EPACS benefits from a small but dedicated staff, who are passionate about the mission of preparing traditionally under-served children for excellent high schools, colleges and the world beyond.

Sharon Johnson
Sharon Johnson joined the EPACS community in the fall of 2000. Prior to becoming Principal, Ms. Johnson led the English Language Arts and Teacher Induction program as the school's Literacy Coach. A former fifth grade and second grade teacher at EPACS, Ms. Johnson brings to her leadership a strong foundation in both primary and upper elementary grade level instruction. She holds a Masters degree in Educational Leadership from San Jose State University (through a unique charter school leadership program facilitated by Aspire Public Schools) and a Bachelor of Science in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University. Ms. Johnson is a proud single mother to her son, Dorian, who help keeps her perspective grounded in the students’ experience of school. She loves working at EPACS, where the entire school community works relentlessly to support and challenge each other. The high expectations for students and collaboration among teachers make EPACS an inspiring place to work and learn. Stop by for a visit and see how we’re growing the next generation of college graduates!


Jennifer Saul
In her position as Dean at EPACS, Ms. Saul ensures that all children have the support they need to be successful. Ms. Saul has a BA in the Fine Arts, with a focus on dance from UC Irvine, and a Teaching Credential from Chapman University. Ms. Saul taught in Riverside and San Leandro for 11 years before joining the EPACS staff in 2007. She taught 2nd and 3rd grade before assuming the Dean position in 2011. Ms. Saul lives with her family -- including her daughter, Avery, an EPACS student -- in East Palo Alto. Ms. Saul loves EPACS because the students and staff work hard to make sure that EPACS is the best school in the world, and she loves being part of such an incredible team⁄family!


Susie Estrada
Ms. Estrada is the Office Manager at EPACS. She was born and raised in East Palo Alto and attended and completed Office Administration school in Cañada College. Ms. Estrada is one of the parent founders of EPACS and has worked for EPACS since the school opened in 1997. She has three sons and a daughter; all of her boys have attended EPACS, and her daughter will roam our halls soon enough! She is impressed with the commitment and passion that EPACS has for our children's educational success.


Mike Berman
Mike Berman joined the EPACS staff in the spring of 2003. Mr. Berman worked as a middle school Humanities teacher until July 2008, when he joined the staff of East Palo Alto Phoenix Academy as a college counselor/academic advisor, part-time dean of students, after school program director, and "utility infielder." In spring of 2009, he settled in to his two-part role: college counselor at the high school and director of development for K-12. While earning his BA and MA in US History from Stanford University, Mr. Berman tutored at several different schools in East Palo Alto. The experience inspired him to learn more about this fascinating and vibrant community, and he wrote his master's thesis about the history of East Palo Alto. Originally from Silver Spring, MD, a suburb of Washington, DC, Mr. Berman has remained at EPACS and EPAPA because this school is his family away from his family, and he is dedicated to seeing every student graduate from a four-year college or university.


Tatiana Epanchin-Troyan
Tatiana Epanchin serves as Aspire's Bay Area Superintendent. Before joining the management team, Tatiana was the founding principal of Aspire ERES Academy in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland. Previously, she served as principal of Monarch Academy in East Oakland. Under her leadership, the school increased student proficiency levels from 51% to 73% in math and 29% to 45% in language arts. In 2008, Monarch Academy was awarded the National Title I Distinguished School Award for closing the achievement gap, an honor bestowed upon only 1 out of every 9,600 schools in the state. Prior to becoming principal, Tatiana taught at Monarch Academy and served as Lead Teacher for the grades 6-8 Humanities Team at Aspire's Lionel Wilson College Preparatory Academy, where she was also a founding teacher. She began her teaching career with Teach for America in New Orleans where she taught middle school in the Ninth Ward. Tatiana is a New Leaders for New Schools National Fellow from the 2004 cohort. She has also been a social worker in Contra Costa County, working on intensive family preservation cases. She holds a BA in sociology, a MSW and a M.Ed.

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