Our Team
Senior Leadership
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
Esther Prokopienko believes deeply that access to a high-quality education can transform lives and create previously unimaginable futures. She is committed to ensuring that all students are supported to grow and achieve. Originally from upstate New York, Esther has called the Bay Area home since 2012.
Esther Prokopienko, Principal
Maren Kato has over 14 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, developing diverse teams in educational and behavioral health organizations. In 2012, she earned her MAEd in Adult Education and Training to enhance her understanding of the adult learner. For six years, Maren taught GED classes to adults with serious mental illnesses (ages ranging between 18-68!). Observing the challenges that her adult students brought with them to their learning spaces, she created and implemented programs that addressed the underlying barriers to education including stress management, trauma recovery, executive functioning impairments, and access to resources. Finding a passion for this work, she pivoted to team development and leadership roles within behavioral health, crisis work, charter school staff sustainability initiatives, and Special Education. She advocated for bringing therapeutic interventions to vulnerable populations AND the professionals who serve them. Maren is committed to improving the student experience by empowering the adults who serve them while approaching complex issues with curiosity, fairness, equity, empathy, and vision.
Maren Kato, Head of People & Compliance
Brittany has personally experienced the transformative power of a college education. She is committed to ensuring that students in underserved communities have similar opportunities to earn a college degree, fostering economic mobility and well-being for themselves, their families, and their communities. Brittany grew up on a farm in West Virginia and later moved to California to pursue her bachelor's degree in Political Science with a minor in Education at Stanford University. To follow her passion for education, she completed Stanford's Teacher Education Program (STEP), earning both a master's degree in education and a teaching credential. Brittany taught and served as a teacher-leader at Robertson Continuation School for six years. Looking to expand her leadership in education, she went on to earn a second master's degree in Education Leadership, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship from Harvard. Brittany’s favorite subject in school was history, and in her free time, she enjoys watching Formula 1 and playing video and board games.
Brittany Martino-Weinhardt, Head of Data & Compliance
Born and raised in Oakland, Chris Washington is a passionate advocate of college access and high quality public education. As a first-generation college graduate, he has experienced the uplifting power of mentorship, one-on-one support, and rigorous coursework. He holds a BA in Philosophy from UC Santa Barbara, and a Masters Degree in English with a specialization in TESOL from San Francisco State University. Chris has spent the past decade designing curricula and supporting faculty as an Assistant Dean and Program Director at Hult International Business School, and most recently as the Managing Director of Academics at Noodle, an online program management firm. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking (and cooking shows), live music, video games, and hanging out with Mariah Carey and Nina Simone (his cat and dog).
Christopher Washington, Director of Operations
Leadership Team
Ms. Baah grew up in Ghana, where she learned to value education as a way to open doors and create opportunities. Her journey eventually brought her to Arizona State University, where her passion for learning and teaching deepened. Now, she’s dedicated to helping others reach their potential and build brighter futures through education. Her experiences have taught her that education isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about relationships, growth, and making a difference in people’s lives. When Ms. Baah is not working, she loves reading, cooking traditional dishes, and spending time with family.
Kwamah Baah, Director of Curriculum & Instruction - STEM
Robyn Shapiro, Director of MTSS
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 & Instruction - Humanities
Eric Tamriel is passionate about working in education because he believes every young person deserves a champion—someone who sees their potential even when they can’t see it themselves. Education has the power to transform lives, and Eric is driven by the opportunity to create environments where students feel safe, challenged, and inspired. Through a blend of structure, compassion, and high expectations, he strives to support students in becoming the best versions of themselves. Whether through academic support, behavior intervention, or life skill development, he is committed to being a consistent presence in the lives of youth—especially those who need it most. Dean Tamriel grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana, where his roots in community and service were shaped early on. He attended Fair Park High School and later went on to play collegiate basketball at the University of North Texas, where he earned my degree. Athletics played a major role in his development, instilling values like discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Because of athletics, he has had the opportunity to spend a decade living internationally in countries such as Argentina, Israel, and Chile. Outside of work, he enjoy traveling to new places, staying active through basketball, scuba diving, and horseback riding. These interests fuel his belief in experiential learning and the importance of giving students opportunities beyond the classroom.
Eric Tramiel, Dean of Students
Ms Erfan is passionate about working in education because she’s seen firsthand how access to the right support and resources can transform a student’s path.
Growing up in Lahore, Pakistan, and later moving to the U.S. for high school, she experienced a stark contrast between the two education systems. That shift made it clear to her: when students are given a strong support system and the tools they need to succeed, their potential can flourish. That belief continues to drive her commitment to equity and excellence in education.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading nonfiction books, exploring local coffee shops, and going on long walks to unwind and reflect. Ms Erfan is also passionate about wellness and mindfulness practices, and she’s recently been learning more about hormonal health. When she has time, she loves traveling to new cities and immersing herself in different cultures.
Nimra Erfan, Assistant Principal of Culture & Climate
Teachers
Vessela Anguelova, High School Social Studies
Melinda Boettcher, High School Spanish
Ms Buller grew up 30 minutes South-East of Seattle. She then attended the University of San Francisco where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor's in English (writing concentration). She is passionate and excited to start her career as an English teacher because in high school her English classes were always a place where she felt safe and understood. She is enthusiastic to bring her experiences and passion to the classroom!
Clara Buller, High School English Language Arts
Tobias Childs is an educator because of his High School Art teacher, Mr. McCabe, who instilled a love of art and creativity in Tobias who now wants to pass on that passion and education to more future artists of California. Tobias grew up in the mountains of Washington State where he studied art, theatre and creative writing. When he is not painting, drawing, writing or producing a comedy show, he is climbing, skiing, running, cooking or gardening.
Tobias Childs, High School Art
Jiayi Ding grew up in Shanghai, China. She attended elementary school through high school there. Ms. Ding then applied for universities in the United States and earned her Bachelor of Science degree from UC Davis. In her spare time, she enjoys video editing and creating animations, which allow her to express her creative thoughts. These hobbies have also helped her develop valuable technical skills.
Jiayi Ding, High School Math
Ms Field is passionate about working in education because she has the opportunity to spark students' curiosity in science. She wants to help students reach their fullest potential in her classroom.
She grew up in Southern California and attended UC Davis for her undergraduate degree, where she studied Environmental Science. She volunteer with the California Native Plant Society on a restoration project. She’s interested in biking, running, reading, and cooking vegetarian food. She is an advocate for alternative transportation infrastructure.
Mackenzie Field, Middle School Science
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 Grossman, High School Science
Julie Hostetter's passion for education stems from a desire to inspire curiosity, foster a love of learning, and help students discover their interest in science. Her own high school chemistry teacher instilled in her a love for the subject, and she strives to make a similar impact on her students. She is originally from the East Bay and holds a BS in Chemistry from UC Santa Barbara as well as an MS in Polymer Science from Cal Poly SLO. Outside of school, she enjoys long distance running, hot yoga, and watching the latest drama series on TV.
Julie Hostetter, High School Science
Ayesha Khalid
Ayesha Khalid, High School Biology
Jasmin Lopez
Jasmin Lopez, High School Math
Ms Ostrer is passionate about working in education because she loves working with young people and engaging them in learning about our fascinating world. This will be her 22nd year of teaching middle school social studies! Ms Ostrer grew up in North Carolina, and earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Middlebury College and Northeastern University. In 2016, she fulfilled a life-long dream of moving to California, and is so happy we did! Outside of school, she enjoys swimming, surfing, growing vegetables, learning Spanish, exploring neighborhoods and natural areas, and spending time with her teenage daughters and dog.
Merideth Ostrer, Middle School Social Science
Lucia Rios is passionate about working in education because she wholeheartedly believes that we all deserve a high quality education regardless of our background. As someone who grew up in Richmond, she has seen the impact that a caring and dedicated teacher can have on a students. Having an educator who can truly understand a student’s experience and perspectives truly makes a positive impact on students. This impact lasts throughout high school and beyond, influencing the decisions and paths we take. Ms Rios’s educators pushed her to reach the goals she set for herself. Their guidance led her to Williams College where she studied American Studies and concentrated in Latinx Studies. She was heavily involved in student organizing within her affinity groups and leading the Latinx dance team on campus. Her educators equipped her with the skills and confidence to pursue her interests in and outside of school.
Lucia Rios, High School Ethnic Studies
Olivia Robertson grew up in San Luis Obispo, California, where she started tutoring at her school’s after-school math lab in seventh grade. Through middle and high school, she had fantastic teachers who nurtured her love for math, even as she struggled with the subject sometimes. Ms. Robertson attended UC Berkeley to study mathematics, while also continuing to work as a math tutor. It was through this work that she first fell in love with education. She is passionate about working in education because she knows what it feels like to struggle in math class, and also knows that math is for everyone. She wants to pass on her love for the subject to her students, and give them the same problem-solving tools and confidence that her math teachers encouraged in her. In her free time, she enjoy cooking and baking, reading speculative fiction, playing board games, and going on long walks with her rescue dogs.
Olivia Robertson, Middle School Math
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. 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
Mr. Schauss focuses on teaching concepts that will be useful to humans, not only in the classroom, but in the course of everyday life. It is his calling to teach students how to locate those concepts in literature, especially when the source material belongs to a different historical moment than ours right now. Though born in San Francisco, Mr. Schauss spent his childhood years in Spain and England. He has a PhD in Philosophy from the New School for Social Research, where his favorite classes were on the history of Western thought and architectural design. Outside the four walls of the classroom, you can find him watching soccer (Hala Madrid!) and on East Bay playgrounds with his six-year-old.
Philip Schauss, High School English Language Arts
Jennifer Sosa is passionate about working in education because it has the power to break down barriers, challenge prejudices, and create a more inclusive and compassionate society. She believes in helping others think critically, freely, creatively, and with empathy. Ms. Sosa grew up in Richmond and attended school in Richmond so she is very excited to serve her own community! She obtained a BA in Hispanic Studies from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. She loves going to bachata social dances and would love to try other types of social dancing!
Jenn Sosa Ramirez, High School Spanish
Ms Sparks was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and spent her childhood moving around and attending a plethora of different schools. For a while, school felt like the only constant she had since she knew what to expect when walking into a classroom. It was her senior year of high school when it clicked for her that she wanted to teach. Ms Sparks wanted to contribute to the lives of students in a way that enables them to meaningfully contribute to the world they live in. She is passionate for teaching English because she believes when students learn to read, write, and think critically they can accomplish anything they put their mind to. They can advocate for themselves and their communities. She received her undergraduate degree in English Literature and studied African and African American History at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She then went on to get her masters in Creative Writing with a focus in poetry at San Francisco State University. She has lived in The Bay Area now for three years and hope to continue to be here for a long time. In her free time, she likes to do trivia games, read, and play magic the gathering or dungeons and dragons. She is truly a homebody.
Zoe Sparks, Middle School English Language Arts
Mr Zhang is a Bay Area native who loves hiking, gaming, chess and cultivation. Nothing clears his mind like exploring nature trails. A wise person once said "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" (Google it). As a teacher, he pushes students to approach problems from different perspectives because the best solutions often come from unexpected angles. Whether outdoors, at the board, or in the classroom, he believes curiosity and adaptability make life rewarding. His goal is to build a solid foundation for his students so they are ready to take their first step in society.
Hao Zhang, High School Social Science
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
Julia Wiersema grew up on the beach in Pacific Grove, on the tip of the Monterey Peninsula. Ms. Wiersema went to school at U.C. Santa Barbara… also on the beach! She loves swimming, hiking with her dog, photography, reading, hanging out with her cat, and playing the piano, the cello and the ukulele. She thinks there is nothing more important than opening up the minds of the future! It is a serious and awesome responsibility.
Julia Wiersema, High School US History
Mr Winters wanted to coach young people to use math to make better decisions in life.
He grew up in Southern CA and attended the University of Southern California.
After selling his businesses I became involved in Math education. He enjoys anything with numbers and sports. Surfing, swimming and playing basketball are his favorites but enjoy all games and sports.
David Winters, High School Math
Student Supports
Emma Aguilar
Emma Aguilar, Academic Counselor
Ariel Dale attended Fordham University in New York City and played Division 1 basketball. She developed an interest in entertainment while studying at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Dean Dale has collaborated with many successful producers of shows on Youth Radio, Amoeba, Under Armour, and iHeart Radio, all while working alongside young people.
Over the past six years, she has been developing leadership skills and empowering young people in Oakland. She’s proud to be an educator. She enjoys watching the students evolve and take pride in their accomplishments. She wants them to know that someone genuinely cares enough about their future to invest time and energy to develop their potential for leadership.
Ariel Dale, Middle School Associate Dean of Students
Chris Diener
Chris Diener, Education Specialist
Rachel Freeburg grew up in Berkeley and went to schools there. She has been an instructional aide for 18 years and loves what she does. Some of her hobbies include reading, doing arts and crafts, walking with her dog, spending time with friends/family, and listening to 90’s R&B, pop, and hip hop. Ms. Freeburg loves working with young people and seeing the world from their unique perspectives.
Rachel Freeburg, Instructional Aide
Ben Graber is passionate about working in education because he believes in the transformative power of learning- especially when young people are given tools to question, explore, and shape the world around them. Education is not just about mastering content, but about helping students find their voice, their confidence, and their sense of purpose. He is committed to creating spaces where every student feels seen, challenged, and supported, and where their diverse identities and lived experiences are honored in the classroom. Mr Graber grew up in Berkeley, California and earned my AA from Laney College before earning an BA and MA from San Francisco State University. His academic and teaching career has centered on amplifying voices often left out of traditional narratives, with a focus on oral history work in partnership with California tribal communities. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys stargazing, exploring old bookstores, tutoring students in a range of subjects and spending time with my family. He’s also presented research at conferences across the state and maintain a permanent exhibit on Alcatraz Island about the 1969 Occupation. At heart, he is a storyteller, a listener, and someone who never stops learning.
Ben Graber, SPED Program Specialist
Ms. Hansleben is passionate about working in education because it is a field that, for her, provides a perfect combination of challenge and reward. She loves the challenges and rewards of building and being part of a learning community that can serve to improve lives and create opportunities for young people and families. She is also passionate about her personal interests and feels it is her job to inspire others to try new, challenging activities no matter what age or skill level. Personal interests and activities have significantly enriched her life and those of her students; some of her favorite activities include flow arts and juggling, garden science and ecology, paddleboarding, hiking, and rollerskating. Ms. Hansleben grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and attended Columbia College for her undergraduate degree in Social Work. Shortly after earning her bachelor's degree, she moved to Arizona and attended Northern Arizona University and earned a Master’s Degree in Special Education.
Tina Hansleben, Education Specialist
Isabella Ordaz believes in the power of education as a practice of freedom. A first-generation college graduate, Ms. Ordaz studied Political Science and Women's Studies at Pepperdine University, where she learned college is a space of amazing possibility for students seeking to learn more about themselves and the world. She also graduated with a Master of Social Science from UCLA. Ms. Ordaz is passionate about helping students access higher education to encourage social mobility and intellectual growth. She was raised in the East Bay Area and enjoys taking her dogs for hikes, writing poetry, and studying for her Master of Divinity degree at Fuller Theological Seminary.
Isabella Ordaz, College Access Counselor
Jack Severson loves his work as an education specialist because he helps ensure that every student receives the best education possible. Jack knows that all students have unique strengths and face unique challenges, so he is excited to offer tailored solutions so students can meet their academic goals. He grew up in San Diego, then later moved up the coast to earn his bachelor’s degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. Since finishing his double major in Political Science and History, Jack has been working as an education specialist in Inglewood California. In his free time, you’re likely to find Jack exploring nature, jamming on his guitar, or playing with his orange tabby cat Tingmo.
Jack Severson, Education Specialist
Matt Taylor is passionate about working in education because of a sincere desire to contribute meaningfully to the next generation's growth and development. Mr. Taylor was born and raised in Gainesville, GA and graduated from Middle Georgia State University in 2017. He migrated west for work and found himself landing in California over 10 years ago. He fell in love with the state and has never looked back. When he is not teaching Government and Economics, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing with his dog, reading (especially fantasy and sci-fi), and gaming (at a computer or around a table).
Matt Taylor, High School Associate Dean of Students
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 memorable 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.
Meka Tull, School Psychologist
Operations
Sara Cano
Sara Cano, Meal Service Provider
Molly Gonzalez, School Operations Manager
Ryan Guzhnay, Enrollment & Family Liaison Manager
Christian Nieves
Christian Nieves, Tech Coodinator & OPS Assistant
Sophia Ramirez, Front Office Manager
School Leadership Contact
Esther Prokopienko, School Principal
eprokopienko@invictusofrichmond.org
Phone: (925) 435-1866
Office Hours: Fridays, 3:00-4:00 PM or by appointment