Faculty and Staff
Directors and Coordinators
Ms. Shanda Gentry, Director of Curriculum and Teacher Development
Email: sgentry@maysprep.org
Ms. Shanda Gentry is a native of New Orleans and a graduate of the famed McDonogh 35 High School. She also boasts a degree in Political Science and a Master's in Public Administration – both from the University of New Orleans. Prior to coming to Mays Prep, Ms. Gentry spent two years as a teacher at Pierre A. Capdau Charter School. Most recently, however, she served as kindergarten teacher and literacy mentor to pre-kindergarten through 3rd grade teachers at KIPP McDonogh 15 School in New Orleans. Ms. Gentry maintains a commitment to pushing her students to academic excellence, specializing particularly in the delivery of literacy instruction.
Ms. Erica McGeachy Crenshaw, Director of Finance and Operations
Email: ecrenshaw@maysprep.org
Ms. Erica Crenshaw is a graduate of Florida A&M University, receiving both her Bachelor's degree and MBA. A successful business woman, Ms. Crenshaw comes to Mays Prep after a stint on Wall Street with the investment banking firm, Goldman Sachs. After her time with Goldman, Ms. Crenshaw launched a number of home inspection franchises serving the greater New York City area. For her exploits and successful business ventures, Ms. Crenshaw has been featured in various national publications, foremost among those, Essence Magazine. Ms. Crenshaw is new to Louisiana, having recently relocated with her husband and 4 year-old daughter.
Ms. Jasmine Graves, Enrichment Programs Coordinator
Email: jgraves@maysprep.org
Ms. Graves is a 2005 graduate of Ohio State University. She received a Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 2009. Ms. Graves has taught second and third grades at 5th Avenue Alternative Elementary School in Columbus, Ohio and taught high school public speaking and critical essay writing at The Summer Academy at Suffield, in Suffield, CT. Since relocating to New Orleans, Ms. Graves has been a youth mentor for New Orleans Outreach as well as starting a mentoring program that follows young women transitioning from middle school into high school. In addition, Ms. Graves is a committee/board member for the nonprofit Konbit Pou Edikasyon, an organization that funds education and medical expenses for underprivileged children in Haiti.
Ms. Stacy Badon, Special Education Coordinator
Email: sbadon@maysprep.org
Ms. Badon is a New Orleans native, proudly educated in the Orleans Parish public school system and graduating from O. Perry Walker High School. She received her degree in the area of Speech, Language & Hearing from Southeastern Louisiana University, and continued on with her graduate studies in the area of Communication Disorders at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She has worked in public schools in various parishes around the state of Louisiana in the area of Special Education, as well as teaching at Boys Town's alternative high school in Omaha, Nebraska. Ms. Badon has challenged herself to go beyond the classroom and into the community of the students she serves. Ms. Badon often reflects on her own positive educational experience while growing up in the Orleans Parish school system, and she is proud to be a part of Benjamin Mays Prep team.
Support Staff
Ms. Blis' Rayfield, Teacher Support Specialist
Email: brayfield@maysprep.org
Ms. Blis' Rayfield joins the Mays Prep team having a unique blend of work experience. Recently serving as a Production Coordinator with FedEx Office, Ms. Rayfield has also acquired experience working with children throughout the city of New Orleans. As an instructor with Tulane University's Girl's First Summer Program, she brings an invaluable set of technical and human resource skills to the Mays Prep faculty and staff. Furthermore, Ms. Rayfield is a graduate of New Orleans' Kennedy High School and is the proud parent of a Mays Prep pre-kindergarten scholar, Brandon Harper, Jr.
Ms. Kimberly Miles, Teacher Support Specialist
Email: kmiles@maysprep.org
Ms. Kimberly Miles is a New Orleans native. As a graduate of Eleanor McMain Magnet Secondary School, Ms. Miles worked immediately as a Production Manager for a graphic design agency while pursuing a degree in Education. Ms. Miles received her bachelor's degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2008. For her first teaching experience, she taught first grade at James A. Herod Elementary School in Abbeville, Louisiana. However, since leaving her hometown in 2005, it has been Ms. Miles' goal to return to New Orleans in efforts to contribute to the city's rebuilding. As a member of the Mays Prep staff, her goal was finally realized, currently serving as the Pre-Kindergarten Teacher Support Specialist.
Ms. Monica Solomon, Office Manager
Email: msolomon@maysprep.org
Ms. Solomon, a native of New Orleans, joins the Mays Prep team boasting a proven track record of professional experience. Highly credentialed in the area of clerical service, Ms. Solomon's career spans over two decades. She is not new to the world of start-up work as she was a part of the founding clerical staff at Learning Unlimited Christian Academy. Most recently, she worked as the Executive Assistant to the clergy of the Household of Faith Family Church in New Orleans. In that capacity, she became particularly adept at scheduling appointments, managing business affairs, and coordinating events. Ms. Solomon makes continual efforts to live the each of the Mays Prep values, especially those of hard work and discipline.
Faculty
Ms. Margaret (Meg) Kinney, 2nd Grade
Email: mkinney@maysprep.org
Ms. Meg Kinney is a graduate of Bates College (also the alma mater of Dr. Benjamin E. Mays) in Lewiston, Maine where she received a degree in American Cultural Studies with a minor in Education. Having recently moved to New Orleans as a Teach for America corps member in 2008, Ms. Kinney received her teaching certification through the Practioner Teacher Program. Ms. Kinney previously taught at Lake Ponchartrain Elementary where she experienced tremendous successes. In her very first year of teaching, 19 of her 20 students scored proficient or above in Mathematics on the Louisiana iLEAP examination. At Mays Prep, Ms. Kinney will be teaching 2nd grade.
Ms. Patricia Walker, 2nd Grade
Email: pwalker@maysprep.org
Ms. Patricia Walker was born and raised in Evanston, Illinois where she also attended public schools throughout her elementary and high school years. She is a graduate of Illinois State University. Ms. Walker comes to Mays Prep with 9 years of teaching experience, having taught in both Illinois and Louisiana. Her passion for education extends beyond the classroom, being skilled in developing partnerships with families and the community. Ms. Walker is excited to be a part of the Mays Prep team and is driven by the desire to help close the achievement gap by pushing students to high levels of academic success through hard work and determination.
Ms. Kari Detwiler, 1st Grade
Email: kdetwiler@maysprep.org
Ms. Kari Detwiler is a founding first grade teacher at Mays Prep and a 2008 Teach for America Corps Member. Ms. Detwiler previously taught in New Orleans at G.W. Carver Elementary School with the Recovery School District. A native of Vermont, Ms. Detwiler attended international schools in Greece and Israel and received a Bachelor's degree in Government from Smith College in 2001. Following her undergraduate studies, Ms. Detwiler taught English as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco. Prior to teaching in New Orleans, Ms. Detwiler worked on education and child protection issues with the International Rescue Committee in Aceh Indonesia and in New York and received her Master's in International Affairs at the New School.
Mr. Brent Locke, 1st Grade
Email: blocke@maysprep.org
Mr. Brent Locke is a 2008 Teach for America corps member and most recently served as a 5th grade teacher at G.W. Carver Elementary with the New Orleans Recovery School District. Mr. Locke will be teaching 1st grade at Mays Prep and is particularly excited to be a part of the education reform initiative underway in New Orleans. Mr. Locke has degree in Public Policy from the College of William and Mary.
Ms. Danielle Beneville, Kindergarten
Email: dbeneville@maysprep.org
Ms. Danielle Beneville is a 2009 graduate of Boston University where she received a degree in Early Childhood Education. A native of Long Island, New York, Ms. Beneville is excited to be living in New Orleans and learning about the city's culture. She is thrilled to be working at Benjamin E. Mays Preparatory School and is dedicated to educating all children and instilling in her students the love of learning that she also possesses.
Ms. Nancia Sterling, Kindergarten
Email: nsterling@maysprep.org
Ms. Sterling is a Louisiana native and is entering her 5th year of teaching. She began teaching in Dallas, Texas, but returned to New Orleans to help close the achievement gap in her home state. Ms. Sterling comes to Mays Prep after spending one year at KIPP McDonough 15 Charter School. Displaying the values of hard work and excellence, Ms. Sterling graduated cum laude from Southern University in Baton Rouge with a degree in Accounting. She also graduated with magna cum laude distinction from Grand Canyon University with a Master's in Education Administration. During her professional career, Ms. Sterling has served as an English/Language Arts Mentor Teacher with the Richardson Independent School District Teacher Advancement Program. In 2006, she was also named a New Jersey Writing Institute fellow. In her spare time, Ms. Sterling enjoys reading, writing, cooking, dancing, and listening to music.
Ms. Andrea Ivy, Pre-Kindergarten
Email: aivy@maysprep.org
Ms. Andrea Ivy is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and comes to New Orleans having recently graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor's degree in Education. Ms. Ivy enjoys the honorable distinction of being a teachNOLA Master Teacher, and a member of their 2009 cohort. Most recently, she taught Pre-Kindergarten in her home state of Georgia. Ms. Ivy joins the Mays Prep staff as a founding teacher with a commitment to creating a stellar learning environment for all children.