Crocker is operated by Advocacy for the Arts and Technology in New Orleans, Louisiana, Inc., a non-profit corporation.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a dedicated group of New Orleanians came together and dared to dream of a premiere center of learning for the children of this city -- a place where they can be nurtured and guided-- where children come first and their success is inevitable. Our dream is that out of the destructive waters of Katrina, a rebirth will come forth; that from the death and suffering of so many, a bright and hopeful future will arise. Our Dream is called Crocker Arts and Technology School. Crocker is a small, public, charter elementary school whose mission is to produce world class learners by providing the highest quality of teaching and learning, so all students can achieve academic success. Crocker is governed by a community based board of directors whose goal is to provide the best possible people and resources to create an exceptional learning environment for the children of our city.
Officers of the Board
Grisela Alejandro Jackson, President
John A. Jones Jr., Vice-President
Shaun Rafferty, Secretary
J. Michael Neyrey, Treasurer
Grisela Alejandro Jackson is a native of San Juan Puerto Rico and a resident of New Orleans since the age of eight. Her determination to help rebuild the city’s educational infrastructure and her love for educating children is borne from her innate love of learning and from her many years as a tutor of elementary school children and high school students taking the ACT/SAT examinations. Grisela holds a BA from Vassar College and an MBA from Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business. She is part owner and CFO of Young Engineering Co., Inc. Grisela is committed to making a difference for good during our city’s most critical hour. She serves as the Board President.
John Anderson Jones, Jr. has thirty-three and a half years of service to Orleans Parish schools as teacher, assistant principal, school site supervisor, associate director, and governmental liaison. He has spent a lifetime educating, molding and shaping young people, including one of his high school students, Grisela Alejandro Jackson. Having received degrees, certifications and training from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Tulane University, Harvard University, and the University of New Orleans, Mr. Jones is highly respected by the educational community in New Orleans and throughout the state. He serves as the Board Vice-President.
Shaun B. Rafferty is an attorney operating his own firm, Shaun B. Rafferty Law Office LLC. He has been active in the community helping to rebuild New Orleans. His love for education comes from being the son of an educator. A graduate of Vassar College and Louisiana State University Law School, Shaun has vast experience as a member of the New Orleans legal community as well as a member of various community causes and concerns. He serves as the Board Secretary.
J. Michael Neyrey is Assistant Vice-President at Regions Financial Corporation. He holds degrees from Tulane University and the University of New Orleans. Previously in management at Coca Cola in Atlanta, Georgia, Michael moved back to his beloved New Orleans to work to rebuild the city. He serves as the Board Treasurer.
Stephen J. Boyard, Jr. rose from a middle/junior high school history teacher to middle/junior high school principal during his long and distinguished career in Orleans Parish public schools that spanned thirty-seven years and produced award winning schools. He knows what it takes to produce a world class school. He holds a BS from Southern University, a Masters from Tulane University and his Masters + 30 from Loyola University.
Olga Guardia de Smoak is a native of Panama, a world citizen and dance impressario. After graduating from high school in the United States, she studied at the Universite’ de Poitiers, Tours and LaSorbonne, in Paris, France. She went on to receive her BA from Vassar College, settled in New Orleans, and became a driving force recruiting students to Vassar from New Orleans’ private and public high schools. Two of the students she recruited to Vassar were Shaun Rafferty and Grisela Alejandro Jackson. Her love of dance led her to Russia, conducting exchanges of dancers between Russia and the United States and later teaching at Loyola University.
Barbara Doublet is a veteran educator in Jefferson Parish. Her expertise in Special Education enables her to lead the Deckbar Special School as its principal. She holds degrees from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Tulane University and the University of New Orleans. She is the recipient of many educational and community awards.
Edward Scharfenberg is an attorney with an outstanding career serving the New Orleans community.