Board of Trustees

Anita Vega-Kaiser, Chair

akaiser@ap-schools.org

Mrs. Anita Vega Kaiser is a Senior Veterans Service Representative at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Her work includes processing claims for disability compensation, providing one-on-one mentorship and training to new employees. This requires her to maintain up-to-date information on Federal Laws and Regulations set by Congress.

In her former role as Legislative Assistant for State Rep. John J. Taylor, R-Pa., Mrs. Vega Kaiser worked with Juanita neighborhood community members to resolve problems ranging from issues with a drivers license to acquiring birth certificates to abandoned cars. During her six years with Rep. Taylor, she organized the first Hispanic Community Fair and assisted in outreach efforts to the Hispanic community.

She is a 2011 graduate of Penn State University with a degree in Psychology and Social Science.

Teresa Grumbrecht, Vice Chair

tgrumbrecht@ap-schools.org

Mrs. Teresa Grumbrecht is a Manufacturing Development Representative for DVIRC (Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center).  A lifelong resident of Northeast Philadelphia, Teri is also an Abraham Lincoln High School graduate and is married with 2 adult children.

Formerly in the banking industry for over 25 years, she served the Northeast Philadelphia area where she enjoyed school outreach in the community through financial education classes, executive reading days and summer reading programs. She began her career as a part-time teller continuing through all customer services levels, to acquiring her license to sell investments and becoming a lead sales representative for PNC Bank. In 2004, Teri was hired as an officer at Commerce Bank (now TD Bank), where she was promoted to Assistant Vice President and later Vice President as she expanded her retail, small business and commercial relationships. These roles all fostered Teri’s love of community outreach.  Teri later served as Membership Director of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce growing business connections and community outreach.

Over the years, her nonprofit boards and committees have included NE Family YMCA Board Advisory, past President and Vice President of the Frankford Northeast Philadelphia Rotary Club, past board member of the Mayfair Community Development Corp., and selection committee member of the NE Philadelphia Hall of Fame.

Barbara Saunders, Secretary

bsaunders@ap-schools.org

Mrs. Barbara Saunders’ interest in public education began with her involvement as chairperson of the Parents’ Association for the School District of Philadelphia’s Head Start program. During her affiliation with Head Start, Mrs. Saunders participated in a partnership with University Of Pennsylvania to develop a functional study tracking the success of Head Start students. She has also participated in the decision-making process in many aspects of Head Start, including renaming sites, opening new sites, qualification criteria, hiring procedures, and even disciplinary issues.

Mrs. Saunders’ human services career includes work in a supervisory capacity at several agencies. She supervised several Community Living Arrangements (CLAs) at Lynch Community Homes of Montgomery Co. (now KenCrest), and she also supervised a sheltered workshop program for individuals who were hearing and vision impaired at Overbrook School for the Blind.
Mrs. Saunders is passionate about children having access to a quality public education. She feels both honored and privileged to serve on the board for several schools within American Paradigm Schools. She is a proud parent of two children – both who are alumni of First Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School, the first American Paradigm School.

John Bish, Treasurer

jbish@ap-schools.org

Martha Ritter, Member

mritter@ap-schools.org

Shoshana Skates, Parent Member

sskates@ap-schools.org