Our Team

A resident of Mount Vernon for over 30 years, Eileen Justino has developed, implemented and managed complex projects both in her professional career and as a volunteer. A graduate of Manhattan College’s School of Business, Eileen worked for 20 years in the computer industry.

After receiving her Master’s Degree, in Education, from Pace University, Eileen worked in educational research and consulting. Eileen’s passion for education and community has culminated in her volunteering for over 20 years, encouraging student growth and coordinating events through her work on the PTA and Fleetwood Neighborhood Association. Eileen has also served as City Councilwoman and is a Democratic District Leader.

Teresa Weber has been a proud Mount Vernon resident for the last 11+ years.  A first-generation college graduate, Teresa believes deeply in the power of education to transform lives and the fundamental right of all children to have access to high-quality educational opportunities. Teresa has spent her career fundraising for schools and non-profit educational organizations. 

She is a mentor and board member with the Mount Vernon Star Scholars, a board member of the Mount Vernon Educational Foundation, a board member of the Mu Alpha Alumni Association, and an alumni interviewer for her alma mater. She graduated with a B.S. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. Teresa and her husband Scott are the proud dog-parents of Pippi and Eloise, sister Shih-Tzus.

Paul Herrick is a New York attorney and a 30-year resident of Mount Vernon.  His three children attended the Pennington Elementary School from 1998 through 2010.  

Paul has volunteered countless hours in support of local community organizations: having coached boys and girls youth sports for over 12 years and having served as the first President of the Mount Vernon Educational Foundation, Inc. from 2004-2008 and as its Treasurer since 2008.   

Charmaine Fearon, is an attorney who has worked with large financial institutions for over 20 years on negotiating contracts and implementing regulatory changes. 

As a former Mount Vernon School Board Trustee and volunteer member on the school district’s Audit Committee, Charmaine has been an advocate for improving the lives of students in the school district and recognizes the essential role of the Foundation in meeting needs not met by taxpayer dollars.   

Darcy is a retired senior business executive with over 30 years of management experience.  She and her husband, Rick Powers moved to Mount Vernon in 2009. Darcy is a co-founder of Mount Vernon Star Scholars and has been mentoring MV high school students for 9 years.

Witnessing first-hand the rapid progress of her students inspired Darcy to pursue a position on the school board. She served six years as School Board Trustee. Darcy holds a BA from NYU (Magna Cum Laude) and an MA from The Graduate Center, CUNY.

Meredith has called Mount Vernon home for 14 years. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, she went on to become a New York City Teaching Fellow in 2003 while earning her MA in Elementary Education from Mercy University. With 10 years of experience in a Title 1 school in the Bronx, Meredith received the Albert Shankar Grant to achieve National Board Certification in Literacy for Early and Middle Childhood. Since becoming a mother of 4, Meredith has been on a child care leave from the classroom and is currently serving as the President of the Bronxville Montessori School Parent Association, Co-Chair of the DEIB Committee at Riverdale Country School, Communication Secretary for Corcoran Manor Neighborhood Association, and a parent educator for La Leche League of Pelham. 

Melissa Muñoz Patterson is a graduate of Mount Vernon City School district. She served four years as a Trustee for the district.

Melissa is an attorney, she has an MBA in Finance and works in the insurance industry.
She and her husband have continued to make Mount Vernon their home and they have two children currently attending Mount Vernon schools.