Supporting Site Needs
*Meet Our Team*
Meet our SAUSD DB Coaching Team
Instructional Coaches are proud to support identified CA Dashboard schools year round in identified areas of need. Working daily with individual teachers, teams, and administrative leadership, DB coaches bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table.
Though coaches have been placed at specified sites, they are free to provide additional support to other SAUSD campuses who request it. We are eager to share their expertise!
Coach bio's have been provided below for sites to learn more about their varied areas of expertise.
Deborah Moure, M.A.
Deborah Moure has over 20 years of teaching experience in elementary, secondary, and adult learning environments. She began teaching English as a Second Language to adults and children. She then transitioned into teaching elementary school where she taught both 1st and 3rd grades. Later she taught Math at the Middle school level for 11 years. She holds a Multiple Subject Credential, a Foundational Level Math Credential and a Masters in Education with a focus on International Education.
During her career, she has spent many years as a teacher leader guiding and supporting teachers in pedagogical, curricular, and classroom management challenges. She promotes collaborative and reflective learning environments with strong structures and routines to encourage sustained learning and development. Supporting student engagement, Improvement Science and Literacy across the curriculum are a few of her areas of expertise.
Currently Supporting: MIT
Joshua Havlik, M.A.
After starting his teaching career in Papua New Guinea, working with The United States Peace Corps, Josh joined the SAUSD team in 2001.
Aside from two years as a Teacher Effectiveness Coach (TEC) and the last two years as a Dashboard Instructional Coach, Josh has taught various grades spanning K-8th grade.
Josh enjoys presenting to staff, working with grade-level teams, and collaborating with individual teachers with the goal of adding to teachers’ “toolkits." He can offer Cognitive Coaching strategies around reflecting on improving practice, planning conversations, and problem resolving. Josh is also adept at utilizing social-emotional learning strategies, such as "Mindfulness for Educators" or piloting the new district SEL curriculum, "Second Step," all with student learning at the core.
Currently Supporting: Taft Elementary
Maria Hernandez, M.A.
Maria has been in the teaching profession since 2007. She has a B.A. in Liberal Studies with a Clear Multiple Subjects Credential from Cal State Long Beach, a Reading Certificate Authorization from USC, and a Masters of Science in Education with an emphasis in 21st Century Learning from Cal State Fullerton. She has taught grades 2nd through 5th grade and is very familiar with the Common Core Standards.
Reading and technology are her passion. Maria enjoys supporting teachers with strategies and ideas that elevate their reading practice.
In addition, she specializes in helping teachers feel more comfortable about integrating technology in the classroom.
Currently Supporting: LRCA
Rachel Gil, M.A.
Rachel has been part of the SAUSD community as a secondary English teacher, Literacy Coach, TOSA, GATE Coordinator and TIPS new teacher mentor/PLC for 20 years. Supporting teachers and teams in implementing effective instruction & assessment practices is her passion. Rachel has extensive experience working as a Dept. Chair, TOSA, Literacy Coach, and Instructional Coach supporting effective teaching practices in secondary settings.
Because of her varying leadership roles, Rachel has helped facilitate & coach cross-curricular teams in transforming school culture & instruction. She has experience teaching students and supporting teachers within school settings that present complex, instructional & behavioral challenges.
Rachel specializes in providing support and training in UDL, Student-Centered Curricular Design, Academic Interventions, and Personalized Learning approaches.
Rachel has her MA in Curriculum & Instruction from Vanguard University, & currently supports teachers as an adjunct professor in the Graduate Program of Ed @ Vanguard University.
Currently Supporting: Carr Intermediate
Leslie Theorema, Ed.D.
Leslie began her educator journey in SAUSD as a 5th-grade teacher later transitioning to a dual immersion teacher for 7 years. Leslie supported Valley High School as a Dashboard Coach for the 2022-2023 school year and had success working with departments to incorporate literacy-based strategies across all content areas; facilitating new teacher support meetings; analyzing and progress monitoring MAP, SBAC, and ELPAC data with the administration; as well as co-planning and co-teaching to increase teacher efficacy.
Throughout her career, Leslie completed an MAED with an emphasis on curriculum and instruction in 2017 as well as a doctor of education degree (Ed.D.) from Concordia University Irvine in 2021 focusing on parental involvement and student achievement.
Dr. Theorema is passionate about making rigorous curricula accessible to all students through UDL strategies; rich academic discourse in both English and Spanish; student-centered learning; student voice and choice; setting high, yet attainable, goals and expectations; and using technology to enrich teaching and learning.
Currently supporting: Lathrop Intermediate
Cooper C'de Baca, M.A.
Cooper began his teaching career in 2002 working with special needs students in the inner city of Baltimore, MD, and he joined the SAUSD family in 2004. During his time with SAUSD, he has served in various leadership roles supporting teachers and professionals in education.
He was a CPM Teacher Leader from 2013-2019 and has facilitated workshops for school districts throughout Southern California. He has trained many of SAUSD's secondary math teachers in student-centered facilitation of learning in a CPM classroom.
He has also worked with ELA, Science, Social Studies and CTE teachers in transitioning from a lecture-based model to a student-centered active-learning environment. Cooper is also bilingual and highly adept at utilizing technology in classroom instruction.
Cooper is available to facilitate PD workshops and lesson study to provide exposure and training in technology integration, UDL, active learning and student-centered instruction.
Currently Supporting: Century/Willard
Rosa Zarate, M.A.
Rosa began working for SAUSD at 18 years old as an Administrative Clerk. At 21, she started working as a special education instructional assistant serving students with moderate to severe disabilities for ten years. Rosa became a moderate/severe special education teacher at SAUSD Adult Transition Program (ATP) for nine years.
During special education years, the main focus was to assist ALL students, of all ability levels, to maximize their vocational aptitudes, provide community experiences, increase their independence and support their self-advocacy.
"I have a great passion for Education. Mentoring, encouraging and supporting teachers is a rewarding experience."
Rosa attended Santa Ana College and earned a liberal arts degree. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Services with an emphasis in Special Education, Education Specialist Credential, Masters in Education and
Administrative Services Credential from OCDE
Currently Supporting:
Sierra/Willard/REACH (SPED)
Darlene Kriesel, M.A.
Darlene began her teaching career in 2004. She has taught in both high school and adult learning environments. During her years in teaching, her passion has always been to help students recognize their voice and agency through speaking, writing, and literature. She has promoted educating through a culturally responsive lens before the term was normalized.
Darlene’s teaching experience began at Rialto High, where she taught 9th grade ELA Honors and ELD students. Darlene transitioned to SAUSD in 2016 as one of the first 2 teaches to start the PM program at Chavez HS. As a teacher, she has consistently improved student performance by building positive classroom culture rooted in student collaboration and inquiry where students strengthened their critical thinking skills and trust. As an ILT & ELA chair, Darlene helped lead initiatives such as Advisement course creation, PBL, and Learning Walks.
Along with high school instruction, Darlene has taught English composition at Cal Baptist University, Riverside Community College, and most recently, she enjoys supporting students at Cal State University Long Beach’s Teacher Induction Program as a mentor.
Currently Supporting: LRCA/LGA
Kevin Le, M.A.
Kevin began his teaching career in South Central LA at Animo Inglewood High School, bringing a passion for equity and innovative teaching to the classroom. With 7 years of experience, including 3 years at Greendot Public Schools' Animo Inglewood Charter High School and 4 years at Lathrop Intermediate, he has consistently prioritized student engagement and equitable learning.
A proud UCLA graduate with a Master’s in Teacher Prep from Pepperdine University, Kevin is committed to addressing educational equity in communities of color. His expertise spans creating a positive growth mindset classroom, implementing equitable and restorative teaching practices, and using Eduprotocols to design rigorous yet enjoyable student learning experiences. Kevin leverages cutting-edge EdTech tools such as eGlass, ViewSonic, ChatGPT, Curipod, CANVAS LMS, and Quizizz/Gimkit to enhance learning.
As an advocate for gamified learning and the transformative potential of AI in education, Kevin enjoys exploring how AI can reimagine classroom experiences through innovative practices and immersive experiences. He believes that AI can free up valuable time for educators, allowing them to focus on what they do best: teaching.
Additionally, Kevin is a certified CTE esports elective instructor, competitive esports coach, and esports club advisor. He is trained by the NEP in restorative circles and by the RML Project in SEL mindfulness practices, ensuring a holistic approach to student well-being and success.
Currently Supporting: All Sites
Hazelle Arroyo, M.A.
Hazelle Arroyo holds years of experience in teaching various grades at the elementary and secondary levels. She began her teaching career at Synergy Academies in South Los Angeles, where she taught first grade and sixth grade ELA. After four years of serving the students and families of Los Angeles, Hazelle joined SAUSD in 2015 and has since held various roles as a fifth-grade elementary teacher, secondary ELA teacher, TIPS Mentor Teacher, CSUF Mentor Teacher, as well as GATE Coordinator.
During her time in the classroom, Hazelle inspired her students to appreciate literature, develop strong communication skills, cultivate a love for reading and writing, as well as create a supportive and inclusive learning environment for all.
She has taken an active role within the SAUSD GATE Department in providing training for teachers to hone their skills in implementing effective and engaging teaching methods to cater to the unique learning needs of gifted learners, through the use of Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) strategies.
Hazelle received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from California State University, Fullerton and Master of Arts degree in Education and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, with an English Supplementary Authorization, from Pepperdine University.
Currently Supporting: Sierra Preparatory Academy