Board of Directors
Meet the members of our Board of Directors. Each one of these individuals has brought their unique strengths and viewpoint on how we as an organization can better assist our community when it comes to education standards for children and parents of Brooklyn. The directors and members of the Adelaide L. Sanford Institute are active and retired educators who volunteer their time, energy, and expertise to improve outcomes for students attending Central Brooklyn schools. They exemplify some of the best education talent from across New York City, representing all levels of education. This dedicated team is committed to making a difference in the lives of our students.
MEET THE BOARD
Linda K. Patterson, Ph.D. Chair
Born in New York, Linda attended the University of Vermont where she pursued an undergraduate Liberal Arts degree in Fine Arts. She returned to New York City to teach in public schools. After receiving her Master’s degree in 1977 from the University of Virginia, she became an Assistant Principal in New York City. Because of her educational drive, she continued her professional growth and obtained a Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Administration from New York University in 2000. Later she worked in the Chancellor’s Office as an Educational Administrator. With those credentials and a love for children, she was appointed to the position of Principal of PS 9 in Brooklyn where she mentored many staff members who have since gone on to serve as principals. She works to identify and promulgate models of educational excellence for students of African descent and strengthen the pedagogical skills of practitioners working in Central Brooklyn schools. In addition she plans and implements programs designed to enhance the academic, social/emotional development, and leadership skills of students.
Donna M. Jones, Ed.D. Secretary
Dr. Jones is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Adelaide Sanford Institute, serving children, youth, and families in central Brooklyn. A graduate of Bank Street College of Education and Harvard University, Graduate School of Education, Dr. Jones brings a global perspective to her work in early childhood, policy studies, professional preparation and development for classroom teachers and educational leaders that includes administrative, teaching, and international experience with the New York City Board of Education and other professional organizations. Currently, Dr. Jones is a member and former Vice President of the Harvard University Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, and active member of the Harvard Club of New York City. She serves as an advisor and mentor to students and working professionals in New York City.
Saratu Grace Ghartey, ESQ
Saratu Grace Ghartey is the Chief Operating Officer for SEO, Sponsors for Educational Opportunity. She leads SEO’s Administration, Finance, HR, IT, and Real Estate teams. In her role, she ensures that SEO’s people, technology, administrative, and financial resources empower the programs to maximize SEO’s impact. She previously served as First Deputy Commissioner for New York City’s Human Resources Administration (Department of Social Services) (HRA), where she had broad responsibility for the day-to-day management of city social service programs, including all administrative and support functions. Ms. Ghartey is a graduate of the Harvard Law School, and of Boston University, where she majored in Economics. Ms. Ghartey was raised in Jos, Nigeria and now lives in Brooklyn with her husband and son.
David S. Sanford
David S. Sanford is an educator, having worked in New York City Public Schools for over 30 years. Starting in 1990, Mr. Sanford worked for Alternative High Schools for 17 years before taking a position at Benjamin Banneker Academy in 2007. After working at Banneker for seven years, Sanford went to City Polytechnic High School, where he currently serves as the Parent Coordinator. A product of the New York City School system and the City University of New York, Sanford is the son of Drs. Jay and Adelaide Sanford. He is a loving husband and proud father who has dedicated his career to serving the students of New York City.
Renee Young, Ph.D.
Renee Young began her career at Community School 21 in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York as a student teacher. During the thirty-seven years that ensued, she served as teacher, early childhood coordinator, assistant principal, and principal. She was the principal of C.S. 21 for ten years until her retirement in January, 2003. After her retirement, she established The Parent Leadership Institute, a parent education and empowerment program, sponsored by Hofstra and Stony Brook Universities and located in ten school districts on Long Island. In addition, she served as a coach in Columbia University’s Aspiring Principals Academy. Born and bred in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York, Renee Young, a graduate of Brooklyn College, received her Ph.D. in Elementary Education from New York University in 1983. Her work in education has been recognized by various civic, religious, and educational organizations.
Christopher R. Smith, Ed.D.
Christopher Smith serves as the Director of the Adelaide Sanford Institute. Christopher started his career as a Special Education teacher at the historic Boys and Girls High School (BGHS) in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was also an assistant principal at BGHS and Research and Service High Schools. Christopher Smith is now the proud principal of The Eagle Academy for Young Men III of Southeast Queens, where he currently serves over 450 young black and brown students in grades 6th through 12th grades. Since he was appointed principal, he has improved the graduation rate by over 10% and increased student enrollment and community-based partnerships. Christopher earned his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from The Sage Colleges in Albany, New York, in 2016. He also earned his Educational Administration and Supervision certification from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York. Christopher Smith is a graduate of the State University of New York at Oswego, in Oswego, New York. In addition, he has a Master's in General and Special Education, grades 5-9, from Touro College. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Touro College in the Graduate School of Education.
Ramona Gittens-Morgan, ESQ. Treasurer
Ramona Gittens-Morgan is currently an Attorney Consultant, specializing in technology transactions and commercial contracts. She provides professional services agreements, data, software and technology licenses with a focus on identifying and addressing potential risks. Also, Ms Gittens-Morgan offers guidance on revisions to standard form agreements and legal policies and procedures in light of legal and regulatory changes. Ramona Morgan-Gittens received the Juris Doctorate Law Degree from New York University; Bachelor of Science in International Business from Boston University; and studied Economics and French from the American University in Paris.
Lester Young, Ed.D.
Lester W. Young, Jr. has made creating opportunities “where every student can be successful” the guiding principle of his more than 50 years of public service. He is currently the Chancellor of the Board of Regents, University of the State of New York. Dr. Young is the first African American to serve in this position since it was established in 1784. As a result of his leadership on the Board of Regents, New York remains the only state to have its My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) initiative enacted into law. During his career, Dr. Young has held several significant local and statewide educational leadership positions including; Principal, Associate Commissioner with the New York State Education Department, Senior Superintendent and Superintendent, Community School District 13, NYSDOE. As Superintendent, he established two successful high schools, Benjamin Banneker Academy HS and Bedford Academy HS. Also, under his leadership, CSD 13 replicated the nationally recognized Algebra Project and Comer School Development Program. Dr. Young also organized and led the first N.Y.C. Office of Youth Development and School Community Services.
Dr. Jayminn Sanford-DeShields
Dr. Jayminn Sanford-DeShields teaches undergraduate and graduate courses required of aspiring teachers in early childhood and secondary education. Dr. Sanford-DeShields is a career educator who has directed several collaborative programs designed to address the educational needs of students across the learning continuum here and abroad. She has served on the Boards of several charter schools and community organizations in Philadelphia and in New York City. Dr. Sanford-DeShields’ research interests are in the areas of collaborative educational reform, urban education, and peaceable schools and classrooms. She was raised in New York City where she taught in elementary schools, special education classrooms and in high school-based drop-out prevention programs. She taught secondary school while pursuing her doctoral degree in Cambridge, MA at Harvard. Dr. Sanford-DeShields came to Temple in 1991 as an Assistant Professor of Education and Coordinator of both the Professional Development School Initiative and the Five -Year Teacher Education Program.
Daryl Rock, Ph.D.
Dr. Daryl Rock, a long-time award-winning educator in Brooklyn, has taught mathematics at the middle school, high school, and college level in New York City. Furthermore, Dr. Rock served as Principal of Benjamin Banneker Academy for ten years. During his final year, the ninety eight percent graduation rate for African American students was the highest in the state. He was a school superintendent in Harlem and is currently the President of Rock Academic Services. He holds two master's degrees and a doctoral degree in math education from New York University.
Richard Jones, Jr., MSW
Richard Jones, Jr., a Founding Member of the Board of Directors of the Adelaide Sanford Institute and former Executive Dean for the Office of Accreditation and Quality Assurance and tenured full professor at Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York, has over 48 years of experience in higher education administration, public education, and public and community service. While at Medgar Evers College, he served as Dean of Institutional Advancement and Development, Dean of Instructional Support Services, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Dean for Enrollment Management, and Interim Registrar. As the Medgar Evers College Preparatory School Community Liaison, Dean Jones teamed with Principal, Dr. Michael Wiltshire in 2001 to develop one of the most highly successful educational institutions in NY City. They collaborated on introducing the “Dual Enrollment Program” which was the precursor to the Early College Program and Smarts Scholars Program which has produced countless numbers of MECPS students who have earned associate degrees and moved on to attend four-year colleges in and outside the boundaries of the metropolitan area. Prior to his service at Medgar Evers College, he served for over twenty years at the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC)/CUNY and as Dean of Freshman Studies among many roles. Richard Jones Jr. holds a M.S.W., specializing in Social Policy and Administration and Planning from Columbia University.