School Leadership Team
Meet the tireless educators whose dedication and vision have brought The SEED School of Miami to life. Click on their names to contact them via email.
Theresa Thomas, Head of School
Theresa Thomas is a seasoned educator and visionary leader with a deep commitment to empowering both students and educators. Her career in education began as a City Year Corps member, where she witnessed the transformative power of education firsthand. This experience ignited her passion for teaching and laid the foundation for her ongoing mission to create lasting change in the educational landscape.
Theresa’s early career as a classroom teacher in Miami allowed her to cultivate a love for learning in her students. She later expanded her impact as a Curriculum Support Specialist for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, where she designed and implemented innovative instructional strategies. Her dedication to professional and leadership development led her to The SEED School of Miami, where she served as the Founding Director of High School Academics. In this role, she played a critical part in shaping the academic vision for students in grades 6-12, ensuring they had access to rigorous and enriching learning experiences.
In November 2024, Theresa was honored to assume the role of Head of School at The SEED School of Miami. She is dedicated to fostering a culture of excellence, equity, and opportunity for all students. Her leadership is grounded in the belief that every student and educator has unlimited potential, and she is committed to creating an environment where they can thrive.
In addition to her work at SEED, Theresa is the founder of Empowering Leaders Nest (ELN), a leadership development organization focused on supporting emerging leaders. She is passionate about helping individuals identify and embrace their authentic leadership styles, recognizing that leadership is not one-size-fits-all.
Theresa reflects, “Early in my leadership journey, I had to discover my authentic leadership style. Doing so empowered me to lead with confidence and authenticity. This allowed me to successfully guide a team of educators through the challenges of starting a new organization. While the journey wasn’t always smooth, my team felt seen, heard, and supported through every obstacle.”
Theresa remains excited to continue her journey at The SEED School of Miami, where she leads with vision, passion, and a steadfast commitment to the success and well-being of every student.
Dr. Coniell Bursac, Director of Middle School Academics
With over 24 years of experience in education, Dr. Coniell Bursac has demonstrated transformational leadership in various roles, including as a Mathematics teacher in both middle and high schools, mathematics instructional coach, International Baccalaureate magnet coordinator, school district administrator with a focus on school turnaround and grant management, assistant principal, principal, and college adjunct professor at Ashford University. Throughout her career, Dr. Bursac has prioritized building capacity in others and fostering collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure a shared mission and vision for student and system success. She has committed her professional life to servant leadership, following the example of her parents—her father, a retired First Sergeant in the United States Army, who later became a certified teacher; and her mother, a career educator and principal.
Dr. Bursac holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Cameron University in Oklahoma and both a Master of Science and Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Harding University in Arkansas
KIMARYA CARTER-MARTIN, Director of high school academics
Mrs. Kimarya Carter-Martin is an accomplished educator and leader with a diverse background shaped by her experiences as a military dependent, which exposed her to a variety of cultures and environments. Following in her father’s footsteps, she served in the U.S. Army after graduating high school, an experience that instilled in her a strong sense of discipline and dedication.
Mrs. Carter-Martin began her educational journey at Alabama State University (Montgomery, AL), where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. She furthered her academic pursuits with a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction and a Specialist in Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton, FL).
With over 20 years of experience in education, Mrs. Carter-Martin is a certified Reading Specialist and has provided both training and professional development to educators at all levels, from novice teachers to seasoned professionals. As Director of High School Academics, she is dedicated to ensuring that all students are prepared for success in both college and their future careers.
Mark Mcbride, Director Middle school student life
RETRAVIA INGRAHAM, Director of College Knowledge and Advising
Retravia Ingraham, MDiv, is a passionate educator and advocate for college access, dedicated to empowering young people to achieve their full potential. As the Director of College Knowledge and Advising at The SEED School of Miami, she has transformed the lives of countless students, ensuring they are equipped with the tools to succeed in higher education. Since the 2021-2022 school year, 100% of her scholars have been accepted to college, applying to over 400 schools annually and securing millions in scholarships.
Having started her journey at SEED Miami in 2017 as a part-time overnight resident advisor, Retravia’s growth within the organization reflects her unwavering commitment to advancing the school’s mission of preparing scholars for success in college and beyond. Retravia’s drive for educational equity is deeply personal. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy from Florida Memorial University (2016) and a Master of Divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary (2024). With her College Counseling Certification from Columbia Teachers College (2022), she continues to guide her students through every step of the college admissions process. For Retravia, her work is more than a career—it’s a calling to uplift the next generation of leaders and create transformative opportunities for students who need it most.
VANESSA FAVIER, Director of Compliance
cHARI aLLEN, Director of student support Services
Mrs. Chari Allen began her journey in education almost 10 years ago, when she joined the New York Teaching Fellows. She taught at a local high school while obtaining her master’s degree in special education from Hunter College in New York. After graduating with her degree, she transitioned back to her hometown of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and worked as an ESE teacher where she worked alongside general education teachers with closing the gap for students with disabilities, servicing both elementary and middle school students.
Chari then transitioned to the Head of Department/ESE Specialist. During this time, Chari worked with teachers to identify students with disabilities that require classroom accommodations and ensure that Free and Appropriate Education is available to all students. She was also responsible for ensuring compliance with all state and federal regulations as well as educational best practices. While working in this role, Chari also obtained an Education Specialist degree in education leadership from Liberty University.
Claudio Moraes, Director of Finance
Claudio Moraes, MBA, M.Sc., is the Director of Finance for The SEED School of Miami. Claudio holds a Master in Business Management Degree from IBMEC University and a MBA degree earned from FGV, and a Bachelor in Business. Claudio has more than 2 decades of executive experience in the private and non-profit sectors, working for Private Equity investments funds, banks, pharmaceutical, and healthcare service companies. The professional has senior expertise in financial modeling, M&A process, business planning, Strategic budgeting. Claudio is an authorized Portfolio Manager by The Brazilian Securities Commission (CVM), and a Credit Specialist certified by The Brazilian Bank Association (FEBRABAN). Claudio has also strong Ad Hoc participations in the educational sector, contributing as member of Board of examiners of business incubators and technology parks of Universities, The Brazilian Army technology Park, and FINEP. Claudio is a researcher, teacher and lecturer of Venture Capital, valuation methods and feasibility studies of projects.
Eric Lewis, Director of Admissions
Eric L. Lewis joined the SEED School of Miami in July 2016 as an Admissions Coordinator and was promoted to Director of Admissions and Student Enrollment in April 2017. A native of Miami, Florida, Mr. Lewis earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Exceptional Education K-12 from Florida International University.
Before joining SEED Miami, Mr. Lewis dedicated over 20 years of his professional career to supporting student success within Miami-Dade County Public Schools. His experience spans various roles, including community specialist, teacher, mentor, coach, and college readiness counselor, where he focused on advancing educational opportunities for students. As Director of Admissions and Student Enrollment, he continues to leverage his extensive background to ensure a seamless and impactful experience for prospective students and their families.
TIFFANY GRAVER-SMITH, Director of DEVELOPMENT
Tiffany Graver-Smith is a founding member of The SEED School of Miami (SEED Miami), where she oversees the school's development efforts and drives strategic growth initiatives, including fundraising, community partnerships, and the capital campaign. Her leadership has been instrumental in expanding SEED's community partnerships, providing students and families with unique experiences through collaborations with organizations such as AileyCamp, Buffalo Cove Outdoor Education Center, the Miami Heat, the Concours Club, and more. Tiffany takes great pride in nurturing strong relationships with SEED’s Champions, ensuring a deep connection to both the mission and the students we serve.
You can often catch her leading campus tours alongside our student ambassadors, sharing the SEED experience firsthand. Before joining SEED Miami, Tiffany worked at the University of Miami’s School Readiness Lab as a Team Leader, where she oversaw collaborative research on early childhood transitions across multiple domains. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Miami.
AMANDA alvarez, Director of Marketing & Communications
Amanda Alvarez, MBA, is a seasoned marketing and communications professional with over seven years of experience across diverse sectors. She began her career at A-Rod Corp, where she played a pivotal role in managing the public image and social media accounts of baseball legend Alex Rodriguez. In addition to overseeing his personal brand, Amanda helped launch A-Rod Productions, contributing to the development of new media ventures and expanding the brand’s reach.
Amanda then transitioned into an operational leadership role as Chief of Staff to the CEO at Next Level Marketing in Miami, FL. In this capacity, she became the right-hand partner to the CEO, managing high-profile accounts and leading strategic initiatives that drove growth and operational excellence at the agency. Prior to SEED, Amanda joined Great Innovations, LLC, where she spearheaded the launch of iFLO, the HVAC industry’s first-ever automated cleaning device. She developed the go-to-market strategy, leading the brand's market entry and successfully driving millions in revenue for this innovative product.
Amanda holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Communications from the University of Miami and an MBA from Florida International University (FIU). With a proven track record of delivering strategic insights and driving operational success.
ALPHONSO SEALeY, Director of High School student life
Dr. Alphonso L. Sealey brings over nine years of experience in public education, having taught in various classrooms and served as a School Counselor for three years. He has held several key roles at Virginia Union University, including Assistant Professor of Education, Clinical Field Placement Coordinator, Master’s Degree Coordinator for the Master of Arts in Curriculum & Instruction, Operations Manager for Corporate & Internal Affairs, and Assistant Dean for the School of Education. Additionally, Dr. Sealey served as the Coordinator of Field Experiences at James Madison University.
Dr. Sealey has dedicated over 25 years to mentoring African American males and is deeply committed to addressing the achievement gap affecting this group. His passion for supporting African American males and promoting educational equity drives much of his work.
An experienced presenter, Dr. Sealey has led workshops and conferences on a range of topics, including the underachievement of African American males, diverse learners, 21st-century classroom practices, differentiated instruction, and teaching race, cultural continuity, and social justice in K-12 education.
