2nd Grade

Grace Shin, Cal Poly Mustangs

Grace's goal in the 6th grade!

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.”  Martin Luther King, Jr.
 
 Born in the Bay Area, and raised in Santa Rosa, Grace is the middle daughter of three daughters of immigrant parents. Her father’s family of 8 siblings, came to the United States from South Korea in hopes of building a better life for their future generations. She graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Child Development and a minor in Psychology. She then worked in East Oakland and Redwood City teaching preschool and in after school programs before going back to school at Sonoma State University to receive her multiple subject credential.
 
Grace believes in empowering students in not only their academic education but in their social, emotional and character growth to make positive changes for their community in the future. Her hobbies and interests include typography and design, exploring new places and trying new foods. It has been her goal to become a 2nd grade teacher since 6th grade and she is so proud to be a part of an amazing team at Aspire RTA.

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3rd Grade

Brian Jimenez, Cal Berkeley

​“I am just one, made orphan: no motherland, no father land...and worst and most painful of all, no tongue. (For isn't it odd that the only language I have in which to speak of this crime is the language of the criminal who committed the crime?”
 
Raised in Inglewood, California, Brian Jimenez is the eldest of five children. His mother was born in the United States to Mexican immigrants, and his father migrated to the country as an undocumented immigrant. The first in his family to attend college, he graduated from UC Berkeley and majored in Sociology and Political Science. He is currently working on completed his M.A in Urban Education from Loyola Marymount University. He has taught elementary and middle school in Oakland over the past few years, and as the 2/3 Lead Teacher, he provides various types of supports to all staff: answering questions, being observed, observing and providing feedback, demo lessons, problem solving, among others. Brian is dedicated to helping mold a formal education into a tool for transforming the life trajectories of students, families and communities.

Cristina Clark, San Marcos Cougars 

​“There is no turning back…we will win. We are winning because ours is a revolution of mind and heart.”- Cesar Chavez

Born in Mexico City, Cristina grew up in Los Angeles and was raised in a multicultural home, giving her a love for diversity, identity, and world cultures.  Her family consists of her father, who is a principal, and her mother, who is a medical case worker in Los Angeles. She has two younger brothers, one who is also a teacher at Aspire, and the second who is a college student.
Cristina graduated from Cal State University, San Marcos in 2011 and received her CA K- 8 teaching and bilingual credential and Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies with a depth of focus in Border Studies.  Upon graduation, Cristina joined Teach for America as a corps member in the Bay Area.  In 2013, Cristina graduated from Loyola Marymount and received her Masters degree in Reading Instruction.  She was invited to participate in the New Leaders Program and successfully completed it in 2014.
Cristina began her teaching career in Richmond in 2011 and has committed to continue her commitment to the Richmond community at Aspire. She has taught 5th grade, bilingual 3rd grade, bilingual Kindergarten, and reading intervention for grades1st to 6th. She fell in love with the various layers of beauty that Richmond shares, from history of World War II, incredible nature, delicious foods, to the inspiring, diverse community members.
Cristina labors to empower others with love and to motivate others towards the greater good found community and mutual support.  Her hobbies include yoga, live music, and traveling.  She enjoys spending time camping and soul searching to live in the present moment.