Team Guinn Biographical Information

Jessica Guinn

Jessica, team leader, started her first teaching assignment 15 1/2 years ago. She has worked at 24^th Street Elementary, Synergy Charter, L. B. Weemes Elementary, 99^th Street Elementary, Horace Mann Middle School, and Washington Primary Center. She has taught at the 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th grade levels and will be entering her fifth year of teaching 1^st grade. She has earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and has been trained in multiple reading and math programs as well as participated in a wide variety of professional developments in reading, math, and science. She is a trained Thinking Maps teacher and received training to work as Faculty Advisor with the Teach For America (TFA) program. She currently serves as Chairperson for School Site Council, UTLA Chairperson, Academic Committee team member as well as a member of the Safety Team at Washington Primary Center. Her team was just awarded TIIP augmented funds to continue another year of professional learning. Her team will continue to create literacy independence and math fluency in their students as they continue to align assessment with effective classroom instruction. 

Maria De Luna

Maria is in her 10^th year of teaching and has worked at 135^th Street Elementary and Washington Primary Center. She has taught both 1^st and 5^th grade. She is a certified trainer for the Thinking Maps program and has taken on the role of STAR testing coordinator. She is also a participant in the Nell Soto Home visitation program. In addition, she has participated in a wide variety of professional development in reading, math, and science. She currently serves as Grade Level Co-Chair for 1^st grade.

Al Speight

Al Speight has been in education for more than 20 years. In addition to his Multiple Subject Teaching Credential (preschool-12^th grade and adult), he earned his Professional Clear Administrative Credential and Master’s degree in Special Education. As a teacher, he has taught grades Preschool, Kindergarten, 1^st, 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th in Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina where he served as a mentor teacher and grade level chair. In addition, he also served as a Title 1 Specialist -Administrator, Title 1 Teacher Coach-Administrator, Assistant Principal-6 years and Principal-5 years for LAUSD. Al has participated in numerous professional developments in Reading, Writing, and Math. He has also been successful in writing grants for several schools as well as providing teacher training in Writing (Writers Workshop) and Balanced Literacy Instruction for LAUSD teachers. Most recently, he is currently teaching 4^th grade at 68^th Street School where he is working towards obtaining his National Board teacher certification. He is continuing to seeking professional growth opportunities to hone his craft as an educator and to collaborate with other educators.