• Kelly Sperduto

  Kelly Sperduto is the Director of Community Schools for the Greece Central School District. She also co-chairs the Coalition for Community School Coalition’s Managers Network.

  Kelly received her Bachelors of Science in Education from SUNY Fredonia, her Masters in Education from Nazareth University, and her School District Leadership Certificate from Bank Street College of Education. Kelly has spent the last twenty-one years building her career in Greece Central School District. She began as a kindergarten and first grade teacher before moving into the role of math interventionist and teacher leader. For the last eight years she has served the district as Coordinator, and now Director of Community Schools.

  Kelly is passionate about supporting the students, families, and entire Greece community. From organizing district-wide food distributions during Covid, to expanding the community schools strategy from one school to thirteen schools across the district, to partnering with the New York State Community Schools Network, Coalition for Community Schools, and the National Center for Community Schools to move the strategy forward across the county, state, and nation, Kelly is thrilled to be part of the Community Schools Revolution.

• Brittney Barclay
  
  Brittney Barclay is the Community School Director for Partnership with Children’s Community School program at PS 284, affectionately known as GJS. She has been in her position since 2021 and brings over 15 years of experience in youth development. Brittney has led elementary and middle school afterschool programs, as well as worked in beacon programs, further deepening her commitment to serving children and families.

  Brittney holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise and Sport Science and a Master’s Degree in Applied Nutrition. She has experience working in adapted physical education settings at the elementary level and has piloted community programs aimed at preventing childhood obesity.

  Her passion for giving back to children in various communities has only intensified over time. Committed to providing students and families with enriching experiences that foster a sense of global citizenship, Brittney believes in the transformative power of education to inspire and empower individuals. In addition to working with students and families, Brittney partners with the school administration team to support school culture efforts and address teacher needs. She strives to create an environment where everyone in the school community can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, ensuring that they have the tools they need to succeed in life.

• Keva Pitts-Girard

  Keva Pitts-Girard has been the proud and dedicated principal of P.S. 284 The Gregory “Jocko’ Jackson School of Sports, Arts, and Technology since 2012. Her journey at P.S. 284 began in 2005 through her internship with the NYC Leadership Academy. This is where she cultivated a deep connection to the school community. After completing her intership, she became the Assistant Principal, setting the foundation for her leadership role.

  Under her guidance, P.S. 284 has become a warm and welcoming environment where students thrive, and families return for generations. She is committed to fostering a school culture that encourages curiosity, creativity, and exploration, ensuring students have the freedom to learn and are exposed to new experiences that broaden their perspectives.

  She believes that great schools are built by great educators. Beyond student success, Keva Pitts-Girard is passionate about the growth and development of her teachers, providing them with the support and opportunities needed to excel in their profession. Through mentorship, professional development, and collaboration, she helps educators refine their skills, implement innovative strategies, and create engaging learning experiences for students.Her leadership has made P.S. 284 a place where both students and educators feel empowered to reach their fullest potential.

• Debra Calvo McNicholas
  
  
  Debra is a dedicated STEM educator at Albany’s Thomas O’Brien Academy of Science and Technology.  She is a proud Latina and first-generation college graduate and has spent her 24-year career empowering students from diverse backgrounds to see themselves as the next generation of innovators. She strives to challenge her students with complex, thought-provoking tasks while making their learning accessible. With an eye towards their future, her students engage in problem solving skill practice with  real-world applications, including exploring artificial intelligence!
  In the lab, Ms. Calvo McNicholas fosters an environment where student scientists feel safe, seen, respected, and valued. A variety of strategies promote risk-taking, teamwork, empathy, and shared success, and ensure all voices are heard, all while maintaining strong academic expectations.
  As part of her commitment to supporting expanded learning opportunities and believing in the importance of giving students chances to connect what they learn in school to their community, she initiated a series of Power Lunch STEM events where local experts are invited to share their knowledge with students. She also works closely with local community groups to secure funding and resources for STEM programs & equipment.
  Debra takes an active role in promoting community schools by collaborating with TOAST’s program coordinator, her colleagues and school leaders, to ensure efforts are aligned with the needs of the students. She also has the privilege of leading professional development sessions for teachers on how to integrate educational technology and community-based learning into their classrooms.
  Debra believes it is her mission to create an environment where every student can realize and harness their potential, so each student not only succeeds in the classroom, but also feels empowered to shape their own future. She knows education has the power to transform their lives the way it has transformed hers, and she is dedicated to helping her students build the skills, confidence, and mindset they need, no matter the challenges they face.

• Luva Alvarez 

  Luva Alvarez is the current Director of the Greater Rochester Patent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI), leveraging her experience as an alumna of Cohort 1. Previously, she served as PTA President and led Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops. Born in Brooklyn, NY, to immigrant parents, luva has been a Rochester resident since 2000. As a devoted mother of three, wife, community leader, parent advocate, connector, and enthusiastic supporter of life, Luva is dedicated to empowering parents and promoting engagement. She firmly believes that engaged parents are crucial to a child’s success. Luva often shares her favorite quote with her children: “Every time you have to speak, you are auditioning for leadership” (James Humes).

• Silas Alvarez

  Silas Alvarez, an 11th-grade scholar at Greece Odyssey Academy: He is  the youngest of three siblings to Carlos and Luva Alvarez, Silas values his relationships with friends and enjoys listening to music and playing video games. Silas has honed his leadership skills through his involvement in various organizations. He holds the rank of Life Scout at Troop 169 within the Seneca Waterways Council and is a member of Phi Beta Fraternity Inc.’s Sigma Beta Club and the Youth Leadership Council at the Children’s Institute while Child Connection. Silas has made history by becoming the first student representative on the Greece Central School District Board of Education, leveraging his position to advocate for positive change within the district, benefiting youth and their families. Furthermore, Silas serves as the founder and president of the Greece Odyssey Academy Black Student Union. His community involvement extends to his role as a youth leader ambassador for the Children’s Leadership Training Institute (CLTI), a program designed to empower parents and children with the skills and knowledge necessary to effect change in the community of Rochester, NY, and beyond. Silas is also affiliated with the IEL (Institute for Educational Leadership) Youth group, which has partnered with the White House Youth Policy Summit to create a publication aimed at establishing viable Youth Councils across the nation. Moreover, Silas participates in the DemocracyReadyNY group, where young leaders collaborate to enhance their civic leadership abilities by gaining insight into policy and systems.

  Silas future aspirations is to become an Elementary School Teacher and ultimately a superindent of Greece Central   school district.

• Olympia Wilson (Global Kids)
  Olympia Wilson has dedicated over a decade to transforming the lives of children and teens in underserved communities, and her passion for youth development is rooted in her own experiences. Growing up, she found a sense of belonging, inspiration, and hope through afterschool and teen programs. These programs were not just activities—they were lifelines that opened doors she never knew existed. Today, as a leader in the field, Olympia works tirelessly to ensure that the next generation has access to the same opportunities that changed her life.

Her mission is deeply personal: to empower young people to rise above systemic barriers and achieve their dreams. As the Senior Director of School Based Programs at Global Kids, Olympia oversees programs that nurture resilience, build confidence, and inspire leadership in young people. She believes every child deserves a safe space to grow, dream, and thrive—regardless of their zip code or circumstances.

Currently pursuing a doctoral degree in education, Olympia is focused on designing strategies to create equitable opportunities for students in underserved areas. Her research stems from a conviction that education is the most powerful tool for breaking cycles of poverty and inequality. She sees each program she develops as a stepping stone for children to achieve their full potential and become tomorrow’s leaders.

Olympia’s unwavering commitment has touched countless lives. Parents share stories of their children finding their voices for the first time. Former students write back, crediting her programs for helping them pursue higher education or careers they once thought were out of reach. These moments fuel her drive to keep breaking down barriers and leveling the playing field for all children.

Olympia believes that every young person has the potential to lead and thrive when given the right tools and opportunities. Her work is a testament to the power of investing in our youth—not just for their future, but for the future of our communities and society as a whole.