Our mission is to create an environment where students receive high quality instruction and effective personal growth strategies that will prepare them to successfully navigate the next stage of their educational journey.
What We Value at Noble Minds
At Noble Minds, we value individualism, diversity and self-efficacy. These core values center upon our recognition that every child is a valuable member of society deserving of a high quality educational experience. For us high quality means rigorous and relevant instruction carried out by a competent well-trained staff who treat students with dignity and respect on a daily basis.
Measuring Your Child’s Success
There are four major outcomes that we want for the Noble Minds student. These four outcomes ultimately lead to acceptance into, and graduation from, a high school of the students’ choice followed by a seamless and successful entry into a four year college or a successful career path.
They will be prepared to attend the most academically rigorous schools in the region.
Students will have increased their executive functioning skill significantly by the time they exit Noble Minds to head to high school.
Noble Minds students will be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with peers and adults to express emotions, seek information, share information, to build relationships and to develop their own thinking.
The experience of learning can be as satisfying as the learning itself.
History of Noble Minds Institute
Noble Minds Institute for Whole Child Learning is a New Orleans based learning lab that focuses on academic and personal development.
Noble Minds started as a summer program in 2015. Noble Minds opened as a school in 2017. We started off with grades K-2 with only 32 students. Today, we are proud to be a full K-8 school. Noble Minds was founded by New Orleans native Dr. Vera Triplett, PhD.
Dr. Vera Triplett, PhD, Founder & CEO
Dr. Vera Triplett is the founder and CEO of the Noble Minds Institute for Whole Child Learning. She is a former Deputy Superintendent of the Recovery School District and also previously served as the COO and CEO of a local charter management organization. Dr. Triplett has worked at a cross section of education, mental health and juvenile justice for over 20 years.
Leroy Brown, Physical Education Coach
Leroy Brown, who we all know as Coach Brown, is a Master Fitness Trainer and Army Veteran. He has been a trainer for the past 17 years, in which he founded his own fitness training program, Team No Fears. He has been the P.E Coach at Noble Minds since 2020. Coach Brown has designed a program that educates students on overall health and wellness and gives students full control of their workout routines.
Amber Powell, Operations Manager
A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Ms. Amber has been with Noble Minds for 6 years. Starting off as a paraprofessional, over time she worked her way up to the administration team. When she's not working, she can often be found spending time with her daughter and enjoying all of the good food NOLA has to offer with family & friends.
Misheko George, Kindergarten/ 1st Grade Instructor
Ms. George is a native of New Orleans and a mother of 2 girls. With over 10 years experience of working with children of all ages, she is excited to assist the owls on their educational journey.
Lorenza Melancon, 2nd Grade Instructor
Hannah Guillot, 3rd & 4th Grade Math & Science Instructor
Ms.Guillot has lived in Louisiana her whole life. She graduated from UNO with her bachelors in Elementary Education. Her favorite things to teach are Math, Science, and Art. When she isn’t teaching you can find her at home with her 3 cats.
Jamaal Lee, 3rd & 4th Grade ELA & Social Studies Instructor
Ashley McClure, 5th & 6th Grade Math & Science Instructor
Mrs. McClure is a lifelong native of New Orleans, proud Graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University, and a 22 year veteran teacher. Mrs. McClure is a 10 time Teacher of the Year award recipient and truly loves her profession. When she is not teaching, spending time with her son and family is her top priority.
Kayshawnna Viltz, 5th & 6th Grade ELA & Social Studies Instructor
Kayshawnna Viltz is from Jacksonville, Florida, the lovely Sunshine State. She graduated from Edward Waters University with a bachelor's degree in music: vocal performance, and is currently pursuing a master's degree in education at Loyola University. Three years ago, she started my teaching career as a teaching assistant at the Mt. Herman Exceptional Student Center in Jax, Fl. She then relocated to New Orleans in order to advance her teaching career while also pursuing her love of music. This will be her second year at Noble Minds where she genuinely loves connecting with the students through both music and education.
Brittany Willis, 7th & 8th Grade Math & Science Instructor
Ms. Willis is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. She has been teaching in the Orleans Parish Public and Catholic school system for 12 years. Ms. Willis is a graduate of Southern University at New Orleans. She holds a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration, a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development and Family Studies/Education, and an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Willis has held a variety of positions in education; for example, Middle School Teacher, Elementary Teacher, Academic Coach & Lead Teacher, and Pre-K Teacher.
Whitney Darensburg, 7th & 8th Grade ELA & Social Studies Instructor
A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Ms. Darensburg possesses a BA in Political Science from Fort Valley State University and MPA from Southern University A&M College. Ms. Darensburg has been an educator for 7 years. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her daughters, fiancé, and participating in pop-up shops showcasing her small business, Sassy Creole Treats.Tracy Davis, Paraprofessional
Malkia Heisser, Paraprofessional
Jelisa Sykes, Paraprofessional
I truly enjoy working as a teacher.
Paris Jacques, SPED Resource Room Instructor
Paris is a New Orleans native. She is a part of the Noble Minds SPED department and loves to have fun & engage students while teaching. She has a great deal of experience working with students who are diagnosed with disabilities and other intellectual disabilities. “These students are super smart and have so much to offer.” She has a love and passion for children. Paris enjoys spending time with family, trying new foods, and relaxing during her time away from her students.Theo Triplett, SPED Resource Room Instructor
Gabriella Stewart, SPED Resource Room Instructor
Ms. Gabby is a New Orleans native and mother of two girls. She works with the SPED team and has been in the education field for 3 years.Charlea Hilton, SPED Paraprofessional
Janay Parham, Middle School Instructional Coach
Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Janay has made New Orleans her new home over the past decade. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education, an associate degree in business management, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in special education. Janay has been an educator for over 9 years and has been a part of the Noble Minds team since 2021. She has a passion for working with children and enjoys building a strong rapport with the families she encounters.
Hugo Pinto, ESL/ELL Instructor
Mr. Pinto has been working for Noble Minds since 2017 as ESL teacher, and it was last year when he began teaching Spanish and Music (Choir) as well. His experience teaching languages dates from 1999 when he started working as Spanish Language Assistant at Central College in Pella, Iowa, and all the time since he started working for Noble Minds until now. Mr. Pinto is actually a professional musician who recently obtained his Masters of Music in Vocal Performance from Loyola University, therefore you could see him performing sometimes with the New Orleans Opera Chorus and some individual vocal recitals.
Tiomba Williams, SPED Coordinator
Ms. Tiomba is a New Orleans native with 17 years experience working with children ages 1-14. For 7 of those years, she spent them working with special needs students. I’m currently working on my bachelors in education. All my SPED students hold a special place in my heart. I love what I do!Our Board
Noble Minds has a diverse and dedicated Board of Directors, helping to guide the school, and enrich the experience of all our students, parents and supporters!
Our current board is:
Board Chair:
Naila Campbell
ncampbell@mcfj.org
(504) 496-1529
Board:
Wil Jacobs, Amika Kali, Guyon Lweis, Nick Underwood, Pam Cohn, Chad Roberts
| Meeting | Agenda | Minutes |
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September 14, 2023 |
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