Amy Coventry

Amy Coventry has been a Student Advocate at C.L.A.S. since its inaugural year in 2003. She has a Professional Clear Teaching Credential and a master’s degree in school counseling and a B.A. in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University.   She began her career in education as a teacher at 118th Street School in South Central in 1997, where she quickly became an avid supporter of the Academic English Mastery Program, the inspiration behind the C.L.A.S. vision.  Amy came to C.L.A.S. from Los Angeles Unified School District, where she was coaching classroom teachers in the use of culturally responsive teaching as an AEMP facilitator.

Today, Amy is a fourth grade Student Advocate. In addition, she acts as a consultant with the Center for Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning educating teachers about culturally responsive teaching practices through workshops, demonstration lessons, and peer coaching. In her spare time (ha, ha), she plays volleyball, reads, jogs, and spends time with her husband and family.

Kimishawne Davies

Kimishawne Davies received a BA from California State University, Northridge in African-American Studies. She completed her Master's and credential coursework at National University. Before coming to CLAS she worked in second and third grade classrooms with under- served children for five years serving the city of Compton. She has been teaching second grade at CLAS for 2 and a half years.

Dr. Letitia Johnson-Davis

Letitia Johnson-Davis became involved in elementary education at a young age. She began teaching French at her youngest sister’s school at the age of 15 and continued working with children throughout her undergraduate years at Saint Mary’s College, where she received her B.A. in French in 1998. She received her Teaching Credential and finished her Masters from Chapman University in 2001. In the spring of 2006, she completed her terminal degree from the University of Southern California. Her doctoral research compared reading acquisition of first grade African American boys, in two classroom settings: one that is culturally responsive and one that is culturally neutral.

Entering into her tenth year of classroom instruction, Letitia has
taught in Oakland, Vallejo City Unified School District and Los Angeles Unified School District. She has been a District Trainer of culturally conscious curriculum planning and implementation for African-American children, a teacher presenter of culturally relevant pedagogy, a “Teaching Africa” Workshop presenter, a Coordinator for Freedom Schools, as well as a consultant working with the Center for Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning for the past three years.

Fanta Hairston

Fanta Hairston received a BS from University of California Irvine in Chemistry with a minor in Education. She completed her credential coursework at Loyola Marymount University. She began her career in education teaching middle school math and science at Wilder’s Preparatory Academy. Before coming to class she taught at Dominguez High School. Ms. Hairston has been teaching at CLAS for 1 and a half years.

Le'Vada Gray

Le'Vada Gray has four years of teaching experience in fourth and fifth grades. She received her teaching credential from Mills College in Oakland and is completing her credential and Master's degree in Educational Administration at National University in Los Angeles. Le'Vada has also served as a Grade Level Student Achievement facilitator for the Academic English Mastery Program. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, and has worked as a reporter for the St. Petersburg(FL) Times, San Francisco Examiner, and Chicago Tribune online.

Robin Leach

Robin Leach is a native of Los Angeles. After graduating from Los Angeles High School, she attended Oregon State University for two years and then returned home to finish her undergraduate work at the University of Southern California. Robin earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a concentration in International Finance.

After two successful years in the securities industry, Robin entered the non-profit industry. She became involved in education while working with Mike’s Math Club, a program of the Milken Family Foundation. During this time, Robin realized her true calling; she soon left private industry to join LAUSD as a full time classroom teacher at 52nd Street Elementary School. Robin entered the District Intern program and earned her Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential and BCLAD Credential in 1999.

Over the past 10 years, Robin has taught 2nd and 3rd grades, 2nd grade Intensive Academic Support, and kindergarten. In addition to her regular teaching duties, Robin has served as Standards Based Coordinator and as a GSAT participant of the Academic English Mastery Program. In the spring of 2003, Robin jumped at the opportunity to be part of Culture and Language Academy of Success. She has taught kindergarten at CLAS since September 2003, its inaugural year.

Lydia McClanahan

Lydia McClanahan has been teaching middle school Language Arts for 13 years. She received her Bachelor's of Arts in English from California State University Los Angeles, a Master's in Child and Adolescent Literacy from Loyola Marymount University, and her teaching credential from LAUSD's District Intern Program. She began teaching for the District Intern Program in 1998, and has supported new and beginning teachers as a LAUSD Mentor Teacher and BTSA coach.  From 1999-2004, Lydia served as a facilitator for the Advanced English Mastery Program (AEMP).   Ms. McClanahan is also a National Board Certified teacher.

Miguel Mendevil

Miguel Mendivil has been an educator for 17 years serving mostly urban, inner-city, Mexican American and Latino communities in Los Angeles USD in many classroom grade combinations. As an administrator, Miguel served in instructional and curriculum policy support roles. His focus of expertise is in the areas of linguistics, second language and culture acquisition, critical thinking, culturally relevant curriculum and pedagogy, as well as the impact of these issues on urban Latino, Native American and African American children.

Kim Min

Kimberly Min holds a Bachelor’s degree in Ethnic Studies from the University of California, San Diego. She earned her teaching credential and Master's degree in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles and is a National Board Certified Teacher. She has six years of experience in the first, second, and third grades. Mrs. Min has also worked as a guiding teacher for UCLA’s Teacher Education Program and Teach for America, and as a facilitator for the Academic English Mastery Program. She has presented at the Academic Education Research Association, published work for Teaching to Change L.A. Journal, and is featured in the book, Teaching to Change the World, 3rd edition.

Sonji Owens

Sonji Owens earned a Bachelor's of Arts degree and a Multiple Subject teaching credential from California State University Dominguez Hills. She has worked as an elementary teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District for 17 years. She also served as a teacher facilitator for the Academic English Mastery Program for several years. Sonji has a passion for developing and creating MELD lessons and activities. She has conducted professional developments and workshops to facilitate the implementation of Mainstream English Language Development and culturally responsive teaching.

Dr. Chris Moggia

Dr. Moggia is a licensed elementary school teacher and technology advocate. He worked as a 3rd/4th/5th grade teacher at 99th Street Accelerated School for six years and as a Technology Training Consultant for the Los Angeles Unified School District. Dr. Moggia also worked as an advisor to the Language Development Program for African American Students (later the Advanced English Mastery Program). He spent nine years in private industry, working with online teacher professional development courses for UCLA Extension, the University of San Diego, and Walden University. He earned his doctoral degree from UCLA in 1998.

Kiechelle Russell

Kiechelle Russell graduated from California State University, Northridge with a BA in African-American Studies.  She earned her teaching credential in Special Education with an emphasis on Mild/Moderate Disabilities at California State University, Dominguez Hills.  Mrs. Russell taught for three years in a Special Day Class before coming to CLAS.  She is currently working on a Master’s degree in Special Education and anticipates graduation from California State University, Dominguez Hills in May 2007.  She served as a facilitator for the Academic English Mastery Program for two years.  She has been teaching second grade for the last four years.

Daniel Russell

Daniel Russell began his teaching career in 1994 as a Teach for America participant, earned his credential through the LAUSD District Intern program, and is the recipient of the Golden Apple Award. He has taught grades 3 through 8 and served as a facilitator for the Advanced English Master Program, as an English Language Coordinator, and as an advisor (CMA) for Teach for America. He currently teaches in the middle grades at the Culture and Language Academy of Success (CLAS) in Inglewood, CA. Mr. Russell earned his National Board Credential for Middle Childhood, Generalist, in 2001. He is currently writing and illustrating a children's book.

Yvette Williams

Yvette Williams teaches 3rd grade in the Fontana Unified School District and Interactive Reading at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga. She earned her multiple subject teaching credential from California State University of Los Angeles and a masters degree in Language Arts with a reading specialist credential. Yvette taught 3rd grade in the Los Angeles Unified School District for eight years where she was a facilitator for the Academic English Mastery Program. She has conducted workshops, demonstrations and professional developments to help guide teachers in the implementation of Mainstream English Language Development into the classroom.