Christopher H. Wilson, Head of School

Christopher Wilson is the new head of Esperanza Academy, an independent, tuition-free middle school for low-income girls in Lawrence. He is a new arrival to Massachusetts, but not to urban education. Before his move here this summer, Chris ran the Saint Ignatius Loyola Academy in Baltimore, Maryland – another independent, tuition-free middle school that prepared low income Baltimore City boys for entrance into college prep high schools. Under Chris’ leadership, every single St. Ignatius graduate was admitted to a competitive high school, none dropped out without receiving a high school diploma or GED, and 80 percent went on to college. (To put this in perspective, over the same time period only approximately 39 percent of African American male ninth graders in Baltimore City finished high school.) He was deemed one of Baltimore’s most effective urban educators by researchers at Baltimore’s Loyola University. Christopher has taught university seminars and conference workshops on educational leadership, and has worked with other educators across the country to replicate St. Ignatius’ success. He has developed leadership programs and standards for the Nativity Miguel Network of schools – a network, which includes both St. Ignatius and Esperanza, that works to find new ways to help low income children.

At Esperanza Academy, Chris is once again focusing on a community’s highest need children. In our neighboring community of Lawrence, low-income girls are particularly at risk, facing high teen pregnancy and school drop out rates. Most students at Esperanza are Domincan, and must often overcome gender discrimination within their own communities, as well as the challenges of being new immigrants. Christopher is a graduate of the University of Maryland Honors Program and Stanford University. He lives in Andover with his wife, Stephanie, and baby daughter, Madeline.

Johanna Aeschliman, Academic Dean

In 2011, Johanna Aeschliman was appointed Academic Dean at Esperanza Academy. She holds two degrees from Howard University: a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (1992) and a Master of Teaching in Curriculum and Instruction (1995). In 1998 Johanna earned a Master of Education degree from Lesley University. Johanna began her teaching career in Washington, DC public schools and continued teaching upon her return to the Boston area. She was teacher and administrator at The Chestnut Hill School, an independent elementary school, for fifteen years. During Johanna’s years at CHS she was a classroom teacher, the Dean of Students, the Director of Studies, and the Director of Teacher Training. Most recently, she taught grades 5-8 at the Academy of the Pacific Rim, a charter school in Hyde Park. Johanna is very excited to join the Esperanza Academy community.

Waleska Caceres, Volunteer Coordinator and Office Manager

Waleska Caceres came to Lawrence, MA from Puerto Rico when she was 3 years old, and has lived in Lawrence ever since. She graduated from Greater Lawrence Vocational High School and worked in a law office, a medical clinic, and as a retail store manager for 13 years. Waleska became a Notary Public in 2011.

When her eldest daughter enrolled at Esperanza Academy in 2006, Waleska began helping out at the school as a parent volunteer, and was eventually hired to work part-time as assistant to the Volunteer Coordinator. After a year, she was offered the full time Volunteer Coordinator position which has now expanded to include the responsibilities of overall office and facility management of Esperanza Academy.

Looking back at all her various job experiences, Waleska says that what she likes best about working at Esperanza is watching the students as they grow and mature during their 4 years here. Waleska is a proud parent of a son and two Esperanza graduates. ×

Joanne Halpern, Business Manager

In 2011, Joanne Halpern was appointed Business Manager at Esperanza Academy. After graduating from UMASS Boston with a BS in Business Management, Joanne worked as the Assistant Business manager for Germaine Lawrence School in Arlington Ma for 13 years. In 1999, Joanne became the Business Manager for an Architect firm in Cambridge. She is very pleased to now have the opportunity to be part of the academic community again. Joanne lives in Andover with her husband Joe and precious dog, Bella.

Ben Lynch, Graduate Support Director

Ben Lynch came to Esperanza in the summer of 2010 after finishing his Masters degree in Theology at Boston University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. A former philosophy major at the College of Wooster, Mr. Lynch continued to pursue his interests in the philosophy of religion and conflict transformation throughout his graduate studies. Between college and seminary, Mr. Lynch enjoyed a range of diverse experiences, including spending a year at a Benedictine boat-building community in Maine and two years working with nomadic herders on the vast, open steppe of Outer Mongolia. As a life-long Unitarian Universalist, Mr. Lynch also cares deeply about community service. His past service includes low-income housing repair projects for the underprivileged of coastal Maine, counseling for emotionally disturbed youth in foster care, home hospice attention for a terminally ill ALS patient, and academic support and mentorship amidst members of Boston’s prison population. In his spare time, he enjoys discussing religion and politics with friends over a meal. Mr. Lynch is excited to spend his second year with the Esperanza community, and he looks forward to continuing his work with our graduates as they transition into quality high schools and beyond. ×

Kate Newcomb, Registered Nurse and Health Teacher

Kate Newcomb graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Nursing. She has enjoyed working in various medical centers through out her nursing career including Houston Medical Center, Boston University Medical Center, Maine Medical Center, as well as Oregon Health and Science University. Kate has enjoyed many opportunities to utilize her clinical skills as well as her teaching skills. Kate lives in North Andover with her husband Tom of 34 years. On weekends, they enjoy spending time with their 21 nieces and nephews. ×

Stephanie Owen, High School Placement Director

Stephanie Owen joined the staff at Esperanza Academy in 2006. She currently serves as High School Placement Director helping girls and families figure out their best options for secondary school. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Ball State University (1999) and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of South Carolina (2003). Before coming to Esperanza, Stephanie worked creating programs and supporting volunteers for Girl Scouts. She also has experience working with adults with chronic mental illnesses in community based programs. Stephanie enjoys being part of the long term relationships created between Esperanza and the families we serve. ×

Sandi Pilt, Dean of Students/School Counselor

In 2008 Sandi Pilt was appointed the School Counselor at Esperanza Academy. In 2010 became the Director of Student Services and in 2011 became the Dean of Students. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (2003) and a Masters in Psychology (2006), from the University of Wollongong and the University of Western Sydney respectively. Sandi began working with at risk populations in Sydney where she was a Drug & Alcohol Youth Counselor for four years, before managing eight drop in centers for homeless and vulnerable young people. Sandi moved to the United States in 2004, with the hope of working again with an at risk population. Sandi came to Esperanza Academy from the Lawrence Family Development Charter School where she supported students on Individual Learning Plans. When Sandi is not working, she is happy to be on a mountain snowboarding or getting her hands dirty working in the vegetable garden. ×