Board of Trustees

Mrs. Barbara Saunders, Vice Chair

bsaunders@ap-schools.org

Mrs. Barbara Saunders’ interest in public education began with her involvement as chairperson of the Parents’ Association for the School District of Philadelphia’s Head Start program. During her affiliation with Head Start, Mrs. Saunders participated in a partnership with University Of Pennsylvania to develop a functional study tracking the success of Head Start students. She has also participated in the decision-making process in many aspects of Head Start, including renaming sites, opening new sites, qualification criteria, hiring procedures, and even disciplinary issues.

Mrs. Saunders’ human services career includes work in a supervisory capacity at several agencies. She supervised several Community Living Arrangements (CLAs) at Lynch Community Homes of Montgomery Co. (now KenCrest), and she also supervised a sheltered workshop program for individuals who were hearing and vision impaired at Overbrook School for the Blind.

Mrs. Saunders is passionate about children having access to a quality public education. She feels both honored and privileged to serve on the board for several schools within American Paradigm Schools. She is a proud parent of two children – both who are alumni of First Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School, the first American Paradigm School.

Ms. Evette Bowman-Treasurer

ebowman@ap-schools.org

Evette Bowman is currently a Research Analyst at West Chester University of Pennsylvania with a background in federal and state reporting.

She received a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Delaware State University in 1998. She has always enjoyed working directly or indirectly in the field of education.

On a part-time basis, you can find Ms. Bowman building partnerships within the charter school community by providing consulting services in the area of state reporting. This work involves training, state reporting monitoring, evaluation, and technical assistance as it relates to Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) – Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS).

Ms. Bowman is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, Chester, PA Alumnae Chapter.  In addition, she serves as a campus advisor to the West Chester University’s Rho Alpha chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, and seeking out new learning opportunities.

Her favorite quote is: “It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed.” ~Napoleon Hill

Mr. Reginald Howard-Member

rhoward@ap-schools.org

Reginald A. Howard is a Mental Health Advocate, Influencer and Idealist. He uses his life experiences to ignite, inspire and empower others to prioritize their mental health. He has been featured on Comcast, The Philadelphia Tribune and in Voyage ATL magazine.

Rather it’s through his mentally healing podcast, his paradigm shifting book or his mental clarity coaching, Reg puts the motivation into Mental Health so that it can be the focal point of today’s conversation.

Through his emotionally connecting speeches, Reggie’s story furthers his mission to not only impact his community but people everywhere. From police departments to middle schools, he’s just looking to serve and leave the world better than he found it.

Ms. Regina Felder-Member

rfelder@ap-schools.org

A life-long resident of the Logan Community, mother of three and grandmother of five who enjoy working with students. A valued contributor to any school-based setting who embraces the Caring School Community. Mrs. Felder served as a representative on the Logan/Olney Equal Partners in Change committee for several years before she retired. During her career Mrs. Felder worked as an Administrative Assistant in the Student Life Center of Drexel University. She graduated at the top of her class as a Certified Nursing Assistant from Philadelphia Training Center in the early 8os. She moved onto a rewarding career as a Nursing Assistant at the University of Penn Hospital, OB/Gyn Department.

Mrs. Felder, in her spare time, loves shopping, spending quality time with her family and volunteering in her grandchildren’s schools, her home church and within her community.

Sandra Farmer, Trustee

sfarmer@ap-schools.org

Sandra Farmer is a professional sales and marketing executive with varied leadership experience. As a Senior Director with the Philadelphia Workforce Development Corporation, she directed multiple new employment initiatives and workforce development programs with corporate and nonprofit business sectors in Philadelphia County and the surrounding suburban counties.

Her nonprofit career includes five years as Regional Manager for the Delaware Valley area at Benova Corporation, the Health Choices of PA provider for Medicaid insurance. In the corporate environment, Ms. Farmer worked for 20 years in sales and marketing at Safeguard Business Systems of Fort Washington, PA, and Dallas, TX. She performed significant distributorship development and management roles as National Client Development Manager covering five U.S. regions, and as Regional Distributorship Development Manager covering territories from Nova Scotia to Southern Florida.

On an ongoing basis, Ms. Farmer provides independent marketing and consultant services for an online health company that is designed to provide women with up-to-date information to improve their physical, mental, and spiritual health. She also performs education project management services for a Philadelphia-based technical institute that focuses on training in the skilled trades.

Anita Vega-Kaiser, Trustee

akaiser@ap-schools.org

Mrs. Anita Vega Kaiser is a Senior Veterans Service Representative at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Her work includes processing claims for disability compensation, providing one-on-one mentorship and training to new employees. This requires her to maintain up-to-date information on Federal Laws and Regulations set by Congress.

In her former role as Legislative Assistant for State Rep. John J. Taylor, R-Pa., Mrs. Vega Kaiser worked with Juanita neighborhood community members to resolve problems ranging from issues with a drivers license to acquiring birth certificates to abandoned cars. During her six years with Rep. Taylor, she organized the first Hispanic Community Fair and assisted in outreach efforts to the Hispanic community.

She is a 2011 graduate of Penn State University with a degree in Psychology and Social Science.