Our Team
Emma Aguilar
Emma Aguilar, Academic Counselor
Morgan Allen works in education because she had great teachers in East Tennessee near Chattanooga, where she grew up. She wants to have the same impact on others that her teachers had on her. Her favorite subjects in school were biology and algebra. She has a BA in Biology/Secondary Education from Milligan College and an MA in Education with a concentration in teaching from the University of the Pacific. She is currently learning to knit and learning bird identification! Outside of work she enjoys reading, going on hikes, being outside in nature, gardening and knitting!
Morgan Allen, Middle School Science & Math
Alonda Alvarez
Alondra Alvarez, Middle School U.S. History
Shawn Benjamin believes that education opens doors and opportunities for students to have access to the careers and lives they want to live. She was born in Michigan and grew up in the Bay Area, primarily Marin. Her favorite subject in school was Psychology. She has a BA from UC Berkeley, and two MAs in Education, one from the University of Pennsylvania, and one from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is currently learning about dog training - obedience and behavior modification. She loves trail running (and sand dunes at the beach!) with her dog.
Shawn Benjamin, Executive Director
Dayja Broome
Dayja Broome, School Psychologist Intern
Kasey Clayton believes that education is the great equalizer. Education opens doors that may otherwise remain closed. Plus, learning is fun! Her favorite subjects were English and Political Science and she double majored in Political Science and Justice Studies at James Madison University. She grew up in Virginia and loves learning about Psychology. She is currently getting her MA degree in Special Education and outside of school you can find her reading and trying new coffee shops!
Kasey Clayton, Education Specialist
Yani Bueno enjoys working with kids and knowing that she can make a change in their lives. She grew up in Richmond and her favorite subject in High School was Art because the teacher taught different perspectives on how to view art. She loves forensic sciences or investigative work. She enjoys visiting new cities and trying new foods and wine tasting!
Yani Bueno, School Operations Manager
Talia Clement, High School English Language Arts
Megan Carter believes that quality education and being able to make informed choices about your future is a right for every child, not a privilege. Megan loves building relationships in the school community and seeing students grow and thrive! Megan grew up in London, and then Essex, in England. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Durham, UK, and more recently her graduate study at UC Berkeley, CA. Megan enjoys reading fiction, writing, traveling, and sports -- especially Arsenal FC!
Megan Carter, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
For Toby Childs, working with young adults inspires him and gives him energy. He loves trying to give back to students in the same way the amazing teachers he had in Middle School, High School and College did for him. His favorite subjects were Art, English and Theater and he is interested in learning more HISTORY!! because you can always learn more from different perspectives. He is from Mazama, Washington: Population 137. He has a BA in Creative Writing from Western Washington University and outside of school he enjoys climbing, running, art and doing carpentry around the house.
Tobias Childs, High School Art
Karina Contreras
Karina Contreras, High School College Seminar
Estefany Cortez works in education because she believes that everyone has the right to learn. Education is something that can't be taken away from anyone: it makes you powerful and you never stop learning. She is from Richmond and her favorite subjects in High School were Math and History. In college she enjoyed Child Development classes alongside psychology and Italian and hopes to learn more about the human brain and human development.
Estefany Cortez, Education Specialist
Ari Dale
Ari Dale, Middle School Associate Dean of Students
Jenny Del Checcolo grew up in the small city of Huntington, West Virginia and attended very large public schools. Band and music were at the center of her high school world. When Jenny graduated, she found herself attending a small, liberal arts college in North Carolina, which opened her eyes to new perspectives, the love of community, and learning through travel. She hasn't stopped traveling to experience world cultures since then! The center of her world currently is dance, mainly Brazilian styles that are both partner and individual, fun and spiritual. She will continue to seek learning opportunities throughout her life, in various ways. For example, Jenny recently completed a master's degree in Language Acquisition from an international university. She is passionate about working in education because she believes learning and growth are at the center of how we become open, caring, inclusive, and thoughtful people, which are key for us to develop a peaceful, equitable, and just society.
Jenny Del Checcolo, Director of Student Supports
Zuilma Garcia, Recruitment and Enrollment Manager
Jeff Grossmann loved his Engineering classes, where he got to work on a team and build projects. But he didn't get to experience this until college so he’s excited to help our students build their creativity and problem-solving confidence in a hands-on way in high school. His favorite subjects are Physics and Algebra. He grew up in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, has a BA in Engineering from Dartmouth College, and would like to learn more Spanish. Outside of work he spends time with his family, including 2 young daughters, and riding his bike.
Jeff Grossmann, High School Science
Ryan Guzhnay, High School History
Pany Jraige works in education because she loves seeing people learn and grow. Nothing gives her more joy than seeing a person do something that they didn't think was possible. Her favorite subject in High School was Geometry and her favorite class in college was a class on the role that humor has in different cultures. She grew up in Nicosia, Cyprus. She has a BA in cultural Anthropology from Scripps College, an MA in Cultural Anthropology from University of Virginia, and an MA in Special Education from Loyola Marymount University. She is always trying to learn how to use formulas in excel and google spreadsheets. She enjoys hanging out with her two kids (9 and 6 years old).
Pany Jraige, Middle School Program Specialist
Maren Kato, Head of People & Compliance
Samantha Kephart, Middle School Science
Ayesha Khalid
Ayesha Khalid, High School Biology
Colton Liu
Colton Liu, High School Chemistry
Jasmin Lopez, High School Geometry
Arturo Lopez-Levy, High School History
Brittany Martino-Weinhardt, Director of Operations
Sam Mendez enjoys serving and being part of the community where he grew up. For him, teaching math is just talking to people about what he loves all day! His degree is in Applied Mathematics from Cal Poly Humboldt. In the last year he has been learning about and practicing how to weld.
Sam Mendez, High School Math
Bailey Musselman works in education because school was her safe space and gave her the opportunity to discover the world alongside her own identity. She has always loved reading and discussing literature. Her favorite course in college was about Jane Austen's novels and their film adaptations. She has a BA in English Literature with minors in Creative Writing and Spanish from Knox College. She has an MA in Secondary Education from Alverno College and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Education from the University of Dayton. She wants to continue building her Spanish speaking skills and enjoys hiking and journaling outside of work!
Bailey Musselman, Middle School English Language Arts
Angeles Ortega is passionate about working in education because she believes that education has the power to open a world of opportunities for our students. She wants to encourage students to grow as individuals and believe in their own ability to take on the world. Her favorite classes in college were all of her sociology and psychology courses. She grew up in San Pablo and attended school in Richmond, similar to many of our students. Learning about how individuals and societies function fascinates her! She wants to focus on learning AS L soon! She also wants to learn crochet or stitching.
Angeles Ortega, High School Education Specialist
Abby Pacheco loves kids. Her favorite subject in school was history. She grew up in Oakland, attended the College of Alameda, and is interested in child psychology. Outside of work she reads mystery novels.
Abigail Pacheco, Front Office Manager
Yenzy loves working with youth in her community. She likes to be a friendly face to the students that can also support them and guide them toward college. She grew up in the East Bay. English was her favorite subject in high school and Chicano studies in college. She has a BA in Spanish Linguistics with a minor in Chicano Studies. She enjoys going on hikes and baking.
Yenzy Padilla, Operations Assistant
Corey Parker, High School Algebra II
Gareth Payne believes that education is liberation. As a first generation college student, he experienced the manner in which education can open up new worlds and possibilities, and wants to afford 100% of his students the same opportunities that he was so fortunate to have. His favorite subject as a student was English. He grew up in London and Dublin, has a BA in Psychology from University College Dublin, and an MA in Critical Theory from University of Nottingham. He would love to deepen his understanding of mathematics.
Gareth Payne, High School Government
Alex Perkins works in education because he believes all students deserve the opportunity to pursue their dreams. His favorite subject was Geometry and he has a BA in Politics from Pomona College. He grew up in the Bay Area and is currently educating himself about home improvement. He enjoys road tripping with his family and running/hiking up mountains.
Alex Perkins, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Deidre Pugh, Lunch Service Provider
Lauren Rahlson, High School Principal
Sarah Rhee has experienced firsthand the transformative impact of a great education, and wants to create these opportunities for young people. Her favorite subject in school was English. She went to Virginia Tech and has worked in Bay Area education for close to ten years. She is always working on becoming a better athlete and enjoys reading and getting outdoors.
Sarah Rhee, Middle School Principal
Libby Richmond firmly believes in the transformational power of holding all students to high expectations. She wants doors to be open for all of our students to be able to achieve whatever it is they want to in life. She grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and has been working in Bay Area schools since 2018. She has a BA in Spanish with minors in political science and chemistry from Knox College. In school, her own favorite subject was math. She enjoys reading and going on long walks with her dog.
Libby Richmond, Dean of Students
Taiye Robinson, Dean of Students
Lilibeth Rojas, High School Associate Dean of Students
Aaron Rosenthal is passionate about working in education because it presents a unique opportunity to personally transform kids' lives. Originally from our nation's capital, Aaron grew up as a student of DC Public Schools, where he witnessed the profound harm of educational inequality. Aaron’s experience in DCPS always made him want to teach. Now, after graduating from Dartmouth College, Aaron has gotten the chance to do just that. He can't wait! Outside Invictus, you can find Aaron at Fremont High School, where he plays for Oakland's professional ultimate frisbee team, the Spiders.
Aaron Rosenthal, High School English Language Arts II
Jose Salinas wants to inspire and motivate others in the same manner he was influenced by amazing mentors in his life. He wants to use his life experiences to help the next generation of learners see their true potential. He has a BA from UC Berkeley in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and aspires to further his understanding of math and science. Outside of school he trains in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Jose Salinas, Middle School Math
Leandro Torres
Vania Silva truly believes education betters individuals, communities, and societies. She grew up in Reedley, California and her favorite subject was U.S. History. She has a BA in Psychology & Anthropology from Georgetown University and an MA in School Counseling from San Diego State University. She would like to learn sign language and enjoys exploring new areas.
Vania Silva, Director of College Access
Meka Tull was exposed to the educational field at a young age because her mother was a Speech Pathologist and worked with severely disabled individuals. In high school she wasn’t sure she’d be working in education, but after completing her undergraduate program, her mother proposed she consider a job in school psychology believing it'd be a good fit for her personal and professional goals.
In high school she took a memorably physiology class and in college, she loved Black Studies courses, particularly classes related to civil rights issues, and at one time wanted to become a Civil Rights Attorney. Her BA is in Black Studies and Sociology from UCSB and her MA is in School Psychology from Howard University. She recently adopted a rescue dog so has a current interest in getting good at dog training! She was born in Oakland and grew up in El Cerrito/SF Bay Area and outside of work enjoys cooking, cycling, and spending time with family and friends.
Leandro Torres, High School Spanish
Meka Tull, School Psychologist
Jennifer Sosa
Jennifer Sosa, High School Spanish
Emersyn White
Emersyn White, Middle School ELA & History
For Soren Tjernell, any other job seems boring in comparison to education! His favorite subjects were literature and government. He grew up in Marin County, holds a BA in Literature from Claremont McKenna College, and is currently learning French. Outside of school he enjoys building forts with his son!
Soren Tjernell, High School English Language Arts
Sam Zamudio
Sam Zamudio, High School Algebra I
School Leadership Contact
Lauren Rahlson, High School Principal
lrahlson@invictusofrichmond.org
Phone: 510.994.0888
Office Hours: Monday, 4pm - 5pm
Sarah Rhee, Middle School Principal
srhee@invictusofrichmond.org
Phone: 510.994.0888
Office Hours: Monday, 4pm - 5pm