Principal
Ramon Richardson
rrichardson@lighthouse-academies.org
Mr. Richardson graduated from the University of California, at Los Angeles, in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts in History. Upon graduating from UCLA, he committed five years to teaching elementary students in the Compton Unified School District, at Ralph J. Bunche Elementary School, as a member of Teach For America. After teaching for five years in Compton, Mr. Richardson attended Howard University School of Law where he earned his Juris Doctorate. After graduating with his J.D., he practiced law as commercial litigator at Drinker Biddle & Reath. While working at Drinker, he also sat on Potomac Lighthouse’s Board of Directors, as a member of the board and as the Education subcommittee chairperson. Ultimately, Mr. Richardson left the legal field when he realized that as a commercial litigator he did not have an impact in the efforts to close the achievement gap for urban kids and our scholars at Potomac Lighthouse.
Director of School Culture
Tony Sutton
tsutton@lighthouse-academies.org
Mr. Sutton graduated from Hampton University in 2005 with a degree in Sociology. While attending Hampton (also known as his “Home by the Sea”), he first recognized his passion for working with young people. His collegiate experience working as a tutor for students in grade 1 – 12, coupled with facilitating a project that allowed Hampton University Student’s to mentor and tutor young people from Newport News, VA set the stage for his career in education. As a 2005 Teach For America corps member, Mr. Sutton taught special education at Eastway Middle School, in Charlotte, NC. After completing his two year commitment to Eastway and Teach For America, he broadened his reach in education by working as a Recruitment Director for Teach For America. As a result of his efforts as Recruitment Director, there are students from Baltimore to Atlanta who now have a teacher committed to pushing them to their highest levels of academic achievement. After a short exploration of other professional endeavors, Mr. Sutton realized his true love and passion was working with young people. He joined the Potomac Lighthouse family in January of 2010, and hasn’t looked back.
Director of Instruction, Grades PK-2
Jacey Natanzon
jnatanzon@lighthouse-academies.org
Ms. Natanzon graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, MA in 2002 with a dual degree in Sociology and Elementary Education. She then went to obtain her Masters degree in Elementary Education and Creative Arts in Learning from Lesley University. While in Boston and throughout her years, Ms. Natanzon worked in all facets of education ranging from Title I school aide, school substitute, summer bridge director, advocacy work, tutoring, education policy, and the list is still growing. Her passion for education led her to Potomac Lighthouse, as one of the founding members of the school. She has witnessed the school transform in many ways and she is dedicated to work to ensure that Potomac is one of the premier schools in Washington, D.C. and in the nation. While teaching at Potomac, Ms. Natanzon moved her scholars to levels of achievement that earned them the title of highest in the network of Lighthouse schools as well as instilling in her students a love and passion for education. As a Director of Instruction, Ms. Natanzon has seen the impact that she was able to make on a school-wide level. She is eager to focus on grades pre-K through 2nd next year to be able to focus on building the foundation of the school.
Director of Instruction, Grades 3-7
Lagra Newman
lnewman@lighthouse-academies.org
Ms. Newman is a 2005 graduate of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee where she majored in Communication Studies and Spanish. Directly after graduating from Vanderbilt, she joined Teach For America in Los Angeles, California. It was at 109th Street Elementary and through her brilliant 5th graders that Ms. Newman became affirmed in her calling to work within efforts to reform education. After two years teaching in Los Angeles, she became a Recruitment Director in Atlanta, GA, and Miami, Fl where she inspired future leaders to take stake in our nation’s schools. In 2008, Ms. Newman moved to Washington, DC to be a lead teacher at Potomac Lighthouse Public Charter School. During her first year at Potomac, her students surpassed her expectations of achievement, averaging over 2 years growth in reading and math. She was granted the Transformers Award by Lighthouse Academies for the overall highest growth percentage across the network in Reading and Mathematics and the highest percentage of students meeting the grade level benchmark on the NWEA, a nationally normed assessment. This year, Ms. Newman “looped” with her students into their third grade year, and academic success is their standard. As a class according to the NWEA, they average the proficiency of 5th graders in reading and math, showing mastery two grade levels above their current grade level! As Ms. Newman’s scholars continue to succeed academically, the school projects that 100% of her students will be advanced or proficient on the DC-CAS this year! She is excited to step into the role of Director of Instruction to fully support the teachers and scholars in grades 3-5. She recognizes the impact education has on a child’s future opportunities and life options, and she’s dedicated to ensuring that all students within her reach are academically successful.
