Robert Marshall, Executive Director, is a former Building Excellent Schools (BES) Fellow. Mr. Marshall brings a breadth of human services and program management experience to the Founding Team of Vanguard Collegiate. A native to Indianapolis, Mr. Marshall is committed to ensuring high quality public education options for minority and under-served youth in our city. His career began in program management largely focused in youth development. With a deep concern for the achievement gap experienced by so many of our children, he has approached every challenge with the goal of leveling the playing field. Having held leadership positions in organizations such as 100 Black Men of Indianapolis and the Boys and Girls Club of Indianapolis, Mr. Marshall has been an integral part of large fundraising initiatives, strategic plan development, and volunteer management.
Ibrahim Tawfeek, Principal Mr. Abe Tawfeek joins the Vanguard team bringing a wealth of experience in building positive school culture. Mr. Tawfeek grew up on the west side of Indianapolis, and is a 1999 graduate of Northwest High School. Mr. Tawfeek transitioned to teaching and coaching after spending the early part of his career working in business. He was chosen as the “Biggest Champion of Kids” as a member of the 2014 cohort of the Indianapolis Teaching Fellows. He won the 2015 All City Coach of the Year award as the Head Football Coach at Northwest High School and the 2019 Fall Sports Coach of the Year as the Head Football Coach at Crispus Attucks High School.
Mr. Tawfeek attended Earlham College as a Student-Athlete majoring in Business Management and was two time captain of the football team. Mr. Tawfeek recently completed the Building Level Administrator licensure program at Marian University, and has a Master of Arts in Teaching. Mr. Tawfeek is a proud husband and father, and is very excited to make a positive impact on the students and families at Vanguard.
Eric Saunders is the Director of Community Engagement for Vanguard Collegiate of Indianapolis. His main responsibilities include growing enrollment for 5th and 6th grade scholars, building strategic community partnerships, and coordinating all outreach activities. Prior to joining Vanguard Collegiate, Mr. Saunders built experience in mentoring, volunteer outreach,and student recruitment while serving at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana for 8 years. Currently, he serves on the board for AMPS (Always Making Progress), advisory role for The Central Library African American History Committee, and volunteers with the Bloom Project (Kings Feast). Mr. Saunders is also the co-host for the Teas the Artist Youth Open Mic sponsored by WNBA Legend and Olympian Tamika Catchings. Mr. Saunders earned his B.A. in Communication & Culture and African-American African Diaspora Studies from Indiana University-Bloomington.
Alyssa J. McIntyre is a Social Studies and Lead Teacher at Vanguard Collegiate of Indianapolis. She will be teaching and serving as a co-advisor to scholars. She will also be tutoring and holding office hours for scholars who need extra help. Prior to joining Vanguard Collegiate, Ms. McIntyre attended The Ohio State University where she recently graduated with a B.A. in African-American and African Studies and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Ms. McIntyre has experience working with youth through college access programs like “I Know I Can: College Blueprint.” She has also volunteered with The Boys and Girls Club and served as a facilitator and an advisor in girls of color empowerment organizations, like 1Girl and The Girls Circle Project. Ms. McIntyre is particularly excited to build strong relationships with her scholars and to empower each scholar to become productive leaders in their community.
Tina Siddle is a Math/Science and Lead Teacher at Vanguard Collegiate of Indianapolis. She will engage scholars in meaningful math lessons while increasing their academic self-confidence by modelling BEST mathematical practices. Prior to joining Vanguard Collegiate, Ms. Siddle provided direct math instruction to scholars and professional development to classroom teachers (KG-12) in Baltimore County, MD, Dallas, TX, Fort Wayne, IN, Jefferson County, IN, Indianapolis, IN and Washington, DC.Ms. Siddle has presented at Education Research Development Institute (ERDI), National Alliance of Black School Educators (NASBE) and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).Ms. Siddle is the Mathematics Consultant for 100 Black Men of Indianapolis and an active member of Kiwanis International. She is a native of Indianapolis, IN.After graduating from Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, NC with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics, Ms. Siddle has used her expertise in mathematics to encourage scholars to “walk it, like you talk it.” Mathematics is a beautiful language and her scholars speak it well.
T. Antoinette Cloud is a Math/Science Teacher at Vanguard Collegiate of Indianapolis. She looks at exploring and discovering each student’s potential to learn as an adventure, one which ends with expanded horizons. Before coming to Vanguard Collegiate, she worked as a Program Director and Policy Analyst for the Indiana Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning. She was a STEM Scout leader, working with 5th and 6th grade students and cultivating a love for the scientific field through interactive instruction and immersive experiments focusing on the Natural Sciences: Physical and Life Sciences. She worked with international students as an English Language Learner Instructor and as an in-home tutor providing remediation in reading and math. She has volunteered with a variety of organizations including Girls Inc., assisting girls in learning how to manage, invest and save money to become economically self-sufficient. She is a Naval Veteran and small business owner. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Syracuse University and a Master of Policy in Public Affairs from Indiana University.
Kay Gordon is an English Language Arts Teacher at Vanguard Collegiate of Indianapolis. She is a proud 2019 graduate of Lincoln University Missouri, earning a Bachelor of Science in Journalism with a minor in English. She is a member of the 2019 Indianapolis Teaching Fellow cohort and wrapping up her second year at Marian University. She will earn her Master’s in Secondary Education, May of 2021. Her hobbies include reading, writing, listening to music and traveling to different states to try new foods and restaurants. She loves being able to pass down knowledge to her scholars. Gordon is always open to learning about people’s experiences and cultures.
Adelita Romo is the Office Manager at Vanguard Collegiate of Indianapolis. Prior to joining Vanguard Collegiate, Ms. Romo worked in administration at two other charter schools in Indy and with WFYI. She is experienced in business technology, fluent in Spanish, and school information and operational systems. Ms. Romo is a graduate of Independence JobCorps Center. Ms. Romo is excited to join Vanguard Collegiate and begin making a positive impact on the scholars and family of the Haughville Community.
Marcia Lomax is a Mental Health Therapist. She has worked in the mental health field for almost 20 years (since 1999) but started off as a caseworker for numerous mental health agencies. She then moved into therapist positions within these mental health agencies. She received a Bachelors Degree (summa cum laude) in Psychology from St. Augustine’s University in 1999. Graduating #1 in the Psychology Department and #7 in her graduating class. she also received a Master’s Degree (magna cum laude) in Psychology from Martin University in 2007. She then opened her own private practice agency in 2012 in mental health. Ms. Lomax works with all demographics and all diagnoses. Below is her professional information for private appointments. She currently does family and individual relationship counseling on various days within the school building.
Marcia Lomax, MS
Lomax Counseling Services, LLC
317-340-3833
Nigel Long, Crossroads Education Learning Commons Coordinator
Stephanie Veloz, ESL Director