Administration
April Adams
Principal
April Adams proudly serves as Principal of Quitman Street School, bringing twenty-six years of experience in education and a deep commitment to student achievement, school leadership, and community engagement.
A proud alumna of a Historically Black College and University, Ms. Adams earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. She also holds a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Saint Peter’s College in New Jersey.
Ms. Adams began her teaching career in Newark, serving students in the Central and West Wards. Throughout her career, she has held several instructional and leadership roles, including substitute teacher, classroom teacher, teacher coach, supervisor and special assistant for the East Central Ward School Leadership Team.
Before joining Quitman Street School as Principal, Ms. Adams served as Vice Principal at Wilson Avenue School. She is honored to lead the Quitman Street School community and remains dedicated to supporting students, families, and staff in achieving excellence.
Lidia Dos Santos
Vice Principal
Lidia Dos Santos is proud to be a Vice Principal at Quitman Street School. Born and raised in the great city of Newark, and having attended Newark Public Schools as a student, Ms. Dos Santos went on to pursue her education at Rutgers University, where she earned a double major in Education and Psychology. After earning her Bachelor’s degree, she worked for a non-profit organization focusing on building Family Literacy among underrepresented populations. Through this opportunity, she became an adjunct professor at Rutgers University. Ms. Dos Santos found these experiences extremely fulfilling, especially as a native Newarker, for they allowed her to better serve the city’s diverse population in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, solidifying the strong ties to the immigrant community in which she lived.
A part of her work with the non-profit included working collaboratively to build extended day and summer programs for school-aged children. The close relationships she developed there led her to her true calling of becoming an educator. Ms. Dos Santos started as an elementary school teacher with the Newark Public Schools in 2007 at Maple Avenue School, and, in her tenure, she has worked in a variety of grade levels as an English Language Arts teacher. She has also served in the district as an Academic Interventionist at Newark Early College High School and School Operations Manager at West Side High School. Having earned her Master's degree in Educational Administration from Montclair State University, Ms. Dos Santos transitioned into the role of a Vice Principal at Barringer High School, gaining the experience to help her transition to her current role at Quitman Street School.
In all her years of working in education, Ms. Dos Santos sought to build school communities where compassion meets the needs of the students served. She believes that children are better equipped when the school and family work collaboratively to support individual growth and that, as a school, there is a special responsibility to tap into the innate potential possessed by all students.
Shevon Armstrong
Vice Principal
Ms. Shevon Armstrong proudly serves as Vice Principal of Quitman Street School, bringing over twenty years of experience in education and a deep commitment to student advocacy, differentiated instruction, and collaborative leadership. A proud alumna of a Historically Black College and University, Ms. Armstrong earned dual degrees in Elementary and Special Education from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. She also holds a Master of Science in Special Education and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration.
Ms. Armstrong began her educational career in Newark with a commitment to ensuring that all students, regardless of background or ability, have the opportunity to succeed. Throughout her career, she has served students in grades PreK–8 in a variety of instructional and leadership roles, including classroom teacher, crisis teacher, academic interventionist, school climate lead, and teacher coach and mentor. As Vice Principal, she has provided leadership for grades 6–8, special education, and student support services, while advancing math, science, and performing arts initiatives that empower students to discover their unique talents and reach their full potential.
She is honored to serve the Quitman Street School community. She remains committed to partnering with students, families, and staff to foster academic excellence, personal growth, and success for every learner.