Meet Aleta Williams (she/her), the proud principal of 107th Street Elementary School & STEAM Magnet. We connected to discuss how the support from the Partnership has helped her build strong systems and foster a thriving school culture at 107th. Read more below. Williams has worked in the Los Angeles Unified School District for 25 years,...
Yarely Baltazar (she/her), a senior at Santee Education Complex, is preparing to embark on an exciting new chapter at the University of Southern California (USC). Recently accepted to USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, she plans to major in public relations and advertising, combining her passion for business, creativity, and social engagement. Although naturally...
Meet Jaqueline Jones, 5th grade teacher at 107th Street Elementary School in Watts. Mrs. Jones is also a resident mentor in the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools’ Teacher Residency program, which prepares and trains educators for a year in collaboration with Alder Graduate School of Education and allows them to earn their teacher credentials and...
Meet Jace Avila (he/him), a sixth grader at Markham Middle School. We connected to discuss his career ambitions in STEM. Read more below. Since he was a third-grade student at Grape Street Elementary, Jace has known that he wants to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Though still undecided on his...
Meet Olivia Vaca (she/her), a senior at MSTMA at Roosevelt. We connected to discuss her musical experiences and goals for the future. Read more below. Olivia is a prime example of determination, resilience, and ambition. With a flawless attendance record, she is unwavering in her commitment to academic excellence, having completed 14 advanced placement (AP)...
Meet Christian Melgoza (he/him), the proud winds, percussion, and digital music director at Hollenbeck Middle School. We recently connected to discuss his music education journey and how he inspires students to embrace new challenges. Read more below. Melgoza’s journey into music began in 4th grade when he agreed to support a friend who did not...
Meet Frank Sanchez (he/him), a 3rd-grade teacher in his 34th year at Figueroa Street Elementary School. We recently spoke with him to discuss his journey in education. Read more below. Frank’s path to becoming an educator was unplanned, but his passion for learning and helping others has always guided him. This passion was sparked in...
Meet Dalila Lawrence (she/her), Jordan High School alum and first-year at California State University, Long Beach. We connected to discuss her college-going experience. Read more below. In 2024, Jordan High School celebrated a significant milestone: a remarkable 24 percentage point increase in the number of Black students accepted to four-year colleges compared to the previous...
Meet Danni Hernandez, a 6th-grade math and science teacher at George Washington Carver Middle School. Danni Hernandez is making an impact in her first year at George Washington Carver Middle School after transitioning from teaching 5th-grade math at Dolores Huerta Elementary. With three years of teaching experience, Danni brings a unique blend of energy, passion,...
Meet Flor Elena Chacon Tovar (she/her), a senior at Santee Education Complex. We connected to discuss her experience as a Los Angeles Youth City Council member. Read more below. Flor’s interest in the Youth City Council—a year-long program that teaches youth about local government, involves them in community projects and events, and allows them to...
Meet Katherine Castro (she/her), a 12th-grade student at Jordan High School and a member of Partnership’s Policy Advisory Board. We spoke with her about what she’s looking forward to during her senior year. Read more below. As the school year kicks off, many high school seniors are filled with excitement and anticipation, eager to make...
Meet Crista Baisley (she/her), a 7th and 8th grade English Language Arts (ELA) teacher at Carver Middle School. We recently connected to discuss her experiences after completing her first full year of teaching. Read more below. Crista always knew she was destined to become a teacher. Her struggles as an auditory learner in a mostly...
