EPACS is able to attract highly qualified teachers with strong educational backgrounds. As part of inspiring their students to go on to college, each teacher flies the flag of their alma mater outside their classroom.
Learn what school our staff hail from as well as why they teach at EPACS.
EPACS Main Phone
(650) 614-9100
Administration
- Laura Ramirez, Principal - ext. 101
- Saree Mading, Site Coordinator - ext. 155
- Susie Estrada, Office Manager - ext. 100
- Angelica Sanchez, Office Assistant - ext. 104
- Sharon Johnson, Reading Coach - ext. 124
- Allison Leslie, Reading Coach
- Teresa Lucan, Intervention Specialist- ext. 124
- Mike Nagy, Interim ASP Director- ext. 124
- Terra Lee, After School Program Director - ext. 102
- Monika Nagi, Development Director - ext. 102
- Erin Boothe, Librarian/Technology- ext. 141
- Frank Powell, Plant Manager - ext. 132
- Ariana Arteaga, Cafeteria Manager- ext. 142
Susie Estrada is the Office Manager at EPACS. She was born and raised in East Palo Alto. She attended and completed Office Administration in Cañada College. She is one of the parent founders of EPACS and has worked for EPACS since the school opened in 1997. She has three sons, two have attended EPACS and the youngest will attend next year. She is impressed with the commitment and passion that EPACS has for our children's educational success.
Saree Mading joined the staff at East Palo Alto Charter School in 2001. She taught sixth, seventh and eighth grade science and social studies at the school for four years and then became an administrator in the Ravenswood City School District. In 2006 she returned to EPACS as the site coordinator. In this position she oversees all of the Student Success Team Meetings, school discipline, Positive Behavior Support and High School registration. Ms. Mading earned her bachelor’s degree from Sacramento State and this year is finishing up her Masters degree in Educational Leadership from Notre Dame. Before working at EPACS, Ms. Mading was a middle school teacher at the 49ers Academy in East Palo Alto. She was also born and raised in East Palo Alto and continues to reside in the community with her family. Ms. Mading loves the spirit and energy of the school. She is impressed by the commitment demonstrated by the parents on a daily basis to their students’ education.
Kindergarten
- Nicole Carlos, Room K1 - ext. 151
- Mary Mitchell, Room K2 - ext. 152
Nicole Carlos started teaching kindergarten at EPACS in 2006. She lives in San Francisco and attended UC Berkeley for her bachelors in English Literature and Spanish. While she was teaching in New York City through the New York City Teaching Fellows, she earned her masters degree in Education from Mercy College. She enjoys working at EPACS because she feels like she is making a difference in the community.
1st Grade
- Claire Hawley, Room 3 - ext. 123
- Lisa Jordan, Room 2 - ext. 122
Lisa Jordan is a first grade teacher at EPACS. She has been at EPACS for three years. She grew up in Los Altos, CA and currently lives in San Francisco. She attended UC Santa Barbara and got her BA in Psychology and English. Lisa earned her teaching credential from the San Francisco State Clinical Schools Program. She enjoys the friendly and supportive staff, students and families at EPACS and Aspire’s commitment to providing quality education and opportunities for all children.
2nd Grade
- Ivy Valant, Room 1 - ext. 121
- Sarah Steinke, Room 7 - ext. 107
3rd Grade
- Kelly Sorbera, Room 5- ext. 105
- Jennifer Saul, Room 6- ext. 106
4th Grade
- Katie Kling, Room 11 - ext. 111
- Benjamin Crosby, Room 12 - ext. 112
Katie Kling is the lead teacher for the fourth and fifth grade team. She started to work at EPACS in 2004. She is originally from Rochester, New York and she attended SUNY Brockport where she earned her BA in history. After working in sales, training and financial services, she decided to earn her teaching credential from National University and change her career. She loves working with the students at EPACS and constantly pushing them to do their very best.
5th Grade
- Meghan Barrager, Room 19 - ext. 119
- Victoria Kauer, Room 18- ext. 118
6th Grade
- Geneva Europa- Math/Science, Room 9 - ext. 109
- Claiborne Taylor- Humanities, Room 10 - ext. 110
7th/8th Grade
- Ashley Baker- 7th Humanities, Room 8- ext. 108
- Hillary Mills- 7th/8th Science, Room 16 - ext. 116
- Marie White- 7th/8th Math, Room 15- ext. 115
- Jessica Chacon- 8th Humanities, Room 15- ext.114
-
Jessica Chacon has been teaching 8th grade humanities at EPACS for the past two years. She is originally from El Paso, Texas. She attended the University of Texas at Austin and earned her bachelors in English Literature. Before coming to EPACS, Ms. Chacon taught for two years in Philadelphia with Teach for America. During her time in Philadelphia she earned her masters in Elementary Education. What she loves about EPACS is the collaborative, hard working environment. She also has noticed how everyone will do whatever it takes to get students to succeed.
Specials
Stephen Ashford teaches PE at EPACS. He was born in East Palo Alto, and grew up in Richmond. He went to school at Contra Costa College and College of Marin, where he studied communications. He has been at EPACS for 6 years, and is here because he loves working with the kids and the staff.
Additional EPACS Support Staff
-
Maria Moser, Grade K/1 Aide
-
Yvette Mitchell, Grade 2/3 Aide
- Adriana Estrada, Grade 4/5 Aide
-
Veronica Woodard, Grade 6/7/8 Aide
- Counseling Room- ext. 150
Collective Roots
(650) 283-7530 or ext. 124
- Alderson Wolfram, Executive Director
- Bryden Johnston, Grade K-5 Garden Teacher
- Eron Sandler, 6/7/8th Garden Teacher
After School Program
Terra Lee is the After School Program Director at EPACS. An East Palo Alto Native, she began her education at Foothill College with an AA, and finished her undergraduate work at San Francisco State University. Terra has worked as a Kindergarten Teacher with EPACS for about five years, and has recently transitioned to the after school program. Her favorite thing about EPACS is the family environment there!
Instructional Coaches
- Sharon Johnson - EPACS Reading Coach
Sharon Johnson became the reading coach at EPACS in 2006. She has been teaching at the school since 2000. At first she taught 5th grade for three years and then she taught second grade for three years. She is originally from Palo Alto and attended Northwestern University for her bachelors in Psychological Services. Recently she earned her masters degree from San Jose State University in Educational Leadership. Before coming to EPACS, Ms. Johnson was a teacher in Compton, CA with Teach for America. What she enjoys most about EPACS is the commitment to student learning, high expectations and the school culture that believes all students can earn a college degree. Ms. Johnson also feels that the constant collaboration and relentless dedication of staff, students and families is what makes the school unique.
Ravenswood City School District Staff (EPACS Supporters)
(650) 329-2800 or ext. 124
- Christine Malone- Special Education Teacher
- Spring Chao- Psychologist
- Marites Marcelo- Occupational Therapist
- Armida Torres- Para Educator
- Celia Barragan- Para Educator
- Dolly Gonzalez- Special Education Teacher
- Charito Balao- Speech and Language Therapist
- Liz Harrelson- Para Educator
- Nashira Wilson-Para Educator