Anthony Messina Jr., Head of School

Tony Messina has enjoyed a rich and rewarding career as an educator. As a music teacher in the Shoreham-Wading River School District on Long Island, Tony worked under the mentorship of Dr. Dennis Litky, noted innovator in school reform and alternative education. Tony completed both graduate and post-graduate studies in School Administration and Education Technology at New York University and served as Director of Technology at the American School in London. His background in technology, teaching methodology, and cognitive and neurosciences gives him a unique perspective on learning-disabled students.

After 28 years as a public school teacher and administrator in New York, Tony bought a sailboat. It had been his dream to retire, buy a sailboat, and take it easy. Tony enjoyed a few months of agenda-free leisure. Unfortunately for Tony, he realized he couldn’t relax, couldn’t take it easy, and that he had work still to do. As he would say, he couldn’t “get the taste of school out of his mouth.”

He kept seeing the faces of all the kids that he helped over the years and realized that his work wasn’t finished. He remembered the special impact that an educator can have in a person’s life and he wanted back in. Before he retired he began to consult with high schools in the New York metropolitan area and had been asked to create alternative schools for kids who didn’t fit the traditional high school model.  While working in a school that he had created for at-risk middle school students, he realized that he had reached back to his core values. “The kids that we had then had emotional issues, but I found that when I helped them become better readers, better thinkers, and producers of knowledge, the emotional problems were dispersed and the child was able to succeed.”

With a recharged sense for helping students who didn’t fit the mold, Tony accepted the position of Head of School at Chelsea School in 2005. When he arrived, his first mission was to talk with students and listen to them about the challenges they faced and what he could do to improve the school. He found that the needs and core values of the school were very much in tune with his own.
           
“I was back at the kitchen counter with my son in the fourth grade,” said Tony. “My son was classified as learning disabled in elementary school and I remembered the struggles and challenges that we faced as a family. It all came rushing back to me and it sealed the deal. I knew that Chelsea School was a place where I could make a huge impact.”

Katherine Fedalen, Assistant Head of School

The nickname “Chelsea for Life” has been one of the descriptors her students have attached to Kate since joining Chelsea School 21 years ago. “I read about Chelsea School moving campuses and expanding to middle school in the local newspaper during the summer after graduating from Towson University. I applied to several public schools and was in the process of making a decision regarding where I’d start my teaching career. I was intrigued by the vision of the school and the caring, nurturing feel of the school that came through in the article by way of the Executive Director at the time, Margie Gray. I cold-called the school, interviewed in the midst of moving dust and boxes and knew I had found a special place.”

Kate’s professional development and experience with Chelsea School students has hard wired a deep belief that “There are all kinds of learners, which means there needs to be all kinds of teaching practices that work with the students from where they are. Even when a student’s profile is similar to another’s, his or her personal experiences, family dynamics, and that which drives us all to be individuals makes each student’s learning needs very individual. That is why I believe it should be a school’s mission to provide a learning environment that allows for and celebrates the strengths and needs of each student. Chelsea is a school where that type of understanding and acknowledgement of each child’s unique self occurs every day in every class.”

Kate, Chelsea’s Assistant Head of School, has presented at MANSEF’s annual conference, was recognized by NAIS “Stars in Education” conference and is currently finishing her Master’s of Education in Instructional Technology.

Deborah Lourie, Director of Admissions

Deborah Lourie began at Chelsea School in February of 2007.  Deborah was excited to join the Chelsea Team to help promote the education and learning goals of Chelsea School.  From early in her career, Deborah knew that she wanted to work with adolescents and their families.  She received a BA in Sociology at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and her Master’s of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. 
She began her career as a social worker working with adolescents and children for 10 years, providing individual, group and family therapy.  Most of her job experiences were in school settings. 

Almost 4 years ago, Deborah transitioned from social work to admissions in schools with students with learning disabilities.  She enjoys being in a position that assists families in identifying the best possible learning environments for their children. Her primary job responsibilities are to review the records when a child application has been submitted, determine whether to continue the application process, and to set up visits to the school.  Deborah notes that, “The best feeling for me is when the Chelsea School is a true match for the student and they can’t wait to come to the school!  It is amazing to watch the growth of the students once they arrive both academically and socially.”   

Jeffery A. Green, Director of Finance

After serving four years in the United States Marine Corps, Jeff Green went to University of Maryland University College, where he received a BS degree in Business & Management: Accounting. After graduation, Jeff sat for and passed the Certified Public Accountant Exam to earn his CPA certification.

At the Public Accounting Firm of Turner, Weisman, Polan & White, Jeff learned not only practical accounting from season professionals, but also the importance of computers as an integral part of any business. Because of this, Jeff returned to the University of Maryland where he earned a second BS degree in Information Systems Management.

For 10 years, Jeff worked with various small businesses and nonprofit associations doing accounting, payroll and computer consulting. “I felt the combination of accounting and computer knowledge helped me to provide services that were professional and technically proficient”.

In the spring of 2007 Jeff took on an engagement to help Chelsea School with some accounting needs and to transition the accounting system.  That led to applying for and accepting the position of Director of Finance.  “I felt that there was something special going on here and I wanted to be a part of Chelsea School exciting future”.

Tameka Jackson, Director of Technology

Before Tameka joined the Chelsea School, she was the Technology Coordinator at an alternative high school in the District of Columbia. She is an avid supporter of education and a lifelong learner. Tameka has a Bachelors of Science degree in Computer Information Systems from Elizabethtown College and a Masters of Arts degree in Educational Technology Leadership from The George Washington University.

“Once I realized that I could combine my technical skills with my passion for education, there was no turning back.” Tameka is currently pursuing a doctorate in Urban Educational Leadership at Morgan State University.