Central Office Administration / Home

Superintendent of Schools

Mr. Matthew Geary
mgeary@mpspride.org
860.647.3441

A Fairfield University graduate, Geary taught Math at Amity Regional High School in Woodbridge before serving as Assistant Principal and then Principal of Watertown High School. He was hired as principal of Manchester High School in 2012. After two full years there, he was appointed superintendent in July 2014. Geary and wife Lisa have four children including two who attend Martin Elementary School.

Chief Performance Officer

Nicholas Jones
njones@mpspride.org

Before coming to Manchester, Mr. Jones was principal for six years at Simpson Waverly School in Hartford, which during his tenure was recognized as one the most improved schools in Hartford in the areas of climate and culture. His leadership has also been impressive at Verplanck, where through hard work and collaboration he has helped build a positive climate to ensure all scholars are challenged and supported. Passionate and visionary, Mr. Jones is committed to utilizing data to inform programming so that all students have what they need to be successful and he also is deeply committed to the district’s ongoing race and equity work.

Deputy Superintendent

Amy F. Radikas, Ed.D.
aradikas@mpspride.org
860.647.3446

Before taking over in 2012 as the district’s ‘chief academic officer’, Dr. Radikas worked for six years at the Connecticut State Department of Education supporting Connecticut’s 15 Priority School Districts. Before that, she spent 15 years as a classroom teacher, reading consultant, and a PK-5 District Language Arts Coordinator. She and husband Raymond are the youngest siblings in large families and have two children themselves, thus their weekends tend to be filled with family functions and dinners or at youth sporting events.

Chief of Staff

Erin Ortega, Ph.D.
eortega@mpspride.org
860.647.3442

Erin holds a Bachelor’s in graphic design, a Master's in adult education, and a Ph.D. in education. Before joining the MPS community she interned at a prestigious NYC advertising agency, worked in landscape design for Fortune 500 corporations in Manhattan, and provided online course design/development consultation services for higher education institutions across the country. Before transitioning into her current role as Chief of Staff, Erin spent 4 years with Manchester Adult Education and 5 years with the MPS Office of Equity and Partnerships. Erin works to support many important district focus areas, including but not limited to: communications, data, equity, partnerships, and grants.

Chief of Family Partnership & Student Engagement

Latasha Turnquest
lturnq@mpspride.org
860.645.6041 option #2

Latasha Easterling-Turnquest serves as the Chief of Family Partnership & Student Engagement for the Manchester Public School System. She has been serving the Manchester community for the past 15+ years. In her role she has worked alongside families, community members and school staff. Implementing programming for youth in the schools, and building the capacity of adults through a variety of classes and workshops. She has also worked with families that had children under the age of 5 facilitating playgroups, home visits and developmental screenings. Her work focuses on strengthening relationships, building the capacity of parents and staff, and creating opportunities while reducing barriers. Mrs. Turnquest provides oversight of the Manchester Public School’s seven Family Resource Centers, Parent Leadership Trainings, School Governance/Advisory Councils, Community Partnerships, Student Engagement Specialists, and the Welcome Center, where centralized registration for grades K-8 occurs.

Mrs. Turnquest obtained her Masters in Education Degree at the University of Hartford.

Latasha will tell anyone that she LOVES her job because she gets to work everyday to uplift and support children and families in her community! Her motto is that “The higher you go in position only means the more people that you now have to serve.”