READY’s Design Studio Fellowship continues to cultivate bold leaders ready to transform education in Rochester

Rochester, NY – June 27, 2025 — READY (Rochester Education and Development for Youth) is proud to announce the second cohort of its Design Studio Fellowship, the first program of the READY School Incubator. This initiative supports local educators in transforming bold ideas into school models that are rooted in research, informed by community voice, and designed to expand access to high-quality education for Rochester’s students.

“We launched the School Incubator to create space for big ideas—to seed new possibilities for what public education can look like in Rochester,” said Dr. Shanai Lee, Executive Director of READY. “This new cohort of Fellows brings the courage, creativity, and community commitment we need to rewrite the story of education in our city.”

The Fellowship offers a rigorous, nine-month experience for educators with the passion and vision to reimagine schools. Fellows engage in design workshops, pilot their school concepts, and receive targeted coaching and feedback throughout the process. This year’s cohort was selected through a highly competitive application process and reflects the diversity, creativity, and commitment that define READY’s community-centered approach to school transformation.

READY developed the Design Studio in collaboration with national experts, including design and implementation support from Moonshot edVentures, whose equity-centered approach has strengthened our ability to guide fellows through a structured design cycle grounded in data, iteration, and responsiveness to community needs. Their support has helped READY cultivate a growing pipeline of local education entrepreneurs eager to explore launching and leading  the next generation of high-impact public schools in Rochester.

“At Moonshot, we believe the best ideas come from leaders within the community,” said Kat Ling, CEO of Moonshot edVentures. “We are proud to walk alongside READY and this extraordinary group of Fellows who are answering the call to design the learning and schools Rochester families deserve.”

The 2025–2026 READY Design Studio Fellows are:

• Shelby Boyd – Educator, consultant, and founder of Jsay Strategy Solutions with a background in civic engagement

• Lindsey Brown – Community Liaison at East EPO and founding director of the Summer LEAP Program

• Adrian Jimenez – RCSD Community Liaison, advancing community-based education practices

• Shaniqua Johnson – Principal at Uncommon Schools Rochester Prep, known for launching student-centered enrichment programs

• Latresha Fuller – Chief Academic Officer at University Preparatory Charter School for Young Men and founder of New Teacher Academy

• Marche Levert – Math Specialist at Innova Girls Academy with a focus on data-driven interventions

• Amy Schiavi – Principal of Eugenio María de Hostos Charter School with decades of leadership in Rochester schools

• William Schumacher – Teacher at Genesee Community Charter School with a commitment to experiential learning

• Christopher Williams – Gaming and Esports Instructor at Vertus High School and founder of A Gamer’s Nostalgia

These fellows will explore, test, and refine their school concepts throughout the Fellowship.  The READY School Incubator is a cornerstone of the organization’s mission to triple the number of Rochester students attending high-quality schools—from 3,000 to nearly 10,000—by 2034. It’s a bold commitment grounded in action, innovation, and a belief in the power of community-led solutions.

To follow the journey of the 2025–2026 Design Studio Fellows or learn more about READY’s work, visit www.READY4schools.org.

About READY

READY is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on a mission to increase access to quality schools for Rochester’s K-12 students. In addition to supporting the launch and improvement of schools, we build an ecosystem of support around schools with informed and engaged families, diverse and effective talent, and supportive policy. Our goal is to triple the number of students in quality schools by 2034 - from 3,000 to nearly 10,000. While ambitious, this goal will provide significantly more children with the opportunity to lead healthy and fulfilling lives, breaking cycles of poverty and positively contributing to society and the economy, all made possible by a quality education. Learn more at ready4schools.org.