Our Leadership Team

Charlotte Pickett rejoined Nea as Lead Facilitator in 2022. She is excited to bring her administrative talents and her passion for academic excellence, equity, and innovation back to the Nea community. She looks forward to working in partnership with all stakeholders to ensure that every Nea learner is provided with an exceptional educational experience where academic excellence and social emotional wellness are priorities.

Ms. Charlotte was a Nea kindergarten facilitator from 2012 to 2018. She left to become an Assistant Principal with San Francisco Unified School District. During four years away, she worked at a comprehensive middle school of 700 students and at a PK-8 school, where she created systems and structures that were responsive to the needs of each unique school community.

Ms. Charlotte holds an MFA in Arts Leadership, an MA in Educational Leadership from UC Berkeley, and credentials in Administrative Services and Multiple Subjects. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, traveling and taking dance classes. She hopes to unite her love of creativity, collaboration and youth in her return to the Nea family.

Samantha Jeandebien joined Nea in 2020 and currently serves as Assistant Lead Facilitator for grades 6-12. She has an extensive background in youth development and education and has been an advocate and ally for youth in the Bay Area for over 15 years. Before joining Nea, she worked for Bay Area Community Resources where she developed and managed youth-focused extended learning programs that provided students with the equivalent of 90 extra school days per year.

Samantha holds a Master's degree in Professional Counseling. She is passionate about trust-based communication, strength-based coaching, and empowering youth to find their voice. Although born in Omaha, Nebraska, Samantha has lived most of her life in Alameda. When not at work, she enjoys roller skating with her family.

Mindy Rogers joined Nea in 2019 and currrently serves as Assistant Lead Facilitator for the TK-5 program. Mindy started at Nea as the K-5 Education Specialist. She then became our MTSS coordinator before returning for her fourth year as Assistant Lead Facilitator. She earned her MA in Special Education with an emphasis in Urban Education from Holy Names University, where she also earned her multiple subject and special education teaching credentials. This is Mindy's sixteenth year in the special education field and she brings experience from a variety of special education settings. She has been an SDC teacher, resource specialist, and a co-teacher in full inclusion programs. She helped pilot an inclusion program in her previous district. She loves teaching, supporting learners, and growing from the everyday challenges the job brings

Leann Ruffin is Nea's K-8th Grade Counselor. Before joining Nea in 2022, Leann served as a school counselor for five years at Wood Middle School in Alameda and two years at Westlake Middle School in Oakland.

Leann holds a Bachelor's degree from Cal State Monterey and a Master's Degree in School Counseling from Cal State East Bay.

Leann was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California and is the parent of a Nea alumna. When not at work, she enjoys hiking with her dog, Apollo, going to the beach, attending concerts, playing volleyball, dancing, working out, watching sports, singing in her car, and art.

Eddie Garrett joined Nea in 2019 and became Dean of Students in 2021. Before joining Nea, Eddie worked at Love Elementary School for eleven years. During his time at Love, he ran emotional support groups and small math groups, did behavior intervention, worked with children with autism, and helped facilitate recess games.

In his spare time, Eddie plays in an adult basketball league and coaches basketball--he coaches Varsity at Encinal High. Eddie also likes to fish, watch sci fi movies and listen to music.

India Perkins joined Nea as a paraprofessional in 2019. Since then she has served as the Family & Learner Liaison and is currently the Dean of Students for TK-5th grade. 

Ms. India holds a BA in Psychology and an MA in Education with a specialization in Athletic Program Leadership and Administration from Goucher College. Before coming to the Nea, India worked as an Applied Behavior Analysis Instructor. 

India was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Maryland. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, playing basketball, and cooking. 

Jasmine Yip joined Nea as School Operations Manager in 2021. A proud Nea alumna (Class of 2016), she earned her Bachelor's degree in Legal Studies at UC Santa Cruz. Jasmine is a talented manager and multi-tasker who brings a calm and friendly vibe to the Nea Office. We are grateful to have her back at Nea.

Roxanna Montoya became Nea's Office Manager in 2021, after serving Nea as a paraprofessional in the Special Education department since 2015. She is currently working on her Bachelor's of Science at the University of Phoenix. Roxie married her best friend in 2019 and now has a young daughter, Ariel. In her free time, Roxie enjoys swimming and spending time with her family.