Educational Coordinators
Pivot Charter School provides instruction to students through a robust standards-based online curriculum supported by class offerings at our resource center, tutoring, strong oversight and academic support. The school is a “blend” of online curriculum with resource center support.
The role of the teacher at Pivot Charter School is to monitor student progress online daily, provide feedback, encouragement, and support to students. They provide academic support in their areas of expertise for students needing help and produce accurate, timely and compliant documentation of independent study attendance. Teachers do not necessarily provide direct instruction to a “class” of students on a daily basis but are at our resource centers every day. Teachers, also known as Educational Coordinators, counsel, mentor, provide oversight, direction and whatever support it takes to help students succeed in their academic endeavors.
Education Specialists
Education Specialists play a crucial role in the education of Pivot’s students with Individualized Education Plans. Each student with an IEP will have an Education Specialist who will help them achieve their goals through regular support.
Educational Coordinators and Education Specialists
Abigail Titus
Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Abigail Titus
Abigail was born and raised in Ferndale, California, where caring teachers and parents showed her the power of learning and helping others. After graduating high school, she spent a year as a Rotary Youth Foreign Exchange student in France. She went on to receive her BA in Anthropology and Social Justice from St. John’s University in Queens, New York. Abigail returned to Northern California with a goal to make a positive impact in the lives of others through education and joined the teaching profession by entering the Sonoma County Office of Education Intern Teaching Program. Over the past six years, she has applied her passion for teaching and learning at Pivot Charter School where she can be an advocate for all students, first as an education coordinator, then as the North Bay Site Administrator, and now as the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. Abigail graduated in May 2023 from San Francisco State University with a Master’s of Education in Instructional Technology. When she is not in the classroom, Abigail enjoys spending time with her hilarious family and traveling. She has been to 39 states and hopes to visit all 50 while she is 30.
Robert Brier
Educational Coordinator
Robert Brier
Chris Briggs
Education Specialist
Chris Briggs
Chris was born, raised, and spent most of his life residing in Chico, Ca. He has spent a significant amount of time playing competitive and recreational sports in the community, has a love of the outdoors, enjoys snowboarding in the winter, and plays guitar and bass in various local bands. Chris graduated from California State University, Chico where he received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and eventually earned Education Specialist and Social Science teaching credentials. Chris has spent seven years working in education as a Paraprofessional working one-to-one with a talented young man diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy. This will be Chris’ second full year as a full-time Education Specialist, and he is excited to continue the work with the awesome students and dedicated Pivot staff. His goal is to help young people find a passion in life, develop it as well as evolve and create meaning in their lives.
Shannon Rogers
Educational Specialist
Shannon Rogers
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Shannon attended the University of Oregon, where she earned her B.A. in English before deciding to pursue a teaching career. She obtained her Education Specialist credential and Master’s Degree in Special Education from Chapman University. Shannon began her career in 2005 as a paraprofessional at a Bay Area high school. She earned her Administrative Services credential in 2009 and has since worked as both a special education teacher and general education administrator at the high school level for over 17 years, with a particular interest in alternative education. Her personal passions include sports, cars, family, dogs, and nature (in no particular order).
Sam Hart
Educational Coordinator
Sam Hart
Sam was born and raised in a little town outside of Chicago called Valparaiso, Indiana. When he graduated high school, Sam was drawn to the mountains and nature of California, so he moved out west and went to college at Humboldt State University. Sam received his bachelor’s degree in Geography and developed a passion for travel and seeing the world. Later, he went back to school and completed the prerequisites for medical school thinking that maybe he had a future as a doctor. But he ultimately decided to pursue his passion for science and education and got his teaching credential in Chemistry. This will be Sam’s 10th year teaching and he loves the model that Pivot offers to help transform student’s relationship to education. When Sam is not in the classroom, he enjoys
hiking, biking, travel, reading, food and fitness.
Susan Raven
Educational Coordinator
Susan Raven
Susan Raven was raised in Chico and graduated from Chico High School in 1983. She received a BS in Math/Physics from CSU Los Angeles in 1992, her teaching credential from CSU Chico in 1999, and an MA in Applied Statistics from Penn State in 2013. Susan has been at Pivot for 9 years and has seen students thrive in the flexible and accommodating environment Pivot offers while simultaneously becoming empowered learners. She loves the ability of the Pivot EC to provide personalized academic counseling to students who don’t even know what questions to ask but don’t stop asking questions once they start to explore their options. When Susan is not working she enjoys spending time with her daughter in Southern California, traveling, gardening, cooking, and spending time with friends, family and her many pets.
Carol Castro Ballard
Director of Special Education
Carol Castro Ballard
Carol is passionate about creating inclusive school environments where all students feel supported, valued, and empowered to succeed. She brings a collaborative approach to leadership, focusing on strong IEP practices, meaningful family partnerships, and thoughtful support for educators. As a bilingual and bicultural educator, Carol is especially committed to ensuring that families from diverse backgrounds feel heard, respected, and involved in their children’s education.
She holds a Master’s degree in Special Education, a Bachelor’s in Social Science, and credentials in administration, special education, and single-subject instruction.
Outside of work, Carol is an outdoor enthusiast who loves hiking, kayaking, and swimming. She also enjoys traveling and discovering new places whenever she can.
Amy Ford
Educational Coordinator & English Language Development Teacher
Amy Ford
Amy loves books, yoga, family, and adventure. She loves stories in various forms, reading, listening to, collecting, writing, and sharing stories. (Teaching ELA is a fabulous fit!) Though fiction is her favorite genre and podcasts are a favorite pastime, real life is more apt to provide unforeseen complexities and adventures. So, she goes out in the world, she studies, she makes observations. Amy’s one to seek out the hidden courtyards and amble a little further into the city, or she’ll head to the mountains or walk the beach for as long as possible. She makes friends wherever she goes. Amy lived in a handful of different places, starting in southern California, moving to Nevada City, Ohio, Ecuador, New Mexico, Grass Valley, and finally Chico. She received her HS diploma from East Liverpool High School, Ohio and her first college degree from Kent State University. She holds a BA in English with a Political Science minor and a MA in Education. She’s also BCLAD certified in Spanish and holds three different teaching credentials. In her day-to-day life, Amy’s a mom, sister, and friend who’s engaged in the community. She teaches yoga in schools, at two yoga studios in Chico, and at WorldFest CA. She first studied yoga in 2001 and has since been a regular yoga practitioner who embodies the teachings of yoga. More generally, she’s a proponent of health, well-being, and mindfulness and seeks to spend her time on things that are beautiful, impressive, inspiring, and filled with love.
Adolfo Ortiz
Education Coordinator
Adolfo Ortiz
Adolfo Ortiz, also known as Mr. O or Mr. Ortiz, boasts a background with credentials such as a Public Administration degree and a teaching credential. His passion for teaching stems from personal experience. As a late bloomer himself, he understands the challenges and rewards of igniting a love for learning. This fuels his innovative approach, where he bridges the gap between textbooks and real-world application through theater, social media, and experiential learning like nature exploration.
From dissecting the physics of motorcycle dynamics to analyzing brain letter recognition’s impact on academic challenges, his insatiable curiosity translates into a classroom where questions are celebrated and exploration thrives. This passion extends beyond academics, nurturing a supportive and inclusive environment where every student feels valued and heard.
He is not just a teacher with credentials; he is a lifelong learner, facilitator, and mentor eager to empower students. His unique blend of experience, enthusiasm, and dedication makes him an ideal candidate to contribute to students’ positive growth and development. He is very happy to be part of the EC staff at Pivot Charter School.
Jacob Waltrip
Education Specialist
Jacob Waltrip
After graduating from CSU, Chico with both special and general education credentials, Jacob began his teaching career in 2005 as a K-5 special education teacher in a high-needs, underserved and socioeconomically disadvantaged unincorporated part of Oxnard, California. In 2010, Jacob shifted to administration and served as a middle school assistant principal for two years. From 2012-2019 he was an elementary school principal serving the same community as he did during his early teaching years. Due to some health challenges, Jacob officially retired in 2019 at the ripe old age of 39! After nearly a half decade of procedures and health battles, he is thrilled to return to his calling… serving children, families and communities. He serves Pivot students at multiple sites, but he is based out of Pivot North Valley after relocating to his college town to raise his two kids, Hazel and Henry, in beautiful Chico, Ca. Jacob is passionate about serving children that struggle academically, socially and/or emotionally. He has a strong belief that children are doing the best they can with what they have. This is where his passion and beliefs align to drive him to find ways to reach each unique child and family.
Sarah Cullar
Education Coordinator
Sarah Cullar
Sarah began her teaching career in 2003 as a third-grade teacher in Pittsburg, California while completing the Multiple Subjects Credential program at Cal State East Bay. After teaching in Pittsburg for eight years, she took some time off to have her son, Hunter, and move to the North Coast of California. A lifelong resident of California, Sarah now lives in Caspar, where she taught at a small charter school campus for two years; first in a K/1 program, then teaching grades two through five in a combination classroom. When that school closed in 2020, she continued working for Pivot in her current role as Educational Coordinator. Sarah has a great passion for music, nature and working with children.
Support Staff
Kristen Poitras
Director of Student Support Programs
Kristen Poitras
Kristen is a Northern California native, growing up and going to school in the East Bay area. Kristen began talking about being a teacher “when she grew up” from as young as four years old. In college, she studied creative writing (her other passion) and earned her BA in English/Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. After some time spent traveling in Europe and living in Scandanavia, Kristen returned to earn her Single Subject Teaching Credential in English at Cal State University Sacramento where a strong emphasis was placed on social justice and equity in education. She worked as an English and reading intervention teacher for two years at Armijo High School in Fairfield, before leaving to pursue a career in alternative education. She is so happy to have found a home at Pivot where a holistic approach to education leads every student on their unique path to success! When she isn’t teaching, she loves writing, playing and listening to music, hiking, catching up on her favorite shows on Netflix and spending time with her family and friends.
Rachel Angeles
Executive Assistant
Rachel Angeles
Born and raised in Southern California, Rachel Angeles received her Bachelors of Arts from Cal State San Bernardino and recently completed her credential and MA in Elementary Education from WGU. Rachel is excited to be part of the Pivot team and looks forward to supporting her colleagues, students and families. When Rachel is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, rescuing dogs and listening to music.
Kimberlie Berkitt
Site Administrator
Kimberlie Berkitt
Kimberlie Berkitt was born and raised in Grass Valley and has lived all over Northern California throughout her life. She attended college at Humboldt State, and earned her Master’s in Teaching English from the Middlebury Institute in Monterey. She taught early literacy in the Caribbean with the Peace Corps early in her career, before teaching elementary school. Most recently she worked for a small urban district in Connecticut specializing in Social Emotional Learning and Equity before becoming an EC with Pivot. She spends her free time with her family, and loves to knit, sew, and garden.
Jenny Maiorano
Grader (English)
Jenny Maiorano
Jenny was born and raised in Huntington Beach, CA where she spent most of her childhood in and out of the ocean or pool. She received her B.A. in English and a minor in Health Science, and later her M.A in Literacy Instruction, from Michigan State University. Jenny has lived in the midwest and the southwest of the United States, but has called Chico home for several years. When working with students, she strives to create meaningful relationships that are grounded in promoting a love for learning. Jenny has taught in grades 7 through 12 but finds working at Pivot Charter School refreshing and meaningful as it gives her the ability to work one on one with students in a unique and dynamic setting. When not working with students, she enjoys spending time with her husband and teenage daughters; as a family, they love traveling, cooking, reading, crafting, and cheering for the Michigan State Spartans.
Liz Jones
Chief Business Officer
Liz Jones
Liz has always loved math, and she finds happiness in teaching others. Her favorite thing about Pivot Charter Schools is the ability to tailor students’ education plans to meet their individual needs and goals. Liz grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, graduated from UCSD with a Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science, and earned her teaching credential in Mathematics from SDSU. She loves rowing, music, cooking, puzzles, and backpacking.
As Chief Business Officer, Liz works with a wide range of staff and contractors to manage the financial operations that make Pivot Charter Schools possible. Liz has been with Pivot since 2010, and looks forward to serving Pivot’s students and families in many diverse ways in the years to come!
Sara Campbell
Site Administrator
Sara Campbell
Sara received her B.A. in Linguistics and English Education from CSU, Chico. She worked as a Logistics Analyst and Purchaser in the Bay Area and a Marketing Communications Specialist in Tahoe before returning to Chico State for her M.A. in Education. Sara is passionate about creating positive learning experiences for students that enable their growth and development as lifelong learners. She enjoys working at Pivot Charter School because it allows teachers to form meaningful connections with students and individualize instruction while meeting standards and reaching higher goals. Sara loves traveling, backpacking, swimming, cooking, and so many other things, especially when she can enjoy them with her husband, Corey, and daughter, Ruby.
Julianne Cochran
Curriculum Coordinator
Julianne Cochran
Julianne is a San Diego native and math nerd. She has worked in mathematics education since 2006, in 6 different schools, on 2 coasts. She holds degrees in Mathematics and Secondary Education and Curriculum and Instruction. When she isn’t busy obsessing over numbers, she enjoys time with her husband and two boys, going to the beach, watching movies, reading, baking, and exercising.
Barbara Felix
Special Education Administrative Assistant
Barbara Felix
Barbara was born and raised in New York and New Jersey and relocated to California to be near family. She earned a special education teaching credential and M.A. at Fresno State and taught special education for 18 years at Fresno Unified School District. Barbara was an adjunct professor at Fresno State University in the special education department for 8 years, preparing teaching candidates. She moved to Sonoma County to be near her two grandsons and joined the Pivot Team in the role of special education administrative assistant in November 2016.
Joanna Yoels
Grader (English)
Joanna Yoels
Joanna has happily been a part of Pivot’s English Department team since 2015. She has been teaching middle school and high school English and history since 2003 throughout California before joining Pivot. She holds a Master’s degree from California State University, Fresno. She loves working at Pivot and helping all of our incredible students achieve their goals and become stronger writers. In her spare time, Joanna enjoys quality time with her family, music, road trips, reading, and the beach.
Shawn Mallonee
Grader (Physical Education & Art)
Shawn Mallonee
Shawn has a degree in Art and Art History and a multiple subject teaching credential from SSU. One of the most rewarding teaching moments for her is when she gets to observe how students express themselves creatively through art when words can’t describe how they feel. Shawn looks forward to centering the needs of students at Pivot and contributing to an environment of mindfulness and reciprocity. During her own time, she does something that makes her happy every day. Whether it’s playing with her two kids, hiking, riding bikes, or helping her husband with garden projects – they are her favorite parts of the day.
Craig Hobart
Regional Director
Craig Hobart
1st you do it for yourself, then you do it for friends and then you do it for money:
As a teenager, Craig loved ski racing and became the youngest instructor in ski school. He was mentored by a biology professor/professional ski instructor who planted the seed of becoming a life-long learner by teaching others. After ski school he found work as a river guide, a college trip leader, taking friends climbing, and discovering new trails on a mountain bike. He found great meaning by sharing new skills with others, especially younger people.
After college Craig first worked in biotech, and later in computer technology, but he wasn’t satisfied. One brave day he applied to graduate school and earned a Master’s degree in Education. Like many students, he thinks he found the ideal environment at Pivot.
Pivot has proven to be a campus of kindness and respect that strives to find an ideal work environment that first engages students. He strives to bring a culture that blends student needs, teacher satisfaction, technology, and an entrepreneurial spirit, together to create a safe real-life model of the outside world.
Ashley Fletcher
Grader
Ashley Fletcher
Ashley has been in education for 11 years. She has a Master’s in Education and a Secondary Mathematics Teaching Credential. She loves to spread her passion for math to her students by helping them see that math doesn’t always have to be “hard”. When she isn’t grading, she loves hanging out with her husband and kids, baking, sewing, and enjoying the fresh air.
Brittany Daugherty
Director of Human Resources
Brittany Daugherty
Brittany Daugherty is a graduate of Plumas Charter School. She works as Director of Human Resources for all 4 Pivot schools. She enjoys traveling and reading, as well as spending time with her family and friends. She loves being a part of the Pivot team and looks forward to working with new students and families.
Jayna Gaskell
Executive Director
Jayna Gaskell
Jayna Gaskell has worked in education for more than 30 years. Gaskell holds a Masters degree in secondary education from Emory University. After teaching grades 4-12 in Florida and Georgia, Gaskell moved to California in 1993 to serve as Director of Admissions and Academics of a small boarding and day school for four years. In 1998 Gaskell co-founded and directed a California charter school for five years. Gaskell has presented multiple statewide workshops on Independent Study, Governance, Renewal, Special Education and Strategic Planning with the Charter Schools Development Center, CANEC and other educational agencies throughout California. Ms. Gaskell also established a highly successful charter school consulting business assisting schools by drafting and reviewing charter petitions, writing grants, creating charter renewals, developing staffing plans, WASC Self Study documents, educational plans and school wide improvement plans, and conducting governance trainings, compliance reviews and strategic planning projects. She served a two year term on the State Superintendent’s Advisory Commission on Charter Schools, and has participated in the US Department of Education and the Office of Civil Rights Summit on Charter Schools and Special Education for four years. In addition to serving many CA charter schools, Gaskell has worked with charter schools in Fl, TN, OR and AZ. She has worked with over 200 schools in the last 10 years. She served as a founding board member and chair of the Board of the California Montessori Project, one of the largest public Montessori schools in operation for 10 years. Ms. Gaskell has been Executive Director for Pivot Charter Schools since November 2010.
Kareen Poulsen
Director of Student Services
Kareen Poulsen
Kareen is a fourth generation Santa Rosan and graduated from Santa Rosa High School before attending UC Davis, where she played volleyball for four years, rowed crew for two years and earned a BA in English. After 25 years as the CFO for an Investment Corporation, she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a full-time teacher and went on to receive her teaching credential in Mathematics from Sonoma State University. She previously taught Math at Pivot and has now moved into the role of Director of Student Services for all four resource centers. Kareen also serves as the Title IX Coordinator for Pivot Charter School. For information on Title IX, click here. She enjoys spending time with family, going to the beach, hiking, traveling, reading books and watching good movies. As a part of the Pivot Charter School Team since 2013, Kareen is devoted to using her education and experience to help students succeed.
Luis Portilla
Academic Counselor
Luis Portilla
Luis is native of South America, where he spent most of his youth. He received his B.A in Spanish Linguistics and M.S in Counseling with a specialization in school counseling, and Child Welfare and Attendance from California State University Dominguez Hills. Luis has been working as a College Counselor for over five years, and it is his greatest joy to help students guide them to reach their life goals. Luis has a great interest for languages and other cultures. His favorite hobbies are spending time with his family, traveling, and playing online video games.
Andria McNamee
Resource Nurse
Andria McNamee
Shannon Mallory
Enrollment Specialist
Shannon Mallory
Nicole Jimenez
School Counselor
Nicole Jimenez
Ryan Muldery
Grader
Ryan Muldery
Ryan is a Northern California native who grew up in the Gold Country. When not in the mountains, he enjoys spending time at the beach and kayaking in Monterey. A passionate traveler, Ryan has visited all 50 states. He has a deep love for history and has been a history teacher for nearly twenty years. Throughout his career, he has taught at the junior high and high school levels, and even served as a college professor. Ryan holds two master’s degrees, one in online learning and the other in teaching pedagogies. He is married to a talented artist, and together they share their home with two energetic cats.
Megan Vatcher
Program and Attendance Clerk
Megan Vatcher
Megan grew up on the Central Coast of California and earned her Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She has been an educator in some capacity for the past 16 years, including teaching private music lessons, coaching volleyball, being a parent educator for children with special needs, and aiding in K-12 classrooms. She relocated to Chico in 2018 and loves the many opportunities for hiking and exploring with her husband and kids. She most enjoys the simple pleasures in life, including gardening, cooking, and taking her dog for long walks.
Luke Shoulders
Systems and Technology Coordinator
Luke Shoulders
Serge Koblik
School Psychologist
Serge V. Koblik
Serge was born in Ukraine and lived there until he immigrated to California with his family at the age of 8. He began attending US school in third grade learning both the culture and language of his new country. He struggled through middle and high school and lacked motivation to learn. While taking general education courses at his local community college, he stumbled upon the science of psychology and became incredibly fascinated with this discipline. Transferring from his community college to Sacramento State University, he obtained his B.A. in Psychology and continued to pursue his M.A. in Education (School Psychology).
Currently, Serge lives in Sacramento, CA with his wife and two sons where he practices as a School Psychologist at a local school district as well as Pivot North Valley. He is also an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor and intends to test for Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP) to begin his private practice in a part time capacity. Serge’s professional interests include bilingual assessment, autism and emotional disturbance. In his free time Serge enjoys spending time with his sons and wife, preferably on the ski slopes, poolside at his house or lakeside with a fishing pole in hand. He also enjoys serving at his local church where he promotes mental health and parental advocacy for special education students.
Christine Mazalewski
Grader
Christine Mazalewski
Christine is originally from Pennsylvania, but has lived in San Diego since 2009 . She has worked in education since 2008, teaching mostly middle and high school science. She holds a degree in Secondary Education for Chemistry and Geoscience. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys time with her husband and two kids, hiking, running, and coaching her kids activities.
Lucas Elbaum
Graduation Specialist Teacher
Lucas Elbaum
Lucas was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he earned two undergraduate degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, followed by a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Chatham University. Lucas began his language teaching career while living in the Andes region of Ecuador, and later joined a bilingual, eco-oriented school in the Galapagos Islands. In the U.S., Lucas has taught middle and high school Social Studies, English Language Arts, and English Language Development, and served as an ELD Content Specialist with San Francisco Unified School District. Lucas is passionate about supporting students to hone their multilingual superpowers and to use their language skills to find success in school and beyond. When not planning lessons, you can find Lucas digging through old records, arguing about politics, or searching for mushrooms in the forest.
Kelly Dobyns
School Counselor
Kelly Dobyns
Kelly grew up in Southern California, obtained her BA in Human Services at Cal State Fullerton, and her Masters in Counseling and PPS Credential from Chapman University. Kelly has a background working for mental health services for the County of Orange and this is her 5th year being a school counselor. She absolutely loves being a counselor and working with kids to help them however they need. In her free time, she loves reading, eating out and making memories with her three kids.
Karen Cobain
Grader
Karen Cobain
Karen was born and raised in Northern Ireland where she gained her Bachelor of Education in Technology and Design and History. She studied abroad and developed a passion for Business. Upon returning to NI she completed a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and worked in a range of educational settings. Shortly after finishing her studies, she moved to California and set about earning her CA teaching credentials and pursued a Masters of Education: Instructional Technology. She has taught every grade level from 4th -12th and even adult education. In her spare time, Karen enjoys exploring all of the beautiful things California has to offer. She enjoys hiking, kayaking, learning new skills, and taking road trips in search of the best breakfast diner. She is also passionate about animal welfare and volunteers with local animal rescues. She is “mom” to Stanley (her dog) and to many, many cats that come to her through fostering. Her motto is “I work hard so my animals can live their best lives.
Beth Rowen
Site Coordinator
Beth Rowen
Beth has worked in education for the last six years, and comes to Pivot from another charter school in Modesto, California where she worked in special education, first and second grade, and led an after school Yoga and Meditation club. She has recently returned to her roots here in Butte County, and is excited to contribute to the community. Beth is a certified yoga teacher, enjoys walking, spending time with friends and family, being in nature, reading, and watching movies. She is happy to be a part of the Pivot team
Nicole Ling
Grader
Nicole Ling
Nicole was born and raised in Southern California. She has a degree in Political Science from UC Irvine and has taught high school English and Social Studies for about ten years. When she’s not grading, Nicole enjoys traveling, reading, yoga and watching her daughter grow from a tiny human to a big kid!
Jasmine Falary
Data Coordinator
Jasmine Falary
Jasmine was born and raised in San Francisco, CA, and graduated from Ruth Asawa School of the Arts. She studied Early Childhood Education at City College of San Francisco. Prior to joining the Pivot team, Jasmine worked in the educational travel industry for 12 years and taught enrichment classes in engineering and robotics. She is proud to be a part of the Pivot team and looks forward to supporting her colleagues as well as the students and families we serve. In her free time, Jasmine enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and dogs, crafting, cooking, watching movies, and going on adventures around the San Francisco Bay Area.
Ana Martinez
Community Liaison
Ana Martinez
Ana Martinez grew up in the Inland Empire and graduated from UC Santa Barbara. She received her Masters in Educational Counseling with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential from National University. She has worked in Elementary and High School as a school counselor and is passionate about education and providing a positive learning experience to students! In her spare time she enjoys reading and finding new coffee shops!
Omar Abassy
Grader
Omar Abassy
Omar is a dedicated science educator with a passion for fostering student success. Born and raised in Orange County, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Systems from UC San Diego and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Chapman University. Omar’s interdisciplinary background has equipped him with a robust understanding of scientific concepts and pedagogical strategies. Currently pursuing a PhD in Kinesiology with an emphasis on Exercise Science, Omar demonstrates a strong commitment to lifelong learning and staying at the forefront of his field. He holds teaching credentials in Biological Sciences, Psychology, and Physical Education, enabling him to create engaging, NGSS-aligned curricula that support diverse learners. Dedicated to inspiring students to explore the wonders of science, Omar’s ultimate goal is to cultivate a love for science in his students, empowering them to become critical thinkers and lifelong learners. When he’s not teaching, Omar enjoys watching, playing, and coaching basketball, and he is also an avid kickboxing enthusiast, appreciating the discipline and fitness the sport provides.
Karyn Songer
Virtual Grader
Karyn Songer
Karyn is a native of Clovis and mom of two teenage girls. She has a multiple subject teaching credential & a minor in Biology from California State University, Fresno. Karyn taught 6th grade for over 7 years before becoming a stay at home mom. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking & hanging out with her family.
Romello Smith
Accounts Payable and Logistics Coordinator
Romello Smith
Romello grew up in Sacramento, California and graduated from a local public charter high school. Since a kid, he always had a fascination with business finances and investing, and would spend hours playing Tycoon games. This passion led him to obtain a BS in Managerial Economics and a minor in Accounting from UC Davis. After a decade in Sacramento, Romello moved to Chico CA for a taste of the small city life. He has worked as an accountant in various industries, but ultimately decided to work for Pivot Charter because of the personal impact charter schools made in his life.
Ashley Yim
Grader
Ashley Yim
Ashley earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and her Master’s in Teaching from the University of Southern California. Before joining Pivot Charter Schools, she taught middle school science in San Diego. She enjoys gardening, rock climbing, and spending time with her family and two dogs. Ashley loves all things science and enjoys sharing her curiosity and enthusiasm for chemistry with students.