Breakthrough's Amazing Staff
Dana Barron
Executive Director, PhD
Dana has led Breakthrough since June 2009. Dana has dedicated her career to the creation of policies and programs that lessen social, educational, and gender inequalities. Before joining Breakthrough, Dana worked as the Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education at the Pennsylvania Department of Education. She has also run research institutes at Temple and Penn focused on bridging research and policy. At Penn she also taught courses in history, policy, social work, and women’s studies. Dana has consulted with a number of public and non-profit organizations, including the Education Law Center, the Juvenile Law Center, Women’s Way, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, the University Community Collaborative of Philadelphia, the Health Federation of Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia Foundation. She co-chaired the Nutter administration’s transition team on human services. She has also lectured on urban poverty, racial and gender inequality, women and work, and education. Dana earned her A.B. in History and Literature from Harvard University, and moved to Philadelphia to earn her Ph.D. in History from the University of Pennsylvania.
Jeanean Mohr, MSW
Development Director
My name is Jeanean Mohr and I have been working as the Development Director at Breakthrough since April 2008. I earned my Master's in Social Administration from Temple University in 2004, and my BSW from Shippensburg University in 1998. In addition to seven years of professional fundraising experience, I have worked directly with underpriveleged youth providing education, mentorship and family intervention.
"My favorite thing about Breakthrough is the energy and enthusiasm that carries through all aspects of Breakthrough…from the students and teachers in the classroom, the amazing staff and board who dedicate so much time and passion to making Breakthrough the best it can be, and to our generous supporters who open doors of opportunity through financial contributions and by spreading the word about Breakthrough."
Jessica Hoagland, MS Ed
Site Director, Saint Joseph's University
My name is Jessica Hoagland and I am the Saint Joseph’s University Site Director. I am originally from Hamilton, NJ and attended Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, PA. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology/Pre-medicine, and religious studies in 2007. After undergraduate school, I joined Teach for America and taught 7th and 8th grade science in southwest Philadelphia. I also earned my Masters of Science in Education at the University of Pennsylvania during my time in TFA. As the SJU Site Director, I am thrilled to work with the 7th and 8th grade students and families who live in west and southwest Philadelphia, as well as Camden.
"My favorite thing about Breakthrough is all the amazing people I work with; between the supportive staff, enthusiastic teachers, and inspiring students and families, I look forward to each day!"
Craig Saslow, MA
Site Director, Germantown Friends School
I joined Breakthrough in January, 2011 after spending four years as a classroom teacher. Upon graduating from the University of Southern California, I joined Teach for America. As part of TFA, I taught middle-school English and Social Studies for two years in Los Angeles. I also attended graduate school in the evening and earned a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Loyola Marymount University. I then moved to Quito, Ecuador to teach in a private school for Ecuadorian students hoping to attend European and American universities. I loved both teaching experiences, but the idea of working closely with individual students, over the course of several years, really drew me to Breakthrough.
"My favorite thing about Breakthrough is the energy and camaraderie of the Breakthrough community, and our students are fabulous!"
Phyllis Barsky Elick, MS
High School Program Director
I am Phyllis Barsky Elick, and I have been the High School Program Director at Breakthrough since February of 2010. I am originally from the Philadelphia area, and I am so excited to work with talented, motivated students from my home town. I went to Smith College for my BA in Government and I have a MS. Ed from the University of Pennsylvania in Education Policy. I have always been involved in serving children, but I think I have found my niche in High School Programming and College Access work. I am a member of the Breakthrough National College Bound planning team and I am so excited to work with High School Directors from around the country to improve the Collaborative’s programming for High Schoolers.
"My favorite things at BT are the “Ah Ha” moments. It doesn’t matter what it is about, I just love seeing the lights go on in a kids eyes. The satisfaction it brings them to conquer something that is challenging is the reason I come to work every day."
Estefanny Aybar
Executive Assistant
My name is Estefanny Aybar and I have been working as the Executive Assistant at Breakthrough since September 2011. I was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New York City. I attended Arcadia University to pursue a degree in Political Science with a concentration in International Peace and Conflict Resolution. As long as I can remember it has always been my passion to make a difference and I am so happy to be part of an organization whose mission I hold close to my heart.
“My favorite thing about working at Breakthrough is that we as a staff constantly motivate each other. We are our own greatest cheerleaders, inspiring each other to give a little bit more every day.”
Caroline Smith, BA
Middle School Program Assistant
Hi! My name is Caroline Smith, and I joined the Breakthrough Philly staff as Middle School Program Assistant in September of 2011. I grew up outside Philadelphia, and am very excited to be back and working with students here! I attended Smith College in Massachusetts, where I majored in Comparative Literature. I also spent a great deal of time in the Theatre department studying Costume Design, and in the Education department developing an interest in urban education and a passion for working with young people. After spending about 5 months in a 7th grade English and ESL classroom in Holyoke, I knew I wanted to pursue work supporting urban students and their families. I applied to teach with Breakthrough, and ended up teaching Reading and Costume Design at Germantown Friends in the summer of 2011. It was the perfect combination of all my interests, and I was hooked! I joined the full-time staff in September, and am thrilled to be working with the Breakthrough staff, students, and families in this role.
“My favorite thing about Breakthrough is the amazing community of students, families, and staff. I love having the opportunity to get to know each student, and then to continue to work with them over an extended period of time. They are such incredible kids!”
Kerry Sorensen, BA
High School Program Assistant, FAO Schwarz Fellow
Hi my name is Kerry Sorensen and I am the High School Program Assistant at Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia. I was very fortunate to receive a two year fellowship through the FAO Schwarz Family Foundation to work in the High School Program at Breakthrough. Before Breakthrough I received my Bachelors degree in Psychology and Peace and Conflicts studies at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. At Holy Cross I discovered my passion for urban education and my love for working with youth. One of my favorite parts about Breakthrough is the interactions I have with the students. The students at Breakthrough are truly inspiring. They constantly hold themselves to high expectations in order to overcome any challenges that they might face. As I continue on in my journey with Breakthrough I look forward to seeing my students grow and begin to accomplish all their goals!
"My Favorite thing about Breakthrough is working with the ninth graders at our monthly grade meetings. I love to see their faces and hear them talk about High School! They always put a smile on my face!"
