Session 2 Camps have begun!

On-Campus Camps - Session 2
April 19 - May 27

Virtual Spring Classes
February 22 - May 27

Click on the arrow next to your school name to download class offerings flyer.

Aside from the FUN, innovative classes offered,
did you know quality After School Programs:

Give children activity choices, engage them in enrichment activities, and support socialization and team learning
Pay academic dividends during the school day, whether or not the class is classified as “academic,” because programs feature reading, language comprehension and analytic thought.
Provide opportunities for group projects which enhance children’s learning, as do music, art, theatre, and computer activities, as well as
reading for pleasure and writing for an audience.
Let students connect with teachers in a lower teacher-child ratio setting. Such meaningful interactions are associated with more positive interactions, less negativity, and more flexible
and age-appropriate activities.

Allow students (most markedly boys) greater flexibility to make choices in their class activities, which research connects to better social skills with classroom peers.
Can decrease TV viewing behavior in children!! Researchers found that children watch far more television at home after school than they do at after-school programs. In numerous studies, time viewing television has been associated with lower reading achievement and more frequent behavior problems among children.

LAEF’s After School Programs…where Los Al students have fun and parents have peace of mind! Have questions about programs? E-mail our Program Director at: programdirector@laef4kids.org

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CALENDAR

*LAEF classes and camps will not be held on designated No School Days
**LAEF classes and camps will be held on designated Open House Days

May

June 2021

July

SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA

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5

6
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11 Last Day of School
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27
28 S.E.I. Session One Begins
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Spring 2021 Session 2 Class Descriptions

Click on the arrows to read class descriptions
All Classes will follow strict Covid-19 Guidelines for mask wearing, social distancing and sanitizing

Cheer is a sport involving the performance of organized cheering, chanting, and dancing. Cheer-leading teaches teamwork. The ability to work with other people to achieve a goal is an aspect of cheer-leading that carries over into your non-cheer life. This is because cheer-leading instills a strong work ethic. Cheerleaders are high achievers because cheer-leading teaches the following five key traits.

Confidence
Dependability
Responsibility
Accountability
Difficulty

Social distancing chess will be in full effect. Students will each be taking 3 steps back from the board. Students will be active playing chess by continuing to move throughout the game in this manner. Chess boards and pieces will be sanitized between games. Hand sanitizing and hand washing will be done throughout the camp. Face coverings will be used while playing the game. Chess is used to teach many life skills including sportsmanship, patience, strategic thinking, planning ahead, and working toward a goal.

Leadership instills confidence and helps children solve problems creatively, work in a team and work collaboratively with others while also developing crucial social-emotional learning. Social Emotional Learning is an essential piece of the puzzle to help students learn the soft skills they need to be productive, successful adults. The curriculum pairs specific learning pillars with games, team-building, exercises, activities, self- assessments, and a custom reflection workbook.

In this fun class, students will build their way through history starting with the Ancient Egyptians and ending in a futuristic city! Each week they will learn fun facts about a period in history and then build based on what they learned! They will build buildings, historical settings, and stories out of LEGO® bricks as they learn history and go through time in this Architectural Time Machine!

If you’ve never played Pickleball before, this is designed especially for you! Taught by experienced instructor Gary Rogers, this instructed course will cover the basics of Pickleball rules, terminology, primary skills, coordination, beginner court time, and more. These sessions help develop technique and strategy for social play. Plus, we provide paddles and balls – so come learn from a veteran instructor and get to know other new players!

A fitness focused class based around fun. Your child will gain a strong foundation of fitness while improving his/her speed, agility, balance, and endurance in a fun atmosphere packed with exercises, drills, and obstacle courses. Kids will also learn the importance of a proper warm-up and cool down routine. This age-appropriate fitness class will get kids moving, build balance, coordination skills, and will instill the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle. During class kids will learn fitness through games, obstacle courses and speed, agility, and quickness drills.

Imagine, create, have fun, repeat! Get ready to have some fun as we learn the science behind making play-doh, as we create and test different structures, and test out different types of gliders. The best part of all is that we’ll be learning all about how STEM and the Engineering Design Process are used to create these fun hands-on projects. Are you ready to see where your imagination can take you?

Does your child want to learn how to direct commercials, TV shows, YouTube, etc? In this class, students will work together and understand all of the fun jobs needed to bring entertainment to the screen. The best part is that students will get to know the directing side of it while also learning performing skills and techniques. Students will start each day with fun warm-up games and team-building exercises, and then move on to the one-of-a-kind curriculum that includes self-esteem activities with Performing Arts Education! This class is for students at all talent and experience levels.

Spring 2021 Session 2 on-campus TEACHER BIOS

We are an organization solely devoted to promoting chess among children. Academic Chess teaches using its own unique set of cartoon characters to represent each chess piece. These characters pique the interest of children and get them involved in the lessons. Also, this visual approach gives kids mental “hooks” on which to hang new concepts. Using posters, booklets, and energetic instructors centered on these characters, we fire up the kids to learn chess!

Melisa Baluyot has a passion for teaching and motivating young people to discover their own passions, while striving to accomplish their goals. As a Titan alum, she has a Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Adolescent Development and a Multiple Subject Teaching credential from California State University, Fullerton. Melisa has worked with a diverse group of students during her years of teaching, ranging from grades TK through 12th grade. She also has numerous years of experience teaching STEM with the Tiger Woods Foundation, through their enrichment and afterschool programs. As an educator, Melisa is driven by one philosophy; Inspire young people to believe in themselves and empower them to create positive change in the world. Melisa and LAEF are both excited to have her on board.

Melodie graduated from Hope International University in Fullerton with a B.A. in Human Development and has taught in several private elementary schools throughout southern California for over twenty years. Developing her own curriculum and spear-heading an innovative after school program on the east coast, she moved back in CA to pursue her love of hands-on teaching in the classroom. She is currently a projects coordinator at Oakwood Academy in Long Beach.

Free to Be Me Performance Academy provides quality performance training in a positive, enthusiastic, nurturing, and embracing environment. Through their classes students learn essential life skills such as teamwork, respect, responsibility, care and compassion. They emphasize the importance of character both on and off the stage and work to inspire each student to BE a positive light out in the community. Most importantly they encourage FUN!

Emily is a recent graduate from California State University, Long Beach. She graduated with honors and a degree in Marine Biology. Before attending CSULB, Emily lived in Washington State and attended Skagit Valley College where she played on the college’s volleyball team. Emily has been playing volleyball since she was 10 years old and has 4 years of experience coaching the sport. Emily was also a coach and director at Skyhawks Sports Academy and looks forward to continuing to teach children life skills through sports.

She is excited to share her knowledge of the game with her students in through LAEF.

Alondra graduated from Long Beach State University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Art Education and pursued her Single Subject Credential in Art. She has worked with diverse groups such as students from grades TK-12th. Alondra enjoys teaching in the classroom where students and art can come together within the community. She has a background in drawing, painting, ceramics, collage, fiber art, and 3d art. Alondra strongly believes the Visual and Performing Arts serve as a vehicle for creativity, exploration, social change, community building, and life-long learning. Her favorite quote is from Maxine Greene in which she shares a powerful message, “The arts, it has been said, cannot change the world, but they may change human beings who might change the world.”

Cristina was born and raised in Spain. After high school, she moved to the US where she was able to play golf at the same time that she was getting her communications degree.

She has been working with kids of all ages tutoring Spanish and English and teaching golf for over 10 years. She is passionate about golf and she is very enthusiastic about working with kids and showing them her love for golf and how fun it can be. In her free time, Cristina enjoys hanging out with her family and going to the beach with her puppy.

Sara Hassan Khani is an interdisciplinary artist based in Long Beach, California. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the University of Tehran, Iran in 2015. She has been working as a visiting artist coordinator, art history research assistant, and has been a teaching assistant for multiple courses at California State University Long Beach, where She received her Master of Fine Arts in Fall 2020. While she has a comprehensive studio art background, her interest lies in the intersection of painting, drawing, illustration, installation, and Printmaking. She mainly works with traditional media such as charcoal, ink, oil paints, watercolors, and collage. She has shown in multiple solo and group exhibitions in California and Iran. She is the recipient of multiple awards, including the John Baldessari Scholarship.

Mark Lang was born and raised in New York City, and has been playing basketball his whole life. In High School, he was a four-year varsity letterman, while earning first team all NYC honors. Lang was also recruited to play Division III basketball. In college, during his semester abroad in Italy, he played semi-professional hoops for the city of Perugia. Mark has also coached basketball, ages 8-15, at Androscoggin, a competitive all boys sports camp in Maine. Mark currently attends Chapman University in California and is a double major in Philosophy and History, with a minor in Italian. His favorite basketball team is the Los Angeles Lakers.

Abbie is a 2020 Los Al graduate and was a member of the Varsity cheer team! She now attends Long Beach State and is a member of the Cheer team on campus. She is majoring in Liberal Studies in hopes of becoming a Kindergarten teacher! Abbie is a dance teacher at Onstage Dance Center and also worked at Rise Up Athletics teaching gymnastics and tumbling. She is so excited to meet all of you!

Skyhawks provides a wide variety of fun, safe and positive programs that emphasize critical lessons in sports and life, such as teamwork, respect and sportsmanship. Our programs are designed to give each child a positive introduction into sports while fostering a lifelong love for an active, healthy lifestyle. Our patient and knowledgeable staff use a variety of skill-building games and activities to give each athlete a complete understanding and overview of the sport.

Andrea has been a student of Kenpo Karate for over 30 years and is currently a 5th Degree Black Belt. She has been the International champion six times and has won more than 150 1st place trophies in her tournament career. Ms. Solow owned and operated a karate school in Telluride, Colorado for 15 years. She has instructed several hundred people over the years, having many advanced students, and bringing several people to the rank of black belt. She recently moved back to her home state, California, with her husband and two children who attend school in the Los Al school district. Ms. Solow is passionate about teaching kids and is excited to be an instructor for the LAEF program!

Jerry is the founder of Red Zone Threat Management and travels nationally and internationally teaching seminars to members of the DEA, Local Law Enforcement, and civilians on the topic of personal protection. He is the author of the book “Red Zone Prime: A Foundation for Personal Protection”. In addition he is a passionate instructor of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts which he teaches at the facility he has owned and operated for the last 14 years, Centerline Martial Arts and Fitness. Jerry runs kids classes daily in mixed martial arts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as well as the kids BJJ competition team. He has two children who both attend schools in Los Alamitos Unified. Jerry firmly believes that every child has the right to enjoy their school days without fear of being bullied and is committed to helping them develop the necessary tools and attitude to help them on their journey.

spring 2021 virtual TEACHER BIOS

Students will learn to code while building their own video games. Students will gain problem solving, critical thinking, and STEM skills in a fun, safe, and inspiring environment. Technology is advancing at an incredible rate, and we’re just getting started. Every kid deserves the chance to unlock their innate, unlimited capacity to learn. Whether or not they pursue coding as a career, Code Ninjas wants to provide students with skills that will help them pursue their dreams.

Kathy Brubacher is fully bilingual in English and Japanese having been formally educated in both the US and Japan during her formative years and through graduate school. Her interest in education—the development of the mind and heart—was sparked as a young adult by her mentor and with support of her parents. As a certified teacher in Japan and professional mom, she has taught various age groups in multiple settings including private schools, private tutoring, and homeschooling. Kathy encourages her students to aim high and pursue excellence in whatever they do. She believes passion typically comes after mastery of a subject opening doors to opportunities for the future and present. She is looking forward to teaching Japanese this fall!

– Sara Hassan Khani is an interdisciplinary artist based in Long Beach, California. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the University of Tehran, Iran in 2015. She has been working as a visiting artist coordinator, art history research assistant, and been a teaching assistant for multiple courses at California State University Long Beach, where She received her Master of Fine Arts in Fall 2020. While she has a comprehensive studio art background, her interest lies in the intersection of painting, drawing, illustration, installation, and Printmaking. She mainly works with traditional media such as charcoal, ink, oil paints, watercolors, and collage. She has shown in multiple solo and group exhibitions in California and Iran. She is the recipient of multiple awards, including the John Baldessari Scholarship.

Pilar DeNardo was born and raised in Barcelona, Spain and in Perú. After graduating from college, she came to the United States to learn English. Pilar earned an M.A in Bilingual Education as well as multiple teaching credentials. After teaching elementary school for 5 years and becoming a mom, Pilar decided to open her own business and teach her native language to elementary age students.

A native of El Salvador moved to the US in 1986. She loves sharing language and culture with students and has been teaching in Orange County since 2008. Claudia earned her Master’s in Education from Azusa Pacific University and a B.A. in Education and Child Development from National University. As a language teacher, her goal is for students to be exposed and gain a deeper appreciation of the beautifully diverse multilingual, multicultural, and multiethnic communities we are so blessed to have in California and in our world. She is currently teaching as a reading intervention teacher in Los Alamitos Unified.

Elena graduated from People’s Friendship University of Russia, earned her B.A. degree in World History. Her diploma comes with teaching credentials. Elena spent three years at Tianjin University where she earned certificates in Chinese language proficiency (including a HSK certificate) and she took Master degree courses in economic and trade law in Mandarin. She worked in Russia as a middle school ESL teacher. In China she tutored ESL to groups of students from preschool to middle school age and individually tutored Russian language to Chinese and Korean students. Elena has experience developing individual teaching plans suitable for different ages, skill sets and requirements, creating fun activities to make classes interesting and fun. She strongly believes that anyone can learn a foreign language and enjoy the process. Elena is a proud parent of two students in the Los Alamitos Unified School District. Elena is extremely excited to teach for LAEF!

Coralie Prince’s life has been music from the time she was born! Her father was a singer/songwriter/pianist and producer of shows. Mother, a nurse, performed at home and supported the arts. Coralie began piano when she was a toddler and violin when she was 6. She most recently taught elementary classroom music at Hopkinson and Lee both from 1980 to 2014. She directed grade level shows and produced, directed, accompanied a large musical each year with the 5th grade and/or the 4/5 chorus. She taught piano privately for many years and later, a summer Musical Theater Workshop for grades 3 thru 12. She is so excited to continue working with the students in the LAEF Musical Theater Class.

Vivien Ridgway is an American Sign Language interpreter and Deaf Studies student originally from Seattle Washington. Vivien moved to Orange County six years ago to study American Sign Language Interpreting, and has been heavily involved in the Deaf community ever since! She was a sign language interpreter at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, California, and when she isn’t working enjoys playing guitar, swimming, and hanging out with her dog, Sheila. Vivien last taught American Sign Language for LAEF in 2019. She is excited to be teaching students in Los Alamitos once again.

Mrs. Vida grew up speaking French as her native language. She was raised in the Loire Valley, in France; graduated from College with a language degree, and worked in Paris in an American Company, before moving to the USA in her thirties. She is very familiar with our Los Alamitos School District as she volunteered on PTA Boards for over 20 years. This is Mrs. Vida’s second season working for LAEF after-school and she is so excited to get back at it!

Enhancing Educational Excellence

Enhancing Educational Excellence

Session 2 Camps have begun!

On-Campus Camps - Session 2
April 19 - May 27

Virtual Spring Classes
February 22 - May 27

Click on the arrow next to your school name to download class offerings flyer.

After School Enrichment

Aside from the FUN, innovative classes offered,
did you know quality After School Programs:

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CALENDAR

*LAEF classes and camps will not be held on designated No School Days
**LAEF classes and camps will be held on designated Open House Days

June 2021

Last Day of School

S.E.I. Session One Begins

Spring 2021 Session 2 Class Descriptions

Click on the arrows to read class descriptions
All Classes will follow strict Covid-19 Guidelines for mask wearing, social distancing and sanitizing

Spring 2021 Session 2 on-campus TEACHER BIOS

spring 2021 virtual TEACHER BIOS

STREET ADDRESS:

MAILING ADDRESS:

Corporate Partners

Corporate Partners

Enhancing Educational Excellence

Enhancing Educational Excellence

Session 2 Camps have begun!

On-Campus Camps - Session 2April 19 - May 27Virtual Spring ClassesFebruary 22 - May 27

Click on the arrow next to your school name to download class offerings flyer.

After School Enrichment

Aside from the FUN, innovative classes offered, did you know quality After School Programs:

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CALENDAR

*LAEF classes and camps will not be held on designated No School Days**LAEF classes and camps will be held on designated Open House Days

June 2021

Last Day of School

S.E.I. Session One Begins

Spring 2021 Session 2 Class Descriptions

Click on the arrows to read class descriptionsAll Classes will follow strict Covid-19 Guidelines for mask wearing, social distancing and sanitizing

Spring 2021 Session 2 on-campus TEACHER BIOS

spring 2021 virtual TEACHER BIOS

STREET ADDRESS:

MAILING ADDRESS:

Corporate Partners

Corporate Partners

On-Campus Camps - Session 2
April 19 - May 27

Virtual Spring Classes
February 22 - May 27

Aside from the FUN, innovative classes offered,
did you know quality After School Programs:

*LAEF classes and camps will not be held on designated No School Days
**LAEF classes and camps will be held on designated Open House Days

Click on the arrows to read class descriptions
All Classes will follow strict Covid-19 Guidelines for mask wearing, social distancing and sanitizing