About YouthBuild DC Public Charter School

Preparing students for postsecondary education and the workplace

About Our School Community

Respect, Community, Responsibility, Dignity

 

  • YouthBuild Public Charter School (YBPCS) is an alternative high school for young people seeking to transform their lives by re-engaging in their education in a non-traditional school environment.

    YBPCS prepares students for postsecondary education and the workplace by offering, in English and Spanish, academic, vocational and workforce development programs. YBPCS believes that service to the community is an essential part of the transformative process. Therefore, students serve their community through volunteer projects and by creating housing for low-income residents in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

  • Statistics show that students who drop out of high school are more likely to live in poverty and suffer from unemployment, poor health, substance abuse, and/or violence. Young people with troubled histories benefit from an alternative learning environment that is rigorous and relevant, where they can develop relationships with caring adults and develop respect for themselves and others.

    YouthBuild PCS gives young adults an opportunity to establish stable and productive adult lives filled with dignity and respect. Students are encouraged to pursue post-secondary education and/or to enter the workforce upon graduation. The YouthBuild PCS experience reflects real life, giving students a sense of community, belonging, and responsibility.

  • At YouthBuild PCS, individual learning needs are balanced with the needs of a strong united school community that is safe and learner-focused. YouthBuild PCS differs from a traditional high school by offering intentionally small class sizes, a personalized instructional model, and work-based learning to ensure more meaningful student participation and growth.

    Students at YouthBuild PCS help create and sign a code of conduct. The code of conduct fosters personal responsibility and establishes positive group norms. Students also participate in community meetings, join in community service activities, and provide input to school staff through a Student Leadership Council.

    YouthBuild PCS students attend school 5 days a week, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, rotating between the academic classroom and construction training worksite. As a way to ensure that YouthBuild PCS students are able to stay in school throughout the course of the school year, YouthBuild PCS provides students with a bi-weekly stipend for time spent on the construction site and in the classroom, to assist with the cost of transportation, breakfast, and lunch. Though not a livable monthly wage, the stipend removes some economic pressures for students.

 
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Meet Our Staff

  • HEAD OF SCHOOL

    Claire Libert joined YouthBuild DC Public Charter School as Director of Operations in July 2018 and became Head of School in the 2019–2020 school year. Prior to joining YouthBuild, she served as Charter Systems Manager at Democracy Prep Congress Heights Public Charter School, where she helped strengthen operations.

    Previously, Claire worked as a consultant with Boston Public Schools’ Office of School Turnaround, as 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.

Academic Team

  • CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER

    Beatriz Vargas joined YouthBuild DC Public Charter School as Academic Dean in July 2019. Prior to joining YouthBuild, she served as ELL Specialist at Capital City Public Charter School and as Team Lead for the Spanish GED Program at Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School.

    Beatriz has extensive experience working with at-risk children and youth in the District of Columbia. Her background also includes roles with the Mayor’s Services Liaison’s Office, CASA for Children DC, and the DC Office of Aging. She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from George Washington University.

  • MATH AND SCIENCE INSTRUCTOR

    Ligia Arreaga joined YouthBuild DC Public Charter School as a GED Instructor in December 2000. Previously, she taught at the YouthBuild program of the Latin American Youth Center. Ligia has experience teaching students 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.

  • LANGUAGE ARTS INSTRUCTOR

    Charles Sullivan joined YouthBuild PCS as a GED and ESL Instructor in August 2023. An Arlington native and Georgetown University graduate, Charles brings 15 years of experience teaching English in classrooms across the region. His passion for literacy and commitment to student success make him a valued member of the YouthBuild team.

  • GED INSTRUCTOR

    LaTasia Simmons joined YouthBuild Public Charter School in October 2025. Prior to joining YouthBuild, she taught Mathematics to students in grades 6–12 in charter and alternative schools across Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Washington, DC.

    LaTasia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Temple University and an Associate degree in Building Trades: Carpentry from Montgomery College. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Accounting and Financial Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus. LaTasia’s diverse expertise in education and trades makes her a valued member of the YouthBuild team.

  • GED INSTRUCTOR

    Velmar Coleman joined YouthBuild DC Public Charter School in August 2023 as a dedicated educator bringing a decade of teaching experience. Prior to joining YouthBuild, he taught 12th-grade Social Studies at the Seed School of Maryland, where he inspired students to think critically and engage deeply with the world around them.

    Velmar earned his degree from Towson University and is passionate about helping students succeed academically and personally, preparing them for both college and career opportunities. His experience and commitment make him a valuable member of the YouthBuild team.

  • GED INSTRUCTOR

    James Mosby joined YouthBuild Public Charter School in December 2023, bringing a strong background in English Language Arts and literacy education. Prior to joining YouthBuild, he worked as an ELA teacher and reading specialist for students in grades 6–12 across public, private, and charter schools in the Baltimore and D.C. region.

    James earned his Bachelor’s degree from Clark Atlanta University and his Master’s of Education from Johns Hopkins University. His expertise in literacy and dedication to student success make him a valuable member of the YouthBuild team.

  • GED INSTRUCTOR

    Miguel Amaya-Lopez started with YouthBuild PCS in August 2025. With over twelve years of experience in the DC Public Charter School system, he brings extensive expertise in bilingual education. Miguel has taught scholars from 3rd through 12th grade, providing bilingual instruction in Science, Reading, and Writing in both English and Spanish.

    Prior to joining YouthBuild PCS, Miguel worked as a Spanish teacher at Cesar Chavez Public Charter School, teaching middle and high school scholars. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and Languages from Universidad Del Quindío in Colombia, South America. Miguel’s experience and dedication to bilingual education make him a valued member of the YouthBuild team.

  • TESTING COORDINATOR

    Etienne Marcoux joined YouthBuild DC Public Charter School as a GED Instructor in December 2019. He brought with him over four years of experience as a special educator, most recently at Richard Wright PCS. Prior to joining the Baltimore Teaching Fellows in 2015, Etienne served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in The Gambia, demonstrating his commitment to service and education.

    He earned a Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a Master’s of Science in Secondary Education from the Johns Hopkins School of Education. Etienne’s extensive teaching experience and dedication to student success make him a valued member of the YouthBuild team.

  • SOCIAL STUDIES INSTRUCTOR

    Amorita Proctor joined YouthBuild Public Charter School in August 2022, bringing extensive experience as an educator and mentor. Prior to joining YouthBuild, she taught students from grades 2–12 and beyond in public and charter schools across Washington, D.C. Amorita has also served as an instructional coach, job coach, reading specialist, and remedial instructor, helping students succeed academically and develop essential life skills.

    She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Virginia State University and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Education in Adult Education and Training at the University of Phoenix. Amorita’s dedication to empowering students makes her a valued member of the YouthBuild team.

  • MATH AND SCIENCE INSTRUCTOR

    Bailey Wethman joined YouthBuild DC Public Charter School in August 2025. Prior to joining YouthBuild, he taught high school mathematics and coached the Science Olympiad team at Chesapeake Math & IT Academy North High School in Laurel, Maryland.

    Bailey earned his Bachelor of Science in Education with a dual focus in Math and Science from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2021 and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on technology integration from the University of Virginia. His expertise and passion for STEM education make him a valued member of the YouthBuild team.

  • CONSTRUCTION INSTRUCTOR

    Alicia Luckey joined YouthBuild DC Public Charter School as a Construction Instructor in August 2025. Prior to joining YouthBuild, she was the General Contractor and owner of RJL Partners, a residential and commercial renovation and build company serving the East Coast.

    Alicia also served as a Senior Project Manager at Sterling Foundation Management and later as Family Office Director. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from St. Elizabeth University and a Master Certification in Organizational Leadership from Villanova University.

    Her combination of hands-on construction experience and leadership expertise makes her a valuable asset to the YouthBuild team.

Construction Team

 

  • DIRECTOR OF CONSTRUCTION

    Kerry Harrington joined YouthBuild DC Public Charter School as the Construction Manager in August 2019. Kerry has worked in the construction industry for more than 40 years. Before coming to YouthBuild, he spent 25 years as the owner of a DC-area construction company. He is a journeyman carpenter, an OSHA-10 and 30 trainer, and an HBI-certified Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT) instructor.

  • CONSTRUCTION INSTRUCTOR

    Alicia Luckey joined YouthBuild DC Public Charter School as a Construction Instructor in August 2025. Prior to joining YouthBuild, she was the General Contractor and owner of RJL Partners, a residential and commercial renovation and build company serving the East Coast.

    Alicia also served as a Senior Project Manager at Sterling Foundation Management and later as Family Office Director. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from St. Elizabeth University and a Master Certification in Organizational Leadership from Villanova University.

    Her combination of hands-on construction experience and leadership expertise makes her a valuable asset to the YouthBuild team.

  • CONSTRUCTION INSTRUCTOR

    Antione Clipper joined YouthBuild DC Public Charter School as a Construction Instructor in October 2011. He combines classroom instruction with hands-on construction skills, providing students with practical, real-world experience. Antione is also a graduate of the YouthBuild Program at the Latin American Youth Center, bringing firsthand knowledge of the program’s impact to his teaching.

  • CONSTRUCTION INSTRUCTOR

    John Bonner joined YouthBuild DC Public Charter School in 2018 as a Construction Instructor and returned in 2022. While working, he completed his Masters in Education, and then went to DCPS, where he taught both theater and P.E. Previous to YouthBuild, he taught theater and physical education for DC Public Schools. He also worked in construction and started an installation company in Pittsburgh. He has worked in construction in New York, California, Illinois, and North Carolina. He also spent two seasons working as a wildland firefighter in Colorado. He graduated from UVA with a Bachelor's in Anthropology.

School Culture and Student Success Team

  • STUDENT SUCCESS COACH

    Corinn Gales joined YouthBuild DC Public Charter School as a Student Success Coach in August 2024. Previously, she served as an Operations Coordinator for One Common Unity. Corinn earned a degree in Organizational Dynamics from Wilmington University.

  • STUDENT SUCCESS COUNSELOR

    Ellen Mahoney joined Youthbuild DC Public Charter School as a Student Success Counselor in August 2024. Previously she worked as a Life Coach for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the University of Georgia and Master of Social Work at the University of Central Florida. Ellen is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker. 

  • DEAN OF SCHOOL CULTURE

    Brittany Bobb joined YouthBuild Public Charter School in October 2025 as Dean of Students. Originally from Upstate New York, she served as a 6th-grade educator for three years and as Dean of Culture & Climate for two years.

    Upon relocating to the DMV, Brittany stepped into the role of Dean of Students and is passionate about supporting students as they navigate challenging situations and engage in meaningful conversations with others. Her dedication to student growth and well-being makes her a valued member of the YouthBuild team.

  • STUDENT SUCCESS COUNSELOR

    Jacob Katinsky joined YouthBuild DC Charter School in February 2025. Jacob has worked as a counselor and social worker in various academic environments with young adults, including workforce development programs and higher education. Jacob is originally from Baltimore, though he spent the last 6 years in New York, where he went to social work school at Fordham. 

  • STUDENT SUCCESS COUNSELOR

    Jackie Ruoff joined YouthBuild DC Public Charter School as a school counselor August 2023. Prior to joining YouthBuild, she was a Site Coordinator for Communities in Schools in Virginia, where she developed evidence-based programming and conducted one-on-one counseling. Previously, she was a Youth Development Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica. Jackie earned her Bachelor's Degree in psychology from CUNY Hunter and a Master's Degree in School Counseling from CUNY Queens.

  • SECURITY OFFICER

College and Career Readiness Team

  • DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS

    Autumn Thomas joined YouthBuild DC Public Charter School as the Transitions Specialist in January 2022. Previously, she served as Director of Family Engagement at GOODProjects, a Student Advocate for Maya Angelou Academy, and a Community Support Worker for First Home Care.

    Autumn earned her Bachelor’s degree from Florida A&M University and a Master’s in Community-Based Education & Leadership from Stevenson University. Her dedication to supporting students and families makes her a valued member of the YouthBuild team.

  • COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS SPECIALIST

    LeQuisha Parker joined YouthBuild Public Charter School as a College and Career Readiness Specialist in August 2024. Prior to joining YouthBuild, she served with AmeriCorps, supporting youth in Little Rock, Arkansas.

    LeQuisha earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Hampton University. Her commitment to empowering students in their academic and career journeys makes her a valued member of the YouthBuild team.

Operations Team

  • CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

    Keisha Morris joined YouthBuild DC Public Charter School as Director of Operations in July 2021. Prior to joining YouthBuild, she founded KRH Consultants, LLC, a consulting firm supporting start-ups, nonprofits, and education organizations with human resources, administrative, and operations initiatives.

    Keisha has also served as Chief Operating Officer at Monument Academy Public Charter School, Human Resources Specialist at EdOps, and Assistant Director for Bank Street Head Start in New York City. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Finance from Fordham University.

    Her extensive experience in operations and leadership makes her a valuable member of the YouthBuild team.

  • PORTER

  • OPERATIONS MANAGER

    Jamala Smith started with YouthBuild in 2022 and returned in 2025. With over 20 years of experience in the DC Public Charter School system, she has led enrollment, registration, attendance, family engagement, and school operations, consistently supporting strong student outcomes.

    Previously an Operations Coordinator, Jamala brings expertise in organizational systems and school-wide engagement. Passionate about health, wellness, entrepreneurship, and creative expression, she is currently publishing her first short story and is committed to creating safe spaces that foster growth, confidence, and leadership for Black and Brown girls.

  • OFFICE MANAGER

    Chanda Hutcherson started with YouthBuild in July 2025. She is an experienced Office Manager with over eight years in educational administration, beginning her career at Center City Public Charter Schools, where she built a strong foundation in school operations and administrative support. Chanda holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of the District of Columbia and a Master’s in Technology in Education from Lesley University. She is passionate about organization, efficiency, and supporting school communities through thoughtful, tech-integrated administrative practices.

  • DATA MANAGER

    Tyler Hoffman joined YouthBuild PCS in August 2025. Previously, he worked as a computational statistician on academic research teams, focusing on topics such as housing inequality, environmental health, and green gentrification. Tyler earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Maryland, College Park and his Master’s degree in Geography from Arizona State University. His expertise in data analysis and research brings a unique perspective to the YouthBuild team.

YBPCS Policies & Information

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YBPCS Board Meeting Schedule

 

July 12, 2024 - Board Retreat - 12:00 pm - Agenda - Minutes

October 17, 2024 – Board Meeting (Annual Meeting) - 5:30 pm - Agenda - Minutes

November 27, 2024 — Board Meeting - 1:00pm - Agenda - Minutes

December 12, 2024 –  Board Meeting - 6:00 pm - Agenda - Minutes

February 27, 2025 — Board Meeting - 5:30 pm - Agenda - Minutes

June 24, 2025  – Board Meeting -  2:00 pm - Agenda - Minutes

July 21, 2025  – Board Meeting (Budget Approval) -  1:00 pm - Agenda - Minutes

August 4, 2025  – Board Retreat -  1:00 pm - Agenda - Minutes

October 16, 2025 - Board Meeting (Annual Meeting) - 5:30pm - Agenda - Minutes

December 11, 2025 - Board Meeting - 5:30pm - Agenda - Minutes

February 26, 2026 - Board Meeting - 5:30pm - Agenda - Minutes

May 22, 2026 - Board Meeting (Budget Approval) - 5:30pm - Agenda - Minutes

YouthBuild DC Public Charter School values its place in the community and in the lives of its students and staff. Board meetings are open to the public, with meeting times and dates available on the YBPCS website. Please be advised that certain matters, such as personnel discussions, confidential student information, and other specific business matters will be handled in closed session as permitted by D.C. law. Please email us at boardchair@youthbuildpcs.org at least 2 business days in advance if you would like to attend or speak at a board meeting so that we can ensure adequate time and materials for public attendees.