
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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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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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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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

Grisel Guillen
Teacher
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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
Valenciano Corona
Dean of Restorative Practices

Jessica Valenciano Corona
Dean of Restorative Practices
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Joselynee
Marquez
Substitute Instructional Assistant

Joselynee Marquez
Substitute Instructional Assistant
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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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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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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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Talar
Samuelian
Assistant Principal

Talar Samuelian
Assistant Principal
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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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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.