Meet the Principals

Get to know your ITA principal, Matthew Karaffa!

I hope this message finds you well. It is with immense pleasure and excitement that I introduce myself as the new Principal of the International Technology Academy (ITA). ¡Es un honor estar aquí con ustedes!

My name is Matthew Karaffa, and I am thrilled to be joining the ITA family. Allow me to share a little about my educational journey and my passion for serving in the field of education.

With 17 years of experience in education, including 13 years as a school administrator at all levels from K-12, I have had the privilege of witnessing the transformative power of education in students' lives. Mi experiencia en educación me ha permitido entender la importancia de una educación sólida y diversa para cada estudiante.

I have only been at ITA for a short time but I have already noticed that at ITA, we are not just a school; we are a community that values diversity, inclusivity, and excellence in education. Entendemos que nuestra comunidad es diversa, con una gran población de hablantes de español, y estamos comprometidos a garantizar que todos los estudiantes y sus familias se sientan bienvenidos y apoyados.

My commitment to you, our students, and the entire ITA community is to provide strong leadership, build and maintain a nurturing learning environment, and work tirelessly to ensure that your child receives a world-class education. Together, we will prepare our students for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in an ever-evolving world.

I look forward to getting to know each of you, hearing your valuable insights, and working collaboratively to continue the legacy of excellence that ITA is known for. Por favor, no duden en ponerse en contacto conmigo si tienen alguna pregunta, comentario o simplemente quieren conectarse.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. Together, we will empower them to reach their fullest potential.

¡Bienvenidos a ITA! Welcome to ITA!
 

Dr. Deborah Charaman considers herself a life-long learner and a climate and culture guru. She
prides herself as one with a listening ear who is sensitive to the needs of her staff, students, and
community. Charaman’s educational philosophy is that school should be such an engaging place
that students can hardly wait to get to school each day. Charaman also espouses the notion that
educators must be supported and equipped with the tools that they need in order to be able to
educate, motivate, and cultivate our scholars with fidelity. “Teachers are humans, not robots,”
she often asserts.

Charaman’s career in the field of education spans two decades. She has taught everything from
K-12 music and performing arts to middle and high school speech, drama, and ELA. Dr.
Charaman has also served in the capacities of instructional coach and lead teacher. Dr. Charaman
had held the position of a middle school principal for two years prior to joining the team at the
Pontiac School District. Moreover, this year marks her fourth year as a building principal and her
second year as the principal of ILA K-5. Dr. Charaman’s vision for ILA is that it is hailed as a
premier academic institution whereby students are deeply immersed in culture, leadership, and
collaborative endeavors.

Dr. Charaman possesses a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Master of Arts in
Secondary Teaching, both from Wayne State University. In addition, she has earned both an
Educational Specialist and Doctorate of Education degree in Educational Leadership from
Liberty University. She will continue to conduct research and examine best practices that would
serve both the local and global academic community.