PUC Teacher Residency Program
Teacher Resident Biographies
Cohort 11 (2023-24 School Year)
Michelle Carrera
Michelle Carrera was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. She graduated from Social Justice Humanitas Academy in 2018 and attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned her BA in Ethnic Studies in 2022. After graduating from UC Berkeley, Michelle decided she wanted to give back to her community by helping out its future generation of scholars. Michelle joined PUC Community Charter Middle School as an Inclusion Assistant, and enjoyed working with students and helping them on their educational journey. This experience prompted Michelle to take the next step in her journey of becoming an educator by pursuing a teaching career through the Teacher Residency Program (TRP) this year. She is fortunate to have been placed at CCMS where she was already working as an IA, but this year she’s working with her Mentor, Mrs. Brandy Brown, teaching 8th grade English together. Michelle hopes to become an English teacher in the near future and to have a positive impact on each of her students to pursue their own passions and commit to uplifting their communities.
Angie Lopez
Angie Lopez attended the University of California, Riverside, where she obtained her BA in Music, with a Minor in Education, in 2017. Because she wanted to work in education, she began working one-on-one with elementary students in 2020, and eventually became a Teaching Assistant at a forest school in Los Angeles. She got her start with PUC Schools in August of 2021 as an office assistant at PUC Lakeview Charter Academy. This experience allowed her to become a long-term substitute for various 6th and 8th grade classes at the school, cementing her desire to become a teacher. As a current Resident in the Teacher Residency Program, Angie continues working at LCA, now alongside her Mentor, Mr. Evan Piehler, in a 6th grade math classroom. Angie works diligently to support her students in the hopes that they are successful in their educational and career trajectories.
Kassandra Peña
Kassandra Peña was born and raised in the Pico-Union neighborhood of Los Angeles. She graduated from CSUN with a BA in Communications, and went to work at the LA Department of Recreation and Parks for eight years, serving as a Tutor, Coach, Counselor and Camp Director. Kassandra has always dreamed of becoming a teacher, and after enjoying working with kids through Recreation and Parks, decided to start her journey to become a credentialed teacher. Kassandra wanted a program that aligned values with a sense of community. After researching available options throughout Los Angeles, the PUC Teacher Residency Program became the clear choice for her, as she shares PUC’s values of an inclusive, supportive learning environment for all students. As a current TRP resident, Kassandra works alongside her Mentor, Mr. Richard Matas, at PUC Excel Charter Academy in the River District of LA. Kassandra hopes to become an Inclusion Specialist and continue to uplift her students and communities.
Kimberly Romo
Kim Romo was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. She graduated from California State University, Los Angeles, in 2021 with a BA in History. Kim got her start with PUC Schools four years ago as an Inclusion Assistant at PUC Lakeview Charter Academy. Over the years Kim has worked with all students grades 6 through 8 and across all subject areas. She is excited to continue her educational career now as a Teacher Resident at Lakeview Charter High School in Sylmar. Here, she co-teaches alongside her Mentor, Ms. Renee Terrebonne, teaching 11th grade social studies and AP United States History. She hopes to inspire interest in the subject of history while uplifting marginalized communities and peoples.