REACH Academy Charter School

Phone: (716) 248-1485   Main Office Fax: (716) 248-2833   Health Office Fax: (716) 852-2102 

REACH ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Meet the Members of the Board of Trustees

Dolores Prezyna, Board Chair, has extensive educational experience both as an educator, and as a school administrator. She earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership. She holds a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration, a Master’s of Science in Education with a Concentration in Reading, and a Bachelors of Arts in English. Along with her administrative certificates, she is New York Certified in Reading, Elementary Education and English. Dr. Prezyna is retired from the Frontier Central School District where she served as Elementary Principal for 19 years. She has also served as an Assistant Principal, English Language Arts Coordinator and Reading Specialist. Currently she is working as the Clinical Supervisor at SUNY Fredonia and serves on the D’Youville College Board of Trustees.  Previously Dr. Prezyna was an Adjunct Instructor at Medaille College in the Literacy Department.

Christine Mann, Board Trustee, Christine Mann serves as Chief Operating Officer at DENT Neurologic Institute, one of the largest Neurology private practices in the country with 430 employees and 70 clinical Providers. Ms. Mann manages and directs the day to day operations for the administrative and medical services required to support DENT operations. She also serves as the Director of DENT’s award winning Infusion Centers and as Director of Purchasing. She has a strong background in leadership, negotiations and marketing and has sharp analytical, planning, communication, and executive skills.

Ms. Mann is also founding partner of NeuroNet which now has two divisions to include a national GPO and a consulting division that provides educational resources and professional insight for health care practices, the pharmaceutical industry, and other medical organizations.

Ms. Mann is a nationally recognized speaker, consultant, and advisor for large biotech and pharmaceutical companies. She was recently appointed to the Board at the National Infusion Center Association. Her expertise in the management of infusion centers, sophisticated inventory and revenue cycle management has garnered national recognition and has helped DENT to be the first practice in the country to offer new ground-breaking neurologic therapies. In addition, she serves as a trustee on the board of REACH Academy Charter School and is an avid volunteer in her community for several non-profit organizations. She received a Women of Influence Award for ground-up development of infusion centers and under her direction, the DENT Infusion Center has recently received a national healthcare achievement award for quality, patient care, and patient satisfaction.


E-mail: cmann@bot.reachacademycharter.org

Dr. Susan M. Dunkle, Board Trustee, Dr. Susan Dunkle joined the REACH Academy Charter School Board of Trustees in September of 2019, bringing nearly 20 years of experience as a Professor, Mentor and Researcher.  She also served 16 years in the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of Major.  Currently, Dr. Dunkle is on Sabbatical from Medaille College in Buffalo and also works in the School of Education at Daemen College.

Dr. Dunkle received her Doctorate of Educational Leadership from D’Youville College and also holds a Master’s Degree from that same institution.  In addition, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Canisius College, an Associate’s Degree from Erie Community College and is certified as a teacher for grades K-12 and as a Teacher of English to Students of Other Languages. Dr. Dunkle has published numerous articles and has been a presenter at many conferences both in the United States and around the world. 

Dr. Dunkle joined the RACS Board of Trustees “to be a Servant Leader to students, administration, faculty and families and to offer an educational experience that prepares scholars to compete and succeed in a global marketplace.”  In her words, “It is important to listen, to be empathetic, and to be concerned with the growth of all stakeholders in our school community.”  


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Heather Speakes, Board Trustee - Parent Representative, Heather Speakes is the proud parent of a REACH Academy Charter School scholar and is serving her first term on the Board of Trustees.  Ms. Speakes works as a Teacher Aide for the Buffalo Public School District and resides with her family in Buffalo, NY.  She brings experience as a Foster Parent, Resident Care Worker, Administrative Assistant and as a volunteer for many church organizations.

Ms. Speakes believes a great school will have a philosophy to meet the child where they are and help them to become a better scholar.  She is thrilled to have the opportunity to serve on the board and put her experiences loving children and caring for others to REACH Academy Charter School.


E-mail: hspeakes@bot.reachacademycharter.org

Christopher Arnold, Board Trustee, Christopher Arnold is a retired school administrator who joined the Board of Trustees after hearing great things about REACH Academy Charter School and realizing he could lend his abilities to help shape the policies and further the Mission of the school.
Mr. Arnold served as an Elementary Principal for 30 years, promoting a culture of rigorous expectations and high achievement wherever he served.  He also brings experience as a School Counselor, a Title IX Officer and a grant writer to his new position on the REACH Academy Charter School Board of Trustees.
He currently works as a relationship coach, trainer and consultant.  He resides with his family in Getzville, NY.  Mr. Arnold earned degrees at SUNY Geneseo and Alfred University and holds a School District Administrator certificate from Canisius College in Buffalo.
Mr. Arnold believes in building positive relationships with scholars, parents and teachers and as a BOT member, he will help oversee efforts to recruit the best teachers, staff and administrators.  He points to the school’s Mission Statement, which reads: “REACH Academy will provide the tools for scholars to rise above the limitations often posed by poverty, disability and the struggle to achieve English Language Proficiency” and believes board members play an important role in instilling a mindset that every student can be successful.

Sarah Pearson-Collins , Board Trustee, Sarah Pearson – Collins is the Director of Training Development and Support at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Institute.  Mrs. Pearson- Collins has over 20 years of professional work experience in the clinical arena. Over the years, she has developed a diverse understanding of various populations while working in clinical settings ranging from educational and residential to hospital and long-term care. Her experience with various age groups ranges from newborn to the elderly. 

Sarah ’s areas of interests include addictions specializing in alcohol and tobacco. She also has a special interest in  Acquired Brain Injury. Sarah has written two workbooks, which focuses on cognitive rehabilitation after brain injury.

Mrs. Pearson- Collins is a graduate of the University of New York at Buffalo with an MS Rehabilitation Counseling with special emphasis on the psychological impact of counseling while treating physical injuries in athletes. She also has a BA in Health and Human Services.  Sarah is a Nationally Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Anger Management Specialist and Brain Injury Specialist.

Sarah is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority incorporated.