Our teachers are certified and highly qualified in their field. Our teachers choose to work at the Covenant House Academies because they believe all children deserve to have the best education possible. They know education and understand our student population, but more importantly they care that each young person graduates and learns the skills needed to become successful young adults.

Our teachers are carefully selected based on their education, experiences, and values. The underlying value being that they can love and “root for” each young person as if it was their own child. Our teachers are dedicated and passionate about helping each student reach their full potential. Our teachers not only take on the role as educators, but mentor our students in all areas of their lives.

Parents are welcome to review our administration credentials!

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Stan Childress, Superintendent of Schools

Stan Childress was appointed Superintendent of Schools for Covenant House Academies in June 2009.   He is a 2005 graduate of the Superintendents Academy of the Michigan Institute for Educational Management (MIEM).  His career in public school education spans 21 years and includes positions as a central office Executive Director, High School Principal, Assistant Principal, Student Activities Director and classroom teacher.  In addition, he has taught English at the university and community college levels.  Stan Childress has also had an award-winning career as a major market television reporter/talk show host for 16 years in Illinois, Ohio and his hometown, Detroit, Michigan.

Mr. Childress holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan and a Master of Science in Radio/Television from the University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois, and a state-endorsed administrative certification.  He is currently a doctoral candidate in Educational Administration with a focus on organizational behavior at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, having completed all of his doctoral coursework with a 3.98 GPA and his qualifying oral and written exams.  His cognate is instructional technology and he is looking forward to completing his dissertation.

Stan Childress is a distinguished charter president of an Optimists International Club in Detroit.  He brings that sense of optimism to his current work as Superintendent of Covenant House Academies.  He believes not only that all children can learn and achieve at high levels, but that Covenant House Academies must hold high expectations for all students--and provide the support necessary to achieve those expectations.  His question to all certified and highly qualified prospective candidates for the Covenant House Academies is, “Can you show absolute respect and unconditional love to these children, and teach them as if they were your very own?”  The question goes to the core of the mission of Covenant House Academies.

Each Covenant House Academy is governed by a local board of directors and led by a school administrator with the support of an assistant administrator. Our administrators are leaders who are committed to working with youth who are struggling to finish high school. They come from diverse backgrounds and a variety of experiences, and all are committed to working in educationally underserved communities.

Meet the Covenant House District Office:

Antoinette Cunningham, Curriculum Director

Kathleen Atkin, Executive Assistant and Board Secretary

Nadine Bailey, Psychologist

Roslyn Turner, Social Worker

Patricia Hogue, Administrative Assistant to Curriculum Director

Margaret Hailey, Vocational Specialist

Antoine Hatcher, Family Liaison/Truancy Officer

Sonya Watkins, Homeless Liaison and Youth Advocate

Derek E'Lon, Student Support Manager

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Co-Administrators for Covenant House Academy - Central

Ms. West is a Co-Administrator at Covenant House Academy- Central.

She believes that working as part of a two-person team strengthens the administration of the school, benefiting from the talents and strengths that both she and Michael Springs bring to the table.  "It' really is a natural flow of our efforts," she says. "We compliment each other well."

Ms. West was born and raised in West Virginia, the fifth of seven children. She has been married for 28 years and has four children. She loves drama and has directed many plays and musicals. She also enjoys reading, baking, puzzles, word games, coffee and being outdoors.

Click here to meet the Central Academy Faculty...

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Administrator for Covenant House Academy - Southwest

Raymond J. Alvarado is a respected authority on educational leadership for over ten years. He has made teaching at-risk students his life’s work. He holds business and educational degrees from Wayne State University. Raymond’s educational experience includes teaching an introduction computer class at Wayne State University and corporate software training for La-Z-Boy Corporation. He left the corporate field to pursue an educational career where he was an integral part with the opening of the Academy of Inkster in 1999.

Click here to meet the Southwest Academy Faculty...

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Meet the Administrator for Covenant House East Academy

Dr. Cheryl Mason

“Treat students as though they already are what they can be, and you help them to be capable of becoming what they will be,” a quote by Harry Wong, sums up Dr. Mason’s philosophy.  She believes in the power of education, and that it is the key to not only the students’ futures, but all peoples’ futures.

Her own educational credentials are a testament to this philosophy.  She has earned a B.S. in Psychology/History, a Masters of Education in Guidance and Counseling, and her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies/Counseling, all from Wayne State University. She also holds certificate degrees in Counseling Psychology from University of Michigan and Administration and Supervision from Eastern Michigan University.

Joining Covenant House Academy East in August of 2011, Dr. Mason has over 30 years’ experience working in the Detroit Public School system and is the Vice-President and Founding Board of Education Director of the Academy of Oak Park Charter Schools. 

Dr. Mason has extensive training in working with youth and families addressing issues of behavioral strategies, substance abuse, anger management, child and adult neglect and abuse, and training in the juvenile justice system.   She is a licensed counselor, and has worked with at-risk youth from a wide variety of areas.

Dr. Mason’s civic involvement includes, working with NAACP, United Negro College Fund, Urban League, the Economic club and many other organizations.  She has helped to raise millions of dollars in college scholarships as well as helping students receive scholarships.

Her spare time is also devoted to helping students and parents with college financial aid and scholarships.  She also spends her time investing in real estate, traveling, camping and going to movies.

 Meet the East Faculty

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