Staff

• Downtown College Prep Staff
• DCP Alum Rock Staff
• Central Office Staff

Downtown College Prep Staff (grades 9-12)

Edwin Avarca, History Teacher
BA, Oberlin College; MA, Stanford University
evarca@dcp.org 
Year joined DCP: 2009
"I am proud to be part of the Downtown College Prep community because of the work of our students and colleagues. The creative ideas to support all of our students to ensure that they attend college also attracts me to DCP. I am thrilled to be part of a movement that has the potential to empower our students and the communities that they live in." 

Sylvia Bustamante, Office Manager
sbustamante@dcp.org
Year joined DCP: 2011

Irene Castillon, History Teacher
BA, Brown University
MA,Stanford University
icastillon@dcp.org
Year joined DCP: 2010
"I teach at DCP because it serves, challenges and believes in my community. I want to do whatever possible to empower the students and the community through education so that students may feel comfortable sharing their voice and their stories with the world (¡con orgullo!)"

Gaby Chairez, College Guidance Counselor
BA, University of California, Santa Barbara
gchairez@dcp.org
Year joined DCP: 2011
"I enjoy working with our students because they remind me so much of myself when I was in high school.  I am a proud native of San Jose and graduate of Overfelt High School and I know first hand how difficult it is for students from our community to make it to college and succeed once there. I'm excited to be part of this very important mission to lead students to a path in higher education the way that my teachers and counselors did for me."

Jeffrey Dagan, English Teacher
BA, Pepperdine University
MA, University of Phoenix
jdagan@dcp.org
Year joined DCP: 2008
“I believe in every student!”
"Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing."  - Helen Keller

Danielle Marie Davis, English Teacher
BA, University of California, Santa Cruz
MA, Stanford University
ddavis@dcp.org
Year joined DCP: 2007
“The reason I first came to DCP was because I thought it would allow me to be a monkey wrench, rather than a cog, in the machinery of systemic racism and classism. Since then, I've learned that my hypothesis was correct. What I didn't know, and what has kept me here, is the fact that DCP is not just a school, it is a comunidad.”

Michael DeSousa, Principal
BS, MA, University of California Berkeley
mdesousa@dcp.org
Year joined DCP: 2009
“I came to DCP to be part of a community of families, teachers and community members that believe that schools should provide every student with a college preparatory education. Knowing every student on campus and seeing them grow inspires me to bring my best each day.”

Lacey Faulkner 
BA, The University of Texas at Austin 
lfaulkner@dcp.org
Year joined DCP: 2009
“To value education above all else is to value the ability to have choices.” -unknown

Heather Ferguson- Resource Specialist
BA, California State University, Northridge
MA, Notre Dame de Namur (2012)
hferguson@dcp.org
Joined DCP: 2011
"I chose to be a part of the DCP community because I believe every student no matter their race, religion, or socioeconomic status, should be guaranteed a rich educational experience."
“We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Amber Glover, Math Teacher
BA, San Jose State University
aglover@dcp.org 
Year joined DCP: 2010

Yolanda Guerra, Art Teacher
BA, San Jose State University
yguerra@dcp.org
Year joined DCP: 2007

Lori Hartmann, Science Teacher
BS, University of Buffalo
MA, UC Santa Cruz
lhartmann@dcp.org
Year joined DCP: 2005
"What inspires me is being a part of that moment when young people decide to see what they are capable of, and dedicate themselves to their education.”

Rebecca Hwang, Math Teacher
BA, University of California Davis
MA, University of Michigan
rhwang@dcp.org
Year joined DCP: 2009
“I teach at DCP because I believe that the key to success for every student is through a good education.”

Prisilla Lerza, College Financial Aid Manager
BA, Stanford University
plerza@dcp.org 
Year joined DCP: 2009

Chris McIntyre, PE Teacher/Athletic Director
BS, San Jose State University
cmcintyre@dcp.org
Year joined DCP: 2007
“I am here at DCP because I believe that every student should have the opportunity to be successful. Getting an opportunity to work with fellow teachers and staff that push themselves to continue to grow everyday and support each other through that process is one of my favorite parts about working at DCP. During my time at DCP I strive to give students the skills necessary to lead a healthy and active lifestyle while they are in my class and for their future after they leave.”

Elizabeth Neely
BA, Santa Clara University
eneely@dcp.org
Year joined DCP: 2008
"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you will land among the stars."  -Les Brown

Pamela Thomas, Academic Dean
BA, University of California, San Diego
MA, UC Berkeley; MA Stanford
pthomas@dcp.org
Year joined DCP: 2005 (as English teacher) Academic Dean from 2008
“I am here at DCP because I believe deeply that every student can attend college.  I love working with a staff that is also driven by the same mission, and their commitment and hard work inspire me on a daily basis.  I continue to be amazed by the transformation I see in DCP students during their time here and beyond, and I love supporting the staff and students in this challenging but rewarding work.”

Lauren Turner, Science Teacher
BS, University of Kansas
MA, University of California, Santa Cruz
lturner@dcp.org
Year joined DCP: 2005
"I choose to teach at DCP because I believe that a good education is a fundamental right of every student in California, and DCP's mission helps struggling students get the education and college preparation that they deserve."

Stephanie Wu, Math Teacher
BA, UCLA
MA, UCLA
swu@dcp.org
Year joined DCP: 2009
"I came to DCP because I love working with staff, students, and parents who are drive by a common goal – that all students can succeed in college." 
Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming. -John Wooden
 

DCP Alum Rock

David A. Herrera, Founding Principal, DCP Alum Rock
BA, Stanford University
MA, University of San Francisco
dherrera@dcp.org
Year joined DCP: 2010
"Working with DCP, and starting a school in Alum Rock is a dream come true for me.  My family has lived in Alum Rock and East Side San Jose for nearly 60 years, and nothing could be more important to me than providing an excellent education to our kids.  I am excited to work with parents, students, and community members to create a school that will send ALL students to college and help them achieve their dreams."

Alejandro Elizondo Herrera, Humanities Teacher
BA, University of California, Santa Cruz
MA, University of California, Santa Cruz
aherrera@dcp.org
Year Joined DCP: 2010
"I joined DCP in order to be part of a community that is committed to providing its students with all the skills they need to create opportunities and thrive within their chosen path."

Brandon Jones, Humanities Teacher
Regis University-Denver, Colorado
bjones@dcp.org
Year joined DCP: 2010
"Being a part of creating a new school has been a dream of mine since the day I started teaching.  It feels great to know that my voice is counted in every decision made about students, school culture, and where the school is headed.  It has revitalized me to work even smarter than before to help create an environment that any student can thrive in no matter what their background may be."

Greg Klein, Manager of Blended Learning
BA, Dartmouth College
MA, Alliant International University
gklein@dcp.org
Year joined DCP: 2011
"Coming to DCP has been an amazing opportunity to explore and learn how to better customize learning solutions for our many different students. I am excited to join this team of educational leaders who innovate and ensure that all students thrive in college and beyond. Ours is a school community built on engaging families, knowing students extremely well and providing teachers with the tools they need to help each individual student."

Michelle Koo, Math Teacher
mkoo@dcp.org
Year joined DCP: 2011
"I chose to work at DCP because I wanted to be surrounded by staff, students, and families that believe all students deserve a quality education that prepares them for college success."
 

Central Office Staff

Jennifer Andaluz, Co-Founder and Executive Director
BA, University of California, Santa Cruz
jandaluz@dcp.org
Co-founded school in 1999
“DCP is changing the lives of families across San Jose by helping students get to and through college. My greatest inspiration is seeing our alumni grow and thrive in college while discovering how they want to contribute to creating positive change for our community and world.”

Paula Gallant, Controller
BS, Northern Illinois University
pgallant@dcp.org
Year joined DCP: 2007
“DCP helps so many students who would otherwise never dream of going to college.  It makes me proud to be part of an organization that makes a real difference in people's lives.”

Kathleen Houk, Operations Administrator
khouk@dcp.org
Year joined DCP: 2010
"Inspired by Downtown College Prep's mission of social justice and educational opportunity for all, I am proud to be part of this hard-working and dedicated team.  When you raise the bar for students and give them the tools to succeed, they are capable of great things."