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Who We Are
 

Principal

Tonya Hammaker

Principal

Dear Tubman Families,

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! It is with great pride and excitement that I welcome both our returning families and those joining our school community for the first time. Harriet Tubman Elementary continues to grow not only in numbers but in excellence, and we are thrilled to begin another year of joyful, rigorous learning together.

Last year was one of powerful progress and celebration. Thanks to the unwavering dedication of our teachers, students, staff, and families, we saw remarkable academic growth. Our reading proficiency increased by an outstanding 20%, and math proficiency grew by 2%, based on preliminary IAR data. These gains are just the beginning of what’s possible here at Tubman.

Our Star 360 growth percentiles climbed to the 75th percentile in both reading and math—a leap of 15% and 13%, respectively, from the previous year. What’s even more inspiring is that students with IEP's grew at similar or even higher rates than their peers, and students of all backgrounds and ethnicities experienced comparable growth. These outcomes reflect our deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and ensuring that every child thrives.

Beyond academics, our dedication to the whole child was recognized at the district level with an “Excelling” rating in Fine and Performing Arts. Whether on stage or in the classroom, our students continue to shine with creativity and confidence.

As we begin this new year, we carry with us not only the momentum of last year’s accomplishments but also a renewed commitment to cultivating a safe, supportive, equitable and rigorous environment. Our theme this year is Excellence Grows Here, which reflects our focus on differentiation, small group instruction, and our continued support for all students.

I look forward to partnering with you this year! Thank you for being part of what makes Tubman so special.

With gratitude and excitement,

Principal Hammaker

Assistant Principal

Therese Plunkett

Assistant Principal

Meet Our Faculty and Staff
 

Carly Wallace

Carly Wallace

PYP (PK), Room 110

Recca Manatad

Recca Manatad

PYP, Room 203

Myriah Brown-Rivera

Myriah Brown-Rivera

PYP (4th), Room 209

Genna Cole

Genna Cole

MYP, Room 306, Language and Literature

Sandra Ladzik

Sandra Ladzik

MYP, Room 308

Fabian Cordova

Fabian Cordova

PYP & MYP, Physical & Health Education (PK-8)

Betsy Hercher

Betsy Hercher

Social Worker

Jessica Kusserow

Jessica Kusserow

Nurse

Sean Foy

Sean Foy

Classroom Support

Sandra Lopez

Sandra Lopez

Classroom Support

Juliet Ramirez

Juliet Ramirez

Classroom Support

Jasmin Tapia

Jasmin Tapia

Main Office Support

Kayla Astle

Kayla Astle

PYP (KDG), Room 201

Whitney Masters

Whitney Masters

PYP (2nd), Room 206

Esther Velazquez

Esther Velazquez

PYP, Room 209

Michele McNally

Michele McNally

MYP, Room 306

Freeda Pirillis

Freeda Pirillis

PYP Coordinator

Calli Leventis

Calli Leventis

PYP & MYP, Library (PK-5th) & Design (6th-8th)

Dana Mason

Dana Mason

Speech Language Pathologist

Carol Reilly

Carol Reilly

Nurse

Liv Grant

Liv Grant

Classroom Support

Martha Maldonado

Martha Maldonado

Classroom Support

Alexx Torres-Gonzalez

Alexx Torres-Gonzalez

Classroom Support

Keanna Vanpelt

Keanna Vanpelt

Lunchroom Manager

Barbara Rose

Barbara Rose

PYP (KDG), Room 202

Judy Castillo

Judy Castillo

PYP, Room 206

Eric Yang

Eric Yang

PYP (5th), Room 303

Taylor Brinkman

Taylor Brinkman

MYP, Room 307,
Mathematics

Emily Traficante

Emily Traficante

MYP Coordinator

William Bice

William Bice

PYP & MYP, World Language (PK-8)

Haleena Necessary

Haleena Necessary

Psychologist

Charisse Brooks

Charisse Brooks

Classroom Support

Joe Groeper

Joe Groeper

Classroom Support

Angel Marrero

Angel Marrero

Classroom Support

Christopher Bonner

Christopher Bonner

Safety and Security

Harold Brown

Harold Brown

Lunchroom

Lisa Starring

Lisa Starring

PYP (1st), Room 204

Akemi Taguchi

Akemi Taguchi

PYP (3rd), Room 205

Dave Rench

Dave Rench

PYP, Room 303

Arielle Chestleigh

Arielle Chestleigh

MYP, Room 307

Nicholas Hall

Nicholas Hall

PYP & MYP, Music (PK-8)

Rebecca Rosenberg

Rebecca Rosenberg

Case Manager, MTSS

Hernan Perez

Hernan Perez

Occupational Therapist

Connie Cardenas

Connie Cardenas

Classroom Support

MJ Jackson

MJ Jackson

Classroom Support

Lauren Minga

Lauren Minga

Classroom Support

Charles Harris

Charles Harris

Safety and Security

Ricky Sappington

Ricky Sappington

Engineer

Emily Hulbert

Emily Hulbert

PYP (2nd), Room 203

Julie Brichta

Julie Brichta

PYP, Room 205

Hillary Welsh

Hillary Welsh

MYP, Room 305,
Science

Tim  Reece

Tim Reece

MYP, Room 308, Individuals and Societies

Allison Kiewatt

Allison Kiewatt

PYP & MYP, Dance & Visual Arts (PK-8)

Heather Beeker

Heather Beeker

School Counselor

Heather Vezina

Heather Vezina

Physical Therapist

Jenyra Dixon

Jenyra Dixon

Classroom Support

Teddy Kontos

Teddy Kontos

Classroom Support

Misha Parnell

Misha Parnell

Classroom Support

Raquel Martinez

Raquel Martinez

School Clerk

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