Discover Our Staff
Aaron
Hernandez
Instructional Assistant
Aaron Hernandez
Instructional Assistant
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Adriana
De La Cruz
Instructional Assistant
Adriana De La Cruz
Instructional Assistant
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Adriana
Padilla Perez
Instructional Assistant
Adriana Padilla Perez
Instructional Assistant
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Alejandra
Cruz
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
Alejandra Cruz
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
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Anahi
Perez
Teacher
Anahi Perez
Teacher
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Andrea
Andrade
Teacher
Andrea Andrade
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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Camille
Saltzman
Instructional Assistant
Camille Saltzman
Instructional Assistant
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Carlos
Somoza
Gardening and Cooking Coordinator
Carlos Somoza
Gardening and Cooking Coordinator
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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
Instructional Assistant
Deysi Menjivar
Instructional Assistant
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Emma
Bideau
Instructional Interventionist
Emma Bideau
Instructional Interventionist
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Esmeralda
Reynaga
Instructional Assistant
Esmeralda Reynaga
Instructional Assistant
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Grisel
Guillen
Teacher in Residence
Grisel Guillen
Teacher in Residence
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Isabel
Cuevas
Instructional Assistant
Isabel Cuevas
Instructional Assistant
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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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Jennifer
Sierra
Instructional Assistant
Jennifer Sierra
Instructional Assistant
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Jessica
Lozano
Instructional Assistant
Jessica Lozano
Instructional Assistant
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Jessica
Luna
Campus Aide
Jessica Luna
Campus Aide
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Jessica
Sorto
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
Jessica Sorto
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
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Jessica
Valenciano Corona
Teacher
Jessica Valenciano Corona
Teacher
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Joselynee
Marquez
Campus Aide
Joselynee Marquez
Campus Aide
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Joshua
Cabrera
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
Joshua Cabrera
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
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Juliana
Christakis
Instructional Assistant
Juliana Christakis
Instructional Assistant
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Kimberly
Anaya
Campus Aide
Kimberly Anaya
Campus Aide
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Kyra
Dunham
Teacher
Kyra Dunham
Teacher
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Lacey
Bianco
Teacher
Lacey Bianco
Teacher
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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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May
Oey
Principal, Valor Academy Elementary School
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
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
Perez
Campus Aide
Natalie Perez
Campus Aide
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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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Scott
Fleming
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
Scott Fleming
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
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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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Talar
Samuelian
Assistant Principal of Culture
Talar Samuelian
Assistant Principal of Culture
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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
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
Timothy Limbean
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
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Toni
Atkinson
Teacher
Toni Atkinson
Teacher
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Valene
Molina
Dean of Operations
Valene Molina
Dean of Operations
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Vanessa
Ornelas
Instructional Assistant
Vanessa Ornelas
Instructional Assistant
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Vartan
Gasparian
Teacher
Vartan Gasparian
Teacher
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Veronica
Hurley
Enrichment Teacher
Veronica Hurley
Enrichment 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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Yahjaira
Arevalo
Office Manager
Yahjaira Arevalo
Office Manager
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