Meet Our Team

Nate Deans
Director

Email: deansjnd@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
Phone: 414-475-8512

Born and raised in Milwaukee, Nate has dedicated his career to education. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee with degrees in English Education and Literary and Critical Studies. He taught English at Milwaukee Academy of Science for two years and then at Riverside University High School, his alma mater, for seven years. While at Riverside, he advised several student organizations, mentored programs, and oversaw a number of administrative duties.

Nate was the recipient of the MPS Start, Stay, Succeed Award in 2017, the UWM Graduate of the Last Decade Award in 2018, and was nominated for the Wisconsin Teacher of the Year Award in 2016. After leaving Riverside, he became the School Support Teacher at The Alliance School of Milwaukee. Nate went on to earn a master’s degree in Administrative Leadership along with his Director of Instruction Principal License in 2020 as part of the Burke Fellows program. He aspires to further his impact on the students of Milwaukee through the Department of Black and Latino Male Achievement.

Kimberly Foster
Administrative Assistant

Email: fosterkd@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
Phone: 414-777-7863

Kimberly is an administrative professional with over 20 years of proven experience in providing excellence in front-line customer service and administrative support. As a key support function for the department of Black and Latino Male Achievement, she oversees the administration of two federal grants for the department employees and over 100 schools within MPS.

Her role includes administering key support functions such as HR support tasks, payroll, supply orders and maintaining grant documentation for the department and schools for auditing purposes. She also liaises between the schools and the administration to ensure effective communication and clear understanding the districts processes, procedures and compliance requirements.

Paul Moga
Coordinator III/Founding Member

Email: mogape@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
Phone: 414-475-8248

Paul Moga is a founding member of the MPS Department of Black and Latino Male Achievement (BLMA). A Milwaukee native and alumnus of Riverside University High School, he earned a bachelor’s degree in English Education from Delaware State University and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Cardinal Stritch University. For Milwaukee Public Schools, Paul collaborates with school leaders to implement research-based, culturally sustaining, student-centered school initiatives.

Paul has spent his career working to build relevant, fulfilling educational experiences in his classroom and others. While serving as English Department chair at Riverside University High School, he also dedicated his time as a forensics coach, poetry coach, and student council advisor. Paul then accepted a role as Culturally Responsive Teacher Leader from 2014–2017, researching school culture and classroom best practices, providing professional learning to teachers, administrators, and support staff, and then becoming BLMA’s first coordinator.

A husband and father of two, Paul enjoys exercising, watching sports, spending time outdoors, listening to hip-hop, reading, and writing. 

Dan Maldonado
Coordinator III

Email: maldonda@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
Phone: 414-475-8636

As a proud MPS alumnus born and raised in Milwaukee, and as a proud Puerto Rican, Dan’s passion is to advance the educational experiences of Black and Latino students in Milwaukee. His passion for Milwaukee’s youth stems from growing up in Milwaukee, where he attended Riverwest Elementary, Lincoln Center of the Arts, and Riverside University High School. He received his bachelor’s degree in English and TEFL from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, a master’s degree in Educational Policy, Organization, and Leadership from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a second master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction and Administrative Leadership from Alverno College.

Prior to joining the BLMA team, Dan served as dean of students at Carmen High School and also taught English and ESL at South Division and Riverside University High School. During his time teaching, Dan received the Distinguished Teacher Award in 2015 and 2016 and the Wisconsin Association for Bilingual Education (WIABE) Educator of the Year in 2023 for developing BLMA's Elementary school mentoring program (BLMA Buddies).

Dan is married to Sophia, who is also an MPS alumna. They have two sons named August (after August Wilson) and Lin (after Lin-Manuel Miranda).

Angilique Jones-Cornelius
SEL Coordinator III

Email: jonesal2@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
Phone: 414-475-8646

Angilique Jones-Cornelius’ experience spans over the k-12 grade levels across Milwaukee Public Schools as a teacher and a school counselor for more than twenty plus years. Angilique was born and raised in the 53206 area in Milwaukee. Her mission is to empower and inspire students. Angilique is the founder of Adopt a High School Senior Milwaukee-Wisconsin Inc, her non profit organization that was founded during the pandemic to celebrate graduating high school seniors.Her organization continues to  provide resources for students in need. Angilique is known for going the extra mile to help students find success. Angiliqe believes: “Not everybody can be famous but everybody can be great, because greatness is determined by service.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.

Angilique earned her Bachelor’s of Business from Jackson State University, her Master’s in Education from Cardinal Stritch University, and a Master’s in School Counseling from Concordia University. Under her leadership, students have gained hundreds of college acceptances, numerous employment opportunities and millions of dollars in college scholarship offers. Angilique was the winner of the Positively Milwaukee Award in 2020 and the Black Excellence Award in 2023 for educational work she does with students.

Angilique is a  wife and a mother of four amazing daughters. She enjoys traveling, music concerts, watching sports, and spending time with her family. Angilique is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, the Top Ladies of Distinction, the Greater Milwaukee Urban League Guild and a charter member of the National Council of Negro Women.

Donavon J. Johnson
Planning Assistant III

Email: johns100@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
Phone: 414-475-8756

Donavon is a dedicated educator and believes that youth development is essential to building strong, intentional leaders. He believes that by engaging the leaders of tomorrow, we empower them to triumph through the challenges of today. This is not only his philosophy, but it is his own story; Donavon counts mentors, educators, and his community as his driving force, inspiration, and support.

Donavon advocates for continuous growth and learning, both inside and outside of the classroom. As such, he has earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Services Leadership and holds certificates in African American Studies and Social Justice. Donavon is involved with local and national social service organizations, coaches high school sports, and volunteers in the community. He relishes every opportunity to impart the wisdom that he has gained through education, experience, and community collaboration.

For Donavon, BLMA is a vehicle to increase literacy and build meaningful relationships within the school district and community—a vehicle that continues to propel us forward together. His favorite quote is "Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today" by el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, better known as Malcolm X.

Donavon is an avid Milwaukee Bucks and Green Bay Packers fan who enjoys reading and spending time with his two children.

Heidi Jiles
Planning Assistant II

Email: jilesha@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
Phone: 414-475-8635

Heidi Jiles is from the Southside of Chicago, Illinois. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she obtained her B.A. in Social Work. She then obtained her Masters of Arts in Special Education at Grand Canyon University. She is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Marketing  at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Her mission is to spread love and build community.

She currently serves as the Planning Assistant in the department. Heidi is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. She is mom to a nine year old math enthusiast and soccer player. For the past decade Heidi has worked within Milwaukee Public Schools and Private Schools serving as a Special Education Teacher, Middle School Teacher and School Counselor.

Kendall Roberts
Planning Assistant II

Email: jilesha@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
Phone: 414-475-8635

Kendall Roberts, hails from Trinidad and Tobago, where he developed a passion for education and soccer from a young age. His family relocated to Brooklyn, NYC and then Fort Lauderdale, FL. Kendall's academic journey led him to Palm Beach State College for his B.S in Health Management & Supervision and completed his Masters degree at Ohio University in Recreation & Sports Science. Growing up surrounded by the passion for soccer that is deeply ingrained in Trinidadian culture, Kendall became an active participant in the sport. His early days as a player were marked by making the South Florida Olympic Developmental Pool. It was during this time that he discovered his calling to not only play, but to impart his knowledge and passion for the game to others. In tandem with his soccer pursuits, Kendall has been an influential figure in the field of education. As a former Student Equity Advocate for Pittsburgh Public Schools, and currently a Courageous Conversation facilitator, and a BLMA Planning Assistant, Kendall continues to inspire youth both on pitch and in the classroom. His belief in the transformative power of education has driven him to create an impact beyond the soccer field, inspiring young minds to reach their full potential.