The TAPA Leadership Team
Clockwise from upper left:
Elizabeth A. Richards-Hegnauer, Head of School
Ms.Richards-Hegnauer@TAPAprovidence.org
Liz (she/her) is a founding Administrator at TAPA, co-wrote TAPA's initial Education Plan, and saw the school through its approval process. At TAPA, Liz oversees all aspects of student life, including building TAPA's academically rigorous artistic culture. She was the Adviser to "R-Cubed," a TAPA Advisory that graduated in 2016, all of whom are making her very proud in their post-TAPA lives. Prior to arriving at TAPA, Liz completed Bachelor's Degrees in English and Education from Vassar College, and a Master's Degree in Urban Education Policy from Brown University. Liz also taught English Language Arts at the middle and high school levels, and worked at the Rhode Island Department of Education. Liz has extensive experience in the performing arts, having served as the manager of a 180-seat black box theater and as a co-founder of a nonprofit community theatre group. Outside of TAPA, Liz was one of the founders of the Teens in Action, the Grace Church youth group, the mom of a 21 year old CCRI student, and a viciously competitive player of team trivia. If you want to learn more about Ms. R-H, check out the mini-documentary that TAPA Film Major Patrick F (Class of 2020) made about her here.
Kevin Cordeiro, Assistant Head of School
Mr.Cordeiro@TAPAprovidence.org
Kevin (he/him) came to TAPA and immediately fell for the energy and critical nature of our students. Since then he has worked to re-write the historical perspectives curriculum along with the other department members. His historical focus is on the crossroads of pop culture and politics as well as intersectional historiography. He teaches the 10th grade Pop Culture in the Cold War class as well as the 9th-grade Historical Research Seminar. Along with his role as an HP teacher, he is also on the school's administration team as the Dean of Academics to support students' scholarly growth. Outside of school life he takes care of a wide range of animals from snakes to chickens and loves talking about all things horror related. If you want to learn more about Mr. Cordeiro, check out the mini-documentary that TAPA Film Major Aydan S (Class of 2020) made about him here.
Ammar Zia, Director of Teaching and Learning
Mr.Zia@TAPAprovidence.org
Ammar (he/him) moved to Rhode Island after completing his Bachelors of Arts from UCLA in English Literature and Educational Studies. After graduation, Ammar taught 7th and 8th grade English at TAPA, and also spent summers coaching teachers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Camden, New Jersey. In 2016, Ammar taught refugees internationally in the West Bank of Palestine, completed his Masters in Multicultural Education and Literacy, and published a study on retention and comprehension through an arts-integrated model. Ammar’s experiences led him to take a position with Teach for America Rhode Island as a Manager of Teacher Leadership Development, where he worked to support 25 teachers in 9 schools around Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Falls. Ammar’s identity and experiences as a 1.5 generation immigrant motivates his drive to fight for equitable and accessible eduction for all children—and now— he’s excited to return to TAPA, as the school's Director of Teaching and Learning!
Eliza Bryant, Guidance Counselor and Director of Student Pathways (habla español)
Ms.Bryant@TAPAProvidence.org
Eliza (she/her) was honored as Rhode Island's School Counselor of the Year in 2019 by the Rhode Island School Counseling Association. Her professional focus is advocating to change the systemic injustices in the path to higher education, in order to increase affordable, low or no-debt college access for first-generation college students. Eliza returned to live and work in her home state after several years running an academic support program in the Boston Public Schools, where she received her certification in School Counseling at UMass Boston. In Rhode Island, Eliza has supported students as a counselor in Providence, Newport, and Central Falls. She also served as the summer counselor for URI's First Star Program, where she helps youth in foster care complete all aspects of the college application process. She loves working with every TAPA student and family to create meaningful plans for future higher education, careers, and happy, safe lives. Outside of TAPA, Eliza loves running, pickup basketball, music, plants, and raising her 5 year old twins with her wife.
Aréema Sweeney-Ashby, Director of STEM & Academic Dean
Ms.Sweeney-Ashby@TAPAprovidence.org
Aréema Sweeney-Ashby (she/her) was born and raised in Providence, RI native. During her early professional years she pursued her dreams to work in sports and event management, earning degrees from Johnson and Wales and North Eastern University. Aréema’s desire to be in the classroom brought her to Philadelphia Pennsylvania where she earned a Master’s degree in teaching. Outside of teaching, Ms. Sweeney-Ashby bakes extravagant birthday cakes and pastries. Having spent time as both a dancer and a studio owner, Aréema is to be a part of the TAPA Ensemble and merge her love for performing arts and mathematics.
David Sousa, Dean of Students & 12th Grade Historical Perspectives Instructor
Mr.Sousa@TAPAprovidence.org
David holds a Bachelor's degree in history with a concentration in education from Rhode Island College. He started his career in education as a College Advisor for Davies High School, then moved on to a Career Counselor for Central Falls High School. He then put his education to further use and started teaching History at Davies High School. Here he expanded his resume outside of the classroom, adding Staff Mentor Coordinator, Academic Recovery Coordinator and Summer School Director to his many titles. David joined TAPA as a lower school Historical Perspectives teacher in 2014. The next school year, David moved to the Upper School and the Lead Teacher position. He is very excited to be the Dean of Students, where he has the opportunity to use all of his experiences in and out of the classroom in his day to day interactions with students and staff. Outside of the classroom, David loves to spend time with his family, watching sports, being a Freemason and working around the house.
Michael Guzman, Director of Finance (habla español)
Mr.Guzman@TAPAprovidence.org
Mike (he/him) grew up in New York and made the move to the Ocean State where his intense interest in business and finance was nurtured. Mike comes to TAPA with extensive knowledge and experience in finance, operations, business development and technical savvy. He received his BA from Johnson&Wales University and has a master’s degree in Finance. Mike is a graduate of YearUp and has been very active in the community. He is proud of his Dominican heritage, enjoys spending time with his family and cheering on the Yankees. Mike wants to ensure that the future of TAPA remains financially sound and that our students will continue to learn and grow at a school that is second to none.
Elizabeth A. Richards-Hegnauer, Head of School
Ms.Richards-Hegnauer@TAPAprovidence.org
Liz (she/her) is a founding Administrator at TAPA, co-wrote TAPA's initial Education Plan, and saw the school through its approval process. At TAPA, Liz oversees all aspects of student life, including building TAPA's academically rigorous artistic culture. She was the Adviser to "R-Cubed," a TAPA Advisory that graduated in 2016, all of whom are making her very proud in their post-TAPA lives. Prior to arriving at TAPA, Liz completed Bachelor's Degrees in English and Education from Vassar College, and a Master's Degree in Urban Education Policy from Brown University. Liz also taught English Language Arts at the middle and high school levels, and worked at the Rhode Island Department of Education. Liz has extensive experience in the performing arts, having served as the manager of a 180-seat black box theater and as a co-founder of a nonprofit community theatre group. Outside of TAPA, Liz was one of the founders of the Teens in Action, the Grace Church youth group, the mom of a 21 year old CCRI student, and a viciously competitive player of team trivia. If you want to learn more about Ms. R-H, check out the mini-documentary that TAPA Film Major Patrick F (Class of 2020) made about her here.
Kevin Cordeiro, Assistant Head of School
Mr.Cordeiro@TAPAprovidence.org
Kevin (he/him) came to TAPA and immediately fell for the energy and critical nature of our students. Since then he has worked to re-write the historical perspectives curriculum along with the other department members. His historical focus is on the crossroads of pop culture and politics as well as intersectional historiography. He teaches the 10th grade Pop Culture in the Cold War class as well as the 9th-grade Historical Research Seminar. Along with his role as an HP teacher, he is also on the school's administration team as the Dean of Academics to support students' scholarly growth. Outside of school life he takes care of a wide range of animals from snakes to chickens and loves talking about all things horror related. If you want to learn more about Mr. Cordeiro, check out the mini-documentary that TAPA Film Major Aydan S (Class of 2020) made about him here.
Ammar Zia, Director of Teaching and Learning
Mr.Zia@TAPAprovidence.org
Ammar (he/him) moved to Rhode Island after completing his Bachelors of Arts from UCLA in English Literature and Educational Studies. After graduation, Ammar taught 7th and 8th grade English at TAPA, and also spent summers coaching teachers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Camden, New Jersey. In 2016, Ammar taught refugees internationally in the West Bank of Palestine, completed his Masters in Multicultural Education and Literacy, and published a study on retention and comprehension through an arts-integrated model. Ammar’s experiences led him to take a position with Teach for America Rhode Island as a Manager of Teacher Leadership Development, where he worked to support 25 teachers in 9 schools around Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Falls. Ammar’s identity and experiences as a 1.5 generation immigrant motivates his drive to fight for equitable and accessible eduction for all children—and now— he’s excited to return to TAPA, as the school's Director of Teaching and Learning!
Eliza Bryant, Guidance Counselor and Director of Student Pathways (habla español)
Ms.Bryant@TAPAProvidence.org
Eliza (she/her) was honored as Rhode Island's School Counselor of the Year in 2019 by the Rhode Island School Counseling Association. Her professional focus is advocating to change the systemic injustices in the path to higher education, in order to increase affordable, low or no-debt college access for first-generation college students. Eliza returned to live and work in her home state after several years running an academic support program in the Boston Public Schools, where she received her certification in School Counseling at UMass Boston. In Rhode Island, Eliza has supported students as a counselor in Providence, Newport, and Central Falls. She also served as the summer counselor for URI's First Star Program, where she helps youth in foster care complete all aspects of the college application process. She loves working with every TAPA student and family to create meaningful plans for future higher education, careers, and happy, safe lives. Outside of TAPA, Eliza loves running, pickup basketball, music, plants, and raising her 5 year old twins with her wife.
Aréema Sweeney-Ashby, Director of STEM & Academic Dean
Ms.Sweeney-Ashby@TAPAprovidence.org
Aréema Sweeney-Ashby (she/her) was born and raised in Providence, RI native. During her early professional years she pursued her dreams to work in sports and event management, earning degrees from Johnson and Wales and North Eastern University. Aréema’s desire to be in the classroom brought her to Philadelphia Pennsylvania where she earned a Master’s degree in teaching. Outside of teaching, Ms. Sweeney-Ashby bakes extravagant birthday cakes and pastries. Having spent time as both a dancer and a studio owner, Aréema is to be a part of the TAPA Ensemble and merge her love for performing arts and mathematics.
David Sousa, Dean of Students & 12th Grade Historical Perspectives Instructor
Mr.Sousa@TAPAprovidence.org
David holds a Bachelor's degree in history with a concentration in education from Rhode Island College. He started his career in education as a College Advisor for Davies High School, then moved on to a Career Counselor for Central Falls High School. He then put his education to further use and started teaching History at Davies High School. Here he expanded his resume outside of the classroom, adding Staff Mentor Coordinator, Academic Recovery Coordinator and Summer School Director to his many titles. David joined TAPA as a lower school Historical Perspectives teacher in 2014. The next school year, David moved to the Upper School and the Lead Teacher position. He is very excited to be the Dean of Students, where he has the opportunity to use all of his experiences in and out of the classroom in his day to day interactions with students and staff. Outside of the classroom, David loves to spend time with his family, watching sports, being a Freemason and working around the house.
Michael Guzman, Director of Finance (habla español)
Mr.Guzman@TAPAprovidence.org
Mike (he/him) grew up in New York and made the move to the Ocean State where his intense interest in business and finance was nurtured. Mike comes to TAPA with extensive knowledge and experience in finance, operations, business development and technical savvy. He received his BA from Johnson&Wales University and has a master’s degree in Finance. Mike is a graduate of YearUp and has been very active in the community. He is proud of his Dominican heritage, enjoys spending time with his family and cheering on the Yankees. Mike wants to ensure that the future of TAPA remains financially sound and that our students will continue to learn and grow at a school that is second to none.
