Discover Our Staff
Aaron
Hernandez
Instructional Assistant
Aaron Hernandez
Instructional Assistant
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Adriana
Padilla Perez
Instructional Assistant
Adriana Padilla Perez
Instructional Assistant
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Alexas
Brown
Teacher in Residence
Alexas Brown
Teacher in Residence
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Anahi
Perez
Teacher
Anahi Perez
Teacher
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Annie
Cho
Teacher
Annie Cho
Teacher
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April Joy
De Vera
Teacher
April Joy De Vera
Teacher
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Asucena
Ledezma
Meal Server
Asucena Ledezma
Meal Server
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Brenda
Zavala Govea
Instructional Assistant
Brenda Zavala Govea
Instructional Assistant
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Bryan
Oey
Dean of Behavior Support
Bryan Oey
Dean of Behavior Support
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Carmen
Montoya Flores
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
Carmen Montoya Flores
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
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Catlyn
Preffer
Teacher
Catlyn Preffer
Teacher
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Deysi
Menjivar
Paraprofessional
Deysi Menjivar
Paraprofessional
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Esmeralda
Reynaga
Instructional Assistant
Esmeralda Reynaga
Instructional Assistant
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Giuliana
Orlandoni
Teacher in Residence
Giuliana Orlandoni
Teacher in Residence
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Grisel
Guillen
Teacher
Grisel Guillen
Teacher
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Janelle
Beck
Teacher
Janelle Beck
Teacher
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Janis
Cervantes Chavez
Campus Aide
Janis Cervantes Chavez
Campus Aide
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Jessica
Lozano
Instructional Assistant
Jessica Lozano
Instructional Assistant
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Jessica
Nunez
Counselor
Jessica Nunez
Counselor
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Jessica
Reyes
Teacher
Jessica Reyes
Teacher
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Jessica
Valenciano Corona
Assistant Principal
Jessica Valenciano Corona
Assistant Principal
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Joshua
Cabrera
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
Joshua Cabrera
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
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Kaitlin
Allen
Principal, Valor Academy Elementary School
Kaitlin Allen
Principal, Valor Academy Elementary School
Kaitlin Allen is the principal of Valor Academy Elementary School, and she is excited to work with the team to ensure that our Cubs experience positive relationships with their teachers and peers, rigorous and engaging instruction, social-emotional development, and joy.
Previously, Kaitlin served Bright Star Schools as the founding principal of Rise Kohyang Elementary School and as an Assistant Principal and English Teacher at Valor Academy High School. Previous to joining Bright Star Schools, Kaitlin taught middle and high school English in Memphis, TN.
Kaitlin is originally from West Virginia, and she holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Shepherd University and a graduate degree in Applied Linguistics from Georgetown University, where she researched early literacy and second language acquisition. She enjoys nature, reading, and music.
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Karen
Rivera
Instructional Assistant
Karen Rivera
Instructional Assistant
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Katherine
Griffith
Instructional Assistant
Katherine Griffith
Instructional Assistant
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Kimberly
Anaya
Campus Aide
Kimberly Anaya
Campus Aide
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Kristin
Goddard
Teacher
Kristin Goddard
Teacher
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Lacey
Bianco
Assistant Principal
Lacey Bianco
Assistant Principal
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Linda
Cruz
Campus Aide
Linda Cruz
Campus Aide
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Lourena
Uribe
Counselor
Lourena Uribe
Counselor
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Margarita
Reynoso
Instructional Assistant
Margarita Reynoso
Instructional Assistant
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Maribel
Carmona
Senior Director of Elementary Instruction
Maribel Carmona
Senior Director of Elementary Instruction
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Martin
Meneses Ramirez
Custodian
Martin Meneses Ramirez
Custodian
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Megan
Carpenter
Teacher
Megan Carpenter
Teacher
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Melissa
De Los Santos
Instructional Assistant
Melissa De Los Santos
Instructional Assistant
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Melissa
Ignacio
Counselor
Melissa Ignacio
Counselor
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Nancy
Jimenez
Teacher
Nancy Jimenez
Teacher
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Natalie
Navarrete
Teacher
Natalie Navarrete
Teacher
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Natalie
Perez
Campus Aide
Natalie Perez
Campus Aide
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Natalie
Wollaston
Office Manager
Natalie Wollaston
Office Manager
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Rebecca
Cabrera
Teacher
Rebecca Cabrera
Teacher
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Rosie
Somoundjian
Lead Instructional Assistant
Rosie Somoundjian
Lead Instructional Assistant
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Sandra
Moreno
Custodian
Sandra Moreno
Custodian
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Sarah
Cortines
Teacher
Sarah Cortines
Teacher
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Susana
Hernandez Garcia
Instructional Assistant
Susana Hernandez Garcia
Instructional Assistant
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Susanna
Kang
Long-Term Substitute Teacher
Susanna Kang
Long-Term Substitute Teacher
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Tara
Limbean
Tara Limbean
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Thalia
Gallegos Ruan
Office Assistant/Behavior Implementation Interventionist
Thalia Gallegos Ruan
Office Assistant/Behavior Implementation Interventionist
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Timothy
Limbean
Instructional Assistant
Timothy Limbean
Instructional Assistant
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Valene
Molina
Dean of Operations
Valene Molina
Dean of Operations
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Vanessa
Ornelas
Paraprofessional
Vanessa Ornelas
Paraprofessional
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Vartan
Gasparian
Teacher
Vartan Gasparian
Teacher
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Yadira
Sanchez
Community School Manager, Valor Academy Elementary School
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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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.