Born on the vibrant West Coast and raised in the charming city of Sacramento, California, CJ developed a profound appreciation for the humanities, art, and education during his formative years. This passion has shaped his career, driving him to advocate for and promote these vital facets of our society.
Currently, he serves as the Director of Tutor Acquisition at Ignite Reading, where he leads innovative strategies to recruit and cultivate a robust team of high-quality online tutors. Witnessing the positive impact of their efforts on students’ learning experiences nationwide is incredibly gratifying. With over 20 years of experience in the field of education, CJ has honed his skills in learning and teaching, staff development, adult education, and leadership.
Before taking on his current role, he was the Regional Director at Catapult Learning, providing essential academic and professional services to schools and districts throughout the Northeast. He also had the honor of serving as the Managing Director of Alumni Leadership Development at Teach For America, where he empowered a diverse network of over 250 alumni educators and leaders to make lasting changes in their communities.
Among his proudest achievements is being one of the founding school leaders of Achievement First Brownsville Elementary, a high-performing charter school in Brooklyn, New York. The school’s journey and accomplishments even caught the attention of Wendy Kopp, who featured them in her impactful book, *A Chance to Make History*.
CJ holds an Ed.M. from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education and a B.A. from Syracuse University. His professional philosophy revolves around creating and scaling innovative learning solutions that genuinely make a difference in student outcomes while bridging opportunity gaps. He is deeply committed to fostering collaboration, celebrating diversity, and striving for excellence in all he does. These values guide his actions and infuse the culture of any team he is privileged to be part of.
When he is not working passionately towards educational equity, you can find him enjoying life in Provincetown, Massachusetts, with his wonderful husband, Tim, and their delightful Chocolate Labrador, Rogers.
Director of Tutor Acquisition at Ignite Reading