2023 Awardees
2023 Lights On Afterschool Awardees
Join the California AfterSchool Network, the California Department of Education Expanded Learning Division, and the System of Support for Expanded Learning in celebrating the 24th Annual Lights on Afterschool on October 26, 2023. Celebrating Expanded Learning leaders across the state!
Happy Lights On to our OST Community!
Olivia Kernen
Region 1
Expanded Learning Coordinator, Humboldt County Office of Education
Olivia took over as the Expanded Learning Coordinator at HCOE in early 2021.
Julie Jarrett
Region 2
Senior Director, Expanded Learning, Butte County Office of Education
Julie was hired as an Administrator with the Butte County Office of Education in 2001. She became the Director of Expanded Learning in 2004 and in January 2022 was promoted to Senior Director of Expanded Learning, a consortium of 23 sites. She has served on the California After School Network Leadership Team and contributed to defining the Quality Standards, spearheaded partnerships with the LEAs receiving the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program funding, and is a valued thought partner.
Rahele Atabaki
Region 3
Director of Early Childhood Education, Teacher Instruction, Expanded Learning Opportunities Program, Washington Unified School District
Rahele Atabaki’s passion for education began 25 years ago as a student teacher in the BMED Program at Sac State. She has had the privilege of nurturing young minds in Kindergarten and first-grade classrooms at Washington Unified School District. Over the years, her role has evolved, and she now serves as the Director of Early Childhood Education, overseeing TK and State Preschool programs / Expanded Learning Programs.
Michael Taylor
Region 4
Expanded Learning Opportunities Coordinator, San Rafael City School District
Michael has been a project coordinator for a summer camp, a classroom teacher, a principal intern as well as the current Coordinator of the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program for San Rafael City Schools. He is always searching for unique ways to learn, work with educators, or learning from community members. He is no stranger to playing with how systems might better support student learning and progress, while creating emotionally safe and inclusive spaces.
America Aguirre Gomez
Region 5
CORAL Managing Director, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County
America is a 25+ year veteran leader in Expanded Learning, working as the Managing Director for the Communities Organizing Resources to Advance Learning (CORAL) Program. CORAL is the trusted partner of the Franklin McKinley School District, serving predominantly low-income, Spanish and Vietnamese speaking student populations in East San Jose.
Richelle Dials
Region 6
Expanded Learning Program Coordinator, Team Charter
Richelle Dials has served as the Expanded Learning Program Coordinator for over five years at Team Charter. Her expertise is in Early Education/Preschool and Expanded Learning. She originally coordinated the preschool program and then transitioned to Afterschool/ Expanded Learning. Under her leadership, the expanded learning program has grown from one program to several funded sites.
Dr. Marie Pinto
Region 7
CEO, ProYouth
Dr. Marie Pinto exemplifies exceptional leadership in the Region 7 Expanded Learning ecosystem, making her a deserved candidate for the award. Her visionary approach has bridged gaps between schools and community partners, between diverse programs and colleagues, and between traditional paradigms for workforce recruitment and current reality by establishing an internship program that exists to mitigate staffing issues.
Jaime Cherry
Region 8
Expanded Learning Opportunity Coordinator, Richland School District
Bio coming soon…
Lillian Perez
Region 9
Director of Expanded Learning Programs, Fallbrook Union Elementary School District
Lillian has been the Director at FUESD for two years.
Crystal-Jo Blanchard
Region 9
ASSETs Program Director, Boys & Girls Club of Westminster
Crystal-Jo (CJ) Blanchard serves as the ASSETs Program Director at The Boys & Girls Club of Westminster. Her journey in Expanded Learning began in 2009, and she has since developed a strong affinity for working with teenagers. Since the program’s inception during the 2017-2018 school year, CJ has been instrumental in its facilitation. Through her role, she has cultivated meaningful connections with fellow enthusiasts who share her commitment to delivering exceptional programs for teenagers.
Michael Trull
Region 9
ASES Coordinator, Westmorland Union Elementary School
Michael Trull works as a 5th-grade teacher and is the ASES Coordinator at Westmorland Union Elementary School.
Ana Parada
Region 10
ASES After-School Program Coordinator, Pathways to College K8
Ana has been the ASES coordinator at her site for the past 10.5 years. Notable accomplishments: Serving 100+ TK-8 students at a small charter, hosting events that build community among students, and delivering lessons that engage students in critical thinking.
Carmen Phillips
Region 10
Director, Elementary Expanded Learning, Alvord Unified School District
Carmen began her college career at Mills College, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree. Then onward to the Claremont Colleges Graduate School, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Education and a Teaching Credential. Carmen started her After School Program career in 2007, when her comprehensive background in education included having been a teacher, an assistant principal, and a principal. Her long-standing experiences serve her well in the new climate of ELO-P.
Jane D’Anna
Region 11
Director of Expanded Learning Opportunities, Lancaster School District
Bio coming soon…