The NET: East

Kina Lee, Principal

Ms. Kina has spent the past twelve years working in education and holds a BA in Science and an MA in Education. She enjoys the close relationships between the staff and students at The NET.

Charmaine Sonnier, Academic Dean

"Teachers have three loves: love of learning, love of learners, and the love of bringing the first two loves together"

Mrs. Sonnier-Jones is the mother of four boys. She is a lifelong learner and educator with 23 years of experience and is excited to be joining the NET: East team as a math teacher.

Troy Avery, Data and Enrollment Coordinator

“Every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be."- Rita Pierson

Troy is from New Orleans and attended Xavier University of Louisiana. He loves spending time with his family and friends.

Stacie Barconey, Mental Health Counselor

"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men" Frederick Douglass

Stacie Barconey is a native of New Orleans and a graduate of New Orleans Public Schools. She has over 25 years of social work experience and is very passionate about her work, while always striving to improve the standard of living for the children of New Orleans.

Myra Bickham, Administrative Assistant

“Each one, teach one."

Ms. Bickham is a New Orleans native, who grew up in the Upper 9th Ward. She is a product of New Orleans Parish Schools. She worked in the Orleans Parish Schools from 1984 until Hurricane Katrina and again from 2007 - 2012.

Geneisha Buggage, Real World Learning Coordinator

“Where there is no vision, the people perish."

Ms. Geneisha grew up surrounded by the unique sights and sounds of the Big Easy. Prior to the pandemic, she worked for three years as a mentor in a Baton Rouge boarding school. Being a mentor is one of her most rewarding experiences. Geneisha looks forward continuing her work in education as she begins her second year as an ELA teacher.

LaKeisha Burke, Special Education Teacher

"Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood" --Helen Keller

LaKeisha A. Burke is an excellent educator with over 16 years of experience. She has a true passion for teaching and is constantly seeking new and innovative ways to engage the students in their academic and personal goals!

Dana Carter, Lab Teacher

Ms. Dana has been educating students for most of her life, 28 years to be exact. She loves imparting and empowering young people letting them know that education is POWER!

Ja'mecia Fall, LRS Coordinator

Ms. Ja'mecia is a New Orleans native who has always loved school and learning. She holds an undergraduate degree from The University of New Orleans and a master's degree from Walden University. She enjoys reading and hunting for unique items at thrift stores. She loves how The NET meets each student where they are.

Dorian Farrar, ELA Teacher

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." - Fredrick Douglass

Ms. Dorian Farrar has been teaching in New Orleans since 1990. She loves her community, and always want to be of service to the youth of this city.

Troi Guillbeaux, History Teacher

“If you don’t stand for anything, you’ll fall for everything”

Ms.Troi believes that you get out of life what you put into it. She has a background in political science, special needs, and crafts. She likes being able to combine all of her strengths in efforts to provide an unique learning environment for her students. She looks forward to having a great year at the NET!

Veronica Johnson, Special Education Coordinator

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel" Maya Angelou

Ms. Johnson is a kind, generous and loving person, and a great teammate! She is also known as a "finisher" that gets the work done!

Kim Legaux, Counselor

"Always keep trying. Stop making excuses."

Ms.Kim Legaux is a founding staff member of The NET: Central City and will be bringing her insight and experience to the Gentilly campus for the Fall 2018 semester. She worked for an adolescent drug rehab facility as a supervisor and at Bridge City as a therapeutic dorm leader. She has been working in education for over 20 years. She made the decision to become an educator while volunteering in her daughter's Pre-K class, after she was asked to sub for the teacher. Ms. Kim was also a Girl Scout troop leader and a cheerleading coach. She originally wanted to be a nurse but fell in love with working with kids and cites her daughter as her motivation to keep going. Ms. Kim runs the food pantry and the Period Poverty project for both campuses. Her door is always open to students, families, and staff who need a listening ear, a motherly lecture, a connection to a resource, or a funny story to cheer up their day.

Biography by NET student Troyneisha

Willie Morgan, Culture Dean

"Really what education does is it gives opportunity, but it also gives HOPE."

First & Foremost my name is Willie Morgan. I am a New Orleans native who loves Second Lines and Crawfish Boils. I'm honored to have an opportunity to work the amazing youth and staff that walk the halls of NOAH.

Vanity Neely, Assistant Dean of Students

Ms. Vanity is a New Orleans native that loves spending time with her family. She has a strong rooted desire to assist the youth in her community, which lead her to the NET: East.

Beverly Potashner, Student Support Coordinator

“I expect my students to try their best.”

Before moving to New Orleans in 2016, Beverly Potashner taught in New Jersey for 15 years. She studied at Rider University in New Jersey for both her undergraduate and graduate degrees. Ms. Beverly loves working with the kids and staff at The NET, where everyone is very supportive and she always expects students to try their best. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her family, going on long walks, reading, and being with her two dong’s Jenna and Emerson. The person that made Ms.potashner want to become an educator was that she had an amazing guidance counselor that encouraged her to become an educator.

Biography by NET student JaNaria

Marc Prados, Biology Teacher

“A great student is what the teacher hopes to be.”

Mr. Prados is a father of four, a long time educator, and a life long nerd who enjoys reading, games, and learning! He loves solving problems and discovering how things work, particularly when it leads to an increase in aptitude.

Matthew Tanner, Dean of Students

“I have never encountered any children in any group who are not geniuses. There is no mystery on how to teach them. The first thing you do is treat them like human beings and the second thing you do is love them. - Asa Hilliard III

Pastor Matthew Tanner Jr. has over 12 years of experience working with children and helping them reach their full potential in life. He's passionate about helping people discover and pursue their God-Given purpose for their lives.

Shontrell Hughes, ELA Teacher

Ms.Shontrell is a native New Orleanian. She has been teaching for 12 years. Ms.Shontrell loves being able to change the trajectory of student's lives.

Maria G Tanner, Math Teacher

Ms. Tanner is Gingerbread, The Original !! She has been making music here in New Orleans for quite some time now. She does love performing and creating good vibes for everyone who comes out to see her groups do their thang! At her Alma Mater, Dillard University, she got involved in education during her Freshman year; first, she started tutoring athletes and then other classmates in Math and Science, and then whatever subject area they needed help with. By her Senior year, she was hired to teach Organic Chemistry Labs. Ms. Tanner has always been tutoring someone in some area of Math, even working as an Accounting Assistant for a Trust. Family, friends and colleagues have so often commented that it takes a special person to be able to effectively explain things to others; she is that kind of person. Recently, she has been working with Delgado's Adult Education Program; helping students gain their High School Equivalency. There is no coincidence that Ms.Tanner & EQA have come together. "I look forward to growing myself and relationships with those around me. I am here to change the world! Gingerbread, The Original !! Teacher Musician".