Discover Our Staff
Aaron
Hernandez
Instructional Assistant
Aaron Hernandez
Instructional Assistant
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Abdulmalek
Sulaiman
Teacher
Abdulmalek Sulaiman
Teacher
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Abetzi
Espana
Teacher
Abetzi Espana
Teacher
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Abra
Shay
Community Schools Program Chair
Abra Shay
Community Schools Program Chair
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Abraham
Martinez
Teacher
Abraham Martinez
Teacher
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Adelaide
Jones
Teacher
Adelaide Jones
Teacher
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Adonahi
Ascencio
Family Engagement Coordinator
Adonahi Ascencio
Family Engagement Coordinator
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Adriana
De La Cruz
Instructional Assistant
Adriana De La Cruz
Instructional Assistant
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Adriana
Padilla Perez
Instructional Assistant
Adriana Padilla Perez
Instructional Assistant
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Afreen
Ahmed
Staff
Afreen Ahmed
Staff
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Ahjia
Moore
Restorative Practices Director
Ahjia Moore
Restorative Practices Director
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Ahmire
McKoy
School Psychologist
Ahmire McKoy
School Psychologist
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Ailyn
Galvan
Teacher
Ailyn Galvan
Teacher
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Ajay
Ghingoor
Teacher
Ajay Ghingoor
Teacher
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Ala
Aslani
Teacher
Ala Aslani
Teacher
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Albert
Beltran
Assistant Principal of Culture
Albert Beltran
Assistant Principal of Culture
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Alberto
Vera
Teacher
Alberto Vera
Teacher
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Aleida
Cajahuaringa
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
Aleida Cajahuaringa
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
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Alejandra
Castillo Chavez
Office Assistant
Alejandra Castillo Chavez
Office Assistant
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Alejandra
Cruz
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
Alejandra Cruz
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
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Alejandra
Sanchez
Teacher
Alejandra Sanchez
Teacher
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Aleksandra
Vargas
Cluster Data Coordinator
Aleksandra Vargas
Cluster Data Coordinator
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Alexander
Huerta
Cloud Support Manager
Alexander Huerta
Cloud Support Manager
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Alexandra
Brown
School Counselor
Alexandra Brown
School Counselor
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Alexandra
Duggins
Mathematics Instructional Coach
Alexandra Duggins
Mathematics Instructional Coach
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Alexandra
Hernandez
Teacher
Alexandra Hernandez
Teacher
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Alexandra
Lee
Vice President of Academic Initiatives
Alexandra Lee
Vice President of Academic Initiatives
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Alexandra
Martinez Ramirez
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
Alexandra Martinez Ramirez
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
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Alexis
Blanco
Instructional Assistant
Alexis Blanco
Instructional Assistant
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Alexis
Carrero
Teacher
Alexis Carrero
Teacher
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Alexis
Gonzalez
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
Alexis Gonzalez
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
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Alexis
Roldan
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
Alexis Roldan
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
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Alexis
Scott
Dean of Academic Support
Alexis Scott
Dean of Academic Support
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Alexis
Thompson
Counselor
Alexis Thompson
Counselor
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Alexsandr
Kanevskiy
Alexsandr Kanevskiy
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Allen
Andrews
Assistant Principal of Instruction
Allen Andrews
Assistant Principal of Instruction
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Allison
Gillett
Teacher
Allison Gillett
Teacher
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Ally
Nanji
School Psychologist
Ally Nanji
School Psychologist
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Alondra
Medina
Instructional Assistant
Alondra Medina
Instructional Assistant
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Amalia
Zayas
Counselor
Amalia Zayas
Counselor
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Amanda
Akens
Speech & Language Pathologist
Amanda Akens
Speech & Language Pathologist
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Amanda
Lopez
Campus Aide
Amanda Lopez
Campus Aide
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Amy
Weng
ELD Interventionist
Amy Weng
ELD Interventionist
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Ana L.
Martinez
Lead Executive Officer
Ana L. Martinez
Lead Executive Officer
Ana Martinez launched her career in education in the same district she attended the majority of her K-12 career, the Los Angeles Unified School District. She is a Teach For America alumni corps member who began teaching in a large comprehensive middle school. She also served as a Dean of Students at another LAUSD middle school, where she embarked on turnaround work and grew her background with culture and systems change at her school.
In 2009, Ana transitioned to Aspire Public Schools where she continued her work as a Dean of Students and then as the Assistant Principal in their Huntington Park middle school. Her most impactful and humbling role was that of a founding Principal in South Los Angeles where she opened up an Aspire school under LAUSD's Public School Choice Model. She led that school for eight years before becoming the Chief of Staff to the Chief Schools Officer and focusing on strengthening home office communication with schools, as well as the professional development offerings for leaders.
Most recently, she served as the Chief Academic Officer and Superintendent at a charter management organization serving a large rural community in the Central Valley of California.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, a master’s in education from Loyola Marymount University, and is also a Pahara fellow.
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Ana
Magana
Maintenance
Ana Magana
Maintenance
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Ana Maria
Martinez
Meal Server
Ana Maria Martinez
Meal Server
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Ana
Vargas
Vice President of Human Resources
Ana Vargas
Vice President of Human Resources
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Anahi
Perez
Teacher
Anahi Perez
Teacher
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Andrea
Chicaiza
Teacher
Andrea Chicaiza
Teacher
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Andrea
Garcia Chavez
College & Career Counseling Assistant
Andrea Garcia Chavez
College & Career Counseling Assistant
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Andrea
Lopez Quintana
Instructional Assistant
Andrea Lopez Quintana
Instructional Assistant
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Andrea
Padilla
Teacher
Andrea Padilla
Teacher
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Andres
Paniagua
Dean of Student Culture
Andres Paniagua
Dean of Student Culture
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Angel
Cerritos
Transition Specialist
Angel Cerritos
Transition Specialist
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Angel
Hernandez-Romero
Teacher
Angel Hernandez-Romero
Teacher
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Angelina
Calderon
Vice President of Outreach and Engagement
Angelina Calderon
Vice President of Outreach and Engagement
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Angelique
Lopez
Teacher
Angelique Lopez
Teacher
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Angie
Trae-Greenbarg
Assistant Principal
Angie Trae-Greenbarg
Assistant Principal
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Anita
Pande
Teacher
Anita Pande
Teacher
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Anthony
Lentz
Counselor
Anthony Lentz
Counselor
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Antonio
Montiel
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
Antonio Montiel
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
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April Joy
De Vera
Teacher
April Joy De Vera
Teacher
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Araceli
Alvarado
Maintenance
Araceli Alvarado
Maintenance
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Ari
Engelberg
Founding Board Chair and Executive Director Emeritus
Ari Engelberg
Founding Board Chair and Executive Director Emeritus
Ari Engelberg was the founding Board President when Stella Middle Charter Academy first opened its doors in 2003. In 2007, not long after Bright Star Secondary Charter Academy was opened and the name of the organization was changed to Bright Star Schools, he made a transition into the Executive Director role. For over a decade Ari played an instrumental role in shaping Bright Star Schools into a vibrant, kid-focused organization that is helping to close the achievement gap in Los Angeles. Ari holds bachelor’s degrees in political science and psychology from UC Berkeley and a juris doctor and masters of business administration from UCLA. Ari has participated on a range of nonprofit boards and advisory committees, and continues to be involved in uplifting Los Angeles as a board member of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the Girls Athletic Leadership School.
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Arlene
Rivera
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
Arlene Rivera
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
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Arlene
Torres
Lead Instructional Assistant
Arlene Torres
Lead Instructional Assistant
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Arlin
Ramirez
Instructional Assistant
Arlin Ramirez
Instructional Assistant
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Arpi
Tamzarian
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
Arpi Tamzarian
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
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Ashley
Chameides
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
Ashley Chameides
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
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Ashley
Colburn
Director of Teacher Induction and Development
Ashley Colburn
Director of Teacher Induction and Development
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Ashley
Ruiz
Community Schools Manager
Ashley Ruiz
Community Schools Manager
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Asma
Ali-Dodough
Assistant Principal of Student & Family Services
Asma Ali-Dodough
Assistant Principal of Student & Family Services
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Aya
Cheung
Controller
Aya Cheung
Controller
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Benjamin
Katcher
Teacher
Benjamin Katcher
Teacher
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Bernadette
McComish
Teacher
Bernadette McComish
Teacher
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Beth
Pollak
Instructional Coach
Beth Pollak
Instructional Coach
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Betsy
Diaz
Assistant Principal
Betsy Diaz
Assistant Principal
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Blake
Dicicco
Teacher
Blake Dicicco
Teacher
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Breana
Baskerville
Dean of Academic Support
Breana Baskerville
Dean of Academic Support
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Brian
Martinez
Community Schools Manager
Brian Martinez
Community Schools Manager
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Brian
Ortiz
Campus Aide
Brian Ortiz
Campus Aide
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Brian
Perry
Principal, Valor Academy Middle School
Brian Perry
Principal, Valor Academy Middle School
Brian Perry is the principal of Valor Academy Middle School, where he leads the school to create an environment where all students can see academic success, engage with their individual interests, and participate in experiences that will help them grow as people.
Previously, Brian served Valor Academy Middle School as the assistant principal of instruction and curriculum for five years, and helped bring new and exciting programs and initiatives to drive student learning. He joined Valor Academy Middle School as a fifth grade English language arts teacher in 2011.
Prior to joining Bright Star Schools, Brian taught in schools in Miami, FL; New Haven, CT; and Inglewood, CA. He began his career as a high school English teacher as a Teach For America corps member. As a third grader in St. Louis, MO, Brian made the commitment to become a teacher as impactful as the ones he had encountered in his early education.
Brian holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri.
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Brianna
Alcocer
Teacher
Brianna Alcocer
Teacher
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Briannah
Walters
Teacher
Briannah Walters
Teacher
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Briceida
Gallegos
Counselor
Briceida Gallegos
Counselor
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Bridget
Sibley
Speech & Language Pathologist
Bridget Sibley
Speech & Language Pathologist
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Bryan
Aguillon
Campus Aide
Bryan Aguillon
Campus Aide
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Bryan
Alfaro
School Data Specialist
Bryan Alfaro
School Data Specialist
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Bryan
Kaleta
Teacher
Bryan Kaleta
Teacher
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Caitlin
Anzoleaga
Teacher
Caitlin Anzoleaga
Teacher
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Caitlin
Han
Teacher
Caitlin Han
Teacher
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Candace
Ross
School Counselor
Candace Ross
School Counselor
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Carissa
Gonzalez
Teacher
Carissa Gonzalez
Teacher
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Carla
Aguirre
School Psychologist
Carla Aguirre
School Psychologist
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Carla
Chavez
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
Carla Chavez
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
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Carla
Pulido Ruiz
Assistant Dean of Restorative Practices
Carla Pulido Ruiz
Assistant Dean of Restorative Practices
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Carla
Weber
Teacher
Carla Weber
Teacher
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Carlos
Contreras
Teacher
Carlos Contreras
Teacher
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Carlos
Cordova
Maintenance
Carlos Cordova
Maintenance
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Carlos
Somoza
Gardening and Cooking Coordinator
Carlos Somoza
Gardening and Cooking Coordinator
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Carmen
Garcia-Shushtari
Senior Manager, Marketing
Carmen Garcia-Shushtari
Senior Manager, Marketing
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Carolina
Gomez
Instructional Assistant
Carolina Gomez
Instructional Assistant
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Carolina
Mora
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
Carolina Mora
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
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Catlyn
Preffer
Teacher
Catlyn Preffer
Teacher
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Cecilia
Cueva
Teacher
Cecilia Cueva
Teacher
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Celia
Fang
School Counselor
Celia Fang
School Counselor
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Chanel
Williams Hungerford
Teacher
Chanel Williams Hungerford
Teacher
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Charlotte
Seymore
Dean of Restorative Practices
Charlotte Seymore
Dean of Restorative Practices
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Charne
Tunson
Teacher
Charne Tunson
Teacher
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Chelsea
Nguyen
Counselor
Chelsea Nguyen
Counselor
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Chia-Hsuan
Weng
ELD Interventionist
Chia-Hsuan Weng
ELD Interventionist
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China
Habte
Head of Accounting & Fiscal Services
China Habte
Head of Accounting & Fiscal Services
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Chloe
Resler
Teacher
Chloe Resler
Teacher
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Christian
Navarro
Campus Aide
Christian Navarro
Campus Aide
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Christian
Risquez
Community Schools Manager
Christian Risquez
Community Schools Manager
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Christian
Sandoval
Teacher
Christian Sandoval
Teacher
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Christie
Romero
Teacher
Christie Romero
Teacher
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Christina
Siddall
Teacher
Christina Siddall
Teacher
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Christopher
Flaherty
Teacher
Christopher Flaherty
Teacher
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Christopher
Simpson
Teacher
Christopher Simpson
Teacher
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Christopher
Wellbrook
Assistant Principal of Instruction
Christopher Wellbrook
Assistant Principal of Instruction
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Ciro
Zavala
Maintenance
Ciro Zavala
Maintenance
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Claire
Kwon
Substitute Teacher
Claire Kwon
Substitute Teacher
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Clara
Garay
Lead Instructional Mentor
Clara Garay
Lead Instructional Mentor
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Claudia
Cortez
Instructional Assistant
Claudia Cortez
Instructional Assistant
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Claudia
Gardner
Office Manager
Claudia Gardner
Office Manager
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Claudia
Jerez Sneed
Claudia Jerez Sneed
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Colin
Yamashita
Teacher
Colin Yamashita
Teacher
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Colleen
Trejo
Assistant Principal
Colleen Trejo
Assistant Principal
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Cristian
Martinez
Teacher
Cristian Martinez
Teacher
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Cristina
Valencia
Lead Instructional Assistant
Cristina Valencia
Lead Instructional Assistant
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Curtis
Nash
Dean of Student & Family Services
Curtis Nash
Dean of Student & Family Services
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Curtis
Spiller
Teacher
Curtis Spiller
Teacher
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Cynthia
Astorga
Counselor
Cynthia Astorga
Counselor
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Cynthia
Trigueros
Principal, Rise Kohyang High School
Cynthia Trigueros
Principal, Rise Kohyang High School
Cynthia Trigueros is the principal of Rise Kohyang High School, and she leads the Tritons to achieve academic excellence and grow their unique talents so they find joy and fulfillment in higher education, career, and life.
Cynthia has served Bright Star Schools for over 15 years. She previously served as a founding biology teacher, an assistant principal, and interim principal at Rise Kohyang High School before being named principal in 2021. Cynthia was also a founding science teacher at Rise Kohyang Middle School, where she taught for nearly six years.
Cynthia holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, Northridge, a master of arts in bilingual elementary education from Loyola Marymount University as well as a master and credential in educational leadership and administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills.
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Daisy
Gomez
School Data Specialist
Daisy Gomez
School Data Specialist
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Dalton
Arnhart
Teacher
Dalton Arnhart
Teacher
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Damarrius
Thompson
Teacher
Damarrius Thompson
Teacher
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Dana
Daniels
Teacher
Dana Daniels
Teacher
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Daniel
Abner
Community Schools Manager
Daniel Abner
Community Schools Manager
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Daniel
Garcia
Cluster Data Lead
Daniel Garcia
Cluster Data Lead
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Daniel
Gross
Instructional Assistant
Daniel Gross
Instructional Assistant
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Daniel
Lee
Receptionist
Daniel Lee
Receptionist
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Daniel
Pryor
Dean of Academic Supports
Daniel Pryor
Dean of Academic Supports
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Daniela
Feria
IT Helpdesk
Daniela Feria
IT Helpdesk
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Danielle
Starr
Teacher
Danielle Starr
Teacher
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Danny
Oliver
Dean of Operations
Danny Oliver
Dean of Operations
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Darian
White
Teacher
Darian White
Teacher
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Darrell
Johnson
Paraprofessional
Darrell Johnson
Paraprofessional
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Darryl
Garris
Principal, Stella High Charter Academy
Darryl Garris
Principal, Stella High Charter Academy
Darryl Garris is the principal for Stella High Charter Academy, and he leads the school to ensure all Eagles achieve academic excellence and grow their unique talents so they find joy and fulfillment in higher education, career, and life.
Previously, Darryl served Bright Star Schools as principal of Stella Middle Charter Academy (Grades 5-6) and as assistant principal of Stella Middle Charter Academy. Darryl also taught pre-algebra, algebra readiness, and Algebra 1 at Stella Middle Charter Academy and Bright Star Secondary Charter Academy.
Prior to joining Bright Star Schools, Darryl was a teacher at Dorsey High School as a Teach For America corps member.
Darryl holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in environmental economics from UC Berkeley’s College of Natural Resources. He also holds a master’s degree in urban education, a master’s degree in school administration, and a certificate in charter school leadership from Loyola Marymount University's School of Education.
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David
Correa
Teacher
David Correa
Teacher
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David
Liebhauser
Teacher
David Liebhauser
Teacher
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David
Salinas
Instructional Assistant
David Salinas
Instructional Assistant
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Dawn
North
Wellness Coordinator
Dawn North
Wellness Coordinator
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Dayna
Rosso
Teacher
Dayna Rosso
Teacher
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Deana
Estrada Wu
Dean of Instruction
Deana Estrada Wu
Dean of Instruction
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Delma
Rosales
Dean of Operations
Delma Rosales
Dean of Operations
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Desirae
Dickinson
Teacher
Desirae Dickinson
Teacher
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Desiree
Escobar
Teacher
Desiree Escobar
Teacher
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Devin
Diaz
Teacher
Devin Diaz
Teacher
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Deysi
Menjivar
Instructional Assistant
Deysi Menjivar
Instructional Assistant
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Diane
Pyo
Teacher
Diane Pyo
Teacher