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. After working in a lab for a few years, I decided to try teaching out instead, and immediately fell in love with it. I am currently finishing up my Masters degree and credential in education at Pepperdine University. One of my future dreams for Animo is to have a fully developed science program, complete with a running laboratory. 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.

Clifford, Rob is in his third year at Animo, teaching Geometry and Algebra 2. He graduated from USC with a degree in Industrial Engineering, and received his teaching credential from CSU Dominguez Hills. His goals for the year are that ALL students pass his classes and for 100% of his 10th graders to pass the High School Exit Exam on their first try. Mr. Clifford grew up in New York City, and in his spare time likes weightlifting, hiking, and reading.

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.

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.

Flores, Lisa
My name is Lisa Flores.  I grew up in Norwalk, CA with my mom and dad. I attended Saint Paul High School where I first became aware of the concept of social justice through the teachings of very proactive teachers.  During my high school years, I always loved and excelled in my English classes which would later in life prompt me to pursue my love for literature in an
academic setting.  I also enjoyed being very active in clubs and cheerleading .  After high school, I attended UC Irvine where I majored in English. 

During my four years at UCI, I became very aware of the lack of people of color on campus.  Coming from a predominately Latino community, my experience at UCI was eye opening.  I didn't understand why the campus was not more diverse.  It was this concern that inspired me to become a high school English teacher.  I wanted a job that encompassed my desire to change
university demographics and contribute to the academic success of others. Ireceived my teaching credential and MA in Secondary Education at Loyola Marymount University.  I hope to further my education and pursue a higher degree.  I love learning and the challenges it presents.

This is my fourth year teaching and my second year teaching English at Animo.  I have taught ninth and eleventh grade English.  I love working at Animo, and could not imagine teaching anywhere else.  The students here are wonderful and the staff and administration are exceptional.

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.

Medina, Maria

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.

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

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 .
 In High School, I got good grades, ran for class president (and lost!), and played a lot of sports: Football, Swimming, Track, & Cross-country. My favorite sport was Wrestling. I eventually became the Varsity Team Captain and one year I was South Coast League Champion for Junior Varsity.
I joined the Navy after high school because I wanted to be a Navy S.E.A.L. I was accepted into the training and completed most of it (even "Hell Week"). Due to an injury, I had to drop out of training two months before graduation. After my operation, I spent the rest of my term (2 years) on a destroyer and sailed all over the world. I have sailed to Alaska , Canada , Hawaii , Japan , Korea , Thailand , Phillipines, Hong Kong , & Austrailia.
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 taught first grade for three years in Compton and now teach at Animo. I love Animo, the students, the families, and the freedom I have to use my expertise as a teacher and my experience as a person to enable my students to be successful.
Surf Club and Drama Club rule!

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.

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.

Bomentre, Rose (Duties - Site) 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

Simmons, Mara
After studying politics at UC Santa Cruz, Mara Simmons returned to Los Angeles , her home city to discover the wonders of teaching. After serving as a substitute teacher for Inglewood School district she decided to pursue a full time teaching position. Pasadena Unified School District hired her to teach middle school math/science at Wilson Middle School . After three years, she returned to her alma mater, 32 nd Arts Magnet in LAUSD to teach math/science and humanities. While teaching, she worked on her teaching credential at Cal State Dominguez Hills (CSUDH). Due to the collaborative nature of 32 nd St. she was inspired to pursue administration by the site principal. While finishing up a masters degree at CSUDH in education with an emphasis in curriculum, she completed the necessary course work for her administrative credential. She came to Lennox as the middle school assistant principal for curriculum in 1997. Mara moved to the high school level in 2001 as principal of Animo Leadership Charter High School while working on her doctoral degree at Claremont University . Her interests besides students and her studies include the arts, gardening and her family.