24-25 School Year Information Learn More

Valor Academy Elementary School

Discover Our Staff

Discover Our Staff

Aaron
Hernandez

Instructional Assistant

Aaron Hernandez

Aaron Hernandez

Instructional Assistant

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Adriana
De La Cruz

Instructional Assistant

Adriana De La Cruz

Adriana De La Cruz

Instructional Assistant

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Adriana
Padilla Perez

Instructional Assistant

Adriana Padilla Perez

Adriana Padilla Perez

Instructional Assistant

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Alejandra
Cruz

Behavior Implementation Interventionist

Alejandra Cruz

Alejandra Cruz

Behavior Implementation Interventionist

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Anahi
Perez

Teacher

Anahi Perez

Anahi Perez

Teacher

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Andrea
Andrade

Teacher

Andrea Andrade

Andrea Andrade

Teacher

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April Joy
De Vera

Teacher

April Joy De Vera

April Joy De Vera

Teacher

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Asucena
Ledezma

Meal Server

Asucena Ledezma

Asucena Ledezma

Meal Server

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Brenda
Zavala Govea

Instructional Assistant

Brenda Zavala Govea

Brenda Zavala Govea

Instructional Assistant

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Bryan
Oey

Dean of Behavior Support

Bryan Oey

Bryan Oey

Dean of Behavior Support

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Camille
Saltzman

Instructional Assistant

Camille Saltzman

Camille Saltzman

Instructional Assistant

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Carlos
Somoza

Gardening and Cooking Coordinator

Carlos Somoza

Carlos Somoza

Gardening and Cooking Coordinator

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Carmen
Montoya Flores

Behavior Implementation Interventionist

Carmen Montoya Flores

Carmen Montoya Flores

Behavior Implementation Interventionist

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Catlyn
Preffer

Teacher

Catlyn Preffer

Catlyn Preffer

Teacher

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Deysi
Menjivar

Instructional Assistant

Deysi Menjivar

Deysi Menjivar

Instructional Assistant

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Emma
Bideau

Instructional Interventionist

Emma Bideau

Emma Bideau

Instructional Interventionist

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Esmeralda
Reynaga

Instructional Assistant

Esmeralda Reynaga

Esmeralda Reynaga

Instructional Assistant

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Grisel
Guillen

Teacher in Residence

Grisel Guillen

Grisel Guillen

Teacher in Residence

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Isabel
Cuevas

Instructional Assistant

Isabel Cuevas

Isabel Cuevas

Instructional Assistant

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Janelle
Beck

Teacher

Janelle Beck

Janelle Beck

Teacher

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Janis
Cervantes Chavez

Campus Aide

Janis Cervantes Chavez

Janis Cervantes Chavez

Campus Aide

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Jennifer
Sierra

Instructional Assistant

Jennifer Sierra

Jennifer Sierra

Instructional Assistant

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Jessica
Lozano

Instructional Assistant

Jessica Lozano

Jessica Lozano

Instructional Assistant

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Jessica
Luna

Campus Aide

Jessica Luna

Jessica Luna

Campus Aide

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Jessica
Sorto

Behavior Implementation Interventionist

Jessica Sorto

Jessica Sorto

Behavior Implementation Interventionist

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Jessica
Valenciano Corona

Teacher

Jessica Valenciano Corona

Jessica Valenciano Corona

Teacher

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Joselynee
Marquez

Campus Aide

Joselynee Marquez

Joselynee Marquez

Campus Aide

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Joshua
Cabrera

Behavior Implementation Interventionist

Joshua Cabrera

Joshua Cabrera

Behavior Implementation Interventionist

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Juliana
Christakis

Instructional Assistant

Juliana Christakis

Juliana Christakis

Instructional Assistant

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Kimberly
Anaya

Campus Aide

Kimberly Anaya

Kimberly Anaya

Campus Aide

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Kyra
Dunham

Teacher

Kyra Dunham

Kyra Dunham

Teacher

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Lacey
Bianco

Teacher

Lacey Bianco

Lacey Bianco

Teacher

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Linda
Cruz

Campus Aide

Linda Cruz

Linda Cruz

Campus Aide

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Lourena
Uribe

Counselor

Lourena Uribe

Lourena Uribe

Counselor

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Margarita
Reynoso

Instructional Assistant

Margarita Reynoso

Margarita Reynoso

Instructional Assistant

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Maribel
Carmona

Senior Director of Elementary Instruction

Maribel Carmona

Maribel Carmona

Senior Director of Elementary Instruction

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Martin
Meneses Ramirez

Custodian

Martin Meneses Ramirez

Martin Meneses Ramirez

Custodian

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May
Oey

Principal, Valor Academy Elementary School

May Oey

May Oey

Principal, Valor Academy Elementary School

May Oey is the founding principal of Valor Academy Elementary School, and she leads the school’s dynamic community to cultivate an environment where students achieve and believe in themselves and their school.

May has dedicated her entire life to educating students. Prior to joining Bright Star Schools, she served in various roles in education throughout the Los Angeles area for 11 years. As a school leader for a local charter public school, May learned a great deal about running and implementing successful school programs as well as maintaining a healthy and happy school community.

Previously, May taught for nine years, including teaching 3rd and 4th grades for three years in Hollywood, where her school was recognized as the highest performing school in Hollywood.

May holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from UCLA, a master’s degree in elementary education and teaching from Pepperdine University, and a credential in educational leadership and administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills.

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Megan
Carpenter

Teacher

Megan Carpenter

Megan Carpenter

Teacher

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Melissa
De Los Santos

Instructional Assistant

Melissa De Los Santos

Melissa De Los Santos

Instructional Assistant

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Melissa
Ignacio

Counselor

Melissa Ignacio

Melissa Ignacio

Counselor

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Nancy
Jimenez

Teacher

Nancy Jimenez

Nancy Jimenez

Teacher

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Natalie
Perez

Campus Aide

Natalie Perez

Natalie Perez

Campus Aide

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Rebecca
Cabrera

Teacher

Rebecca Cabrera

Rebecca Cabrera

Teacher

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Rosie
Somoundjian

Lead Instructional Assistant

Rosie Somoundjian

Rosie Somoundjian

Lead Instructional Assistant

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Sandra
Moreno

Custodian

Sandra Moreno

Sandra Moreno

Custodian

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Sarah
Cortines

Teacher

Sarah Cortines

Sarah Cortines

Teacher

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Scott
Fleming

Behavior Implementation Interventionist

Scott Fleming

Scott Fleming

Behavior Implementation Interventionist

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Susana
Hernandez Garcia

Instructional Assistant

Susana Hernandez Garcia

Susana Hernandez Garcia

Instructional Assistant

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Susanna
Kang

Long-Term Substitute Teacher

Susanna Kang

Susanna Kang

Long-Term Substitute Teacher

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Talar
Samuelian

Assistant Principal of Culture

Talar Samuelian

Talar Samuelian

Assistant Principal of Culture

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Thalia
Gallegos Ruan

Office Assistant/Behavior Implementation Interventionist

Thalia Gallegos Ruan

Thalia Gallegos Ruan

Office Assistant/Behavior Implementation Interventionist

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Timothy
Limbean

Behavior Implementation Interventionist

Timothy Limbean

Timothy Limbean

Behavior Implementation Interventionist

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Toni
Atkinson

Teacher

Toni Atkinson

Toni Atkinson

Teacher

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Valene
Molina

Dean of Operations

Valene Molina

Valene Molina

Dean of Operations

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Vanessa
Ornelas

Instructional Assistant

Vanessa Ornelas

Vanessa Ornelas

Instructional Assistant

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Vartan
Gasparian

Teacher

Vartan Gasparian

Vartan Gasparian

Teacher

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Veronica
Hurley

Enrichment Teacher

Veronica Hurley

Veronica Hurley

Enrichment Teacher

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Yadira
Sanchez

Community School Manager, Valor Academy Elementary School

Yadira Sanchez

Yadira Sanchez

Community School Manager, Valor Academy Elementary School

Contact Yadira: ysanchez@brightstarschools.org

Yadira Sanchez is the Community School Manager at Valor Academy Elementary School (VAES), spearheading initiatives aimed at transforming the school into a vibrant community hub through enhanced family engagement, collaborative partnerships, and tailored support services.  

Prior to joining VAES, Yadira played a pivotal role in transforming a public charter high school into a community school, establishing vital family resources and support programs. With over a decade in community outreach, including eight years with the City of Pasadena's Police Department Community Relations section, Yadira has a proven dedication to improving community well-being. She holds a bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in psychology from California State University, Northridge. 

Yadira believes in equality for all, regardless of socioeconomic status, and is dedicated to creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment. She grew up in the San Fernando Valley near VAES, and her roots in the community inspire her work every day.

 

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Yahjaira
Arevalo

Office Manager

Yahjaira Arevalo

Yahjaira Arevalo

Office Manager

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