Executive Board Bios
Arthur Linder
Treasurer
Arthur Linder, Sr. is the former Principal of the Youth Services Center, Oak Hill Academy, and Co-Principal of Anacostia SHS. Arthur served in DCPS for 47 years and retired in 2014. He has been a member of the CSO since 1993 and has been actively involved with the CSO serving on the Executive Board for SHS and acting as the Retired Members Representative until 2017, when he was elected as Treasurer.
Delisa Green
Secretary
Delisa Green is a Speech Language Pathologist with the District of Columbia Public School system. In this role, Delisa provides high quality diagnostic and intervention services to special education students ages 3 to 22. With two decades of experience in diagnosing and treating oral communication disorders for special needs students within the public school setting, Delisa now focuses primarily on comprehensive and dynamic evaluations of speech sound, oral language, pragmatic, and auditory processing disorders for students within the private and religious education sectors.
While passionate about her clinical duties, Delisa has also been a staunch supporter of the Council of School Officers since 1999. Her passion led her to serve on the Executive Board from 2008 to present, as well as, various committees to promote the values and principles of labor! She has been afforded special honor of representing union members at regional American Federation of School Administrator – Local 4 conferences.
Courtney Anderson March
Courtney Anderson is a native of Richmond, Virginia, and has been an educator with D.C. Public Schools since 2012. Currently, she serves as an Assistant Principal at Caroline Wilder Harris Elementary School. Before becoming Assistant Principal, Courtney served as the Academic Dean and social studies LEAP leader at Kelly Miller Middle School. She is most proud of her current work with early literacy and the implementation of C.W. Harris’ signature program, C.O.L.O.R., which stands for Culture of Love of Reading.
Charlette Butler-Strickland
Principal, Hart Middle School
tamara dukes
Tamara Dukes presently serves as a Social Work Program Manager within District of Columbia Public Schools. Tamara is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) trained in a host of evidence-based treatment modalities. Currently, she merges her passion for mental health, education, and equality as a clinician, school social worker, educator, and advocate. Tamara is a dedicated leader who embraces and champions the work of the school's mental health team. In the last 23 years, she has served in various school leadership roles with DC Public Schools. Tamara is enthusiastic about her opportunity to serve as an executive board member and looks forward to making a difference for all CSO members.
kimbria jackson
Dr. Kimbria Jackson is the Assistant Principal at a premier STEM high school in Washington, DC. She was a member of the NASSP 2018 cohort for Secondary Principals. She served as the Math Instructional Coach and Curriculum Writer for District of Columbia Public Schools. Not only has she served DC Public Schools for the past ten years, but she also works closely with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Teacher Quality and Retention Program, where she provides professional training for participants in the field of education.
Dr. Jackson is originally from Warner Robins, Georgia; however, she lived in Atlanta, Georgia. While in Atlanta, she was a high school math teacher for eight years and a high school Math Instructional Coach for one year.
She received her Doctoral Degree in Education, Instructional Leadership at Argosy University in Atlanta, Georgia, and completed her Education Law Certificate program at Indiana University in 2020. Dr. Kimbria Jackson is a contributing author in Next in Line to Lead: The Voice of the Assistant Principal
Zachary Larson
Zachary is originally from Chicagoland currently resides in the District, loves enjoying the public recreation parks in the region and engaging his community. Prior to relocating, he earned an undergraduate degree from Western Illinois in Law Enforcement & Justice Administration and a Master of Public Administration from DePaul University. Zachary’s career began in juvenile justice and he served as a juvenile probation officer in Illinois, a corrections counselor with the Kansas Juvenile Justice Authority and has worked for the District’s Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services before joining DCPS. Zachary began his career with DCPS in 2013 after volunteering at Luke C Moore Senior High School serving as a mentor for overaged and under credited students. He shortly thereafter, assumed numerous roles at Luke C Moore SHS such as an Athletic Director, Administrative Officer and the Twilight Academy Coordinator. In 2018, he transitioned to Ballou High School where he has served as the pathways coordinator. Zachary loves solving complex issues by trying new approaches which have never been done before, working collaboratively and smarter, not harder! Zachary is a global adventure seeker, motorcycle enthusiast, an outdoors lover and stays busy. In addition to his role with DCPS he is currently serving as the project coordinator for the Greater Anacostia Educational Opportunity Center and as the communications specialist for Hurley & Associates. He is eager and excited to serve all members of CSO and most importantly serve as a liaison for members other than principal and assistant principal.
Soncyree Lee
Soncyreè Lee currently serves as a Program Coordinator within DC Public Schools. She has served in areas of school leadership and special education throughout her career with DC Public Schools. Soncyreè has been an active member of CSO for the past 12 years and continues to advocate for the membership as a board member. She has served in various roles such as social liaison to engage members beyond the school walls and currently leads the scholarship committee.
staci mcduffie
Staci McDuffie is a native Washingtonian and has been an educator with DC Public Schools since 1998. In addition to her current role as Assistant Principal, she has served as secondary ELA teacher, alternative/opportunity education instructor, DCPS School Improvement Specialist, sole Instructional Specialist for DCPS High Schools, Director of DCPS School Support, and Director of DCPS Special Projects. Amongst her most notable accomplishments are developing, from their infancy, the Extended Day, Extended Year, and Middle Grades Initiative Programs which were all created with a focus on narrowing the achievement gap for students of color and increasing equity across the District.
Chunita Pilgrim
Dr. Chunita Pilgrim is a native Washingtonian and a proud product of DC Public Schools. Dr. Pilgrim has dedicated over 19 years of service with DCPS and is very excited to serve on the CSO Executive Board. This is her fourth year serving as the Assistant Principal of Burrville Elementary School- the Ville on the Hill, where they have received the second highest ELA gains in the District. Prior to that, Dr. Pilgrim was a Master Educator for seven years. She was also a Literacy Instructional Coach at HD Cooke Elementary School and a classroom teacher at CW Harris Elementary School. Dr. Pilgrim believes wholeheartedly in closing the achievement gap and providing opportunities for those farthest from them. She provides supports to teachers on inclusive education, intervention, and differentiated instruction. Most recently, Dr. Pilgrim completed the inaugural cohort of the DCPS Leadership and Innovation Program at Georgetown University. In addition, Dr. Pilgrim completed the Aspiring New Leaders program at Harvard University School of Education. She has received her doctorate from The George Washington University. Her master’s from Regent University and her bachelor’s degree from The George Washington University.
nicole pitre
Nicole Pitre is a Speech Language Pathologist with the District of Columbia Public Schools. With over 20 years of experience, Nicole provided transformational change for students and families in Washington, DC. Her primary duties include writing comprehensive speech language evaluations, providing dynamic workshops for parents and professionals, and delivering evidence based practice intervention services for students in a variety of settings. The American Speech Language-Hearing Association has recognized Nicole for her exceptional commitment in continuing professional education, the ACE award. Currently, Nicole is an active dues paying member of the Council of School Officers. She has served within this capacity since 2000. On a regional level Nicole has attended, represented, and volunteered at numerous American Federation of School Administrators Local 4 conferences. During these years Nicole locally, has served on the scholarship committee and social/event committee.
Rodney Wormsley Sr.
Rodney Wormsley Sr. is a High School Principal and currently works in Washington, D.C. His career spans more than 20 years in the field of education where he served in various positions that include mentor, senior mental health counselor (hospital), case manager (residential treatment facility), teacher (Special Educator), crisis manager, professional development facilitator (district level), assistant principal and principal. His background includes servicing students who have experienced severe trauma along with behavioral/emotional impairments. He is a native Marylander and earned his high school diplomas within Prince George's County Public Schools. Mr. Wormsley obtained his bachelors degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (B.A. in Psychology) and his graduate degree at The George Washington University (M.A. in Education-Supporting students w/ Emotional Disabilities). As a school leader, Mr. Wormsley seeks to motivate, inspire and rejuvenate both youth and adults in the areas of resilience, self-empowerment and building anti-racist systems. He founded two mentoring programs within the past 10 years that have targeted students with high truancy/suspension rates and both have experienced successful outcomes; AMPPT (Able Minds Possessing Phenomenal Talents), F.A.C.E.O.F.F. (Facing Adversity with Care and Effort while Opposing Fears and Failures)
Executive Board retiree Bios
Patricia Briscoe
Dr. Briscoe retired from the DC Public School System in September of 2018 after 43 years of service. She worked as a teacher at Anacostia, Spingarn and Eastern Senior High Schools. For 22 years, she worked in the Department of Athletics as a Coordinator and Assistant Director of Athletics. In 2013 she accepted the responsibility of a teacher and Athletic Director at Eastern Senior High School. In 2016 she transitioned into the full time Athletic Director position until her retirement in 2018. Although Dr. Briscoe has been a member since 1989, this is her first opportunity to serve the Council.
Gwendolyn Brown
Gwendolyn Brown, a retiree and former Special Education Supervisor with DCPS. In this role, Gwen looked after assisting with identifying the least restrictive educational setting for special education students providing all aspects of school visitations, including observing, providing recommendations and professional development to teachers and para-educators. Gwen is no stranger to special education, having spent 36 years as a special education teacher and a teacher mentor in DCPS and two years a public charter school where she advocated for teachers and students. Gwen also spent more than 5 years as an adjunct professor at Trinity University
Allen Chin
aec10@yahoo.com
Raised in Washington, DC, Allen E. Chin is a product of the D.C. Public School System. He attended Maury Elementary School, Eliot and Kramer Jr. High Schools and graduated from Anacostia Senior High School. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from The George Washington University.
Becoming the youngest athletic director in the DC Public School System in 1972, he joined Anacostia Sr. High School as head swimming, golf and tennis coach, as well as assistant football coach. While teaching and coaching, he completed graduate degrees in secondary administration from The George Washington University.
In 1987, Dr. Chin was selected to replace Otto T. Jordan as the Supervising Director of Athletics. He remained until the summer of 1988 and returned to Anacostia Sr. High in the fall of 1988. In 1989, he became again the athletic director at Anacostia Sr. High.
In the fall of 1991, he was selected to succeed Sam Jones (legendary Boston Celtic player) as the Director of Athletics. This was Dr. Chin’s second tenure as Director of Athletics for the DC Public School System. During this tenure, he advocated the concept of the District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association (DCIAA) as a successor to the DC Inter-High League. This concept of the DCIAA reflects the total athletic program of the DC Public Schools for the following levels: elementary, middle and senior high schools.
During his tenure, the girls’ athletic program added the following sports: junior varsity basketball, developmental golf, and varsity soccer. The following changes were made in the boys’ athletic program: revitalized and upgraded junior varsity football, revised the varsity football playoff structure, revised the varsity and junior varsity basketball programs, implementing developmental golf and expanding the crew program.
Dr. Chin is a Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA), a lifetime member of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) and has served on multiple National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and NIAAA committees. He has served on the following NFHS committees: AD Advisory, Citizenship, Equity, Football Rules, Hall of Fame Screening, and Soccer Rules. He served as a member of the NIAAA Credentials Committee. In addition, he served as the Section 2 representative on the NFHS Board of Directors from 2005-2008.
On February 29, 2008, Dr. Chin retired his position as the Director of Athletics for D.C. Public Schools. At the end of the NFHS Summer Meeting in Washington, DC, he retired as Executive Director of the DCIAA in July, 2008. Currently, he is the National Sales Executive for Team IP Sports which serves sixteen (16) NFHS state associations and as a sales consultant for SMI Awards. In 2019, he joined the Amateur Athletic Network as the National Sales Consultant.
In May, 2017, Dr. Chin was inducted as a member of the inaugural District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) Hall of Fame. In November, 2017, he was selected and honored by the DMV-Athletes in Action, Inc. as a member of the 2017 class of “Legends Award.”
Dr. Chin is the proud father of two children, Allen, Jr. and Denise and grandfather of one grandson, Noah and one granddaughter, Emilia.
Executive Board Meeting Minutes are available to members upon written request.