Our Team

Danesha Washington is a native of Milwaukee, WI and was educated through the Milwaukee Public Schools. She has been employed at HOPE Christian School: Semper since the founding year of 2012. Ms. Washington began her career at HOPE Semper as the Office Manager. Through this position, she has created valuable and indispensable relationships with parents and scholars. Through hard work, dedication, and commitment,  in September of 2019, Ms. Washington was promoted to School Operations Manager. As School Operations Manager, she oversees the daily operations of the school to ensure the safety of the scholars and the viability and maintenance of the school. 

Ms. Washington enjoys working with all of the amazing scholars, building lasting partnerships with parents, and being a servant leader. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her four wonderful children, watching movies, playing board games, and making memories with family and friends. 

Ms. Washington lives out her mission in service as a member of St Marcus Lutheran Church. Her favorite scripture is-“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”Galatians 6:9 King James Version (KJV)

Cora Edwards is a native of Milwaukee and a product of Milwaukee public schools.  Cora Edwards has served in the Milwaukee community as an advocate for domestic violence and substance abuse through organizations such as:  The Milwaukee Women's Center and Meta House for many years. She later transitioned to HOPE Christian School: Semper in 2013 as a teaching assistant. Ms.Edwards was promoted in 2018 to the Cultural Specialist position. Cora enjoys building relationships with scholars and parents.She continues to work within the Milwaukee community with at-risk youth at Running Rebel. In Ms. Edwards’ free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading and crafting. Cora is a member of Holy Cathedral Church of God in Christ. Ms. Edwards believes in spreading the fruits of the spirit wherever she goes. Galatians 5:22-23 “The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace,patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness,gentleness, self-control.”

A native of the Milwaukee area, Jacarra is a graduate of Milwaukee Area Technical College where she received her Associates Degree in Human Services in 2014. Where her love for people begins.

Jacarra began working with HOPE Christian School: Semper in fall of 2019 as the Office Manager. She accepted the role of School Admissions Manager right before the 2020-2021 school year began. 

Prior to joining the team at HOPE Christian School: Semper, Jacarra was a Family Advocate for a headstart program in the Milwaukee area. And has multiple years in the Workforce field. Jacarra's passion is to help teen girls in the community become successful women one teen at a time. She volunteers every summer for Milwaukee Teen Reach Adventures Camp (MTRAC). She has been a youth counselor for 4 years now with MTRAC. In her spare time, she loves to lift people up in prayer or an encouraging word, read books, attend women events and church. Her favorite motto is “What you do today, will affect your Future later”.

My name is Randall Coopwood and I was born in Illinois and raised in Milwaukee, WI.I started my career as a public speaker for ARCW( AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin) speaking publicly about abstinence from sex, drugs etc. I traveled throughout the state speaking to middle and high school students and staff. This position afforded me the opportunity to exercise my passion for mentoring and ministering to the youth of my beloved state of Wisconsin.  As years progressed, I transitioned to the role of a teacher at Northcutt head start program.  This began my pathway of training and college courses in early childhood education. I  found myself working  to gain knowledge and skills working with children and youth development and leadership programs to lead youth in character development, knowledge and new work skills.  I have been a HOPE Semper team member  for four years, a job I have cherished and given my all. I believe that teaching children and youth critical thinking and character skills is the key to transforming the world.

Susan Grice is a Milwaukee native, and a current Sherman Park resident. Susan is a Christian, wife and mother of two. Susan is long time member of Calvary Baptist Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has over 15 years of experience educating students within urban, suburban, private, public, choice, and charter school systems. 

Susan earned her Bachelor's in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia and her Master's in Educational Leadership from Cardinal Stritch University. Susan has a deep passion for helping young people reach their fullest potential. 

Loreal Smith was born in Rapid City, South Dakota but was raised in Milwaukee, WI. Loreal has always had a passion for working with children and started early in life helping volunteer in the church nursery and children's church. One of her first jobs in high school was working at a daycare. 

Her passion for education led her to receive her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Spanish in 2015 from the University of Wisconsin- Whitewater. Since then, Loreal has taught various grade levels at schools throughout the area. During that time, she focused on building lasting relationships with parents and students. 

In her spare time Loreal enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her two children. She has a passion for Christ and enjoys praying for others. It is for this reason that she is thrilled to be the Elementary Dean of Instruction here at Hope Semper where she is able to work in an environment that places Christ at the center of all things, while simultaneously being able to do what she loves: educating children and helping teachers. 

Loreal is currently studying at Cardinal Stritch University to receiver her master's degree in educational leadership.