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Aaron
Hernandez
Instructional Assistant
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Aaron Hernandez
Instructional Assistant
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Abraham
Martinez
Teacher
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Abraham Martinez
Teacher
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Adonahi
Ascencio
Family Engagement Coordinator
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Adonahi Ascencio
Family Engagement Coordinator
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Adriana
De La Cruz
Instructional Assistant
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Adriana De La Cruz
Instructional Assistant
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Adriana
Padilla Perez
Instructional Assistant
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Adriana Padilla Perez
Instructional Assistant
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Afreen
Ahmed
Staff
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Afreen Ahmed
Staff
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Ahjia
Moore
Restorative Practices Director
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Ahjia Moore
Restorative Practices Director
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Ajay
Ghingoor
Teacher
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Ajay Ghingoor
Teacher
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Ala
Aslani
Teacher
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Ala Aslani
Teacher
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Albert
Beltran
Assistant Principal of Culture
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Albert Beltran
Assistant Principal of Culture
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Aleida
Cajahuaringa
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
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Aleida Cajahuaringa
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
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Alejandra
Cruz
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
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Alejandra Cruz
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
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Aleksandra
Vargas
Cluster Data Coordinator
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Aleksandra Vargas
Cluster Data Coordinator
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Alexander
Huerta
Cloud Support Manager
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Alexander Huerta
Cloud Support Manager
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Alexandra
Duggins
Mathematics Instructional Coach
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Alexandra Duggins
Mathematics Instructional Coach
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Alexandra
Hernandez
Teacher
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Alexandra Hernandez
Teacher
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Alexandra
Lee
Vice President of Academic Initiatives
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Alexandra Lee
Vice President of Academic Initiatives
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Alexandra
Martinez Ramirez
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
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Alexandra Martinez Ramirez
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
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Alexis
Blanco
Instructional Assistant
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Alexis Blanco
Instructional Assistant
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Alexis
Carrero
Teacher
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Alexis Carrero
Teacher
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Alexis
Gonzalez
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
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Alexis Gonzalez
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
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Alexis
Roldan
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
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Alexis Roldan
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
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Alexis
Scott
Dean of Academic Support
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Alexis Scott
Dean of Academic Support
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Alexis
Thompson
Counselor
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Alexis Thompson
Counselor
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Allegra
Ferme
Teacher
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Allegra Ferme
Teacher
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Allen
Andrews
Assistant Principal of Instruction
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Allen Andrews
Assistant Principal of Instruction
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Allison
Gillett
Teacher
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Allison Gillett
Teacher
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Allison
Horn
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
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Allison Horn
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
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Allison
Thielen
Teacher
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Allison Thielen
Teacher
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Ally
Nanji
School Psychologist
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Ally Nanji
School Psychologist
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Alondra
Medina
Instructional Assistant
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Alondra Medina
Instructional Assistant
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Amalia
Zayas
Counselor
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Amalia Zayas
Counselor
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Amanda
Lopez
Campus Aide
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Amanda Lopez
Campus Aide
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Amy
Weng
ELD Interventionist
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Amy Weng
ELD Interventionist
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Ana
Magana
Maintenance
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Ana Magana
Maintenance
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Ana
Vargas
Vice President of Human Resources
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Ana Vargas
Vice President of Human Resources
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Anahi
Perez
Teacher
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Anahi Perez
Teacher
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Andrea
Chicaiza
Teacher
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Andrea Chicaiza
Teacher
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Andrea
Garcia Chavez
College & Career Counseling Assistant
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Andrea Garcia Chavez
College & Career Counseling Assistant
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Andrea
Mancia
Paraprofessional
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Andrea Mancia
Paraprofessional
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Andres
Paniagua
Dean of Student Culture
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Andres Paniagua
Dean of Student Culture
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Andry
Alvarez Castillo
Campus Aide
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Andry Alvarez Castillo
Campus Aide
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Angel
Cerritos
Transition Specialist
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Angel Cerritos
Transition Specialist
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Angel
Hernandez-Romero
Teacher
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Angel Hernandez-Romero
Teacher
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Angelina
Calderon
Senior Director of Outreach and Engagement
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Angelina Calderon
Senior Director of Outreach and Engagement
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Angelique
Lopez
Teacher
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Angelique Lopez
Teacher
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Angie
Lee
Instructional Assistant
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Angie Lee
Instructional Assistant
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Angie
Trae-Greenbarg
Assistant Principal
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Angie Trae-Greenbarg
Assistant Principal
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Anh
Pham
Teacher
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Anh Pham
Teacher
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Anita
Pande
Teacher
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Anita Pande
Teacher
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Anna
Hagen
Teacher
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Anna Hagen
Teacher
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Anne
Fleming
Teacher
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Anne Fleming
Teacher
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Antonio
Montiel
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
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Antonio Montiel
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
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April Joy
De Vera
Teacher
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April Joy De Vera
Teacher
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Araceli
Alvarado
Maintenance
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Araceli Alvarado
Maintenance
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Ari
Engelberg
Founding Board Chair and Executive Director Emeritus
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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
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Arlene Rivera
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
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Arpi
Tamzarian
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
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Arpi Tamzarian
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
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Ashley
Chameides
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
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Ashley Chameides
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
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Ashley
Colburn
Director of Teacher Induction and Development
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Ashley Colburn
Director of Teacher Induction and Development
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Asma
Ali-Dodough
Assistant Principal
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Asma Ali-Dodough
Assistant Principal
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Aya
Cheung
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Aya Cheung
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Benjamin
Katcher
Teacher
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Benjamin Katcher
Teacher
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Bernadette
McComish
Teacher
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Bernadette McComish
Teacher
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Beth
Pollak
Instructional Coach
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Beth Pollak
Instructional Coach
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Betsy
Diaz
Assistant Principal
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Betsy Diaz
Assistant Principal
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Bianca
Hernandez
Teacher
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Bianca Hernandez
Teacher
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Blake
Dicicco
Teacher
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Blake Dicicco
Teacher
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Brady
Pak
Teacher
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Brady Pak
Teacher
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Brandy
Noble
Teacher
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Brandy Noble
Teacher
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Brea
Taylor
Instructional Assistant
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Brea Taylor
Instructional Assistant
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Breana
Baskerville
Dean of Academic Support
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Breana Baskerville
Dean of Academic Support
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Brian
Ortiz
Campus Aide
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Brian Ortiz
Campus Aide
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Brian
Perry
Principal, Valor Academy Middle School
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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
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Brianna Alcocer
Teacher
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Briceida
Gallegos
Counselor
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Briceida Gallegos
Counselor
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Bridget
Johns
Teacher
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Bridget Johns
Teacher
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Bridget
Sibley
Speech & Language Pathologist
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Bridget Sibley
Speech & Language Pathologist
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Bryan
Aguillon
Campus Aide
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Bryan Aguillon
Campus Aide
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Bryan
Alfaro
School Data Specialist
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Bryan Alfaro
School Data Specialist
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Caitlin
Anzoleaga
Teacher
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Caitlin Anzoleaga
Teacher
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Caley
Lawrence
Teacher
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Caley Lawrence
Teacher
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Candice
Nigra
Teacher
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Candice Nigra
Teacher
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Carissa
Gonzalez
Teacher
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Carissa Gonzalez
Teacher
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Carla
Aguirre
School Psychologist
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Carla Aguirre
School Psychologist
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Carla
Chavez
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
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Carla Chavez
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
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Carla
Weber
Teacher
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Carla Weber
Teacher
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Carlos
Contreras
Teacher
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Carlos Contreras
Teacher
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Carlos
Cordova
Maintenance
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Carlos Cordova
Maintenance
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Carlos
Somoza
Gardening and Cooking Coordinator
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Carlos Somoza
Gardening and Cooking Coordinator
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Carmen
Armenta
Paraprofessional
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Carmen Armenta
Paraprofessional
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Carmen
Garcia-Shushtari
Senior Manager, Marketing
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Carmen Garcia-Shushtari
Senior Manager, Marketing
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Carolina
Gomez
Instructional Assistant
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Carolina Gomez
Instructional Assistant
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Carolina
Mora
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
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Carolina Mora
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
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Catlyn
Preffer
Teacher
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Catlyn Preffer
Teacher
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Cecilia
Cueva
Teacher
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Cecilia Cueva
Teacher
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Cesar
Gabriel-Vazquez
Cluster Data Coordinator
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Cesar Gabriel-Vazquez
Cluster Data Coordinator
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Chanel
Williams Hungerford
Teacher
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Chanel Williams Hungerford
Teacher
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Charne
Tunson
Teacher
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Charne Tunson
Teacher
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Chelsea
Dunn
Teacher
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Chelsea Dunn
Teacher
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Chia-Hsuan
Weng
ELD Interventionist
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Chia-Hsuan Weng
ELD Interventionist
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China
Habte
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China Habte
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Christian
Sandoval
Teacher
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Christian Sandoval
Teacher
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Christie
Romero
Teacher
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Christie Romero
Teacher
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Christopher
Flaherty
Teacher
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Christopher Flaherty
Teacher
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Christopher
Simpson
Teacher
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Christopher Simpson
Teacher
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Christopher
Wellbrook
Assistant Principal of Instruction
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Christopher Wellbrook
Assistant Principal of Instruction
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Ciro
Zavala
Maintenance
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Ciro Zavala
Maintenance
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Claire
Kwon
Substitute Teacher
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Claire Kwon
Substitute Teacher
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Clara
Garay
Lead Instructional Mentor
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Clara Garay
Lead Instructional Mentor
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Claudia
Coronel Lopez
Office Manager
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Claudia Coronel Lopez
Office Manager
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Claudia
Cortez
Instructional Assistant
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Claudia Cortez
Instructional Assistant
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Claudia
Gardner
Office Manager
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Claudia Gardner
Office Manager
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Claudia
Jerez Sneed
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Claudia Jerez Sneed
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Colin
Yamashita
Teacher
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Colin Yamashita
Teacher
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Colleen
Trejo
Assistant Principal
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Colleen Trejo
Assistant Principal
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Cristian
Martinez
Teacher
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Cristian Martinez
Teacher
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Cristina
Valencia
Lead Instructional Assistant
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Cristina Valencia
Lead Instructional Assistant
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Curtis
Nash
Dean of Student & Family Services
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Curtis Nash
Dean of Student & Family Services
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Curtis
Spiller
Teacher
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Curtis Spiller
Teacher
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Cynthia
Astorga
Counselor
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Cynthia Astorga
Counselor
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Cynthia
Trigueros
Principal, Rise Kohyang High School
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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
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Daisy Gomez
School Data Specialist
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Dalton
Arnhart
Teacher
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Dalton Arnhart
Teacher
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Damarrius
Thompson
Teacher
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Damarrius Thompson
Teacher
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Dana
Daniels
Teacher
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Dana Daniels
Teacher
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Daniel
Garcia
Cluster Data Lead
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Daniel Garcia
Cluster Data Lead
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Daniel
Lee
Receptionist
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Daniel Lee
Receptionist
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Daniel
Pryor
Dean of Academic Supports
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Daniel Pryor
Dean of Academic Supports
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Daniela
Feria
IT Helpdesk
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Daniela Feria
IT Helpdesk
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Daniella
Torrecilla
Counselor
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Daniella Torrecilla
Counselor
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Danielle
Starr
Teacher
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Danielle Starr
Teacher
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Danny
Oliver
Dean of Operations
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Danny Oliver
Dean of Operations
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Darrell
Johnson
Paraprofessional
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Darrell Johnson
Paraprofessional
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Darryl
Garris
Principal, Stella High Charter Academy
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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
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David Correa
Teacher
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David
Liebhauser
Teacher
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David Liebhauser
Teacher
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David
Salinas
Instructional Assistant
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David Salinas
Instructional Assistant
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Dawn
North
Wellness Coordinator
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Dawn North
Wellness Coordinator
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Dayna
Rosso
Teacher
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Dayna Rosso
Teacher
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Deana
Estrada Wu
Dean of Instruction
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Deana Estrada Wu
Dean of Instruction
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Delma
Rosales
Dean of Operations
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Delma Rosales
Dean of Operations
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Desirae
Dickinson
Teacher
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Desirae Dickinson
Teacher
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Desiree
Escobar
Teacher
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Desiree Escobar
Teacher
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Devin
Diaz
Teacher
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Devin Diaz
Teacher
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Deysi
Menjivar
Instructional Assistant
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Deysi Menjivar
Instructional Assistant
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Diane
Pyo
Teacher
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Diane Pyo
Teacher
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Dominic
Redix
Teacher
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Dominic Redix
Teacher
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Dominique
Romero
Alumni Support and College Success Community College & CTE Coordinator
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Dominique Romero
Alumni Support and College Success Community College & CTE Coordinator
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Dr. Eliza
Kimly
Head of Schools, Bright Star Schools
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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.
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Edenrose
Preszler
Counselor
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Edenrose Preszler
Counselor
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Edgar
Carpinteyro
Instructional Assistant
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Edgar Carpinteyro
Instructional Assistant
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Edwin
Hernandez
Teacher
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Edwin Hernandez
Teacher
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Elba
Cortez
Instructional Assistant
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Elba Cortez
Instructional Assistant
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Elijah
Falk
Teacher
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Elijah Falk
Teacher
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Elijah
Sugay
Chief Business Officer
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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.
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Elizabeth
Carter
Director of Expanded Learning
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Elizabeth Carter
Director of Expanded Learning
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Elizabeth
Witt
Teacher
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Elizabeth Witt
Teacher
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Elizel
Palma
Teacher
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Elizel Palma
Teacher
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Elsa
Flores
Teacher
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Elsa Flores
Teacher
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Elsy
Ordones Menjivar
Custodian