Manhattan Charter School is led by a small team of experienced and passionate professionals who work tirelessly and think differently to create the kind of nurturing environment, collaborative culture, and challenging curriculum that will set every teacher and student up to succeed.
Manhattan Charter School is governed by a nonprofit Board of Trustees. Each school is led by a Principal, who is the instructional leader for each school. Our school principals have a reputation for being highly visible and hands-on leaders, as warm and accessible as they are tough and mission-driven. Seasoned academic leaders, they manage and develop all instructional programs and staff at each school.
Genie DePolo brings over 35 years of educational experience to Manhattan Charter Schools as a teacher, administrator, and school reformer. Prior to joining the Manhattan Charter Schools community in 2007, she served as a Regional Site Manager for Modern Red School House Institute’s national comprehensive school reform model, Supervisor of Special Education, curriculum developer and classroom teacher for the New York City Board of Education. Genie’s dedication to expanding the unique learning opportunities offered at Manhattan Charter Schools to any student on the Lower East Side and all of New York led to her being a co-founder of Manhattan Charter School 2, which opened in 2011. Genie received a Bachelor of Arts in History and Sociology and a Master of Science in Special Education from the Herbert H. Lehman College of the City University of New York. Genie also holds a Professional Diploma in Supervision and Administration from the College of New Rochelle.
Meredith Mallouk brings almost 20 years of experience to Manhattan Charter School. Prior to joining MCS as the Assistant Principal in 2014, and transitioning to Principal in 2021, Ms. Mallouk served as a Classroom Teacher, Schoolwide Enrichment teacher and Teaching Specialist for the New Jersey Department of Education and also as the Director of Teaching and Learning for a NYC Charter School. Over the years, she has been instrumental in supporting the adoption and implementation of new curricular programs to meet the Common Core and New York State Learning Standards in multiple schools, with a focus on professional development for teachers inclusive of new structures, strategies and methods for data collection when working with individual students, grade levels and across an entire school. As a certified Reading Specialist, she has supported students and staff with instructional strategies focused on closing the achievement gap in literacy. Ms. Mallouk has received extensive training in the Responsive Classroom approach to teaching and learning both before and after, the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Mallouk is a product of NYC schools and is passionate about ensuring all children receive a robust education with ample opportunities, and encouragement to be curious and courageous. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, as well as a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership with certification as a building and district leader, from Montclair State University. Ms. Mallouk has numerous experiences working in adult education as a staff developer, a presenter at educational conferences, and as an adjunct professor at Hunter College.
Principal Salazar brings more than fifteen years of experience as a classroom teacher, reading recovery specialist, instructional coach and school leader. Prior to joining Manhattan Charter School 2 in 2014, she served as a teacher and teacher leader for an urban school district working in a school where more than 40% of the students were homeless. As one of the few Spanish and Portuguese speaking teachers, Ms. Salazar was successful in closing the achievement gap within the growing Latin population in the school. Ms. Salazar brought her expertise in the Common Core Learning Standards and how they translate into robust and compelling classroom instruction to Manhattan Charter School 2. As the Instructional Coach and then Assistant Principal, she supported or led numerous initiatives focused on supporting “at risk” students, including targeted After School Programs, and the Saturday Learning Academy. She holds a Master’s Degree in Literacy & Educational Leadership from the College of New Rochelle and a Bachelor’s Degree of Liberal Arts in General Education from Concordia College in Bronxville, NY.