Founding School Director Erica Holmes-Ware brings extensive teaching and school leadership experience to Canarsie Ascend Middle School. Holmes-Ware joined Ascend in school year 2016-17 as a resident director and dean of instruction for grade 4 at Canarsie Ascend Lower School in preparation for this new role. She arrived at Ascend with nearly a decade of experience in education. Holmes-Ware began her career as a TFA Corps member, and went on to positions of leadership at TFA in curriculum and professional development, and served as an adjunct instructor for special education at Touro College. Most recently Holmes-Ware was assistant principal at Success Academy Middle School, where she oversaw the development and implementation of school-wide diversity initiatives and implemented an inclusive curriculum that was utilized by more than 100 staff members. Holmes-Ware holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Loyola University Chicago, a master’s degree in education from the University of St. Thomas, and a master’s in educational leadership from Columbia University Teachers College.