Claire Libert, Head of School

Claire Libert joined YouthBuild DC Public Charter School as Director of Operations in July 2018. Prior to joining YouthBuild DC, she served as Charter Systems Manager at Democracy Prep Congress Heights Public Charter School, where she helped strengthen operations. Previously, she worked as a consultant with Boston Public Schools’ Office of School Turnaround, as the DC Reads Program Director with Georgetown University's Center for Social Justice, as a special education teacher at Ballou Senior High School, and as a Menino Fellow with the National League of Cities’ Institute for Youth, Education and Families. Claire earned a Bachelor's Degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a Master's Degree in Education Policy and Management from Harvard University.

Wellington Crutchfield, Dean of School Culture

Wellington N. Crutchfield joined YouthBuild PCS during the 2015-16 school year, after serving as Dean of Students at Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School in Washington, DC.  In addition to his experience as Dean of Students, he brings extensive hands-on working knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing YouthBuild students. He established two youth organizations, including Future Success Mentoring, which mentors at-risk middle and high school boys. Wellington is a graduate of North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina.

Beatriz Vargas, Academic Dean

Beatriz Vargas joined YouthBuild DC Public Charter School as the Academic Dean in July 2019. Prior to joining YBPCS, she served as the ELL Specialist at Capital City Public Charter School where she coordinated the ELL Program and provided ELL-based professional development for GenEd and inclusion teachers. While at Capital City PCS, Beatriz co-led several programs and initiatives, such as the Rovin Readers Program and Sheltered Instruction Observational Protocol (SIOP) implementation. Previously, she worked as the Team Lead for the Spanish GED Program at Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School where she taught all four GED content areas. As the Team Lead, she co-led the development of the Spanish GED Curriculum, Scope & Sequence, and placement test for both the Spanish GED Program and the Alfabetizacion program. She has vast experience working with at-risk children and youth in the District of Columbia. Her background includes working for the Mayor’s Services Liaison’s Office, CASA for Children DC, and the DC Office of Aging. Beatriz earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Utah Valley University in the Spring of 2011. In August of 2019, she will be graduating from her Master’s in Educational Leadership and Administration from the George Washington University.

Eva Camacho, Student Support Counselor

Eva Camacho has served at YBPCS since October of 2006. She received her Bachelor's in Psychology from Florida International University and her Masters in Professional Counseling from Argosy University. Before coming to YBPCS, she worked in the Social Services Division as a Substance Abuse Counselor.

Iris Mata, Office Manager/Registrar

Iris Mata has served at YBPCS since the school’s inception. Iris oversees student registration and records, as well as facility management. Previously, she held the positions of Receptionist and Office Manager at the YouthBuild Program of the Latin American Youth Center.  She is a graduate of the Latin American Youth Center’s Next Step Public Charter School. Iris is bilingual.

Maria Sanchez, Operations Associate

Maria Sanchez has been with YBPCS since 2006, where she manages student attendance, stipends, and the front reception area. She is a graduate of the YBPCS program of the Latin American Youth Center and served on the LAYC AmeriCorps team, performing community service in the local area. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice at the University of the District of Columbia. Maria is bilingual.

Ligia Arreaga, Math and Science Teacher

Ligia Arreaga teaches GED subjects in Spanish to Spanish-language students at YBPCS. She has been with YouthBuild PCS since the founding of the school and before that taught at the YouthBuild program of the Latin American Youth Center. She has nearly two decades of teaching experience, from kindergarten through high school, in both Guatemala and the United States. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a law degree in Education from the University of San Carlos, Guatemala.

Eugenia Reyes, RLA, Social Studies and ESL Teacher

Eugenia Reyes joined YouthBuild PCS in 2013 as the Special Education Instructor. Eugenia has 27 years of teaching experience, including her work as a Spanish teacher at DCPS Oyster-Adams and Lafayette, ESL teacher at Carlos Rosario PCS, and Elementary and High School teacher in El Salvador. Ms. Reyes graduated from the University of El Salvador where she studied Education and earned a Masters in School Administration. She also recently graduated from Strayer University with a Masters in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment.

Etienne Marcoux, Math and Science Teacher

Etienne Marcoux joined YouthBuild Public Charter School in December 2019. He came to us with more than three years' experience as a special educator in the DMV area, most recently at Richard Wright PCS. Prior to joining the Baltimore Teaching Fellows in 2015, he served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Gambia and earned a Bachelor's Degree in History from the University of California - Santa Cruz.  

Joella Braun, RLA and Social Studies Teacher

Joella Braun joined YouthBuild Public Charter School in December 2019. She has twelve years' experience as an accomplished middle and high school English teacher, grade level and department chair, and mentor teacher in New Orleans and DC.  She earned a Bachelor's Degree in History and Psychology from Swarthmore College.

Kate Salasky, Transitions Coordinator

Kate Salasky joined YouthBuild Public Charter School team in October 2018. Prior to joining YouthBuild, she worked at Anacostia High School, assisting students in improving their attendance. Kate has served in various communities working with at-risk youth domestically and abroad including with organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, United States Peace Corps, and Girl Scouts of America. Kate holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and a micromaster’s certificate in Program Management from Rochester Institute of Technology.

Gina Fognani, Student Success Coach

Gina Fognani joined YouthBuild PCS as a Case Manager in 2008. Previously, Gina worked in the Social Services Department at the Latin American Youth Center, working with a diverse population of young adults. Gina continues in this student support role at YouthBuild, where she is responsible for coordinating student services and advocating on behalf of these young people to address issues at school and home. Gina holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of the District of Columbia and a Master’s in Social Work from Howard University. Gina is bilingual.

Franz Arandia, Construction Instructor

Franz, a bilingual construction instructor, believes that education is a real revolution to create positive change and transformation in DC. Franz joined YouthBuild PCS in 2016, bringing more than a decade of experience working in construction and architecture in the United States. Originally from Bolivia, Franz earned a bachelor's degree in architecture from the Faculty of Architecture at the University Major of San Simon.

Antione Clipper, Construction Instructor

Antione has been a member of the YouthBuild PCS staff for over five years. His role as a Construction Trainer allows him to impact the lives of our students on a daily basis. Along with his consistent effort to implement the YouthBuild PCS education standards, Antione combines his fondness for classroom instruction with his passion for hands on practice. His "Big Brother" teaching style and his dedication to mentorship allow him to teach with his personality. Antione prides himself on his ability to build trustworthy and personable relationships with each one of his students. Antione is also a former YouthBuild PCS student.

Board of Trustees

Ms. Mary Blatch, Board Member

Mr. Noel Bravo, Board Member

Ms. Elizabeth Grant, Board Chair

Mr. Mark Jordan, Board Member

Ms. Giselle Jones, Board Member

Ms. Amira Kamara, Board Member

Mr. Suraj Patel, Board Treasurer

Mr. Andrew Patricio, Board Member

Ms. Yolanda Torres, Board Member