Inwood Academy for Leadership Charter School
Gaayathry Thiyagarajah currently serves as the Elementary School Director at Inwood Academy for Leadership Charter School since July 2023. With over a decade of experience in education, Gaayathry has held various roles at LION Charter School from August 2010 to July 2023, including Director of Academic Programs for the Elementary School, Dean of Instruction for the High School, Assistant Director of Special Education, Head of the Science Department, and High School Science Special Education Teacher. Previous experience includes a position as a 7th Grade Special Education Teacher at Norwalk Public Schools and as a Research and Administrative Assistant at Teachers College, Columbia University, supporting research for the Center for Opportunities & Outcomes for People with Disabilities. Gaayathry began an educational career as an ABA Therapist at the New Haven Learning Centre, focusing on students with autism. Educational qualifications include a Master's degree in Special Education and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from McMaster University.
Inwood Academy for Leadership Charter School
Inwood Academy for Leadership is a free, public charter school that empowers students to become agents for change through community-focused leadership, character development, and college preparedness. We were founded on the belief that all children deserve a quality education and that a child’s access to a great education should not be limited by his or her family’s income or zip code. Our service to students extends beyond the school day and beyond their high school graduation. We opened our doors to our first class of 110 fifth graders in 2010, graduated our first class of seniors in 2018, and 10 years later are supporting our alumni until they earn their college degree or enter the career of their choice. Students are given a preference in our open lottery if they are an English Language Learner living in the school district in which our school is located. Applying siblings of students enrolled in Inwood Academy for Leadership are also given preference for a seat.