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MAPCS Our School Leadership Team 🎓


At the Maya Angelou Public Charter School (MAPCS), we strive to create a learning community grounded in an engaging school culture; a meaningful, rigorous and personalized academic program; and a robust collection of wraparound services that ensure all of our students are well-prepared for life beyond the diploma.

Our School Year 2025-2026 Leadership Team

Shantelle Wright-Cunningham, Principal
swrightcunningham@seeforever.org

Shantelle Wright-Cunningham is a certified K–12 Administrator in Washington, DC, with over 25 years of experience in education. She holds a B.S. in Biology from Bowie State University, a B.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland, and an M.S.A. in Educational Administration from Trinity Washington University.

Shantelle began her career as a high school science teacher in Maryland, where she quickly developed a deep passion for working with students and supporting fellow educators. In 2005, she joined Maya Angelou Public Charter School in Washington, DC, where she taught science and served as the Master Teacher for the BUILD Entrepreneurship Program. Since then, she has held several instructional and leadership roles within the Maya Angelou Schools network, including Instructional Coach, Network Instructional Specialist, and Assistant Principal of Instruction.

Currently, Shantelle serves as Principal of Maya Angelou Public Charter High School, where she leads with empathy, purpose, and an unwavering belief in the potential of every student and staff member. Inspired by one of her favorite quotes by Dr. Maya Angelou—“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” She approaches leadership with a proactive mindset and reflective spirit.

Although she didn’t initially plan to become an educator, Shantelle found her calling in the work. She is driven by the joy of connecting with students and families, supporting teacher growth, and creating spaces where students feel proud of their progress. She believes that all children want to learn and deserve access to a high-quality education, regardless of background or circumstances. Her leadership is rooted in equity, high expectations, individualized support, and strong family partnerships, all in service of helping every learner reach their full potential

 Jasmine Groce, Assistant Principal of Instruction
jgroce@seeforever.org 

Jasmine Groce hails from Virginia Beach, VA. She attended George Mason University, majoring in English, Cultural Studies with a minor in African American Studies and Sociology. She also earned her Masters in Education, Curriculum and Instruction from Pennsylvania State University. A saying she lives by is from one of her favorite authors James Baldwin, “Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” Baldwin’s display of liberation through education continues to lead her ability to take chances and to be the best educator she can be. Ms. Groce started her journey at Maya in 2014 as an English teacher. Since then, she has served as a Department Chair, English Content Specialist, Instructional Coach and now Assistant Principal of Instruction. She decided to become an educator during her sophomore year in undergrad after learning about the school to prison pipeline and its connections to 3rd graders reading scores. Ever since that singular lesson, literacy and literacy advancement has been her passion. Her guiding principles in life are: Lead with Love, Serve with Grace.

 Peter Smith, Assistant Principal of Culture
psmith@seeforever.org 

Important Contacts for Students and Families

Many of our students face challenges in their home life and experience trauma or upheaval that requires a different approach from traditional schools. In turn, our staff takes an individualized approach to working closely with each of our students and families not only for academic success today, but for success in the future as positive contributors to society and life-long learners. Connect with our caring staff today: