Faculty Bios

Professor and Chair
Department of Multicultural Early Childhood and Elementary EducationDr. Tabora Johnson is Full Professor of teacher education at Medgar Evers College, CUNY. Her extensive education career spans two decades from middle and high school classrooms to graduate school seminars. Dr. Johnson’s research specializes in race, culture and identity in education, with a focus on how teachers candidates enact culturally responsive pedagogy. Dr. Johnson has presented at major peer reviewed conferences throughout the globe, with plans to speak to audience on 6 of the 7 continents. Her recent book focuses on recruiting Black STEM majors to teach in high needs urban school districts. Recruiting Black Biology Majors into STEM Education Careers Journeys to Success
Correspondence can be addressed to: Tabora Johnson, School of Liberal Arts and Education, 1650 Bedford Ave. Room 1007J, Brooklyn, NY 11225,tjohnson@mec.cuny.edu.

Assistant Professor
Department of Multicultural Early Childhood and Childhood EducationDr. Deborah Greenblatt is an Assistant Professor of Multicultural Early Childhood and Childhood Education at Medgar Evers College, The City University of New York. She has a Ph.D. in Urban Education with a focus on educational policy and leadership from The CUNY Graduate Center. Dr. Greenblatt also serves as the Leap to Teacher Faculty Liaison. Her research focuses on social justice, equity, and democracy in teaching and teacher education. Dr. Greenblatt is the co-author of Reimaging American Education to Serve All Our Children: Why Do We Educate in a Democracy? Dr. Greenblatt is on the Advisory Committee for WNET-PBS THIRTEEN Educational Services, teaches about technology in education, and researches liberatory practices in online higher education. She is an Association of Colleges & Universities Educators (ACUE) Online Teaching Fellow. Recently, she has been writing about multicultural children’s literature as well as fighting white supremacy and Christian nationalism. Her research can be found on ResearchGate and Academia. She has a love for children’s literature and was a public elementary school teacher for many years.

Doctoral Lecturer
Field & Clinical Practice and Fieldwork Coordinator
Department of Multicultural Early Childhood and Childhood EducationDr. Adero-Zaire Green (she/her) is a full-time Doctoral Lecturer in the Multi-Cultural Early Childhood, and Elementary Education department. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the field of education. Dr. Green completed her B.A. in English with a minor in Communications from St. Francis College, pursued her Master of Arts in English Education (7th-12th) at New York University, and earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education from St. Peter’s University.With over 20 years in education, Dr. Green’s current role as Clinical Practice and Field Work Coordinator allows her to work with pre-service early childhood students and BA Candidates in the School of Education at Medgar Evers College.Dr. Green previously held the position of Director of the Medgar Evers College Brooklyn Pipeline Program, playing a key role in providing college readiness access to K-12 students in Brooklyn school districts. Many students, under her leadership, successfully matriculated into college.Dr. Green’s research interest revolves around examining the achievement gap in college readiness access and the pipeline to college in communities of color. Her expertise spans children’s literature, college readiness access, culturally responsive teaching, English education, and student-centered instruction.

Adjunct Yolanda Simmons is a much-acknowledged educator with over 27 years of experience in teaching and educational administration in both local and international schools. Ms. Simmons has experience working with elementary, middle, high, and college-level students. Her role as an educator is further enhanced by her ability to uplift others in their identity and spirituality. Simmons attended Sir Arthur Lewis Community College where she received her first teaching degree in 1993. After completing a Bachelor of Arts in Childhood Special Education at Medgar Evers College in 2012, Simmons acquired a Masters’s Degree from Teachers College, Columbia University in Curriculum and Teaching. Throughout her studies, she has focused on developing her knowledge of Africa and African people. In particular, she has focused on African anthropology, sustainable development, affordable education, self-government, and political economy. Maintaining roles as an educator, Simmons has held positions as Special Education Teacher at New Design Middle School in Harlem, The Newport School in Brooklyn, and Adjunct Lecturer at Medgar Evers College. At Medgar Evers College, she has taught several courses in Math in Education, Critical Issues in the History of Education, and courses that prepare candidates for certification exams.

Adjunct ProfessorProfessor Keith Hoell has over 20-years of experience as a faculty and program chair, instructing in both online and in-person modalities. He has taught courses in instructional technology and learning theory, management, computer applications, programming, and networking. Professor Hoell’s specialties are in instructional technology and design systems tailored to how students learn. He has over a decade of project management and instructional design experience and has managed curriculum design projects in the information technology and education sectors and has partnered with faculty to develop numerous online courses using the latest instructional design and pedagogical practices. Professor Hoell also has served as the director of assessment for a large college in New York where he leveraged his knowledge of student assessment with technology to produce metrics that fostered regulatory compliance and accreditation with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. He has written two Microsoft Access database textbooks, which have been translated into seven languages. He enjoys presenting webinars about integrating technology into the classroom.

Professor and Chair
Department of Developmental & Special EducationDonna Akilah M. Wright describes herself as a teacher and researcher. She is licensed to teach Nursery through Secondary English Education and Basic Adult Literacy. She is a Chairperson and Full Professor for the Department of Developmental and Special Education at City University of New York: Medgar Evers College. She also serves as the Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator.Dr. Wright received her BA from Fordham University in English Education. She received her Masters of Arts and Masters of Education from Colombia University: Teachers College in International Education: Curriculum Development and Educational Planning. Her Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy degrees were received from City University of New York: Graduate Center in Educational Psychology with specializations in Learning and Instruction and Statistics. She has worked as an International Consultant and researcher on Response to Intervention initiatives at the early childhood, elementary, secondary and adult education levels.Her research interests are literacy acquisition and remediation for diverse populations and culture- based education for African American Learners and other cultures. She was the co-director of an early childhood center for 21 years, and she has several publications.

Assistant Professor and Deputy Chair
Department of Developmental & Special EducationElla Russell, PhD, serves as an Assistant Professor of Developmental and Special Education at Medgar Evers College, of the City University of New York. In addition to her role as Deputy Chair of the Department of Developmental and Special Education, she also holds the position of Director for the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Excellence (CTLE).Dr. Russell’s academic journey is marked by a dedication to education and a commitment to serving diverse student populations. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Education, specializing in English as a Second Language, from Northcentral University. Complementing this, she holds a Master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and a Master’s in Teaching English for Grades 7-12 from Long Island University. Further enriching her educational background, she obtained a Master’s in Educational Administration and Supervision from Fordham University (Lincoln Center). Dr. Russell also earned a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of the West Indies (Mona) and Mico Teachers College.Before joining Medgar Evers College, Dr. Russell garnered extensive experience in education across various settings, including K-12 systems at both elementary and high school levels, as well as Adult Education. Her tenure at Medgar Evers College began in the Adult Learning Center, where she later assumed the role of Program Director. In this capacity, she oversaw programs such as ESL, ABE, GED, BMI, YMI, and DACA, demonstrating her multifaceted expertise in educational administration and program development. Notably, she spearheaded the implementation of a Transition To-College program, facilitating the smooth transition of numerous individuals into higher education.

Dr. Russell’s commitment to student success extends beyond administrative duties. She is actively engaged in teaching within the Education Department, where she imparts her knowledge and expertise to future educators. Additionally, she supervises students in their Clinical Practice Field Experience, providing mentorship and guidance crucial to their professional development.

Driven by a passion for equity and inclusion, Dr. Russell became a vocal advocate for marginalized and underserved students. Her research centers on non-English speakers learning English as a second or other language, with a particular focus on assisting students acquire the target language. She is dedicated to devising effective cooperative learning strategies to foster language proficiency and empower students from diverse linguistic backgrounds. Her recent publication, “How Culture Influences English Language Learners in Higher Education,” is evident that she wants to make meaningful impact in the lives of students from diverse backgrounds.

Assistant Professor
Department of Developmental & Special EducationDr. Arlene Callwood is an Assistant Professor of Developmental and Special Education. She is an individual who has dedicated her life to education, care research, and empowering others. She received a Doctor of Education in Interdisciplinary Studies from Long Island University Post, a Master of Science in Education from Brooklyn College (CUNY) and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Pace University.Spanning 23 years, her journey in the field of education began with a genuine passion for nurturing minds and inspiring a love for learning. Her natural ability to connect with students and create engaging learning environments has earned her the reputation as a dedicated and effective educator. She works tirelessly to develop innovative teaching methods and curriculum designs that cater to diverse learning styles, ensuring that each student receives the best possible education.As an avid care researcher, Arlene delves into the intricacies that promote a culture of care in educational settings. Her research focuses on relationships, aesthetic, and environmental factors that create caring schools and caring classroom spaces which helps schools, teachers, and students thrive. Arlene’s findings, through her Care Delivery Model of Teaching (CDMT), have contributed to the advancement of educational care practices in schools and shared at conferences and seminars, influencing professionals and students in the field. Inspired by Nel Nodding’s work, she is a firm believer that connection through caring is a powerful vehicle for personal and academic achievement.

Interim Dean School of Education
Director, Center for Cognitive Development

Dr. Ken J. Hoyte is the Interim Dean of the School of Education at Medgar Evers College, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to his role. Dr. Hoyte joined the faculty at Medgar Evers College in 2011 as an Associate Professor of Education, where he has taught a diverse range of courses in Special Education, Child Development, and Early Intervention and Assessment.

With a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Brandeis University, earned in 2006, Dr. Hoyte’s research has focused on the brain pathways involved in language and communication. Prior to his tenure at Medgar Evers College, he pursued a research career utilizing cognitive neuroscience and brain imaging techniques to investigate communication, literacy, and mathematics in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disorders. Dr. Hoyte further honed his expertise through prestigious postdoctoral fellowships at Michigan State University and Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Dr. Hoyte’s commitment to cross-disciplinary Autism research continues at Medgar Evers College, where he plans to further explore innovative approaches in this field. Additionally, he has served as the director for the Center for Cognitive Development within the School of Education, focusing on utilizing brain-based research to develop interventions and projects
for children with disabilities.

NYC Men Teach Program Manager

Dr. James Johnson has been affiliated with the School of Education for over 15 years. Dr. Johnson has taught child development, education assessment, and educational psychology courses for the School of Education and currently serves as the NYC Men Teach program manager. He is a graduate of Southern University A&M College with a bachelor’s of science degree in psychology and a graduate of Howard University with a master’s of education and a doctorate of philosophy in educational psychology.

Lecturer & Director of Student Success
Department of Developmental & Special Education

Prof. Ivor Baker is a lecturer in the Department of Developmental and Special Education at Medgar Evers College who specializes in the teaching of Critical Literacy and English Language Arts. He has served as Director and Senior coordinator of the highly successful Immersion Program at MEC. Presently, he serves as Director of the college’s Student Success Academy, which is an entity designed to get struggling students at the college back on track to graduation and help them retain their federal aid, and he also serves as Chair of the college’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Committee. Professor Baker’s primary focus is transformative teaching, and he has conducted numerous workshops and lectured extensively on this subject both nationally and internationally before a diverse range of audiences. His editorial works include books on linguistics as well as children’s literature, and his endorsements consist of both ACT and CATW certifications. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Literature from the Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York’s prestigious CUNY Bachelorette Program as well as a Master of Arts degree with a concentration in Linguistics from Brooklyn College of The City University of New York.

GATE Project Director/ Grant Associate

As a first-generation college graduate myself, I understand the challenges and excitement one might be facing. I’m the GATE Project Director/Grant Associate at Medgar Evers College’s School of Education, where I’ve spent over 8 years helping high school and college students secure scholarships funded by both state and federal grants.

I graduated from Medgar Evers College with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 2015. My thirst for knowledge didn’t stop there! I went on to earn two Master’s degrees: a Master of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Brooklyn College (2018) and a Master of Science in Education in Higher Education Administration from Baruch College (2023).

I bring a wealth of knowledge from working in education and my own academic journey. I believe in constantly expanding my horizons and share that passion with others. I care deeply about helping all children and young adults reach their full potential. I firmly believe that with dedication and imagination, anything is possible!

A little more about me:

Originally, I hail from the stunning twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Since becoming a mom to my amazing 11-year-old daughter, I’ve grown even more loving, supportive, and attentive. When I’m not working in education, I love everything related to Trinidadian Carnival, whipping up delicious food, and hosting get-togethers (after all, who doesn’t love a good time, right? Especially if you’re Trini!)