I bring more than 16 years of experience in education to my role as Campus Director. My background includes providing leadership to academic teams, ensuring education quality, managing operational effectiveness and promoting campus development. Prior to joining our Newport Beach campus I served as Regional Director of Operations for Strayer University's Florida, Maryland, Washington D.C, and Virginia regions, where I led a team of 18 Campus Directors. I have a Bachelor of Business degree in Management from Strayer University.

I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics from the University of California, Davis, a Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies from Missouri State University, and my Master of Arts in Education (along with my teaching credential) from the University of Phoenix. I have spent most of my educational career teaching Social Sciences (History and English/Language Arts) at a private high school in the Bay Area. I have been with Futures for about a year and a half. Professionally, I have a great affinity for teaching and mentoring students with learning differences as well as much experience teaching multiple Advanced Placement courses (including US History, World History, European History, English Language, English Literature, Government, Microeconomics, and Macroeconomics). 

Outside of my professional commitments, I have coached 15 years of high school women's basketball at two different high schools in Northern California and have been coaching youth and high school soccer for the past 10 years. I live in Aliso Viejo with my wife, Tracy, and a daughter, Erica, and a son, Davin, both in high school.

 

I graduated college with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, and in 2015 I earned my Masters Degree in Education with a Major in Guidance and Counseling. I have worked in the counseling area for 6 years prior to Futures Academy. I love working with students and  helping them reach their life goals. As the Director of Student Success, I try my best to ensure the students and their families are happy with the services we provide on campus.

In my spare time I love discovering foreign cultures, places, and food with my husband. I can also be a homebody at times, wherein I enjoy home activities like painting, cooking, and watching movies, especially Lord of the Rings!

Fun fact: I love ice cream and I can eat a whole pint by myself.

I work with families and students to guide them into the best programs to accomplish their educational objectives. Since graduating from California State University, Long Beach with a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies/Teacher Education, I have been in management positions working with families to further their educational goals and find the right programs for their children to flourish in. During the past 10 years, I have worked in educational environments with students and families including tutoring centers and after school programs. Most recently, I was a center director for Sylvan Learning in Irvine and before that I was a center director at the YMCA of Orange County. In these types of roles, I have had the opportunity to help families as a teacher, counselor, and guide to reaching their personal and academic ambitions. 

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my wife and two young children, surfing, playing guitar and playing soccer.

As the Campus Operations Coordinator I provide administrative support and help with scheduling. I enjoy all of the interactions I get to have with our students and parents. I enjoy being able to help students with any of their concerns and help guide them to ensure their academic success. 

My hobbies include traveling, trying new restaurants, cooking and spending time with my loved ones. I am very passionate about helping people and I enjoy binge watching shows.

Fun fact: I have traveled to Saudi Arabia to explore a variety of historical sites. 

As a Campus Operations Coordinator, I love the interactions I get to have with the students and seeing how they thrive in the one-to-one model. I am responsible for all the scheduling for the student/teachers and support in enrollment efforts.

My hobbies include traveling, discovering new restaurants to try, hiking and shopping.

Fun fact: I have played golf since I was eight years old and played in high school and college, but haven’t touched a golf club since my last college game.

Prior to Futures I served as Executive Director of Computer Explorers, UAE in the United Arab Emerates, which specializes in teaching technology, coding and robotics classes. I began my career as a teacher in Iowa City before moving on as an international educator and consultant in private American and British schools abroad. While abroad, I went on to found and serve as Executive Director of Little World Science Discovery Center in the UAE. While there, I also founded and served as Executive Director/Curriculum Director of STEAM Academy as an integration of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Graphic Arts and Mathematics) principles and inquiry-based education. Originally from the United States, I  graduated with Honors from the University of Iowa with a BA in History/South Asian Studies. I achieved CELTA teaching certification from the Cambridge Certified British Council in UK, Walker Methodology certification and holds an ADEC teaching license.

Ashley's goal is to empower students to help them achieve success. She has dedicated several years at the California State University system as a Graduation Specialist, Psychology Lecturer, and Associate Director of Academic Advising. Her expertise lies in providing leadership in designing, coordinating, and implementing multiple high-impact programs that promote student engagement, leadership, and persistence. As an educator, Ashley believes that it is vital to be aware of environmental cues and effective teaching strategies that will contribute to the learning and education of each student. This requires utilizing research to artfully make an impact. She believes the best educators are artists!

Ashley is a proud Golden Bear and Crimson. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Liberal Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Harvard University. 

June is the Director of School Quality serving all 16 + campuses in California. Prior to Futures Academy,  June was a center director for Sylvan Learning Centers, and also worked as an assistant director for an after-school program. June has over 10 years of experience working with students of all grade levels. She has a passion for education and believes each and every student deserves a chance to reach his or her fullest potential. She received her Bachelor’s of Arts in Liberal Studies/Teacher Education from Dominican University of California, and her multiple subjects teaching credential from California State, Los Angeles.

As the English Department Lead, I help both students and teachers alike get the most out of their English courses. As an English teacher, I hope my students walk away from their courses with me having discovered at least one author or poet they thoroughly enjoyed while demonstrating an improvement in their writing skills. I have also spent a lot of time making sure the AP English courses are as interesting as they are rigorous and that they adequately prepare the students who take them for the AP exams. Aside from English courses and managing clubs, I also teach history classes. Outside of classes, I have been the advisor for several clubs on campus (Cooking Club, Yearbook, and ASB). My goals with these clubs are to guide the students in building skills that will help them outside of school and in the future and creating a fun, happy environment on campus. Overall, I really enjoy seeing students grow and discover their identities, both inside and outside of class.

Outside of teaching, my hobbies include traveling, discovering new restaurants to try, cooking & baking, reading & writing, and singing. I look forward to teaching and getting to know each and every one of my students and learning about their interests as well!

Since joining Futures Academy, I have been lucky enough to build strong relationships with both staff and students - and I look forward to continuing. Teaching has been my passion for over a decade, and I’ve been fortunate to make some great friends along the way. Working at the Newport Beach campus has been a wonderful experience and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the next academic year.

I am a deeply curious person, thus my interests are wide-ranging to say the least. I enjoy playing music, studying languages, gardening, and spending as much time outdoors as possible. I’ve spent several years living and working abroad in various countries, which has only strengthened my passion for learning and experiencing life in all of its varieties.

Fun fact: My most cherished travel souvenir has got to be our lovely Vietnamese cat: Bánh Mì.

I graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Traditional/Digital Media Arts and Design, with a concentration in Animation and Production Management. During my undergrad, I enjoyed teaching Art, Animation, and Graphic Design not only at Orange Coast College in the D.M.A.D. Department but also to nonprofits organizations like The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity and Children's Hospitals (OC/LA). In addition to my time at CSUF, I have had the privilege of working in two internships at DreamWorks Animation TV (Dinotrux) and DreamWorks Feature Animation (Larrikins). After spending so much time learning how animation films are made, I continue to pursue my passion for the production and development of animated films.

As Head of the Art Department at Futures Academy, my goal is for my middle and high school students to collaborate with each other learning how to solve problems, develop their self-esteem, practice their skills through (drawing, 3D design, photography, 2d/3d animation, painting, digital media design, studio art AP, art club), find inspiration and learn from the world around you.

In my free time, I like to go to different cafes, Disneyland, travel, read animation books and spend quality time with my family and friends. Above all, I enjoy observing life through my drawings and animations. 

Fun fact: Every time I finish watching an animated movie, I like to Frame by Frame each scene to see how the animator has created the illusion of acting. Please keep In mind that animated movies take about 1 hour and 40 minutes in real time.

I mainly teach Spanish, but also teach some Social Studies. I graduated from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania with a major in Spanish. I have a single-subject Spanish teaching credential and a Master’s degree in Language Development. I chose to spend my junior year abroad in Madrid, Spain living with a non-English speaking family and attending a Spanish university. I also lived in Cuernavaca, Mexico with a family for a summer.  Both were fantastic experiences!  Not only did I study language, culture, history and art in Spanish, but I was immersed in the culture and gained insights I share with my students.

I so appreciate the opportunity to teach students one-on-one after being a classroom teacher in the public school system and having 35 students per class. I am now able to customize the pace, assignments and teaching methods for each student to maximize learning. I also enjoy the chance to get to know my students better on a personal level.

Although I grew up in New Jersey, I have lived in San Clemente, California for the last 12 years with my husband, John, our two children, Drew and Grace, and our adorable rescue dog, Gigi. In my free time, I enjoy yoga, reading, walking the beach trail, biking and trying new restaurants. I never take the beautiful weather here for granted!  

I have been working here since March of 2017 and absolutely love it! I have the responsibility of teaching English; however, I also fill the role of the College Readiness Counselor. I graduated from California State University of Fresno, where I earned a B.S. in Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology. I am passionate about mentorship and genuinely seek to positively impact the lives of my students. I genuinely love my job and strive to make a difference! If the students saw themselves through my eyes, they would never question their abilities or potential! 

Aside from teaching, my hobbies and passions revolve around my family and exploring this beautiful world we live in! I just recently moved to Newport- back in 2017- and love everything it has to offer! Coming from a very small town has kept me well-rounded and down-to-earth, but I definitely prefer all the food, entertainment, and activities that a bigger city has to offer. I have a wonderful husband and four stepchildren, who I call my own! I thoroughly enjoy staying active, weight lifting, hiking, art museums, music festivals, and the beach. 

I am just about to start my sixth year here at Futures. I love the one-to-one model because we are truly able to transform our students and make them realize how successful they can be in their classes. Many of our students had never realized it before at their traditional schools. Watching them make that realization is amazing.

I have a 4 year old son named Westin who does nothing but make me smile.

Fun fact: I once beat Tiger Words…in basketball. He destroyed me in golf.

I have two bachelor’s degrees in Electrical Engineering and Business-Economics from the University of California, Irvine. I started tutoring Math and Science when I was an undergraduate student and that was when I found my passion for teaching! Watching the students conduct experiments and apply what they learned in class motivates me to work harder, specifically for our dynamic students.

There are three people in my family and I am the only child, but I am not spoiled! Although I am the only child, I never felt alone because I am sociable and have a lot of friends.  In my spare time, I enjoy hanging out with my friends, love reading novels, and am thrilled about watching scientific movies.

Fun fact: I am a child at heart! I love watching Disney cartoons and play video games on my phone as way of relaxing.

I have been a teacher in various schools and subjects for 15 years. Working here has been my favorite by far. I enjoy the one on one instruction and getting to know my students and their learning styles in a more personalized manner.  

I have been married to my husband for a year and a half. We enjoy camping, bike riding, off roading, and going on road trips. We have a car and a dog who often times come along on our adventures.

Fun fact: I have traveled to all 50 states. 

I teach all levels of math, including Math 7, Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2, Precalculus Honors, Calculus, and Integrated Math 1, 2, and 3. My work experience consists of working as a college tutor, a substitute teacher for 3 years, and a full-time math teacher in the public school system. I grew up following the footsteps of my parents and older siblings, always seeking higher education. Throughout the process, I found that I loved learning different ways I can approach math. I had friends who struggled with math and they always asked for help. That is the beauty of math, there are multiple ways we can find a solution to a problem. I love showing this to my students and I want them to seek more ways. I enjoy working at Futures Academy, as I am able to work one-to-one with students. The way I teach and approach a concept, may be different than how I teach another student, and that is what makes the one-to-one approach so unique!

I come from a family of nine and parents whose careers use a lot of math! My siblings all work in careers that either are in the education system or helping the community.

Fun fact: My mom is a math teacher and my dad is an engineer, and coincidently, I am a math teacher and my husband is an engineer.

I graduated from California State University Long Beach with a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Marine Biology. During my undergraduate career, I studied abroad at the University of Wollongong in Australia and wrote a thesis in the field of environmental toxicology on the effects of organic pollutants on zebrafish. At CSULB, I also taught a Supplemental Instruction Biology course, tutored scientific subjects, and was a President's Scholar.

I currently teach science and middle school math at Futures. I love getting to adapt my teaching style to my students' individual personalities and tailor the assignments I give to fit their needs because it's like a fun puzzle! The small campus environment at Futures has created a tight-knit group of students and staff and I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know everyone so well. My time at Futures has grown my knowledge of the sciences and abilities to teach and innovate.

I enjoy playing volleyball (indoor and beach), playing board games, going on adventures to find new coffee shops and bakeries, reading, and spending quality time with my family and friends. I am extremely interested in outer space and ways that we can help the environment.

Fun fact: I am as tall as the average baby giraffe when it is born (6'8"). This also lends to my nickname, "Joe-raffe."

I currently teach ASL, levels 1-4 at the Newport Beach campus. I have been teaching for only a short time, but previously I had a number of years doing one-to-one private tutoring that followed the education model used here at Futures. I absolutely love the campus atmosphere. The teachers, staff, and kids couldn’t be any sweeter. The environment is extremely welcoming and encouraging.

I am very close with my extended family, and we all see each other one to two times a week for dinner. Other than anything to do with Sign Language, I love musical theater and independent movies.

Fun fact: I have traveled to 17 countries so far!

I am currently teaching Game Design classes and camps. I have been teaching for 14 years. I have taught English for 10 , Art for 3, and Computer Science for 2. I really enjoy teaching because it challenges me in a very positive way. I like to take life goals and ideas and try to apply them to the classroom. My favorite moments are when I see a student go from aimless and bored to very focused and excited about the subject. I do my best to try to find what students are interested in and apply that to the course learning goals. It is very challenging and it takes a lot of innovative thinking and creativity.  That is why I love teaching.   

I am a San Diego native. I just got married last year to my lovely wife. We spend a lot of time hiking together. We enjoy the outdoors. I love to draw and paint, play video games, and learn about coding and programming. 

Fun fact: After college I moved to Japan and lived there for about 10 years.

I currently teach middle school and high school math. I love being able to connect with my students in ways I couldn't have in a traditional school setting. I enjoy working at Futures, Newport Beach. For me it has been a blessing in disguise. The staff is very supportive and the administration has provided me all the support necessary to succeed here. 

I'm married and have a son. I love to watch sports, basketball and football. I also love to try new things such as food, places and hobbies. During my breaks you can find me at the gym or out with my family.

Fun fact: I love to exercise and drink smoothies. My favorite basketball team is the Orlando Magic!

Currently, I am the lead teacher of the Spanish department at Newport Beach. I am responsible for keeping up to date with curriculum changes, educational approaches and providing any support my fellow instructors need. I also represent my campus as a member of the Advisory Council. The Council meets regularly with other campus representatives, as well as corporate office, with the goal of improving all aspects of campus life. I enjoy performing my current roles because I value an environment that allows me to learn something new everyday, work with passionate instructors and help young adults achieve their goals.   

I enjoy watching documentaries, discovering new music and being active. I don't have much time to read, so I cheat by watching documentaries.  

Fun fact: I taught myself how to play the guitar and played in a band when I was in college.  

I have over 12 years of teaching experience in both public and private districts. I am passionate about teaching mathematics for grades 6-12. I graduated from California State University of Northridge, earning a B.A. in Economics with an emphasis in Mathematics. Teaching is my top priority while embracing and challenging each student’s uniqueness with customized lesson plans. I like to emphasize the 'think outside the box' approach. I am an enthusiastic, committed teacher who strives to create a positive atmosphere that encourages productive learning.

When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family or outdoor activities like hiking, backpacking and playing soccer. 

I teach middle school and high school English literature at Futures Academy. In the past, I taught English as a Second Language (ESL) at different schools in Orange County and internationally as well. Most recently, I spent three years in Mie, Japan teaching middle-school English. Teaching is such a job because not only do I love reading all different kinds of books, I also enjoy helping students make broader connections from what they learned in class to their daily lives. The skills learned in English class are used not only at school so I believe it’s important to help students achieve their full potential in class. 

I am a certified nerd at heart. I grew up with a love for all things fantasy, including Disney, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Star War, and other such franchises. My hobbies are reading, watching movies, swimming, and playing with make-up.

Fun fact: I have lived in 4 different countries (South Korea, Vietnam, Japan, and the USA). 

Currently, I am a science teacher and I love this opportunity to make a difference as an instructor. I have experience as a professional tennis instructor and as a private tutor for various subjects. I acquired my teaching credential and Master’s degree in teaching at Chapman University. Being able to utilize the one-to-one style allows for better learning and more chances of setting students up for success. Being able to customize the learning material and experiences for my students is what I am able to do here. I like that there are higher-quality interactions between my students and I. As a result, I can more accurately gauge my students’ progress. I love teaching because I get to learn with the students. Campus life is great and very welcoming. I always look forward to it!

I love my family and we always do our best to support each other. Tennis is a significant part of my life. As for some of my hobbies and interests, I enjoy reading, playing video games, traveling, and exploring Japanese culture.