At New Dawn Charter Schools we value, above all, our relationships with students, parents, and guardians. In addition to our core academic, internship, and college programs, we are proud to focus on our students social and emotional needs by providing every one with a Mentor in the building. Each of our faculty and staff members are mentors to our students. If you are looking to reach a teacher, administrator, or mentor, please feel free to contact them from this list or through our learning management system Jupiter Ed
CEO and Founder
Principal
Dean of School
Parent Coordinator
College and Career Readiness Manager
Community Outreach
Lead School Counselor
Mental Health Counselor
Behavior Specialist
School Counselor
Mental Health Counselor
ELA Teacher
ELA Teacher
SPED
ENL Teacher
ENL Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Special Education Teacher
College and Career Readiness Manager
School Counselor
Culinary Art Teacher
Internship Coordinator
Internship Coordinator
Internship Coordinator
Algebra and Geometry Teacher
Algebra and Personal Finance Teacher
Science Teacher
Science Teacher
Global History Teacher
US History Teacher
Global History Teacher
PE Teacher
Ms. Diamond Onomake, School Counselor: donomake@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Mr. Mohammed Rahman, School Counselor: mrahman@ndchsqueens.org
Ms. Catherine Shimabuku-Orbe, School Counselor : cshimabukuorbe@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Ms. Maleeka Spragion, Behavior Specialist : mspragion@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Ms. Lisa Dickler Awano,
Development Specialist of Method for Writing the Research Paper,
ELA Teacher and Social Justice Teacher: lawano@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Mr. Richard Seibert, ELA Teacher: rseibert@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Ms. Nyddia Lugo, ENL Teacher: nlugo@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Ms. Lisa Miller, ENL Teacher: lmiller@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Ms. Diane Ramjit, Special Education Coordinator: dramjit@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Ms. Hana Sharhan, Special Education Teacher: hsharhan@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Ms. Courtney Tolliver, Special Education Teacher: ctolliver@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Ms. Josephine Welsh, Special Education Teacher: jwelsh@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Ms. Annick Aska, College and Career Readiness Coordinator: aaska@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Mr. Todd Bryant, Chef, CTE Culinary Program : tbryant@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Ms. Alliyah Dookie, College and Career Readiness Coordinator: adookie@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Ms. Ashley Hall, Chef, CTE Culinary Program: ahall@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Ms. Daneil Chambers , Internship Writing Teacher: dchambers@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Mr. Scott Milliken, Guidance Counselor: smilliken@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Mr. David Gorkhover, Algebra and Geometry Teacher: dgorkhover@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Mr. Vadim Manevich, Algebra and Personal Finance Teacher: vmanevich@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Ms. Kyshaya Adams: kadams@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Ms. Danielle Tennant: dtennant@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Mr. Robert Cervone, Global History and Economics: rcervone@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Mr. Marcus Fennell, US History and Civics: mfennell@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Ms. Stephanie Siegel, Global History: ssiegel@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Ms. Suzanne Goldenberg, Art Teacher: sgoldenberg@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Mr. Willie Jackson, PE: wjackson@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Ms. Dionna El, Outreach Worker: del@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Ms. Kim Fields, Parent Coordinator: kfields@ndchsbrooklyn.org
E-mail: sasmussen@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Originally from Idaho, Dr. Sara Asmussen serves as the Executive Director of New Dawn Charter Schools. Known throughout the New Dawn community as “Dr. A,” she has dedicated her career to championing students and families while supporting the faculty and staff who serve them. She is passionate about creating opportunities that help every student succeed and ensuring that New Dawn remains focused on the needs of the young people and communities it serves.
As Executive Director, Dr. Asmussen oversees the operations of New Dawn Charter Schools and is accountable to the Board of Trustees. She provides organizational leadership, guides the implementation of school policies, and ensures that the decisions and strategic direction established by the Board are carried out across the organization.
Dr. Asmussen has also successfully secured numerous grant and funding opportunities to support New Dawn’s schools and programs. Among her significant leadership accomplishments, she spearheaded the financing, acquisition, and complete renovation of New Dawn’s founding location at 242 Hoyt Street in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. Through her leadership, Dr. A continues to advocate for the resources, programs, and opportunities necessary to support New Dawn’s students and school communities. Outside of her professional work, she is an avid cat lover.
E-mail: ldigaudio@ndchsqueens.org
E-mail: rasher@ndchsbrooklyn.org
I began my career at New Dawn as an Internship Coordinator and have grown within the organization, serving in multiple leadership roles including Safety Committee Leader, Athletic Director, Regents Lead, and PLC Lead, before becoming Dean of Schools in January 2022.
In my current role, I focus on building strong school culture through the design and implementation of schoolwide systems, with an emphasis on restorative justice practices and student support.
Prior to becoming Dean, I taught Physical Education and Health for twelve years and served as Head Basketball Coach for fourteen years at New Dawn.
I am deeply committed to New Dawn’s mission of transforming students’ lives. As a former transfer student who was over-aged and under-credited, I understand firsthand the challenges our students face. With the support of mentors and educators, I successfully earned my diploma, and I strive to provide that same level of guidance and support to help our students reach their full potential.
Email: donomake@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Email: mrahman@ndchsqueens.org
With an M.S.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling from CUNY Hunter College and a background in youth development, education, and community-based work, Mohammad Rahman serves as a Mental Health Counselor at New Dawn Charter High School in Brooklyn. His professional background spans youth development and educational settings, including experience supporting young people across elementary, middle, and high school levels.
At New Dawn, Mohammad Rahman supports students across academic, emotional, social, and personal areas of development, with a focus on student well-being. His work includes emotional regulation, stress and coping, self-esteem, character development, motivation, relationships and communication, decision-making, goal setting, school engagement, life transitions, and grief and loss. His approach is student-centered and collaborative, with an emphasis on listening without judgment, recognizing individual strengths, and helping students develop practical tools to navigate challenges.
Mohammad Rahman believes mental health counseling should be approachable and accessible to all students; not only those experiencing significant difficulties. By helping normalize conversations around mental health and reduce the stigma associated with seeking support, he works to create space for students to build self-awareness, develop healthy coping skills, reflect, grow, and ask for support when needed. His work reflects New Dawn’s commitment to supporting the whole student and helping young people develop the skills, self-awareness, character, and support systems they can carry with them beyond school.
Email: mspragion@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Email: del@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Dionna El is a dedicated Outreach Worker at New Dawn Charter High School, where she plays a key role in strengthening the connection between students, families, and the resources necessary for academic and personal success. With over a decade of experience in community engagement, student support, and school operations, she is committed to fostering inclusive, student-centered environments that empower young people to thrive.
In her role, Dionna leads targeted student outreach efforts and conducts home visits to build meaningful relationships with families and increase student engagement. She is highly skilled in utilizing student data systems to implement data-driven strategies that improve attendance and retention. Dionna also coordinates school events, manages family and community communications, and partners with local organizations to expand access to critical resources and opportunities for students.
In addition to her work in education, Dionna serves as the Assistant Creative Director for an independent film production company dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices through socially impactful storytelling. Her work in film reflects her passion for advocacy, particularly in advancing mental health awareness and promoting equity in underserved communities.
Dionna brings a strong sense of purpose, compassion, and leadership to her work, consistently striving to ensure that every student feels seen, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Odette Larroche-Garcia is a NYS certified Bilingual School Counselor that has transitioned into various roles within the nonprofit and educational landscape in NYC. She brings her expertise to New Dawn Charter High School and helps seniors think about their life after high school and assists them in creating a strong post-secondary plan.
Email: narslani@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Niko Arslani, MA, serves as a Mental Health Counselor at New Dawn Charter High School, where he supports students in navigating academic, emotional, and personal challenges. He approaches counseling from a relational and trauma-informed perspective, emphasizing collaboration, curiosity, and respect for each student’s unique experience.
Niko believes that strong relationships are central to growth and learning. He works to create a supportive environment where students feel heard, develop insight, and build skills that promote resilience and long-term success. He earned his Master’s degree in Forensic Mental Health Counseling from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and is currently working toward licensure in New York State.
Email: lawano@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Email: adookie@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Alliyah Dookie is a Summa Cum Laude alumni of SUNY Cortland (Class of 2020) and SUNY Stony Brook (Class of 2024). Having earned a dual bachelor's in political science/ Africana Studies and a Masters in Africana Studies, she currently serves as one of the Career and Internship Coordinators at New Dawn Charter High School in Brooklyn helping to empower a diverse student body by bridging the gap between education and professional opportunities.
Her prior experience includes but is not limited to serving youth in various roles such as a Work Experience Coordinator for North Brooklyn YouthBuild, an Overnight Counselor at SCO Family of Services, a Carceral Research Fellow with the Writing Beyond Prison Project, and a College Access and Success Coordinator for South Bronx United.
Outside of her educational work, Alliyah also contributes as Event Support staff for New York Road Runners, advocating for equity and access to youth sports and enjoys activities such as traveling, playing violin and being outdoors.
Email: tbryant@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Todd Bryant is a high school culinary arts teacher with over 30 years of experience as a professional chef and 5 years in the classroom setting. He brings real-world industry knowledge into the classroom, creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences that help students build both technical skills and confidence. Mr. Bryant holds an undergraduate degree in International Studies from the University of North Carolina and a Master’s degree in Food Studies from New York University. He is passionate about preparing students for success through practical cooking techniques, teamwork, and a strong appreciation for food and culture.
Email: dchambers@ndchsbrooklyn.org
Daneil Chambers is an Internship, Writing, and Career Readiness Coordinator at New Dawn Charter High School, supporting 300+ students across the Brooklyn and Queens campuses. They lead the EXPOP Entrepreneurship Internship program, created by Harvard and Ivy League students and graduates to help young people explore entrepreneurship, build career-ready skills, and develop ideas regardless of experience level.
With a background in communications, digital media, restorative practices, and coaching, Daneil specializes in media literacy, AI integration, career readiness, and project-based learning. Their work focuses on helping students think critically, build sustainable futures, and connect their interests to real-world opportunities through data-informed and human-centered strategies.
Beyond the classroom, Daneil mentors emerging entrepreneurs and changemakers as the founder of Danni Pose Studios, a transformation studio focused on strategy, storytelling, technology, and innovation for mission-driven organizations.
Mr. Fennell has been a member of the New Dawn Charter Schools community since the fall of 2017. He earned his bachelor’s degree in U.S. History from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey, where he also played football and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Inspired by professors who made history engaging and meaningful, he continued at Fairleigh Dickinson and earned a master’s degree in Education.
Mr. Fennell began his career at New Dawn teaching Global Studies, a role he held for four years before transitioning to U.S. History. Prior to joining New Dawn, he coached high school football for seven years at his alma mater, Ridgewood High School in New Jersey, where he had also played football and baseball as a student. His experiences as an athlete, coach, and educator helped shape his belief in hard work, punctuality, accountability, and setting a positive example for others.
At New Dawn, Mr. Fennell works to make history relevant and accessible while helping students become more knowledgeable, thoughtful, and engaged citizens. Outside the classroom, he enjoys traveling, visiting battlefields and museums, reading, and going to the gym. His goal is to help every student leave his classroom better prepared to understand the world around them and contribute positively to their communities.
Email: jwelsh@ndchsbrooklyn.org
