Administration

Kathleen Zimmermann

Executive Director

Kathleen Zimmermann became the Executive Director of NYOS Charter School in 2009. Before joining NYOS, Kathleen spent many years in education, operations, and financial management roles. Kathleen holds a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

Julie Atchley
Director of Academics

Julie Atchley joined NYOS Charter School in 2005 and served as the middle school/high school principal for seven years. She has more than 25 years of experience in education and 19 years in administrative leadership. Julie holds a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Texas State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Oklahoma State University.

Joe Watkins

Director of Operations

Joe brings over 10 years of experience in a variety of Operational Director roles and functions. He joins NYOS Charter School after providing support for a local university as a Director of Operations and Staffing. Joe has a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from SUNY Buffalo State College and a Master's degree in Higher Education from Arkansas Tech University. He is heavily focused on student success and development and strives to promote an environment centered on teamwork, integrity, and inclusion.

Hweilu Chen, CPA
Director of Finance

Hweilu Chen joined NYOS in 2011 and served as the Senior Accountant for 6 years. In the fall of 2017, she was advanced into the Director of Finance position to oversee Accounting, Human Resources, Registrar, Community Outreach, and Grants. Hweilu holds a Master’s degree in Professional Accounting and Bachelor in Business Administration in Accounting from The University of Texas at Austin.

Terry Berkenhoff
Elementary Principal

Terry Berkenhoff joined the NYOS Charter School community in 2007 as the Elementary Principal. Throughout her professional career she has served in a variety of roles including classroom teacher, curriculum specialist, assistant principal and principal. She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Concordia University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A&M University.

Will Jaramillo
Secondary Principal

Will Jaramillo joined the NYOS Charter School community in June of 2019 as the Secondary Principal. Prior to this role, he served as an assistant principal, a summer principal, an instructional coach, a curriculum writer, and a classroom teacher. Will earned a Master of Education in School Leadership from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from St. Edward's University.