Hello All!

My name is Essence Barnes and I am a Student Support Specialist.  I have been with the district since 2017 and really enjoy the capacities in which we are able to serve our students and their families. I have my BA in Psychology and I am looking to pursue my Masters in Social work. My life experience is what drives my passion to work in this field. “ Slow motion is better than no motion at all” is a phrase that often keeps me going. I’ve accepted that I cannot save the entire world, but if I can make a difference in the life of just one person a day, then I’ve done my job.

Hello! My name is Jose Duenas and this is my fourth year as a Student Support Specialist for Pomona Unified School District’s Student and Family Support Services. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a guiding hand for our students who may need individualized support to reach their full potential and be successful in class. My passion to support students stems from being able to relate to their experiences due to my life challenges and successes. When I am not supporting students, I enjoy spending time with my children, gardening, and reading all sorts of books.

Hi Everyone!  My name is Ashlyn Ferriera and my role at PUSD is to serve the community and students as a Student Support Specialist. I have a background in mental health and psychology focusing on child adolescent age. I am continuing my education pursuing a Master’s degree to become a licensed School Counselor ages K-12.  A strong passion of mine is implementing my knowledge and skills to help students learn in a way that evokes independence and empowerment. I am looking forward to gaining more knowledge and experience while building meaningful connections at each school site between students, administrators, teachers, faculty members, and parents. In my daily life I enjoy implementing self-care, journaling, coaching volleyball, and spending time with my son.

 “All kids need is a little help, a little hope, and someone who believes in them.”

 -Magic Johnson 

Hello my name is Vincent Gardella. I am a student Support Specialist with Student and Family Services Department. I am a Pomona native with 6 years of Mental Health experience working with children from various backgrounds. My passion stems from motivating my clients to work towards becoming the best possible version of themselves.

My name is Mayra Moreno; I work for Student & Family Support Services as a Student Support Specialist. I am a proud PUSD Alumni and have been working for the school district for over 10 years. My time in the district has been meaningful because I have been able to grow and connect with staff, parents, and students from different walks of life. I enjoy working with elementary students because they are genuinely kind, innocent, and loving. I am excited to be part of this family and I am looking forward to assisting our students, families, and our community's need. During my spare time, I enjoy going out for walks, the beach, camping, and road trips but most importantly, I enjoy creating meaningful memories and spending quality time with my children and fur-baby.  

Hello Students and Parents, 

My name is Ariana Rangel, and I am a Student Support Specialist for our Department of Student & Family Support Services. I like to tell students that I am their helper, and part of my job is helping them understand their feelings. I am a PUSD Alumni and have been working here for the past seven years in different positions supporting my community. I am a proud advocate for parents, I encourage them to learn about their children and build healthy relationships. My life motto is “We must root for each other and watch each other grow.” My rituals of self care are reading, practicing mindfulness, spending time with my family, and watching Pixar movies. 

Hello,

My name is Gloria Rojas Fuentes. I am a first generation college graduate from CSULA where I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and minored in Child Development. My passion is to work with children, and I am happy to be serving my community as a Student Support Specialist at PUSD’s Student and Family Support Services department. I am eager to work with our PUSD students and guide them for a successful future. On my leisure time I enjoy hunting for vintage treasures, spending time with my family and friends, spoiling my fur baby, and going on adventures with my husband to find delicious foods.

Hello! My name is Belen Toledo and I am a Student Support Specialist for the Department of Student and Family Support Services. I attended K-12 in PUSD and came back to work for the district in 2018. As a Student Support Specialist, I have the opportunity to teach students important social-emotional skills in order to help them make good choices, connect with peers and make learning fun. While supporting our kiddos in K-5, I am continuously inspired by their perseverance to keep trying. I believe I learn just as much from them, if not more, as they do from me. When I am not supporting students, I enjoy listening to music, working on puzzles, watching movies, reading, going on walks, and spending time with friends & family. 

My name is Nicole Vasquez, and I am a Student Support Specialist for the Department of Student and Family Support Services. I have worked in education for over five years with students ranging from grades K-12. I love working with students because no one day is the same. I believe we have a unique opportunity to build relationships with students to champion them and help them see all that they have to offer the world. 

“Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them” 

Lady Bird Johnson

Hello! My Name is Emily Miranda and I am a Student Support Specialist with the Student and Family Support Services Department. I'm passionate about cultivating engaging spaces that allow young learners to discover their strengths and grow their passions. I look forward to all opportunities to build meaningful and enduring support systems for students and families as they navigate their educational journey. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, swimming, reading, going to the movies and spending time in community gardens and libraries. 

Hello there! 

My name is Jennifer Huynh and I am a Student Support Specialist for the Department of Student and Family Support Services. I am passionate about working with children of all ages and diverse needs. Every child is unique, and I find great joy in helping them discover their strengths and navigate their challenges. When I'm not working, you'll often find me spending quality time with my family. My son is my world, and seeing the world through his eyes constantly reminds me of the wonder and beauty in even the simplest things. Whether I'm at work or at home, my goal is always the same: to make a positive difference in the lives of those around me, especially the little ones who hold a special place in my heart.