Executive Director of the CEC

Ricky Fountain is a lifelong educator, who has served underrepresented communities and students for the duration of his career. Ricky’s educational journey as a professional began in Detroit, Michigan, as a kindergarten teacher on the westside of the city. Ricky transitioned from teaching students directly to leading schools and districts. He has served in these roles in traditional public schools as well as charter school districts: School Principal, Chief Academic Officer, Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent. Ricky has served as a Lecturer at the University of Michigan since 2004. His commitment to educating students, leading adults, and dismantling oppressive systems has led him to researching the topic of Structural Racism in Medicine and its impact on the Detroit community specifically and underrepresented communities at large. He has provided academic content and outreach for medical leaders and professionals within the Detroit community. Ricky is now a part of the CEC team, focusing on ensuring GOAL Line is serving families and children at its capacity!

Director of GOAL Line

A native of Detroit, Michigan, and his roots from Ghana, West Africa, Ronald Newton is committed to serving communities similar to the ones in which he was raised. After attending Oakland University and graduating in 2000, he began his professional career as a 3rd grade teacher on the west side of Detroit. He then pursued his master’s at the American Intercontinental University in Education Leadership, and worked as an assistant principal for the YMCA Service Learning Academy. He later moved to Flint in 2005, where he became a Principal of a charter school and later transferred back to Detroit in 2010. Ronald Newton worked on numerous improvement projects, revising the means of providing student remediation for struggling students, implementing data-driven instructional strategies, and coaching first year teachers to sustained growth in the classroom. Soon after Mr. Newton became a Principal, he became known as the “turnaround principal”, wanting to help the schools that were struggling academically and socially. He truly believes that all students can learn, you just have to find what they are interested in and build relationships. Now, he has joined the GOAL Line team and is ready to continue to service the community!

Program Associate

Prior to her role with GOAL Line, Talisa McKissic was in post-secondary education for 11 years in the proprietary education sector. Specializing in forecasting and student retention, she held managerial roles in the Admissions, Career Services and Operations departments, and was a certified auditor for a national accrediting body of career schools. Talisa has long been passionate about after school activities and has volunteered her time to help schools without dance, art, and theater programs.  Ms. McKissic is thrilled for the opportunity to blend both backgrounds with her position at GOAL Line!

Behavior Specialist

A Native Detroiter who came up in the Detroit public school system, Steven has spent the last 13 years as a Behavior Specialist / Dean of Students for several different schools. He is a husband of 26 years and father of 3 daughters and 1 son. He is also a grandfather of 3 gorgeous little girls. The tagline he has taught every child he has worked with is “do your best and nothing less” and that is what he endeavors to do on a daily basis. Doing his best for his family, doing his best for the community and, now, doing his best for GOAL Line Detroit. We count ourselves privileged to have him on our team!

Behavior Specialist

Before her role with GOAL Line, Emma Lewis worked in education for over 25 years in private and public schools. She specializes in complex problem-solving and implementing innovative ideas around content, connecting social-emotional learning with academic objectives, and facilitating dynamic discussions in the education space. She is passionate about creating learning journeys that allow individuals to discover their greatness within.

Emma grew up in the Bay Area of San Francisco and later moved to Detroit Michigan where her passion for community and education motivated her to pursue education. She realized that parents, education, and the community must unite collectively. Emma has worked in various programs, implementing data strategies that helped teachers, workshops for parents, and building community-related programs. Now she has joined the GOAL Line team and is excited to service the community.

Behavior Specialist

Chelsea is a Detroit native with an unwavering love for the community. Having been raised by strong advocates for social justice and equality, she developed a “see a need, fill a need” attitude and is always eager to serve.

As a former educator, Chelsea found joy in educating the next generation not only in academics, but in becoming well rounded, caring, and ethical young people that can impact society in a positive way. Additionally, her services as an educator extended to that of an advocate as many of the families she served were of low income. Because of the relationships built with families over the years, she was able to better understand their needs and the barriers that keep them from thriving. She’s secured resume help for parents, transportation for students, meals, organized clothing drives, connected families to partners that assisted with homelessness, etc. In addition to that, she’s successfully raised funds to purchase resources for students in an effort to bridge the educational gap. She has also served as a Program Manager overseeing a robust afterschool program in Detroit.

Chelsea is a graduate of Western Michigan University and The American Academy of Dramatic Arts- LA where she majored in Theatre.

In her free time, Chelsea enjoys serving on various committees as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, hosting game nights with her family and friends, viewing plays and movies, watching Bluey with her husband and children, and convincing herself that she doesn’t need to eat any chocolate.