About Us

Leadership

About UTRU

UTRU’s Core Values

We are a voluntary network built in service to the partners
We believe in building results-oriented programs with clear and measurable targets
We are committed to candid conversations, feedback and sharing and learning from our mistakes as much as from our successes
We focus on work best served by acting as a network rather than as individual programs
We believe in the core principles of the Residency model, but accept programmatic differences and strive to promote quality rather than particular tactics
Our network is rooted in collective knowledge and early results, and we believe others should have access to and learn from this work
We are committed to finding network-wide metrics that will allow us to speak a “common language” when sharing our results and impact

Our management team and board of directors oversee all of the organization's efforts, ensuring that UTRU continues to deliver on its core values and provide dedicated service to the partners.

UTRU Staff

Anissa Listak, Executive Director

Anissa Listak has 15 years of experience in the private and non-profit sectors. Before founding UTRU in 2007, Anissa worked at the Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) as Director of Development & Community Relations, where she experienced success in raising several million dollars for their Residency program. Prior to joining AUSL, Anissa worked for City Year, and helped to bring the organization from a $1 million deficit to a surplus through board development, organizational capacity building, marketing efforts and a comprehensive citywide effort to raise awareness of City Year's work. She has direct experience in business and non-profit development, organizational capacity building, fundraising, strategic planning and board development. Anissa has a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Dayton and a Master of Science in Public Service Management from DePaul University. As Executive Director, Anissa directs the daily operations of UTRU, as well as national fundraising efforts, policy and advocacy, and network development.

Elizabeth Kastiel, Program Director

Elizabeth Kastiel also has over 15 years of experience in education and administration. Prior to joining UTRU, Elizabeth was a founding administrator at AUSL's Tarkington School of Excellence, a new Chicago Public School recognized for its innovative literacy practices and for its work as Chicago's first green school. After Tarkington was in operation for two years, she worked in collaboration with AUSL to start a Residency program at Tarkington, which has continued to grow each year. Elizabeth also served as a district-level literacy coach for Chicago Public Schools (CPS), was a teacher in CPS and a teacher for San Diego City Schools. Elizabeth has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin, an M.Ed. from the University of San Diego, and participated as a LAUNCH fellow, a leadership program in partnership with Northwestern University for CPS administrators. As Program Director, Elizabeth oversees UTRU's programmatic vision for developing high-quality Residency programs in high-needs districts around the country.

Rebecca Hendrickson, Residency for Residencies Program Director

Rebecca Hendrickson has 15 years of experience in education, including eight years spent teaching in New York City Public Schools. As a founding member of several new schools, Rebecca had the opportunity to build school environments from the ground up. She left the classroom to work as a professional developer, providing support and training to both new and experienced teachers in several public middle schools in New York City. After leaving New York, Rebecca moved to Chicago to take on various roles within AUSL, particularly in the areas of professional development and teacher induction. Rebecca has a degree in English and women's studies from Wesleyan University and a Master of Science in childhood education from City College of New York. As the Residency for Residencies Program Director, Rebecca is responsible for the development and implementation of UTRU's signature program, the RRP.

Jill Bass, Program Manager

Jill Bass has worked in urban public education for the past 15 years. Most recently, Jill was an instructional coach with Chicago Public Schools, where she led professional development, analyzed formative data to help participating teachers direct their instruction and supported English teachers with literacy strategies in the classroom. Jill was a teacher for 13 years, including three years at a traditional urban high school in Chicago, five years at an alternative high school in New York City and five years at a college prep charter high school in Chicago. While teaching she has been a critical friends coach, director of civic engagement programs and department chair. She has also served as a curriculum consultant for the Mikva Challenge and program consultant with Umoja Youth Development Corporation. Jill has a Bachelor of Arts in political science and literature and rhetoric from Binghamton University, and a Masters of Education in instructional leadership from the University of Illinois of Chicago. As a key member of the RRP team, Jill supports and consults emerging Residencies, as well as takes a lead role in developing and delivering curriculum for RRP institutes.

Sonia Mathew, Network Manager

Sonia Mathew has over 10 years of experience in the education and non-profit sectors. She began her career as a Director of Education and Program Manager with Public Allies Chicago, where she trained, supported and managed a diverse group of young adults apprenticed to local community organizations. After Public Allies, Sonia trained and supported teachers on utilizing a public policy curriculum focused on developing student activism and advocacy for the Mikva Challenge. She most recently worked as a social studies teacher at North Lawndale College Preparatory Charter High School, where she created and implemented new core courses for freshmen and sophomore students. Sonia has a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Michigan and a Master of Arts in education from DePaul University. As Network Manager, Sonia manages the UTRU Network, connecting UTRU partners and working to build a strong, nationwide network of high-quality Residency programs.

Diana Clark, Finance and Operations Manager

Diana Clark has more than five years of experience in the education and non-profit sectors. She began her career as a Teach For America corps member in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, where she taught middle school language arts for three years. Prior to joining UTRU she was the founding Campus Director of the Citizen Schools after school program at Sharpstown Middle School in Houston, Texas. There she extended the school day for 85 middle school students, supervising seven staff members and building community among teachers, administrators, students, families, and volunteers. Diana has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Spanish from Indiana University. As the Finance and Operations Manager, Diana manages the daily operations of the office to maximize productivity and oversees organization finances.

UTRU Board of Directors

Joanna Jacobson (Chair)

Managing Director
Strategic Grant Partners

Tom Boasberg

Superintendent
Denver Public Schools

Tim Cawley

Managing Director
Academy for Urban School Leadership

Bob Hughes

President
New Visions for Public Schools

Tim Knowles

Lewis-Sebring Director of the Urban Education Institute
The University of Chicago, Urban Teacher Education Program

Jesse Solomon

Director
Boston Teacher Residency

Rosann Ward

President
Public Education & Business Coalition
Boettcher Teachers Program

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