Faculty The Classroom Teachers Vanessa Lopez Kindergarten Lead Teacher Vanessa was a teaching assistant for many years and an after school program director prior to becoming the kindergarten teacher at OCS in 2006. After teaching kindergarten for 2 years, Vanessa looped up with many of her students and taught 1st grade for the 2008/2009 school year. She completed her credential and Master’s program from Phoenix University. Vanessa and her husband live locally and will be celebrating their daughter Samantha’s first birthday in September. Contact: vanessa.s@ourcommunityschool.org John Foley K-1 Lead Teacher John began teaching in the K-1 in September 2004. He is a graduate of Antioch University’s teaching credential and Masters in Education program. Previous to becoming an elementary teacher John taught preschool children in Santa Monica, was the national exhibits coordinator for the Whole Life Expo, he was Managing Director of a 4 house 99 seat theater complex in Hollywood and worked for various non-profit organizations. He recently bought his first house in Valley Village and spends most of his free time making it his home. John served for 2 years as the faculty rep for the OCS Board of Directors. Contact: john.f@ourcommunityschool.org Stacey Porter K-1 Lead Teacher Stacey has a masters degree in Reading Education and a Reading Specialist Credential. She returns to the classroom after a five year sabbatical to raise children and start a tutoring business. She worked for LAUSD in the 90's teaching Kindergarten, 2nd and 3rd grades. Stacey also served as a Literacy Coach for 3 years at Santa Monica Charter School in Hollywood. Although Stacey is new to OCS this year, she comes to us very experienced; we are lucky to have found her! Her oldest child, Naomi, will be in the kindergarten program this year at OCS. Contact: Stacey.P@ourcommunityschool.org Karen Mariano 1st Grade Lead Teacher This will be Karen's second year at OCS. She has more than 20 years of preschool teaching experience and assisting in elementary afterschool and summer programs. She also served 4 years as director/teacher of a parent participation preschool. She earned her California teaching credential in May 2008 and taught Kindergarten at OCS during the 2008/2009 school year. Karen has two teenage kids and is married; their family lives in the Santa Clarita area. Contact: karen.m@ourcommunityschool.org Chelsea Gutierrez 2nd Grade Lead Teacher Chelsea Gutierrez is new to OCS this year and worked at an LAUSD school as a kindergarten teacher during the 2008/2009 school year. Upon completion of her undergraduate degree, she earned her teaching credentials and graduated Cum Laude in May of 2008 from Cal State University, Northridge. Due to the budget constraints in education faced this past year, Chelsea was released from her district position, sadly to her school community and administration. It didn’t take long for us to know that she was a match for our program and we are thrilled to have her aboard! Contact: Chelsea.G@ourcommunityschool.org Hilary Anderson 2nd Grade Lead Teacher Hilary is a graduate of Antioch University’s teaching credential and Master’s of Education program. This will be Hilary's 5th year of teaching. She began by teaching a combination K/1 class, and has been a 2nd grade teacher for the past 3 years. This year Hilary will serve as the faculty rep on the OCS Board of Directors. Hilary enjoys activities such as lazy Sunday afternoons with her husband Todd and (almost 4 year old) son Colby, caramel lattes, karaoke, and watching bad movies with friends. Contact: hilary.a@ourcommunityschool.org Kim Krell 3rd Grade Lead Teacher Kim is a credentialed teacher with two years teaching experience. After taking several years off to take care of her young children, she returned to the classroom. She worked along-side Vanessa Lopez last September before taking the lead role while Vanessa was on maternity leave. Kim stayed on staff upon Vanessa’s return and became the associate teacher, supporting the 4th grade classroom and subbing in a variety of OCS classrooms throughout the 2008/2009 school year. Kim is married with 2 daughters; Sara will be in second grade and Emily will be in Kindergarten in September. Contact: kim.k@ourcommunityschool.org Robin Greene 3rd Grade Lead Teacher Robin Greene received his California teaching credential from CSUN in May 2008. We were fortunate enough to have the opportunity work with Robin as he did his student teaching in our 2nd grade class in the spring 2008 with Hilary as his mentor teacher. His passion for education and natural ability to work successfully with young children made him an obvious choice when we were able to expand the school and add another 3rd grade classroom! Robin enjoys sports such as basketball, football, boxing, and, believe it or not, bowling. Contact: robin.g@ourcommunityschool.org Vanessa Murcia 4th Grade Lead Teacher Vanessa earned her credential and Masters in Education from University of Phoenix. Vanessa is a very experienced teacher and started her OCS career in September 2005 where she taught a 4th/5th grade class, a 3rd grade class, and a 2nd/3rd grade class – and that was just her work at OCS! This year she will teach a 4th grade class. Overall she has 10 years experience, five years as lead teacher and five years as an assistant. She has a son who will begin high school this year and another beautiful son who was born in June 2008. Needless to say, Vanessa and her husband are quite busy these days! Contact: vanessa.g@ourcommunityschool.org Joanne Hwang 4th Grade Lead Teacher Joanne Hwang completed her credential program at the top of her class at Stanford University in June 2009. Although this will be her first year as a teacher of her own classroom, her references and sample teaching lessons at OCS were so impressive we knew we had to snatch her up quickly before another school did! Joanne spent most of her summer moving back to the Santa Clarita area after living in Northern California, traveling to Korea, and planning OCS 4th grade curriculum! Contact: Joanne.H@ourcommunityschool.org Jude Stabiler 5th Grade Lead Teacher Jude is a graduate of Antioch University’s Teacher Credentialing program. He has been the lead teacher at OCS in the 5th grade for the past four years. Previous to teaching, Jude worked in the music recording industry. He lives in Sherman Oaks with his husband Darryl. Contact: jude.s@ourcommunityschool.org Catherine Campbell 6th Grade Lead Teacher Cat is a graduate of the University of Phoenix’s Masters of Education program, and received her bachelors from CSU Fullerton in journalism. She has taught 6th grade since OCS opened in 2005 and previously taught 5th and 6th grade for two years at another charter school. Cat also did substitute teaching for several years at various schools in both public and private sectors within the Los Angeles area. Contact: cat.c@ourcommunityschool.org Assistant Teachers Dan Wolfe Assistant Teacher Dan has been a teaching assistant for five years, working for the last four years at OCS. He is the 3rd grade assistant and also assisted in the Morning Care Program. He is an experienced actor and is trained in sword fighting. Contact: dan.w@ourcommunityschool.org Teresa Hernandez Assistant Teacher Teresa worked last year as the K-1 assistant, and was also the Director for the After Care Program. She has worked as a teaching assistant in elementary and preschools for the last 16 years. This year Teresa will continue her work in the classroom and will offer after school specialty classes after school. She has two sons who attend 6th and 8th grade at their home school in Lancaster. Contact: teresa.h@ourcommunityschool.org Alea Hernandez Assistant Teacher Alea is a CSUN graduate and began working here in the spring of 2007 after several years of experience assistant teaching in LAUSD schools. She ran a “homework Club” in the aftercare program and was a busy after school tutor as well. Alea will also return to OCS as a newlywed this year, married in early August. Lauri Arroyo After School Care Lauri is a CSUN graduate and began working at OCS in 2005, in various capacities, including 2 yrs as Director of the AfterSchoolCare Program. This year Lauri will continue part time with childcare aspects of aftercare. She has two teen sons, enjoys singing and playing guitar, and this winter she’s training other adult 26.2 mile marathoners as the Assistant Walk Coach for SFV Team in Training (with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.) She enjoys children and looks forward to the Fall '09 semester! Marilyn Eggum After School Care Marilyn worked as the after school careAssistant Director last year and will continue to support the program as the director this year. Marilyn currently attends College of the Canyons and is working on earning her nursing degree. Marilyn’s mother, Valerie, is the office assistant and her younger sister, Jacquelyn, will be in the fourth grade in the fall. Joanna Avila After School Care Joanna joined the after care program in September 2007. She will remain on staff this year in the after care program. You can often find Joanna working along side a student in an art or cooking project or pitching the ball in a game of kick ball. Joanna has a younger sister who attends OCS as a 6th grader and a young nephew who will be in Kindergarten in September. Aidee Avila After School Care Aidee will be joining the OCS staff this year, thanks to a terrific reference from her sister, Joanna! Although Aidee is officially new to the staff, she has been volunteering at OCS for the last 3 years and is very familiar with our students and staff. Specialists Robin Hottenstein Literacy Support Teacher Robin earned her credential and her Master’s degree in Education at the University of Phoenix in Woodland Hills. She has worked in after school care and mentoring programs and was an associate teacher last year in the Kindergarten room. She is a strong small group teacher in the tutoring and remediation program. This year Robin will become our literacy support teacher and CELDT (California English Language Development Test) coordinator. She loves reading, hiking, dancing and playing tennis. Contact: robin.h@ourcommunityschool.org Emily Wells Music Teacher Emily teaches music class to the classes weekly. She teaches rhythm, melody, and harmony through both singing and playing instruments. Emily is a performing musician and singer/songwriter in the Los Angeles area. Contact: emily.w@ourcommunityschool.org Special Education Special education teachers and service providers are hired through LAUSD and offer on-site assistance to students who qualify.