Born in the City of Newark, NJ after his parents migrated to the United States from Guyana; Mr. Kashon Lopes is a product of Irvington Public Schools. Beginning his career as a substitute teacher at his alma mater, Mr. Lopes completed his BA in English and MA in Teaching at Drew University.

Soon after, he began teaching English in the South Orange-Maplewood school district. During this time, Mr. Lopes received recognition for his implementation of co-teaching models while teaching middle school inclusion classes. In South Orange-Maplewood, Mr. Lopes served on various committees and in other leadership roles. He was a member of the Data Analysis team, the District’s Evaluation Advisory Committee (DEAC), and Intervention & Referral Services (I&RS) Committee. Mr. Lopes also wrote curricula for the district and was a Site Supervisor for the Achieve Foundation’s comprehensive tutoring program (a local 501c3). In his spare time, Mr. Lopes also coached two award-winning boys and girls Track and Field teams at Columbia High School. Due to the gains that Mr. Lopes accomplished in the classroom and for his school community, he was encouraged to return back to graduate school for course work in Educational Leadership, where he received his degree in Leadership, Management and Policy at Seton Hall University.

Shortly thereafter, Mr. Lopes started his leadership journey as a Literacy Coach at New Horizons Community Charter School where he worked alongside staff developers from Columbia University’s Teachers College: Reading and Writing Project. Under his supervision, the academic performance of students in literacy increased greatly with the best practices that he provided teachers.

In 2019, Mr. Lopes brought his expertise to Newark Public Schools when he became the Vice Principal at McKinley Elementary School. Working with the leadership team, Mr. Lopes worked tirelessly to improve the academic programming and attendance rates at McKinley Elementary School.

Based on servant leadership, Mr. Lopes’s educational philosophy believes in placing the needs of students, staff, and the community at the forefront of every decision. Mr. Lopes also recognizes the importance of providing academic and extra-curricular programming as well as wraparound services to all stakeholders.

In wanting the best for every child in Newark, NJ - Mr. Lopes embraces the words of Rita Pierson, “Every child deserves a champion —an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.”