School Leadership Team

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Jordan Knoetgen

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 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.

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Lori Anderson

Dean of Student Progress

Meet Lori, an experienced educator with a dedicated 23-year career in teaching.
Her firm belief lies in the inherent ability of all students to learn, a conviction that guides her commitment to delivering instruction tailored to individual levels and presented in an engaging and enjoyable manner—a principle that fuels her enduring passion for education.

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River Blue Lotus

Assistant Principal

Meet River. River is an experienced Learning Specialist and Contemplative Educator. She believes in the importance of adaptability and organic growth within education. River started her career in 1998 as a Science educator and Emotional and Behavior Disorder Specialist, eventually transitioning into roles in academic leadership. Throughout her journey, River has consistently fostered inclusive, supportive learning environments tailored to the diverse needs of every student and teacher. Her experience in education reflects a passionate dedication to nurturing both academic and socio-emotional growth. River is honored to share time and space with all members of the BMS Community.

"The greatest gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers." - Thich Nhat Hanh

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Kelly Radigan

Assistant Principal

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.

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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.

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Gina Yorko

Assistant 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

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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.

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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.

School Operations Team

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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