Administrative Staff
Lisa Wing
School Leader
Professionals in all walks of life probably have dreams. It is likely that detectives dream of cracking a big case, medical researchers dream of finding an important cure, and authors dream of writing a great novel. Lisa Wing never shared those aspirations, but was very familiar with teacher dreams. Since beginning her career as a Rochester City School District teacher, she noticed that talk in faculty lounges and around copy machines often began with the phrase, “If I had my own school…” Part of that conversation stemmed from frustration about administrative requirements or seemingly bureaucratic decisions. But there was always something more at the heart of it. There was a deep understanding about how children learn best and how teachers could thrive in a professionally stimulating environment. There were seeds of a vision about how schools could be run to foster an intellectual enterprise that remained true to professional ideals.
When the New York Charter School Law passed in 1998, it seemed a perfect opportunity for Lisa and a group of like-minded teachers and community members to act upon their vision and create the Genesee Community Charter School. Lisa led this group of founders through the charter development and application process, and then became its first School Leader in 2001.
Lisa received her Ph.D. in Teaching and Curriculum from Syracuse University. She earned her Master's Degree from Syracuse University and Bachelor's Degree from Wayne State University. She holds certifications in special education, general education, early childhood education, and school district administration. Her previous positions include special education and general education teacher of preschool through Grade 6, curriculum specialist, professional development specialist for the Rochester Teachers Association, and adjunct professor at Nazareth College of Rochester.
Lisa is married and has two sons, both of whom have benefitted from the excellent education provided at GCCS. Her older son currently attends McQuaid Jesuit, and her younger son is in sixth grade at GCCS.
Maureen Milke
Administrative Assistant
Maureen has been the Administrative Assistant for the Genesee Community Charter School since December, 2001. Previously, she worked for eleven years for Via-Health at the Genesee Hospital as an office manager. Maureen also attended classes at Finger Lakes Community College, with her interest being in Human Services.
Maureen lives in Macedon, NY, with her husband and two children. In her spare time, she is very involved in her community, and enjoys reading, going to sports events, and camping with her family and friends.
Lisa O’Malley
Curriculum Specialist
“Chop! Chop!" are the words you may hear Lisa O'Malley bellowing as she leads GCCS students through Manhattan, Boston, or at the source of the Genesee River during in-depth field work. Among other things, our curriculum specialist is responsible for assisting teachers in the planning and implementation of quality fieldwork that directly relates to the content of classroom expeditions. She also facilitates expedition planning and professional development, and is the project director for the school's federal Arts Dissemination and Model Development grant.
Lisa is native to Rochester and has remained local throughout her life. After graduating from Fairport High School, she attended SUNY Geneseo obtaining a B.S. in Elementary Education. Her Master’s Degree in Education is from Nazareth College. Lisa’s career began in Rochester City School District where she taught 4th through 6th grades for ten years. After the birth of her third child, Lisa left the full-time work of the classroom to care for her children and to work part-time facilitating Curriculum and Standards workshops for first year teachers in Rochester schools. Lisa has been the Curriculum Specialist at GCCS since the school opened in 2001.
In her “spare time” Lisa can be found at local baseball fields cheering on her three sons or on a pool deck supporting her daughter as a competitive swimmer. In the winter she enjoys downhill skiing with her family. All four of Lisa's children have attended GCCS.
Michelle Henry
River Room Assistant
Michelle Henry is one of our Clerical Assistants in the River Room and has been with the Genesee Community Charter School since it opened in 2001. She helps schedule field studies, answers phone calls, manages paper work with our Special Education program, and heads up the schools' Food Service Program.
In 1999, Michelle received a Bachelors degree from SUNY Brockport in Health Science and Psychology. She was born in Rochester and now resides in Gates with her husband, Scott, and daughter, Savana. In her free time, she enjoys going for walks with her family, eating ice cream, and cleaning the house.
Jennifer Woodworth
River Room Assistant
Jennifer holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Nazareth College and a master's degree in Higher Education Administration from the College of William and Mary. After college, she worked in fundraising for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation before returning to Rochester in 2006. She spends Tuesdays through Thursdays at GCCS and could not imagine a better place to work. When she is not at the school, Jennifer is happy to have time to pursue her passion for painting. She also enjoys hiking, camping, reading, baking, and spending time with her friends and her husband, Ken.