Letters from the High School Academy Principals
High School Academy
Letter from the Principal High School Academy
Letter from the Principal High School Academy
San Juana Ochoa
High School Academy
Curriculum and Instruction Co-Director of Escuela Popular
San Juana Ochoa
Curriculum and Instruction Co-Director of Escuela Popular
Years at EP
30 years
What attracted you to EP?
That it was a bilingual school for adults with bilingual teachers and provided students with child care at NO Cost. Besides that, the director gave me confidence to learn at the beginning and later she gave me the opportunity to grow as a person preparing me to acquire my higher education from High School supporting me with full scholarship to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies. Soon I was hired as a Teacher’s Assistant and climbed every position from there to the actual one as a Curriculum Director. She believed on me as later I believed on my students.
What’s the best part of your job?
That I have had the opportunity to learn, teach, and grow from bottom to top. Learning the basics to continue my higher education from High School to University level bringing my children with me at the same time. Experienced and mastered teaching in all ESL levels to youth and adults continuously accomplishing the best experiences from students and teachers. Putting in practice my Teaching experience and strategies learned and researching to support and update the ESL curriculum to a higher academic level that is combined with the original school’s mission and vision and CCSS.
How does your passion align with EP’s vision?
I love to teach students using my Art talents that help students learn in a real life environment, and all the strategies achieved to open doors for them for their future lives. I believe on their abilities and I know I am able to transform their lives through education the same way I did. Also, I love to transfer my experience to other colleagues in order to keep alive the Founder’s dream of “Transforming lives with love”. Another way where my passion is when I apply my experience to contribute in the development of an updated curriculum that improves the existing one and it is aligned with the new CA Common Core Standards.
San Juana Ochoa
San Juana Ochoa
Olivia Cortez
High School Academy
Instructional Leader
Years at EP
15
What attracted you to EP?
Our beloved Maestra Lidia Reguerin taught us to dream, to value every member of our community, and to believe our world is beautiful. Escuela Popular allows every member of our community to dream. At EP students, teachers, and staff are able to exploit their strengths to achieve their goals.
What’s the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is having the opportunity to work with our Latino community and help every member to positively transform their lives.The vibrant learning environment at EP embraces new members, and invites them to become part of our extended family.
How does your passion align with EP’s vision?
I truly believe every student at EP has the potential to succeed. My major role at EP is to empower and guide students to a world of possibilities. This world of possibilities allows our students to become independent learners and set their own personal and educational goals.
Olivia Cortez
Olivia Cortez
Lucero Arellano
High School Academy
Dean of Student & Family Engagement
Years at EP
12
What attracted you to EP?
The resilience of our latino community. The programs that support students to a non tradicional way. The possibilities to support families that just came to this country and don’t understand the language, the culture, the values and the possibilities to support them in their goals and be able to reach out them. EP is a unique place that honors and validates the human side of people. We relate with our community with love, compassion, empty, understanding and commitment to always look for our inner and intrinsic human values.
What’s the best part of your job?
To make a meaningful impact in the life of a child or adult. To provide a safe place where people can try new things without fear of being judged. To laugh and have fun and at the same time learn
How does your passion align with EP’s vision?
EP’s is a place where we thing out of the box. We are a non-traditional school setting that takes challenges as opportunities to growth and succeed. EP’s leaders and staff have an amazing love, passion and commitment to support other people. We know what it feels to be an immigrants and had a lot of challenges. We know how oppression – such as racism, poverty, discrimination, etc.has impacted our loved ones and have a serious commitment to never give up on our community. We believe in the inner values and strengths of our community and are eager to provide the best service for our community to thrive!
Lucero Arellano
Lucero Arellano
Gricelda H. González
High School Academy
Student Achievement Director
Years at EP
8
What attracted you to EP?
My community. Escuela Popular is a quintessential family learning center and there is no other that compares. EP encourages us to be happy human beings, and in my opinion, happiness is all that we really want. We do not offer a cookie cuter approach in education and I was initially attracted to how unique and HUMAN our organization is.
What’s the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is working alongside like-minded individuals who want to change the world to be a better place, including the students, families, and my colleagues. It is a place where I can be creative and take risks, in order to meet the needs of our community whether it’s new programming, new services, etc. I enjoy equipping our students with information and resources so that they dream and hope of being whoever and whatever it is they want to be.
How does your passion align with EP’s vision?
I am grateful to work for an organization that guides me to develop leadership skills, personal skills, and my passion for instilling hope and dreams in human beings. Education systems are naturally oppressive institutions that marginalize and criminalize the most underrepresented populations. I strive to empower my community to hope and dream and to feel a part of this Earth because they, WE, matter. My passion is to humanize schools, empower my community via education, and teach with love. Escuela Popular does just that.
Gricela Espinoza
Gricela Espinoza
E. K. "EKS" Shang
High School Academy
Instructional Leader
Title
Instructional Leader
Years at EP
9
What attracted you to EP?
Escuela Popular is a place with tremendous HEART. Our staff is dedicated and caring. Our teachers are compassionate and inspiring. Our students are motivated and determined.
What’s the best part of your job?
Interacting and connecting with all of the amazing people at EP.
How does your passion align with EP’s vision?
I have a passion for excellence in education for all; everyone deserves the chance to secure a quality high school education for themselves no matter their background or circumstances. I have a strong belief in the power of education to transform individuals, families, and communities. Escuela Popular embodies the best of these ideas, and I am honored and proud to do my part to make its vision a reality.
E. K. “EKS” Shang
E. K. “EKS” Shang
High School Academy Student Handbook
High School Academy (19 Years +) Student Handbook
2016-17 English Student Handbook
2016-17 Spanish Student Handbook
High School Academy Student Handbook
High School Academy Student Handbook






