optimizing systems that empower people to excel, Beth has been instrumental in shaping the organization’s structures and driving its long-term success. Her experience in education began in Kansas City as a classroom teacher and then progressed to a role as an assistant principal where she honed her skills in team development, operational management, and academic achievement.

Kala Roberts
Communications & Marketing Manager

Kala Roberts is an accomplished marketing professional with more than a decade of experience crafting compelling narratives and strategic campaigns that drive engagement and impact. With a deep background in nonprofit communications, Kala has partnered with a wide range of mission-driven organizations, helping them elevate their stories, grow their audiences, and build lasting community connections. Kala is known for her ability to blend data-driven strategy with authentic, human-centered messaging. She thrives on building marketing systems that align with organizational goals while creating space for creativity and connection.