j.coronado

Dr. Jesse Coronado

Chief Executive Officer

Born and raised in the heart of California’s Central Valley, within a highly impoverished and gang-infested community, Dr. Coronado experienced firsthand the social complexities and systemic challenges that plagued his environment. Growing up in such circumstances instilled in him a deep understanding of inequity and fueled his determination to overcome adversity through education. His academic journey began in under-resourced schools, where he persistently sought greater academic rigor and higher expectations. This early drive to excel, despite the obstacles and injustices he faced, ignited a lifelong passion to serve underrepresented students and the educators who dedicate themselves to these communities.

 Teaching and leading in the very neighborhoods where he was raised, Dr. Coronado quickly recognized the urgent need for innovative, research-based solutions to address the evolving challenges that students bring with them to school. Guided by his unwavering core values of resilience, integrity, and grit, he has devoted his career to serving districts and schools often constrained by limited resources, while tackling issues that extend beyond academics. His expertise spans a broad range of educational capacities—from classroom teacher,  elementary and middle school administrator,  as well as county-level administrator—providing him with a comprehensive perspective on the needs of marginalized school systems.

 Dr. Coronado possesses extensive experience in curriculum development, instructional design, and intervention strategies that support underperforming schools and districts. His work emphasizes culturally responsive practices, equity-focused leadership, and systemic improvement aimed at dismantling barriers to student success. He has also played a critical role in implementing district-wide initiatives that improve academic achievement, enhance teacher effectiveness, and strengthen school communities in high-poverty areas.

 In addition to his educational leadership, Dr. Coronado’s background in mental health uniquely positions him to address the socio-emotional needs of students and staff alike.  He also has extensive experience integrating trauma-informed practices into educational settings, recognizing the intersection of mental health and learning outcomes.

 Dr. Coronado holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, a Master’s degree in Business Administration, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, a Clear Administrative Services Credential, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of the Pacific. He recently earned his second doctoral degree in Advanced Studies in Human Behavior from the University of Southern California (USC).

 Currently, Dr. Coronado resides near the community where he grew up, remaining deeply connected to his roots and committed to transforming the educational landscape for students who “have a face like his own.” He is actively engaged in scholarly work, including the publication of two research articles and the development of a book based on his doctoral collective case study. Recently, he was invited to participate in the application process for an associate professorship at USC, further extending his impact into higher education.

 Driven by his personal experiences and academic expertise, Dr. Coronado continues to champion equity-driven leadership, inspire systemic change, and empower educators and students to rise above adversity and achieve lasting success.

Ermelinda Ozuna

President

Executive Director of Instructional Services

Ermelinda Ozuna brings over 33 years of experience as an accomplished Instructional Leader and Educator Effectiveness Strategist, serving various school districts and county offices in Tulare and Kern Counties. In her role as a Strategist, she has provided dedicated support to principals and assistant principals across elementary, middle, and high schools, guiding them in the implementation of Educator Effectiveness Systems that drive continuous improvement in teaching and learning.

Her extensive leadership background includes serving as Middle School Vice Principal, Elementary Principal, Junior High Principal, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, ELD Coordinator, and County-Level Administrator, in addition to classroom teaching experience at the elementary, junior high, high school, and college levels. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies/English with a Bilingual Emphasis and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration.

Ermelinda is deeply committed to closing the achievement gap for all students, guided by her philosophy of “putting children first and preparing them for success in the 21st century.” She has been an active contributor to school leadership teams and Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), playing a key role in data analysis, setting and reviewing school goals, and developing district-wide SMART Goals.

In her various leadership roles, she has designed and facilitated professional development aligned to continuous school improvement, Learning Continuity Plans, and LCAP initiatives. Ermelinda has led numerous trainings on Educator Effectiveness implementation, emphasizing growth mindset and process-driven improvement for both educators and administrators. 

A passionate advocate for literacy, she has successfully led the implementation of Tier II and Tier III Reading Intervention Programs, overseen assessment monitoring, and introduced cutting-edge educational technology programs to enhance instructional practices. She has also provided coaching and modeling of effective instruction, supported teachers throughout the Educator Effectiveness cycle, and coordinated assessments to improve student outcomes.

Her expertise extends to Federal Program Monitoring (FPM) at both district and county levels, as well as ELD and Categorical Program coordination, curriculum alignment and adoptions, grant writing, action planning, team-building, parent engagement initiatives, management retreats, staff recruitment, and Community Schools Grant coordination.

With a proven record of fostering collaboration, innovation, and continuous growth, Ermelinda is a dedicated educational leader whose vision and experience have positively impacted schools, educators, and students alike.

Ricardo Stevens

Vice - President

Executive Director of Program & Instructional Logistics

Ricardo Stevens is an accomplished education professional with over 20 years of experience working across multiple facets of the educational landscape. He specializes in Aeries and student information systems (SIS), with a proven track record of streamlining data management processes, and ensuring accuracy and compliance in all state and local reporting requirements.

 Ricardo has extensive expertise in Federal Program Monitoring (FPM), ensuring that schools meet federal and state accountability standards through meticulous documentation, reporting, and compliance measures. He is also a seasoned leader in the After School Education and Safety (ASES) program, where he has successfully coordinated enrichment programs, supervised staff, managed budgets, and created safe and engaging learning environments for students.

 With a strong background in parent communication and technology integration, Ricardo has implemented tools and systems that improve engagement between schools and families. His experience includes deploying parent portals, digital communication platforms, and interactive technologies to keep parents informed and actively involved in their child’s education.

 In addition to his administrative expertise, Ricardo brings a creative edge with his skills in web design and graphic design, developing visually engaging content and user-friendly websites that support school branding, outreach, and communication initiatives. His musical education support background further complements his profile, allowing him to collaborate with fine arts programs and contribute to a well-rounded educational experience for students.

 Ricardo’s comprehensive knowledge of state and local reporting, coupled with his deep understanding of educational technology, compliance, and program management, make him a versatile and results-driven professional. His ability to bridge administrative operations, instructional support, and creative technology solutions reflects his commitment to fostering student achievement and supporting school communities at every level.

Yadira Leon

Director of Assessments and accountability

Yadira Leon is an accomplished education professional with over 11 years of experience supporting students, staff, and school operations through a blend of instructional, administrative, and compliance expertise. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, which has provided her with a strong foundation in organizational management, data analysis, and operational efficiency—skills that she seamlessly integrates into her work in the educational field.

 Throughout her career, Yadira has served as a trusted and knowledgeable resource in both the classroom and the office, combining her instructional background as a substitute teacher with her deep understanding of data management, state accountability, and school operations. Her expertise spans multiple areas critical to student success and school compliance.

 She has extensive experience in tracking student attendance and absenteeism, ensuring accuracy in state attendance reporting and maintaining compliance with California’s regulations. Her background equips her to manage staff records, support onboarding processes, and ensure policy adherence across all levels of school operations.

 Yadira is proficient in Aeries data analysis, using it to monitor student performance trends, generate reports, and provide actionable insights for teachers and administrators. She has significant experience coordinating CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress) testing, and overseeing ELPAC (English Language Proficiency Assessments for California) administration to support English learners.

 Her leadership extends to the preparation of School Accountability Report Cards (SARC) and the development of School Plans for Student Achievement (SPSA), ensuring that improvement initiatives are data-driven and aligned with state and federal standards. She is also experienced in Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC), student and family surveys, child nutrition reporting, and other compliance-related responsibilities.

 Yadira’s expertise in annual state school audits showcases her precision and attention to detail, ensuring all documentation is accurate and audit-ready. She is adept at implementing, training, and administering various educational programs and reporting systems, empowering staff to use tools effectively and stay compliant with state mandates.

 Her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, combined with her extensive educational experience, enables her to bridge the gap between instructional needs and administrative requirements, making her an invaluable asset to any educational institution. Yadira Leon is deeply committed to operational excellence, student achievement, and creating efficient systems that support both staff and learners.