When I am not in the classroom you may find me out on a run through the neighborhood, hiking in Malibu Creek State Park with a friend, on a walk with my two dogs Aspen and Nailah or boarding a plane to explore a new country. I spent a semester of college living in both London, England and Buenos Aires, Argentina and have not stopped traveling since. I also have a passion for music and studied classical voice at the Music Academy of the West and Pepperdine University. 

I am passionate about equipping and educating students both academically and as individuals. I love finding ways to make learning fun and relevant!

• This is my ninth year teaching 5th Grade in the Las Virgenes school district where I help lead the 5th grade team of teachers.

• I love creating fun, engaging, and effective ways for students to learn. Because of this, a fellow 5th grade teacher and I create and sell curriculum online to other teachers through nofluffteachingstuff. For a further look, click here.

• I have spent the past nine years tutoring students in elementary through high school. 

Kayla is a professional studio artist who has a passion for helping children learn and grow. Her goal is to make a positive impact on their lives while having a blast creating! While she teaches art at a local studio, we are grateful to have her leading art classes after school on our campuses. 

Destiny plans and runs kids programming for nonprofits and has an extensive background in theater. Her improv and performing arts classes are fan favorites. She will have students up, interacting and having a blast in no time! The personal growth and increase in confidence that students experience after being in one of her classes is quite phenomenal. 

Dana is an accomplished dancer, touring with some of our favorite musicians and frequently appearing on awards shows. He has been dancing since he was a child and was often cast in tv shows and movies due to not only his skills in acting but his ability to dance too. Dana is also an accomplished dance teacher. His classes are high energy, fun, and all about dance!

Lauren is a librarian at Pepperdine university where she serves as director of their Genesis Lab and Academic Center for Excellence. The Genesis lab is a space to explore new technology- including 3D printers, robots and more! We are so fortunate to have Lauren as a part of our enrichment team and leading STEAM classes.

Rylee is currently completing her professional teaching credential and honing her skills at Chaparral! She is thrilled to be teaching enrichment classes and supporting students in their learning after school. 

Joel has a wide ranging background including a degree in hospitality and creating and running kids STEM programming for aquariums. She is currently completing her PHD and creates a great balance of learning and fun in every class she teaches!

Alex is an accomplished musician, playing everything from keys to drums to bass and more. In addition to being an accomplished musician, Alex is also a master mixer and music producer with songs streaming on numerous platforms. Our students are fortunate to learn music production from Alex and have already created some class hits under his guidance! 

Coach Michael is a National Chess Master and Junior High State Champion. He has been playing chess since he was four years old and competed professionally for eight years. For the last ten years, he has been teaching chess to young kids, and his goal is to continue to grow chess among his community.

Coach Jerry has taught chess for American Chess Academy (ACA) and worked with hundreds of students since 2011. He also organizes and directs fun local winter and summer chess camps for kids every year. Each school year, Coach Jerry also organizes and directs several fun chess tournaments, typically with turnouts of 120 to 200 kids from all over the Southern California area.

Mr. Russo is a Master- 7th Degree Black Belt with decades of experience competing in martial arts and also teaching it! He teaches elementary age students and older at his studio, Limitless Karate, in Calabasas and we are so fortunate to have him with us teaching enrichment classes!

Isaiah is an accomplished editor and film producer, with not only a talent for being behind the camer but a talten for teaching film too. Isaiah's hands on film production class is one students truly love.

Ms. Wissusik teaches fifth grade at Chaparral and has been teaching in the greater Los Angeles area for years! Beyond teaching, she has tons of experience planning and running programming for kids and even used to work with the Boys and Girls Club!

Mr. Drake is a lifelong learner and an expert at all things fun–from legos to explosive experiments and everything in between! He is excited to be returning for another round of enrichment classes this year. While you might not see him on campus as often, he does a lot for us on the back end of the program!

Chai is so excited to be teaching another round of enrichment classes. While her experience is in dance, cooking and the performing arts, Chai is sure to help make any enrichment class fun and engaging!