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| Kevin Garcia
Counselor
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Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Southern California and have lived here all my life. I was born in Bellflower and grew up in Norwalk and Artesia. My family is from Portugal., specifically, the Azores, a group of tiny islands in middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
What will you be doing for Ánimo Venice?
I will be one of the counselors. My goal is to help Ánimo Venice students to succeed and thrive in the different areas of their lives. Specifically, I want to help all students do well while they are here and prepare them to do well in whatever they choose to do in the future. I will also be coaching Varsity Boys Soccer.
What did you do before Ánimo Venice?
I have been lucky enough to experience many different jobs, especially as I was working my way through college. I went from bagging groceries, to driving forklifts and loading trucks in a warehouse, to working as a bank teller, to working for the Los Angeles County Office of Education. I have slowly been working my way to becoming an educator and have finally been given the opportunity to fulfill my passion…working with high school students. I am new to Ánimo Venice and I am just launching my career as a High School Counselor. Before working at Ánimo Venice I had a lot of different experiences in education and working with children and their families. While I was studying at California State University, Long Beach I spent time working at Long Beach Memorial Miller Children's Hospital in the Child Life Department. I also worked at the Child and Family Center at CSULB. I did several internships with different high school counselors. I also worked as a Behavioral Therapist for a great company called Behavioral Education for Children with Autism (BECA), where I worked one-on-one with children identified with Autism and related disorders. While I was at the University of Southern California I worked as an Elementary School Counselor at two schools. Right before getting this great job I worked as a substitute teacher in the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District, mostly working at the high school level.
What is your educational background?
I graduated from California State University, Long Beach in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with an emphasis in Child Development and Family Life Education. More recently, I earned a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Southern California.
What were some of your accomplishments, awards, leadership roles?
I have always taken school very seriously and love to learn. All throughout college I was an honors student and became very active in my program at USC. I was a Student Ambassador for the Rossier School of Education and served on the Student Advisory Board for the Master's Programs Office. I was also a founding member of School Counselors of Tomorrow (SCoT) at USC. My biggest accomplishment and honor was being chosen as the Flag Bearer and Commencement Speaker for the Rossier School of Education.
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| Richard Henrie
Special Education Assistant, Athletics Director
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I'm from New York City. The Athletic Director here at AVCHS. Worked at an NPS-LAUSD. Finishing up my BA now. I have been working with youth now for more than 15 years, this is my passion. To make the sports program here a continued success that it has become in the last few years. Sports fanatic. Go Giants.
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Elaine Jimenez
Resource Specialist |
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| Tara Jones
Special Education Assistant, ELD Director
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Where are you from?
Worcester, Massachusetts
What will you be doing for Ánimo Venice?
I am a Special Education Assistant, working closely with Bryce. This summer (2008), I had the opportunity teach English during session 1 & 2 of summer bridge.
What did you do before Ánimo Venice?
After graduating from Grambling State University in Louisiana, I was a Residential Counselor. I worked with adolescent females with emotional and behavioral disorders. I then moved to Lake Elsinore, California in 2005 and worked with school age children (5-12) before joining Animo in August 2007.
What is your educational background?
Grambling State University (B.A. Psychology)
Currently attending Antioch University (L.A.) for my teaching credential and Master's Degree (2010)
What were some of your accomplishments, awards, leadership roles?
I was on the dean's list and president's list while in college.
What are your future plans?
After Bryce receives his diploma, and I graduate from Antioch University, I would love to begin teaching and have my own classroom...maybe even at Animo Venice (hint...hint)
What are your hobbies and interests?
I love to dance and listen to music (R&B and Hip Hop). I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I also have a passion for education. If I could be a professional student I would! |
Adriana Pulido
Counselor |
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Sara Sheffer
Resource Specialist, AP English Literature |
I am a native New Yorker, having grown up on my family's Angus beef farm in upstate New York. I attended the State University at Buffalo, where I majored in English. I was also a member of the University's Women's Crew team where I served as captain and acted as president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee for my final two years. I caught the teaching bug while volunteering with and eventually teaching two high school English classes in inner-city Buffalo during my senior year. My experiences with my first two classes were extremely eye-opening for me, eventually prompting a move to Las Vegas to teach elementary Special Education through Teach For America. I served there for two years teaching, coaching lacrosse, and advising the Student Council at my school. I am relocating to Los Angeles and am looking forward to again working with high school students (and getting out of the heat!) Outside of the classroom, I enjoy running and playing most sports, watching the Yankees, reading anything I can get my hands on, playing with my dog, and attending as many hip-hop concerts as possible. |
Beth Simmons
Resource Specialist |
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Ánimo Venice High School
5431 West 98th Street • Los Angeles • CA 90045
Phone: 310-392-8751 • Email: Ánimo Venice |
