Bright Star Schools
Cynthia Juarez has extensive experience in education, currently serving as the Founding Biology Teacher at Rise Kohyang High School since January 2007, where responsibilities include teaching 9th grade Biology and managing the Associated Student Body. Previously, Cynthia held the role of Founding Science Teacher at Rise Kohyang Middle School, teaching 6th to 8th grade sciences. Cynthia's earlier experience includes serving as Site Coordinator at the Youth Policy Institute from 2007 to 2009, overseeing an after-school program for approximately 250 students and a staff of 20, and working as a Behavioral Therapist at Beautiful Minds Center for Autism, Inc. from 2007 to 2008, providing behavior therapy to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Cynthia holds a Master’s degree with a Multiple Subject Credential in Elementary Education from Loyola Marymount University and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Northridge.
Bright Star Schools
At Bright Star Schools, we prepare our students to become leaders who act with integrity and champion equity to enrich our communities and the world. In nine, tuition-free public schools in three communities in Los Angeles -- South Los Angeles, Koreatown, and the San Fernando Valley -- our 3,500+ students experience rigorous academics, inclusive education, social-emotional support, and rich life opportunities beyond the classroom. We are people-first as an organization, and we are students-first across all of our school sites. Our educators join a family that is passionate and committed to developing all students to become well-rounded citizens. We make it a high priority to create a safe and inclusive environment for our students and staff and to cultivate leaders from within who are invested in Bright Star Schools’ mission. We offer small class sizes, comprehensive teacher support, and numerous collaboration opportunities across the organization and within school sites. We strongly believe in teacher voice, and we work to increase teaching practice and effectiveness through our data-driven and feedback-derived professional development.