12th Annual Taste of the Garden

Brittany Dyer

Instructional Coach

“It isn’t where you came from. It’s where you’re going that counts.” ― Ella Fitzgerald

Born in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and raised in Northern Virginia, Brittany’s passion for education and community service has guided her professional journey. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Education and History from Radford University. Returning to the DMV area, she was eager to continue her work in education and nonprofits, leading her to embark on her Kid Power adventure in 2018 as an After-School Instructor.

Since then, Brittany has taken on various roles within the organization, showcasing her dedication and versatility. She has served as a Camp Director, Site Coordinator through Americorps and currently holds the position of Kid Power’s Instructional Coach. Her primary goal is to ensure that every team member feels confident and empowered, delivering impactful classroom experiences. Brittany offers support in behavior and classroom management while also spearheading the implementation of fun and engaging activities for the youth in our programs.

In her spare time, Brittany loves to watch television and spend quality time with her husband and her beloved cat, Athena.

Christa Smith

High Impact Tutoring Coordinator

Christa, a native of the Washington DC area, has dedicated her life to education and community empowerment. In 2022, she joined Kid Power as a HIT Coordinator, bringing her extensive experience as an educator spanning over two decades. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, specializing in literacy instruction and intervention, Christa is deeply committed to nurturing her students academically, socially, and emotionally.

Passionate about youth development, Christa actively gives back to her community, inspiring her students to embrace their unique identities and unleash their creativity. She believes in making learning meaningful and enjoyable, constantly seeking innovative ways to engage her students and create an enriching educational environment. Beyond her professional endeavors, Christa cherishes quality time with her loved ones and finds joy in exploring new destinations.

Sarah Pasqualini

Director, High Impact Tutoring

“Teaching is the greatest act of optimism” – Colleen Wilcox

Sarah Pasqualini grew up in Connecticut and graduated from The University of Alabama with a dual certification in Elementary and Special Education. She began her teaching career as a Teach for America corps member in Atlanta, GA, and has been an educator for 8 years, with a focus on literacy instruction and serving students with disabilities. Sarah is passionate about building authentic relationships with students and families and supporting the whole child. She has honed her educational leadership skills by serving as a team lead, mentor teacher, and supervising Americorps members and student teachers.

Sarah joined Kid Power in 2022, where she focuses on improving academic and social-emotional outcomes for students in the district through the High Impact Tutoring program.

Aiden Teplitzky Dobens

Mentor and Partner Development

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.” – Unknown

Aiden Teplitzky Dobens was born and raised in New York City. He attended college in Boston at Emerson College, where he received a B.A. in Journalism. After graduating, Aiden spent three years teaching at a charter school in Boston where he taught Spanish, Math, and worked in Special Education. He spent the past few years coaching soccer in Boston and Northern Virginia, working with kids aged 5-18.

Aiden joined Kid Power in 2022 and will use his vast experience working with children to help support and develop mentors and protégés on their journeys.

Stanley Berry

High Impact Tutoring Coordinator

Stanley Berry is a High Impact Tutoring Coordinator at Malcolm X Elementary School in Washington, DC. A native Washingtonian, Stanley has been working as a tutor and writer in the Washington Metro Area for several years. A youth and community advocate, Stanley enjoys supporting local youth and working with the Kid Power team to increase community resources and strengthen programming.

Hannah Ayer

Program Manager, Youth Engagement

“Be the change you wish to see in the world” – Mahatma Gandhi

Hannah Ayer was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. She attended Kent State University and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, concentrating in Counseling Careers. Hannah is passionate about supporting youth through educational and mental health needs. Hannah’s background in special education, data analysis, and youth support will be valuable in her role as Program Manager for supporting mentoring matches and youth recruitment and intake.

DeShantee ``Nikki`` Oliver

VeggieTime Director

“When great trees fall in forests, small things recoil into silence, their senses eroded beyond fear.” ― Maya Angelou

DeShantee “Nikki” Oliver, a DC native has lived in Ward 8 for the past twenty-five years. With a lifelong passion for gardening, she has dedicated her life to becoming a professional horticulturist, specializing in Urban Agriculture and tropical plants. As a horticulturist at the Gaylord National Harbor, she combined a love of plants with her love of community organizing, arranging the resort’s first Plants For Food clothing and food drive. While acting as a horticulturist at Hillwood Estate and Museum Nikki, an awarded orchid grower, became the first Horticulturist of color in the museum’s history and the first horticulturist tasked with responsibilities within every department including orchid curation and cut flower production.

Of all her accomplishments as a self-taught horticulturist, none are more significant than her time as School Garden Coordinator for the District of Columbia Public Schools. During this time she became active in community empowerment, helping organize the community to resist the detrimental effects of food apartheids and food deserts. During her time as DCPS Garden Coordinator, Nikki created a free backpack program, food pantry, and farmers market for school families and area residents. This was achieved with zero funding and with resources procured solely from the community.

Kaitlin Putnam

Senior Program Director – Older Youth Programs

“The future is not a gift, it is an achievement” – Robert F. Kennedy

Kaitlin joined Mentors, Inc. in 2017 and joined the Kid Power family in 2019 when the organizations joined forces. Kaitlin has always had a passion for service and education, leading her to pursue a career in social work. After receiving her Bachelor of Social Work degree from James Madison University, she served as an AmeriCorps VISTA in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There she managed a tutor and mentor program serving Pittsburgh Public School students. She went on to earn her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Pittsburgh before spending two years working in the classroom as an assistant. Kaitlin has experience working with K-12 students in case management, group facilitation, social skills development, and academic and behavioral interventions. Through working in a variety of educational settings, Kaitlin has a broad understanding of educational law and how it impacts students, including the development and implementation of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). To support positive outcomes for youth, Kaitlin is committed to developing social-emotional health among youth and their communities.

Felicity Poussaint-Bekong

Program Coordinator, High Impact Tutoring

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”
– Alice Walker

Felicity is a native Washingtonian who joined Kid Power in 2004 as a student. She stayed involved in Kid Power through elementary and middle school, and gained an interest in acting after being in several plays with Kid Power. She attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts and went on to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Emerson College. As a student in Kid Power, Felicity learned that we all have the power to make a difference in our community. She has a drive to give back to the community and support the local youth and she hopes to create long lasting relationships between Kid Power and our students, just like the one she has.

Sterling Pino-DeGale

Senior Program Director – Out of School Time

“What you are afraid to do is a clear indication of the next thing you need to do.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sterling Pino-DeGale grew up in Northern Virginia and currently resides in Washington, DC. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Sterling earned a B.S. in Wildlife Conservation, focusing on educating communities to prevent the illegal poaching of elephant populations. He later went on to earn M.Ed’s in both Elementary Education and Special Education from Lesley University through Urban Teachers where he developed a passion for urban education and social justice.

Sterling first joined Kid Power in 2018 as a DCPS teacher assisting after-school students during their Academic Power Hour. As a teacher, he co-led and adapted J.O. Wilson’s Saturday School program to address student needs in preparation for year-end assessments, and served as part of his school’s Family Engagement Leadership Team in partnership with the Flamboyan Foundation. Sterling also co-led Urban Teachers’ Fellow Advisory Board where he oversaw projects concerning alumni relations and teacher satisfaction. He has experience leading and coaching teachers in the areas of classroom management and family/community engagement. Sterling joined Kid Power as an Instructional Coach and has since transitioned into the role of Director of Instruction and Curriculum, where he focuses on quality instruction and engagement of the holistic child by instructing, mentoring, and developing front-line program staff in addition to creating a more thoughtful, purpose-driven curriculum. Outside of this work, Sterling enjoys exercising, writing songs, and spending time with his many pets.

Martina J. Arnold

Director of Development

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
— Maya Angelou.

Martina Arnold is a native Washingtonian who joined Kid Power in June of 2018 with more than 20 years of experience fundraising and building business development programs for nonprofit organizations and educational institutions. Prior to her current position at Kid Power, Martina facilitated and advanced the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute support among corporate, foundation, and individual donors. In addition, she previously executed fundraising plans and cultivated relationships in support of the College of Southern Maryland and the CSM Foundation. Martina is a graduate of Bowie State University and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Broadcast Journalism. A community advocate, she is a member of Leadership Southern Maryland and supports several youth-focused organizations in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

Mark James

Operations & Compliance Manager

Mark James serves as the Operations & Compliance Manager for Kid Power’s After-School and Summer Leadership Academy programs. A proud Kid Power alumnus, Mark first joined the organization as a 10-year-old student in the After-School program. Their journey continued after high school when they returned as an After-School and Summer Instructor, eventually advancing to Lead Instructor and Summer Coordinator.

With years of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of Kid Power’s mission, Mark is passionate about creating positive, enriching experiences for students. They often share that one of the most rewarding aspects of their work has been “the connections I’ve been able to build with students.” In their current role, Mark ensures program operations run smoothly while maintaining high standards for student engagement and success.

Curtis Leitch

Finance Coordinator

“When I was young, my ambition was to be one of the people who made a difference in this world. My hope is to leave the world a little better for having been there.” – Jim Henson

Curtis Leitch was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. He went to Washington State University and later transferred to the University of Alaska Anchorage, earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Political Science. Curtis joined Kid Power as an AmeriCorps Academic Consultant in the fall of 2014. In this role, Curtis created the English Language Arts and Math curriculum for Academic Power Hour aligned to Common Core Standards but featuring innovative, hands-on activities and creative review activities with benchmark assessments. In his second year, based on the success of piloted hands-on math and science activities, Curtis significantly increased Kid Power’s STEM curriculum. After two years of AmeriCorps service, Curtis transitioned to the role of Assistant Program Director in the fall of 2016. He oversaw Kid Power programs at J.O. Wilson Elementary, Stanton Elementary School, Jefferson Middle School, and LaSalle-Backus Education Campus during his first year as Assistant Program Director. He later supervised Cluster Coordinators and curriculum development, as well as working with senior leadership on evaluation and grant compliance. Curtis transitioned to Program Director in 2018 and then Senior Program Director in 2020, where he focuses on data analysis and bolstering Kid Power’s curriculum.

Charles M. Thomas

Operations Contractor

“In all our deeds, the proper value and respect for time determines success or failure” – Malcolm X

Charles joined the Kid Power team in 2023, with a rich background in various organizations, where he held pivotal roles as a Facilities and Operations Manager, Operations Manager, and Freelance Technical Writer. Charles remains actively involved with the Trade Press Media Group, where he contributes as a Facilities and Operations Influencer, Freelance Writer, and Editorial Advisory Board Member. Over the course of 12 years, Charles has amassed invaluable experience in education, research, financial planning, legal, and public relations. His expertise spans across general operations, strategic planning, project management, human resources management, and organizational community relations.

With a passion for helping others, Charles founded LACE Management, a consulting business with a mission to help organizations establish and elevate their programs. Charles actively engages as a mentor, advocate for young professionals, and presenter at industry conferences. One of his achievements includes writing a comprehensive Guidebook tailored for aspiring facilities & operations managers, equipping them with the knowledge needed to excel in their roles.

At Kid Power, Charles dedicates himself to learning and contributing in the best possible way. His mission is to be of service and make a lasting difference in the lives of others while embracing every opportunity for growth and development.