KIPP Houston

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Staff

Alma Salman, Principal asalman@kipphouston.org

Alma has been in education for 23 years. After 13 years of teaching, she moved into an Instructional Supervisory position where she monitored curriculum alignment and staff development as well as federal data compliance for 15 elementary schools, 3 middle schools and 2 high schools. She then became the principal at Pilgrim Elementary. During her eight years as principal of Pilgrim Elementary, the team of teachers, students and administrators moved the school from a low-performing status to an Exemplary rating. Alma then became the principal at Black Middle School, a school that received the state rating of low-performing. After one year of intense dedication and commitment on the part of the entire team at Black, Black Middle School was moved out of the Low-Performing rating. Alma did her undergraduate work at The University of Texas – Brownsville. She earned a Masters in Administration in Education at Texas Southern University and then was accepted into the Harvard Principals Institute. Alma has been married for 17 years and has a 7 year old son Antonio.

Monica Barragan, Dean of Upper School mbarragan@kipphouston.org

Monica Barragan is part of the Leadership Team at KIPP Sharp. She is a University of St. Thomas Alum. Monica earned her Bachelor of Art degree in 2001 and became a Texas Certified Teacher. Throughout her seven years in the field, she taught five years of Fine Arts. She is currently enrolled in the University of Houston: Clear Lake, pursuing a Masters in Educational Management with Principal Certification.

Michelle Bennett, Dean of Lower School mbennett@kipphouston.org

Michelle Bennett is the Pre-K Lead Teacher, graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts. She is currently enrolled in the University of Houston seeking a Masters in Educational Management with Principal Certification to be completed in May 2009. Michelle has been in the education field since 1994. In her professional years, she has taught both Pre-K and 2nd grade. She is certified in Bilingual/ESL for grades 1-8.

Griselda Zelaya, Business Manager gzelaya@kipphouston.org

Griselda Zelaya is the Business Manager for KIPP Sharp and KIPP Sharpstown. Griselda has 12 years of experience working in education. Griselda received a Bachelor degree of Art from Western Governor’s University. She has two children that attend KIPP.

John Muñoz, Office Assistant jmunoz@kipphouston.org

John Muñoz is an Office Assistant at KIPP SHARP. He graduated from Stephen F. Austin and attended the Atemoztli Dance Academy in Durango, Mexico. John has 22 years of experience working in education. John is a veteran from the United States Marines and is proud to serve his country.

Cynthia Isakson, Campus Technologist cisakson@kipphouston.org

Cynthia Isakson was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She came with her husband and three children five years ago. She is a Professional Photographer with a strong background in technology. She had completed five years of School of Architecture. Cynthia has been working in the computer and technology campus level since 2003. She also enjoys developing websites, working with computers, and taking pictures.

Lauren Lawson, Pre-K3 teacher llawson@kipphouston.org

Lauren Lawson is a recent transfer to Texas, originally from Indianapolis, Indiana. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education, with a concentration in Early Childhood, from Indiana University. Throughout her college years, she mentored, tutored, and taught students from diverse backgrounds ages four to fourteen. She plans to further her career by pursing her Masters in Early Childhood Education.

Megan Denny, Pre-K teacher mdenny@kipphouston.org

Megan is thrilled to be entering her first year at SHARP as a 2009 Teach For America Corps Member. She graduated from Texas A&M University with Bachelors in Business Administration and a degree in Finance. She fell in love with teaching after mentoring and tutoring students in the Bryan/College Station area in her 3rd year at A&M, and she served on the Teach For America Staff as a Campus Campaign Coordinator while in school. Megan is originally from Dallas, TX, and has worked with children all her life in the areas of coaching, volunteering, and education. She strives to help each student attain their goals and will stop at nothing to make their dreams a reality. Megan is excited to inspire and motivate her future learners.

Daphne Norvin, Pre-K teacher dnorvin@kipphouston.org

Daphne Norvin is beginning her first year as a pre-K teacher here at KIPP SHARP. She graduated from Boston University with a degree in Classical Studies and a focus on ancient Greek and Latin language and literature. For the past several years, Daphne has enjoyed tutoring students ranging from elementary to high school. Now a Teach for America Corps member, she is very excited to join the KIPP SHARP family!

Maria Salazar-Perez, Pre-K teacher mperez@kipphouston.org

Maria Salazar-Perez, one of the four Pre-K teachers at Sharp, graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 2001. She received a Bachelor of Arts at UST with a Texas Certification in Bilingual/ESL in grades 1-8. In her fourteen years in the field of education, she has taught first, second, fourth, and fifth grade. Maria is currently enrolled at the University of Houston, pursuing a masters in Educational Management with Principal Certification to be completed in May 2009. She is a proud parent of a daughter who attends YES College Prep.

Dorothy Whitney, Pre-K teacher dwhitney@kipphouston.org

Dorothy Whitney is a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher, she graduated from Ashford University with a Bachelor of Arts. She is currently pursuing a Master's in Education through Ashford University. Dorothy has been in the education field since 1999. In her professional years, Dorothy has taught Pre-K, K and students with special learning needs. She is certified Pre-K- 4 and Special Education.

Elvia Rimer Kinder teacher erimer@kipphouston.org

Elvia Rimer is excited to be part of KIPP Sharp’s family as a Kindergarten teacher. Elvia graduated from Houston Baptist University with a BA in Bilingual Education in 2004. She has taught 3^rd, 1^st, Kindergarten, and Pre-K in Alief Independent School District. She has also been a math interventionist for grades K thru 3^rdfor the last two years. Elvia and her husband have been blessed with two wonderful children.

Candace Johnson, Kinder teacher cjohnson@kipphouston.org

Candace Johnson teaches kindergarten at KIPP Sharp. She graduated from Yale in 2008 with a B.A. in English and Film Studies. She has a Masters of Arts in TV, Radio, and Film from Syracuse University. While at Syracuse, she was a Teaching Assistant for Film Business, Health and TV, Animation, and other courses. She coached youth soccer in the Alief Soccer Club and also worked as a math and reading tutor.

Veronica Perez, Kinder teacher vperez@kipphouston.org

Veronica Perez graduated from the University of Houston with a BA degree in MIS. She worked as a Business System Analyst and Computer Programmer for 8 years. In 2004, she made the transition to teaching. She has received her certification as a Bilingual Teacher in Early Childhood -Fourth Grade and Gifted and Talented. She has taught as a Fourth Grade Spanish Reading teacher and as a First Grade Bilingual and ESL teacher where her students had exemplary Reading TAKS and Stanford/Aprenda scores. She will further her career in education by pursing her Masters in Special Education.

Nohra Urrego-Ramirez, Kinder teacher nurrego@kipphouston.org

Nohra Urrego-Ramirez is originally from Bogotá, Colombia. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts in Modern Languages from the University of Los Andes. She is a Bilingual / ESL certified teacher in the state of Texas. Ms. Urrego-Ramirez has been teaching elementary schools for fourteen years, out of those, ten have been in the Houston Independent School District where she has consecutively achieved excellent performance in the TAKS Writing in both English and Spanish. During the 1998- 1999 school year, Ms. Ramirez obtained the Hattie Mae First Year Teacher of the Year award in the Houston Independent School District. She is currently working towards a Master’s degree in Educational Administration with Principal Certification from the University of Houston Clear Lake.

Christine Guan, First Grade teacher cguan@kipphouston.org

Christine Guan, a kindergarten teacher at KIPP SHARP, graduated from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., with a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service. She majored in Culture and Politics with a concentration in Education Policy and Asian Studies. Throughout her college years, she has mentored, tutored, and taught students from diverse backgrounds ages five to twenty. Ms. Guan is coming to Houston as a 2008 Corps Member in Teach for America.

Kaleena Rosenbauer, First Grade teacher krosenbauer@kipphouston.org

Kaleena Rosenbauer, a first and second grade teacher, graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a degree in Criminology and Political Science. She taught for two years at Smith Elementary in Alief and is a 2006 Teach for America Corps Member. Kaleena is certified in Early Childhood through fourth and ESL certified in Texas. She is so excited to join the KIPP SHARP family!

Amy Straus, First Grade teacher astraus@kipphouston.org

Amy Straus is the First Grade Math Teacher. She graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Arts in 2007. She received her Masters degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Houston this past summer. She is excited to join the KIPP Sharp team this year!

Rosalinda Castillo, Second Grade teacher rcastillo@kipphouston.org

Rosalinda Castillo-Basarabescu is originally from Monterrey, N.L., Mexico. She holds a Medical degree from La Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico. She also holds a master’s degree in Public Health from the same educational institution. Ms. Castillo is a Bilingual/ ESL certified teacher in the state of Texas. Rosalinda Castillo has twenty eight years of teaching experience. Eighteen at the university level and ten in elementary schools in the Houston Independent School District where Ms. Castillo achieved excellent performance in the TAKS Science. During the 2004-2005 school year, Ms. Castillo was awarded the title of Bilingual Teacher of the year as well as Teacher of the year. She has also taught ESL courses at the university level, and is currently working towards a Mater’s degree in Educational Administration with Principal Certification from the Grand Canyon University.

Heather Phillips, Second Grade teacher hphillips@kipphouston.org

Heather Phillips graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Mrs. Phillips has taught multiple grade levels, tutored and is certified in Special Education Pre-k through 12 and Elementary Education grades 1-8. She is a Houston native and has two children. Mrs. Phillips has attended many Neuhaus classes and truly enjoys teaching.

Adam Kutac, Third Grade teacher akutac@kipphouston.org

Adam Kutac is the 2nd and 3rd grade math teacher at KIPP:SHARP. He graduated from the University of St. Thomas , in 2007, with a Bachelors of Arts in Child Psychology, and a double minor in Philosophy and Creative Writing. He is currently working on his Masters in Education Administration; anticipated completion of this degree is May 2010. Adam has taught 3rd and 4th grade in HISD for 2 years and his students have attained exemplary test scores. He is certified in ESL and EC-4th grade. Adam looks forward to a wonderful career at KIPP:SHARP.

Carmen Laboy, Third Grade teacher claboy@kipphouston.org

Carmen Laboy is originally from Chicago, Illinois. She holds a bachelor and a Master’s degree in ESL from the University of Puerto Rico. Ms. Laboy is an ESL certified teacher in the state of Texas.Ms. Laboy has been teaching elementary schools for twenty five years, out of those, six have been in the Houston Independent School District where she has consecutively achieved excellent performance in the TAKS Reading. In the year 2006-2007, Ms. Laboy was awarded the title of ESL teacher of the year. She has also taught ESL courses at the university level, and is currently working towards a Mater’s degree in Educational Administration with Principal Certification from the Grand Canyon University.

Mauricio Garcia, Fine Arts - Strings mgarcia@kipphouston.org

Valdivia, Chile native Mauricio Garcia holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi. Mauricio began his music education at the age of nine at the Escuela de Musica J.S. Bach in Valdivia. Awarded the John P. and Ellen Mosley Scholarship and the Five in Five Annual Orchestra Scholarship, Mauricio performed with world-renowned artists such as Placido Domingo, Yo Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, and Joshua Bell. As a member of the founding team of the Southern Miss Youth Orchestra, Mauricio looks forward to share his passion and love for music with his students of the KIPP:SHARP String Orchestra.

Laura Taylor, Fine Arts - Choir ltaylor@kipphouston.org

Laura joins KIPP SHARP with over 15 years of experience directing childrens’ choirs and working with young children in early music development. She has directed pre-K, 1^st, and 2^nd grade choirs at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, in Houston, where a thriving and dynamic childrens’ music program includes a yearly performance schedule along with two major musicals a year. Laura holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and French from Millsaps College and a Master of Arts degree from New York University. Laura also pursued doctoral studies at Rice University. A proud mother of two boys, Laura is excited to begin her journey with KIPP SHARP!

Marla Barragan, Office Assistant marla.barragan@kipphouston.org

Marla Barragan has been working at an elementary school as a clerk and teacher assistant. She has five years experience working with early childhood classrooms. Marla is very excited about working at KIPP SHARP!

Evelyn Lebron, Teacher Assistant esantiago@kipphouston.org

Evelyn Lebron graduated from the Urban High School in Patillas, Puerto Rico. She studied Foreign Languages with a concentration in French for two years at the University of Puerto Rico. In the past few years she has been working with children in both South Carolina and Houston. She is working towards her Bachelor’s Degree in Education.

Lindsay Melendez, Teacher Assistant lmelendez@kipphouston.org

Lindsay graduated from Alief Taylor High School in May 2005. She is currently attending Houston Community College for an Associate Degree on Business Technology. She has worked in a middle school for one year. She is happy to be part of the KIPP family.

Rosie Nuñez, Teacher Assistant rnunez@kipphouston.org

Rosa Nunez has seven years experience in Houston Public Schools. In 2006, she became a certified paraprofessional in the state of Texas. Rosa wishes to continue her education in hopes to become an educator herself. Her hard work and dedication is exemplified through her strong leadership qualities.

Janie Perez, Teacher Assistant jperez@kipphouston.org

Janie Perez has worked as a paraprofessional for 13 years and earned the NCLB certification in 2004. She has enjoyed working in the regular classrooms as well as a Resource assistant, library assistant, LEP/Records, and textbook clerk, but her heart is in a classroom helping children.

Douglas Reyes, Teacher Assistant douglas.reyes@kipphouston.org

Douglas Reyes is originally from La Union, El Salvador. Douglas comes to KIPP from the Houston Independent School District where he enjoyed working as a Reading First Interventionist. Douglas graduated from Houston Community college in 2008, and is currently working towards a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Education from the University of Houston-Sugarland. Douglas is very excited to be part of the KIPP family and hopes to work enthusiastically at SHARP.