Meet Our Current Cohort
Stephanie Almanza
Stephanie Almanza earned her undergraduate degree in Anthropology, with a minor in Education, from the University of California, Santa Cruz. There, she developed a strong foundation in education and community engagement. After spending some time working in the corporate world, Stephanie realized she wanted something more meaningful and aligned with her values. Prior to joining TRP, she gained experience as an Inclusion Assistant and worked with elementary, middle, and high school students. Stephanie has always been committed to creating equitable learning environments and helping students reach their full potential. TRP felt like the right next step for her to grow as an educator and advocate for meaningful change in education. Her long-term goal is to become a great history teacher who supports inclusive, student-centered practices. She’s excited to be part of a cohort that shares this commitment and to continue learning and growing through this experience.
Liseth Benavidez
Liseth Benavidez was born and raised in Pacoima, California, and she’s the proud mother to a beautiful daughter. She graduated from California State University, Northridge, CSUN, and her journey into education has been deeply shaped by her upbringing and her desire to be a positive role model for both her own child and her community. Liseth began working for PUC in August 2021 as an Inclusion Assistant, supporting students with special needs in math classes. Over time, she earned her substitute permit, which allowed her to gain valuable experience leading a classroom and further confirmed her passion for teaching. This year, Liseth will be co-teaching Geometry alongside her Mentor, Ms. Arias, at TCHS. Together, they will create a student-centered environment focused on patience, growth, and high expectations. Her long-term goal is to become a high school math teacher, specializing in Algebra. She hopes to inspire students to build confidence in their abilities and believe in their potential. Liseth is excited to be part of Cohort 13 and she looks forward to a year of growth and learning.
Amy Martin
Amy Martin was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. She is a proud PUC alum, having attended TCA and TCHS. Amy went on to graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology. She initially set out to pursue a career in marine science, but after serving as a Teaching Apprentice for a marine lab course at UCLA, she discovered a deep passion for education and working with students, especially through hands-on learning and mentorship. After going on to tutor middle and high school students, Amy joined the PUC Teacher Residency Program to formally pursue a career in teaching. As a TRP Resident, she will be working alongside her mentor at CCMS, where she is excited to learn and help support students’ academic growth and confidence. Amy hopes to become a science teacher who is committed to fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and a love for learning in her future classroom.
Guadalupe Martinez
Guadalupe Martinez grew up primarily in the San Fernando Valley. A pivotal moment in her life was transferring to a PUC school, LCA, in 8th grade, where she experienced inclusive classrooms for the first time. After graduating from CSUN with a degree in Art in 2023, Guadalupe worked in an after-school program, sparking her interest in teaching. Reflecting on her positive PUC experience, she joined the organization as an Inclusion Assistant. Guadalupe’s initial application to TRP didn’t come to fruition as planned, but she persevered and reapplied, ultimately securing a spot in this year’s TRP Cohort. Now, she’s eager to return to LCA as a teacher and learn from her mentor to provide exceptional inclusive support to her students.
Michelle Penado
Michelle Penado was born and raised in North Hollywood, California. She graduated from UC Irvine with a B.A. in Public Health Policy. She worked as a Lead Behavioral Therapist, developing skills with children on the autism spectrum. As much as she loved working in this field, she always enjoyed and missed being in a classroom environment. After seven years, she found her way to PUC and became an Inclusion Assistant (IA). Through her unforgettable experience as an IA, Michelle was able to support and engage with many teachers, Inclusion Specialists, and students. Now, after two years, Michelle is ready to follow in the footsteps of several teachers who encouraged her to apply to TRP. As a current TRP resident, Michelle will be co-teaching alongside her mentor, Brandy Brown, at CCMS. Michelle hopes to be a middle school English teacher who will inspire and challenge her students to build upon their intellectual gifts and to share them with their communities.
Skylar Shedlock
Skylar Shedlock was born and raised in Simi Valley. She began her college years in Texas, playing collegiate softball. When Covid hit, she moved back to her hometown and transferred to California Lutheran University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in education with a minor in business sports management. While coaching softball and working as a Physical Education Assistant at PUC Nueva Esperanza, Skylar discovered a deep passion for getting students active, engaged, and excited about movement. The relationships she built with students, co-teachers, and staff over a year and a half showed her that she had found a true sense of purpose. Joining the residency program became the natural next step for Skylar to earn her credentials in Physical Education and continue teaching and coaching the sport that first shaped her journey.
Emilia Vergara
Emilia Vergara earned her undergraduate degree in Sociology from the University of California, Merced. During her undergrad years, she developed a strong interest in social systems, equity, education, and how they all work together. As a proud PUC alum, Emilia felt called to give back to her community (PUC Commitment #3), and so she returned to PUC to work at Lakeview Charter High School as an Inclusion Assistant. In this role, Emilia worked closely with students with IEPs, supporting them academically and emotionally in inclusive classroom settings. The Teacher Residency Program felt like the right next step for her to grow as an educator while serving the community she grew up in. Her long-term goal is to become a compassionate and effective Special Education teacher who leads with empathy and supports every student’s success.