Discover Our Staff

Contact Karen: kmedina@brightstarschools.org

Currently serving as a Community School Manager, Karen Medina leads efforts to create a supportive and engaging educational environment. Previously, she was instrumental as a founding office manager at a high school, ensuring smooth operations and compliance while supporting enrollment. Her passion for school development grew during her time as an operations associate at a middle school, focusing on behind-the-scenes support. 

She began her career as a teacher's assistant in primary schools, emphasizing academic support. Karen earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from California State University, Northridge.

Ruth Kim is the principal of Rise Kohyang Middle School, and leads the school by empowering the Phoenixes with compassion to learn and grow to give back to their own kohyang (hometown). She encourages students to achieve academic excellence and grow their unique talents so they find joy and fulfillment in higher education, career, and life.

Ruth started with RKMS in its founding year in 2012. Previously, Ruth served Rise Kohyang Middle School as Assistant Principal and an English Language Arts teacher for eight years. During that time, she was also the 6th grade-level chair and ELA department lead, and she became a National Board Certified teacher in 2018. Ruth transitioned to her principal position in 2020.

Ruth holds a bachelor’s degree in English from UC Irvine, multiple-subject and administrative credentials from Cal State Fullerton, and a master’s in educational administration from Cal State Fullerton.