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
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Miguel Ahumada
Community Schools Manager
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Jasmine Swayne
Expanded Learning Coordinator
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Isela Sanchez-Soto
Administrative Assistant
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Open
Attendance Specialist
Classroom Teachers
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Maria Pirner
TK/Kindergarten
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Andrea Ruiz
1st Grade
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Dana Hinchliffe
2nd/3rd Grade
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Dora Rodriguez
3rd/4th Grade
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Jesse Beed
4th/5th Grade
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Derek Pirner
5th Grade
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Dorian Laird
1st-3rd Mild/Moderate
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Keefe Cline (Sub)
4th-5th Mild/Moderate
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Michael Dailey II
Music
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Open
Physical Education
Student Support Staff
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Brittani Venard
Resource Specialist
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Cindy Tran
BCBA Consultant
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Deyri Rabadan-Diaz
RSP Paraprofessional
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Dorian Laird
STIP Substitute
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Edson Nunes Da Silva
School Nurse
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Elizabeth Oghogho
Paraeducator
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Esther (Ada) Gomez
Lincoln Interventionist
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Lijia Gonzalez
Noon Supervisor
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Linda Randell
Paraeducator
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Mariel Paul
School Social Worker
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Megan Miller
Speech & Language
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Micaela Reinstein
Coordinator of Special Education
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Michael McCormick
Speech & Language
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Michaela Scott
Librarian
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Miyatah McCoy
K-2 Literacy Tutor
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Nirupama Lal
Hope Reimagined
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Omar Arid
Occupational Therapist
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Raquel Striplin
Early Literacy Tutor
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Ronald Sylvester
Head Custodian
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Ruby Duran
School Psychologist
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Sandra Simmons
Behavioral Health
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Sasha Price
RJ Facilitator
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Sergio Mungia
3rd-5th Literacy Tutor
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Suzanne Ludlum
Garden & Adult Ed
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Sylvia Fong
Cafeteria Manager
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Tania Martinez
TSA
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Tarina Louisell
EHRMS Social Worker