
Our Mission
Our mission is to create a world-class K-8 school where all children are prepared for college, career, and life.
Catalyst Academy Charter School is a college-preparatory K-8 public charter school in Pittsburgh, focused on serving families in the Hill District, Garfield, East Liberty, Larimer, Lincoln-Lemington, Homewood, and East Hills communities as well as families from across Pittsburgh and neighboring communities that are looking for a great school.
We opened as a K-1 school in the fall of 2020, and will grow a grade each year to eventually serve kindergarten through 8th grade. As a public charter school, Catalyst Academy is a tuition-free, open-enrollment school for any student, including students with special needs and English-language learners.
Catalyst Academy is the first new K-8 charter school in Pittsburgh in 6 years and is located in the Lincoln-Lemington neighborhood, in the former Lemington school building.
Our Team
School Leadership




Megan was born and raised in Wisconsin and received her bachelors in Theatre from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She started her career in Pittsburgh as the youth sports director at the Baierl Family YMCA, then received her Masters in teaching from Chatham University and worked as a student teacher for kindergarten at Pittsburgh Public Schools-Fulton. She taught at Propel Pitcairn as an emotional support paraprofessional, 3rd grade Humanities and 5th & 6th grade Science teacher. Megan excels at building strong relationships with students and families and thrives on the energy that a school full of learners provides. She is an enthusiastic wife, mother, and advocate for all children.

She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and was born and raised in Wisconsin.

Helene earned her undergraduate degree from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington and completed her master’s degree in education at Marion University in Indiana. She began her teaching career as a 4th grade Teaching Fellow with an urban charter school in Indianapolis and later became the instructional coach for all kindergarten through 4th grade classrooms. During this time she was recognized with the Excellence in Teaching Award for dedication to the community and commitment to student achievement. Helene finds deep satisfaction and joy working with teachers to help them excel in their classrooms for the benefit of the students in their care.


Scholar Support

Taylor Childers, School Counselor

Manasseh Garner,
School Culture Associate

Amber Grohowski, Growth Interventionist

Janaya Kennedy, School Nurse

Stephan Patterson
Paraprofessional

Myra Powell has been working in community development for over 35 years. She had never thought of working at a school until she learned about Catalyst Academy Charter School’s focus on building community. Myra believes if we want to have a well-rounded scholar, and a well rounded school, then you have to get the community involved. She enjoys experiencing new things, cooking, and loves having picnics.

Bio coming soon

Bio coming soon
Instructional Team


Falencia Jean-Francois was born in Haiti, grew up in Boston, and has called Pittsburgh home for the last eleven years. She began her career in education as a preschool teacher. After three years, she transitioned to elementary education by way of Duquesne University’s PreK-4 master’s program. She lives in Forest Hills with her wife of eleven years, her dog (Loki), and her cat (Rory). When she isn’t teaching, she enjoys writing curriculum and fiction.

Raquel began her teaching career after graduating from the Pittsburgh Langley Teaching Academy in 2009. She then received a B.S. from Slippery Rock University and moved to Arizona where she worked as a K-12 substitute in a small town on the Colorado River Indian Tribes reservation. Raquel fell in love with the community & students, staying for a almost 7 years. During this time, she had two daughters & earned her Masters in Education from Grand Canyon University. Raquel has recently moved back to her hometown of Pittsburgh. She continues to grow in her passion & knowledge as an educator, year after year, & is excited to begin her newest adventure at Catalyst Academy.

Allison Sillin was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, and earned her Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education from Miami University of Ohio. After graduating, Allison moved to Columbus, Ohio and began her teaching career serving second and third grade students in public charter schools for seven years. She spent six years serving second grade students at United Preparatory Academy and was involved in a variety of leadership positions. She is excited to join the Catalyst team and be a part of a committed and supportive community in a new city. Allison believes all children deserve a high-quality education and should feel supported and successful.

Lauren Singer is the oldest of four kids, grew up in Hollidaysburg, PA, and is a graduate of Chatham University with a Bachelors in Education. Lauren began her career in an early education preschool classroom in Pittsburgh and couldn’t be more excited to continue working with scholars at Catalyst Academy. Lauren is a passionate advocate for equitable education and serves to fulfill students needs academically, socially, developmentally, and emotionally. She published a case study on how schools and teachers can better support students who have experienced trauma through the practice of mindfulness, and her devotion to supporting students who have experienced trauma flourishes in areas beyond the classroom.


Kaeli was raised in Erie, PA and graduated from Duquesne University’s School of Education in the Spring of 2019. After graduation, she taught Kindergarten at Washington Montessori Elementary in Greensboro, North Carolina then transitioned the following year into the role of a combined Pre-K and Kindergarten teacher and also led the school’s Social and Emotional Learning Committee. Kaeli grew up with an immense love for sports and dance thanks to her parents and brothers, and while at Duquesne University, she performed and traveled with the multicultural song and dance ensemble known as the Tamburitzans. Having dance and athletics as major parts of her life created the love and joy Kaeli finds in being an educator.

Originally from a small town outside of State College, Olivia moved to Pittsburgh her senior year at Indiana University of Pennsylvania to finish her degree in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, with a focus in Urban Studies. That year she also became certified to teach English as a Foreign Language. Olivia is an experienced teacher who began teaching English as a Second Language at Beechwood Elementary before coming to teach first grade at Catalyst Academy.


Dawn Campbell, Building-wide Substitute Teacher

Bio coming soon.


Stephanie Tolbert-King, Founding Dance Teacher

Abbey was born and raised in Pittsburgh, grew up in the South Hills, and went to Duquesne University to study Early Childhood Education. After graduating, Abbey moved to Chicago where she taught preschool in Chicago Public schools, working with 4 and 5 year olds. Teaching young students allowed Abbey to focus on the importance of early education for children. She moved back to Pittsburgh in the summer of 2021, got married and adopted a puppy. Abbey is excited to begin this new journey at Catalyst Academy!

Bio coming soon
Families interested in applying at Catalyst Academy please visit our enroll page.
For general inquiries about Catalyst Academy, please email us at info@catalystacademy.org or call us at 412-684-2400.