Monica Villafuerte
Principal / School Leader
Monica Villafuerte is the Founding Principal of Cresthaven Academy Charter School. She has over 20 years of urban public school experience across a variety of disciplines including dance, mathematics and world language education in New York City and New Jersey. She has taught elementary and middle school grades, working with at-risk students, students with disabilities, and English language learners. Ms. Villafuerte has extensive administrative experience having served as dean of students, school programmer, staff developer, and adult high school coordinator. Most recently she served as Assistant School Leader at People’s Prep, a charter high school in Newark, New Jersey. During Monica’s tenure, People’s Prep grew from 7 teachers to a staff of 70, and from 95 to 380 students. In June 2015, People’s Prep graduated their first class with 90% of students accepted to 2 or 4 year colleges. Monica completed her undergraduate work in Dance Education at New York University. She received her M.Ed. from Cambridge College in Education and her Ed.M. in Educational Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University. Monica is eager to bring her passion, enthusiasm, and commitment to effective school leadership and serve the children and families of Plainfield.
Meghan Pipchick
School Business Administrator
Meghan Pipchick is the Founding School Business Administrator/Board Secretary at Cresthaven Academy. Prior to working at Cresthaven Academy, she worked for a financial services company as a project manager and business analyst implementing various financial systems projects. Meghan holds a BS in Business Administration from Fordham University and an MBA from New York University. She is grateful to be part of the Cresthaven family and to make a difference for scholars in Plainfield.
Jazmin Gooding
Assistant Principal
Jazmin Gooding is the Founding Assistant Principal of Cresthaven Academy Charter School. Jazmin began her career in education as a Teach For America Corps member in Newark, NJ with Uncommon Schools. She has many years of experience and a passion for working in urban elementary education. Prior to becoming Assistant Principal, Jazmin served as the founding Kindergarten, Second Grade, and Fourth Grade Team Leader at Cresthaven. With a proven track record of transformative academic outcomes for students, Jazmin’s teaching experience spans across numerous elementary school grades, working with students with disabilities as well as English Language Learners. Jazmin’s leadership experience includes having served as a direct instructional coach, mentor, grade team leader, and lead teacher. After earning her BA at the University of Richmond, Jazmin went on to pursue her MA in Teaching at Relay Graduate School of Education, and a M.Ed in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University. A proud and active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Jazmin is thrilled to expand her impact in her new role, as she continues to instill her love, commitment, and leadership in the scholars and families of Plainfield.