Our Staff

Start Date: July 2017

Education History: B.A., Sociology and Dance, University of Notre Dame; M.A., Early Childhood Special Education, Columbia University; Registered COS-P Trainer, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional

Previous Professional Experience: Alika is originally from Oregon, where she grew up immersed in nature and music. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from the University of Notre Dame and minored in dance at St. Mary’s College. She earned her Master of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Alika is a Registered Circle of Security Parenting Trainer (COS-P), and has received certification from the Autism Certification Center. Alika has had a variety of experiences as an educator, including working with Early Head Start, Head Start, private and parochial schools, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, Northside Center for Children, and New York City public schools. She is a published author and was previously a full-time faculty member at Borough of Manhattan Community College. Alika is the founder of The Ray of Hope Project, and her last album won several awards, including a Gold Global Music Award. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, EWTN, The New Yorker, Time Out NY, Opera News, and Opera Now. Alika is co-host of “Perspective TV,” which airs on Fox-61. 

In my spare time, I like to: Find warm and sunny beaches

Thoughts about being involved in Legacy: I’m grateful to work with a non-profit that truly believes in empowering our youth to meet their potential in unique and creative ways. 

Start Date: August 2018

Education History: Connecticut State Teacher Certificate, Johns Hopkins University- Teach for America
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, University of Montevallo

Previous Professional Experience: I am currently in my 5th year of classroom education. My experience teaching math in the classroom has ranged from grades 7-12 in many diverse settings including Birmingham AL, Hartford CT, and New Britain CT. I am an alumnus of the 2018 Teach for America- Connecticut Corps, where I have devoted my time to fighting education inequity in the urban classroom. In addition to classroom teaching, I have experience tutoring students in TRiO Upward Bound Programs, University Student Support Services, and summer camps at A.G. Boys and Girls Club.

In my spare time I like to: I enthusiastically build and collect Architecture, Technic, and Creator Expert Lego sets.

What it means to work at Legacy: As an educator committed to education equity for all students, working with the Legacy Foundation of Hartford provides an extensive opportunity for me to further my impact. Working with Legacy has intensified my passion to ensure that all students experience opportunities that are necessary for an equitable and successful education. Prior to moving to Connecticut, investment in my community has always been a significant part of my life. Legacy Foundation of Hartford immediately fulfilled and continues to fulfill this desire.

I am a third grade humanities teacher in Windsor, CT and I have been will Legacy since 2019 (I think). I received my undergraduate degree in NJ from Saint Peter’s University where I studied Elementary Education and American Studies. I received my master’s degree from the University of Saint Joseph in Special Education Literacy. I student taught at a private school in Jersey City, NJ.

Upon returning to CT I worked for two years at Jumoke Academy as an academic assistant. When I went to USJ for grad school, I entered at Mayberry Elementary School in East Hartford where I acted as a tutor for a year. After that year I was hired in Windsor. I like to say that I am addicted to film and television and lot to watch a lot in my spare time. I love to work out, I work out most mornings I am big on routine so when I don’t my whole day feels weird! And I also enjoy being with my family!

Working at Legacy means a lot to me. I love to make connections with all the kids I work with and I think the job of a teacher is super important but it seems the work at Legacy takes the work of a teacher just a bit further. I fully support Mr. Jones’s mission and want to join him as he creates opportunities and experiences that will help create future leaders and supporters of his mission.

Start Date:  Jan. 1, 2017

Education History:  Certificate in College Counseling, UCLA; B.A. Music History & Theory, Hunter College

Previous Professional Experience: 

Prior to relocating to Connecticut from Minnesota in the fall of 2015, Lynne she was a contract speaker for the Minnesota Office of Higher Education’s Outreach Program in rural East Central Minnesota educating low-income and first generation students and their families on the benefits of higher education, paying for college and financial aid, and conducting college and career exploration workshops. She is a former member of the Minnesota Association for College Admissions Counseling’s Committee on Inclusion, Access and Success and its Camp College subcommittee.  Her professional affiliations include the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the New England Association for College Admission Counseling (NEACAC), the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA), and the Independent Association for Educational Consultants (IECA).  Lynne also serves on the Simsbury Chamber of Commerce’s Education Committee.  Lynne is the founder of Muse College Consulting LLC, an independent college advising service and a Connecticut Certified Woman Owned Small/Minority Business Enterprise.

In my spare time, I like to:  travel, hike, cook, read and play with my cat, Marcel

Please share a few sentences about you, your passion and commitment to the Legacy vision. 

A long-time advocate of literacy, education and college access, I am excited to join Legacy in serving our students by developing a college counseling program that furthers Legacy’s supportive environment, introduces students to the opportunities available through focused career and college exploration, educates them on post-secondary options and guides them through the daunting college admission process. The earlier we begin educating our students, the easier it will be for them to break down the barriers and overcome the obstacles to college access that these first-generation students face so that we may, collectively, help them to succeed in realizing their potential and their dreams. 

Education History:   I received my BA from Nasson College in Springvale, Maine and continued my education with courses from the University of Connecticut, Central Connecticut State University, The University of Hartford and St. Joseph’s College.

Previous Professional Experience : Although I have enjoyed participating in a variety of occupations, including a year as an employment consultant  for the Battered Women’s’ Shelter in Hartford, CT and several years as manager for a Real Estate Office in Houston, Texas, for twenty-five years my professional career has been as an English teacher. I have taught grades six through college in several states including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Arizona, and Texas.  My last full-time teaching position was in the inner city of the island of Galveston, TX, where I taught seventh grade English to students who, up to that point, had not yet been able to pass the state writing exam. During the seven years that I worked with these students, I realized that my passion for teaching was further defined in that I became dedicated to focusing on the success of inner-city students.

In my spare time, I like to:

Enjoy the beautiful Connecticut River in our small Stingray boat

Attend plays, musicals and live concerts- my favorite venue is Infinity Hall

Spend time with my grandchildren- often done via FaceTime

Read self-help books – a favorite -“Power Freedom and Grace” by Deepak Chopra

Have dinner with friends

What it means to work for Legacy:

Working for The Legacy Foundation is an absolute blessing in my life -literally! 

When  I retired from teaching full time, I found myself missing the interaction I had had with my “inner city”, disadvantaged, Galveston students.  I began looking for part-time work in the Hartford area and found myself as one of two finalists for what seemed like a perfect position only to find out that the other person was chosen. That evening, in my heartbroken state of mind, I prayed saying, “Father, if it’s your will for me to do this, you will have to drop the position in my lap. I don’t know where else to look.” 

The very next day while I was shopping in a small local business, the owner engaged me in conversation and asked me what I was interested in doing. When I expressed my desire to work with inner-city children, he said he knew exactly who I should talk to. The following morning, I found myself at a Dunkin’ Donut’s shop talking with Greg Jones about teaching for the Legacy Foundation. No words can express how grateful I am that I did not get the first job and that I was blessed to have been led to a meeting with Greg. I can honestly say that I wish I had been involved in an organization like The Legacy Foundation for my entire teaching career. 

Role at Legacy: Science Teacher, Co-Director of Legacy Leaders

Start Date: January 2017

Education History and Previous Experience:

I graduated with my bachelors in Biology and minor in Psychology in 2014 from Central Connecticut State University and graduated with my Masters in Education in 2015 from Central Connecticut State University. Although I am only a second-year teacher my first teaching experience was as a Public Health Instructor at Hartford Public High School during an internship with Area Health Educational Careers. I went on to become an after school art enrichment teacher at Classical Magnet High School and was a summer school teacher at Bristol Central High School. I completed my student teaching at New Britain High School and I volunteered as a substitute teacher at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School. Last year I was the 7th and 8th-grade science teacher at Kinsella Magnet School of Performing Arts and now I work as a Biology teacher at Journalism and Media Academy. My career goal is to start a sixth-year program within the next year and be an administrator in a Hartford School.

In my spare time, I like to: In my spare time I enjoy knitting.

What Legacy Means to Me:

As a teacher in an urban environment, at times I found myself losing hope. Sometimes it is disheartening when you read the Hartford Courant or compare scores between urban and suburban environments. Prior to Legacy I desired to get involved in the Hartford community, however I wanted to find a program that had both an educational component as well as a social emotional component while also holding students accountable for their actions. Legacy has the perfect combination of both. Legacy restored my hope for teaching. Not only are Legacy students intelligent, trustworthy and responsible, they are wonderful people who care about their community, their education and others.

Title: Language Arts Instructor

Start Date: January 2018

Education History: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, New York University Tisch School of the Arts

Previous Professional Experience: Private Tutor/Essay-Writing Coach, Copywriter and Editor

In my spare time I like to: Weight train and practice martial arts, write poetry and plays, post pictures of food on Instagram

Thoughts about being involved in Legacy: I’m inspired by my students and excited and proud to be able to give them some of the tools they need to reach their full potential. They are not given enough chances in life and sometimes don’t even know how smart and amazing they are, and I love seeing them light up when they participate in class and prove to themselves that they can succeed.  

Start Date: August 2016

Education History:

Master of Public Health, University of New Hampshire
Healthcare Management post-grad certificate-UMass Lowell
Bachelor of Liberal Arts- dual concentrations in Psychology/Sociology- UMass Lowell
Associate of Arts and Polysomnography certification- NECC

Previous Professional Experience: Before accepting a public health role at The Legacy Foundation in 2016, I primarily worked in mental and behavioral health with adolescents and their families for many years. I have also had an administrative position with a university Graduate Admissions office and completed an internship with the NH Public Health Association working on state policy implementation.

In my spare time I like to: I believe in investing in experiences, so I spend as much time traveling as I can. I am an avid animal lover and like to spend time at home with my husband and our pets. I enjoy crafting, doing fun outdoor activities, and spending time with friends and family.

What it means to work at Legacy: I am very proud to say that I am part of the Legacy team. I have always been motivated to get involved with the community. As a newer CT resident, I have learned that North Hartford does not have the same health and educational outcomes as other neighborhoods. As Director of Health and Administration, my hope is to invest my time and partner with other organizations, such as Hartford Hospital, to make an impact with the underserved population in this community. This includes empowering people to live healthier lifestyles, eat better, exercise, and get annual check-ups. I am also passionate about addressing and improving social determinants of health among the residents we provide outreach to. I believe this aligns with the Legacy vision of “Take Charge of Your Health.”

Start Date: July 2016

Education History:

M.S.W., Social Work, Salem State University
B.A., Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Boston

Previous Professional Experience: Prior to joining Legacy, Tahina worked with Wayside Youth and Family Support Network as a Program Coordinator and College Success Coach.

In my spare time, I like to: Create… this can be in the form of planning events, creating decorative crafts and furniture or creating meals with my husband.

What it means to work at Legacy: I’ve always had a passion for helping people but was not sure in what capacity. Since graduating from the University of Massachusetts, Boston in 2006 as Psychology major and
then graduating from Salem State University with an MSW in 2012, my passion for working with
and for youth developed and caught fire. Unhappy with the educational system for youth, I
instantly became driven to work to reverse and improve some of the pitfalls and roadblocks
that many youths face. As a new implant to the greater Hartford area, Legacy Foundation of
Hartford was a perfect organization to join as my passions are aligned directly with the mission
to empower youth by providing them with opportunities to succeed academically and socially.

Start Date: March 2018

Education History:

Master of Arts, Museums and Galleries in Education, University of London

Bachelor of Arts, English and Anthropology, Mount Holyoke College

Previous Professional Experience: School Program Assistant, Museum of London; Summer Camp Manager, Smithsonian Associates

In my spare time I like to: Read, get outside, and explore new places

What it means to work at Legacy: I am energized to be part of the Legacy team and have the chance to do the essential work of breaking down barriers to opportunities, educational and otherwise. Bringing my passion for arts and culture to this position, I am dedicated to forging connections between our scholars and what inspires them.