Recy Benjamin Dunn most recently served as the Chief Executive Officer of Ascend Public Charter Schools, a network of K-12 public schools in Brooklyn dedicated to providing all students rich and joyful learning experiences that empower them to live a life of boundless choice. Prior to joining Ascend, he served as the Chief Strategy Officer to the First Deputy Chancellor at the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE), overseeing strategic planning and coherence for school support. He also held roles as one of the NYCDOE’s inaugural Executive Superintendents, managing a diverse portfolio of schools, and as Chief Operations and Growth Officer at YES Prep Public Schools.

Recy’s background includes key positions in various educational institutions, such as New Leaders, Prince George’s County Public Schools, and the District of Columbia Public Schools. He is currently pursuing his EdD in Leadership and Innovation at New York University.

Recy holds an MBA and an MA in Education from Stanford, along with undergraduate degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, and has completed the School District Leadership program at Bank Street College. Recy lives in Brooklyn with his wife. They have two children in college and are recent empty nesters. Recy loves jigsaw puzzles, cooking, and is a coffee aficionado!

Wynette Caesar has served as the Principal of the Brooklyn Urban Garden Charter School (BUGS) since 2018, having joined the school in 2015 as the Assistant Principal of Humanities. Under her leadership, BUGS recently secured a 5-year renewal from the New York State Education Department (NYSED) in 2026. Wynette has been instrumental in steering the school’s academic evolution, guiding the transition from a traditional instructional model to a comprehensive Standards-Based Learning system. This academic focus, paired with her commitment to inclusive instruction, has driven consistent, year-over-year increases in state test scores across all student populations.

Wynette is a forward-thinking administrator who has positioned BUGS at the forefront of educational innovation. Her key initiatives include implementing school-wide co-teaching in all core content areas (2018), establishing a 1-to-1 technology program (2018) that enabled a seamless transition to remote and hybrid learning during the pandemic, introducing Computer-based NYS Testing in 2019, and launching a successful school-wide no-cell-phone policy in 2021.

Bringing over twenty-six years of experience as a Montessori teacher, special educator, professor, and administrator, Wynette’s career is deeply rooted in instructional expertise. She previously taught at Riverside Early Learning Center as a Montessori teacher for 4 years, at PS 372K, The Children’s School, as a special educator for 11 years, provided early intervention services for many years, and served as an Adjunct Professor of Literacy at Long Island University’s (LIU) Brooklyn Campus for six years.

Wynette holds a Montessori certification, a Bachelor’s and a Master’s of Science in Childhood Education and Students with Disabilities, and a Master’s of Science in Teaching Literacy from LIU. She also holds a Postgraduate Advanced Certificate in Education Leadership from SUNY Stony Brook. Wynette was born and lived in Trinidad, West Indies until the age of 17 and connects deeply with the culture of her sunny island.

Josh is excited to serve as Director of Operations at BUGS, where he leads the systems, strategy, and daily operations that support a strong, safe, and thriving school community. With nearly a decade at BUGS, Josh has helped shape and strengthen key areas of school operations, including facilities, technology, enrollment, compliance, and family-facing systems, always with a focus on creating clarity, consistency, and strong service for students, staff, and families.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Josh is a proud product of New York City public schools and a graduate of Baruch College, where he earned a B.B.A. in Marketing and Psychology. Before joining BUGS, he managed an after-school tutoring center in Sunset Park, where he deepened his commitment to educational access and building meaningful partnerships with families.

Josh believes that strong school communities are built on trust, aligned systems, and shared accountability. He is passionate about designing operational structures that empower people to do their best work and ensure every family and staff member feels supported. At home, Joshua enjoys life in Brooklyn with his husband as they raise their Cavapoo, Benny.

Dr. Maxwell has been an educational disruptor for more than two decades and believes that "to whom much is given much is required”. She has a staunch belief and respect for the power of education. Dr. Maxwell has been an intentional advocate, starting as a Reading and Writing classroom teacher who used the curriculum to amplify and enfranchise underrepresented voices in our society. Dr Maxwell, a wife and mother, holds a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership, a BA in English/English Secondary Education, and a MSEd in Teaching Literacy.

Dr. Maxwell, a certified mentor, seeks to use her formal platform of instructional leadership to support and develop teachers. Who she is today, is due to the hard work and unwavering commitment of her "village," her industriousness, perseverance, and diligence. Whatever she does, both professionally and personally, she does it hoping to offer that which she has been given.

Christine began her career in education nearly 15 years ago with Teach for America in the South Bronx. She taught high school social studies and economics, as well as engaged students in Project Based Learning through real-world internship projects. She earned her School Building Leader license through the NYC DOE's Leaders in Education Apprenticeship Program, served as an assistant principal at her TFA placement school, and subsequently was a founding assistant principal of Gotham Collaborative High School. Christine holds a B.S. in Ethics, History, and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University and a M.S. in Teaching from Fordham University. She originally hails from St. Louis, MO (and will defend St. Louis-style pizza rivals that of NYC), but has called the city home for her entire career. Christine came to BUGS in 2022 because she believes in educating for sustainability at her core. She moved to Singapore with her family in 2023 - 24, but has since returned home to BUGS. She feels immensely grateful to once again support the BUGS mission as the Assistant Principal of STEAM. In her free time, Christine is an avid hiker and enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and son.

Primos Cobb is a passionate advocate for education, with a remarkable journey that began in Inner City Atlanta. Primos started by contributing to a groundbreaking meditation study designed to empower foster youth, setting the stage for a lifelong commitment to education. In 2014, they joined Teach for America as an Atlanta corps member, dedicating six years to teaching 7th-grade math in Atlanta and Brooklyn. Their impact extended beyond the classroom as they assumed the role of Dean of Students for three years, demonstrating leadership and dedication in creating a nurturing school community. Primos is excited to be part of the BUGS community, drawn by its values of community and sustainability. Their journey exemplifies the transformative power of education and their unwavering dedication to fostering a love for learning in students.