EPACS is able to attract highly qualified teachers with strong educational backgrounds. As part of inspiring their students to go on to college, each teacher flies the flag of their alma mater outside their classroom.

Learn what school our staff hail from as well as why they teach at EPACS.

Kindergarten First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth Seventh

Eighth Ninth and Tenth PE Spanish Collective Roots After School Program Instructional Coaches

Kindergarten

Elizabeth Jordan is a kindergarten teacher, and has taught 1st grade at EPACS since 2004. Originally from the Bay Area, she grew up in Los Altos and currently lives in San Francisco. Ms. Jordan received a BA in Psychology and English from UC Santa Barbara and earned her teaching credential from the San Francisco State Clinical Schools Program. She enjoys the friendly and supportive staff, students and families at EPACS and is committed to Aspire's goal of providing quality education and opportunities for all children.

Teresa Lucan teaches kindergarten. She is from Los Angeles, California and has been at EPACS since 2003. Teresa earned her BA in Psychology from St. Mary’s College and went on to do graduate work at San Francisco State University in Education. Prior to joining the EPACS staff, she taught for 4 years in Newark. Teresa is most excited about the positivity within the EPACS community.

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First

Jennifer Baucom is a first grade teacher at EPACS. She is from Chapel Hill, North Carolina — go Tar Heels! Ms. Baucom received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned her masters degree in Social Sciences in Education from Stanford University. She joined EPACS in 2006, and finds EPACS to be a unique, positive, and motivating place to teach. Ms. Baucom values the enthusiasm and collaboration of staff members, the active involvement of families, and the overall sense of community at the school.

Nicole Carlos is a first grade teacher. She started teaching kindergarten at EPACS in 2006. She lives in San Francisco and attended UC Berkeley for her BA in English Literature and Spanish. While teaching in New York through the New York City Teaching Fellows, she earned her masters degree in Education from Mercy College. Ms. Carlos enjoys working at EPACS because she feels like she is making a difference in the community.

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Second

Jennifer Saul teaches 2nd grade at EPACS. Jennifer has a BA in the Fine Arts, with a focus on dance from UC Irvine, and a Teaching Credential from Chapman University. She lives in Redwood City, and has been teaching for over 10 years in Riverside and San Leandro. Jennifer joined EPACS in 2007, and is most excited to be part of a school that functions as as a community where all members are welcomed and encouraged to challenge, support, and learn from each other.

Claire Hawley is a 3rd grade teacher at EPACS. She grew up in Ohio and attended Middlebury College in Vermont. At Middlebury, Claire majored in Studio Art and minored in Education. Claire has been at EPACS since 2003 and she is excited to work among such dedicated, talented, and hardworking team members.

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Third

Morgan Tobor teahces 3rd grade, and has been at EPACS since 2005. Ms. Tobor left her home in the northern suburbs of Chicago to attend Simmons College in Boston, MA, earning a BA in Communications. After her commencement, Ms. Tobor went on to work for the Boston Phoenix newspaper as a graphic artist. In 2003, she joined the Bay Area Youth Agency Consortium (BAYAC) Americorps, through which she landed jobs in schools in San Rafael and Oakland as a mentor/tutor and even hip-hop teacher. Ms. Tobor is a candidate for a Masters Degree in Administration through Aspire's partnership with San Jose State University. Aspire's core values align seamlessly with her core principles: she truly enjoys collaborating with her colleagues and mentoring her students to attend college.

Originally from Victoria, Canada, Kristin Litster joined EPACS in 2006 to teach 3rd grade. She attended the University of Victoria and earned her BA degree and teaching certificate in 2004. This summer she will be completing her masters in Educational Psychology with a focus on Special Education. Here at EPACS, Ms. Litster enjoys the collaborative environment for teachers, the involvement of families and their dedication to the school, the amazing students, support and professional development opportunities for the staff, and the dedicated, motivated and caring teachers.

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Fourth

Katie Kearns is a 4th grade teacher. Originally from San Francisco, California, she attended Whittier College where she earned a BA in Child Development, and went on to earn her Teaching Credential is from San Jose State University. Prior to joining the EPACS team, she worked on Early Intervention and Special Education. Katie joined EPACS in 2007, and she is most excited about the fabulous community.

Demetrius Olsen currently teaches 4th grade. Originally from Sacramento, California, he earned his BA in Economics from CSUS with a minor in Business Administration. Demetrius went on to get a Teaching Credential from San Jose State. Prior to joining the EPACS team, he taught for 6 years in the Bay Area. Demetrius joined EPACS in 2007 and he is most excited to work with other teachers who are committed to student success.

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Fifth

Ben Crosby is a 5th grade teacher at EPACS. Ben hails from Big Horn, Wyoming, and he earned his BA from Stanford University in English. Ben joined EPACS in 2007, but volunteered for two years prior in a tutoring program in after school program. Through his volunteer experience, he has really come to appreciate the diverse and motivated student body. Also, he is continually impressed with the inspired and inspiring staff at EPACS.

Katie Kling teaches 5th grade at EPACS. Originally from Rochester, New York she has a BA in History from SUNY Brockport and a Teaching Credential from National University. Prior to joining the EPACS community in 2003, Katie worked in Financial Services focusing on Sales & Training. Her favorite things about EPACS is its mission to provide opportunities to a hardworking population of students. She is continually impressed with EPACS families and staff, and the level of dedication to students.

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Sixth

Geneva Europa is the 6th grade Math/Science Teacher. Originally from Los Angeles, California, Geneva graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a BA in Bio-Psychology and a minor in Asian-American Studies. She is now pursuing an M.A. in Secondary Education with San Francisco State University. Geneva joined EPACS in 2007, and she is continually impressed with the huge emphasis on everyone succeeding.

Born and raised in Silver Spring, MD, a suburb of Washington, D.C., Mike Berman had to quickly abandon his dreams of playing catcher for the Baltimore Orioles, but found that playing tenor sax in the Stanford Band was a pretty nice option after all. Mr. Berman studied U.S. history (among other things) and graduated with a BA from Stanford in 2001 and an MA in 2002. He tutored students in East Palo Alto throughout his time in college and wrote his masters thesis on the history of East Palo Alto and the effect of the community's demographic transformation on local politics. Mr. Berman's experience tutoring and his examination of systemic inequality in American history led him to career in education. He joined the EPACS staff as a middle school reading teacher in 2003 and currently teaches 6th grade Humanities. Never losing his love for baseball, Mr. Berman dreams of coaching an EPACS baseball team.

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Seventh

Nathan Pantoja teaches 7th grade Humanities at EPACS, and he joined EPACS in 2007.

Michael Mahdi is a 7th and 8th grade Science Instructor. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Michael earned his BA in Political Science from Duke University, and minored in Religion. Before joining EPACS in 2007, he taught for several years in Miami, Florida focusing on 6th – 8th Science & Special Education. He is most excited about the EPACS commitment and dedication to maximizing potential.

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Eighth

Jessica Chacon has been teaching 8th grade humanities at EPACS since 2005. Originally from El Paso, Texas, Ms. Chacon attended the University of Texas at Austin and earned her BA in English Literature. Before coming to EPACS, Ms. Chacon taught for two years in Philadelphia with Teach for America. During her time in Philadelphia she earned her masters in Elementary Education. What she loves about EPACS is the collaborative, hard working environment — and how everyone will do whatever it takes to get students to succeed.

Marie White teaches 7th & 8th grade Math. She is from Austin Texas, and came to Stanford where she earned her B.S. in Symbolic Systems. Marie has been working at EPACS since 2005 in the classroom and in the library, but prior to this she volunteered for two years with the after school on a regular basis. Marie is most excited about the collective mission and dream of students, parents, and staff working to achieve together.

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Ninth and Tenth

Javier Cabra joined EPACS as a 9th and 10th grade Humanities teacher in 2007. He currently teaches 9th grade English and 10th grade Current Events. Javier hails from Boston, and then lived in New Hampshire temporarily, and his family is Columbian. He earned a BA in Computer Science from Boston University, and then went on to pursue graduate work at the Savanah College of Art and Design, focusing on Art and Visual Effects (like the Matrix!) Over the years, he has worked as an assistant teacher at a daycare center, part time at IBM through college, with an Environmental Organization in Boston. Most recently, he was involved with a Charter School in Boston that prepared students for the rigors of college. In this position, he focused on integrating creative opportunities for students into the school by starting a publication to showcase student work, inviting community artists to connect with students, and focused on poetry and visual arts. Javier chose EPACS for the motivation, diligence, and commitment he sees from the students, and the sense of teamwork he has experienced among the staff at the high school.

Geddes Fielder joined EPACS in 2007, and is currently teaching Spanish and World History at the High School. Geddes is from England, where she earned a BA in the Humanities and Spanish & English Literature from North London University, and an M.A. in Education from Greenwich University. She has taught in California since 1989, always focusing on Spanish and English Literature, and occasionally teaching Health classes. Before coming to the states, she worked in England, getting students ready for the University. Geddes was in the Royal Air Force for 7 years where she worked in communications, to fund her true passion—an athletic career as a runner. She didn’t go to the University until she was 36. She has traveled all over the world, and has been everywhere except China. She joined EPACS after taking several years off from school to stay home when her daughter was born. When she was ready to come back to teaching, she decided to pursue a school that would help kids who don’t normally have the opportunities. She looks forward to being part of a program that seems tremendously effective in so many ways at guiding and supporting students in their current and future endeavors.

Harold Jordan joined EPACS in 2007, and is currently teaching Physics to High School Students at East Palo Alto Phoenix Academy (EPACS). He comes from the South Side of Chicago in Illinois. After being awarded a Scholarship to attend Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, he earned a BA in Physics with a minor in Math. He also holds two Master’s degrees; one in Physics from Arizona State University, and one in Materials Engineering from San Jose State. After working for over 35 years as a Process Engineer in the Semiconductor Microelectronics Industry, he recently went back to school for a Teaching Credential from National University in San Jose. Harold is very much looking forward to teaching, and helping students in East Palo Alto become college bound.

Thomas Madson is currently co-director of the secondary program of education for EPACS. He came from Michigan in 1999 after working as a youth specialist for the Sarah Fisher Residential Treatment Center and teaching high school English. After teaching third grade at EPACS since 2004, he became Site Coordinator for the K-8 program. Mr. Madson has a BA in Psychology and in English Language and Literature and also holds an M.A. in Educational Administration. When asked about his experience with EPACS, he said, "The entire EPACS community works so hard to develop these youngsters and I am proud to have been involved for so long."

Nick Romagnolo has been teaching at EPACS since 2001, with two years teaching 4th grade and three years teaching middle school math (including two years as middle school lead teacher). He is the co-founder of the new High School at EPACS and has designed and implemented multiple extra-curricular programs, including choir, visual arts, Destination Imagination, basketball, baseball, Junior League mentoring, and Stanford tutoring. Born to a family of educators from South Lake Tahoe, CA, Mr. Romagnolo has a BA degree in History with a minor in Biological Sciences from Stanford University, as well as a Master's degree in Educational Administration from San Francisco State University.

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PE

Stephen Ashford teaches Physical Education at EPACS. He was born in East Palo Alto, and grew up in Richmond, CA. He went to school at Contra Costa College and College of Marin, where he studied communications. He has been at EPACS since 2001 and loves working with the kids and the staff.

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Spanish

Ilda Riojas joined EPACS in 2006 to work with both new and native Spanish speakers in grades K-8 to improve their language skills. She earned a B.A. in Modern Languages in her home country of Columbia, where she taught Spanish Literature and English before coming to the United States. Since then, Ms. Riojas has earned a BCLAD credential from San Jose State, and taught in San Jose and Palo Alto. She has strengthened our Spanish program dramatically over the years, and really enjoys focusing on helping students become proficient in both languages (Spanish & English) in reading, writing, and speaking.

With this goal in mind, she works with students in a class called Young Interpreters to try and instill an understanding of the advantages of being bilingual, and how they can use that skill to serve their communities. Young Interpreters go on a field trip to the County Court to watch professional interpreters in the judicial system, and to imagine the skills they need to develop. They also take a trip to the Stanford Hospital to see how interpreters work with patients to help break down barriers. Ms. Riojas looks forward to continuing to develop the Spanish program at EPACS, and is excited to be part of such a dynamic community of teachers and learners.

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Collective Roots

Wolfram Alderson is the Executive Director of Collective Roots, a nonprofit organization that uses school-based organic gardens to teach students about nutrition and the environment. Collective Roots has been located on the EPACS campus for several years, and we are lucky to have the Garden curriculum and Leadership opportunities that they provide. Wolfram comes to us from Los Angeles, California but has been in the Bay Area for a few years. He earned a BA in Organizational Leadership, and is finishing up an M.A. in Organizational Leadership from the University of San Francisco. Wolfram has worked in Social Services for over 30 years, focusing largely on garden-based programming, environmental restoration, and urban agriculture. He joined EPACS in 2007 he is looking forward to continuing to work and provide opportunities for students in such a wonderful community.

Robin Galas began working for Collective Roots in September 2006 as the Garden Leadership Coordinator. At EPACS, Ms. Galas teaches the Middle School Elective and helps to develop youth leadership skills in garden management. Ms. Galas also works at Community School South in East Palo Alto where she piloted a seed-to-table program. Originally from Moraga, CA, she completed her BA at Mills College in Oakland, CA. She is passionate about food systems, nutrition, and working with youth to help them make connections about where their food comes from.

Bryden Johnston joined Collective Roots in August 2007 as the Garden Learning Instructor for Kindergarten through 5th grades. Most recently, Bryden comes from the Environmental Education Program at Hidden Villa. Originally from Oregon, she studied Urban & Environmental Policy and Spanish at Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA. She enjoys cultivating connections in the garden between students and their natural environments, and is excited to be sharing her enthusiasm for teaching and learning in the garden at EPACS.

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After School Program

Terra Lee is the After School Program Director at EPACS. An East Palo Alto Native, she began her education at Foothill College with an AA, and finished her undergraduate work at San Francisco State University. Ms. Lee has worked as a kindergarten teacher with EPACS since 2002 and has recently transitioned to the after school program. Her favorite thing about EPACS is the family environment.

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Instructional Coaches

Sharon Johnson became the reading coach at EPACS in 2006. She has been teaching at the school since 2000. At first she taught 5th grade for three years and then 2nd grade for three years. She is originally from Palo Alto and attended Northwestern University for her BA in Psychological Services. Recently she earned her Master's degree from San Jose State University in Educational Leadership. Before coming to EPACS, Ms. Johnson was a teacher in Compton, CA with Teach for America. What she enjoys most about EPACS is the commitment to student learning, high expectations and the school culture that believes all students can earn a college degree. Ms. Johnson also feels that the constant collaboration and relentless dedication of staff, students and families is what makes the school unique.

Laura Ramirez is an Instructional Coach in Math, working with teachers and students to create a more effective and rewarding learning and teaching environment. She has been at EPACS since 2001, teaching 2nd and 3rd grade until 2006, when she transitioned to her current position. Originally from Orange County, Laura earned her BA in Economics and History from UCLA. She continued on to pursue an M.A. from San Jose State University in School Leadership and Administration, as well as a teaching credential from San Francisco State University. There are many factors that have kept her at EPACS over hte years, including high expectations for students and teachers, the high level of support for new and continuing teachers, and the sense of community at EPACS that truly includes families, staff, and students. She is grateful that innovative and new ideas from students and teachers are always welcomed, and for the continued outside support for the school.

Rachel Rosenberg is the 4th and 5th grade literacy coach at EPACS. Originally from Tacoma, Washington, Mrs. Rosenberg graduated with a degree in English Language and Literature from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. After working in an Elementary School in East Palo Alto she decided to return to school to get her teaching credential. She spent a year in the Muir Alternative Teacher Education program at San Francisco State University and then in 2003 returned to EPACS to teach second and third grade. Since she's been at EPACS, she has earned her master's degree in Education Administration at San Jose State. For Mrs. Rosenberg , EPACS is the best place to teach because the students, the parents and the community all believe our motto, "Every Person Will Attend College Someday!"

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» Meet our Advisory Board