ODYSSEY CHARTER SCHOOL - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant, MS / HS
Job Titles:
- Reading Specialist
- Reading Specialist, K - 5
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- HR Administrative Assistant
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- School Counselor, HS ( L - Z )
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- Kindergarten Immersion Teacher
- Teacher Director, Non - AHEPA Appointee
Bridget is a Wilmington resident who has worked in education for 10 years. She is currently a Kindergarten teacher at Odyssey Charter School. Bridget just completed her fourth year in this role as the English-partner teacher, providing instruction in both English Language Arts and Social Studies. Bridget attended the University of Delaware earning a bachelor's in early childhood education and a minor in Human Services. During her time at University of Delaware, she had the opportunity to live abroad and teach in Athens, Greece. Bridget has an enthusiasm for instilling a love for learning within her students, shaping passionate, creative, and unique scholars.
Job Titles:
- English Language Enrichment Teacher
Job Titles:
- Board Member, AHEPA Appointee
Constantine, Costas for friends, was born in Greece. He has a diploma, from a five-year full-time program, from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) in Mining and Metallurgical Engineering. He worked for 5 years in various steel-making industries in Greece, Norway, and Finland. He has an MS in Mechanical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Northeastern University, Boston Massachusetts. From 1990 until 2021 he worked at the Army Research Laboratory (ARL), Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, as a Materials Research Engineer, on various experimental and modeling projects of interest to the USA Department of Defense (DoD). He presented his work at many National and International Conferences and fora. He has published his work in various Scientific Journals and Conference Proceedings. He taught various Engineering courses at Northeastern University, Tufts University, and Wentworth Institute in Boston, MA. Since 1996 has been an Adjunct Associate Professor of Engineering at Widener University, Chester PA,
where he has been teaching various courses in all engineering disciplines, Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, and Chemical. For the past 3 years, he is a member of the Parish Council of the Greek Orthodox Church of Wilmington. He has served as the principal of the Greek School of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Wilmington, where he also taught Greek language and history to adults. He organized the programs for various Greek National Days and the Greek Independence Parade in Philadelphia. He is an editorial staff of the News Journal of the Holy Trinity where he has his own columns presenting subjects of history, philosophy, and linguistics simultaneously in Greek and English. He translates the articles of the priests of the community into Greek. He also translates official documents from Greek to English and English to Greek for the parishioners. He is a member of AHEPA and a Board Member of Wilmington's Hellenic University Club (HUC). A Wilmington resident, he and his wife are the parents of a son, a pharmacist, Greek and a daughter, a biochemistry scientist. Both children are graduates of the Greek School and participate in all functions of the community. He is fluent In English; ancient, medieval, and contemporary Greek; and he KOINE Greek, language of the Gospels, Biblical and Septuagint Greek. He knows intermediate-level
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant, IS
Job Titles:
- Senior Accounting Specialist
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- Administrative Assistant, LS
Job Titles:
- Greek Exploratory Teacher
Job Titles:
- Dean of Hellenic and Classical Education
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- K - 12 ELL / MLL Coordinator
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- Interim Dean of Culture and Climate, IS
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- Kindergarten Immersion Teacher
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- District Testing Coordinator K - 12
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- President, Non - AHEPA Appointee
Erin has spent the last 15 years of her career at the intersection of partnerships, strategic expansion, risk management, and governance in the finance and technology, or "fintech" sector. Through a variety of leadership roles, primarily with publicly traded, highly regulated financial institutions, she has served on several risk management, credit and lending, program prioritization, and management operating committees. In her current role as VP and Head of Banking Operations and Product for Green Dot Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Green Dot Bank, Erin focuses on banking enterprise partnerships, bringing to life innovative payments products and services in a regulatory compliant manner, and maintaining an operating framework ensuring safe and sound banking practices. Previously, Erin spent several years at The Bancorp, a Wilmington-based sponsor bank. Her most recent role at The Bancorp was Managing Director, Credit Sponsorship, where she was responsible for the business line strategy, risk management and regulatory controls for a new business line. Other roles included the CEO's Chief of Staff, VP of Strategic Initiatives, and VP, Platform Sales; Erin was also a founding member of the company's Women's Initiative Network (WIN). Earlier in her career, she led partnerships for a commercial real-estate lending firm, and worked with Carnegie Mellon University's award-winning Red Team, a consortium focused on autonomous vehicle development in coordination with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Erin attended the University of Pittsburgh and University of Pennsylvania. A Wilmington resident, she and her husband are the parents of two sons; a first grader at Odyssey, and an incoming kindergartener.
Job Titles:
- Dean of Culture and Climate, HS
Job Titles:
- Board Member, Non - AHEPA Greek Program Teacher
- Greek Art Teacher, IS
Eva Mentzelopoulou Jannelli is a 5th grade Greek Language teacher and 6th grade Greek Art teacher at the Odyssey Charter School. In addition, she leads the Middle School Greek Art Club. Eva's academic experience spans Europe and the US, and she is currently continuing studies at UD. Eva has been working at Odyssey since 2010, however her ties with the school go back to its inception. Eva welcomes the opportunity to help guide and support the mission of a school that has been so close to her heart for so many years. Eva lives in North Wilmington with her husband. She has two sons.
Job Titles:
- Transportation and Safety Manager
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- Finance
Job Titles:
- Board Member, AHEPA Appointee
Georgia Halakos was born Wilmington, Delaware She received her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Delaware and has worked in real estate since that time. She is a Principal in Tsionas Properties, a real estate investment group with numerous commercial and residential holdings throughout the Delaware Valley region. She currently serves on the Parent Leadership Council at the University of Delaware and as the President of the Federation of Greek American Societies of Philadelphia and the Greater Delaware Valley. Previously, she has served as Co-Chair of the Greek Festival in Wilmington. Together with her husband, Dimitris, she is proudly engaged with numerous local and national philanthropic endeavors.
Job Titles:
- Community at Large Director, Non - AHEPA Appointee
Georgia has over 20 years of brand marketing, communications, and management work internationally. Georgia draws from experience in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. Georgia began her marketing career with Johnson & Johnson, and since has published articles on marketing and communications in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods & dairy sector. She has offered consultation services in the international marketing, management, and communications field. Her clients have ranged from consumer goods providers, food & drink companies, advertising agencies, public sector divisions, to banking, retail, medical, technology services, marble, and shipping industries. Her positions in Europe have included Marketing and Communications Director at yogurt dairy Fage, McDonald's Europe, Elbisco biscuit, and flour industry. Georgia has received numerous awards and recognition and will bring her expertise to Odyssey to impactfully support the school and community.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Treasurer, AHEPA Appointee
Helen Anderson is a Wilmington native who still resides there with her daughter. Ms. Anderson is currently the Executive Director of Dual Generation Services for the State of Delaware. In her role she works with Wilmington families to bridge the gap between education and social services. Ms. Anderson's passion for youth, has helped her to create a holistic initiative, that encompasses various State agencies and community partners to provide housing, employment, social service navigation, and educational opportunities.
Ms. Anderson is a former Special Education Teacher who took on the challenging role of working with some of our most vulnerable students in Northern Delaware. Her teaching methods were inclusive, allowing her students to truly flourish and be prepared for their future. Ms. Anderson enjoyed her time as a Dance and Senior class advisor at the school. In addition to teaching she worked as a Human Resource Director in the private sector for over 10 years. In her community, Ms. Anderson is a Director on her local Neighborhood Planning Committee, serving as Assistant Treasurer. She also teaches and organizes educational activities for the youth in her Church. Ms. Anderson earned a MBA and Masters in Education from Wilmington University.
Job Titles:
- 4th Grade Greek Language Teacher
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- Business Information Teacher
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- Philanthropy and Advocacy Manager
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- Student Services Instructional Coach
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Secretary and Parent Director, Non - AHEPA Appointee
Joel is a native Delawarean, graduate of Brandywine High School and Wilmington University. He has two daughters who are current Odyssey Owls and a son whom will be joining the "parliament" in a couple years. Joel is a Technical Project Manager in the world of data science and business analytics at LabWare, a Wilmington-based software company. His professional background includes corporate training, instructional design, and content authoring allowing him to be a vital liaison between his company's developers and clients. Prior to his current role, he helped grow a major e-commerce brand specializing in motor sports apparel where he worked to develop the company's on-boarding and professional development programs. Outside of his professional roles, Joel has a passion for music and serves as the Director of Music at Immanuel Church in Wilmington; he is a vocalist, guitarist, bassist, dabbler on piano, and could probably remember a thing or two on the trombone if you asked (and provided the trombone). He also enjoys cycling, auto sports, and everything LEGO. Joel is incredibly pleased with the education his girls have received at Odyssey thus far and is excited to partner with the Board in its ongoing efforts to bolster the growth and success of Odyssey in the years to come.
Job Titles:
- Transportation Supervisor
Job Titles:
- Curriculum and Instruction Manager
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant, IS
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- Social Studies Special Education Support, HS
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- Journalism / Yearbook Teacher
Job Titles:
- Interim Student Advisor of Culture and Climate
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Vice President, AHEPA Appointee
Ken is currently the Director of Infrastructure for a media intelligence company, managing IT resources in 250 locations in over 85 countries. Since earning a BA in Communications from the University of Delaware he spent the last 30 years in IT in both large international Fortune 100 companies and fast paced internet start-ups. He lives with his wife of 30 years in North Wilmington, and his two daughters are getting ready to leave the nest. Their youngest daughter Krista, was the first student to sign up for Odyssey Charter in 2006. He has been the AHEPA Chapter Secretary for the last 10 years. He joined to help the organization that founded and supported his daughter's school. He volunteers with and supports a number of local charities, including PAWS for People.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Registered Nurse
- Board Member, Non - AHEPA Appointee
Kristin Turner is a highly skilled registered nurse, realtor and devoted parent of three students who is known for being the voice of reason for people in her community. As the vice president of her community HOA she serves to maintain a balance of community members requests. With over 12 years of experience in healthcare, Kristin has dedicated her career to providing exceptional patient care and ensuring the well-being of her patients, as well as family members and acquaintances. Her life purpose is healing others holistically.
Kristin is also a certified hypnotherapist, spiritual advisor, and transformational mindset coach helping others understand their purpose in life and how to live their lives to their fullest potential.
As a registered nurse, Kristin has worked in a variety of healthcare settings, from hospitals to schools, and has gained extensive experience in patient assessment, treatment planning, and patient education. As a healer she has developed a holistic approach in healing the whole person at the source not just the symptoms. Her clinical expertise combined with her natural empathy and compassion for people make her an indispensable member of any team.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Kristin is also a committed parent who takes an active role in her children's education and development. She volunteers and recognizes the importance of providing a nurturing and supportive home environment that fosters learning and growth.
Moreover, Kristin is known for her ability to provide a voice of reason for people in her community. She is always willing to listen to others' concerns and provide thoughtful, practical advice based on her experience and knowledge. Her calm and measured approach to problem-solving has earned her the respect and admiration of those around her. She has helped dozens of people overcome fears, anxieties and transgressions. She is sought out for advice and guidance regularly from people all over the world.
Overall, Kristin is a dedicated, loving, and nurturer who exemplifies the values of compassion, professionalism, and wisdom.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant, HS
Job Titles:
- Greek Program Instructional Coach
Job Titles:
- K - 12 Teacher Academy Teacher
Job Titles:
- Family Crisis Therapist, 6 - 12
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Membership
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant, LS
Job Titles:
- 1st Grade Immersion Teacher
Job Titles:
- 1st Grade Immersion Teacher
Job Titles:
- Workforce Development Specialist
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- 2nd Grade Immersion Teacher
Job Titles:
- Speech Therapist, IS / MS / HS
Job Titles:
- Finance and Payroll Specialist / Nursing Staff
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- 3rd Grade Immersion Teacher
Job Titles:
- HR Specialist ( Employees M - Z )
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Administration
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- School Counselor, HS ( a - K )
Job Titles:
- HR Specialist ( Employees a - L )
Job Titles:
- Science Special Education Support
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Board Member, AHEPA Appointee
Valerie Caras serves as a law clerk to Judge Gregory B. Williams in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. Valerie has a J.D. from Villanova Law School, where she served as editor-in-chief of the Villanova Law Review, and a B.A. from Dickinson College. Prior to attending law school, Valerie worked in public affairs. She served as a gubernatorial spokesperson and developed communications strategies for political campaigns, candidates, and non-profit entities. Having grown up in Wilmington, Delaware and being involved in the Greek community throughout her life, she is enthusiastic to be part of the Odyssey family and help students succeed as world citizens.
Job Titles:
- 1st Grade Immersion Teacher
Job Titles:
- Student Services Coordinator