October is National Principals Month. Throughout the month, we will be celebrating our school directors in our Feature Fridays, and we are kicking it off by highlighting our two incredible leaders who are new to DSST but already making a lasting impact: Emily Felsenthal, School Director at DSST: Elevate Northeast High School, and Dr. James Clark, School Director at DSST: Cole Middle School. Although their journeys to DSST are different, both share a commitment to equity, excellence, and joy, and their leadership is already shaping the future of their schools.
“I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of high-quality education,” Dr. Clark said. “Growing up in the inner city of Memphis, I experienced many systemic barriers, and as a first-generation college student, I know the impact that access and support can have. Now, being a school leader allows me to create the conditions for every student to experience that kind of growth and to ensure that our teachers have the tools and support they need.”
Emily’s path has taken her through 15 years of urban education in St. Louis, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Denver.
“I am deeply grateful and proud to lead at DSST: Elevate High School,” she shared. “I believe in education's power to unlock opportunities and promote equity ... That belief continues to be my North Star.”
Both leaders are already making their mark. Emily has embraced Elevate’s themes of "Planning Ahead" and "Shared Ownership", bringing contagious energy and a student-centered approach.
“Joy is the name of the game for me," she said. "It's my primary value and what drives how I show up to work every day. As a school leader, I believe my role is to create an environment where both students and staff feel the joy in this work, celebrate learning, and are empowered to show up as their authentic selves.”
Dr. Clark is shaping a school culture that’s both rigorous and joyful. For him, spreading joy is about creating experiences and generating excitement, curiosity and pride in students’ learning.
“It’s about ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, has access to opportunities that help them grow academically, socially, and emotionally,” he said. “True joy comes when students feel seen, supported, and capable of achieving their dreams. For me, spreading joy means nurturing their potential, celebrating their successes, and helping them build confidence in themselves and their abilities. It is a reminder that our work as educators is not just about teaching content, it’s about opening doors, creating possibilities, and helping each child envision a future they know they can achieve."
The impact of these two new school directors has not gone unnoticed.
“Fels brings authentic curiosity and inquiry to every interaction,” said Jenna Kalin, the Managing Director who works directly with Emily. “She’s deeply committed to learning from the Elevate HS and DSST community.” Jenna added, “Fels’ energy is contagious! She brings joy, energy, and a deep commitment to high support and excellence for students and staff.”
At Cole, Dr. Clark’s leadership is already transforming the school culture.
“He always leads with love and goes above and beyond to make his staff, students, and families feel cared for and seen,” said Katharine Van Wyhe, the Managing Director who works directly with Dr. Clark. “He believes school should be fun in addition to having rigorous academics for students.” From launching Cole’s first pep rally to leading successful family events, Dr. Clark is building community and celebrating student success.
Both leaders bring a track record of academic excellence. Emily’s leadership at Lake Middle School supported 8th-grade students with disabilities to achieve a 71 MGP in ELA, and she designed an equity project to ensure every student had access to elective courses. Dr. Clark’s previous work at KIPP included a 100% graduation rate, top AP performance, and a nationally adopted leadership playbook.
“My goal is to ensure that every student feels seen, challenged, and prepared for success both in school and beyond,” Dr. Clark said. And Emily echoed that same commitment: “I’m proud of the meaningful impact this work has had on the communities I’ve served, and I am committed to bringing that same dedication and results to my role at DSST: Elevate HS.”
We’re thrilled to welcome Emily and Dr. Clark to the DSST family. Their leadership is already helping students thrive, staff feel supported, and school communities grow stronger.