
Discover Our Staff
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aascencio@brightstarschools.org
Adonahi Ascencio
Family Engagement Coordinator
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aascencio@brightstarschools.org
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admoore@brightstarschools.org
Ahjia Moore
Restorative Practices Director
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admoore@brightstarschools.org
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acajahuaringa@brightstarschools.org
Aleida Cajahuaringa
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
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acajahuaringa@brightstarschools.org
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alvargas@brightstarschools.org
Aleksandra Vargas
Cluster Data Coordinator
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alvargas@brightstarschools.org
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ahuerta@brightstarschools.org
Alexander Huerta
Cloud Support Manager
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ahuerta@brightstarschools.org

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aduggins@brightstarschools.org
Alexandra Duggins
Mathematics Instructional Coach
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aduggins@brightstarschools.org

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alee@brightstarschools.org
Alexandra Lee
Vice President of Academic Initiatives
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alee@brightstarschools.org
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amramirez@brightstarschools.org
Alexandra Martinez Ramirez
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
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amramirez@brightstarschools.org
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ananji@brightstarschools.org
Ally Nanji
School Psychologist
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ananji@brightstarschools.org

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avargas@brightstarschools.org
Ana Vargas
Vice President of Human Resources
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avargas@brightstarschools.org
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acerritos@brightstarschools.org
Angel Cerritos
Transition Specialist
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acerritos@brightstarschools.org
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acerritos@brightstarschools.org
Angel Cerritos
Transition Specialist
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acerritos@brightstarschools.org

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acalderon@brightstarschools.org
Angelina Calderon
Senior Director of Outreach and Engagement
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acalderon@brightstarschools.org
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acolburn@brightstarschools.org
Ashley Colburn
Director of Teacher Induction and Development
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acolburn@brightstarschools.org
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acheung@brightstarschools.org
Aya Cheung
Director of Accounting Services
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acheung@brightstarschools.org
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bsibley@brightstarschools.org
Bridget Sibley
Speech & Language Pathologist
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bsibley@brightstarschools.org
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bsandoval@brightstarschools.org
Bryan Sandoval
IT Analyst
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bsandoval@brightstarschools.org
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caguirre@brightstarschools.org
Carla Aguirre
School Psychologist
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caguirre@brightstarschools.org

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ccordova@brightstarschools.org
Carlos Cordova
Maintenance
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ccordova@brightstarschools.org
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cmora@brightstarschools.org
Carolina Mora
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
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cmora@brightstarschools.org
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cvazquez@brightstarschools.org
Cesar Gabriel-Vazquez
Cluster Data Coordinator
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cvazquez@brightstarschools.org
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chabte@brightstarschools.org
China Habte
Controller
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chabte@brightstarschools.org
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cgaray@brightstarschools.org
Clara Garay
Lead Instructional Mentor
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cgaray@brightstarschools.org
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cjerezsneed@brightstarschools.org
Claudia Jerez Sneed
Senior Staff Accountant
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cjerezsneed@brightstarschools.org
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dmgarcia@brightstarschools.org
Daniel Garcia
Cluster Data Lead
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dmgarcia@brightstarschools.org
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dalamo@brightstarschools.org
David Alamo
Director of Data Management
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dalamo@brightstarschools.org

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dsolis@brightstarschools.org
David Solis
Coordinator, Alumni Support and College Success
Supporting: VAHS and SHCA Class of 2017-2022 Community College and Career Technical Education Pathways
David Solis is a graduate of California State University, Northridge, where he majored in Chicana/o & Central American Studies. He serves Bright Star Schools' ASCS team as the Community College & CTE Coordinator for both Stella High Charter Academy and Valor Academy High School, he focuses on supporting alumni who are interested in pursuing a post-secondary education at community college or earning a certificate/vocational degree.
As a first-generation graduate, David uses the power of storytelling to share relatable experiences with his students to promote higher education as an option for growth. He has spent the last 10 years supporting first-generation students through college access programs that focus on college and financial aid applications, community college experience, workforce development, and financial literacy. He believes education is one powerful tool, of many, that can shape and/or change our lives.
Contact
dsolis@brightstarschools.org
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dnorth@brightstarschools.org
Dawn North
Wellness Coordinator
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dnorth@brightstarschools.org

Contact
ekim@brightstarschools.org
Dr. Eliza Kimly
Head of Schools, Bright Star Schools
Dr. Eliza KimLy is the co-Head of Schools for Bright Star Schools, and the former founding principal of Rise Kohyang Middle School. As co-Head of Schools, she leads the development and execution of a rigorous instructional program that serves all students and supports principals to achieve their schools’ goals.
Dr. KimLy joined Bright Star Schools as a science teacher in 2004. After teaching both science and English Language Arts for three years, she served Bright Star Schools as assistant principal, principal, and director of instruction.
A Los Angeles-born native who grew up in Koreatown, Dr. KimLy wanted to give back to her “kohyang” (“hometown”). She founded Rise Kohyang Middle School in 2012 to serve the educational needs of families who live in Koreatown.
Prior to joining Bright Star Schools, Dr. KimLy served as a teacher, substitute teacher, student teacher, and teacher’s assistant for the Los Angeles, Culver City, and Beverly Hills Unified School Districts.
Dr. KimLy holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism with a minor in American Studies from the University of Southern California; a teaching credential and master’s degree in education; and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University. Her administrative credential was completed at Loyola Marymount University’s Institute of School Leadership & Administration.
Contact
ekim@brightstarschools.org
Contact
esugay@brightstarschools.org
Elijah Sugay
Chief Business Officer
Elijah Sugay grew up in the San Fernando Valley near our Valor Academy schools and was the first employee hired at Valor Academy Middle School (VAMS). Elijah became the Founding Director of Finance and Operations for VAMS and helped the school launch and grow into the successful institution it is today.
After serving at VAMS for four years, Elijah became Senior Director of Operations for Bright Star Schools and then Vice President of Facilities and Finance for Bright Star, where he oversaw facilities and finance for all 9 Bright Star schools and helped build permanent campuses for Valor Academy Middle School, Valor Academy High School, and Stella Middle Charter Academy.
As Chief Business Officer, Elijah leads all facilities projects for Bright Star Schools, as well as Bright Star’s fiscal health. He supports school leaders to develop sustainable budgets that meet their schools’ highest needs, priorities, and visions for how they want to achieve our mission on behalf of the students we serve.
Elijah holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from UCLA.
Contact
esugay@brightstarschools.org
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ecarter@brightstarschools.org
Elizabeth Carter
Director of Expanded Learning
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ecarter@brightstarschools.org
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esaadi@brightstarschools.org
Eman Fakhr
Science Instructional Coach
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esaadi@brightstarschools.org
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furiarte@brightstarschools.org
Francisco Uriarte Salazar
Cluster Data Coordinator
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furiarte@brightstarschools.org
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ggonzalez@brightstarschools.org
Gabriel Gonzalez
COVID Operations Assistant
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ggonzalez@brightstarschools.org

Contact
gcortes@brightstarschools.org
Genoveva Cortes
Director, Alumni Support and College Success
Supporting: RKHS Class of 2017-2022, and all alumni applying to graduate school or needing career coaching
Genoveva Garibay Cortes has over two decades of experience working as an elementary and middle school teacher, K-12 and college administrator, and program coordinator. She was Bright Star Schools’ founding math teacher for Stella Middle Charter Academy in 2003, and currently serves as the Director of the Alumni Support and College Success (ASCS) Program for the organization. Geno developed and launched Bright Star’s ASCS Program to support the organization’s alumni to persist in and graduate from higher education. ASCS tracks, supports, and coaches Bright Star Schools' alumni to get to and through higher education, with a goal of 60% of Bright Star Schools alumni graduating with a bachelor's or associate's degree, vocational certificate, or from a workplace development program within six years of high school graduation.
Geno is a former foster youth and the first in her family to have graduated from college. She is passionate about educational equity and reform, and social justice.
Contact
gcortes@brightstarschools.org
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ghamilton@brightstarschools.org
Gloria Hamilton
Crossing Guard
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ghamilton@brightstarschools.org
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hhatakeda@brightstarschools.org
Haruko Hatakeda
School Psychologist
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hhatakeda@brightstarschools.org

Contact
hhamalian@brightstarschools.org
Hrag Hamalian
Chief Executive Officer
Hrag Manuel Hamalian currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Bright Star Schools. Hrag has strategically grown Bright Star Schools from four to nine schools, and created a community-based schools model that provides a transitional kindergarten to 12th grade education, plus 6 years of higher education support, for over 3,500 students across Los Angeles.
Prior to joining Bright Star, Hrag founded Valor Academy Middle School, a high performing 5th through 8th grade charter public school in Los Angeles. In 2013, Hrag helped lead the strategic merger of Valor and Bright Star, the first merger between two successful charter organizations in Los Angeles.
In 2011, Hrag was the recipient of Boston College's prestigious Gold Award, honoring him as alumnus of the decade. Hrag holds a double-major bachelor’s degree from Boston College in biology and honors English, a master’s degree in secondary education from Loyola Marymount University, and a master’s in business administration from UCLA.
Hrag is a Broad Academy Fellow, Aspen Institute Fellow, an Achievement First Accelerator Fellow, a Building Excellent Schools Fellow, and a Teach for America Corps Member. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for ExEd and Building Excellent Schools.
Contact
hhamalian@brightstarschools.org
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hli@brightstarschools.org
Huang Li
School Psychologist
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hli@brightstarschools.org
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jhernandez@brightstarschools.org
Jaime Hernandez
Vice President of Information Technology
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jhernandez@brightstarschools.org
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jakshlomo@brightstarschools.org
Jennifer Akshlomo
School Psychologist
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jakshlomo@brightstarschools.org
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jsimmons@brightstarschools.org
Jennifer Simmons
Vice President of Curriculum and Instruction
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jsimmons@brightstarschools.org
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jregalado@brightstarschools.org
Jesus Regalado
IT Help Desk
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jregalado@brightstarschools.org

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jteran@brightstarschools.org
Johnny Teran
Family Engagement Manager
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jteran@brightstarschools.org
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jescobar@brightstarschools.org
Jonathan Escobar
Vice President of Data Management
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jescobar@brightstarschools.org
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jiperez@brightstarschools.org
Jonathan Perez
IT Help Desk
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jiperez@brightstarschools.org
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sorozco@brightstarschools.org
Juan Orozco
Maintenance
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sorozco@brightstarschools.org
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jshvarts@brightstarschools.org
Julie Shvarts
Speech & Language Pathologist
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jshvarts@brightstarschools.org
Contact
kfoe@brightstarschools.org
Kaitlin Foe
Chief of Staff
Kaitlin Foe has served Bright Star Schools since 2016, first as Director of School Development and Strategic Initiatives and then as Vice President of Strategy. As Chief of Staff, Kaitlin oversees numerous Bright Star functions, including marketing and communications, educational compliance, fundraising, and organizational strategy.
Kaitlin started her career as an elementary school teacher for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System in Louisiana with Teach For America. After her time in the classroom, she served at both City Year, Louisiana and later as a Teach For America staff member for four years. Kaitlin was selected as both an Education Pioneers Fellow and a Broad Resident, both prestigious and selective programs that identify and support the further development of promising education leaders. Kaitlin holds a bachelor’s degree from UCSD, a master’s degree in public policy analysis from USC, and a master’s degree in educational leadership from The Broad Residency.
Contact
kfoe@brightstarschools.org

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kyngve@brightstarschools.org
Karlyn Yngve
Enrollment Manager
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kyngve@brightstarschools.org
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kracouillat@brightstarschools.org
Kendra Racouillat
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
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kracouillat@brightstarschools.org
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lreed@brightstarschools.org
Laura Reed
Director of Strategy
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lreed@brightstarschools.org

Contact
lyu@brightstarschools.org
Leeann Yu
Chief Operations Officer
Leeann Yu currently serves as the Chief Operations Officer for Bright Star Schools where she leads strategic operational initiatives across the network and oversees the student data, school operations, human resources, and information technology teams.
Leeann joined Bright Star in 2011 as the School Operations Manager for Stella Middle Charter Academy and Bright Star Secondary Charter Academy and has since held a variety of operational roles as the organization has grown from two to nine schools.
Prior to joining Bright Star, Leeann was an Education Pioneers Fellow at PUC Schools, an English teacher in Taiwan, and a financial advisor for Ameriprise Financial. Leeann holds a bachelor’s degree in international development with a minor in education from UCLA and a master’s in business administration from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management.
Contact
lyu@brightstarschools.org
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mcaluag@brightstarschools.org
Liezl Caluag
Accounts Payable Specialist
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mcaluag@brightstarschools.org

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lqgonzalez@brightstarschools.org
Lilianna Gonzalez
Vice President of Inclusive Education
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lqgonzalez@brightstarschools.org
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lqgonzalez@brightstarschools.org
Lilianna Gonzalez
Vice President of Inclusive Education
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lqgonzalez@brightstarschools.org
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lmancuso@brightstarschools.org
Lora Mancuso
Director of Literacy
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lmancuso@brightstarschools.org

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hkwon@brightstarschools.org
Maggie Kwon
Enrollment & Outreach Coordinator
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hkwon@brightstarschools.org
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mhyman@brightstarschools.org
Manuela Hyman
School Psychologist
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mhyman@brightstarschools.org
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marambula@brightstarschools.org
Maritza Arambula
Cluster Data Coordinator
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marambula@brightstarschools.org

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mparsons@brightstarschools.org
Marni Parsons
Vice President of Student and Family Services
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mparsons@brightstarschools.org
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mpwilliams@brightstarschools.org
Matt Williams
Vice President of Inclusive Education
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mpwilliams@brightstarschools.org
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mcgarcia@brightstarschools.org
Matthew Garcia
IT Systems Analyst
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mcgarcia@brightstarschools.org

Contact
mkaplan@brightstarschools.org
Melissa Kaplan
Deputy Superintendent of Education
Melissa Kaplan currently serves as the Deputy Superintendent of Education at Bright Star Schools, where she leads school growth, culture, and performance, and oversees the Heads of Schools and the Vice Presidents of Family and Student Services, Curriculum and Instruction, Inclusive Education, People Development, and Academic Initiatives in their management and guidance of school staff.
Previously, Melissa was the Chief Academic Officer at ICEF Public Schools, where she was responsible for managing the academic program at 14 schools serving 4,500 students in grades K-12, coordinating and delivering professional development for more than 150 teachers and administrators, and ensuring the alignment of the curriculum with college readiness standards.
Melissa has been involved in the Los Angeles charter school movement since 2003, and has served in a variety of leadership roles including district and site administration, demonstration teacher, and teacher coach. She has also worked extensively as a consultant assisting districts and charter management organizations nationally in curriculum development and system building, especially in the area of reading and writing across the curriculum.
Before joining the charter school movement, Melissa taught English in Palos Verdes Unified School District and Oley Valley School District in Pennsylvania. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education and theater from DeSales University and a master's of education from UCLA.
Contact
mkaplan@brightstarschools.org

Contact
mmorris@brightstarschools.org
Melody Morris
English Language Development Instructional Coach
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mmorris@brightstarschools.org

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mhoover@brightstarschools.org
Michael Hoover
Director of School Culture
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mhoover@brightstarschools.org

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mwashington@brightstarschools.org
Michelle Washington
Outreach Coordinator
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mwashington@brightstarschools.org
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mavila@brightstarschools.org
Miguel Avila
Human Resources Coordinator
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mavila@brightstarschools.org

Contact
nwellmannoble@brightstarschools.org
Nicole Wellman Noble
Vice President of People Development
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nwellmannoble@brightstarschools.org
Contact
oramos@brightstarschools.org
Olga Ramos
Senior Director of Human Resources
Contact
oramos@brightstarschools.org

Contact
omartinez@brightstarschools.org
Olivia Martinez
Head of Schools, Bright Star Schools
Olivia Martinez is the co-Head of Schools for Bright Star Schools, and former principal of Stella Middle Charter Academy (Grades 7-8). As co-Head of Schools, she leads the development and execution of a rigorous instructional program that serves all students and supports principals to achieve their schools’ goals.
Olivia joined Bright Star Schools in 2008 as a teacher and taught physical science, life science, biology, and earth science to students in grades 7 through 11. She became assistant principal at Bright Star Secondary Charter Academy in 2011, and principal at Stella Middle Charter Academy in 2013.
Olivia began her teaching career with a student teaching position at David Starr Jordan High School in Watts through Teach For America.
Olivia holds a bachelor’s degree in psychobiology from UCLA and two master's degrees in urban education and in educational leadership from Loyola Marymount University.
Contact
omartinez@brightstarschools.org
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oray@brightstarschools.org
Olivia Ray
Manager of Compliance and Special Projects
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oray@brightstarschools.org
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polivares@brightstarschools.org
Pablo Olivares
Vice President of Inclusive Education
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polivares@brightstarschools.org
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psylvester@brightstarschools.org
Paulina Sylvester
Senior Talent Manager
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psylvester@brightstarschools.org
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rasher@brightstarschools.org
Rachel Asher
School Psychologist
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rasher@brightstarschools.org
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ramartinez@brightstarschools.org
Raquel Martinez
Human Resources Generalist
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ramartinez@brightstarschools.org
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rromero@brightstarschools.org
Roxanne Romero
Outreach & Recruitment Manager
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rromero@brightstarschools.org
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svaldes@brightstarschools.org
Sebastian Valdes
Vice President of School Operations and Safety
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svaldes@brightstarschools.org

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sadams@brightstarschools.org
Stephanie Adams Mendez
School Psychologist
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sadams@brightstarschools.org

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sallen@brightstarschools.org
Stephen Allen
Cluster Data Coordinator
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sallen@brightstarschools.org
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slopez@brightstarschools.org
Steven Lopez
Senior Talent and Credential Manager
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slopez@brightstarschools.org

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sunil@brightstarschools.org
Sunil Kewalramani
Vice President of Fiscal Services
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sunil@brightstarschools.org

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vperez@brightstarschools.org
Victor Perez
Family Engagement Coordinator
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vperez@brightstarschools.org
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vbanuelos@brightstarschools.org
Victoria Banuelos
Payroll Specialist
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vbanuelos@brightstarschools.org
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wgadea@brightstarschools.org
Wendy Gadea
SIS & Compliance Manager
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wgadea@brightstarschools.org
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Young Kim
Attendance Compliance Assistant
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In our small, joyful schools we provide students with excellent academics, holistic and inclusive support, personal attention, and rich life opportunities beyond the classroom so they thrive from kindergarten through high school.