Staff - Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School

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Daniel Lima Alva

California Teaching Fellows Foundation Site-Coordinator

"It's ALWAYS a great day to change lives!"

I am the current Site Lead at the Cesar E. Chavez Expanded Learning Program. I have been part of the California Teaching Fellows Foundation for over 10 years now and have had the honor of being part of the PUSD family for most of that time. During my time here in Parlier, I have had the pleasure of serving kids from Kinder to High School. I hope to bring my passion for learning and hunger for knowledge to our students here at Chavez Elementary and will ensure I do anything and everything I can to help them succeed. Fun Facts..... Favorite Color: Purple Favorite Sport: Futbol Favorite Food: Enchiladas verdes de carne asada Favorite Hobby: Running & playing futbol

Cassandra Contreras

California Teaching Fellows Foundation

"I always wondered why somebody doesn’t do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody." - Lily Tomlin

My name is Ms. Contreras. I am an after school tutor. I have been working with California Teaching Fellows Foundation for 5 years. I am currently at Chavez Elementary in Parlier, CA. I have been working with 5th and 6th graders for 3 years now. It has been an amazing learning experience. I have met many new incredible students that I have enjoyed helping and working with. I enjoy spending time with my big family, whether it be barbecuing out in the backyard or going on a road trip. I recently graduated with my associates degree in Sociology and I will be transferring to Fresno state to continue my education on School Social Work. I love being an after school tutor because I want to be a part of a child’s success in life, we are like a big family and being there for my students has been an incredible honor.

Jennifher León

California Teaching Fellows Foundation

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is not education at all.”- Aristotle

My name is Ms.Leon. I have been working with California Teaching Fellows Foundation for 4 years. During this time I have been working with 5th and 6th grade at Cesar E. Chavez elementary. During this time I have had an amazing experience with my students, learning each day from them. Every year I meet amazing students who inspire me to grow and learn. My role as a tutor is to provide a fun and safe environment where I can provide homework tutorials and enrichments. Some activities I have been able to facilitate during my time at Chavez would be art class, fashion class, cooking, STEM, and partook in the district-wide after-school fashion show. During my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and dog going on trips around California. I am on my last semester at Fresno State and will be graduating this spring and receiving my Bachelor’s degree in Liberal studies. Fun facts: Favorite Color: Purple and Black Favorite Sport: Swimming Favorite Hobby: Reading, watching crime documentaries, and painting. Favorite Food: Tamales or Pizza

Celeste Angulo

Fresno County Superintendent of Schools

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” -Maya Angelou

Hi! I’m Ms. Angulo. I am the 3rd grade tutor for the Cesar E. Chavez Extended Learning Program. I’ve been working with the program for almost 20 years and have had the pleasure of working with all grade levels. My role as a tutor is to provide a safe environment for students while at the same time providing tutorial and fun, enriching activities. Some of my favorite activities that I’ve been able to facilitate throughout the years include arts and crafts, music, drama, sports, cooking, fitness, dance and science. Fun Facts I have worked at every elementary school in this district This is my 17th year working with Kindergarten for the district I have a five year old son My favorite baseball team are the New York Yankees My favorite colors are hot pink and lime green My hobbies include reading, listening to music and taking trips

Laura Valencia

Fresno Country Superintendent of Schools

"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world." - Dr. Seuss

Hi! I’m Ms. Valencia. I am the fourth grade tutor. have been working with the After School Program for almost 20 years. As the 4th grade tutor I provide daily tutorial assistance and enrichment activities for my students. I enjoy planning fun and engaging Fun Friday activities. Fun Facts: I have a 22 year old son named Marco. My favorite colors are pink and purple. I am the 3rd of 7 siblings. My hobbies are baking and reading. I love olives and pickles. I have a Frenchie named Dillinger.

Maria Ruano

Fresno County Superintendent of Schools

“Every student can learn. Just not the same day or the same way.”

Hello, my name is Ms. Ruano. I am the 2nd Grade tutor. I have worked with After School Program for 19 years. I assist students in any tutorial assistance and extra curricular activities. Fun Facts My favorite hobby is planting and trying new recipes.. My favorite color is Burgandy. My favorite food is Mole and I love strawberries. I have a Husky. Her name is Luna because she has 1 blue eye and 1 brown.

Tina Torres

Fresno County Superintendent of Schools

"Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have." Margaret Mead

Hi! My name is Miss Torres. I am the first grade tutor at Cesar E Chavez. I’ve been working with after school program for 18 years. It’s been a pleasure working with all grades throughout the years. My role as a tutor is to provide a safe environment for my students. Every day I provide tutorial assistance and enrichment activities for my students. I enjoy every minute of it. I also substitute for Parlier Unified School District. I attended Fresno State and graduated with my BA in Liberal Studies. My greatest passion in life is to teach. I placed my education on hold to help my father, who is ill with cancer. I do plan to continue my education, to pursue my teaching credential. My hobbies are going for walks, listening to worship music and taking trips.

Zenaida Benito-Pascual

California Teaching Fellows Foundation

“If you do your best each and every day, good things are sure to come your way” -Princess Tiana (Princess and the Frog)"

Hi! my name is Ms. Pascual, I will be graduating Reedley College this spring of 2021 with my Sociology AA-T and Social Science AA and then moving one to transferring to Fresno State and continuing to finish my major in Child and Family Sciences. I’ve been with the California Teaching Fellows Foundation for about a year, I transferred from Fresno to Parlier. I was hired as the front desk but I’ve had the pleasure to be working along with other tutors with the upper graders which has been a great experience. I’ve enjoyed getting to know each and everyone of the students as well as helping them gain knowledge in different criteria's. As a tutor my job is to provide a safe and learning environment in which the students can look forward to everyday. As a tutor at Cesar E Chavez I look forward to making a lot more memories with the students and successfully be there as an individual that they can trust.

Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School

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Meet the Wildcats Staff...

Daniel Alva