Leadership
![]() Principal
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Mallory Baquero is thrilled to be the new principal of the Camino Nuevo Kayne Siart Campus. She has served in education for the past 15 years, starting as a sixth grade teacher in South Los Angeles, then as literacy interventionist, afterschool director and school leader. Mallory also has experience in operations and real estate and facilities, but her heart is truly in school leadership and direct service to students. Mallory strives to ground her work in empathy, equity, and love. She believes that all students are entitled to an outstanding education, regardless of zip code. She is extremely excited to engage in this important work with the entire school community: students, their families, and staff. Mallory earned an undergraduate degree in Sociology and Black Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara and an MBA from the California State University, Los Angeles. Her passions outside of work include yoga, cooking, and playing with her baby, Miles. |
![]() Frankee Grove
Assistant Principal of Instruction
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Frankee comes to Camino Nuevo Kayne Siart with 14 years of experience in progressive education. She has always been inspired by the work of her own high school principal, Ted Sizer. Frankee began her teaching career in San Francisco Unified School District, where she was a special education teacher for six years. She then moved to New York City to help open a new public school called Harvest Collegiate. After six years of co-teaching and serving as the special education coordinator and department chair at Harvest, Frankee moved to Los Angeles. Prior to joining the Camino team, Frankee served as a teaching and learning coordinator in South LA where she coached teachers and took a "depth over breadth" approach to facilitate adult learning. Frankee graduated with a bachelor's degree in sociology and dance from Hampshire College and earned two master's degrees, one in special education from Alliant University and the other in educational leadership from Brooklyn College. She has multiple credentials in Education Specialist Instruction, Multiple Subject Teaching, and Administration. Frankee is excited to provide all students with a culturally responsive and engaging educational program so that they can reach their full potential. She enjoys surfing, traveling, and searching for wildflowers on a hike. |
![]() Nancy Duran
Assistant Principal of
Student Supports
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Nancy Duran started her teaching career at the former Camino Nuevo Harvard site in 2001 when the school first opened. She taught seventh grade humanities for five years and, in 2005, became the student services coordinator overseeing student culture. In 2008, Nancy became the school's counselor. She then became the college counselor at New Designs Charter School, returning to Camino Nuevo in 2012 to serve in current position as dean of school culture. Ms. Duran was born and raised in Los Angeles and attended Foshay Learning Center. Her parents immigrated to the United States from El Salvador. She was the first in her family to graduate from high school and college. She earned a bachelor's degree in Hispanic Studies from Colorado College. She later earned a master's degree in school counseling psychology from the University of Southern California, and a second master's degree and an administrative credential through the Charter and Autonomous School Leadership Academy program at California State University Dominguez Hills. She is married and has two children.
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![]() Deonna Smith
Assistant Principal of
Student Supports
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Deonna Smith is from Spokane, Washington but has been teaching in California for many years. Before moving to LA, Ms. Smith got her masters degree from Notre Dame University and taught in Oakland, California. Ms. Smith taught 5th grade, RTI, and Math and Science and worked as an administrator. Ms. Smith is new to Los Angeles and is excited about getting to know her new city and new community. |
![]() Veronica Ramirez
School Operations Manager
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Veronica Ramirez joined the Camino Nuevo family as the School Operations Manager in 2019 due to her extensive experience in school management and business. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Veronica has always been interested in helping her community. She has five years of managerial experience in school operations, where she served full time at a neighboring charter school as an operations coordinator. She developed professional relationships with staff and families while overseeing all policies and procedures, fiscal management, and daily oversight. Veronica is currently completing the last phase of her bachelor's degree program in Business Administration-Human Resources from California State University Dominguez Hills. She plans to continue her education and obtain her MBA and stay in the operational and management side of education. Veronica has a strong passion for the development and overall health of schools that cater to inner-city youth, and always makes herself available to support them. She is very close to her family, enjoys running marathons and vacationing with family, and relaxing on the trails with her beloved Husky, Logan! |
![]() Cristina González
Student and Family
Services Coordinator
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Cristina González has been part of the CNCA Kayne Siart family for over 5 years. As a Student & Families Services Coordinator, Ms. Gonzalez ensures that student and families are at the center of decisions and also part of the decision making process. She firmly believes in a popular education model where all stakeholders are equal learners and believes that the success of our communities depends on the radical transformation of our education system and ability to deepen the understanding of communities, lead with our communities at heart, and honor our social justice mission. Ms. Gonzalez is both an educator and a Transnational Community Organizer. While organizing in the Mexico- U.S Border, Ms. Gonzalez also provided English language interventions for children forced to commute from Tijuana to their schools in San Diego. In addition to this, while living in San Diego, Ms. Gonzalez worked in outreach programs connecting High School Students to College opportunities, as a College Advisor, and as a writing workshop coach for College level writing classes at University of California, San Diego. Ms. Gonzalez received a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies- Political Science & a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish Literature- Literary Analysis. While in LA, Ms. Gonzalez has worked as a Language Instructor, College & Career Pathways Coordinator for schools throughout LA, and as a Community Outreach Organizer at Institute of Popular Education of Southern California. She has experience with diverse populations and she cherishes her work with Refugee- Unaccompanied Minors where she learns about multiple traumas inflicted on children at our border, in detention, but also the strength and drive that these children have to survive, learn, and engage with others in a process of learning. She also received her Master’s degree in Latin American Studies from University of California, Los Angeles where she focused on Public Health, Education, Latino/a Families, and History. She is passionate about education and plans on earning her Doctorate degree to ensure that students of color and those who are most disenfranchised have access to the resources and education, they have a right to receive.
http://voyagela.com/interview/meet-educator-los-angeles-east-hollywoodkoreatown/ |