A Message from the Principal

A Message from the Principal

Welcome to Korematsu Discovery Academy (or KDA, as we say around here)! I am so proud to serve the KDA Rocket community for an 8th consecutive year. We are a collaborative staff that values supporting each other and being our best selves for our students. Every week, our teachers meet to talk about student learning and plan next steps for instruction and engagement. At KDA, the Rockets are encouraged to take responsibility for themselves and their community, and this has resulted in student-led projects that have had a direct impact on our neighborhood. The KDA Rockets have done a beautification project on E Street to discourage illegal dumping that was presented to the County as an example of community outreach, and we have also been recognized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as an Ocean Guardian School through work on microplastics and ocean pollution through our school’s drain system. We value restorative practices to build community, support students in repairing harm/resolving conflict, and provide individual support for students. Our day staff and expanded learning staff work collaboratively to support students both academically and social-emotionally by aligning our practices. We’d love to have you join our community - Together, we have the power to reach for the stars! ✨

- Mrs. Akuma, Principal

Office Staff

  • Miguel Ahumada

    Community Schools Manager

  • Jasmine Swayne

    Expanded Learning Coordinator

  • Isela Sanchez-Soto

    Administrative Assistant

  • Open

    Attendance Specialist

Classroom Teachers

  • Maria Pirner

    TK/Kindergarten

  • Andrea Ruiz

    1st Grade

  • Dana Hinchliffe

    2nd/3rd Grade

  • Dora Rodriguez

    3rd/4th Grade

  • Jesse Beed

    4th/5th Grade

  • Derek Pirner

    5th Grade

  • Dorian Laird

    1st-3rd Mild/Moderate

  • Keefe Cline (Sub)

    4th-5th Mild/Moderate

  • Michael Dailey II

    Music

  • Open

    Physical Education

Student Support Staff

  • Brittani Venard

    Resource Specialist

  • Cindy Tran

    BCBA Consultant

  • Deyri Rabadan-Diaz

    RSP Paraprofessional

  • Dorian Laird

    STIP Substitute

  • Edson Nunes Da Silva

    School Nurse

  • Elizabeth Oghogho

    Paraeducator

  • Esther (Ada) Gomez

    Lincoln Interventionist

  • Lijia Gonzalez

    Noon Supervisor

  • Linda Randell

    Paraeducator

  • Mariel Paul

    School Social Worker

  • Megan Miller

    Speech & Language

  • Micaela Reinstein

    Coordinator of Special Education

  • Michael McCormick

    Speech & Language

  • Michaela Scott

    Librarian

  • Miyatah McCoy

    K-2 Literacy Tutor

  • Nirupama Lal

    Hope Reimagined

  • Omar Arid

    Occupational Therapist

  • Raquel Striplin

    Early Literacy Tutor

  • Ronald Sylvester

    Head Custodian

  • Ruby Duran

    School Psychologist

  • Sandra Simmons

    Behavioral Health

  • Sasha Price

    RJ Facilitator

  • Sergio Mungia

    3rd-5th Literacy Tutor

  • Suzanne Ludlum

    Garden & Adult Ed

  • Sylvia Fong

    Cafeteria Manager

  • Tania Martinez

    TSA

  • Tarina Louisell

    EHRMS Social Worker