Discover Our Staff
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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Breana
Baskerville
Assistant Principal
Breana Baskerville
Assistant Principal
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Briannah
Walters
Teacher
Briannah Walters
Teacher
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Briceida
Gallegos
Counselor
Briceida Gallegos
Counselor
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Carlos
Contreras
Teacher
Carlos Contreras
Teacher
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Charlotte
Seymore
Dean of Restorative Practices
Charlotte Seymore
Dean of Restorative Practices
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Christy
Reyes
Teacher
Christy Reyes
Teacher
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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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David
Torres
Teacher
David Torres
Teacher
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Elizabeth
Salanave Ornelas
Teacher
Elizabeth Salanave Ornelas
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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Gabriela
Cruz
Teacher
Gabriela Cruz
Teacher
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Ginnia
Hargins
Principal, Stella Middle Charter Academy
Ginnia Hargins
Principal, Stella Middle Charter Academy
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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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Jacqueline
Martinez
Instructional Assistant
Jacqueline Martinez
Instructional Assistant
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Jacqueline
Orellana
Office Manager
Jacqueline Orellana
Office Manager
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Jessica
Sutherland
Attendance Clerk/Office Assistant
Jessica Sutherland
Attendance Clerk/Office Assistant
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Jillian
Ciznyski
Teacher
Jillian Ciznyski
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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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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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
Villalobos
Teacher
Maria Villalobos
Teacher
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Marina
Sandoval
Community School Manager, Stella Middle Charter Academy
Marina Sandoval
Community School Manager, Stella Middle Charter Academy
Contact Marina: msandoval@brightstarschools.org
Marina Sandoval serves as the founding Community School Manager at Stella Middle Charter Academy in South Los Angeles, where she focuses on the Community School framework to lead the needs and assets assessment. Within the first six months, Marina identified community-based partners like Dynasty United Youth Association and Moving Mountains in immediate response to students' academic and social-emotional needs.
Prior to this role, Marina was the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent of Lawndale Elementary School District where she was an active member of the district’s leadership team. She streamlined practices, created efficient systems, and built the capacity of Office Managers and other support staff in an initiative she created called Level-Up.
Before the district-level role, Marina was the Community Liaison at the school level, where she conceptualized and piloted the family engagement model known as Family University. The model provides leadership opportunities for parents and guardians in Advisory Committees and, through workshops, exposes them to school-to-home learning to better support their children at home. Family efficacy increased, leadership capacity expanded, and Family University became the model districtwide.
Marina’s education is grounded in communities of practice in marketing, grassroots market research, leadership, and lived experiences. Marina Sandoval was born in Los Angeles and raised in the Lennox and Hawthorne area.
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Merissa
Diaz
Paraprofessional/Instructional Assistant
Merissa Diaz
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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Qandeel
Suleman
Teacher
Qandeel Suleman
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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Sienna
Ballou
Instructional Assistant
Sienna Ballou
Instructional Assistant
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Stephanie
Rivas
Instructional Assistant
Stephanie Rivas
Instructional Assistant
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Tayaonie
Wilson
Teacher
Tayaonie Wilson
Teacher
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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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