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Abraham
Martinez
Teacher
Abraham Martinez
Teacher
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For Fatima Montiel, an inclusion specialist (special education) teacher at Bright Star Schools, ensuring every student has the education they deserve is personal. We talked with Ms. Montiel about the transformative power of hope, what it’s like to see a student realize their potential, and why every challenge is an opportunity for growth and transformation.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
As a parent of a child with diverse learning needs, I embarked on a journey filled with challenges and triumphs. Navigating the intricacies of supporting my child sparked within me a profound understanding of the unique strengths required to provide adequate support.
This journey demanded a delicate dance of acknowledging the challenges while instilling confidence and hope. Witnessing firsthand the transformative power of creative approaches to learning, I was inspired to dedicate myself to ensuring every student has access to the education they deserve.
My passion for thinking outside the box and advocating for students' rights fuels my commitment to excellence in teaching.
What do you love most about being a teacher?
What I love most about being a teacher is witnessing the transformative power of hope in my students' lives. Hope, to me, means manifesting what you want out of life and believing in the possibility of a better tomorrow.
It's incredibly rewarding to see my students embrace hope, take deliberate steps towards their goals, and overcome obstacles with courage and determination.
Working closely with small groups allows me to witness firsthand the moment when a student realizes their true potential. I guide them to understand that progress may be incremental, but every small achievement is a step forward.
Despite the discomfort, hope is a reminder that every challenge is an opportunity for growth and transformation. Guiding them to recognize their strengths and using those strengths as springboards to conquer challenges fills me with immense joy and fulfillment.
Are there any special projects or initiatives you've implemented in your classroom?
Yes! One of the initiatives I'm particularly proud of is our “Flex Spotlight." In this project, students identify and celebrate their unique strengths, fostering a positive classroom culture that embraces diversity and individuality.
Additionally, I integrate technology to personalize learning experiences, ensuring every student's needs are met.
What advice would you give to aspiring educators?
To aspiring educators, I would say: Embrace the journey wholeheartedly. Find out what works for you, and then be open to changing it.
Each day brings new challenges and opportunities for growth. Stay committed to understanding the unique needs of every student, and never underestimate the power of empathy and creativity in the classroom.
Your dedication has the potential to shape the future generation in profound ways.
Teach with incredible educators like Fatima! See our open roles here.
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Alexis
Blanco
Instructional Assistant
Alexis Blanco
Instructional Assistant
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Alexis
Gonzalez
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
Alexis Gonzalez
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
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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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Andres
Paniagua
Dean of Student Culture
Andres Paniagua
Dean of Student Culture
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Antonio
Montiel
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
Antonio Montiel
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
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Ashley
Chameides
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
Ashley Chameides
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
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Blake
Dicicco
Teacher
Blake Dicicco
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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Caitlin
Anzoleaga
Teacher
Caitlin Anzoleaga
Teacher
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Carlos
Contreras
Teacher
Carlos Contreras
Teacher
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Cathia
Sanchez
Interim Assistant Principal of Culture
Cathia Sanchez
Interim Assistant Principal of Culture
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Charlotte
Seymore
Dean of Restorative Practices
Charlotte Seymore
Dean of Restorative Practices
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Cristina
Valencia
Lead Instructional Assistant
Cristina Valencia
Lead Instructional Assistant
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Daniel
Pryor
Dean of Academic Supports
Daniel Pryor
Dean of Academic Supports
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Elizel
Palma
Teacher
Elizel Palma
Teacher
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Elsa
Flores
Teacher
Elsa Flores
Teacher
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Emory
Kim
Teacher
Emory Kim
Teacher
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Fatima
Montiel
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
Fatima Montiel
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
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Frank
Pineda
Teacher
Frank Pineda
Teacher
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Freddy
Zuniga
Instructional Assistant
Freddy Zuniga
Instructional Assistant
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Gaspar
Gudino
Campus Aide
Gaspar Gudino
Campus Aide
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Ginnia
Hargins
Assistant Principal of Instruction
Ginnia Hargins
Assistant Principal of Instruction
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Ihab
Gabra
Teacher
Ihab Gabra
Teacher
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Iliana
Ortiz
Instructional Assistant/After School Program Supervisor
Iliana Ortiz
Instructional Assistant/After School Program Supervisor
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Jacklyn
Noriega
Teacher
Jacklyn Noriega
Teacher
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Jacqueline
Martinez
Instructional Assistant
Jacqueline Martinez
Instructional Assistant
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Jacqueline
Orellana
Office Manager
Jacqueline Orellana
Office Manager
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Jane
Han
Principal, Stella Middle Charter Academy
Jane Han
Principal, Stella Middle Charter Academy
Jane Han is the principal for Stella Middle Charter Academy, and she leads the school to ensure all Gryffons achieve academic excellence and grow their unique talents so that they find joy and fulfillment in higher education, career, and life.
Previously, Jane served Bright Star Schools as Stella Middle Charter Academy’s assistant principal of instruction, and as a math teacher, department leader, and mentor teacher where she coached teachers to elevate student achievement. As a math teacher, Jane taught courses ranging from pre-algebra through AP Calculus, in charter public schools in Los Angeles.
Jane holds a bachelor’s degree in history and sociology with a minor in mathematics from Columbia University and a master’s degree in teaching of mathematics from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education.
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Jessica
Sutherland
Attendance Clerk/Office Assistant
Jessica Sutherland
Attendance Clerk/Office Assistant
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Jocelyn
Angarita
Teacher
Jocelyn Angarita
Teacher
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Johanna
Montiel
Office Assistant
Johanna Montiel
Office Assistant
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Johanna
Morales
Office Assistant
Johanna Morales
Office Assistant
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Joseph
Gonzalez
Counselor
Joseph Gonzalez
Counselor
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Joseph
Sloane
Counselor
Joseph Sloane
Counselor
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Karissa
Shanley
Teacher
Karissa Shanley
Teacher
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Kathryne
Edwards
Teacher
Kathryne Edwards
Teacher
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Kevin
Huertos
Campus Aide
Kevin Huertos
Campus Aide
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Keyri
Arucha
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
Keyri Arucha
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
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Kimberly
Aguilar
Instructional Assistant
Kimberly Aguilar
Instructional Assistant
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Kimberly
Martinez
Campus Aide
Kimberly Martinez
Campus Aide
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Kyung
Lee
Teacher
Kyung Lee
Teacher
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Leah
De Veyra
Teacher
Leah De Veyra
Teacher
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Luis
Estrada
Dean of Operations
Luis Estrada
Dean of Operations
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Maria
Barriga
Teacher
Maria Barriga
Teacher
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Maria
Reyes
Maria Reyes
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Maria
Villalobos
Teacher
Maria Villalobos
Teacher
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Marina
Sandoval
Community Schools Manager
Marina Sandoval
Community Schools Manager
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Merissa
Diaz
Paraprofessional/Instructional Assistant
Merissa Diaz
Paraprofessional/Instructional Assistant
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Michelle
Romero
Teacher
Michelle Romero
Teacher
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Mychal
Creer
Instructional Assistant
Mychal Creer
Instructional Assistant
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Octavio
Vergara
Paraprofessional/Instructional Assistant
Octavio Vergara
Paraprofessional/Instructional Assistant
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Ozro
Hepworth
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
Ozro Hepworth
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
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Pablo
Aranda
Campus Aide
Pablo Aranda
Campus Aide
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Reyna
Kauil Cervantes
Teacher
Reyna Kauil Cervantes
Teacher
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Robert
Brown
Teacher
Robert Brown
Teacher
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Roberto
Garcia
Maintenance
Roberto Garcia
Maintenance
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Rosa
Covarrubias
Campus Aide
Rosa Covarrubias
Campus Aide
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Sienna
Ballou
Instructional Assistant
Sienna Ballou
Instructional Assistant
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Simone
Grant
Instructional Assistant
Simone Grant
Instructional Assistant
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Taylor
Phillips
Counselor
Taylor Phillips
Counselor
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Vanessa
Barriga Milian
Campus Aide
Vanessa Barriga Milian
Campus Aide
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Yurby
Rivas Barrera
Lead Instructional Assistant
Yurby Rivas Barrera
Lead Instructional 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.