Leadership

As the founder, Mr. Greenberg has worked at Growing Up Green since day one.  He supports our schools by bringing the vision, coaching senior leadership, providing strategic guidance, and staying true to the GUGCS Core Values.  GUGCS is special to him because of its wonderful, curious, and diverse student body; as well as the passion, commitment, and dedication of the entire staff.  Mr. Greenberg practices sustainability by walking and composting every day, as well as by being a vegetarian!

Ms. Acosta first joined the Growing Up Green community as a parent and PTO member, and then officially joined our staff in 2015. She collaborates with families, staff, and PTOs to create engaging, meaningful, and fun events; she also strengthens community bonds within GUGCS and the neighborhoods we serve, and advocates for our students at the State and City levels. She loves Growing Up Green because this is where her own children grew up. Ms. Acosta keeps sustainability at the forefront by reducing the amount of stuff we purchase and repurposing items that we no longer use.

Mrs. Amoh officially joined our Growing Up Green staff in 2018, though she has been working alongside us since 2016. She provides strategic financial management, ensures compliance, and enables informed decision-making through critical financial insights and robust internal controls. GUGCS is important to her because of its strong sense of community and the direct impact it has on students’ lives. Mrs. Amoh does her best to minimize plastic waste by using reusable bags!

Ms. Catter-Martinez first joined the Growing Up Green team in 2014, and then rejoined us in 2023. She is responsible for hiring amazing educators and staff that support our students, their families, and our organization as a whole. She loves GUGCS because we authentically embrace our values of kindness, collaboration, courage, and social justice and pour them into everything that we do with the ultimate goal of serving our community. Ms. Catter-Martinez maintains a sustainable lifestyle by recycling, composting, and washing clothes after more than one use!

Ms. Halasz has been with Growing Up Green since 2015. Her responsibilities revolve around overseeing the Human Resources department functions including recruitment, onboarding, benefits, administration, performance evaluations, developing and implementing policies, and providing support to staff throughout their employment. The GUG community is important to her because it aligns with her personal values, and because we are a supportive community that are all committed to doing our best to serve students, families, and staff. At home, Ms. Halasz is a diligent recycler and repurposer!

Ms. Lunetta began her journey at Growing Up Green in 2015, and has stayed with us because we are an inclusive community that cares deeply about one another. She is an integral part of our staff, creating and maintaining our systems and strategies around student enrollment; she also makes sure that our schools’ data is in compliance with mandated city, state, and federal reporting requirements. In her day-to-day, Ms. Lunetta does her best to be sustainable by limiting water consumption at home!

Mr. Viola has worked at Growing Up Green since 2014 in many different capacities. It is his responsibility to oversee all of our school operational functions, including human resources, compliance, IT, facilities, security, enrollment, and more. He loves the GUG community because of our warm, social justice-oriented environment where kids and staff are happy to be at school every day. In the spirit of sustainability, he brings a reusable water bottle wherever he goes!

Dr. Wong became a part of the Growing Up Green team in 2010. She supports our network every day by facilitating school-wide assessments and making data accessible in support of teaching and learning. The GUGCS community is important to her because we continuously work hard to honor our mission, embody our core values, and reflect and make progress in providing an excellent and equitable education for all students. Dr. Wong lives a sustainable lifestyle by reducing single-use plastic, using reusable paper towels, and keeping a water bottle on hand at all times!

Mrs. Kriegel came to Growing Up Green in 2015 and stayed because of our diverse population and amazing community of leaders. She strives to be the glue that holds her team together, fostering strong relationships, and working closely with coaches to enhance our curriculum. Mrs. Kriegel also brings her lunch to work every day in a reusable container!

Ms. Ramirez joined the Growing Up Green team in 2016. She supports the school by ensuring smooth day-to-day operations, and creating a positive environment for both staff and students. The GUGCS community is important to her because it fosters a sense of belonging and encourages collaboration; she also loves working with her team every day. Ms. Ramirez minimizes waste and protects the environment by reducing single-use plastics and opts for reusable alternatives!

Ms. Schmelz began her journey at Growing Up Green in 2022 and supports our school by leading with joy, optimism, and dedication to ensure that all students and staff thrive. She loves GUGCS because of our focus on building a kind and curious learning community. To do her part to reduce pollution, Ms. Schmelz walks to work every day!

Ms. Fraser joined the Growing Up Green community in 2020 and became our LIC Middle School Leader in 2023. She helps to ensure that her school is a place where all students and staff are able to meet their full potential. The GUGCS community is important to her because we work hard to ensure students are safe, knowledgeable, and conscious members of society. Ms. Fraser strives to live a sustainable lifestyle by using reusable utensils and water bottles!

Mr. Hinchey, who supports teachers and staff in developing rigorous and engaging academic and cultural programs, joined the Growing Up Green community in 2014. He believes in the GUGCS mission because we are a community that is united by the desire to educate students to be leaders in social justice, sustainability, and innovation. Bringing sustainability at home, Mr. Hinchey maintains his own garden and composter!

Mrs. Johnson has been with Growing Up Green Charter Schools since 2022 and loves it here because we are a safe and inclusive space for all students and staff. She supports our LIC Middle School by making sure we are up to date on all things health and safety, as well as ensuring smooth daily operations of the community. Mrs. Johnson is always sure to recycle at home!

Dr. Nielsen has been part of the Growing Up Green Community since 2014. She leads with compassion and fosters a nurturing environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive. She loves it here because we are a diverse and close-knit community that creates strong connections and a sense of belonging. One way that Dr. Nielsen lives a sustainable lifestyle is by using public transportation as much as possible, as well as walking everywhere!

Ms. Okuyemi became part of the Growing Up Green community in 2021 and leads her school with empathy and humility. She loves GUGCS because of the diverse community of faculty and families dedicated to our core values of kindness, courage, collaboration, and social justice. In her daily life, Ms. Okuyemi does her best not to use single-use plastics!

Mrs. Torres joined the Growing Up Green Community in 2018, and is responsible for the overall safety and operational procedures of the Elementary School in Jamaica. The GUGCS community is important to her because we make a difference in the lives of children in underprivileged communities; being part of this social justice movement brings purpose to her daily work. Mrs. Torres does her part in reducing emissions by biking to work twice a week!

Ms. Escano started working at Growing Up Green in 2020 and is integral to the day-to-day operations of our Jamaica Middle School; she ensures that our school days run efficiently and smoothly. The GUG community is important to her because we are committed to the academic success and well-being of all our students. One way that Ms. Escano lives a sustainable lifestyle is by packing many of her meals at home!

Mrs. Vera has been an integral part of the Growing Up Green family since 2016. She currently supports the Jamaica Middle School by providing instructional leadership, fostering a positive school culture, and ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for students and staff. Her favorite thing about GUGCS is that we keep children at the center of the conversation when decision-making. Mrs. Vera gives back to the community and environment by donating used clothing!

Mr. Webber became a member of the Growing Up Green team in 2022. He supports our Jamaica Middle School by working with staff, students, and families to ensure our learning community is successful. He loves GUG because we are a community where students are encouraged to freely be themselves. Mr. Webber lives a sustainable lifestyle by ensuring that he always accurately recycles at home!