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
School Counselor
School Counselor
Behavior Specialist
School Counselor
School Counselor
ELA Teacher
ELA Teacher
SPED
ENL Teacher
ENL Teacher
Special Education 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
Dr. Sara Asmussen, Executive Director of New Dawn Charter Schools, is from the state of Idaho and is an avid cat-lover. She is passionate about education and equity for all students. She has dedicated her career to being a champion for students, parents and families, faculty, and staff. She is responsible for all school operations and she is accountable to our Board of Trustees. Dr. Asmussen guides the policy of the school and follows through with Board decisions on a day to day basis.
In addition, Dr. A has been awarded numerous grant and funding opportunities. She has led the charge during financing, purchase, and full renovation of our founding location at 242 Hoyt Street in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.
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
I am a school counselor dedicated to helping students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. I strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment where every student feels valued and empowered.
Email: mrahman@ndchsqueens.org
With an MSED in Mental Health Counseling from CUNY Hunter College and a background in education and youth development, I work as a Mental Health Counselor at NDCHS, supporting teenagers and young adults in their academic, emotional, social, and overall well-being.
My approach is client-centered and collaborative, creating a safe space where clients can explore, reflect, and build the tools they need to thrive. I believe everyone has strengths, and I honor each person’s past experiences—including the impact of trauma and obstacles—while working collaboratively to empower them on their unique journey. I am committed to reducing the stigma around mental health, normalizing counseling and seeking support, and acknowledging that growth looks different for everyone.
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.
