Meet The Camp Team
Camp Leaders
Sandino L. Thompson, Director of Urban Services
Raised in the area, Sandino Thompson has a passion for improving the quality of life in Northeast Oklahoma City. He is responsible for neighborhood-based services such as revitalization efforts, community engagement, public education, employment services, health and other environmental components affecting the success of children. Additionally, Mr. Thompson oversees the development of social entrepreneurial partnerships and the management of programs that address these needs. He has more than 10 years of experience managing large-scale projects including multi-million dollar construction developments and his own information technology consulting firm, Cowboy Creation. He is a member of The Associated General Contractors, Associated Building Contractors Construction Management Society, Society of Black Engineers, Technologists and Architects, and the U.S. Green Building Council. He received a bachelor’s degree in Construction Management Engineering Technology with a minor in Political Science from Oklahoma State University.
Cresha Redus, Project Manager, Northeast OKC
Cresha Redus acts as a liaison with businesses, schools, agencies and community groups within Northeast Oklahoma City. In addition to developing and maintaining a good working relationship with community members and leadership, Ms. Redus coordinates research-gathering activities to inform decision-making and guide project development. Based on needs and gaps in services in the community, Ms. Redus plans and orchestrates large-scale events that raise awareness about health and social issues impacting those living within Northeast OKC. Ms. Redus is a Certified Project Management Professional and received a bachelor’s degree in Communications and a master’s degree in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma.
Arif Smith, Activities Coordinator
Arif Smith is dedicated to helping youth gain the life and academic skills needed to succeed. Mr. Smith has led several non-traditional learning projects for youth — from project design through implementation. He has worked with a variety of populations including at risk and college-bound youth. Mr. Smith has created short- and long-term projects for youth using multiple avenues of communication that reach not just the minds, but also the hearts of young people. As a Behavioral Health/Rehabilitation Specialist, Mr. Smith provided life skills training to students at Douglass High School. He is adept in employing art, physical team-building challenges, contemporary music, poetry, as well as traditional counseling and academic approaches. Mr. Smith also specializes in developing connections and creating dialogue among culturally diverse groups. He has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology.
Matt Vaughan, Activities Coordinator
Matt Vaughan brings his energetic personality and motivational talents to the Public Strategies team as the Activities Coordinator for the summer reading program. During the NBA season, Mr. Vaughan can be seen on the court at the Oklahoma City Thunder games as the Game Night Emcee. Through serving as a camp counselor at Camp Eagle in Rocks Springs, TX, Mr. Vaughan has extensive experience with children and is skilled at creating an entertaining and safe environment for all ages. Mr. Vaughan expects to graduate in 2012 from Mid-America Christian University with a degree in Secondary English Education, and Bible and Theology.
Education Leads
Ashley Aleman
Ashley Aleman is committed to meeting the needs of vulnerable children and their families. Prior to joining Public Strategies, she dedicated three years to teaching in the disaster-stricken New Orleans community as a Teach for America as a staff member. There, she was responsible for closing the achievement gap of elementary students in the Louisiana Recovery School District by ensuring high academic standards and student performance through backward planning, rigorous standard-aligned assignments and data-driven instruction. Ms. Aleman has received academic training on prevention- and intervention-based Theories of Change, particularly related to the practical application of contemporary research on risk, resilience and prevention programming in both school and out-of-school settings. Ms. Aleman is skilled at managing volunteers, leading community recruitment and outreach efforts and engaging families and the community as partners in raising student achievement. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of New Mexico and a master’s degree in Education from Harvard University with an emphasis on Childhood Risk & Prevention.
Ronda Hamilton
Ronda Hamilton, principal of Edwards Elementary, has been an educator for 27 years. She is an experienced classroom teacher, instructional facilitator, vice-principal, and principal. Ms. Hamilton received her Bachelors from the University of Oklahoma and her Masters in Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma. Ms. Hamilton has taught in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, and California. She has worked with children of all ages and enjoys working with children.
Certified Teachers
Corinn Auld, Teacher
Corinn Auld obtained her Masters in Educational Administration and Curriculum Supervision from the University of Oklahoma. She graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State University with an Elementary Education degree. Ms. Corinn teaches third grade in Mustang and is also the Assistant Girls Basketball Coach at Mustang High School. She has taught in all types of educational settings including urban, suburban, and rural communities, working with a wide range of ages from first grade to high school. This will be her second summer to teach the Edwards Summer Reading Camp. Ms. Corinn hopes to help students learn and retain skills vital to developing a strong foundation for reading while instilling a love of learning in young students.
Amy Harrington, Teacher
Amy Harrington graduated from Oklahoma State University and has taught first and second grade at Edwards for three years. She also taught three-year-olds how to speak English at Even Start. Ms. Harrington believes all children can and will learn when given the opportunity. This fall she will begin coursework in the Administrators Master program at SNU.
Dina Pullen, Teacher
Dina Pullen received a Masters in Elementary Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma. She received a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education from Grambling State University. She has taught for 25 years in the Oklahoma City Public School district. She is very excited about being a member of the Edwards Summer Reading Explorers team, helping the students discover the world of reading! She is looking forward to being a significant influence in the lives of the children of Edwards.
Barbara Seeney, Teacher
Barbara Seeney has been teaching for more than 35 years, with 20 years as an Oklahoma educator. She received a Bachelors in Education Degree from Lincoln University of Missouri, Reading Teacher Certification from the State of Missouri, and Masters in Education from the University of Oklahoma. Having moved often during the early years of her career, Barbara has taught in eight states across the U.S., and worked with students from pre-K to ninth grade. This provided a wealth of experience on both a professional and personal level. Barbara has served on various committees including textbook adoption, Language Arts, Math and Social Studies Curriculum Development. She has worked on Leadership and Professional Development committees as well. Barbara looks forward to bringing her years of experience and love for reading to the Edwards Summer Reading Program. She will work to foster a love for reading with each student and to take pride in their successes.
Veronica Tolliver, Teacher
Veronica Tolliver has taught first grade phonics for 12 years using her creative methods to make a significant impact on learners. She earned a B. A. in Art and a M. Ed. and National Board Certification in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Tolliver taught at-risk kindergarteners through Oklahoma City Alternative Schools at Positive Tomorrows and has taught first grade summer Title 1 Reading: Voyager Expanded Learning with Edmond Public Schools for several summers since 2002. For the past four years, she has taught pre-kindergarteners in Edmond Public Schools and is an off-site teacher in daycare settings. Her experiences in teaching literacy skills bring great expertise to Edwards Summer Reading Camp. Ms. Tolliver believes that systematic phonics instruction prepares students for literacy. She looks forward to working with the Edwards Summer Reading Camp to create a community of readers who first will learn to read and then read to learn. Ms. Tolliver says, “As an educator, one should teach the whole child and foster a positive relationship with an attitude of “whatever it takes” to substantially impact the learner”.
Behavior Monitor
Omar R. T. Chatman
Omar has always been proactive in helping others and believes it is not only a part of his attitude but his faith as well. He says old habits die hard and part of the Boy Scout Creed is to do a good thing daily. He served as an OATR volunteer for one year and worked with the Peer Mentor Summer Program CARE in 2011. Omar has a bachelors in Sociology and is working on a masters in Rehab Counseling.
Camp Assistants
Nakeisha McGee
Nakeisha McGee worked in numerous ways to positively impact the lives of children in Oklahoma city, and has done so for the last 11 years. Ms. McGee has worked in partnership with Eagle Ridge Institute to offer training to teens in the area of self-esteem, self-worth and pregnancy prevention. She is currently Behavioral Health Rehabilitation service provider for Public Strategies/Neighborhood Strategies and works closely with students enrolled in Northeast Oklahoma City schools. This positions allows her to teach school age children valuable life skills such as anger management, impulse control, improved communications, socialization and positive decision-making. She has worked specifically with the children of Edwards Elementary for 2+ years. Ms. McGee earned a bachelor’s degree in Interpersonal Communication from the University of Central Oklahoma and is currently working on a masters in Marriage & Family Therapy and Child Play Therapy.
Adrienne Samuel
Adrienne Samuel loves education and children. The Edwards summer reading camp will be the perfect place for her to showcase her skills. Ms. Samuel spent a summer as a Junior Scientist for the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation where she assisted with Cancerous B-cell research. She has also spent the last six years working with children via a youth choir, Little Saints Dance Ministry, and a youth mentoring program. Ms. Samuel is a member of the African-American Student Association, National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Oklahoma State University Honors College. Ms. Samuel expects to graduate in May 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from Oklahoma State University.
Damali Mumina
Damali Mumina has a passion for children and has been a foster parent since 2007. She has worked in physical and occupational therapy with children and adults for the past seven years. She graduated from Langston University in 2009 and is now pursuing a masters at Langson in Rehabilitation Counseling.
Rufus D. Howard
Rufus D. Howard is an Administrative Assistant at Rogers Middle School in Spencer, Oklahoma. He is an active member of his church choir and praise team, and is the COTLG Sixth District Young Adult Ministry President. He is also an OKC Gold Dome Multi-culture Society Board Member, OCMABSE Member, and Neighborhood Association member. He will be starting school in the Fall 2012 to finish his degree in Elementary Education and School Administration.
Latosha Lornes
LaTosha Lornes is passionate about her work and about sharing knowledge with others. She is a Christian, a mother, and volunteers in her community with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Volunteers of America Mentor Program. She even developed a mentoring program at her church. LaTosha Lornes studied at Langston University and is excited to join the Edwards team.
Randon Taylor
Randon Taylor is an advocate for learning. He is a people person and his skills as a teamplayer, patient listener, and history enthusiast, enhance his love of working with children. He has worked for Dell Computers and is excited about getting more involved in the community. He is majoring in Business Administration at the University of Houston.
Douglas Curvey
Douglas Curvey’s love for kids and his skills as a great listener make him a great fit for this camp. He has worked with youth in many settings including the Tapestry Project for kids and as a coach for the OKC Thunder Camp. Douglas is a Psychology major at Mid-America University.
Activity Assistants
Charles Perry, Jr.
Charles Perry, Jr. has experience working with at-risk youth, particularly those facing special challenges of substance abuse, developmental disabilities and school/social adjustment difficulties in academic, therapeutic and summer camp settings. As a Behavioral Health/Rehabilitation Specialist for Neighborhood Strategies, Charles Perry works closely with students in Douglass High School. In this role, he teaches life skills such as anger management, impulse control, improved communications, socialization and decision-making. Before joining Neighborhood Strategies, Mr. Perry worked as an advisor for several youth education programs including Village Concepts, Marcus Garvey Leadership Charter School, Knowledge Center After School Work Study and the Student Cultural Empowerment Cultural Exchange Program. Mr. Perry is also skilled in administration, including managing budgets and organizational operations. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Langston University.
Shamia Jackson
Shamia Jackson is a Rehabilitation Counseling student that comes from Tulsa, OK. She has a BA in Communications from Langston University. Shami has worked in her community for 3 years as a mentor and is also a Certified Behavior Health Rehabilitation Specialist. She is focused on improving the lives of today’s youth by helping to build skills and teach tools what will last a lifetime. Shamia’s goal is to enhance the lives of students in all areas by being focused, loving and above all committed.
Shawna Richardson
Shawna Richardson’s experience in working with children and families varies from children in daycare to children with disabilities receiving services from the State Dept of Education. She has worked with children returning home from state custody and helping parents with parenting education and loves helping children and families become the best that they can be. Shawna is from OKC and Graduated from UCO in 2003 with a bachelors in Family Life Education and Child Development
Terri Thompson
Terri Thompson has been a Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Specialist working in Douglass High School since February 2012. She is a Former Center Director for Sylvan Learning Systems in Maryland (focus on assessment of reading skills). She moved to OKC from the DC area in 2009 and has been a reading tutor since then, with a concentration in phonics and comprehension. She holds a bachelors in Political Science/Spanish and is a graduate student at Langston University studying Rehabilitation Counseling.
Faith Gunn
Faith Gunn enjoys working with children and loves to shine a positive light on them and encourage them to learn. She wants to show what was given to her, to others, and hopes to show them a positive path for them to follow and continue for others. It would only be best to start with a child. Faith serves as a volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club and Positive Tomorrows program for the less fortunate and is majoring in Special Education and Elementary Education major at Langston University.
DaLontai Littlejohn
DaLontai Littlejohn is a cool, calm and collected young man. He has a thirst for knowledge as well as a strong drive to teach others at Eagle Ridge, Youth Build. He graduated from PACT with a Carpentry License and is Head of Education on the Youth Political Counsel (YPC). In the fall he plans to attend OSU-OKC and major in Computer Science to provide a better life for him and his family. While attending youth build he helped several students earn their GED’s ad PACT Certifications. DaLontai studied Business at Grambling State University and served in the U.S. Army.
Veodosha Myles, Administrative Assistant
Veodosha is a sweet, kind, respectful, caring, helpful, and super fun, high school Junior, with lots of energy. She loves kids and and they listen to her because she’s young and can see their point of view on things. She loves to help in any way she can and wants to be a Children Therapist when she gets older. She hopes working with Edwards will give her the experience she needs to attend Francis Tuttle Prep School for Child Care.
Meal Monitor
Marilyn Thompson, Meal Monitor
Marilyn has been working around kids over 30 years for Oklahoma City Public Schools. She has been at Edwards for four years as the Cafeteria Manager. She has had a food service license for more than 22 years and knows all about handling all kinds of food. In fact, when she was fifteen her first job was with Anna Maude Cafeteria as a baker. Then she moved over to Boulevard Cafeteria as a cook and on to Piccadilly Cafeteria as a line server. She loves all kinds of food and owns a small catering service.
Support Team
Beth Clemens, Meeting and Event Manager
Beth Clemens coordinates more than 50 meetings and trainings annually at Public Strategies while working with a variety of stakeholders. She played a key role in planning the Governor’s Safe Schools Summit, the state’s largest middle and high school education training. Additionally, she has worked with It’s My Community to coordinate logistics for a Spring Reading Challenge at Edwards Elementary. Ms. Clemens has a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Culver-Stockton College, and is a Certified Meeting Planner. She is an active member of Meeting Professionals International and the Society of Government Meeting Professionals.
Taylor Phillips, Project Coordinator
Taylor Phillips brings organizational and analytical skills to the Edwards program. As Project Coordinator for Public Strategies, Ms. Phillips is responsible for compiling and analyzing data on program performance to be used to prepare reports for various projects, funding sources, and grants. Previously, she has worked with It’s My Community to track and report data for the Edwards Elementary Spring Reading Challenge. Ms. Phillips has a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from the University of Central Oklahoma.
Taylor Doe
Taylor Doe is an employee of Sandridge Energy who splits his time between the community Outreach and Human Relations departments. He is the Founder & Director of REACH Ministries, an organization designed to get students excited to serve in the community. Mr. Doe has recently graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Human Relations.