Staff

Faith Porter

Director of Programs, fporter@raisingexpectations.org
Faith Porter is an educator, researcher, and activist currently serving as Program Director at Raising Expectations, Inc. An alumna of Spelman College where she served as a Bonner Community Service Scholar, Faith holds degrees in International Studies and Spanish. Through the Bonner Scholars Program, she gained hands-on experience through internships at several Atlanta-based non-profits, as well as those located throughout the United States and in the Dominican Republic and received a certificate in non-profit management.  

Faith is a 2016 recipient of the U.S. Department of Education’s Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship (FLAS), through which she studied Portuguese language and Brazilian culture at Middlebury College. She possesses years of classroom experience through her positions as a lead English Language Development and Spanish teacher as well as a teacher’s assistant during her tenure at Summer Institute for the Gifted. The 2022-23 academic year signals Faith’s fourth year as a member of the Raising Expectations team, where she previously served as Project DREAM Elementary Coordinator and Program Director at RE’s main site. 

Empathy and cultural competence are at the core of Faith’s personal and educational philosophies. She is passionate about child advocacy and is committed to using her skills to assist RE in the fulfillment of its mission.  

Dana Matthias

Project DREAM At-Promise Coordinator, dmatthias@raisingexpectations.org
Born and raised on the Caribbean Island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dana left to attend the University of Maryland College Park for her Bachelor’s in Animal Sciences. Upon returning to her country post studies, she became an educator and possesses over 12 years of classroom experience as a Biology and Integrated Science high school teacher. She has also served as an Executive Member as well as the Vice President of the St. Vincent National Science Teachers Association, that worked alongside other entities to plan and execute the annual National Science Fairs. Her interests have always been introducing youth in St. Vincent to the various STEAM subjects as well as job opportunities.

As a recent transplant to Atlanta, Dana is excited to take up her role as the Raising Expectations Project DREAM At-Promise Coordinator overseeing program operations at the At-Promise South and West locations alongside her team. This allows her to continue her passion for cultivating interest in the youth that are in underserved communities.

Cassidy Windsor
Raising Expectations’ Curriculum Data Coordinator,cwindsor@raisingexpectations.org
, is originally from Baltimore, Maryland. Cassidy attended Georgia State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Statistics. She originally served as a STEAM Academic Leader (SAL) at Raising Expectations. Before coming to R.E., Cassidy mentored and tutored students of various ages, in various subjects (specializing in high school and undergraduate math courses). As a SAL, Cassidy employed her passion for mathematics and education to advocate for Raising Expectations’ high school students in the school year and summer programs.

Coming from an inner-city area herself, Cassidy has worked to remain conscious of her students’ struggles and to advocate for culturally competent education for youth in crises. One of Cassidy’s core beliefs is that people cannot learn where they do not feel safe, so her goal is to prioritize her students’ physical, intellectual, and emotional safety. She finds great fulfillment in making mathematics (and high school as a whole) approachable, achievable, and fun. Cassidy applies her passions and skills at Raising Expectations in hopes of fulfilling their mission.

Montanez Baugh

High School Coordinator, mbaugh@raisingexpectations.org

Montanez Baugh is an experienced youth leader currently serving as High School Program Coordinator at Raising Expectations, Inc. Born and raised in Atlanta, Montanez attended Bard College (NY) as a Posse Scholar, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music. With nearly a decade of youth development experience, he has served as a college peer mentor, award-winning camp counselor, and an AmeriCorps ELA/Math tutor. His unique educational background, combined with hands-on experience, allows him to approach youth development with creativity and empathy.

Influenced by his own upbringing, Montanez is dedicated to making a lasting difference in the lives of the youth he serves. Throughout his career, he has had the privilege of serving in diverse roles that have equipped him with a holistic understanding of the challenges and opportunities students encounter on their path to success. Montanez is committed to fostering positive growth that empowers young people to thrive academically, socially, and personally. He is enthusiastic to leverage his expertise to support the fulfillment of Raising Expectations’ mission.

S.T.E.A.M Academic Leaders (SAL’s)

Project DREAM (5th-8th)

Sherese Eaglin, 

Project DREAM-At Promise Center (7th-12th)

Lenatta Goka, Brianna Cook, Alex Dunning

Project STEMWARE (9th-12th)

Kiara Hicks