School Leadership Team

jordan.png

Jordan Knoetgen

Upper School Principal

Meet Jordan. He began his career in education back in 1999 as a college tutor and became a NYC-certified special educator in 2008. He started with Brilliant Microschool as a passionate, fun-loving middle school teacher, but quickly took on additional tasks such as curriculum writing, teacher training, and policy development until he was named Principal in 2023. As Principal of Brilliant Microschool, his primary mission is to ensure the presence exceptional, passionate teachers and a thought-provoking, engaging curriculum, so that every student at BMS, regardless of their unique learning characteristics, can actualize their full potential and manifest their dreams, whatever they may be.

Brilliant Microschools (3) (1).png

Gina Yorko

Lower School Principal

With 13 years of experience in general and special education, Gina is a passionate advocate for her students and a lifelong learner committed to instilling a love of learning in every child. She believes in the transformative power of education and strives to create inclusive, engaging environments where every student can thrive.
Gina also values collaboration, working closely with colleagues to share best practices and enhance instructional strategies. She feels grateful and proud to be part of BMS, a vibrant community dedicated to nurturing curiosity and growth in all students.

“Every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be.” - Rita Pierson

Brilliant Microschools (2).png

Kelly Radigan

Assistant Principal & Director of Regulatory Affairs

Meet Kelly. Kelly has over 12 years of experience in education. She holds a Master’s degree in Special Education and began her career teaching in NYC public schools. Kelly later became a Special Education Case Manager, advocating for students and ensuring smooth communication between students, staff, and families. She has also worked with future teachers completing their student teaching experience required for certification. Kelly enjoys bringing her love of learning to all students, encouraging them to take control of their learning and develop their personal interests. Kelly is passionate about the learning model here at Brilliant Microschool, and the personalized instruction students receive.

Untitled design (1).png

Stephanie Stefanick

Assistant Principal & Director of Curriculum

Meet Stephanie. Stephanie brings over a decade of educational experience to our school. She began her career teaching Middle School English in Pennsylvania’s public schools, working in both general education and special education settings. With a Master’s Degree as a Reading Specialist, Stephanie combines her expertise in literacy with her passion for fostering inclusive and supportive learning environments. She is dedicated to creating a welcoming atmosphere where every student feels valued, believing that all students can succeed when provided with love and respect. Stephanie strives to inspire curiosity in students and takes joy in seeing them grow and succeed. Having watched BMS grow tremendously over the years, she is proud to work for a school that makes such a meaningful difference in the lives of its students.

Untitled design.png

River Blue Lotus

Director of Partnerships

River is an experienced leader in academic and business partnership development, specializing in forging high-impact collaborations that drive innovation and growth. As Director of Partnerships at Brilliant Microschools, she connects the institution with universities, corporations, and industry leaders to expand opportunities and advance its mission.
With a background in business management and academic leadership, River brings a strategic approach to building sustainable partnerships. Her expertise in working with neurodivergent and exceptional learners ensures that each collaboration supports the school’s commitment to accessible, future-ready education. River’s work positions Brilliant Microschools at the forefront of progressive learning, bridging the gap between education and industry to create meaningful pathways for success.

Untitled design (1).png

Deborah Buttridge

Assistant Principal

Meet Deborah! Deborah began her career as an educator in 1994. She has taught a wide range of subjects in public, private, and charter schools, including math, language arts, English as a second language, and farm-to-fork sustainability. Deborah consistently incorporates cross-curricular and real-life connections into her teaching approach. She is deeply passionate about and dedicated to social-emotional learning as the basis for academic success for all students, regardless of their learning styles. Deborah has a particular interest in working with neurodiverse students and those who experience school-related anxiety, drawing from her personal experience as the mother of a large blended family. Deborah is proud to work at BMS alongside many talented educators who share the common objective of providing meaningful education to all students and families.

Brilliant Microschools (2) (1).png

Alfredo Flores

Assistant Principal

Alfredo brings extensive special education expertise to Brilliant Microschools, passionate about creating inclusive environments where every student thrives. His approach aligns perfectly with BMS's mission of unleashing growth through fun learning, sound values, and strong relationships. Alfredo's skill in tailoring instruction to diverse needs and integrating technology supports our commitment to accessible excellence and real-world readiness. As a bilingual educator with retail management experience, he adds valuable perspectives on cultural diversity, innovation, and adaptability to our school community.

Untitled design.png

Farhanah Mohamad

Assistant Principal

With over nine years of experience in education, Farhanah has taught in self-contained, inclusion, co-teaching, and resource room settings. Her expertise spans both general and special education, where she creates inclusive, engaging environments tailored to diverse learners. As the founder of a resource room program, she has demonstrated a commitment to innovation and addressing unique student needs. She has also mentored special education teachers, providing guidance and collaboration to enhance instructional strategies. Farhanah is dedicated to fostering a supportive, dynamic learning environment where all students feel empowered to reach their full potential.

Brilliant Microschools (4).png

Craig Burnett

Assistant Principal

Craig is an experienced educator with over 20 years in the classroom. His past experiences
at the middle grades level has allowed him keen insight into best practices in supporting students' needs and fostering growth for all learners. Craig also has a passion for supporting students with neurodivergent learning needs, finding ways to help support growth and achievement. Additionally, Craig has had administrative experience running youth sports and extracurricular programs at his schools and in his local community. These opportunities have sharply strengthened his focus on the whole child and the value of cooperation and community.

Brilliant Microschools (5) (1).png

Jamie Carr

Assistant Principal

Jamie began her career in accounting, but after adopting two children, one neurodivergent, her path shifted. Determined to better support her son’s special education needs, she started volunteering in a special education classroom, where she found her true passion. For the past eight years, Jamie has worked with neurodivergent students and their families in Life Skills, Autism, and Behavioral programs. She believes confidence is key to success and that every student can thrive with the right tools, a supportive environment, and proper guidance. Jamie is dedicated to helping students discover their strengths and reach their full potential.

Brilliant Microschools (2) (2).png

Cassie Schadt

Dean of Student Progress

Cassie is a dedicated special educator with over 20 years of experience supporting diverse learners. She holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Psychology from the University of Iowa and a Special Education Certification from Saint Ambrose University. She earned a Master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University, enhancing her ability to promote positive behavioral outcomes. Cassie has worked in various educational settings, including public schools and therapeutic environments. At Brilliant Microschools she continues to provide academic, social, and behavioral support, creating inclusive and nurturing learning environments.

Brilliant Microschools (3).png

Kristin Chase

Dean of Student Progress

With over 20 years of experience in education and a Master of Arts in Teaching, Kristin has dedicated her career to nurturing student growth and success. She has worked in diverse educational settings, including public, therapeutic, alternative, and remote learning environments, where she has inspired students to remain engaged and passionate about their education. As Dean of Student Success, Kristin is dedicated to ensuring that each student receives the necessary support to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. She works tirelessly to create a welcoming, inclusive environment where students can flourish. Kristin’s focus is on collaborating closely with teachers, families, and students to develop a unified plan that empowers every student to achieve their fullest potential.

6.png

Katie Campos

Director of Student Engagement

Meet Katie. Being the Director of Student Engagement at Brilliant Microschool, she is passionate about fostering an inclusive and dynamic learning environment for students. With a commitment to harnessing the power of technology, she leads initiatives that promote active student participation and collaboration.

Brilliant Microschools.png

Faith Duffy

Professional Development Coordinator

Meet Faith. Faith is a dedicated upper high school math and science teacher who believes that all students can thrive in a safe, supportive learning environment. As our Professional Development Coordinator, she brings that same passion for growth to our teaching team, helping educators refine their skills and stay inspired. With a deep love for learning and a commitment to excellence, Faith fosters a culture where teachers feel empowered to improve, collaborate, and create the best possible experience for their students.

School Operations Team

claudia.png

Claudia

Head of Parent Support

Claudia bridges the connection between our school's Parent Support and teachers. Leveraging her extensive background in education and customer success, she strengthens our administrative team, fostering a supportive environment for all.

2.png

John

Head of HR

An experienced HR professional with over a decade of recruiting and human resources expertise. John's team ensures that our new teachers not only meet the highest standards but also provide our students and their families with exceptional teaching guidance. He also takes great pride in meticulously organizing our training, ensuring that our new educators are well-prepared and ready to excel when they step into their classrooms.

5.png

Patrick

Head of Admissions & Partnerships

Patrick and his team are your first point of contact, working directly with families interested in joining our unique school. He leads a fantastic team committed to providing a top-notch enrollment experience, ensuring families feel valued and prepared. Patrick adds a personal touch to the admissions journey, always emphasizing that our students' learning experience is our top priority.

1.png

Nicolas

Project Director

Meet Nicolas, a tech enthusiast & dedicated professional pursuing an MBA. Armed with an MSc in Advanced Information Systems, and various Project Management certificates, he adds valuable expertise to our team. As the head of our tech department, Nicolas ensures our systems meet the highest standards, ensuring an exceptional experience for our students and their families. Committed to continuous improvement, we strive for excellence in education by refining and optimizing our tech operations daily.

4.png

Anastasia

Payroll & Staffing Specialist

Anastasia is the cornerstone of our payroll and capacity planning efforts, ensuring that we can offer continuous enrollment. She guarantees our teachers are compensated accurately and on time while also optimizing classroom ratios to align with fluctuating student enrollment. Her practical approach and meticulous attention to detail are crucial in coordinating our teachers and managing resources effectively, allowing us to support inquiring families in need year-round.

Brilliant Microschools

Mission, Values & Vision

Mission

We unleash student growth with fun learning, sound values, and strong relationships. Students take small steps forward every day in friendly groups of ten. We steer their progress with regular, low-stakes checks instead of big, stressful tests. They learn to handle uncertainty, preparing them not for a specific kind of future but for a world of constant change.

akmarino_happy_black_student_boy_looking_leftward_slightly_smil_91f61b68-d58b-4169-b629-2752ecca0869.png
akmarino_hot_air_ballon_soft_pastel_colors_petrol_blue_brown_wh_dfd13f83-5a89-4fb9-917b-e5cece6517d4.png

Our Vision

Brilliant Microschools stand as the gold standard for K12 education, with intimate classrooms, future-focused curricula, and timeless teaching. We will break through walls, making real-world, engaging learning accessible to every curious mind around the world. Through each interaction, we'll not just prepare students for the future but empower them to create it.

akmarino_happy_white_student_boy_and_black_student_girl_both_lo_dc46b53b-66f2-4557-a647-9f9bb7d14d13.png

Where Students Unlock Their Potential

What is the single most important trait of happy, successful people?
Taking initiative: being curious, questioning the status quo, deciding for oneself, exploring, finding your own way.

However, in most schools, students learn to follow orders, to be helpless without direction...

Self-reliant students 👉 Thriving adults