Staff

ERICA TRULLINGER

Executive Director, Los Angeles

Erica was born and raised in Southern California. She attended college at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, where she studied English and Art History. In 2004, Erica joined Teach for America and taught Special Education in Phoenix, Arizona. Erica was a founding member of the Reading Partners – Los Angeles team in 2008. She is a member of the LMU School of Education Reading Advisory Panel and the Los Angeles Children’s Literacy Roundtable. Email Erica: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Program Managers:

JENNY KELLARD

Program Manager

Jenny Kellard grew up in Chicago, IL and graduated with honors from the University of Chicago with a degree in Anthropology and Latin American Studies. After two years of traveling and working as a preschool aide, she taught kindergarten and first grade for seven years in Chicago, Oakland, and Los Angeles. During that time, she earned a Master’s degree in Teaching and achieved National Board Certification as an Early Childhood Generalist. Jenny works for Reading Partners as a Program Manager in Los Angeles because she believes that literacy is the foundation that all children need to succeed. Email Jenny: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

SHARLENE SHAH

Program Manager

Sharlene grew up in Los Angeles and attended UCLA where she studied Political Science and History. Following college she earned a Master’s degree and teaching credential from UCLA and began her teaching career. Sharlene taught both 2nd and 5th grade in South LA for 5 years. She then spent a year abroad working for an educational NGO after which she earned a Master’s in Education Policy from the University of Pennsylvania. Sharlene’s passion for education reform brought her to Reading Partners and she is excited to be part of the Reading Partners team. Email Sharlene: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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AmeriCorps Program:

JEREMY EXELL

AmeriCorps Specialist

Jeremy is a proud graduate of Michigan State University, where he received his BA in history in 2006. Following college, Jeremy joined AmeriCorps, serving with the AmeriCorps NCCC Atlantic Region campus, first as a Corps Member in 2008 then as a Team Leader in 2009. In 2010 he served as an AmeriCorps VISTA in Martinsburg, WV where he worked with a local community organization. Following the completion of his VISTA year, Jeremy moved to DC where worked with AmeriCorps Alums managing member outreach. He is very excited to continue working with AmeriCorps members and helping expand the service of Reading Partners! Email Jeremy: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Outreach Team:

TABITHA BLACKWELL

Outreach Manager

Email Tabitha: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

NICKI VISO

Outreach Coordinator

Nicki grew up in Brookfield, WI and attended University of Wisconsin - Whitewater where she earned a BA in Marketing. During her time there, she was involved in various aspects of campus life in both the Residence Life and the Career and Leadership Development departments. Her true passion for making an impact in the lives of students and young leaders was developed through these experiences and the career of her dreams awaits her at a college or university campus somewhere in the world. Email Nicki: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Site Coordinators:

LAURA BEEBE

Regional Site Coordinator, LA

Laura was born in New York City and grew up in Rumson, New Jersey. She moved to California to attend Pomona College, where she fell in love with Los Angeles and got her undergraduate degree in Political Science. Laura also studied abroad in Morocco, where she tutored students in Arabic, French and English. A passion for education policy and reform brought Laura to Reading Partners, where she is excited to help make a difference in children's lives. Laura hopes to eventually pursue a Master’s degree in Public Policy and will be working as the Regional Site Coordinator in Los Angeles. Email Laura: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

CECILE BHANG

Site Coordinator, F.D. Roosevelt/Kit Carson

Cecile began working with children as a teacher's aide and a tutor while she was an undergraduate at Loyola Marymount University. After graduating with her B.A. in Psychology, she decided to explore various jobs working with children, including after-school teacher, behaviorist, and tutor. She joined AmeriCorps to learn more about working with at-risk youth and runs the Reading Partners program at Roosevelt and Carson Elementary Schools in Lawndale. She also attends Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Psychology and is planning on becoming a child psychologist. Email Cecile: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

GLORIA GALLARDO

Site Coordinator, Andrew Jackson

Gloria Gallardo was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She recently graduated from California State University Long Beach with a degree in History. During college, she worked as a tutor for various organizations, as a Peer Counselor at Cerritos College, and as a Supplemental Instruction Leader at CSULB. Overcoming her early academic struggles as an English Language Learner motivated her to pursue a career in education. Gloria will be running the Reading Partners program at Jackson Elementary School in Altadena. Email Gloria: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

LADONJA HORN

Community Builder, John Muir

LaDonja was born in Los Angeles, CA, and raised in Harbor City, CA. An avid volunteer, tutor, mentor, and donor, she first developed a desire to help others at Lomita Magnet Elementary and Fleming Middle School. She gained leadership experience as a member of student council at Nathaniel Narbonne High. She graduated with her B.A. in Communications from California State University Long Beach in May of 2010, and began pursing her M.A. in Education at California State University Dominguez Hills in the spring of 2011. She joined the Reading Partners team to help tutor and empower students to improve their overall reading skills. LaDonja is very excited to open and begin running the Reading Partners program at John Muir Elementary in Santa Monica. Email LaDonja: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

CAYES JARDA

Site Coordinator, William Green

Cayes is a California transplant from Connecticut. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of New Haven where he studied English and creative writing. After that he entered the graduate writing program at Otis College of Art & Design. Cayes began mentoring children in high school and continues to do so. His love for teaching and enriching children’s lives has grown over the years. He supervises the Reading Partners program at William Green Elementary School in Lawndale. He is earning his Behavior Analyst Certification through the University of West Florida. Email Cayes: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

ARMEN RASHIDYAN

Community Builder, Dolores Huerta Elementary School

Armen Rashidyan was born and raised in Southern California. He attended Azusa Pacific University where he obtained his BA and gained valuable leadership experience working as a volunteer coordinator and event planner. Upon graduating, his passion for working within his community lead him to work part-time and volunteer with multiple organizations. He was drawn to Reading Partners due to the unique opportunity it presented to volunteer within his neighborhood and get the chance to build a relationship with a child while tutoring. He volunteered at Washington Elementary for one year, and upon looking for more meaningful work, decided to apply for a position with Reading Partners. He is thrilled to be working with an organization and curriculum he believes in, and is looking forward to opening the new site at Dolores Huerta Elementary School. Email Armen: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

JOURDAN RINGGOLD

Community Builder, New Heights Charter School

A Northern California native, Jourdan graduated with honors from San Francisco State University with a BA in Child and Adolescent Development with a concentration in Research and Public Policy in May 2011. During college, she began her work with children as an AmeriCorps member for Jumpstart, providing literacy intervention services for at-risk preschoolers. After graduating, Jourdan joined Reading Partners to continue her work with children and literacy intervention while working towards a Master's in Public Administration. As the Community Builder at New Heights Charter School in Los Angeles, Jourdan wants to work toward equality for all children and equity within the education system. Email Jourdan: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

MALLORY SCARRITT

Site Coordinator, Washington Accelerated

Mallory Scarritt grew up in Tampa, Florida and graduated from Pitzer College with a Spanish degree in May of 2010. She is excited to work for a second year with the tutors and students of Washington Elementary. She is inspired every day by her volunteers. Their commitment has made it possible for Washington to become one of the biggest sites in Reading Partners! Mallory loves working with the kids at Washington, and plans on becoming a third grade teacher so that she can continue working with more kids after she finishes her time at Reading Partners. She is looking forward to the 2011-2012 school year, and can't wait to see everyone again! Email Mallory: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it