Leadership

Eva Morrison believes deeply in the power of schools to shape lives. As Vice President of Educational Services, she provides leadership and oversight of Gemma’s educational programs, including Martin Luther School, with a strong focus on people and purpose. Eva joined Gemma in 2019 with more than 25 years of experience as an educator and educational leader, and previously served as Director of Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Professional Development in the Upper Dublin School District.  

Dr. Morrison holds degrees in early childhood and secondary education, Pennsylvania K-12 Principal Certification, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration. Eva is passionate about teaching and learning and is committed to building collegial, student-centered environments where both students and staff feel supported and fulfilled.

Siobhan Canavan serves as Assistant Head of School for Student Services at Martin Luther School. She has been a dedicated member of the Gemma and MLS community for the past ten years. Siobhan has held a variety of roles, including School Social Worker, Clinical Supervisor, and Admissions Director — all experiences that have shaped her deep understanding of students, families, and the school community as a whole. 

Siobhan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a certified principal. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Sacred Heart University and her master’s degree in social work from West Chester University. Advocacy and education have always been at the heart of her work. Siobhan believes in meeting people where they are, listening with care, and building strong relationships so that students and families know they matter, are capable, and feel supported. She is deeply committed to fostering a school community where everyone feels welcomed, valued, connected, and a true sense of belonging.

Declan French serves as Assistant Head of School at Martin Luther School, where he oversees instructional programming and supports staff development. He has been part of the Martin Luther School community for six years. Prior to his work at MLS, Declan gained experience both in the classroom – as a middle and high school English teacher – and beyond it, serving as a Curriculum Supervisor. An avid reader, Declan is passionate about helping every student find the “just right” book on their reading journey. He also cares deeply about teacher growth and continually seeks innovative ways to support teachers on their professional pathways.

Declan holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Education from The College of New Jersey, a K-12 Principal Certification (Pennsylvania) from the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit, and a master’s degree in Teacher Leadership from the University of Delaware. He is currently pursuing his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at Arcadia University. Declan loves working in education because it offers him the opportunity to positively impact others through his passion for learning.

Sasha Gachelin has been with Gemma Services since 2012, first in the Residential Treatment Program before transitioning to Martin Luther School in 2019. After serving as Dean of Students for three years, Sasha stepped into the role of Principal, where she leads with a focus on relationships, accountability, and growth.

At MLS, the belief that high expectations paired with high support guides the work each day. Sasha walks alongside staff and students to ensure that support is meaningful, consistent, and rooted in understanding. She holds a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University and is pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership at Gwynedd Mercy University. Sasha’s leadership is predicated on a deep belief that each person matters – this value is reflected in every interaction, decision, and action.

Shequoya Bonner serves as the K-5 Assistant Principal at Martin Luther School, where she is a dedicated educator and instructional leader with a strong passion for student success and whole-child development, rooted in academic growth and social-emotional learning. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education (K-8) and Special Education (Kindergarten–12th grade) from Chestnut Hill College. She also earned a master’s degree in Educational Leadership with Principal Certification from Chestnut Hill College, equipping her with a strong foundation in both classroom instruction and school leadership.

Shequoya joined Martin Luther School in 2022, where she taught 7th grade science for more than two years. During her time in the classroom, she was supported through intentional feedback and collaboration that strengthened her instructional practice and enhanced student learning. This experience not only deepened her impact on students but also provided a clear pathway into leadership.

Today, Shequoya serves on the leadership team, where she fosters a learning environment where students and educators feel supported, challenged, and inspired to grow.

Kareem Williams brings nearly 30 years of dedicated service to Gemma Services and Martin Luther School, demonstrating a strong commitment to leadership, student development, and a positive school culture. Beginning his career in 1996 as a Time-Out Officer, Kareem progressed through roles including Teaching Assistant, Student Advisor, Dean of Students, and he currently serves as Assistant Principal. He attended Rutgers University as a scholarship athlete and earned his bachelor’s degree from Arcadia University.

As a leader, Kareem is passionate about building strong, positive relationships with students, fostering accountability, and guiding youth toward becoming responsible, productive adults who are prepared to thrive in our society.

Lisa Hand serves as the Supervisor of Safety and Administration at Martin Luther School and has been a dedicated member of the school community for over 40 years. Through her decades of service, she has developed a deep understanding of the school’s culture, operations, and evolving safety needs. Lisa holds a Master of Education degree and a Principal Certification K–6.

Lisa provides leadership for school safety operations, compliance, and reporting, ensuring alignment with all state and federal requirements. She serves as the Pennsylvania School Safety and Security Coordinator, overseeing all PDE and PCCD safety mandates. Lisa is deeply committed to building positive relationships while upholding safety expectations. She consistently models integrity, sound judgment, and reliability. Through her leadership, Lisa helps ensure a safe, structured, and supportive environment that reflects our commitment to student and staff well-being.

Lauren Onusko serves as the Supervisor of Special Education at Martin Luther School, where she oversees the compliance of special education documentation and works closely with families, school districts, and MLS staff to ensure students receive the supports they need to thrive. She is committed to fostering strong, collaborative relationships between parents, partner districts, and within MLS, while ensuring each student has access to meaningful, positive educational experiences that prepare them for life beyond high school. Lauren also supports successful transitions back to district placements when appropriate, always prioritizing student readiness and long-term success.

Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Family Studies with a co-concentration in Elementary Education, as well as a master’s degree in special education. She is certified in Elementary Education (K–6) and Special Education (N–12) and brings more than 12 years of experience in education. As a lifelong educator, Lauren’s work is guided by a deep commitment to ensuring every student feels supported, empowered, and equipped to reach their full potential.

As the Dean of Students for grades 6–12, Swindle is committed to supporting students academically, socially, and behaviorally as they navigate both school and real-life challenges. In his role, Alvin is committed to supporting students to build positive behaviors, strengthen their decision-making skills, and succeed in the classroom. He oversees transportation operations, ensuring the safety and accountability of staff and students traveling to and from school each day.

With three decades of experience at Gemma Services, before his current position, Alvin served as a Time-Out Staff member, Cluster Assistant, and Student Advisor. Through this progression, he developed a deep understanding of student behavior, crisis intervention, leadership, and the importance of consistency and structure in a behavioral school environment.

As a former professional trainer, Alvin uses his background in athletics, discipline, and mentorship to connect with the younger generation.

He incorporates lessons in perseverance, accountability, and teamwork in his daily interactions with students – building powerful relationships with students to help shape strong, confident, and successful young people.

Rob has served in a wide range of roles at Gemma Services and Martin Luther School over the past 42 years. His experience includes working as a childcare worker, mental health worker, supervisor, and Life Director in the Residential Program before transitioning to Martin Luther School, working closely with students, classroom teams, and families.

Rob provides ongoing support to ensure strong learning, while helping students navigate difficult moments, manage their emotions, and find their voice. He is committed to being a steady and positive presence for students and staff, modeling engagement with students to bring out their best. Known for being upbeat and energetic, Rob strives to bring that same level of positivity to his work each day. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Memphis.

Brent Byerly serves as Athletic Director at Martin Luther School, where he is responsible for managing all of the school’s athletic initiatives. This includes program and team management, overseeing coaching staff, scheduling and logistics, ensuring compliance, and maintaining student involvement and sportsmanship. A graduate of Lock Haven University with a degree in Health and Physical Education, he has spent the past 15 years in education as a teacher, coach, and athletic director. His focus shifted toward athletic administration, where he found great fulfillment in creating meaningful athletic opportunities for students and collaborating with coaches to support student-athlete development. In 2020, he earned the Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA) designation from the NIAAA. He believes athletics play a vital role in helping students grow both on and off the field, and is committed to building a program at MLS that supports that growth for all students.

As Supervisor of the Reading Department and Coordinator of the Reading Intervention Program, Danielle Beldham ensures that every student receives targeted, effective reading interventions. The Reading Department individually assesses each student upon entry to Martin Luther School to determine the best path for reading success. Danielle supports the schoolwide intervention program by training staff, coordinating student groups, providing instructional materials, and monitoring the effectiveness of interventions, so that each student receives What I Need. Danielle is a certified Special Education Teacher and Reading Specialist who earned her bachelor’s degree in Education from Lock Haven University and her master’s degree in Literacy from Wilkes University. She has spent over 25 years helping students build strong reading skills and develop a lifelong love of reading.

Christine Oakes serves as the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coordinator at MLS, where she leads with creativity, adaptability, and a deep commitment to student and staff growth. In her role, Christine designs and implements engaging, student-centered SEL experiences that foster emotional intelligence, resilience, and positive relationships across the school community.

Christine is known for her strong preparation and planning, consistently developing innovative strategies that support diverse learners and evolving school needs. She embraces challenges with a growth mindset, adapting programming, resources, and supports to ensure all students feel valued, included, and empowered. Her ability to remain nimble allows her to respond effectively to changing circumstances while leveraging the strengths of staff, students, and families.

A transparent and compassionate communicator, Christine builds trust through open dialogue, active listening, and a willingness to incorporate feedback. She advocates for equity and inclusion by embedding culturally responsive practices and diverse perspectives into SEL programming and school initiatives.

As a collaborative leader, Christine remains steadfast in her dedication to MLS values. She unites stakeholders around shared goals, models professionalism, and leads by example, creating a supportive, engaging, and emotionally safe environment where students and staff can thrive.

Jessica Dalton serves as the Admissions Coordinator at Martin Luther School, where she leads and manages the admissions process, including referral intake, documentation review, eligibility determination, family engagement, and enrollment. She works closely with families to ensure they are well-informed, supported, and welcomed throughout each step of the process. Jessica also collaborates with school districts, Local Education Agencies (LEAs), and case managers by providing clear, timely information on Martin Luther School’s programming, referral procedures, and enrollment timelines.

With 10 years of experience at Martin Luther School, Jessica previously served as a School Counselor. She is deeply passionate about advocating for students and families, and she approaches her work with compassion and care. Jessica holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Temple University and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, along with K–12 certification in School Counseling, from Arcadia University. Jessica is committed to creating safe and supportive learning environments where students can thrive and is proud to be part of a school community that prioritizes that work.

Liriam Santiago is the Educational Technology Coordinator at Martin Luther School, where she oversees the student information system and technology infrastructure and supports teaching and learning through the purposeful, student-centered use of technology. She partners closely with staff and students to ensure tools and systems enhance instruction, streamline daily operations, and expand access to learning.

With over a decade of experience in education across Puerto Rico and Pennsylvania, Liriam has held roles in ELA instruction, educational technology, state testing coordination, IT support, school operations, Title I programming, and family engagement. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English as a Second Language from the University of Puerto Rico and is deeply committed to supporting and uplifting both students and staff through the transformative power of education.