Teachers & Faculty

Alberty, Cindy
Fight On Trojans! Yes, I am another USC alumna. At USC I received my degree in chemistry, with a minor in psychology. I currently teach Chemistry to all of my wonderful juniors and Psychology. After working in a lab for a few years, I decided to go into teaching last year here at Animo Leadership, and immediately fell in love with it. I finished my Masters degree and teaching credential in education at Pepperdine University last year. One of my future dreams for Animo is to have a fully developed science program, complete with a running laboratory. At Animo I am also the cheerleading coach…Go Aztecs! In my free time I enjoy dancing, singing, reading, and spending time with my wonderful husband.

Alcala, Mario
My name is Mario Alcalá. This is my 7th year teaching. I'm one of the founding teachers of Animo Leadership Charter High School. Before coming to Animo I taught for 4 years at Lennox Middle School. I graduated from California State University Dominguez Hills. I am currently teaching 9th grade Algebra I. I'm the Co-President of our Union. AMU (Asociacion de Maestros Unidos.) I grew up in this area, I went to Crozier Jr. High and Inglewood High School, Class of '87. I did all my elementary studies in Mexico. Purepero ,Michoacan where I was born. I played high school football and soccer.

Belier, Amy
I am a native of Riverside , CA where I attended 3 wonderfully diverse elementary, middle and high schools. This experience with diversity was an invaluable life lesson; one that I will be grateful for my entire life. Looking back, I was so blessed to have been raised in a small community where racism and intolerance are virtually nonexistent. I was brought up by two loving parents who instilled in me the idea that tolerance and respect are a way of life. You might be able to guess that my pet peeve is ignorance! After graduating from high school, I moved to Los Angeles pursue my undergraduate degree in Dance and English at UCLA. During my time at UCLA, I pursued my interest in dance by performing multiple times as a part of the World Arts and Cultures program at UCLA, and as a member of the UCLA Dance Team. For the past nine years, I have also been working as an instructor for the United Spirit Association teaching dance and leadership skills to students all over the United States and Japan . In addition to teaching English and Dance at Animo, I am also a free-lance choreographer for numerous high school dance teams in California .
In June 2004, I will receive my master's degree in Education from Pepperdine University , my biggest accomplishment to date.
When I realized that my life's work was to become an educator, striving to make a difference in the lives of youth, I knew that I belonged somewhere where diversity and acceptance are a primary focus. This reason, among many others, is why I chose to begin my career here at Animo, and why I enjoy coming to work here each day.

Duran, Marco
My name is Marco Santiago Duran. I was born and raised in San Jose, Ca with my mother and father, sister, and two brothers until I moved to Los Angeles when I was 20 years old. I came to Los Angeles to finish my last two years of college at Loyola Marymount University because right after high school I attended community college for two years. Although in high school I was involved in school in terms of playing three sports which include football, soccer, and track, taking on leadership roles, and even played a role in my schools production of West Side Story, I was not completely ready to embark on the academic journey of a 4 year institute. I felt I needed time to find the confidence inside that would push me to be successful academically and in life. Luckily it worked because it was here at community college where I realized the true value of education and the true value of who I am, a Chicano.

Duran, Michael
Although it is only my second year at year at Animo Leadership, I have been working in education for several years. Prior to coming to Animo, I was the Director of the WorkAbility Program for South Pasadena Unified School District, where I taught life, job, and career skills to special needs students. I earned my B.S. degree from San Diego State University and I am currently enrolled at Point Loma Nazarene University completing my teaching and preliminary administrative services credentials and M.A. degree. In addition to teaching and going to school, I have a wonderful and supportive family. Margarita, my wife of 4 years and our two children, Noah and Ava complete me.

Erickson, Jonathon
teaches Precalculus and AP Calculus at Ánimo Leadership. Graduating last May from Pomona College and majoring Mathematics, he also studied English and Music with strong emphasis. His hobbies include playing electric bass in two bands (one reggae, and one progressive rock), as well as squash, hiking, and writing poetry. Mr. Erickson looks forward to developing a complete advanced math program at Ánimo Leadership that will help students appreciate the beauty of Mathematics and become competitive college applicants.

Friedman, Mark
I have always had a passion for science. Encouraged by my parents, and growing up on a farm half the year, I was surrounded and enthralled by nature. As a high school student, I was fascinated by science, spending many hours in my grandfather's chemistry lab mixing together strange substances to see what sort of reaction would occur. At this time, the early 1970's, I became involved in organizing protests against the war in Vietnam, and for women's and civil rights. Ultimately I participated in many progressive political causes such as the supporting the Justice for Janitors campaign, defending immigrant rights, and opposing Proposition 187.

By 1990 I returned to my passion for science, taking up where I left off when I graduated from Tufts University where I received a BA degree in History/Political Science. Through numerous courses in Biology and Marine Biology at UCLA and El Camino College and years of volunteer work and teaching at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, I found my calling: marine biology. Enamored by the marine life in Southern California, I went on a three week ocean research cruise run by Scripps Institute of Oceanography at UCSD in La Jolla, California. In addition I spent a week in the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington studying marine birds and mammals in a program sponsored by the National Science Foundation. During August of 2003 I was part of an Earthwatch scientific investigation of the coral reefs of the U.S. Virgin islands. In January of 2004 I was in Belize to study the marine ecosystems and reefs of that area and have incorporated that experience into the course.

I am glad to be part of Animo and to be teaching a marine biology course that includes field and boat trips. This is one of only a few such courses in any of the Los Angeles area high schools. This is my first exciting year teaching High School, although I have tutored at El Camino College and taught at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. I am working towards my teaching credential.

My other interests include traveling, snorkeling, weightlifting, hiking and other outdoor sports that I hope to share with the Outdoor Club.

Garcia, Abigail
I was born and raised in East Los Angeles and attended James A. Garfield High School. I left home for the first time at 18 years to attend UC Berkeley. Growing-up in a traditional Mexican family, it was a difficult decision to stray from home and family; however, in retrospect, it was undoubtedly the best decision. While at UC Berkeley I joined clubs and organizations as a medium to reconnect with my culture and serve my community. I was driven to the field of education when I saw the discrepancies in the poor quality of education amongst Latinos compared to other ethnicities and even more alarming, the disproportionate numbers of Latinos in higher education, especially in institutions such as UC Berkeley. I see teaching as a catalyst to encourage and promote higher learning amongst Latinos and empower students in underserved communities. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish; nonetheless, of most value were the life lessons learned- the act of humility and service to those in need. I continued my education at Loyola Marymount University, and will receive my BCLAD credential and Masters in Secondary Education in May 2005. In the last few months at Animo I witnessed the fervor of the faculty and staff. I am fortunate to be able to serve the students at Animo Leadership as the 9th grade English teacher and I am looking forward to a great year! Animo…You know!!!

Gaytan, Celia
I was born and raised in a small suburb of Santa Barbara, though my parents are both immigrants from Mexico. Together they have instilled in me a strong sense of pride in my heritage. After graduating from UC Berkeley with honors in Political Science and Ethnic Studies in the spring of 1997, I worked for two years at a nonprofit organization called, Latino Issues Forum. As their Health Policy Analyst, I worked on ensuring that Latinos and all low-income, non-English speaking communities would have a VOICE in the Medi-Cal expansion and the implementation of Healthy Families. I began my first teaching experience as a substitute teacher in San Jose. I found that I loved working with youth because I felt that I was making a positive impact on their future. I found that I connected most with high school students, especially those students who had been labeled “at-risk”. These students just needed someone to believe in them. Thus, I began my teaching career at a small continuation high school in the East Side of San Jose. I taught English and Social Studies for three years before I decided to move to Los Angeles. My decision to move to Los Angeles in 2002 was an easy one. I knew it was time to be closer to my family and friends. Everything fell into place after I found this treasure named Animo Leadership Charter High School. Now, I love being able to teach college readiness and help students raise the standards for themselves. Together we work to create achievable goals that include plans for continued success after high school. I look forward to a productive year—growing and learning with you as we work together to make a difference in our communities!

Gonzalez, Jose
Hello my name is Jose Alejandro Gonzalez. I was born in Texas to a single mother. We shortly moved to Guadalajara Mexico where my mom was often at work; but my grandmother was kind enough to watch me while my mother was at work. As for my dad, well I haven’t seen or heard from him in 25 years. Anyway, I moved to Los Angeles when I was 5 years old after my mother married an amateur soccer player. My teenage years were spent in the South Bay; that is, Gardena, Compton, Redondo Beach, Inglewood, Lennox, Hawthorne, etc. with my two wonderful sisters, my stepfather and caring mother. Whenever I wasn’t’ at home with my family or at Gardena High School, I’d be out skateboarding, working on my kickflips, heelflips and nollies. When I was at home I would draw and watch a lot of television. Also, sometimes I’d go to Museums like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art. It was during one of these days that I found out that I had to do something, a career in the arts. After graduating from Gardena I started El Camino where I graduated with an Associate of Arts degree in studio art. After graduating from El Camino College, I transferred to California State University, Long Beach where I received my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art Education. Since my graduation from Long Beach, I’ve taught art at institutions like YMCA, Museum of Contemporary Art, California State University Long Beach Art Museum, Budding Artists, San Pedro High School, The Getty Museum, and now at the famous ANIMO!

Hernandez, Erika
¡Hola! I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I’ve lived in Highland Park (just north of east L.A) for eighteen years now with my parents who are from Mexico and my two younger sisters. I am the oldest of three girls and lets just say I always refer to myself as the “genie pig” of the familia. I graduated from Eagle Rock High School and then proceeded to Loyola Marymount University, even though my college counselor recommended that I wait and go to a two-year college and then maybe later transfer to a four-year university. Despite his recommendation, I decided to attend LMU where I double majored in Sociology and Spanish. After my freshmen year I was very fortunate to earn a scholarship that gave me the opportunity to study abroad during the summer in Cuernavaca, Mexico. That’s when the traveling bug bit me, after that I studied a semester in Bonn, Germany and then another in Madrid, Spain. This year I will be one of Animo’s new Spanish teachers. I hold Animo very close to my heart because I started working there four years ago as an LMU work-study student. I saw a group of families like my own; send their children to Animo, with nothing but faith. Today most of those first year students are attending prestigious universities. The Animo family has proved that they are a good school. This year I know that we are going to work hard to go from good to great because we have the passion and the ganas!

Lee, Jennifer
My parents immigrated to the US from Korea to ensure that their children would have opportunities for a better life. Their hopes were met when I graduated from Barnard College with a B.A. in Economics. I moved to Los Angeles from New York City (my hometown) to work in finance. While working as a financial analyst, I learned just how important it is and how helpful it is to have strong analytical skills. Though I enjoyed my profession, I soon discovered that my passion was in working with children. I taught SAT math preparation and loved it! Similar to my parents, I wanted to provide an environment where my students would create opportunities for their success. I know I have found the right fit at Ánimo Leadership. I will be teaching Geometry starting in the 2004 – 2005 school year. My goal is for my students to appreciate the beauty of math, to develop strong analytical life skills, and to exhibit proficiency in math by passing all necessary exams, such as the CAHSEE. I am excited to be joining a team of dedicated educators who are advocates of each student’s success. ÁNIMO! YOU KNOW!

Medrano, Sergio
I have been a part of the Animo Leadership Familia since the 2001-2002 school year. This is my second year as the 9th grade Study Skills/ Health Science/ Physical Education teacher. In addition to my teaching duties, I am currently in my second year as the Athletic Director and Boys Varsity Soccer Coach for the Aztecs. Overall, this is my sixth year as a teacher. Before arriving at Animo, I taught fourth and fifth grade at Whelan Elementary School in the Lennox School District from 1997-2001. I attended and graduated from the University of Southern California in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology. I was born and raised in Hawthorne California and am of Mexican decent. My father is from Zacatecas Mexico and my mother is from Durango Mexico.

Medina, Maria
Maria Medina is the Spanish Teacher and Activities Coordinator. Upon graduating from Garfield High School she pursued her undergraduate degree, double major in Spanish and Sociology, at Occidental College'99. At Occidental she competed in Division III Basketball and Softball teams and worked with the Upward Bound program. At Oxy and Upward Bound the educational inequities within under represented and low socioeconomic communities clearly resonated within her and motivated her to become part of Animo's vision and mission since its development. In her fifth year at Animo she teaches AP Spanish Language and Literature and stays busy as the Activities Director, Yearbook, Drill Team, Student Government Advisor.

Panos, Steffan
Hello! My name is Steffan Panos, and I am the musical director here at Animo. I am very enthused and hopeful about our new music program (started in 2003); we now have three performance groups at Animo-- concert band, string orchestra, and choir!
As for me, I have been involved in music all my life; it is both my passion and my profession. I began playing the piano at age six, and since then I have greatly developed my musical skills, studying classical music as well as jazz and Latin American music. I received my B.A. degree in Music from UC Riverside, where I studied classical and jazz piano, as well as composition. In 2002,I received my Master's degree (M.M.) in jazz piano performance at Cal State Long Beach, with a thesis on Afro-Cuban jazz. In addition to being a professional pianist, I am also a composer and arranger of various kinds of music. As a Southern California native of mixed Greek and American heritage, I have always had an appreciation for the music, art, and language of other cultures. I believe it is important to be culturally aware and versatile, which is why I have played in various musical ensembles, from jazz combos to percussion groups (including a Brazilian bloco and a Japanese Taiko ensemble). I want to share this knowledge and love of other cultures with my students; because music is important to understand from different angles and perspectives; it is vital to see music as a holistic art form which greatly impacts our lives.

Pascua, Nicole
Aloha! My name is Nicole Pascua, and I am proud to be part of the Animo Leadership family. I was born and bred in Hawaii, and attended the Kamehameha Schools, a school founded for the benefit of native Hawaiians. There I learned the value of an education, not solely based on study, but rather on experience. This inspired me to always venture into the unknown, which led me to attend and graduate from Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana, to teach English in Japan, and finally to meet the challenge of educating students from a completely different background here in Lennox, while completing my Master's degree in Education at Pepperdine University's Graduate School of Education & Psychology. As the 9th grade English teacher, I look forward to introducing generations of students to the wonderful world of words and imagination. I am also privileged to have been the art club advisor for the past two years. This year, the art club, with the sponsorship of Access Books, has taken the initiative to transform sturdy library walls into inviting canvases that encourage elementary students to read. My ultimate goal is to inspire students to affect positive change in the world around them and I look forward to continuing to meet that goal here with the students at Animo Leadership.

Perez, Juan
I was born in Nochistlán Zacatecas, México. I came to the U.S when I was eleven years old. I went to Breed Street elementary for a year, than to Hollenbeck Junior High and Roosevelt High School in East Los Angeles. In Roosevelt High I joined the music program and became a member of Mariachi Olímpico, in which I played the trumpet. I was also part of the college core curriculum program. I graduated in 1996. I attended undergrad school at California State University, Los Angeles. I also finished my single subject credential in Spanish at this institution. I taught at Hollenbeck Middle School for two years and I had my student teaching experience at Roosevelt High and Garfield High. I am currently working on my master’s degree in Spanish literature.

Robinson, Craig
I grew up in Irvine, California. My friends and I spent most of our time mountain biking the single-track in Laguna Canyon, hiking in the hills near our house, and hanging out in Newport Beach. My hobbies are surfing, guitar, traveling, and having dinner with friends. In High School, I got good grades and played a lot of sports: Football, Swimming, Track, & Cross-country. My favorite sport was Wrestling. I eventually became the Varsity Team Captain. I joined the Navy after high school and traveled to places like Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong, & Australia. After the Navy, I went to film school at USC and earned a BFA in Film Writing. I was in some plays, made some student films, and wrote many screenplays. I worked in Hollywood for the William Morris Agency, a top talent agency, for several years after film school. Working in Hollywood was very exciting and glamorous, but I knew there was something else more meaningful that I needed to accomplish in my life. I really wanted to use my creativity and abilities to teach others, to help others grow, and give back to our community. So, I joined the Teach For America program and went back to school. I earned a multiple subject teaching credential, a single subject teaching credential from CSUDH, and a M.S. Education in Learning and Curriculum from USC. I love teaching at Animo because of the freedom I have to create and implement policy, design my curriculum, and the highly talented and collaborative staff. But most of all, it’s the STUDENTS that keep me coming in every day with a spring in my step and a smile on my face. We have the best students!!

Rosales, Erica
I chose to pursue my education career in Los Angeles because this is where I grew up.  As a high school student I always aimed to make a difference in my community.  At the forefront I had the desire to gain a valuable college education away from sunny California. When I graduated from J.A. Garfield High School in 1995 my goals took me as far as Massachusetts. 
In 1999 I was conferred a bachelor of arts in Political Science and Spanish from Wellesley College.  That same year I moved back to Los Angeles to begin a masters and credential program at the University of California, Los Angeles. While in the Teacher Education Program at UCLA I learned of the plans to create this charter school.  I immediately jumped on board and made it one of my goals!
In the year 2001 I graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles. Today, three years later I continue to pursue excellence through my students.  I am making a difference in my community, and hope that our students realize their potential to make a difference also.

Sepulveda, Tania
HOLA! I am proud and excited to be part of the Animo Family. I will be teaching the Spanish to Non Natives and the ELD course. I am aware the year will hold challenges but even more than that it will hold major triumphs. I grew up as the oldest daughter in a Mexican family. My origins and my family are great motivating factors in my life. I was born and raised in the city of Torrance, where I attended Torrance High School and became Sports Editor for our high school paper. I graduated from Cal State Dominguez Hills where I majored in Spanish and Communications, there I was a writer for the university’s newspaper. I enjoy traveling and meeting new people that introduce me to different cultures. One of my many goals is to attend a baseball game at every major league stadium in the United States. Sounds weird but I’m a huge baseball fan. Now I am currently attending National University in hopes to soon receive a Masters in Education.

Simpson, Chris
My name is Chris Simpson, and I am excited to be entering my first year as an Animo teacher! So far, I have to say that this school meets all my expectations as a dream job situation: fun, passionate, committed coworkers, talented and motivated students, and the academic freedom to pursue what I am passionate about. This year, I will be teaching both astronomy and physics, as me and my students explore how the universe works and how it got to be that way. Outside of class, my passions include reading, basketball and other sports, music (many styles), and poetry. I am a committed Christian, and my faith is the foundation of everything that I do, especially my conviction that true education is essentially a liberating and revolutionary process. Therefore, as a teacher, I am deeply concerned that my students question and put to the test the world around them, both in the form of scientific experimentation and more broadly in terms of becoming critical thinkers who are able to deconstruct and evaluate messages, or versions of reality that they are presented with. My hope is that each student would become competent and confident in assessing what is true and what is not, and would grow to have the integrity to act on what they know to be the truth. If they can learn to do only these two things, to discover for themselves what is true and to act on it, they will change the world. They are my hope for our future.

Skinner, Tim
I was born in Inglewood, CA, at Daniel Freeman Hospital, and was raised in West Los Angeles. I am currently in my fourth year of teaching, although this is my first year at Animo Leadership Charter High School. When I graduated from Loyola High School in 1996, I entered Loyola Marymount University as a biology major. By the time I graduated in May 2000, I had switched my major twice, finally to graduate with a bachelor of arts in History. Finally I had found the subject I love. My first teaching experience was at Daniel Murphy High School, where I taught students social studies, and that was where I realized that I loved to learn and to help students become critical thinkers by studying history. After finishing my credential in 2003, I sought a job at Animo Leadership because I believe in the school's mission that students can succeed and become leaders by preparing for college and serving the community. The students in my World History and AP United States History classes are wonderful people, and I feel honored to be their teacher. In my personal life, family is the most important thing to me. I have a great family, with wonderful parents and two awesome older brothers. The best part is that I am getting married in July 2004 to my college sweetheart, and we are looking forward to the new life that is ahead of us. My hobbies include reading, watching television and movies, word and board games, and above all, hanging out with my friends.

Urias, Jose

Vargas, Gerard
I was born and raised in Hawthorne, California.  Throughout my childhood, I was very fortunate to have my parents always push me into pursuing a strong education.  Money was no issue even though my father had to support his wife and other children.  My father paid for private school (St. Joseph School) all the way up until my first year of high school(St. Bernard H.S.).  I later enrolled enrolled at CAMS (California Academy of Math and Science) where I continued to study more science.  The hard part during this time was seeing my best friends, who were not as school oriented as myself, fall into the vices of gangs and drugs.  They kept on telling me that school was for nerds and that there were other ways to make money like opening up some type of business.  I concluded that with an education, I would have many more options guaranteed than my friends.  I maintained good grades and studied at UCLA where I graduated with a degree in Physiological Science.  During my college experience, I really did not know what I wanted to do.  I chose a major that was aimed strictly towards medical school.
After many internships and other medical related experiences, I realized that medicine was not for me.  I loved counseling and tutoring many college students who came from disadvantaged backgrounds.  I did this for three years and after I graduated, I began teaching academic enrichment classes for a non-profit agency known as STAR, inc.  I loved teaching and seeing students finally understand something that they never thought they would. However, I wanted to go back to my community and do something that is not easy, make an impact in students' lives that would motivate them towards academic success and beyond.  When I came to Animo, I was ready for the challenge.  Everyday I live up to my commitment of creating more leaders that will return to their community to do the same.  Ten years from now, I still see myself involved in teaching somehow, whether it is at an administrative level, university level, or some other form where I keep the motivation of students in science and academics.  No matter what, I have discovered what my passion is, the thing that most people spend years doing in their lives, educating.

Viramontes, Roberto
I was born in Montebello, CA and raised in East Los Angeles. My parents are both immigrants from the state of Zacatecas in Mexico & they tried hard to teach my older sister and me the value of hard work as they consistently encouraged us to excel in academics. My sister did exactly that & she quickly became known for her stellar academic record as a child/teenager. I, on the other hand, focused my time on skateboarding, football, & relaxing…consequently, school was never an important priority of mine. I attended the almighty James A. Garfield High School & by the time I was a junior I began to realize that everyone else around me was headed towards “big name” universities after high school. I quickly became worried; this alarmed me to the degree of finally getting my act together in school in order for me to pursue a college education of my own. My last minute effort at Garfield managed to get me into Cal State Fullerton & I made the most of it in every aspect. I excelled academically (majoring in History, minoring in Spanish), I also became highly involved with student clubs and student government. While at CSU Fullerton, I also applied for an internship program with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), a non-profit organization whose programs are designed to increase the participation of young Latinos in both public & private sectors & to foster a network of young Latino leaders in government-related areas. As a result, I was selected to work as an intern for a member of Congress in Washington, DC for one summer. I returned to Fullerton, received my BA & made my way back to DC once again…this time I worked for another member of Congress for an entire year as part of a fellowship program. I finally returned to the LA area, I worked in local politics (L.A. City Council) for yet another year, & then pursued my BCLAD teaching credential & Masters in Education at Loyola Marymount University. I did my student teaching at Animo during the spring of 2004, & now I’m honored & excited to be teaching U.S. Government and Politics at Animo Leadership.

Zimmer, Aaron
I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, where I attended Jesuit High School and eventually earned my undergraduate degree from the University of New Orleans. After graduation, I moved to Los Angeles in 1991 and have enjoyed my new home greatly.
Upon arriving in Los Angeles, I started working in the Real Estate industry until I became a teacher in 1999. Starting a real estate brokerage was one of the most informative experiences of my life. Owning and operated a small brokerage was challenging, but it prepared me in many ways. My experience helped me to become a patient and guiding instructor for my students.
Presently, I teach Algebra 2 and Business Finance and look forward to continuing. I enjoy math and helping students learn. I am continuing to work on my education so that I can meet the needs of my students and become a highly qualified teacher. My goal is to accomplish my Master of Education by the end of 2005.

Bomentre, Rose
Ciao! My name is Rose Bomentre. I am Animo’s College Counselor. I grew up in Guam, Saudi Arabia, and California. I am Italian and Guamanian (Pacific Islander). I graduated from Loyola Marymount University in 1992 with my Bachelors degree in Liberal Studies and a Multiple-Subject Teaching credential. I also earned two minors in psychology and communication studies. I, then, continued my education while teaching to earn my Masters degree in counseling and a pupil personnel services credential in 1994. I received my preliminary administrative credential from Loyola Marymount University in 2000.
I taught for four years at the elementary and middle school levels. This will be my eighth year as a counselor. I have had a chance to experience three different districts: Inglewood, Torrance, and Los Angeles. I have worked at three levels of school systems (elementary, middle, and high school). I am a professor one night a week for an educational career-planning course for graduate students at Loyola Marymount University as well.
I am energetic, willing to work beyond the school day, responsible, fast-paced and a go-getter. I have high standards and expectations not only for students but also for myself & staff. I believe in being proactive and organized. On the personal level, I enjoy traveling, movies, karaoke, dancing, the beach, shopping and going to Leonard Drake?. I take students on international trips every other year during July. In 1998 we went to Italy for ten days; 2000 Australia/New Zealand for 15 days; 2002 France/Spain for 10 days.

Angie Gonzalez