Our Team
JOSE CRUZ
Program Director
Jose A. Cruz Jr. is an educator, CUNY professor, and community leader with more than eight years of experience in education and school coordination. His work integrates academic instruction, sports, and the arts to support student achievement and social and emotional development. He is committed to creating inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments that promote student engagement, belonging, and personal growth.
At Achievement Lab, Jose applies his educational expertise and creative perspective to advance programming that connects academic reinforcement with enrichment and youth development. His approach emphasizes purposeful instruction, collaboration, and meaningful participation, helping students strengthen essential skills while exploring their interests. Through his commitment to students, families, and community engagement, Jose supports Achievement Lab’s mission of expanding access to quality learning opportunities and preparing young people to succeed in school, contribute to their communities, and pursue their goals with confidence.
EVY WRIGHT
Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Evy Wright received her School Building Leader Certificate (NYSED) after completing a Master’s Degree at Hunter College. A results-oriented thought partner, change agent, and educational leader with over 15 years of experience in the Department of Education as a permanent teacher, she is a proud faculty member at City College of New York.
She has a track record of success in creating and facilitating policies, school culture, mentoring core competencies in early career teachers and school building administration. She is seasoned in creating learning environments for student and teacher development, restorative practices, and social growth. An advocate for the performing arts, she regularly stages productions with her students.
NATHALIE CHAVEZ
Director of Enrollment & Retention
Nathalie Chavez has a professional track record of developing and implementing analytical, empirical, and data-driven systems to advance the mission and vision of charter executives.
Nathalie has developed a proven system of building relationships with external agencies and social service organizations to identify a full range of interventions that keep students on-track and mitigates decreased enrollment by having re-entry plans for students in temporary housing and/or living with foster families/kinships.
Nathalie assumes accountability for achieving annual and multi-year enrollment objectives for every individual at Achievement Lab Enrichment locations.
CARMEN JONES
Artistic Director
Carmen Jones has 20 years of experience as a teaching artist working in various educational institutions and organizations in both Chicago and New York. For 8 years she held the position of Director and Facilitator for "After School Matters: Colored Girls are Cover Girls” spoken-word program which promotes female empowerment and provides a safe space encouraging young women to share their story in poetry form.
Carmen has developed artistic curricula in both the elementary school and high school levels. Her competencies include leading classes, workshops, and seminars to aid in enriching inner city youth through theater performance. Her background in dance has garnered her opportunities to develop competitive dance groups to travel the country for yearly dance conferences and competitions. Carmen recently worked as an advisor for a charter high school assisting youth whom are interested in artistic pathways to pursue their dreams of being a performing artist.