NEW WEST CHARTER SCHOOL - Key Persons
My name is Alaina Hill and I am a New West Office Supervisor. I joined the New West family in the 2015-2016 school year. This is my 6th school year at New West and am excited for what's to come for this 2020-2021 school year!
I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I have 2 beautiful children and a wonderful husband that I have been blessed to enjoy life with. I love traveling to my family's hometown of New Orleans, the beach, music concerts, and most of all, kids!
I am committed to serving every student and family at New West. I look forward to seeing all returning New West families and welcoming the new ones.
Having spent over a decade in public education, Brian Straka has been everything from an American and World history teacher, the costumed Eagle mascot, a domestic and international school trip leader, a high school Vice-Principal, the IT guy, a parking lot attendant, a Civil War reenactor, the annoyingly-loud varsity basketball announcer, an improv coach, a school kickball champion, an Ellis Island Immigration Office, and a student psychologist, he is most excited about his new role as the Director of Development for NWC+.
Job Titles:
- English Language Learner Coordinator
My name is Christina Nersesian and I'm truly excited for the upcoming school year! After having taught English Language Arts for 7 years, with two of those years at New West, I'm excited to start my 8th year in education as the English Language Learner Coordinator here at New West. I'm thrilled to be among a collection of educators, students, and families who are wholly welcoming and committed to fostering today's youth. As an English teacher, I loved showing my students that literature is everywhere and language manipulation is one of the most vital skills to develop as our kids go through school and emerge into the professional world. Finding ways to express themselves appropriately, accurately, and adequately through any medium - let that be visual or written - will set them up for future success as they navigate their careers, professions, and more. Now, as the ELL Coordinator, I'm looking forward to bringing my classroom experience and skills to help students who need help navigating language so they can access their educational environment and be successful in the future.
I graduated from the University of California in Irvine in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Literary Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film & Media Studies. I wrote for the campus newspaper and maintained a campus radio show while tutoring kids in the community on the side. I'd always enjoyed teaching and, with these side jobs, realized it was something around which I wanted to build a career. After graduation, I decided to pursue a career in teaching and attended the University of Southern California, receiving my Master of Arts degree in Teaching and teaching credential for Secondary English Language Arts in 2011.
Teaching is wonderful because you can expose your students to the world they live in from a constructive and analytical lens, preparing them for the equally important wonders and trials life will undoubtedly offer. However, without being able to access the language, these life experiences can be difficult. I'm excited to be the one to lead students to better language acquisition so that they can get the most out of their time in school. Being able to work in concert with teachers and administration here at New West will provide our students with the experiences tailored to what they need. Just like there is no one similar whole-life experience, there is no one type of learner. I look forward to helping your kids can build and develop skills that will garner success in school and beyond.
¡Mi nombre es Christina Nersesian y estoy realmente emocionada por el próximo año escolar! Después de haber enseñado Artes del Lenguaje Inglés durante 7 años, con dos de esos años en New West, estoy emocionada de comenzar mi octavo año en educación como la Coordinadora de Estudiantes del Idioma Inglés aquí en New West. Estoy muy contenta de estar entre una comunidad de educadores, estudiantes y familias totalmente acogedoras y comprometidas con el desarrollo de la juventud de hoy. Como profesora de inglés, me encantó mostrar a mis alumnos que la literatura está en todas partes y que la manipulación del lenguaje es una de las habilidades más importantes para desarrollar a medida que nuestros hijos estudian y salen al mundo profesional. Encontrar maneras de expresarse de manera adecuada, precisa y apropiada a través de cualquier medio, ya sea visual o escrito, los preparará para el éxito futuro mientras navegan por sus carreras, profesiones y más. Ahora, como Coordinadora de ELL, espero aportar con mi experiencia y habilidades en el aula para apoyar a los estudiantes que necesitan ayuda a navegar el idioma para que puedan acceder a su entorno educativo y tener éxito en el futuro.
Job Titles:
- Resource Specialist
- Resource Teacher
Mrs. Bautista has been part of the New West Team since 2018. She has worked in Education in a variety of capacities for over fifteen years. She has a passion for assisting students to achieve their goals and learning how to utilize their strengths. She is currently pursuing her graduate degree in Education from National University. She graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Development.
Mrs. Bautisa looks forward to working with your student--helping prepare them for the next step in their academic careers. Please reach out to Mrs. Bautista with any questions you might have.
Claire Vencill is the School Counselor here at New West Charter high school and middle school. Claire received her Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Northridge before continuing on to get her Masters in Education from the University of Southern California. Claire is very excited to work and support New West students in a variety of ways. She plans to help improve the overall well-being and mental health of our students while being a resource for our community to grow together.
Dan McCauley is a Resource Teacher for grades 8 through 10 and strives to take a strengths-based approach with his students and find authentic ways to address areas of need. Mr. McCauley is passionate about building student agency and resilience through relationship building, responsive teaching, and letting students own their choices and solutions.
Mr. McCauley is an alumnus of NYU and the Teach For America program and holds a Master's Degree in the Art of Teaching. Before becoming a specialist, Mr. McCauley was an English Teacher and Character Education Liason in the Bronx, New York where he is from. McCauley has served public and private school students from K-12 in the West Los Angeles area and is passionate about the strength of New West's Resource Department.
In his free time, McCauley enjoys watching LeBron James play basketball, reading about social justice issues, and writing.
Job Titles:
- General Physical Education
Welcome, New West Students! My name is Coach David Bautista.
I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I received my Bachelors of Arts Degree in Liberal studies at The Masters University. This is my 3rd year teaching Middle School Physical Education at New West Charter. I bring many years of athletic experience to the coaching staff where I have put my knowledge to work in many different sports.
Dexter Green, a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, began his dance training at the age of three at Tari's School of Dance and later joined Revolution Dance Co. His passion for dance grew as he began dancing competitively, in solo and group divisions, winning awards and accolades along the way. In the spring of 2015, Dexter received a B.F.A. in Dance Performance from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. He was given the distinction of Marshall of his graduating class. He has performed works by Danny Burachezci, Mike Esperanza, Bill T. Jones, Adam Hougland, Joost Vrouenrates, Joshua L. Peugh, and Bruce Wood.
During his time at SMU, Dexter was a founding member of Dark Circles Contemporary Dance's United States branch, performed with the Dallas Symphonic Orchestra in their 2014 Christmas Performance, performed in the 2015 Miss TEXAS Beauty Pageant, performed in numerous industrials with Mary Kay, Inc. and Sally Beauty Supply. A Brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, he chartered his chapter, Upsilon Mu, in the fall of 2012.
Currently located in Los Angeles, Dexter performs with a professional Bollywood company, Karmagraphy Entertainment and Stroll Groove Entertainment. He has taught hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, ballet, Bollywood and jazz in the greater Los Angeles area. Dexter has appeared in numerous music videos, national campaigns, commercial print, movies, live performances with artists like Aloe Blacc and Dawn Richard, national campaigns with GAP and BET, has appeared in music videos with Allu Arjun, Vidya Vox, Dawn Richard, Issac Choe, Esther Anaya, just to name a few. As a choreographer, his competition solos and group numbers have placed 1st, and has assisted in choreographing for tours and behind the scenes for music videos.
This is Dexter's second year teaching at New West Charter and could not be more thrilled with the opportunity to share his knowledge and passion for dance with the students at New West!
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Principal
Jamilla Raybon is the Resource Assistant for grades 6th and 7th at New West Charter Middle School.
As proud as she is for being a New West Alumni, she was unfortunately unable to attend New West Charter High School because it was not open yet. She went on to graduate from Palisades Charter High School before receiving her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology with a minor in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University, Northridge. She also plans to further her education in the future.
Jamilla is very happy to be back at New West and is looking forward to helping all of her students achieve their goals.
Job Titles:
- School Psychologist
- School Psychologist and Head of the Mental Health Department
Kenna Healy is the School Psychologist and head of the Mental Health Department at New West Charter School. She graduated from UC San Diego with an undergraduate degree in Communications and Psychology. Mrs. Healy then received a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology and an Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology at Loyola Marymount University. She has worked in several school districts across Los Angeles for the past decade, gaining a broad array of experiences and expertise in the areas of assessment, behavior, and mental health. Mrs. Healy thoroughly enjoys supporting New West parents, teachers, and students in many ways to promote academic achievement and mental health.
Job Titles:
- 11th / 12th Science Earth and Space Science / More Info
Lauren Monson is New West Charter's 10th Grade World Literature teacher and 10th Grade Team Lead. She has a B.A. in English and French from Indiana University and an M.S. in Instructional Technology from Grand Canyon University. In her years as an educator, Ms. Monson has taught ELA, French, and Drama. She is passionate about literature's ability to transport readers to all cultures and eras of human history and shares this enthusiasm with her students through creative and innovative classroom activities.
Ms. Monson has two children, a junior in college and a junior in high school. She also has a Maltipoo named Sir Lancelot. In her free time, she loves to read great literature, go on nature walks, and visit art museums. She invites you to join her in her quest to read every winner of the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Awards!
Hello New West Parents and Students! My name is Lester Douglas and this is my sixth year at New West Charter. I oversee the Resource Programs at New West across all grade levels including NWC+. I was originally the High School Resource teacher for my first three years at New West.
I became a Resource Teacher as I wanted to give something back for those who helped me through my early years of Academics. I still remember Mr. Long, my first-grade teacher, who encouraged my love of math and first introduced me to a computer (well before they were a staple in every household).
I have been married for over ten years to my wife Leah and we have two wonderful daughters, Sofia and Emma.
When I am not working, I spend most of my free time with my family doing outdoor activities and occasionally I get out to play a round of golf. I am a dedicated Vikings and Dodgers fan.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Department Chair Athletic Director
Job Titles:
- 7th Grade Science / More Info
Hello, my name is Mariana Ramirez. I am the Office Administrator at the Pico campus. This will be my third year working at New West. I am honored to see the 6th-grade class I started with is now starting their freshman year at the HS. I am thrilled to see the returning families who have enrolled a younger sibling at New West for the 22-23 school year.
I was born and raised in North East LA. I went to my local public LAUSD schools in my neighborhood. I furthered my education and earned a B.A. in Communication Studies: Public Relations in 2015 from California State University, Sacramento. Ironically, I never have pursued a career in PR. Instead, my professional career has been embedded in education for the last 10 years.
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my sisters and brother. I find a great deal of enjoyment in working out and staying active. I am a big sports fan. (Football and Baseball). Actually... I am pleased to announce that I will be coaching the New West Volleyball Girls Team this year.
Job Titles:
- Vice Principal
- High School Vice Principal
After twelve years in education - seven in high school, three in middle school, and two in a school leadership position - Mr. Mark Herrera was honored to accept the role of vice principal at New West for the 2016-17 school year.
New West has a strong faculty team, a growing reputation for academic excellence, and a commitment to serving a diverse community. Mr. Herrera's goal is to build on those strengths with the same energy he put into every lesson he learned or taught.
As an undergraduate, Mr. Herrera attended UC Davis and completed a double major in Political Science and Sociology with a minor in War and Peace Studies in three years. In his final term, he interned at the US Capitol with Senator Diane Feinstein where he witnessed history being made and studied leadership by example. Inspired, Mr. Herrera returned from Washington, earned a Social Science Teaching Credential, and began his career as a history teacher in Fairfield, CA while finishing a Masters Degree in Education.
By his fourth year in the classroom, Mr. Herrera was being regularly tapped to mentor both new and veteran teachers. Mr. Herrera enjoyed helping others for the benefit of children, so he enrolled in the Principals Leadership Institute at UC Berkeley and accepted a position as a teacher coach at a 6-12 grade school in San Francisco. After two years of intense on-the-job training, along with rigorous summer, night, and weekend classes at Cal, Mr. Herrera earned a Masters Degree in Education with an Administrative Services Credential. He relocated to Los Angeles after graduating and taught high school history courses for another three years before coming to New West in the fall of 2013.
Prior to joining the administrative team, Mr. Herrera taught the eighth grade US History course at New West for three years. He also taught electives called "World Travel and Cultures" and "World Landmarks" along with variety of X Block classes on everything from cooking and debate to the on-going struggle for equality in America. Beyond the classroom, Mr. Herrera served as the Eighth Grade Level Advisor, planned the annual trip to Washington and New York, hosted Family History Night and Civil War Day events, and coordinated New West's self-study for accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
The combination of roles and responsibilities Mr. Herrera has accepted in his career reflects his personality. He has a wide-ranging curiosity, a love of travel (he's been to Japan, Italy, England, France, Greece, Thailand, Cambodia, Israel, Palestine, Mexico, Spain and Costa Rica), a commitment to equity, and a belief in the power of student-driven learning.
Mr. Herrera has learned that although education and experience can make someone a better instructor, it's listening to kids and responding to their needs that make someone a better teacher. According to him, that starts with building honest relationships between teachers, students, parents, and administrators.
History taught Mr. Herrera that when trust between people becomes strong enough to face facts together and hear each other's truths, real growth and achievement can occur. Mr. Herrera's career in and out of the classroom has proven that to be true time and again.
Helping students get a well-rounded education, earn college admissions and scholarships, and start their careers ready for life's challenges is Mr. Herrera's life's work. He is proud to pursue that passion as a member of New West's team.
I love NWC+! This is my 3rd year on the team and my 7th year as a certified high school math teacher. I was born right here in Los Angeles and enjoyed spending my days at the beach or in the pool. I played water polo in high school and I still swim regularly to this day. I have had a passion for teaching since I was in high school. The confidence I gained in my math classes helped me lead as a team captain, member of student government, and community leader. So I decided to pursue a career as a math teacher to help others gain the confidence that comes from being "good" at math. I studied math education and physical education at Brigham Young University - Idaho where I graduated in 2016 with Bachelor of Science degree. Then I spent nearly 2 years living in Peru where I learned and became fluent in Spanish. While teaching in Las Vegas, Nevada, I continued my education and earned my M.Ed. in Instructional Design from Western Governors University. Finally, I returned to Los Angeles in 2020 and joined the NWC+ team.
As a math teacher, I emphasize the process of problem solving. It isn't about getting the right answer; it is about how you get there. Students are encouraged to share their ideas for how to solve a problem and we learn by looking at each other's perspectives to gain a broader understanding of the concepts. We look at math in its context and apply the material to the world around us. I am a firm believer that failure is a step towards success and I encourage students to try without fear of failure. We then analyze our mistakes, adjust our approach, and continue towards success. Although every student will likely not pursue a career as a mathematician, I hope that each of my students gains the skills necessary to persist in solving problems wherever they may find them.
Michelle Yeh is the Resource Teacher for Grades 11 and 12. She started with New West Charter in March 2022 and is in her 9th year of teaching service. She has worked in Los Angeles and New York City in a variety of educational capacities and settings including traditional high school teacher, independent study teacher, charter and private school compliance specialist, and teacher coach. As an educator, she feels very passionately about teaching students their individual learning styles and is committed to helping students achieve their educational goals.
Ms. Yeh was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles. For college, she went to the University of Pennsylvania graduating with a B.A. in Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE) with a concentration in Political Science and minors in Asian American Studies and Asian Middle Eastern Studies. She earned her Education Specialist teaching credential from the California State University, Los Angeles.
Ms. Yeh enjoys promoting activism and diversity in all environments. She can speak Mandarin. She likes running, yoga, and tennis. And above all, she loves spending time with her family!
Ms. Yeh is very excited to be part of such an innovative and collaborative team at New West.
Mr. Mark Estanislao was born and raised in San Diego, California. He received his B.A. in Social Science and a minor in Education with a specialization in Social Sciences for Secondary Education from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) in 2007. He received his Master of Arts in Teaching from UCI in 2009.
It is with great joy that Mr. Estanislao will be entering his 14th year as a teacher during the 2022-2023 academic school year. He has experience teaching 7th-, 8th-, and 10th-grade history/social science in Orange County, New York City, and Los Angeles for both district and charter schools.
New West has been Mr. Estanislao's home for 9 years now. He continues to prove to his students, colleagues, administration, and the community-at-large that he embodies the mission of New West. His dynamic personality, willingness to help, and eagerness to learn have given him the courage to continue as the 6th - 12th Grade and NWC+ History Department Chair. In addition, Mr. Estanislao, or Coach E, is the head coach for the HS Cross Country and Track & Field teams, which he started both programs 8 years ago.
Mr. Estanislao is also a club advisor for the following:
Mrs. Diana Hurst graduated from UCLA with a BA in Psychology and went on to complete her Master's Degree in Organizational Psychology. After a career as an HR Manager in advertising and public relations, then a stint as a docent for the School Programs at the Getty Villa, she returned to her alma mater to complete the UCLA College Counseling Certificate Program.
Mrs. Hurst has been in college counseling for over eight years. She worked as a College Advisor at Palisades Charter High School and worked in the college center at Malibu High and has assisted hundreds of students with their college plans.
Mrs. Hurst has traveled extensively visiting college campuses across the US and in Europe, the UAE, New Zealand and Australia. She is a member of Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC) and participates in professional development whenever possible. Mrs. Hurst enjoys college counseling because it is such an exciting time for students as they begin the journey to discover their "next step" . She also reminds students to keep the process in perspective and never lose sight of the fact that it will all work out.
Mrs. Hurst is thrilled to be a part of the New West College team and is looking forward to contributing to the school's ongoing success.
Job Titles:
- Counselor
- College Counselor
Mrs. Laurie Favaro has been a college counselor for more than fifteen years, assisting students in all aspects of the college planning and admission process.
She has a Master's Degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Career/Life Planning and a Certificate in College Admissions and Career Planning from U.C. Berkeley.
Job Titles:
- 8th Grade Science 8th Grade Lead Science Department Chair / More Info
Job Titles:
- Biology 9th Grade Lead / More Info