Meet Our Leaders

We believe in the limitless potential of every scholar—and every teacher.

Leadership Team

Arthur,Dawn

Dawn Arthur

Executive Director
darthur@risese.org

Dawn Arthur brings more than a decade of educational leadership, rooted in a belief that education and community transformation go hand in hand. A University of Virginia engineering graduate, Dawn began her career in tech with Northrop Grumman and Booz Allen Hamilton, where she earned the firm’s top talent award. Her passion for social impact led her to earn an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, focusing on social entrepreneurship.
Dawn joined KIPP ENC as its first COO, growing the network from two to six schools and leading a $20M+ budget and 50-person team. She later graduated from NC’s Rural Economic Development Institute.

In 2019, she joined RISE Charter School (then PAVE) as Executive Director, guiding its reorganization into a sustainable, independent school. Under her leadership, RISE built strong academic systems and leadership capacity, positioning it to drive lasting change in Southeast Raleigh.

Dawn serves on the board of the Tom Russell Foundation and remains committed to educational equity. She enjoys time with her family and church community.

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Aurelien,Martine

Martine Aurelien

Director of Finance & HR
maurelien@risese.org

Martine Aurelien combines policy expertise, operational acumen, and a passion for equity in her role as Director of Finance & HR. Raised in Hartford, CT by Haitian immigrant parents, Martine has focused her career on supporting mission-driven organizations.
 
Her journey began in education as a high school social studies teacher with Teach For America in rural North Carolina. She then became a policy analyst with the NC Justice Center, shaping equitable fiscal policy. At Teach For America, Martine held multiple operations and talent roles, supporting finance, operations, and development to promote equitable access to education.
Martine holds a B.S. in Human Development from Cornell University and an MPP from Duke University. Her graduate work focused on analyzing the socio-political and economic barriers faced by marginalized communities.
 
At RISE, Martine ensures that financial and HR systems reflect the school's mission and values, supporting organizational sustainability and impact.

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Blackwell,Kristen

Kristen Blackwell

Director of Operations
kblackwell@risese.org

Kristen Blackwell is a seasoned educator and operations leader with 18 years of experience. A Raleigh native, Kristen is committed to creating environments where scholars thrive both academically and socially.
 
She holds a B.S. in Liberal Studies from North Carolina A&T, an Elementary Education License from NC Central University, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Meredith College.
Kristen began her career in the classroom and brings that educator's perspective to her current work in operations. Now as Director of Operations at RISE, she ensures that the school’s systems and resources support an enriching learning environment. Her approach bridges the gap between educational theory and day-to-day logistics, promoting student growth and teacher success.
 
Passionate about education as a holistic journey, Kristen focuses on optimizing school operations to align with academic goals. Outside of work, she enjoys fashion and spending time with her puppy, Blazer.

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James,Tawana

Tawana James

Instructional Coach
tjames@risese.org

Jowers,Jason

Jason Jowers

Principal
jjowers@risese.org

Jason Jowers is a dynamic education leader with a proven record of transforming schools. As Principal of Fayetteville Street Elementary in Durham, NC, he raised school proficiency by 5% in his first year. At Global Scholars Academy, he led a remarkable turnaround—improving proficiency by over 20%, boosting its rating from a D to a C, and removing it from the low-performing list. At Eno Valley Elementary, he increased proficiency by 12%, reduced suspensions by 40%, and grew enrollment by 60%.
 
Previously, as Assistant Principal at Hillside High School, Jason launched the Freshman Academy, achieving graduation rates over 90% and securing $12 million in scholarships. His teaching excellence earned him the 2011 Durham Public Schools Teacher of the Year award—the youngest recipient in district history—and an invitation to the 2012 State of the Union Address. He was later named the 2015 NC Assistant Principal of the Year.
 
Jason is a committed advocate for student achievement, recognized at the local, state, and national levels. He lives in North Carolina with his wife, Monique, and their children, Jordyn and Jaxson.

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McKenzie,Loraine

Lorraine McKenzie

Instructional Coach
lmckenzie@risese.org

Scott,Teri

Terri Scott

EC Coordinator
tscott@risese.org

Sparks,Mary

Mary Lynn Sparks

Assistant Principal
msparks@risese.org

Mary Lynn Sparks brings nearly a decade of experience in elementary education and a deep commitment to equity and excellence. Originally from Gary, Indiana, her career pivoted from business to education after her daughter’s early reading challenges inspired a passion for literacy and learning.
 
Mary Lynn holds a B.S. in Business Marketing from Hampton University, an M.S. in Education (Reading and Literacy) from Capella University, and an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from Regent University.
 
She has served as a teacher, instructional coach, and in key leadership roles at RISE, including Director of MTSS and Test Coordinator. In these roles, she led data-driven interventions, coordinated afterschool tutoring, integrated i-Ready into MTSS, and ensured full compliance with state testing.
 
Her work is rooted in the belief that education unlocks purpose and potential. She is a two-time Teacher Innovation Grant recipient, recognized for her leadership in early literacy and data-informed practices.
 
Outside of school, Mary Lynn enjoys reading, journaling, and spending time with her daughter Madison, who remains her inspiration.

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