2023-24 Avance Mentors and Residents 

Sarah Orellana and Maria Garcia

CNCA Castellanos

Kinder Bilingual 

Sarah Orellana

I hope to create relationships with others within the Avance program to implement those learning experiences into my teaching at Camino Nuevo! I am excited to be a part of a residency program that encourages us to be a part of a community.

Maria Garcia

I have worked as a kindergarten teacher for 9 years, and as a preschool teacher for 2 years. I was also a teacher in Mexico for 6 years. I enjoy running, hiking, gardening, and learning about healthy living.

Jessica Baez and Charleen Mendoza

CNCA Castellanos

1st Grade Bilingual

Jessica Baez

I am passionate about education because it is a driving force of growth, change, and action. I am excited to be a part of Avance's first cohort because I believe in the residency's mission to support and develop educators to ensure quality education for our communities. 

Charleen Mendoza

I have been an educator for 7 years, primarily in kindergarten and first grade. My mission is to be an advocate for my students and to ensure that they have a safe and loving environment to learn. In my free time, I enjoy reading gothic horror novels and books about radical teaching methods and strategies.

Evelyn Serrano and Maira Ramirez

CNCA Castellanos

2nd Grade Bilingual

Evelyn Serrano

I love to travel and go to concerts in my spare time. I’m excited to work with my mentor in my first year of teaching!

Maira Ramirez

I have been teaching for 4 years, 3 years in Camino Nuevo. I enjoy spending time with my family, painting by numbers, knitting scarves, and working on puzzles. Fun Fact: I can't whistle or snap my fingers.

Ana Rivas and Marquetta Nolen

CNCA Kayne Siart

2nd  Grade English Only

Ana Rivas

 I am a photographer, painter and music enthusiast. I am excited to be a part of the residency program because I will have the opportunity to work alongside my mentor teacher and peers who want to inspire and educate the next generation.

Marquetta Nolen

I have been teaching at Camino Nuevo Kayne Siart for 2 years as a 2nd grade teacher. I believe that all students have the ability to learn. I know everyone can do something and I love to motivate student practice. I am also an Assistant ScoutMaster for Boys Scout Troop 42, when needed to assist with outdoor events.

Amy Vasquez and Rachel Binsfield

CNCA Kayne Siart

5th Grade English Only

Amy Vasquez 

I have worked within the field of education for over 5 years. I am ecstatic to be part of the Avance program. I am glad to be working with like-minded individuals who share a deep passion for teaching. I can't wait to grow professionally with my cohort! Let's go LIONS!!!

Rachel Binsfield

I was born and raised in San Diego, but moved to LA at the start of the pandemic. While I've always worked with kids in some capacity, I've only been a teacher for about 8 years. I've actually known from a young age I wanted to work in education -- I had a fifth grade teacher who showed me just how much one teacher can make a difference in students' lives.

Belen Puerto and Irene Pena

CNCA Cisneros

1st Grade Bilingual

Belen Puerto

I am a dedicated and passionate individual seeking to make a difference by serving the youth in an academic setting. I believe that everyone needs a connection and someone that may encourage their growth in academics and as a member of the community. I am excited that through Avance I will learn to cultivate the culture that creates a positive impact in the educational system for our children.

Irene Pena

Shana Salcedo and Alma Alonso

CNCA Burlington 

4th Grade Bilingual

Shana Salcedo

Alma Alonso

I began my teaching career here at Camino Nuevo and have enjoyed every minute of it. I chose this profession because I enjoy working with children. Helping them grow academically, emotionally and supporting them in becoming independent critical thinkers is what I enjoy the most. One interesting fact about me is that I am very easy to get along with.

Hugo Jimenez and Dolores Ochoa

CNCA Burlington

4th Grade Bilingual

Hugo Jimenez

I have been a part of the Camino Nuevo family my whole life. I will be working with 4th graders at Camino Nuevo Burlington. The reason I joined Avance was because Avance disrupts the traditional teacher path and it benefits not only the students but future teachers like myself. For fun I like a good hike, cooking, animals, and anything to do with nature.

Dolores Ochoa

Ashley Mendes and Mirella Hernandez

CNCA Burlington 

8th Grade  Math

Mirella Hernandez 

Ashley Mendes

I am in my 6th year of teaching. I currently teach 7th/8th grade Math and Financial Literacy at CNCA Burlington. I also have a passion for sports, and I coach volleyball and basketball at my school. In my spare time, I like to go to the beach, go on hikes, and travel the world.

Ivana Gutierrez and Cinthya Coronel

CNCA Eisner

6th Grade English

Ivana Gutierrez

I am a person who loves pastel colors, books, anime and, surprisingly to others, reading Shakespeare plays (though they are unreadable). Avance helps budding teachers like me grow with tons of support and thanks to their warm, encouraging and accepting community, I decided to dive in and join their ranks!

Cinthya Coronel

I was born in Mexico and raised in South Central Los Angeles. I have been teaching for five years now. Most of my experience is with middle school, but I did my student teaching in a high school.

Jennifer Vazquez and Marylu Aguilar

CNCA Dalzell Lance

Algebra 2

Jennifer Vazquez

I'm a first-generation Mexican American who graduated from UC Irvine with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Education Sciences. I am most eager to learn how to become an amazing educator and give back to my community by working with Avance mentors and partners.

Marylu Aguilar

I've been working for CNCA for 6 years, 3 of them as a Math Teacher at Dalzell Lance. I'm excited to take on this new role and share from other educators. I like to visit new coffee shops.

Samantha Sanchez and Dan Nguyen

CNCA Dalzell Lance

10th Grade English

Samantha Sanchez

I am a proud Latina and first generation college graduate! I have been working in education for four years, serving students and families at the Bresee Foundation and Jane B. Eisner Middle School. As a Camino alumni, I am excited to continue my journey at Dalzell-Lance High School to share my passion for learning!

Dan Nguyen

I have been teaching English at Camino Nuevo High School Dalzell Lance for ten years. I graduated from the University of California Riverside with a Bachelor's degree in English, with an emphasis on postmodern literature. I then went on to obtain my Master's degree in teaching at the University of Southern California. I have an amazing dog named Tonka.

Wesley Dolen and Reuben Gonzalgo

CNCA Dalzell Lance

Biology

Wesley Dolen

I have a great love for learning, and for that reason I have chosen to be an educator. I have an adventurous spirit: I love traveling, hiking, eating new foods, meeting new people, and simply enjoying life!

Reuben Gonzalgo

I have taught biology for the past 16 years and have been an educator for almost 20. I love learning and filling my brain with both useful and useless information. I am a big kid at heart and love all things that bring wonder.

Vanessa Coover and Chevonne Woods

STEM Prep Elementary School

3rd Grade

Chevonne Woods

I am a former preschool teacher and Anthropology major who loves to work with students in building on their development. What excites me about the residency program is the opportunity to soar in teaching with a great mentor and team by my side.

Vanessa Coover

One of my favorite things about teaching is being able to build lasting relationships with students and learning about their lives outside of school. You will often find me wearing my dinosaur onesie during our movie day and pajama class parties!

Estepani Venegas and Lorena Verduzco

Para Los Niños Charter Elementary School

3rd Grade

Estepani Venegas

Green is my favorite color, so you'll often see me sporting something green. I'm a proud mother of a lovely daughter and enjoy spending my free time traveling, reading, cooking, and spending time with my family. As a resident of Avance, I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to learn from my mentor teacher. I firmly believe that teachers are lifelong learners and I'm excited to grow in my profession.

Lorena Verduzco

I have been an educator at Para Los Ninos Charter School for 17 years. I have taught K, 1st, 2nd, and currently in 3rd grade. I love working with children, seeing them grow both academically and socially, and developing strong relationships with them. I love learning myself and feel that everyday brings a new opportunity for growth and learning. During my spare time I love spending time with my family. I have three amazing boys and spend my time with them on the weekends at the baseball field.

Alma Canales and Veronica Navarro

Para Los Niños Charter Elementary School

2nd Grade

Alma Canales

I am a future educator and am looking forward to receiving the preparation needed to provide high quality education to students. What excites me the most about the residency program is the opportunity to receive mentorship from an experienced teacher.

Veronica Navarro