Aaron
Hernandez
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Aaron Hernandez
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Abraham
Martinez
Teacher
Contact
Abraham Martinez
Teacher
Contact
Adonahi
Ascencio
Family Engagement Coordinator
Contact
Adonahi Ascencio
Family Engagement Coordinator
Contact
Adriana
De La Cruz
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Adriana De La Cruz
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Adriana
Padilla Perez
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Adriana Padilla Perez
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Afreen
Ahmed
Staff
Contact
Afreen Ahmed
Staff
Contact
Ahjia
Moore
Restorative Practices Director
Contact
Ahjia Moore
Restorative Practices Director
Contact
Ajay
Ghingoor
Teacher
Contact
Ajay Ghingoor
Teacher
Contact
Ala
Aslani
Teacher
Contact
Ala Aslani
Teacher
Contact
Albert
Beltran
Assistant Principal of Culture
Contact
Albert Beltran
Assistant Principal of Culture
Contact
Aleida
Cajahuaringa
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
Contact
Aleida Cajahuaringa
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
Contact
Alejandra
Cruz
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
Contact
Alejandra Cruz
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
Contact
Aleksandra
Vargas
Cluster Data Coordinator
Contact
Aleksandra Vargas
Cluster Data Coordinator
Contact
Alexander
Huerta
Cloud Support Manager
Contact
Alexander Huerta
Cloud Support Manager
Contact
Alexandra
Duggins
Mathematics Instructional Coach
Contact
Alexandra Duggins
Mathematics Instructional Coach
Contact
Alexandra
Hernandez
Teacher
Contact
Alexandra Hernandez
Teacher
Contact
Alexandra
Lee
Vice President of Academic Initiatives
Contact
Alexandra Lee
Vice President of Academic Initiatives
Contact
Alexandra
Martinez Ramirez
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
Contact
Alexandra Martinez Ramirez
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
Contact
Alexis
Blanco
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Alexis Blanco
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Alexis
Carrero
Teacher
Contact
Alexis Carrero
Teacher
Contact
Alexis
Gonzalez
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
Contact
Alexis Gonzalez
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
Contact
Alexis
Roldan
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
Contact
Alexis Roldan
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
Contact
Alexis
Scott
Dean of Academic Support
Contact
Alexis Scott
Dean of Academic Support
Contact
Alexis
Thompson
Counselor
Contact
Alexis Thompson
Counselor
Contact
Allegra
Ferme
Teacher
Contact
Allegra Ferme
Teacher
Contact
Allen
Andrews
Assistant Principal of Instruction
Contact
Allen Andrews
Assistant Principal of Instruction
Contact
Allison
Gillett
Teacher
Contact
Allison Gillett
Teacher
Contact
Allison
Horn
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
Contact
Allison Horn
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
Contact
Allison
Thielen
Teacher
Contact
Allison Thielen
Teacher
Contact
Ally
Nanji
School Psychologist
Contact
Ally Nanji
School Psychologist
Contact
Alondra
Medina
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Alondra Medina
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Amalia
Zayas
Counselor
Contact
Amalia Zayas
Counselor
Contact
Amanda
Lopez
Campus Aide
Contact
Amanda Lopez
Campus Aide
Contact
Amy
Weng
ELD Interventionist
Contact
Amy Weng
ELD Interventionist
Contact
Ana
Magana
Maintenance
Contact
Ana Magana
Maintenance
Contact
Ana
Vargas
Vice President of Human Resources
Contact
Ana Vargas
Vice President of Human Resources
Contact
Anahi
Perez
Teacher
Contact
Anahi Perez
Teacher
Contact
Andrea
Chicaiza
Teacher
Contact
Andrea Chicaiza
Teacher
Contact
Andrea
Garcia Chavez
College & Career Counseling Assistant
Contact
Andrea Garcia Chavez
College & Career Counseling Assistant
Contact
Andrea
Mancia
Paraprofessional
Contact
Andrea Mancia
Paraprofessional
Contact
Andres
Paniagua
Dean of Student Culture
Contact
Andres Paniagua
Dean of Student Culture
Contact
Andry
Alvarez Castillo
Campus Aide
Contact
Andry Alvarez Castillo
Campus Aide
Contact
Angel
Cerritos
Transition Specialist
Contact
Angel Cerritos
Transition Specialist
Contact
Angel
Hernandez-Romero
Teacher
Contact
Angel Hernandez-Romero
Teacher
Contact
Angelina
Calderon
Senior Director of Outreach and Engagement
Contact
Angelina Calderon
Senior Director of Outreach and Engagement
Contact
Angelique
Lopez
Teacher
Contact
Angelique Lopez
Teacher
Contact
Angie
Lee
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Angie Lee
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Angie
Trae-Greenbarg
Assistant Principal
Contact
Angie Trae-Greenbarg
Assistant Principal
Contact
Anh
Pham
Teacher
Contact
Anh Pham
Teacher
Contact
Anita
Pande
Teacher
Contact
Anita Pande
Teacher
Contact
Anna
Hagen
Teacher
Contact
Anna Hagen
Teacher
Contact
Anne
Fleming
Teacher
Contact
Anne Fleming
Teacher
Contact
Antonio
Montiel
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
Contact
Antonio Montiel
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
Contact
April Joy
De Vera
Teacher
Contact
April Joy De Vera
Teacher
Contact
Araceli
Alvarado
Maintenance
Contact
Araceli Alvarado
Maintenance
Contact
Ari
Engelberg
Founding Board Chair and Executive Director Emeritus
Contact
Ari Engelberg
Founding Board Chair and Executive Director Emeritus
Ari Engelberg was the founding Board President when Stella Middle Charter Academy first opened its doors in 2003. In 2007, not long after Bright Star Secondary Charter Academy was opened and the name of the organization was changed to Bright Star Schools, he made a transition into the Executive Director role. For over a decade Ari played an instrumental role in shaping Bright Star Schools into a vibrant, kid-focused organization that is helping to close the achievement gap in Los Angeles. Ari holds bachelor’s degrees in political science and psychology from UC Berkeley and a juris doctor and masters of business administration from UCLA. Ari has participated on a range of nonprofit boards and advisory committees, and continues to be involved in uplifting Los Angeles as a board member of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the Girls Athletic Leadership School.
Contact
Arlene
Rivera
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
Contact
Arlene Rivera
Behavior Implementation Interventionist
Contact
Arpi
Tamzarian
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
Contact
Arpi Tamzarian
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
Contact
Ashley
Chameides
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
Contact
Ashley Chameides
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
Contact
Ashley
Colburn
Director of Teacher Induction and Development
Contact
Ashley Colburn
Director of Teacher Induction and Development
Contact
Asma
Ali-Dodough
Assistant Principal
Contact
Asma Ali-Dodough
Assistant Principal
Contact
Aya
Cheung
Contact
Aya Cheung
Contact
Benjamin
Katcher
Teacher
Contact
Benjamin Katcher
Teacher
Contact
Bernadette
McComish
Teacher
Contact
Bernadette McComish
Teacher
Contact
Beth
Pollak
Instructional Coach
Contact
Beth Pollak
Instructional Coach
Contact
Betsy
Diaz
Assistant Principal
Contact
Betsy Diaz
Assistant Principal
Contact
Bianca
Hernandez
Teacher
Contact
Bianca Hernandez
Teacher
Contact
Blake
Dicicco
Teacher
Contact
Blake Dicicco
Teacher
Contact
Brady
Pak
Teacher
Contact
Brady Pak
Teacher
Contact
Brandy
Noble
Teacher
Contact
Brandy Noble
Teacher
Contact
Brea
Taylor
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Brea Taylor
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Breana
Baskerville
Dean of Academic Support
Contact
Breana Baskerville
Dean of Academic Support
Contact
Brian
Ortiz
Campus Aide
Contact
Brian Ortiz
Campus Aide
Contact
Brian
Perry
Principal, Valor Academy Middle School
Contact
Brian Perry
Principal, Valor Academy Middle School
Brian Perry is the principal of Valor Academy Middle School, where he leads the school to create an environment where all students can see academic success, engage with their individual interests, and participate in experiences that will help them grow as people.
Previously, Brian served Valor Academy Middle School as the assistant principal of instruction and curriculum for five years, and helped bring new and exciting programs and initiatives to drive student learning. He joined Valor Academy Middle School as a fifth grade English language arts teacher in 2011.
Prior to joining Bright Star Schools, Brian taught in schools in Miami, FL; New Haven, CT; and Inglewood, CA. He began his career as a high school English teacher as a Teach For America corps member. As a third grader in St. Louis, MO, Brian made the commitment to become a teacher as impactful as the ones he had encountered in his early education.
Brian holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri.
Contact
Brianna
Alcocer
Teacher
Contact
Brianna Alcocer
Teacher
Contact
Briceida
Gallegos
Counselor
Contact
Briceida Gallegos
Counselor
Contact
Bridget
Johns
Teacher
Contact
Bridget Johns
Teacher
Contact
Bridget
Sibley
Speech & Language Pathologist
Contact
Bridget Sibley
Speech & Language Pathologist
Contact
Bryan
Aguillon
Campus Aide
Contact
Bryan Aguillon
Campus Aide
Contact
Bryan
Alfaro
School Data Specialist
Contact
Bryan Alfaro
School Data Specialist
Contact
Caitlin
Anzoleaga
Teacher
Contact
Caitlin Anzoleaga
Teacher
Contact
Caley
Lawrence
Teacher
Contact
Caley Lawrence
Teacher
Contact
Candice
Nigra
Teacher
Contact
Candice Nigra
Teacher
Contact
Carissa
Gonzalez
Teacher
Contact
Carissa Gonzalez
Teacher
Contact
Carla
Aguirre
School Psychologist
Contact
Carla Aguirre
School Psychologist
Contact
Carla
Chavez
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
Contact
Carla Chavez
Inclusion Specialist Teacher
Contact
Carla
Weber
Teacher
Contact
Carla Weber
Teacher
Contact
Carlos
Contreras
Teacher
Contact
Carlos Contreras
Teacher
Contact
Carlos
Cordova
Maintenance
Contact
Carlos Cordova
Maintenance
Contact
Carlos
Somoza
Gardening and Cooking Coordinator
Contact
Carlos Somoza
Gardening and Cooking Coordinator
Contact
Carmen
Armenta
Paraprofessional
Contact
Carmen Armenta
Paraprofessional
Contact
Carmen
Garcia-Shushtari
Senior Manager, Marketing
Contact
Carmen Garcia-Shushtari
Senior Manager, Marketing
Contact
Carolina
Gomez
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Carolina Gomez
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Carolina
Mora
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
Contact
Carolina Mora
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
Contact
Catlyn
Preffer
Teacher
Contact
Catlyn Preffer
Teacher
Contact
Cecilia
Cueva
Teacher
Contact
Cecilia Cueva
Teacher
Contact
Cesar
Gabriel-Vazquez
Cluster Data Coordinator
Contact
Cesar Gabriel-Vazquez
Cluster Data Coordinator
Contact
Chanel
Williams Hungerford
Teacher
Contact
Chanel Williams Hungerford
Teacher
Contact
Charne
Tunson
Teacher
Contact
Charne Tunson
Teacher
Contact
Chelsea
Dunn
Teacher
Contact
Chelsea Dunn
Teacher
Contact
Chia-Hsuan
Weng
ELD Interventionist
Contact
Chia-Hsuan Weng
ELD Interventionist
Contact
China
Habte
Contact
China Habte
Contact
Christian
Sandoval
Teacher
Contact
Christian Sandoval
Teacher
Contact
Christie
Romero
Teacher
Contact
Christie Romero
Teacher
Contact
Christopher
Flaherty
Teacher
Contact
Christopher Flaherty
Teacher
Contact
Christopher
Simpson
Teacher
Contact
Christopher Simpson
Teacher
Contact
Christopher
Wellbrook
Assistant Principal of Instruction
Contact
Christopher Wellbrook
Assistant Principal of Instruction
Contact
Ciro
Zavala
Maintenance
Contact
Ciro Zavala
Maintenance
Contact
Claire
Kwon
Substitute Teacher
Contact
Claire Kwon
Substitute Teacher
Contact
Clara
Garay
Lead Instructional Mentor
Contact
Clara Garay
Lead Instructional Mentor
Contact
Claudia
Coronel Lopez
Office Manager
Contact
Claudia Coronel Lopez
Office Manager
Contact
Claudia
Cortez
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Claudia Cortez
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Claudia
Gardner
Office Manager
Contact
Claudia Gardner
Office Manager
Contact
Claudia
Jerez Sneed
Contact
Claudia Jerez Sneed
Contact
Colin
Yamashita
Teacher
Contact
Colin Yamashita
Teacher
Contact
Colleen
Trejo
Assistant Principal
Contact
Colleen Trejo
Assistant Principal
Contact
Cristian
Martinez
Teacher
Contact
Cristian Martinez
Teacher
Contact
Cristina
Valencia
Lead Instructional Assistant
Contact
Cristina Valencia
Lead Instructional Assistant
Contact
Curtis
Nash
Dean of Student & Family Services
Contact
Curtis Nash
Dean of Student & Family Services
Contact
Curtis
Spiller
Teacher
Contact
Curtis Spiller
Teacher
Contact
Cynthia
Astorga
Counselor
Contact
Cynthia Astorga
Counselor
Contact
Cynthia
Trigueros
Principal, Rise Kohyang High School
Contact
Cynthia Trigueros
Principal, Rise Kohyang High School
Cynthia Trigueros is the principal of Rise Kohyang High School, and she leads the Tritons to achieve academic excellence and grow their unique talents so they find joy and fulfillment in higher education, career, and life.
Cynthia has served Bright Star Schools for over 15 years. She previously served as a founding biology teacher, an assistant principal, and interim principal at Rise Kohyang High School before being named principal in 2021. Cynthia was also a founding science teacher at Rise Kohyang Middle School, where she taught for nearly six years.
Cynthia holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, Northridge, a master of arts in bilingual elementary education from Loyola Marymount University as well as a master and credential in educational leadership and administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills.
Contact
Daisy
Gomez
School Data Specialist
Contact
Daisy Gomez
School Data Specialist
Contact
Dalton
Arnhart
Teacher
Contact
Dalton Arnhart
Teacher
Contact
Damarrius
Thompson
Teacher
Contact
Damarrius Thompson
Teacher
Contact
Dana
Daniels
Teacher
Contact
Dana Daniels
Teacher
Contact
Daniel
Garcia
Cluster Data Lead
Contact
Daniel Garcia
Cluster Data Lead
Contact
Daniel
Lee
Receptionist
Contact
Daniel Lee
Receptionist
Contact
Daniel
Pryor
Dean of Academic Supports
Contact
Daniel Pryor
Dean of Academic Supports
Contact
Daniela
Feria
IT Helpdesk
Contact
Daniela Feria
IT Helpdesk
Contact
Daniella
Torrecilla
Counselor
Contact
Daniella Torrecilla
Counselor
Contact
Danielle
Starr
Teacher
Contact
Danielle Starr
Teacher
Contact
Danny
Oliver
Dean of Operations
Contact
Danny Oliver
Dean of Operations
Contact
Darrell
Johnson
Paraprofessional
Contact
Darrell Johnson
Paraprofessional
Contact
Darryl
Garris
Principal, Stella High Charter Academy
Contact
Darryl Garris
Principal, Stella High Charter Academy
Darryl Garris is the principal for Stella High Charter Academy, and he leads the school to ensure all Eagles achieve academic excellence and grow their unique talents so they find joy and fulfillment in higher education, career, and life.
Previously, Darryl served Bright Star Schools as principal of Stella Middle Charter Academy (Grades 5-6) and as assistant principal of Stella Middle Charter Academy. Darryl also taught pre-algebra, algebra readiness, and Algebra 1 at Stella Middle Charter Academy and Bright Star Secondary Charter Academy.
Prior to joining Bright Star Schools, Darryl was a teacher at Dorsey High School as a Teach For America corps member.
Darryl holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in environmental economics from UC Berkeley’s College of Natural Resources. He also holds a master’s degree in urban education, a master’s degree in school administration, and a certificate in charter school leadership from Loyola Marymount University's School of Education.
Contact
David
Correa
Teacher
Contact
David Correa
Teacher
Contact
David
Liebhauser
Teacher
Contact
David Liebhauser
Teacher
Contact
David
Salinas
Instructional Assistant
Contact
David Salinas
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Dawn
North
Wellness Coordinator
Contact
Dawn North
Wellness Coordinator
Contact
Dayna
Rosso
Teacher
Contact
Dayna Rosso
Teacher
Contact
Deana
Estrada Wu
Dean of Instruction
Contact
Deana Estrada Wu
Dean of Instruction
Contact
Delma
Rosales
Dean of Operations
Contact
Delma Rosales
Dean of Operations
Contact
Desirae
Dickinson
Teacher
Contact
Desirae Dickinson
Teacher
Contact
Desiree
Escobar
Teacher
Contact
Desiree Escobar
Teacher
Contact
Devin
Diaz
Teacher
Contact
Devin Diaz
Teacher
Contact
Deysi
Menjivar
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Deysi Menjivar
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Diane
Pyo
Teacher
Contact
Diane Pyo
Teacher
Contact
Dominic
Redix
Teacher
Contact
Dominic Redix
Teacher
Contact
Dominique
Romero
Alumni Support and College Success Community College & CTE Coordinator
Contact
Dominique Romero
Alumni Support and College Success Community College & CTE Coordinator
Contact
Dr. Eliza
Kimly
Head of Schools, Bright Star Schools
Contact
Dr. Eliza Kimly
Head of Schools, Bright Star Schools
Dr. Eliza KimLy is the co-Head of Schools for Bright Star Schools, and the former founding principal of Rise Kohyang Middle School. As co-Head of Schools, she leads the development and execution of a rigorous instructional program that serves all students and supports principals to achieve their schools’ goals.
Dr. KimLy joined Bright Star Schools as a science teacher in 2004. After teaching both science and English Language Arts for three years, she served Bright Star Schools as assistant principal, principal, and director of instruction.
A Los Angeles-born native who grew up in Koreatown, Dr. KimLy wanted to give back to her “kohyang” (“hometown”). She founded Rise Kohyang Middle School in 2012 to serve the educational needs of families who live in Koreatown.
Prior to joining Bright Star Schools, Dr. KimLy served as a teacher, substitute teacher, student teacher, and teacher’s assistant for the Los Angeles, Culver City, and Beverly Hills Unified School Districts.
Dr. KimLy holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism with a minor in American Studies from the University of Southern California; a teaching credential and master’s degree in education; and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University. Her administrative credential was completed at Loyola Marymount University’s Institute of School Leadership & Administration.
Contact
Edenrose
Preszler
Counselor
Contact
Edenrose Preszler
Counselor
Contact
Edgar
Carpinteyro
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Edgar Carpinteyro
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Edwin
Hernandez
Teacher
Contact
Edwin Hernandez
Teacher
Contact
Elba
Cortez
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Elba Cortez
Instructional Assistant
Contact
Elijah
Falk
Teacher
Contact
Elijah Falk
Teacher
Contact
Elijah
Sugay
Chief Business Officer
Contact
Elijah Sugay
Chief Business Officer
Elijah Sugay grew up in the San Fernando Valley near our Valor Academy schools and was the first employee hired at Valor Academy Middle School (VAMS). Elijah became the Founding Director of Finance and Operations for VAMS and helped the school launch and grow into the successful institution it is today.
After serving at VAMS for four years, Elijah became Senior Director of Operations for Bright Star Schools and then Vice President of Facilities and Finance for Bright Star, where he oversaw facilities and finance for all 9 Bright Star schools and helped build permanent campuses for Valor Academy Middle School, Valor Academy High School, and Stella Middle Charter Academy.
As Chief Business Officer, Elijah leads all facilities projects for Bright Star Schools, as well as Bright Star’s fiscal health. He supports school leaders to develop sustainable budgets that meet their schools’ highest needs, priorities, and visions for how they want to achieve our mission on behalf of the students we serve.
Elijah holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from UCLA.
Contact
Elizabeth
Carter
Director of Expanded Learning