CADENCE PARK SCHOOL Staff

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Meet the CADENCE PARK TEAM

Principal- Mr. Carlo Grasso

Mr. Carlo Grasso was selected as founding principal of Cadence Park School after working as an educator in various capacities within the Irvine Unified School District for the past fifteen years. Most recently, he served with pride as the Principal of Oak Creek Elementary, home of the W.I.S.E. Owls. Prior to that, he was an Assistant Principal at Sierra Vista Middle School.

Before his career in school leadership, Mr. Grasso taught science, math, and video production to students in grades six through eight at three different middle schools across southern California.

When not at school, Mr. Grasso stays busy with his wife and four children, usually along the sidelines of a soccer field. He is a fun-loving educator who is beyond excited to be at the helm as IUSD opens their 40th school!

CP School SUPPORT T.O.S.A. - Ms. Lauren Sipelis

We are excited to announce that Ms. Lauren Sipelis has joined the Cadence Park staff as our School Support Teacher on Special Assignment (T.O.S.A.). In this role, she will provide leadership and support for the students, staff, and families of our community.

Although she most recently worked as a teacher at the United World College East Asia, Ms. Sipelis has a long and extensive connection to IUSD. A former student in our district, Ms. Sipelis taught at both Springbrook and Plaza Vista, was the principal of Culverdale and Woodbury Elementary schools, and served for six years as the Director of Elementary Education for IUSD.

We are fortunate and thrilled to have an educator of her caliber on our team!

CADENCE PARK FOUNDING Teacher LEADERSHIP TEAM

At long last, we are excited to introduce the first members of our teaching staff, who comprise our inaugural CP Teacher Leadership Team. The synergy is building as we have begun sharing ideas and inspiration about how to breathe life and purpose into this amazing facility in which we will be privileged to work!

Pictured from left to right: Ruthy Fong Loi, Amie Le, Daisy Hernandez, Veronica O'Mara, Ashley Estrada, and Daniel Carroll

Ashley Estrada has just finished her fifth year in Kindergarten and her eleventh year teaching in IUSD. As a former IUSD student, she feels so fortunate to be teaching in such an incredible district. When not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her two boys and husband, either on the baseball field or at the beach. She is so excited to meet all the little Puma cubs and begin this amazing new journey.

Amie Le has been a part of Irvine Unified School District for four years, working the past three years as a Kindergarten teacher. When she’s not at school, some of her favorite things to do are yoga, crafting, surfing, hiking, and traveling. She is beyond proud to be a part of this incredible Cadence Park team and is looking forward to a phenomenal school year! Go Pumas!!

Daisy Hernandez has been proudly working within Irvine Unified for 5 years as an Instructional Assistant and a Fifth Grade Teacher. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys being outdoors, going to Disneyland, and playing with her Maltipoo puppy. She is looking forward to being a part of the Leadership Team and leaping right into an exciting first year at Cadence Park!

Dan Carroll is a National Board Certified educator with 16 years of teaching experience. He loves teaching and considers his classroom to be a caring, engaging, and innovative environment. He continually challenges himself by seeking out and incorporating new teaching strategies and ideas. When he's not teaching, he loves spending time with his wife Deanne, his son Jack, and his daughter Taylor.

Ruthy Fong Loi taught kindergarten and first grade in Irvine Unified School District's Montessori Program for six years. Prior to joining IUSD, she was a teacher in Japan for ten years. In her free time she enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and daughter. She is thrilled to be a part of the Leadership Team at Cadence Park School and the incredible place it will be for the students and community. Go Pumas!

Veronica O’Mara just finished up her fourth year as a fourth grade teacher in IUSD. On the weekends, you’ll find Mrs. O’Mara and her husband playing with their energetic pup, searching for the best cup of coffee at local shops, running Jeffrey Trail, and baking delicious goodies. She looks forward to being a part of the Cadence Park community and building lifelong relationships with teachers, students and their families.

CPS FRONT OFFICE TEAM

Melody Alvarado has been selected as the Administrative Assistant to the Principal, and is has worked most recently in the front office of neighboring Cypress Village Elementary. She is an Irvine resident who has successfully raised two sons in IUSD schools.

Melissa Hutton will be the first face you see as you enter our office, where she will serve as our Office Assistant. She is a former student and graduate of IUSD and just completed her 4th year as the school librarian at Oak Creek Elementary. She resides with her husband Clark in Irvine and has two sons, Brodie and Dylan. In her free time, she volunteers with Woodbridge High School Athletics and enjoys spending time with family and friends. She looks forward to joining the Cadence Park team.

Master of FAcilities

We are pleased to have landed Celso Gutierrez-Cueva as the Lead Custodian of Cadence Park. In recent years, Mr. Gutierrez-Cueva has successfully opened two different schools, and has ensured the safety and cleanliness of one of Irvine Unified School District's largest elementary schools. He takes great pride in his work and enjoys making a daily difference in the lives of the staff and students he supports.

CPS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TeachERS

Bianca Dino is an elementary educator with four years of experience teaching third and fourth grades. Her love of teaching began with dance and a desire to make learning more fun and exciting for kids. Originally from the East Coast, she studied theater, dance, and music in at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, and earned a BA in Communications and Media from Hunter College. Since relocating to Southern California, she has earned a teaching credential and Master’s Degree in the Art of Teaching from the University of Southern California. Bianca brings high energy and proactive positivity to students of all learning styles. Her strong belief in the value of Social Emotional teaching and learning to support the whole individual, led her to develop a mindfulness program at her former school, and she remains passionate about connecting an understanding of how the brain works with our emotions to access rigorous concepts with success and confidence.

Luixsana Gonzalez is beyond excited to join the Pumas family. After graduating from UCLA, she became an applied behavioral analysis therapist where her passion for teaching and mentoring children first sprouted. From there, she returned to school to pursue a credential from CSU Fullerton and is currently working on her Master’s in Education. As a teacher at Cadence Park, she wants to establish a positive, inclusive, technology-rich and safe learning environment for all of her students.

Anastasia Kim is excited about moving to Orange County to join the Cadence Park staff! She attended UCLA for her Bachelor of Arts Degree and USC for her Masters Degree and teaching credential. She has been teaching for the past 4 years. When not in the classroom, she spends time with her dog named Henry and loves taking him to the dog beach! She am so excited to meet all of you and to be joining the Puma family!

Kimberly Leschke just wrapped her fifth year teaching fifth grade and eighth year working in IUSD. She’s a former East coast girl, proud auntie, avid reader, baker, hiker, and has never met a cookie she didn’t love. She cannot wait to meet her Cadence Park Pumas and looks forward to the many adventures that lie ahead.

Kristi Yellott has taught fifth grade at Oak Creek Elementary for the past several years. She is a passionate and progressive educator who values the relationships she establishes with each and every one of her students. Her goal is to help all students strive for their personal best while incorporating a growth mindset toward all challenges they encounter. She recently received her Masters in Education and Teaching Credential from UCI.

Preston Trebas has most recently served as a respected 6th grade educator at Oxford Preparatory Academy in south Orange County. After graduating from BYU (go Cougs!) and finishing 4 years of teaching, he is excited and honored to be joining Cadence Park staff! When not teaching or preparing lessons, you can find him longboarding, reading, playing his guitar, or finding his next costume to use in the classroom. He can't wait to bring his love of music and passion for teaching to the students of Cadence Park School.

MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER LEADERSHIP TEAM

Brianna Nguyen is excited to join the Cadence Park Pumas! She has been an English Teacher in IUSD for nine years. In her classroom, she loves to share her passion for reading and writing with her students. Outside of school, she enjoys wearing her Minnie Mouse ears to Disneyland, being inspired by HGTV, having a yoga workout, going on food adventures, and of course, spending time and traveling to new places with her husband Chris and baby girl Madeline. She cannot wait to work with her 7th and 8th grade Pumas!

Jason Greenwood is a Math teacher who believes in the power of his students. Having students own their learning through exploration and conceptual understanding, Jason pushes his students to become owners of their learning. For the last two years Jason has guided teachers in the district as a Teacher On Special Assignment, building and implementing professional development to help teachers implement engaging activities in their classroom. Jason has decided that it is time to get back in the classroom where he can implement the teaching he has presented about the last two years.

Christina Hanna has been teaching for six years, three of which have been in IUSD. Christina prides herself on building relationships with students and sharing her love of math. She has a Masters in Secondary Education from Cal State Fullerton where she was also involved in the Autism Inclusion in Math and Science Grant (AIMS) and Robert Noyce Grant. Christina considers herself to be a lifelong learner and always challenges herself to try new things. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her two boys, playing soccer and going on mini adventures. Christina is excited to be a part of the Cadence Park leadership team and looks forward to making middle school a memorable experience for her students and their families.

Stacy Yung has taught for eight years in IUSD with the last five years at Jeffrey Trail Middle School. She is a huge geek and loves all things techy. Stacy strongly believe in the power of student voice and is passionate about using technology to empower students to be better citizens in the classroom, community, and globally. When she's not teaching, Stacy loves to travel the world and bring those experiences back into the classroom. She also loves spending her days outdoors, especially at the beach, with her rescue pup. Stacy is excited to join Puma family and can't wait to meet the Cadence Park middle school students and families.

Elizabeth Purpura is thrilled to be teaching middle school science this year. She is moving to Cadence Park after teaching AP Biology, Biology, and 7th Grade Science at an all girls STEM school in Los Angeles for the past two years. In addition to teaching science, she founded and coached the lacrosse team, coached the tennis team, and was the broadcast journalism teacher. Liz is passionate about creating an environment that encourages all students to explore, develop a love for science, and enjoy the time spent in the classroom. Outside of school, she spends her time playing and watching sports, camping, and running around with her dog, Cora. She can't wait to meet the amazing Puma family!

SPECIAL EDUCATION STAFF

Roxanne Borges has greatly enjoyed working in Irvine Unified School District for the past four years in various capacities. Her educational experience as a School Psychologist spans from the elementary level through high school. She looks forward to supporting and collaborating with the Cadence Park community. Go Pumas!

Alexa Geiger is dual-credentialed in special and elementary education and have experience working with students of all grades and academic levels. Her biggest passion is teaching and inspiring students to share her love for the learning process. She is so excited to serve as the Education Specialist at Cadence Park!

Jessica Hopkins is excited to begin her 10th year in IUSD as a Cadence Park Puma! She was recently named as Lead Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) for the Irvine Unified School District and looks forward to these two new career adventures in the year ahead. When not in her office, look for her on the open road, as she spends as much time as she can with her family exploring the great outdoors.

SUPPORT STAFF

Brittany Diaz is excited to join the team as an Elementary Resource Counseling Specialist. She obtained a Masters degree in positive developmental psychology, and later a Masters degree and PPS credential in Counseling from Chapman University. She looks forward to working with students, parents, staff, and community members, especially as it relates to social and emotional learning. She can’t wait to bring her zest for wellness promotion to Cadence Park School.

Brian Drulias looks forward to joining the Puma staff as our Physical Education Paraprofessional after accumulating 2 years of various teaching/coaching experiences out in Corona & Walnut Valley. While earning his Bachelors Degree in Finance from NAU, Brian also competed as a member of the football team. In June of 2018, he obtained his Masters Degree in Education/Teaching Credential. When not teaching, Brian enjoys working out, staying active, and coaching football. He looks forward to working closely with each student and helping them reach their fullest potential, of course all while having fun!

Mayra Avalos will serve as one of our two Library Media Technicians. She is originally from Palm Springs where she previously worked as a Library/Media Technician for the Palm Springs Unified School District. She is a UCSB graduate and is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Library and Information Science from San Jose State University. She has over 6 years of experience working in a library setting and is excited to join Cadence Park. When Mayra is not working or studying she and her husband enjoy concerts, movies, and going to the park with their dog, Marble.

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