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Board of Trustees

 
The Board of Trustees has ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the Greater Brunswick Charter School fulfills its mission.
The Board is elected by the membership, both families and staff, and represents all parts of the school community. Trustees are public officials who are "entrusted" to represent the interests of all children attending the school.

The GBCS Board consists of eight parents/guardians who are voting members. The Board may appoint four additional voting members from the general (non-school) community. The Directors, School Business Administrator, Treasurer, and Teacher Representatives hold non-voting positions.

The Board decides matters related to the general operation of the school, including budgeting, hiring, planning, financial oversight, and setting policies. It also supervises and evaluates the Education Director.

Board meetings are open to the public, and all members of our community are encouraged to attend.
 

Susan Jackson - Board Chair

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Portrait of a smiling woman
 
Susan Jackson has lived in New Brunswick for ten years and has been in New Jersey since 2001.  Her daughter is currently in seventh grade and has been a student at GBCS since Kindergarten.  She was a member of Acelero Learning's local and national Head Start program for three years and also worked as a Home Visitor for the Parent-Child Home Program with United Way of Central Jersey. 
Susan currently works as a Substitute Teacher at two local pre-schools. She has experience in hospitality management and has taught English as a second language in Puerto Rico. Susan is also bilingual in Spanish and English.
 

Danielle Clement - Board Trustee

 
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Danielle Clement was born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey. She currently resides in New Brunswick, NJ with her husband and two daughters. Her oldest daughter is currently a first-grader at Greater Brunswick Charter School. Danielle earned her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Montclair State University.
She has a plethora of experience working with at-risk and special-needs children. She has worked with students ranging from the ages of 2 to 21 years old throughout her career. She has worked with the Autism population at a public school, as well as helped at-risk students get acclimated back into society. She has a passion for serving students. She loves to advocate for students who can’t advocate for themselves. 
 

Miriam J Santana - Board Trustee

 
Miriam
 
Miriam has been a New Jersey resident since 1987. She has lived in the New Brunswick/North Brunswick area for 34 years. A mother of 3 children, 2 girls, and 1 boy. Her oldest daughter is a Graduate of Rutgers Business School, her son is an 8-year-old 3rd grader and her youngest daughter is a 7-year-old 2nd grader, who both currently attend GBCS. They have been students since Kindergarten.
She has been working in preschools since 2003. Becoming a teacher’s assistant that same year, Miriam was also able to attend Rutgers (Douglass College) where she attained a degree in Social Work. Currently, she's a Family Worker for New Brunswick Public Schools District at The Tiny Tots Spot, where being bilingual helps her succeed.
 

Elsy Lugo - Board Trustee

 
Elsy Lugo

Elsy Lugo was born and raised in Colombia and moved to New Jersey when she was 11.  She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from New Jersey City University. She attended Fairleigh Dickinson University where she received her Legal Studies Certificate.  She has been a paralegal and advocate for survivors of abuse for 18 years.  Elsy currently works for a non-profit public interest firm.
In her free time, she loves spending time with her husband and children. She enjoys Yoga, meditating, reading, being around nature, especially the ocean, and catching up with friends! Her youngest daughter currently attends GBCS. 
 

Hiyaris Perez - Board Trustee

Hiyaris Perez
 
Hiyarys has lived in New Brunswick ever since she moved from the Bronx 17 years ago. She works for Bank of America and enjoys partaking in activities that help give back to the community. Hiyarys is bilingual, fluent in English and Spanish. She studied Business Administration and is certified in marketing. She has one daughter that is currently a first grader who attends GBCS.

Lynell Burgos - Board Vice Chair

 
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Lynell Burgos resides in North Brunswick but has strong ties to the New Brunswick community where she taught for 30+ years at both the Woodrow Wilson and A. Chester Redshaw Public Schools. She always finds it a joy to reconnect with former students and their families. Lynell is the proud mother of three daughters and is married to Wilfredo Burgos. Mrs. Burgos is a graduate of William Paterson University and received her Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Kean University.
Joining the Board of GBCS and becoming part of the GBCS family has given her an exciting opportunity to give back to the community which she loves.
 
 

Sean A. Hewitt, MPA - Board Trustee

 

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Sean Hewitt is an experienced nonprofit director, mentor, and community advocate. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management from Monmouth University. Sean received his Master’s in Public Administration from Walden University; currently, he is pursuing his Master of Social Work at Rutgers University.
In addition to having over fifteen (15) years of nonprofit management experience, Sean has facilitated several workshops on youth leadership, ethics, cultural competency, wellness, and community engagement in both university and industry settings.
Currently, Sean is responsible for several youth development and social-emotional learning programs. Sean’s advocacy work extends to collaborating with public and private sector agencies in support of
underrepresented youth and families. These relationships include Board of Director positions in several county-wide and local organizations. He has been serving on the GBCS Board of Trustees since 2016.
 
Jonina Mazzeo - Board Trustee
 
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Jonina Mazzeo and her family have lived in central New Jersey since 2012. Originally from Oregon, Jonina earned her Bachelor's Degree from Wellesley College and her Master's Degree in viola performance from New England Conservatory. She has worked as a freelance musician and music teacher and is currently a full-time mother to her four children. She has a son and a daughter attending GBCS.
 

Tanesha Lewis - Board Trustee

 
Tanesha Lewis
 
Tanesha Lewis was born in Newark, New Jersey. She spent most of her childhood in Irvington and Hillside, New Jersey, before graduating high school in Jersey City, NJ. She resides in New Brunswick, NJ, where she settled after earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University. Her oldest son graduated from Greater Brunswick Charter School in 2022, after attending for five years. Her youngest daughter is currently attending and is in 4th grade.
 
She has over eight years of experience working for Middlesex County’s Office of Workforce and Career Development. She is currently the Program Manager, overseeing and approving in-demand training for unemployed and underemployed residents of Middlesex County. Before working with the county of Middlesex, Tanesha spent four years working with at-risk teenage young women.
She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Social Work at Kean University, a testament to her commitment to professional growth and her passion for helping children and families in need. She looks forward to serving and supporting the GBCS community as a member of the Board of Trustees.