RaShaan Davis

Teacher

Hello.. .. .. I was born in Chicago, worked in youth development for approximately 10 years, received my BA in Psychology, MBA in 2010, and M.Ed this year 2014. I have a strong desire to affect change in the lives of youth. I have provided assistance for and taught individual/small groups of students on various grade levels & subjects, including students with special needs, taught P.E., held management positions for after-school programs, currently teach fourth grade, while coordinating a leadership program for young males within our school.

Hoang Pham

Educator

I am a 2011 Teach For America Los Angeles alum and also currently a 1st grade teacher at KIPP: Empower Academy in South Los Angeles. I grew up in Portland, OR, where I attended Benson Polytechnic High School, then completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Oregon. As a freshman there, I was taught by a Teach For America alum, whom attributes to the type of teacher I am today. I also hold a Master of Education in Urban Education from Loyola Marymount University. When not in the classroom, you can find me breakdancing at halftime shows for the Los Angeles Clippers or leading the schools dance team, StepUP---BreakDOWN.

RaShaan Davis

Educator

Hello.. .. .. I was born in Chicago, worked in youth development for approximately 10 years, received my BA in Psychology, MBA in 2010, and M.Ed this year 2014. I have a strong desire to affect change in the lives of youth. I have provided assistance for and taught individual/small groups of students on various grade levels & subjects, including students with special needs, taught P.E., held management positions for after-school programs, currently teach fourth grade, while coordinating a leadership program called, Boys 2 MEN for young males at my Elementary School, KIPP Empower.

Esmeralda Rosas

Educator

I am a 4th grade teacher at KIPP Empower Academy in Los Angeles, CA. As an educator, I am committed to empowering my scholars through a vigorous, interactive, and transformative learning experiences that fosters their natural curiosity and love for learning. I received my B.A. in Liberal Studies and a Masters Degree with an emphasis in Dual Language Development from Cal State Long Beach. I recently graduated from the University of California Los Angeles with a second Masters in Education focused on Principal Leadership. I worked for New City Public Schools as the lead middle school (6th-8th) teacher. I worked for the Sandra Cisneros Learning Academy (a Camino Nuevo Charter School) as the 7th and 8th grade math teacher, and last school year I worked for the UCLA Lab School as a 3rd/4th grade Bilingual Demonstration Teacher. I am committed to strengthening my scholars’ academic self-esteem, and instilling a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom walls.

Derrick Williamson

Educator

I am one of the founding teachers of KIPP Empower Academy and truly have a passion for educating our youth. I attended UCLA where I studied Afro-American studies, and also attended Howard University. I'm originally from Michigan however enjoy LA weather. I have interacted with thousands of youth, helped implement grade specific behavior plans, organized spelling bees, encouraged scholars to create class/school chants, and involved with KEA parent outreach.

Chinedu Udeh

Educator

I grew up in Ontario, CA where I enjoy short hikes in the California sun. I am a founding KEA 4th grade teacher at KIPP Empower and a proud graduate of Dartmouth College, where I studied History & Public Policy. My primary goal as an educator is to help scholars learn in core educational subjects, such as math, science, reading/vocabulary, social studies and the arts. It's important for me to establish and enforce behavior expectations, and collaborate with other educators to improve the educational foundation of our youth today.

Nichole Thornton

Educator

I'm a 2nd grade lead teacher at KIPP Empower Academy. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and obtained a degree in Elementary Education. I also completed my masters in Educational Leadership from Edgewood College in Madison, WI. Over the past few years, I've taught second, third, fourth and fifth grades in Wisconsin public schools. This past year, I received the opportunity to teach in a charter school in South LA. My main goal as an educator is to continue to build significant working relationships with students and families. In my free time, I enjoy shopping, going to the movies, trying new restaurants, and hanging out with friends and family.

Monica Anacleto

Educator

I am a Founding Kindergarten teacher at KIPP Empower Academy in Los Angeles, Ca. Prior to holding that role I spent 2 years working in LAUSD as a TA leading intervention groups for struggling readers. I received my BA in Liberal Studies, with a concentration in Spanish, from California State University, Northridge. I have interacted with thousands of youth, helped implement grade specific behavior plans, organized spelling bees, encouraged scholars to create class/school chants, and involved with KEA parent outreach.In my free time I enjoy reading and spending time with my family.

Nenji Yilpet

Educator

I am a lead 2nd grade teacher at KIPP Empower Academy in South Los Angeles. I attended Azusa Pacific University for my undergraduate degree and the University of Southern California (USC) for my Masters in the Art of Teaching. I first fell in love with educating children while directing, tutoring and mentoring youth in the Skid Row community of Los Angeles. My drive to seek justice and equity in education for all children led to becoming a Teacher for America corps member in Miami-Dade in 2010. While there, I received the Excellence in Teaching Award for elementary school teachers in my region for Teach for America. I am committed to advocating for our kids to receive an equitable, just and culturally-relevant education. I have experience teaching kindergarten, first grade and second grade. I describe my role as an educator as one in which I “get to see miracles every day”.

Peggy Wong

Educator

I'm a 3rd Grade Math teacher at KIPP Empower Academy in Los Angeles. I've taught at KIPP schools since 2011 and helped found 1st grade at KIPP DC Heights Academy in Washington, DC as a Capital Teaching Resident. As a native Angeleno,I am excited to be back in Los Angeles and to teach 3rd grade. I graduated magna cum laude from UC Berkeley with a degree in Political Science and Rhetoric. In my free time, I love to travel, cook and do yoga.

Jasmine Ivy

teacher

My name is Jasmine Ivy. I currently teach 3rd grade in a low socio-economic area in South Los Angeles. It has also been my dream to become an elementary school teacher. After graduating from Dorsey High, I went to Santa Monica College and then transferred to CSU Dominguez Hills where I received a Bachelor's Degree and teaching credential. My most memorable teaching moment is starting my first day teaching the day President Barack Obama was elected (the first time).

Giovanni Quevedo

Educator

I am a 3rd Grade Math teacher at KEA. I graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles and obtained my degree in Political Science with a minor in Labor and Work Place Studies. In the summer of 2012 I joined Teach For America- Houston Corps and taught 4th grade for 2 years. Some of my hobbies include playing soccer, watching movies, and spending time with my family and friends.

Nychelle Toussaint

Educator

I am a 3rd Grade Writing teacher at KEA. For the past four years I worked with ICEF, another charter organization, where I taught 3rd and 4th grade. I have experience with teaching all elementary grade levels except for Kindergarten. I have been teaching for thirteen years and began my journey teaching with LAUSD for seven years. After teaching at the district, I began teaching at CLAS where I learned to teach from a culturally and responsive pedagogy for two years. I attended Cal State University of Los Angeles where I received my B.A in Child Development, and later completed my Masters in Education and Administrative Credential from Cal State University of Northridge. I have three sons and a wonderful husband. I enjoy shopping, Bath N’ Body Works, chocolate, and to have fun, not only with my family, but my scholars too. I am extremely happy to be a part of KEA.

Leslie Garcia

Educator

I am a Lead Kindergarten teacher at KIPP Empower Academy in Los Angeles, Ca. Prior to holding this role I spent 5 years working in LAUSD as an Instructional Aide. I received my BA in Liberal Studies, with a bilingual teaching credential from California State University Long Beach. I have interacted with children of elementary age, taught small groups across all academic areas, helped implement grade specific behavior plans, encouraged scholars to create class/school chants, and involved with KEA families. In my free time I enjoy reading, working out and spending time with my family.

Frank Martinez

Educator

I am a Lead Kindergarten teacher at KEA, graduated from California State University, Fullerton and is pursuing a Multi-Subject and Single Subject Credential from National University. I joined the KEA family as an Intervention Teacher in 2013, and then transitioned into the Lead Teacher role for CSUN. My passion to teach the whole child while creating a rich learning environment is based of my educational past. I believe that all children have the fundamental right to a great education and will ensure that they receive the best from me everyday. In my free time I like to play Men’s Softball, workout, play chess, watch science based YouTube channels, and read political articles regarding the nation and the world.

Carrisa Desalles

Educator

I am a Art Teacher at KIPP Empower Academy. Prior to becoming an art teacher, I was an Intervention Teacher and before that an After-school Teacher of KEA. I attended University of Pennsylvania for undergraduate school where I received my B.A. in Urban Studies and a double minor in Sociology and Classical Studies. In addition, I am currently completing my masters in Elementary Education at University of Southern California. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, swimming, or just socializing with friends. I am also very interested in art and love to paint, sketch, and take photos.

KEA Ops TEAM

Business Operations

(Photo; left to right) Ortensia Robledo, I'm the Office Associate at KIPP Empower Academy. After graduating from UC Santa Barbara in June of 2013, I began my wonderful journey with KEA. Although I'm a Bay Area native, I currently call Los Angeles my home. I love spending my free time learning how to cook new and bold dishes while also listening to cumbias. Ana Alvarez, I am the Office Manager at KEA. I graduated from Cal State Dominguez Hills with an undergraduate degree in Sociology with a minor in Psychology. I then continued my work at National University where I earned a Master of Science degree in Educational Counseling with a PPS Credential. My work experience includes one year in the position of Special Education Clerk for Bethune Middle School and volunteer cheer coach. From there I went on to work for Cienega Elementary as a teacher assistant for 3 years and now working at KIPP Empower Academy. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. Airazulema Alfaro, I am the School Business Operations Manager for KIPP Empower Academy. Prior to holding the SBOM role, I worked as KIPP Empower Academy’s Office Manager. Before joining the KIPP LA team in 2012, I spent 3 years working at New City Public Schools holding two roles: Office Manager and Family & Guidance Coordinator. During her time at NCPS, Airazulema provided professional development for the Operations Team and created an Operations Manual, which included all school and data systems. I graduated from Cal State Long Beach in 2012 obtaining a M.A. in Spanish Literature. I finished a B.A. in Spanish at the University of California, Riverside in 2008. My passion is empowering families to seek higher education for their children. In my free time, I enjoy reading, hiking and traveling.

Vivian York

Educator

I have been a teacher for 12 plus years, working at various charter schools within LAUSD. I graduated from UCLA with a BA in Dance and MFA in Art. Prior to earning my Teaching Credential at Chapman University, I worked in the arts and entertainment industry as a paralegal, and designed imaginative-play toys for young children. For two years I worked at KEA as an Educational Therapist before joining the staff as the Founding Art teacher. At KEA, I implemented a blended learning approach to Art, and still use this approach in my present position as an Intervention Teacher to further students’ comprehension skills and practice. As an art teacher, I urged students to draw what they see, now I urge them to see what they read. Connecting children with their own unique literate vision of the world and learning how to articulate it with grit and clarity is my mission. With two children, three dogs and rabbits at home, I try to squeeze in some Pilates, hiking, and Netflixing.

Nicole Roady

1st grade teacher

Nicole Roady is a Cal State Long Beach graduate with a major in Liberal Studies and a minor in Linguistics. She currently is part of Teach for America and is beginning her masters in reading instruction at Loyola Marymount University. Nicole is passionate about learning and opening young minds to the world around them.

Karla Cienfuegos

Founding Kindergarten Teacher

I am a founding Kindergarten teacher at an amazing school, KIPP Empower Academy. For the past 10 years, I have had the honor of serving different communities and grade levels from East Los Angeles to Beverly Hills to now South Los Angeles. I love teaching and would love to get your support in helping my scholars reach their dreams and goals to get to and through college.

Jessie De Luna

Educator

I am the Transitional Kindergarten teacher at KIPP Empower Academy. Before I joined KIPP Empower Academy, I graduated from California State University, Long Beach in 2012 with my Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies. After graduating, I was referred from a friend to apply for the After School Program Instructor position for KIPP Empower Academy. Once being hired in 2012, I started working for ASP for Kindergarten for the 2012-2013 school year and then moved to working with 1st grade for the beginning of 2013. After being offered a new position, I went back to work for Kindergarten during the beginning of 2014 to work as an Intervention Teacher. During my free time, I like to be around my family and friends. During the weekends, I enjoy spending time with my daughter Lilianna and my fiancée. I like to go out with my daughter and fiancée by shopping, eating out, taking a walk, or taking advantage of their year pass to the Long Beach Aquarium.

Mercede Washington

Educator

I was born and raised in Long Beach, CA. I attend California State University Dominuez Hills, where I received my BA in Liberal Studies. I then continued my education at University of Phoenix where I received my teaching credentials and masters in education. I have a genuine love for working with children. I am a founding teacher at KIPP: Empower Academy in South Central Los Angeles; in which I am currently teaching 1st grade. I have two children of my own, one of which attends the school I teach at. When I am not at school teaching, you can find me teaching Children's Church on Sundays.

Sara Gaechter

Art Teacher

Hello! My name is Sara Gaechter, and I am very proud to announce to the world that I am the new Art Teacher at KIPP Empower Academy. A little bit about me: I grew up in a very small town outside of New Haven, Connecticut to a family of teachers. Education has always been a huge focus in my life, and growing up I often sought out teaching and leadership roles. As a teenager I worked as a dance teacher and choreographer for a theater company and that was when I truly fell in love with teaching. My passion for the arts and the teaching profession have only grown stronger over the years, and I am proud to say that in May 2015, I graduated from Ithaca College in Upstate New York, with a B.A. in Art Education and a minor in Art History. Directly after graduation, I moved here to Los Angeles, and am very excited to be able to live in and get to know the city. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work with and learn from our scholars at KEA this year. I have many exciting things planned for the students and community, and am looking forward to seeing how far we can push our KEA student artists, with your help. I invite you to reach out to me and become involved, in any capacity, with the art program this year at KEA. One way to keep involved with the KEA Art classes this year is through social media. Our schools are noteworthy for our technological innovation, and I hope to extend our Arts program into and through the 21st century. Students will be documenting their own artwork on both Twitter and Instagram, and you can follow the accounts by searching for @time4art on both platforms. Thank you for taking the time to read about myself and my art class! Together we can truly make a difference in the lives of our scholars!

Teresa Solis

Spanish Language Teacher

I am in love with my scholars at KEA. My "job" is to teach students to enjoy learning a second language, Spanish, and to realize they can actually use it in order to communicate. My goal is to spark an interest in acquiring language and appreciating cultures that will last a life time!

M. Teresa Solis

Spanish Language Teacher

My passion is using stories and songs in the Spanish language classroom. I have been dedicated to second language acquisition for 30 years and I am still learning! Practice makes progress and "nothing motivates like success"!

Edith Braswell-Grant

Teacher

I am a new first grade teacher at KEA. For the past 14 years, I have had the pleasure of working with scholars of all ages and backgrounds. After graduating from Whittier College in 2001 with my BA in Child Development, I taught preschool and kindergarten at the Broadoaks Children's School of Whittier College. I got married to my college sweetheart and moved to Los Angeles. I then taught preschool an additional three years at the Samuel Goldwyn Foundation Children's Center. In 2006 I joined the ICEF family of schools where I taught second, sixth, seventh and eight grades. In 2010 I earned my MA in Education. I also served as assistant principal at three ICEF schools. I am ecstatic about joining the KEA team! I reside in Inglewood with my husband and two daughters. They frequently travel to my hometown of San Diego to visit family and friends.

Brenda Juarez

Teacher

I was born in Los Angeles, CA and I am currently a lead first grade teacher. I've taught first grade for two years and prior to this was an after school instructor and substitute teacher at KIPP Empower Academy in Los Angeles. Prior to joining the KEA team I worked for the Los Angeles Unified School District for 6 years. While working for LAUSD I worked as a paraprofessional and assisted the language art and math learning centers. I graduated from California State University, Long Beach in the fall of 2012, earning my Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a sub plan in Language Arts and also earned my bilingual teaching credential. I enjoy spending time with family and friends during my spare time.

Kemi Mustapha

Teacher

I am currently a 1st grade lead teacher for KEA. I earned my Masters of Arts in Early Childhood and Special Education from New York University.  For the past 5 1/2 years I have been teaching and volunteering with youth in New York City.  I have taught Pre-K, Kindergarten, and First grade.  Prior to relocating to NYC I was privileged to volunteer with children of various ages in different capacities- mentoring, tutoring, teaching a step team, teaching a praise dance group, and teaching after-school to name a few.  I earned my Bachelors degree at UC Berkeley, where I studied Social Welfare and minored in African American Studies and Education.  I enjoy spending time with friends and family, going to beaches, exercising, writing, listening to music, and dancing.

Jennifer Holley

Intervention/After-School Teacher

I am an Intervention Aide and After School teacher and been with KEA for 2 years. I wear many different hats here at KEA and is always willing to lend a hand. I graduated from California State University, Bakersfield with a B.A. in Sociology minoring in History and obtained a Masters degree in Forensic Psychology from Argosy University. In my free time, I enjoy drawing, spending time with family and friends, mentoring young adults for non-profits, and creating new ways to enjoy life as a new parent. 

Melody Moore

After-school Coordinator, Food Server, & Intervention Teacher

I am the After-school Coordinator, Food Server for Revolution Foods and Intervention Teacher in U PENN at KIPP Empower Academy in Los Angeles, Ca. My duties are to plan activities, plan lesson plans, input attendance and oversee the after-school team. I have been in the Educational field for 20 plus years. I attended Southwest College and Los Angeles Trade Technical College for Child Development. I also attended Everest College to become a Medical Assistant. I have decided to complete my education and attend a master program in arts of teaching. I am very dedicated, a team player, mom and wife. I am willing to do whatever it takes to become the best teacher there is. I love to be at home with my family, shop, read books and attend my son’s baseball games. I would like to thank the KEA family for all that they have done for me and our community.

Lewis Nelson

Physical Education Specialist

I am the Physical Education Specialist at KIPP Empower Academy. I have been teaching for eight years and enjoy promoting lifelong physical activity to our youth, who have become less active. I emphasizes good health, cardiovascular activity, muscular strength and endurance as well as nutrition within my daily lessons. I earned my Bachelors in Physical Education from Cal State Dominguez Hills University where I played three years on the men’s basketball team for the Toros and was named captain in my senior year. In my free time I enjoy being the boys varsity head coach at Middle College high school in Los Angeles. I started my own basketball training company along with three travel basketball teams and looking forward to adding to my city championships this year

Jennifer Stanton