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
Joan K. Richards Head of School / CEO
Akosua has been an educator for over 25 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 started her career as a teacher in New York City. Akosua became an educator 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
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
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 (K-4) & 21st Century Programming
Nicole is a compassionate educator who believes in nurturing young learners so they feel safe, confident, and ready to succeed. She began her career teaching in the Chester community after earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from West Chester University. Over her 16 years in the classroom, she taught kindergarten, first, second, and third grades.
In addition to her work in K–3 education, Nicole served as an adjunct professor at Neumann University, teaching graduate courses in early childhood and special education. She also worked with the Chester Children’s Chorus for several years, leading their summer reading program and supporting literacy development for choir members.
Nicole earned her Special Education certification, Principal certification, and Master’s Degree from Neumann University. She remains committed to supporting students, families, and teachers through compassionate leadership and a belief in every child’s potential.
Dana Deminico
Director of Middle School (5-8)
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.
Jonas Crenshaw, Jr.
Director of High School (9-12)
Jonas has more than 24 years of educational experience. He has served in multiple leadership capacities in both urban and rural school settings and is an accomplished educational leader with over 11 years of building-level leadership experience and five years in senior charter school leadership. A former district HR Director, he brings a strong foundation in talent development, organizational strategy, and school operations.
Jonas’s expertise in school design and redesign is a hallmark of his leadership. He successfully led the transformation of a STEM magnet high school, directed large-scale redesign initiatives for a major Philadelphia charter network, and supported the launch of three charter schools in Milwaukee.
Brian Holm
Dean of High School Academics
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
Director of Athletics & Character Development
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.
Tara Park
Strategic & Special Projects Manager
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.
Julie Nicols
Student Support Services Coordinator
Julie is a dedicated special education leader and instructional expert with certifications in Special Education (PK–12) and Secondary English. Prior to joining CCSA, she served as Special Education Coordinator at Philadelphia Hebrew Public Charter School, where she led a team of 20 professionals and oversaw programming for diverse learner needs, including low-incidence disabilities and emotional support. Julie ensures compliance with state and federal regulations while mentoring staff to develop high-quality, data-driven IEPs that promote measurable student growth.
In her previous experience, Julie spent several years at Mastery Charter Schools, where she excelled as a special education teacher, compliance lead, and intervention leader, strengthening literacy outcomes and coaching educators. She holds a Master’s in Urban Education from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and a B.A. in Sociology from Fordham University, graduating with honors.