Leadership

Consistent, strong leadership ensures our staff, students and families receive the same level of support that is central to our impact and tied to our long-term success.

Akosua Watts, Head of School

Akosua Watts

Joan K. Richards Head of School / CEO

awatts@ccsascholars.org

Akosua has been an educator for over twenty years and has spent the majority of that time serving Chester children and families. In 2012, she was part of the founding group for CCSA and has helped to lead the school’s development at every stage. Akosua came to Chester after serving as a teacher, Instructional Guide and Assistant Principal at the Russell Byers Charter School in Philadelphia. She transitioned to education after working in the investment banking industry in New York for several years. Akosua has a Bachelor of Business Administration from George Washington University. She earned a Master degree in Elementary Education from Columbia University’s Teachers College and  completed her Principal Certification program at Eastern University.

Lisa Wilson

Director of Non-Academic Operations

lwilson@ccsascholars.org

Lisa is the founding Reading Specialist at CCSA and is chiefly responsible for developing the school’s reading intervention program and many of the school's structures. She has over twenty years of experience at urban schools in the Philadelphia area. As a teacher she has employed high-engagement, student-centered strategies in elementary and middle school classrooms.

 

Mindy Nguyen

Director of Curriculum & Arts Integration

mnguyen@ccsascholars.org

Mindy is one of the founding teachers of CCSA. She has taught first grade in Brooklyn, New York and in Chester, Pa., and worked as a public school liaison at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. She has provided History/Critical Thinking instruction to the high school bass cohort of the Chester Children’s Chorus.

 

Nicole DeRitis, Director of Elementary School

Nicole DeRitis

Director of Elementary (K-4) & 21st Century Programs

nderitis@ccsascholars.org

Nicole has taught in Chester for over sixteen years, and since 2010 has led the summer reading program at the Chester Children’s Chorus. Nicole has completed the Principal Certification and Special Education Certification programs at Neumann University.
 

 

Dana DeMinico

Director of Middle School (5-8)

ddeminico@ccsascholars.org

Dana has been an educator for over 25 years. She has held a variety of roles in education, including elementary and middle school teacher, college professor, and instructional coach. She received her Masters Degree from University of California Santa Cruz, her Doctorate from Widener University and most recently completed the Transformative Principalship program at West Chester University. Dana is very happy to be part of the CCSA community and to have the opportunity to work in partnership with our students and families.

Samuel C. Evans

Director of High School

sevans@ccsascholars.org

Samuel has been serving families and communities throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding areas as an educator since 2009. While earning his undergraduate degree in History at Endicott College, he played varsity basketball. He earned a Master of Science in Education and Principal Certification from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining CCSA, Samuel served as the Assistant Principal of Toby Farms Intermediate School.

Brian Holm, Director of High School

Brian Holm

Dean of High School Academics

bholm@ccsascholars.org

Brian taught high school-level mathematics for six years in Philadelphia before coming to CCSA in 2014. He has served as the Associate Director for Project Forward Leap Inc., a summer and school year enrichment program for middle school students. He has been instrumental in developing the high school program.

Ryan Fisher, Athletic Director

Ryan Fisher

Director of Athletics & Character Development

rfisher@ccsascholars.org

Ryan previously served as CCSA’s Athletic Director, Assistant Athletic Director and was the Founding Physical Education Teacher. He has been working with the students of Chester since 2012. He was also the head coach of the Girls’ Varsity Volleyball team.
 

Martina Hussein

Student Support Services Coordinator

mhussein@ccsascholars.org

Martina is passionate about special education and has over twenty years of experience working with both adults and children with special needs in a variety of roles. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Human Services at Springfield College and her Master’s Degree in Special Education at Eastern University before pursing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Gwynedd Mercy University. Martina joined CCSA in 2015 as a high school Special Education Teacher and Case Manager and has been leading student support efforts at CCSA since 2019.

Tara Park

Strategic & Special Projects Manager

tpark@ccsascholars.org

Tara worked for ten years with the Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School before joining CCSA in 2014 as a middle-school Social Studies and English teacher. She became the Director of Middle School in 2019 and served in that role for four years. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from West Chester University, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership.