2020-21

List of 13 items.

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  Mitchell Alexandre

  Director of Upper Elementary (3^rd-6^th)
  Mitchell started his career as a primary school teacher in a co-teaching environment for 16 years at Columbia Grammar in New York. He then moved to the Assistant Head of the Lower School role at Fort Worth Country Day, and most recently served as Principal and Vice-Principal internationally. He has master’s degrees in Education Leadership and Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Columbia University Teachers College and Bank Street College of Education. Mitchell brings a focus on curriculum development, a student-centered approach, social-emotional learning and diversity to The Center.
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  Akeen Bernard

  Plant Engineer
  Akeen joined our Facilities team this past April as Plant Engineer. Akeen comes to the CEE community with over fifteen years of facilities and plant engineering experience. Most recently, Akeen served as a Building Engineer, managing several large facilities with Colliers International. Akeen is OSHA and EPA Section 608 technician certified.
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  Arapaie Black

  First Grade Teacher
  Arapaie’s career as a teacher began when she served as an AmeriCorps member in Rochester, New York. Her experience as an elementary teacher’s assistant showed her the powerful impact of education. Following her time in AmeriCorps, she earned her master’s degree in Elementary Education from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. After graduating, Arapaie became a founding first grade teacher at Equitas Academy #3 in Pico-Union.
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  Jill Collito

  Fourth Grade Teacher
  Jill has over 15 years of elementary experience, including teaching second grade at CEE from 2013-2017. Prior to returning to CEE this year, Jill spent three years living in Boston. During her time on the East Coast, Jill taught fifth grade at The Chestnut Hill School and third grade at The Fessenden School. She has also been working as a Curriculum and Instructional Designer for a new social-emotional curriculum, Fly Five, with The Center for Responsive Schools and Responsive Classroom.
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  Amy Flemming

  Senior Instructional Support Teacher
  Amy previously taught both physical education and in the classroom as a certified teacher. She has spent the last 20 years working as an administrative assistant and being very involved in the Parent Association of her children's elementary school (our very own CEE!). Amy shares that she is most proud of being a parent, and is excited to be returning to working full time as part of a school community, especially one she loves as much as The Center.
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  Olivia Gadson

  Upper Elementary Learning Specialist
  Olivia previously served as an educational therapist, providing one-to-one instruction to help students gain confidence in their academic abilities, and as a behavior therapist for students diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. She also worked as a substitute teacher while obtaining her master’s degree in Educational Therapy from Cal State Northridge. Olivia’s passion for education stems from students finding value in overcoming challenges and exploring themselves in the process.
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  Ashanti Gordon

  In-House Floating Master Teacher
  Ashanti joins the CEE community following several years teaching Kindergarten through fourth grade as a reading specialist and special educator. She is originally from Connecticut and attended the University of Connecticut. Ashanti has also earned a master’s degree in Educational Psychology with a focus on special education and literacy support. In her free time, Ashanti enjoys making and teaching art.
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  Casey Haltom

  Kindergarten Teacher
  Casey comes to CEE from New York, where he taught at Grace Church School for 14 years, serving as a lead teacher in the Pre-K classroom for the past 12 years. He was also the director of the NYSAIS Beginning Teachers’ Institute conference for the past 5 years. Casey grew up in Texas and attended Southwestern University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Music in Vocal Performance. He earned his master’s in Childhood Education from The City College of New York. 
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  Paola Jeon

  Second Grade Teacher
  Paola joins CEE following a move from New York, where she worked at a school, P.S. 87, for four years. Paolo started as a lower elementary reading specialist, teaching first grade and Kindergarten, both in general education and integrated co-teaching classrooms. She previously taught Pre-K at the Rita Gold Early Childhood Center, which focuses on the whole child. Paola holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.
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  Jesse Mariel

  Day Porter
  Jesse is originally from Oakland, California, and he grew up in Los Angeles with his two older siblings. This past spring, Jesse joined the CEE facilities team as our Day Porter. Before becoming a member of The Center’s team, Jesse served as a member of the CEE night cleaning crew with Start Fresh Building Services, having worked with them for several years. He is looking forward to the opportunity to get to know faculty, staff, parents and students in The Center community.
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  Megan Loughman '05

  Covid Compliance Officer
  Prior to joining CEE in January 2021, Megan worked as a Social Innovation Coordinator at the Goldhirsh Foundation, a private family foundation based in Los Angeles. She started at the Goldhirsh Foundation as an intern in 2015 and worked there through graduate school and beyond. Meghan received a Master's degree in Public Policy from USC's Sol Price School of Public Policy in 2019 and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Megan will be attending Antioch University Los Angeles for a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential beginning in April 2021, and is a proud Center alumna!
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  Rebecca Schollmeyer

  Third Grade Teacher
  Rebecca comes to CEE after two years teaching at an International Baccalaureate PYP school in Milan, Italy. While in Italy, Rebecca taught inquiry-based and project-based units of study with real-world connections while incorporating Responsive Classroom practices for her students. Rebecca attended Boston College, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Applied Psychology and a master’s degree in Special Education, after which she taught for three years at a school in Boston.
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  Debbie Wilhite

  Controller
  For the past 25 years, Debbie has worked in Accounting for a variety of industries including Entertainment, Sports and Media. She earned a BS in Business Administration (with a dual concentration in Finance & Accounting) from Northeastern University in Boston. Debbie holds an active CA CPA License and is a member of the Financial Executives Networking Group (The FENG). She is originally from the East Coast but now resides in Mar Vista with her husband, daughter, and her many rescue animals.