Appointed to CEO in June 2019, Grace Lee-Chang brings vast experience with large-scale, organizational change with an educational focus on professional development, curriculum, instruction, assessment, and data analysis to TAS. Prior to her appointment, Grace was the CAO at TAS. Grace is humbled and honored lead such talented and caring people working together for a common purpose. She leads through teamwork and collaboration to realize the highest outcomes for TAS students and community. For her, the favorite part of TAS is being with students and families during the start of each day as they enter school with an energetic personal greeting like a family member.

With 20 years experience in the national and international educational landscape, Grace has been a teacher, instructional coach, administrator, and educational leader in four states including New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, and California and in two international countries, South Korea and the Dominican Republic. She started her teaching career in a New York City school that adopted the accelerated school model.

Grace has dual bachelor’s degrees in History and Education and a master’s degree in Instructional Systems Design for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the University of Maryland. She also holds a master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) through a prestigious grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation focusing on urban school reform. She speaks three languages — English, Spanish and Korean.

Grace enjoys music, wine tasting, movie, traveling and learning about culture and languages with her family. As a self described wine lover, she challenges herself to blind tastes and appreciates opera, musicals and theatre. She recently started indoor rock climbing and bouldering after watching Free Solo.

Karin Figueroa joined ACES in July 2019 with an impressive background and experience as a dual language immersion teacher and assistant principal with the Camino Nuevo Charter Academy for four years.

Karin is fluently bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural in English and Spanish. She believes in facilitating life-long learning for students through faculty and parent engagement and professional learning. Her bright personality exudes passion for cultivating our ACES students and parents toward 21^st century outcomes.

Karin graduated from Cal State Dominguez Hills with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies and Teaching Credential in Spanish. She obtained her master’s degree in Child and Adolescent Literacy from Loyola Marymount University.

Kim Clerx has been an educational leader for over 15 years serving as classroom teacher, Teacher on Special Assignment, Assistant Principal, and Principal of Metro Charter Elementary which was started by parents of the community in DTLA. Her skills include staff development, community engagement, communications and team building.

Ms. Clerx graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Master of Arts in Education, and Masters in Educational Leadership from UCLA’s Principal Leadership Institute.

Kim has served TAS (TK-8) as Assistant Principal with distinction from July 2019 and has been promoted to Principal of TAS (TK-8) as of July 2020.

With a career spanning over 15 years in the field of education, Mr. Tran brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our institution. Prior to joining our team, Mr. Tran served as a dedicated site administrator, where he shouldered direct responsibility for the day-to-day operations of a school, gaining invaluable insights into the intricacies of educational administration.

Mr. Tran’s professional journey is marked by his multifaceted skills and accomplishments: his areas of expertise encompass faculty and staff development, meticulous budget planning, effective administration, innovative curriculum development and implementation, strategic planning, charter compliance, and adept management of student discipline matters. These proficiencies underscore his ability to navigate the complex landscape of educational institutions successfully.

Furthermore, Mr. Tran’s teaching background as a Physical Education and Life Science teacher adds an extra dimension to his leadership capabilities. His time in the classroom has endowed him with a deep understanding of the needs and challenges faced by both students and educators alike. This in-class experience has honed his insights into effective teaching methodologies, which will undoubtedly benefit our institution as we strive for academic excellence and student achievement.

In Mr. Tran, we have found a dedicated and experienced administrator who is well-equipped to lead our institution to new heights. His profound knowledge of curriculum oversight, commitment to professional development, and passion for faculty growth align seamlessly with our institution’s mission and vision. We are confident that under his leadership, our students will flourish academically, and our institution will continue to thrive.

Dr. James brings a remarkable wealth of experience and expertise, deeply rooted in his unwavering commitment to the success and well-being of students throughout his distinguished career.

Dr. James’ professional journey has been marked by his dedication to serving students in various teaching assignments, including Physical Education, Adaptive Physical Education, Biology, and Special Education, with a focus on Moderate-Severe students. His unwavering dedication to nurturing the potential of his students has been evident in every role he has undertaken, making a significant impact on the lives of those he has served.

As a site administrator, Dr. James has demonstrated exceptional leadership in cultivating a positive school culture that extends to students, staff, the community, and parents alike. He understands the pivotal role of creating an inclusive and nurturing learning environment where every student feels valued and supported. Dr. James’ commitment to inclusivity and equity is further exemplified by his role in expanding the outreach of athletic programs and supporting the implementation of Positive Behavior Intervention Support Programs, fostering a harmonious and respectful atmosphere within the school community.

Dr. James’ background equips him with the ability to champion culturally responsive practices within our institution. With this, he ensures that all students at our school are not only academically prepared but also culturally enriched, setting the stage for their success in college and their future careers.

In Dr. Brian James, we have found an administrator whose dedication to the holistic development of students aligns perfectly with our institution’s mission and values. His wealth of experience and commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive educational environment make him an invaluable addition to our team. We are confident that under his leadership, our institution will continue to thrive as a place where students can reach their full potential.

Dr. Crowther is honored to join TAS as the Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment K12. He has more than 20 years in education as a teacher, Inclusion Specialist, Title I Coordinator, assistant principal and principal. He most recently served as the Principal at Burbank Senior High School in Burbank Unified, a California Exemplary Arts School and Gold Ribbon School. Prior to BHS, he was the Principal at E.J. Toll Middle School, a Title I Achievement School and Gold Ribbon School in Glendale Unified Schools. In four years as a middle school and high school assistant principal Thomas (Tom) developed creative master schedules focused on collaborative time, team teaching and student enrichment opportunities.

He has taught students at all levels of K-12 education as well as teaching credential candidates at the Michael Eisner School of Education at California State University at Northridge (CSUN). He has extensive experience supporting students with mild, moderate, and severe learning disabilities and with English Language Learners.

Tom earned his Bachelor’s degree in Social Science from nearby California State University at Los Angeles, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University and his Doctorate in K12 Leadership in Urban School Settings from the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California. Originally from Washington DC, Tom has lived in the Los Angeles area since 1986. He and his wife have two children. In his spare time Tom enjoys coaching youth sports, cooking, movies, music and traveling. He is also a skilled poker player.

As a high school baseball coach for 13 years and a special education teacher for more than ten years, Tom is a firm believer in teamwork, and he is thrilled to join TAS where high expectations for ALL is met with high support for ALL ensuring college, career and life readiness in postsecondary and beyond.

Dr. Foley is a visionary leader in the realm of education, renowned for her innovative thinking, consensus-building prowess, and unwavering commitment to teamwork. With a distinguished career spanning over two and a half decades in public education, Dr. Foley has left an indelible mark on the field. Her multifaceted experience encompasses various roles, including teaching several grades at the elementary level, serving as an assistant principal, and assuming the mantle of principal in three distinct assignments. Additionally, she has held critical positions as a director of categorical programs, Director of Human Resources and notably Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources.

One of Dr. Foley’s notable strengths lies in her exceptional ability to construct and implement successful systems geared towards fostering student achievement, especially in turnaround schools. Her proficiency extends to the dynamic realm of human resources, where she has consistently excelled in guiding departments to effectively manage communications, recruitment, and internal talent feedback. As a former principal, she achieved remarkable milestones, transforming her school into a recipient of accolades such as the California Business for Educational Excellence (CBEE) Honor Roll, California Distinguished School, and the California Title I Achievement Award.

Dr. Foley’s academic journey led her to earn an Ed.D. from the prestigious USC Rossier School of Education, further enriching her knowledge and honing her leadership skills. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Dr. Foley boasts bilingual proficiency in both Spanish and English, underscoring her commitment to effective communication in diverse educational settings. With her formidable track record, innovative thinking, and deep-rooted dedication to education, Dr. Cynthia Foley is poised to continue making impactful contributions as a Chief Human Resources Officer in the ever-evolving landscape of public education.

Robert French joined the TAS organization in July 2019 with more than 13 years of experience as an administrator and five years of experience as Director of Human Resource and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resource for school districts in Orange County and the San Gabriel Valley. Robert started his educational career as an elementary teacher, assistant principal and principal in Riverside County.

Robert has knowledge, expertise and experience in all facets of human resources, including talent recruitment and retention, and building strong collaborative relationships with all members of an organization including union leaders, administrators, teachers and classified employees. He believes economic status, language and family circumstances should not lower the expectation of what our students and families deserve.

Robert graduated from Cal State Pomona with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He also obtained his master’s degrees in Elementary Education from University of La Verne and in Education Leadership from Azusa Pacific University.

On a personal note, Robert is an avid athlete, having completed numerous marathons and the Iron Man. He has four children and lives in the South Bay.

Francis Reading joined the TAS organization in 2008 and has worked in education as both a teacher and as a leader, with seven years at an elementary level, and seven years as a site administrator. He has been promoted to Director of Elementary Education.

Francis earned two master’s degrees – one in Educational Leadership and one in Curriculum & Instruction – both from Chapman University.

A resident of Rancho Cucamonga, Francis has made the long commute to TAS for the last 10 years because he strongly believes in the mission and vision of TAS. He is a father of two boys and enjoys cooking as a hobby.

Lenita Lugo has been serving the organization for more than 10 years. Lenita came to TAS in August 2009 to serve as an ELA/ELD coach, then assistant principal for two years and was then promoted to principal of TAS K-8.

Her background includes teaching both regular and special education students at grades K-12 for 10 years, providing educational therapy to remediate and diagnose areas of learning for nine years, and designing and providing training in state-approved literacy programs to both elementary and secondary teachers, and literacy consulting/coaching.

Lenita earned her bachelor’s degree from California State University Long Beach and a master’s degree in Education from California State University Dominguez Hills.

Lenita has a daughter in high school and enjoys cooking.

Kim Sheehan comes to TAS after serving as a leader in public education for over 20 years, with experience in elementary, middle, and high schools. After beginning her career in education as a high school English teacher and counselor, Kim went on to work as a principal of an elementary coding and dual language immersion school. She is passionate about educational access and is dedicated to implementing operations support to ensure all students reach their fullest academic and socioeconomic potential.

Kim graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Public Relations. She also obtained her master’s degree in Pupil Personnel and Administrative Leadership from Azusa Pacific University. She was awarded her doctorate from USC Rossier and her dissertation study focused on equitable hiring practices.

Kim is a proud mother of three, a former softball player, and enjoys rowing for exercise.

Steve is a seasoned CBO who has worked for over 20 years in public education overseeing the Business and Finance Departments. He often carries a football to remind himself and others of the importance of teamwork and the role of finance to support the academic achievement of students.

Steve most recently managed financial operations of an annual budget of approximately $300 million as the CBO of Glendale Unified School District.

Debbie Kukta brings over three decades of business and financial experience and expertise from both the private and public sectors to TAS.  In her most recent role as Assistant Superintendent, Administrative Services for the Burbank Unified School District (BUSD), Debbie increased reserves from 3% to over 20% over a three-year period, brought in a $5 million FEMA grant to pay for COVID testing of staff and students, and issued refunding bonds, saving taxpayers over $4 million.  Debbie was elected to the BUSD Board of Education in 2005, serving seven years in that role until being appointed as Burbank City Treasurer in 2012.  Private sector roles include serving as Vice President and President of Trojan Rivet Corporation and as an audit professional for Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. (now KPMG).

Debbie received her undergraduate degree from California State University, Northridge in Business Administration (Accounting) and an MBA from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.  Debbie is a Certified Public Accountant and a Chartered Global Management Accountant and earned a School Business Management Certificate from the USC Rossier School of Education.

Debbie is the proud mom of two sons, two stepdaughters, and a stepson, and grandma to Graham, Alister, and Wilkes.  She enjoys supporting the Burbank Community, currently serving as a Board Member for the Burbank Noon Kiwanis and the Burbank Police Foundation and is passionate about providing college and career access to students.  Watching sports, hiking, and reading are some of Debbie’s favorite activities.

Born and raised in Southern California, Tom managed his family’s fine-dining restaurant while in college, then spent his early career designing, managing and developing a diverse range of commercial  operations. While acting as Director of Facilities at his alma mater USC, he directed operations, maintenance, space planning, and major construction projects for the Dental School. Over his extensive career he has worked closely with staff, faculty, donors, architects, and a diverse range of trades and contractors. At The Accelerated Schools he utilizes his experience, intuition, creativity and extensive skill-set to not only provide safe, attractive and functional facilities, but also to deliver results, motivate personnel, and assist the leadership team to deliver on the organization’s mission and vision.

Carlos Garcia started his career as a teacher. He is an experienced IT coordinator in academic environments, certified as CTE Information Technology instructor. He has over two decades of experience managing servers, desktops, and networks.