Faculty and Staff 

Dedicated, Talented Teachers

Aim High recruits faculty and teaching assistants for the middle school program from schools throughout St. Louis City and County. The criteria for their selection includes: experience with elementary students, knowledge of the socioeconomic background of the students, and an ability to serve as successful role models. Aim High attempts to recruit as many teachers as possible from participating school districts.

Faculty / Staff Statistics

• Year-round staff (part-time): 8
• Summer Faculty (including 14 paid teaching assistants): 56
  
•  Volunteers (high school students who work as teaching assistants): 50
  

Administrators and Senior Faculty

• Julie Angelica, Executive Director: Joining the team at Aim High in early 2009, Ms. Angelica brings with her 10+ years experience managing and developing academic and college readiness programming for young people. Upon graduating from the University of Missouri, Columbia, Ms. Angelica spent the next several years working with students in Eritrea, East Africa; Northern New Mexico; Chicago and most recently worked with programs serving students in the St. Louis Public School District.
• Kevin McKone, John Burroughs Co-Site Director: Mr. McKone earned his  He is in his 22nd year at John Burroughs where he teaches math, coaches and announces sports programs for the school and serves as an advisor. He has worked at Aim High for more than a decade as a faculty member and an assistant site director prior to accepting the role of co-director in 2009. 
• Beverly LaBriado, John Burroughs Co-Site Director: Ms. Labriado is an educator with a Masters in Education. A faculty member for 12 years in the St. Louis Public schools, Ms. Labriado has taught Aim High's achievers for years before joining the administrative team in 2009. 
• John Merritt, St. Louis Priory Site Director: Mr. Merritt earned his B.A. in Education, History and African-American Studies at Washington University. He is currently completing an MA in Educational Curriculum and Instruction at St. Louis University.  Mr. Merritt is the Middle School Director at Crossroads College Preparatory School.  He teaches American Government and African-American History, in addition to serving as Head Track and Field Coach.
• Karin McElwain-West, Development Director: Ms. McElwain-West earned her BA in Political Science from the University of California, Irvine and then went on to attain her M.P.A. degree at Drake University. A former Executive Director and multi-faceted fundraising professional, Karin has raised dollars for organizations with operating budgets of over $26 million annually.