23-24 School Year Information Learn More
Aaron
Hernandez

Instructional Assistant

Aaron Hernandez

Aaron Hernandez

Instructional Assistant

Contact

Abdulmalek
Sulaiman

Teacher

Abdulmalek Sulaiman

Abdulmalek Sulaiman

Teacher

Contact

Abetzi
Espana

Teacher

Abetzi Espana

Abetzi Espana

Teacher

Contact

Abra
Shay

Community Schools Program Chair

Abra Shay

Abra Shay

Community Schools Program Chair

Contact

Abraham
Martinez

Teacher

Abraham Martinez

Abraham Martinez

Teacher

Contact

Adelaide
Jones

Teacher

Adelaide Jones

Adelaide Jones

Teacher

Contact

Adonahi
Ascencio

Family Engagement Coordinator

Adonahi Ascencio

Adonahi Ascencio

Family Engagement Coordinator

Contact

Adriana
De La Cruz

Instructional Assistant

Adriana De La Cruz

Adriana De La Cruz

Instructional Assistant

Contact

Adriana
Padilla Perez

Instructional Assistant

Adriana Padilla Perez

Adriana Padilla Perez

Instructional Assistant

Contact

Afreen
Ahmed

Staff

Afreen Ahmed

Afreen Ahmed

Staff

Contact

Ahjia
Moore

Restorative Practices Director

Ahjia Moore

Ahjia Moore

Restorative Practices Director

Contact

Ahmire
McKoy

School Psychologist

Ahmire McKoy

Ahmire McKoy

School Psychologist

Contact

Ailyn
Galvan

Teacher

Ailyn Galvan

Ailyn Galvan

Teacher

Contact

Ajay
Ghingoor

Teacher

Ajay Ghingoor

Ajay Ghingoor

Teacher

Contact

Ala
Aslani

Teacher

Ala Aslani

Ala Aslani

Teacher

Contact

Albert
Beltran

Assistant Principal of Culture

Albert Beltran

Albert Beltran

Assistant Principal of Culture

Contact

Alberto
Vera

Teacher

Alberto Vera

Alberto Vera

Teacher

Contact

Aleida
Cajahuaringa

Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant

Aleida Cajahuaringa

Aleida Cajahuaringa

Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant

Contact

Alejandra
Castillo Chavez

Office Assistant

Alejandra Castillo Chavez

Alejandra Castillo Chavez

Office Assistant

Contact

Alejandra
Cruz

Behavior Implementation Interventionist

Alejandra Cruz

Alejandra Cruz

Behavior Implementation Interventionist

Contact

Alejandra
Sanchez

Teacher

Alejandra Sanchez

Alejandra Sanchez

Teacher

Contact

Aleksandra
Vargas

Cluster Data Coordinator

Aleksandra Vargas

Aleksandra Vargas

Cluster Data Coordinator

Contact

Alexander
Huerta

Cloud Support Manager

Alexander Huerta

Alexander Huerta

Cloud Support Manager

Contact

Alexandra
Brown

School Counselor

Alexandra Brown

Alexandra Brown

School Counselor

Contact

Alexandra
Duggins

Mathematics Instructional Coach

Alexandra Duggins

Alexandra Duggins

Mathematics Instructional Coach

Contact

Alexandra
Hernandez

Teacher

Alexandra Hernandez

Alexandra Hernandez

Teacher

Contact

Alexandra
Lee

Vice President of Academic Initiatives

Alexandra Lee

Alexandra Lee

Vice President of Academic Initiatives

Contact

Alexandra
Martinez Ramirez

Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant

Alexandra Martinez Ramirez

Alexandra Martinez Ramirez

Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant

Contact

Alexis
Blanco

Instructional Assistant

Alexis Blanco

Alexis Blanco

Instructional Assistant

Contact

Alexis
Carrero

Teacher

Alexis Carrero

Alexis Carrero

Teacher

Contact

Alexis
Gonzalez

Behavior Implementation Interventionist

Alexis Gonzalez

Alexis Gonzalez

Behavior Implementation Interventionist

Contact

Alexis
Roldan

Inclusion Specialist Teacher

Alexis Roldan

Alexis Roldan

Inclusion Specialist Teacher

Contact

Alexis
Scott

Dean of Academic Support

Alexis Scott

Alexis Scott

Dean of Academic Support

Contact

Alexis
Thompson

Counselor

Alexis Thompson

Alexis Thompson

Counselor

Contact

Alexsandr
Kanevskiy

Alexsandr Kanevskiy

Alexsandr Kanevskiy

Contact

Allen
Andrews

Assistant Principal of Instruction

Allen Andrews

Allen Andrews

Assistant Principal of Instruction

Contact

Allison
Gillett

Teacher

Allison Gillett

Allison Gillett

Teacher

Contact

Ally
Nanji

School Psychologist

Ally Nanji

Ally Nanji

School Psychologist

Contact

Alondra
Medina

Instructional Assistant

Alondra Medina

Alondra Medina

Instructional Assistant

Contact

Amalia
Zayas

Counselor

Amalia Zayas

Amalia Zayas

Counselor

Contact

Amanda
Akens

Speech & Language Pathologist

Amanda Akens

Amanda Akens

Speech & Language Pathologist

Contact

Amanda
Lopez

Campus Aide

Amanda Lopez

Amanda Lopez

Campus Aide

Contact

Amy
Weng

ELD Interventionist

Amy Weng

Amy Weng

ELD Interventionist

Contact

Ana L.
Martinez

Lead Executive Officer

Ana L. Martinez

Ana L. Martinez

Lead Executive Officer

Ana Martinez launched her career in education in the same district she attended the majority of her K-12 career, the Los Angeles Unified School District. She is a Teach For America alumni corps member who began teaching in a large comprehensive middle school. She also served as a Dean of Students at another LAUSD middle school, where she embarked on turnaround work and grew her background with culture and systems change at her school.

In 2009, Ana transitioned to Aspire Public Schools where she continued her work as a Dean of Students and then as the Assistant Principal in their Huntington Park middle school. Her most impactful and humbling role was that of a founding Principal in South Los Angeles where she opened up an Aspire school under LAUSD's Public School Choice Model. She led that school for eight years before becoming the Chief of Staff to the Chief Schools Officer and focusing on strengthening home office communication with schools, as well as the professional development offerings for leaders.

Most recently, she served as the Chief Academic Officer and Superintendent at a charter management organization serving a large rural community in the Central Valley of California. 

She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, a master’s in education from Loyola Marymount University, and is also a Pahara fellow.

 

Contact

Ana
Magana

Maintenance

Ana Magana

Ana Magana

Maintenance

Contact

Ana Maria
Martinez

Meal Server

Ana Maria Martinez

Ana Maria Martinez

Meal Server

Contact

Ana
Vargas

Vice President of Human Resources

Ana Vargas

Ana Vargas

Vice President of Human Resources

Contact

Anahi
Perez

Teacher

Anahi Perez

Anahi Perez

Teacher

Contact

Andrea
Chicaiza

Teacher

Andrea Chicaiza

Andrea Chicaiza

Teacher

Contact

Andrea
Garcia Chavez

College & Career Counseling Assistant

Andrea Garcia Chavez

Andrea Garcia Chavez

College & Career Counseling Assistant

Contact

Andrea
Lopez Quintana

Instructional Assistant

Andrea Lopez Quintana

Andrea Lopez Quintana

Instructional Assistant

Contact

Andrea
Padilla

Teacher

Andrea Padilla

Andrea Padilla

Teacher

Contact

Andres
Paniagua

Dean of Student Culture

Andres Paniagua

Andres Paniagua

Dean of Student Culture

Contact

Angel
Cerritos

Transition Specialist

Angel Cerritos

Angel Cerritos

Transition Specialist

Contact

Angel
Hernandez-Romero

Teacher

Angel Hernandez-Romero

Angel Hernandez-Romero

Teacher

Contact

Angelina
Calderon

Vice President of Outreach and Engagement

Angelina Calderon

Angelina Calderon

Vice President of Outreach and Engagement

Contact

Angelique
Lopez

Teacher

Angelique Lopez

Angelique Lopez

Teacher

Contact

Angie
Trae-Greenbarg

Assistant Principal

Angie Trae-Greenbarg

Angie Trae-Greenbarg

Assistant Principal

Contact

Anita
Pande

Teacher

Anita Pande

Anita Pande

Teacher

Contact

Anthony
Lentz

Counselor

Anthony Lentz

Anthony Lentz

Counselor

Contact

Antonio
Montiel

Behavior Implementation Interventionist

Antonio Montiel

Antonio Montiel

Behavior Implementation Interventionist

Contact

April Joy
De Vera

Teacher

April Joy De Vera

April Joy De Vera

Teacher

Contact

Araceli
Alvarado

Maintenance

Araceli Alvarado

Araceli Alvarado

Maintenance

Contact

Ari
Engelberg

Founding Board Chair and Executive Director Emeritus

Ari Engelberg

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

Arlene Rivera

Arlene Rivera

Behavior Implementation Interventionist

Contact

Arlene
Torres

Lead Instructional Assistant

Arlene Torres

Arlene Torres

Lead Instructional Assistant

Contact

Arlin
Ramirez

Instructional Assistant

Arlin Ramirez

Arlin Ramirez

Instructional Assistant

Contact

Arpi
Tamzarian

Inclusion Specialist Teacher

Arpi Tamzarian

Arpi Tamzarian

Inclusion Specialist Teacher

Contact

Ashley
Chameides

Inclusion Specialist Teacher

Ashley Chameides

Ashley Chameides

Inclusion Specialist Teacher

Contact

Ashley
Colburn

Director of Teacher Induction and Development

Ashley Colburn

Ashley Colburn

Director of Teacher Induction and Development

Contact

Ashley
Ruiz

Community Schools Manager

Ashley Ruiz

Ashley Ruiz

Community Schools Manager

Contact

Asma
Ali-Dodough

Assistant Principal of Student & Family Services

Asma Ali-Dodough

Asma Ali-Dodough

Assistant Principal of Student & Family Services

Contact

Aya
Cheung

Controller

Aya Cheung

Aya Cheung

Controller

Contact

Benjamin
Katcher

Teacher

Benjamin Katcher

Benjamin Katcher

Teacher

Contact

Bernadette
McComish

Teacher

Bernadette McComish

Bernadette McComish

Teacher

Contact

Beth
Pollak

Instructional Coach

Beth Pollak

Beth Pollak

Instructional Coach

Contact

Betsy
Diaz

Assistant Principal

Betsy Diaz

Betsy Diaz

Assistant Principal

Contact

Blake
Dicicco

Teacher

Blake Dicicco

Blake Dicicco

Teacher

Contact

Breana
Baskerville

Dean of Academic Support

Breana Baskerville

Breana Baskerville

Dean of Academic Support

Contact

Brian
Martinez

Community Schools Manager

Brian Martinez

Brian Martinez

Community Schools Manager

Contact

Brian
Ortiz

Campus Aide

Brian Ortiz

Brian Ortiz

Campus Aide

Contact

Brian
Perry

Principal, Valor Academy Middle School

Brian Perry

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

Brianna Alcocer

Brianna Alcocer

Teacher

Contact

Briannah
Walters

Teacher

Briannah Walters

Briannah Walters

Teacher

Contact

Briceida
Gallegos

Counselor

Briceida Gallegos

Briceida Gallegos

Counselor

Contact

Bridget
Sibley

Speech & Language Pathologist

Bridget Sibley

Bridget Sibley

Speech & Language Pathologist

Contact

Bryan
Aguillon

Campus Aide

Bryan Aguillon

Bryan Aguillon

Campus Aide

Contact

Bryan
Alfaro

School Data Specialist

Bryan Alfaro

Bryan Alfaro

School Data Specialist

Contact

Bryan
Kaleta

Teacher

Bryan Kaleta

Bryan Kaleta

Teacher

Contact

Caitlin
Anzoleaga

Teacher

Caitlin Anzoleaga

Caitlin Anzoleaga

Teacher

Contact

Caitlin
Han

Teacher

Caitlin Han

Caitlin Han

Teacher

Contact

Candace
Ross

School Counselor

Candace Ross

Candace Ross

School Counselor

Contact

Carissa
Gonzalez

Teacher

Carissa Gonzalez

Carissa Gonzalez

Teacher

Contact

Carla
Aguirre

School Psychologist

Carla Aguirre

Carla Aguirre

School Psychologist

Contact

Carla
Chavez

Inclusion Specialist Teacher

Carla Chavez

Carla Chavez

Inclusion Specialist Teacher

Contact

Carla
Pulido Ruiz

Assistant Dean of Restorative Practices

Carla Pulido Ruiz

Carla Pulido Ruiz

Assistant Dean of Restorative Practices

Contact

Carla
Weber

Teacher

Carla Weber

Carla Weber

Teacher

Contact

Carlos
Contreras

Teacher

Carlos Contreras

Carlos Contreras

Teacher

Contact

Carlos
Cordova

Maintenance

Carlos Cordova

Carlos Cordova

Maintenance

Contact

Carlos
Somoza

Gardening and Cooking Coordinator

Carlos Somoza

Carlos Somoza

Gardening and Cooking Coordinator

Contact

Carmen
Garcia-Shushtari

Senior Manager, Marketing

Carmen Garcia-Shushtari

Carmen Garcia-Shushtari

Senior Manager, Marketing

Contact

Carolina
Gomez

Instructional Assistant

Carolina Gomez

Carolina Gomez

Instructional Assistant

Contact

Carolina
Mora

Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant

Carolina Mora

Carolina Mora

Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant

Contact

Catlyn
Preffer

Teacher

Catlyn Preffer

Catlyn Preffer

Teacher

Contact

Cecilia
Cueva

Teacher

Cecilia Cueva

Cecilia Cueva

Teacher

Contact

Celia
Fang

School Counselor

Celia Fang

Celia Fang

School Counselor

Contact

Chanel
Williams Hungerford

Teacher

Chanel Williams Hungerford

Chanel Williams Hungerford

Teacher

Contact

Charlotte
Seymore

Dean of Restorative Practices

Charlotte Seymore

Charlotte Seymore

Dean of Restorative Practices

Contact

Charne
Tunson

Teacher

Charne Tunson

Charne Tunson

Teacher

Contact

Chelsea
Nguyen

Counselor

Chelsea Nguyen

Chelsea Nguyen

Counselor

Contact

Chia-Hsuan
Weng

ELD Interventionist

Chia-Hsuan Weng

Chia-Hsuan Weng

ELD Interventionist

Contact

China
Habte

Head of Accounting & Fiscal Services

China Habte

China Habte

Head of Accounting & Fiscal Services

Contact

Chloe
Resler

Teacher

Chloe Resler

Chloe Resler

Teacher

Contact

Christian
Navarro

Campus Aide

Christian Navarro

Christian Navarro

Campus Aide

Contact

Christian
Risquez

Community Schools Manager

Christian Risquez

Christian Risquez

Community Schools Manager

Contact

Christian
Sandoval

Teacher

Christian Sandoval

Christian Sandoval

Teacher

Contact

Christie
Romero

Teacher

Christie Romero

Christie Romero

Teacher

Contact

Christina
Siddall

Teacher

Christina Siddall

Christina Siddall

Teacher

Contact

Christopher
Flaherty

Teacher

Christopher Flaherty

Christopher Flaherty

Teacher

Contact

Christopher
Simpson

Teacher

Christopher Simpson

Christopher Simpson

Teacher

Contact

Christopher
Wellbrook

Assistant Principal of Instruction

Christopher Wellbrook

Christopher Wellbrook

Assistant Principal of Instruction

Contact

Ciro
Zavala

Maintenance

Ciro Zavala

Ciro Zavala

Maintenance

Contact

Claire
Kwon

Substitute Teacher

Claire Kwon

Claire Kwon

Substitute Teacher

Contact

Clara
Garay

Lead Instructional Mentor

Clara Garay

Clara Garay

Lead Instructional Mentor

Contact

Claudia
Cortez

Instructional Assistant

Claudia Cortez

Claudia Cortez

Instructional Assistant

Contact

Claudia
Gardner

Office Manager

Claudia Gardner

Claudia Gardner

Office Manager

Contact

Claudia
Jerez Sneed

Claudia Jerez Sneed

Claudia Jerez Sneed

Contact

Colin
Yamashita

Teacher

Colin Yamashita

Colin Yamashita

Teacher

Contact

Colleen
Trejo

Assistant Principal

Colleen Trejo

Colleen Trejo

Assistant Principal

Contact

Cristian
Martinez

Teacher

Cristian Martinez

Cristian Martinez

Teacher

Contact

Cristina
Valencia

Lead Instructional Assistant

Cristina Valencia

Cristina Valencia

Lead Instructional Assistant

Contact

Curtis
Nash

Dean of Student & Family Services

Curtis Nash

Curtis Nash

Dean of Student & Family Services

Contact

Curtis
Spiller

Teacher

Curtis Spiller

Curtis Spiller

Teacher

Contact

Cynthia
Astorga

Counselor

Cynthia Astorga

Cynthia Astorga

Counselor

Contact

Cynthia
Trigueros

Principal, Rise Kohyang High School

Cynthia Trigueros

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

Daisy Gomez

Daisy Gomez

School Data Specialist

Contact

Dalton
Arnhart

Teacher

Dalton Arnhart

Dalton Arnhart

Teacher

Contact

Damarrius
Thompson

Teacher

Damarrius Thompson

Damarrius Thompson

Teacher

Contact

Dana
Daniels

Teacher

Dana Daniels

Dana Daniels

Teacher

Contact

Daniel
Abner

Community Schools Manager

Daniel Abner

Daniel Abner

Community Schools Manager

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Daniel
Garcia

Cluster Data Lead

Daniel Garcia

Daniel Garcia

Cluster Data Lead

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Daniel
Gross

Instructional Assistant

Daniel Gross

Daniel Gross

Instructional Assistant

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Daniel
Lee

Receptionist

Daniel Lee

Daniel Lee

Receptionist

Contact

Daniel
Pryor

Dean of Academic Supports

Daniel Pryor

Daniel Pryor

Dean of Academic Supports

Contact

Daniela
Feria

IT Helpdesk

Daniela Feria

Daniela Feria

IT Helpdesk

Contact

Danielle
Starr

Teacher

Danielle Starr

Danielle Starr

Teacher

Contact

Danny
Oliver

Dean of Operations

Danny Oliver

Danny Oliver

Dean of Operations

Contact

Darian
White

Teacher

Darian White

Darian White

Teacher

Contact

Darrell
Johnson

Paraprofessional

Darrell Johnson

Darrell Johnson

Paraprofessional

Contact

Darryl
Garris

Principal, Stella High Charter Academy

Darryl Garris

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

David Correa

David Correa

Teacher

Contact

David
Liebhauser

Teacher

David Liebhauser

David Liebhauser

Teacher

Contact

David
Salinas

Instructional Assistant

David Salinas

David Salinas

Instructional Assistant

Contact

Dawn
North

Wellness Coordinator

Dawn North

Dawn North

Wellness Coordinator

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Dayna
Rosso

Teacher

Dayna Rosso

Dayna Rosso

Teacher

Contact

Deana
Estrada Wu

Dean of Instruction

Deana Estrada Wu

Deana Estrada Wu

Dean of Instruction

Contact

Delma
Rosales

Dean of Operations

Delma Rosales

Delma Rosales

Dean of Operations

Contact

Desirae
Dickinson

Teacher

Desirae Dickinson

Desirae Dickinson