Board of Trustees
The Two Rivers Board of Trustees supports and guides our community in service of our mission: to nurture a diverse group of curious, engaged learners.
Board Meetings Schedule with Agendas & Minutes
Agenda will become available approximately one week prior to each meeting.
Meetings locations are noted on the website as well as agendas in the schools lobbies. For more information or to attend, please email board@tworiverspcs.org.
September 8, 2025-Board Meeting held at Middle School
August 16, 2025-Board Retreat held at Young ES
Elle Carne
Derek Pierce
Mike Jacobs Jr. (Secretary)
Faisal Awwal
Alyssa Brunner
Elaine Hou
Malik Husser
John C. Phillips
Jess Proffitt
Erin Sheehy
Ahnna Smith
Ahnna Smith
Two Rivers Core Value that best represents me: Nurture Relationships
I chose the above Core Value because: As I think about what brings me joy in my personal and professional life, it’s the people and communities I get to connect with daily that sustain me.
Why I serve on the Two Rivers board: I serve on the Two Rivers Board because, as a parent and a former elementary school teacher, I know how important a strong community is to supporting school leaders, educators, and students. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to serve on the Board of my daughter’s school.
Years on the Board: 2
Day Job/Profession: Senior Director
Hometown: Poolesville, Maryland
Fun Fact: I volunteer as a lacrosse coach and play in a co-ed basketball league.
Faisal Awwal (Treasurer)
Two Rivers Core Value that best represents me: Be Thoughtful
I chose the above Core Value because: It is unequivocally essential to the betterment of this world.
Why I serve on the Two Rivers board: I serve on the board because I think Two Rivers PCS can be a flagship charter school in the DMV.
Years on the Board: 2
Day Job/Profession: Senior Quantitative Analyst/Economist
Hometown: Long Island, NY
Fun Fact: I taught my 5-year-old son how to ride a two-wheeler in less than 15 minutes.
Elle Carne (Chair)
Two Rivers Core Value that best represents me: Give Access
I chose the above Core Value because: I grew up in a small town and was fortunate to have parents who exposed me to a variety of experiences that my peers did not have. I want to support providing equitable access to opportunities regardless of circumstances.
Why I serve on the Two Rivers board: I care deeply about education and consider myself a life-long learner. While I am no longer working in a school, TR Board allows me the opportunity to continue to support the sector to provide quality education to all students.
Years on the Board: 1
Day Job/Profession: Director of Operations
Hometown: Sandpoint, Idaho
Fun Fact: I like to stay active playing sports like basketball, golf, and flag football even though I retired from soccer.
Alyssa Brunner
Two Rivers Core Value that best represents me: Nurture Relationships
I chose the above Core Value because: I believe that nurturing meaningful relationships is the foundation of impactful work. I take pride in my ability to build genuine connections and sustain them over time, recognizing that strong relationships foster trust, collaboration, and long-term success.
Why I serve on the Two Rivers board: As a DC educator, I have heard the amazing reputation of Two Rivers for years, so when it came time to select a school for my daughter, I just knew it would be the right fit. I decided to join the Two Rivers Board so that I could get involved in the meaningful work being done at the school.
Years on the Board: 1
Day Job/Profession: Preschool Senior Program Manager
Hometown:Averill Park, NY
Fun Fact: I have been an avid Buffalo Bills fan for my entire life. Go Bills!
Malik Husser
Two Rivers Core Value that best represents me: Experience & Grow
I chose the above Core Value because: Experience and growth has been a part of my learning experience, since I myself was in grade school. I have always aimed to challenge myself with new experiences that allow me to see the world differently, uniquely, so I can learn and continually grow.
Why I serve on the Two Rivers board: It’s personal for me. My mother is a life long educator and as much as she has wished for her children to become educators, it is my best way to honor her dedication to students, parents and learning.
Years on the Board: 4
Day Job/Profession: Marketing
Hometown:Charleston, SC
Fun Fact:I’m currently pursuing my captain’s license to sail boats.
Alvincent Hutson
Two Rivers Core Value that best represents me: Be Thoughtful
I chose the above Core Value because: I chose the Core Value of “be thoughtful” because it embodies my commitment to making deliberate, well-informed decisions that account for the needs of all stakeholders. Being thoughtful allows me to approach challenges with empathy, fairness, and strategic focus.
Why I serve on the Two Rivers board:I serve on the Two Rivers Public Charter School Board because I believe in supporting a school community that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and equity for all students. It’s an opportunity to contribute my expertise in education policy and legal counsel to help shape a thriving, inclusive learning environment for future generations.
Years on the Board: 4
Day Job/Profession:Education Attorney and Strategist
Hometown: Central Jersey
Fun Fact: I tried out for American Idol in 2004.
John C. Phillips
Two Rivers Core Value that best represents me: Be Thoughtful
I chose the above Core Value because: I chose “be thoughtful” because being emotionally intelligent is of the upmost importance so we always remember the other including the other gender, race, economic status, faith, etc.
Why I serve on the Two Rivers board: I serve because I trust Two Rivers’ ability to form students to be just, compassionate, and equitable role models.
Years on the Board: 3
Day Job/Profession: Store Director at Target
Hometown: Washington, DC
Fun Fact: I love photography and love developing my own photos
Derek Pierce Ed.D. (Vice Chair)
Two Rivers Core Value that best represents me: Be Thoughtful
I chose the above Core Value because: I selected “Be Thoughtful” because it represents me as a person, educator, and leader. Being mindful …is important as a learner is important.
Why I serve on the Two Rivers board: I serve on the Two Rivers board to serve my community and assist a body of students receive a sound and well-rounded educational experience.
Years on the Board: 3
Day Job/Profession: Educator
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Fun Fact: I have a dog.
Jess Proffitt
Two Rivers Core Value that best represents me: Experience and Grow
I chose the above Core Value because: When I was a teacher at Two Rivers I got to experience and grow so much from the thoughtful professional development and working with amazing colleagues, students and families. I also saw that students were more engaged in learning when they got to truly experience what they were learning about, something I really value about a TR education.
Why I serve on the Two Rivers board:My time at Two Rivers as a teacher nurtured me and gave me options for my own future, and I want to give back to the community that helped me grow and learn. After visiting hundreds of schools across the country, I can confidently say there is no learning community with as much talent and potential as Two Rivers and I would like to help nurture that potential.
Years on the Board: 1
Day Job/Profession:Director of Academics at TNTP
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Fun Fact: When I was a teacher at Two Rivers, a colleague and I got lost on the overnight camping trip along with a few students! It took perseverence, but we pooled our resources, found a map, and eventually were able to navigate back to Senor Cody- it turned out to be one of my fondest memories at TR!
Elaine Hou
Two Rivers Core Value that best represents me: Experience and Grow
I chose the above Core Value because:It’s how Two Rivers helped me to grow into the person and educator I am today. Experiencing and growing is what lifelong learning is all about!
Why I serve on the Two Rivers board:From my 18 years as an educator at Two Rivers, I have come to deeply believe in the power of amplifying the school’s mission for every learner – both for every TR student and to serve as a model for other schools. Through serving on the Board, I am committed to supporting Two Rivers’ journey in actualizing and spreading its mission of lifelong learning.
Years on the Board: 1
Day Job/Profession:Partner of School Design at Transcend
Hometown: Annandale, VA
Fun Fact:I once sang karaoke for 7 hours straight in Taiwan (with a lunch break in between). I especially love singing Disney ballads, and my dream job outside of education is to be an animated film voice!
Erin Sheehy
Two Rivers Core Value that best represents me: Be Thoughtful
I chose the above Core Value because: I just think it’s really important and ultimately most constructive to pause and consider context and where other people are coming from before reacting or responding in all realms of life. I’m still working on this (especially when I’m driving!).
Why I serve on the Two Rivers board: My family has been part of the Two Rivers community since my oldest child started in PK-4 in 2007. As my youngest child heads into her final year at Two Rivers, I want to dedicate my time and the experience gained from my day job to supporting the school that has given our family so much.
Years on the Board: 1
Day Job/Profession: Partner for External Relations at Education Forward DC
Hometown: Washington, DC
Fun Fact: I played competitive sports through college and love all things women’s sports!
Cara Williams
Two Rivers Core Value that best represents me: Nurture Relationships
I chose the above Core Value because: I believe that building strong connections and fostering a sense of community are essential for a thriving educational environment. Through my experience as the Secretary of the Two Rivers 4th Street Elementary School Family School Association (FSA), I actively cultivated meaningful relationships with parents, creating a supportive and inclusive atmosphere where collaboration and open communication flourished.
Why I serve on the Two Rivers board: I serve on the Two Rivers Board because I am deeply committed to the success and well-being of every student. I believe that by contributing my skills and experiences, I can help shape positive educational outcomes and foster a strong sense of community within the school.
Years on the Board: 1
Day Job/Profession: VP – Reporting & Analytics
Hometown: St. Thomas, USVI
Fun Fact: One of my favorite adventures was cage diving in South Africa.
Dr. Mike Jacobs
Two Rivers Core Value that best represents me: Experience and Grow
I chose the above Core Value because:I chose experience and grow because we can only get better if we learn new ways and be lifelong learners.
Why I serve on the Two Rivers board: I serve on the board to help ensure that every student and educator thrives in a learning environment rooted in equity, clarity, and high expectations. I believe strong schools are built when leadership, culture, and community work in alignment.
Years on the Board: 1
Day Job/Profession: Chief Learning Officer/Leadership Coach
Hometown:St. Croix, USVI
Fun Fact:I build LEGO’s in my spare time.