Mashea Ashton is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Digital Pioneers Academy (DPA), a charter middle and high school in Southeast Washington, D.C. focused on empowering students with essential skills for the future.

A dedicated advocate for educational equity, Mashea has spent her career advancing opportunities for young people. Her deep roots in Washington, D.C.—where her family has lived for six generations—fuel her commitment to the community. Mashea began her journey in education as a special education teacher at Anne Beers Elementary in Ward 7 of Washington, DC.

She previously served as the CEO of the Newark Charter School Fund, leading a $48 million initiative to enhance the quality of charter schools in the area. She also held senior leadership roles at New Leaders for New Schools, the New York City Department of Education, and the KIPP Foundation.

In 2023, she was appointed to the Virginia Board of Education. Additionally, she serves on the boards of the William & Mary Foundation, Black Girls Code, the Center for Learning Equity, and Washington Leadership Academy.

She is a graduate of William and Mary in Virginia. Mashea and her husband are the proud parents of twins currently in middle school.

Chelsea is the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Digital Pioneers Academy high school. Chelsea joined DPA in 2021 and has led in multiple roles. Before DPA, Chelsea taught at high school Collegiate Academies. Chelsea has a passion for developing a curriculum that is both challenging and engaging for students. She is also the proud mother of a one-year-old daughter.

Alexis Achiah is an Assistant Principal of the middle school at DPA. Born and raised in the Bronx, she is a first-generation American with roots in Ghana, West Africa. She started her teaching career in Chicago Public Schools and holds master’s degrees from Relay Graduate School of Education and Columbia University. Throughout her years in education, Alexis has served as a math/science teacher, STEM interventionist, instructional coach, and mentor teacher for the Chicago Teacher Residency. Her dream is to create schools that promote holistic experiences for inner-city kids.

Sarah Hanson is the Director of Operations at DPA’s middle school. Sarah joined DPA in 2022 with over 15 years of experience in education and recently received a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of North Texas. She began her career teaching 9th-grade English and 9th-12th-grade special education on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. Before working at DPA, most of her career was spent in charter schools in Minnesota. Sarah is extremely passionate about ensuring that every child receives an excellent education and loves contributing to this work specifically through the operations lens.

Coach Harris joined DPA as Athletic Director and Head Football Coach in July 2023 after a successful tenure at his alma mater, Archbishop Carroll. He comes to DPA with over 25 years of coaching, teaching, and leadership experience. He earned a B.S.E. in Elementary Education from Central State University and a M.Ed. in Adult and General Education, and also holds a Registered Athletic Administrator (RAA) certificate for the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA). Coach Harris is a native Washingtonian and a proud husband, father, and grandfather. His motto is “Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.”

Dietra Hunter joined Digital Pioneers Academy in 2020 and is currently the Director of Computer Science. Dietra began her journey in education by way of Teach for America. During her time with Teach for America, she served as a High School Math Teacher and Department Chair in North Carolina. Dietra has worked with many organizations including the Bridges to Adelphi Program which provides educational and mental health services to students on the Autism Spectrum or have nonverbal learning disorders. Dietra has a passion for helping students reach their full potential in education as well as in their personal lives.

Divinda Willis joined Digital Pioneers Academy in 2020 and is currently the Assistant Principal for 6th grade and Testing Coordinator. Divinda began her journey in education by way of NYC Teaching Fellows, and continued her leadership development with the New Leaders National Aspiring Principals Fellowships. Divinda’s passion in STEM led to developing her biomedical research training at VCU Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (VCU PREP). During her time in NYC and DC, she served as a middle school math teacher as well as holding multiple leadership positions in district and charter schools.

Alfred Mason is the Director of Operations at Digital Pioneers Academy High School in SE DC. Alfred joined DPA in October of 2021 as the Associate Director of Operations. Before DPA, Alfred worked for United States Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey. During his time working for the Senate, Alfred worked on Healthcare and Education Projects and outreach in the State of New Jersey. Alfred holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science & Economics from Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia PA.

Aliss Williams is DPA’s Director of Culture for the Network. She first joined DPA in 2019, as Dean of Social Emotional Learning at the middle school. Before DPA she taught for over 17 years and worked with youth in Baltimore’s inner city for over 30 years. Aliss believes the key to an effective teaching environment is to create a culture for learning. She believes in being the example for brown and black scholars by showing up each and every day as a representative for them.

Shaniqua joined Digital Pioneers Academy as the Principal Fellow for the school year 2023. Shaniqua has been in education for 13 years and before joining DPA, she was part of KIPP DC’s Regional Literacy and Humanities teams. Shaniqua is excited to have joined the DPA team and is looking forward to serving the community alongside great people.

Joshua Roe joined Digital Pioneers Academy in 2021 and is currently the Instructional Coach for ELA at our high school. Josh began his career in education as a Teacher in Residence at Achievement First Bridgeport Academy. After two years of teaching 8th grade ELA, he joined Teach For America’s 2016 Corps in Hartford, CT, where he taught 6th and 7th grade English. Josh then moved to DC in 2018, teaching middle school English at KIPP DC KEY Academy. Josh was the grade level lead for 8th grade and Teacher of the Year at KIPP DC KEY Academy in 2020.

Lonette Little joined Digital Pioneers Academy in 2024 and is currently the Director of Specialized Populations. Lonette has worked with many organizations including Friendship Public Charter Schools, National Collegiate Prep Public Charter High School, and KIPP Philadelphia. Lonette has a passion for advocacy and ensuring exceptional learners have all the support needed to complete college and lead successful lives.

NyShayla Williams was a founding humanities teacher when DPA opened in 2018 and is excited to return as the Director of Special Projects. She has worked at various traditional and Montessori charter schools in DC, teaching math and humanities, and served as a PYP International Baccalaureate coordinator at a DC public school. NyShayla’s diverse teaching experience reflects her educational philosophy as a lifelong Montessori learner, and she enjoys contributing to various aspects of supporting and realizing a school’s mission.

Rodney Brownell joined Digital Pioneers Academy in 2021 and is currently the 7th Grade Assistant Principal. Rodney began his education journey through a partnership with AmeriCorps and The Great Oaks Foundation. While with AmeriCorps, Rodney returned to school for a master’s degree in Teaching with Relay Graduate School of Education. After receiving his teaching license, he served as a middle school science and math teacher in Delaware. Rodney believes that he can foster personal growth and development by empowering students to realize their academic capabilities.

Kiyah Holloman joined Digital Pioneers Academy in 2019 and is currently the Dean of Culture of our middle school. Kiyah began her journey in education by way of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington, where she served as Program Education Director at the Richard England Clubhouse 14 and the George M. Ferris Clubhouse 6. Kiyah has worked with many organizations including the Posse Foundation and College Success Foundation, which provides educational resources to students of Washington, D.C. Kiyah believes students are our now and educators must empower them to change the outcome of the future.

Dami Molumo, Special Populations Coordinator, joined Digital Pioneers Academy in 2024 after serving as the Program Director at Opportunities Academy in New Orleans. She began her education career through Teach For America, also in New Orleans, where she developed her passion for special education. Dami is dedicated to fostering inclusive environments that empower diverse learners to reach their full potential. She specializes in developing individualized education programs (IEPs) and behavior intervention plans (BIPs), and works closely with teachers to implement strategies that ensure student success both in and outside the classroom.