Leadership Team

Mika Krause

Founder | Executive Director
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Mika Krause was the founding principal of Moving Everest Charter School and is thrilled to return to the school she helped launch, now serving as Executive Director. Since leaving Moving Everest in 2018, Mika has held senior leadership roles supporting systems, schools and school leaders across Chicago, Denver, and districts throughout the country. Most recently, she served as a Leadership Coach with TNTP, partnering with principals and district leaders to strengthen instruction, leadership, and student outcomes. Mika holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from DePaul University and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois. She is excited to bring her experience back to Moving Everest and continue building on the school’s strong foundation alongside its students, families, and staff.
Michell Edwards-Hicks

Principal
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Michelle Edwards-Hicks began her career in education as a teacher within the Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) network in Chicago, where she built a strong foundation in urban education. In 2016, she joined the Moving Everest team as a second grade teacher. In 2019, Mrs. Hicks transitioned out of the classroom to further develop as a leader, serving first as Dean of Students and then as Assistant Principal. Today, she proudly serves as the Principal of Moving Everest.
Lakeishia Hayes

Managing Director of Operations and Compliance
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LaKeishia Hayes joined Moving Everest in 2015 as a founding member of the leadership team as the Director of Operations & Compliance. Before Moving Everest, Ms. Hayes was the Business Operations Manager at CICS-Longwood Charter School.
Lisa Rusen

Assistant Principal of Culture
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Lisa Rusen joined Moving Everest in 2016 as a kindergarten teacher. Ms. Rusen is currently the Director of School Culture. Before coming to Moving Everest, Ms. Rusen was a teacher and school leader with Lighthouse Academies in East Chicago, IN. Ms. Rusen was a 2005 Teach for America corps member in the Mississippi Delta.
Laurel Copeland

Managing Director of Instruction
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Laurel Copeland joined the Moving Everest team in 2015 as a founding teacher. She taught 1st Grade for three years before transitioning into the role of Director of Instruction in 2018. Before coming to Moving Everest, Mrs. Copeland taught at CICS Lloyd Bond.
Stefanie Dulak

Director of Instruction (Student Supports)
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Stefanie Dulak joined Moving Everest in 2017 as a 2nd grade Reading Teacher. Since then, Mrs. Dulak has taught reading intervention to scholars in grades K-3 and serves as the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coordinator. Before coming to Moving Everest, Mrs. Dulak taught Preschool and 1st Grade in the West Contra Costa School District in the Bay Area of California.
Lilly Saenz

Director of Instruction (K, 1, Electives)
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Lilly Saenz joined the Moving Everest team in 2015 as a founding kindergarten teacher. She then taught first grade for ten years before moving into a Director of Instruction role. Before coming to Moving Everest, Ms. Saenz taught kindergarten in Detroit as a 2013 Teach for America corps member.
Olivia Corya

Director of Instruction (4-8)
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Olivia Corya joined the Moving Everest team in 2024 as the Director of Instruction for middle school. Before Moving Everest, Ms. Corya taught for ten years in Indianapolis and Chicago and served as Director of Curriculum and Instruction for two years at Great Lakes Academy in South Shore, Chicago.
Javaris Blakely

Director of Instruction (4-8 Math & Electives)
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Javaris Blakely began his teaching journey in 2016 in Augusta, Georgia, as a fifth-grade teacher. In 2020, Mr. Blakely transitioned into the role of intervention teacher, and in 2023, he became an Instructional Specialist. He is excited to join the Moving Everest team as the Director of Instruction for Math.
Bradford Ritchie

Director of Technology
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Brad Ritchie joined the Moving Everest team in 2018 as the Director of Technology. He continues to serve in that role today. Mr. Ritchie began his career at AT&T, then founded a technology service and support company. After forming his company, he migrated to the education field and worked at improving technology for a variety of schools in the Chicago area.
Raquel Turner

Dean of Students
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Raquel Turner joined Moving Everest in 2018 as a 4th Grade Lead Teacher, bringing several years of experience in elementary education and instructional leadership. After eight years of dedicated service as a 4th Grade Lead Teacher at Moving Everest, Mrs. Turner was promoted to her current role as Dean of Students.
Taiya Little

Dean of Culture
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Ms. Taiya Little began her teaching journey in 2000, teaching students in Pre-K through 4th grade. In 2018, Ms. Little joined the Moving Everest Team, where she served as a second-grade teacher for two years and a first-grade teacher for six years. With more than two decades of experience in education, Ms. Little has demonstrated a deep commitment to student success, building strong positive relationships. She has now transitioned into her new role as Dean of Culture, where she continues to support students, families, and staff while fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and empowering school community.