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Our Team

Administration

Dr. Eric A. Todd
Dr. Eric A. Todd
Principal
Dr. Eric A. Todd

Dr. Eric A. Todd

Principal

Dr. Eric A. Todd is a highly sought after lecturer and speaker on the topic of effective and authentic organizational leadership. He has served as a school administrator at the elementary, middle, and high school levels and is the author of, A Principled Principal, 12 Life Lessons I Have Learned About Principled Leadership!

From 2010 until 2021, Dr. Todd served as principal at NEW Academy of Science and Arts (NASA) in Los Angeles, CA.

As of July 2021, Dr. Todd now serves as the principal at NEW Academy Canoga Park, NASA’s sister school located in The Valley.

Dr. Todd received his undergraduate degree in elementary education from Oakwood University, his Master of Arts in Administration and Leadership from La Sierra University, and the Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine.

He is married to the former Carol Warren, who is also a school administrator. They have two sons, Warren and Sean-Anthony.

Eddie Castro
Eddie Castro
School Business Manager
Nina Clifford
Nina Clifford
Curriculum and Assessment Specialist
Nina Clifford

Nina Clifford

Curriculum and Assessment Specialist
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Miss Clifford earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from California State University Northridge. During that time she focused on Psychology in Education and worked with an education consulting company that taught academics, behavioral skills, and tutoring for students’ ages 3- 17 years old. Once she graduated she knew teaching was her passion! She earned her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from California State University Channel Islands. She has been a classroom teacher for grades K-5 and has been an intervention teacher for grades K-6. She loves inspiring her students to find their voices and be as creative as possible.
From a young age Miss Clifford knew she wanted to make a difference in the world. Being a teacher has helped her achieve that dream. Her favorite part of being a teacher is getting to know all of her amazing students and their families. When she is not teaching she loves hiking, painting, watching movies, spending time with family, and working on do it yourself projects.

Teaching Staff

Navelle Molina
Navelle Molina
Academic Growth & Support Specialist
Navelle Molina

Navelle Molina

Academic Growth & Support Specialist
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Ms. Molina double majored in Elementary Education and Psychology and earned her B.A. degree from Kean University in New Jersey. After moving to California at the end of 2015 she attended California Lutheran University where she earned an M.A. in Educational Leadership and her Administration Credential. Ms. Molina has taught 1st through 4th grade and has been in the field of education for over 15 years. Since the age of eight she had always wanted to be an elementary school teacher. The years she has spent as a classroom teacher mean the world to her and now that she is working outside of the classroom, she enjoys being part of a team that supports our teachers, parents, and students at NACP. Though nothing can top the pizza from the East Coast (especially from Manhattan), Ms. Molina loves being a sunny California resident.

Maritza Castillo
Maritza Castillo
EL Coordinator & Reading Intervention
Danielle Sanchez
Danielle Sanchez
Teacher
Danielle Sanchez

Danielle Sanchez

Teacher
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Mrs. Sanchez started teaching at N.E.W. Academy Canoga Park in the fall of 2019. She teaches our youngest scholars in Transitional Kindergarten and is enjoying every moment!

Mrs. Sanchez received her Bachelors of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies with emphasis on Cultural Studies. and graduated from Cal State University of Los Angeles in 2008. She is currently working on clearing her Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential. Prior to coming to N.E.W. Academy Canoga Park Mrs. Sanchez worked as a teacher assistant for twenty-four years working with the Head Start Preschool program. Her experiences also include teaching three years of summer school to students in grades 9th -12th.

Jimena Barrera
Jimena Barrera
Teacher
Jimena Barrera

Jimena Barrera

Teacher
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Mrs. J. Barrera, formerly known as Ms. J. Rodriguez, graduated from California State University, Northridge in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies and a concentration in Music. She returned to California State University, Northridge to earn a Master of Arts Degree in Elementary Education in 2009.

Mrs. J. Barrera began working at N.E.W. Academy Canoga Park in the Fall of 2007 as a first grade teacher. She has continued to work with the fantastic first graders at NACP since then. Ms. Barrera has served as the lead teacher for the first grade team for several years and in her role has assisted in the organization of many events at NACP. Over the years Ms. J. Barrera has served as mentor teacher to a number of aspiring teachers from California State University, Northridge. She is currently mentoring a student teacher from Pepperdine University and a teacher from N.E.W. Academy Canoga Park.

Chelsea Bryant
Chelsea Bryant
Teacher
Tanya Teague
Tanya Teague
Teacher
Tanya Teague

Tanya Teague

Teacher
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Mrs. Teague earned her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Development with a multiple subject teaching credential, and she is currently working on her master's degree in education. Mrs. Teague has previously taught 4th grade, as well as 4th and 5th grade special education. Mrs. Teague is thrilled to be at New Academy Canoga Park teaching kindergarten. In her spare time, Mrs. Teague enjoys traveling, going to the beach, hiking and spending time with her husband and three daughters.

Araceli Carrillo
Araceli Carrillo
Teacher
Araceli Carrillo

Araceli Carrillo

Teacher
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Ms. Carrillo graduated from Pepperdine University in 2020 with her B.A in Hispanic Studies and received a Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from the university's teacher preparation program. She is also currently in the process of earning her Language and Academic Development (BCLAD) credential.


Ms. Carrillo has made many wonderful teaching memories within and near the community of Canoga Park. She served as both a corps member and a team leader in Jumpstart for two years, where she supported preschool students in Canoga Park in their reading and writing development. She completed her student teaching placement in NACP's very own Mrs. Barrera's first grade class, where she fell in love with both the school and the students. As a teacher, she hopes to uplift her student's stories and empower them to believe they are capable of the extraordinary. Outside of school, Ms. Carrillo loves sharing meals with her family, listening to music, and spoiling her dogs.

Sara Childers
Sara Childers
Teacher

Sara Childers

Teacher
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Daniela Yniguez
Daniela Yniguez
Teacher
Daniela Yniguez

Daniela Yniguez

Teacher
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Ms. Yñiguez graduated from Pepperdine University with her B.A. in Liberal Arts and a minor in French. She received her Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching credential along with her bachelor’s degree, and she is in the process of getting her Language and Academic Development (BCLAD) credential.

Before coming to NEW Academy, Ms. Yñiguez worked with Jumpstart for two years as a member and team leader helping to promote reading and writing in low-income preschools. She also served as an English teacher at the Malibu Labor Exchange, helping day workers learn English and completed her student teaching at Sumac L-STEM Elementary School in the Las Virgenes Unified School District. As a teacher at our school, she hopes to help students achieve their dreams. This will be her first year teaching at NEW Academy Canoga Park, and she is very excited to be a part of this wonderful community. When not teaching, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with her family.

Hilary Anderson
Hilary Anderson
Teacher
Diana Hernandez
Diana Hernandez
Teacher
Anais Rodriguez (Serpas)
Anais Rodriguez (Serpas)
Teacher
Elizabeth Witt
Elizabeth Witt
Teacher

Elizabeth Witt

Teacher
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Andrea Cuba
Andrea Cuba
Teacher

Andrea Cuba

Teacher
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Aracely Gudino
Aracely Gudino
Teacher

Aracely Gudino

Teacher
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Claire Robinson
Claire Robinson
Teacher

Claire Robinson

Teacher
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Sean Greening
Sean Greening
Teacher
Sean Greening

Sean Greening

Teacher
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Kenny Han
Kenny Han
Teacher
Kenny Han

Kenny Han

Teacher
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Mr. Han earned an Associates Degree in English at Pasadena City College and transferred to California State University of Northridge and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies with a Multiple Subject Credential in 2005. Mr. Han is currently a 5th grade teacher at NEW Academy Canoga Park. He has 9 years of experience teaching preschool children and 15 years of experience teaching at the elementary school level. On his free time, Mr. Han enjoys drinking coffee, drawing, reading books and comics, playing softball, trains in Tang Soo Do, he likes the outdoors, and he loves to spend time with his family.

Jacqueline Tafoya
Jacqueline Tafoya
Teacher
Jacqueline Tafoya

Jacqueline Tafoya

Teacher
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Mrs. Tafoya has been teaching fourth grade at NACP since 2005. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts from California State University Los Angeles. She also obtained a minor in Chicano Studies, as well as a Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential.

Kaila Carlstrom
Kaila Carlstrom
Teacher
Martha Jimenez
Martha Jimenez
Teacher
Martha Jimenez

Martha Jimenez

Teacher
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Ms. Jimenez received her Master of Educational Administration on June 2007. She graduated with her Bachelor Degree on June 1999 from California State University Northridge in Liberal Studies. She receives her Multiple Subject Credential with two Preliminary credentials in English and Spanish. She has her BCLAD (Bilingual, Cross- Cultural, Language and Academic Development) Authorization in Spanish. She has taught Spanish at Middle school and she has been a regular and long term substitute teacher across all grade levels (k-12th grade). Recently, she taught already one year as fifth grade Dual Language Teacher at NACP. This is her second year in fifth grade. She loves reading, music and spend time with her family.

Todd Thorsen
Todd Thorsen
Teacher

Todd Thorsen

Teacher
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Chris Ruddy
Chris Ruddy
RSP Teacher
Valerie Hildreth
Valerie Hildreth
Visual Arts Instructor
Valerie Hildreth

Valerie Hildreth

Visual Arts Instructor
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Instructional Assistants

Makaela Blied
Makaela Blied
Instructional Assistant
Alexis Aguilar
Alexis Aguilar
Instructional Assistant
Lascelle Erskine
Lascelle Erskine
Instructional Assistant
Estefani Fuentes
Estefani Fuentes
Instructional Assistant
Diana Gonzalez
Diana Gonzalez
Instructional Assistant
Jocelyn Gonzalez
Jocelyn Gonzalez
Instructional Assistant
Dagmar Masoumi
Dagmar Masoumi
Instructional Assistant
Jasmin Palacios
Jasmin Palacios
Instructional Assistant
Rose Reyes
Rose Reyes
Instructional Assistant
Shante Sanchez
Shante Sanchez
Instructional Assistant
Nancy Sander
Nancy Sander
Instructional Assistant
Stephanie Orellana
Stephanie Orellana
Kaylie Quan
Kaylie Quan
Instructional Assistant
Stephanie Oscal
Stephanie Oscal
Instructional Assistant
Jonathan Ramirez
Jonathan Ramirez
Instructional Assistant
Yesenia Araujo
Yesenia Araujo
Instructional Assistant

Yesenia Araujo

Instructional Assistant
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Mindy Naranjo
Mindy Naranjo
Instructional Assistant

Mindy Naranjo

Instructional Assistant
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Jacqueline Torres
Jacqueline Torres
Instructional Assistant

Jacqueline Torres

Instructional Assistant
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Kevin Torio
Kevin Torio
Instructional Assistant

Office

Vanessa Garcia
Vanessa Garcia
Office Assistant
Vanessa Garcia

Vanessa Garcia

Office Assistant
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Vanessa Garcia has volunteered in elementary schools in the Canoga Park community since 2015. She strives for the growth of parent education and outreaches to a variety of community services. She is also certified by The Latino Family Literacy Project and has graduated from Project 2 inspire, a parent leadership workshop provided by the California Association for Bilingual Education.

She enjoys reconnecting with her culture and family in Michoacán, Mexico!
Mrs. Garcia has also participated in theater and has received performing arts recognitions.

Christina Han
Christina Han
Office Assistant
Christina Han

Christina Han

Office Assistant

Christina Han started at N.A.C.P in 2011. She started as an Instructional Assistant and now works in the front office. She graduated from California State University, Northridge with a Bachelor’s Degree in Illustrations.
She likes to spend her free time with her family and friends.

Alejandro Jimenez
Alejandro Jimenez
Office Assistant
Patricia Stotzer
Patricia Stotzer
HR Coordinator
Patricia Stotzer

Patricia Stotzer

HR Coordinator

Mrs. Patricia was born and raised in Germany and graduated in 2007 with a degree in Business Management and Accounting. In 2009 she moved to California and has lived in Los Angeles County ever since. Patricia loves animals, hiking and being active in general. She enjoys all types of cuisine and experiencing new food from all over the world. She also loves to travel extensively and explore new cities all around the world. The most beautiful places she has ever been to were Egypt and the Maldives!

Maggie Sorooshian
Maggie Sorooshian
Accounting & Payroll Specialist

Maggie Sorooshian

Accounting & Payroll Specialist
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Teresa Nunez
Teresa Nunez
SPED Clerk
Monica Tovar
Monica Tovar
Office Assistant
Helen Cate
Helen Cate
Librarian

Nurse

Sara Abronson
Sara Abronson
School Psychologist
Cynthia Bliss
Cynthia Bliss
RSP

Cynthia Bliss

RSP
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Ann Givin
Ann Givin
Speech

Cafeteria

Ilda Mendez
Ilda Mendez
Lola Perez
Lola Perez
Cafeteria Assistant
Jim Donato
Jim Donato
Judith Vega
Judith Vega
Cafeteria Assistant

Playground/Traffic

Cindy Jimenez
Cindy Jimenez
Traffic Officer
Mario Trejo (Traffic Control and Custodial)
Mario Trejo (Traffic Control and Custodial)
Traffic Officer
Olga Rosales
Olga Rosales
Traffic Officer

Custodial

Ramiro Vasquez
Ramiro Vasquez
Custodian
Adriana Burgara
Adriana Burgara
Custodian
Jose Vasquez
Jose Vasquez
Custodian