"Words about Danny from his teachers: 
"Danny is a ray of light in the 8th grade! He is kind and inquisitive and a leader among his peers. The thing I most enjoy about teaching and knowing Danny is his willingness to help other students learn. If Danny finishes an assignment early, I can always count on him to help his neighbor or any classmate who is struggling. We are lucky to have Danny as part of our Caliber family!"

"Sometimes it feels like I learn as much from Danny as he learns from me. He possesses a rare wisdom that enriches each day's lesson and discussion. Most impressive, though, is Danny's moral compass and the fearlessness with which he articulates his world view. I am a better educator and better person because of the time that I have spent with this young man."

"Danny is such a great example of the kind of person we want our students to be. He is a helpful, kind, and considerate member of our community that is also a rockstar in the classroom. His schoolwork and contributions to class discussions are consistently thoughtful and sophisticated. Danny is always keepin' it classy and is just fun to be around; he's one of my favorite people to run into during lunch or after school."

A recent interview with Danny :
What is your favorite thing about going to school at Caliber?
It’s different,  we have a better schedule. In my other school, our classes were hard, but the timing was awful because we didn't have enough time to learn well in such a short amount of time. Even the weekly schedule was bad, Caliber has the short days on Friday and that’s great!

What is your favorite subject?
My favorite subject has to be math. Mr. Heath is a really great teacher because he doesn’t give up on anybody. He pushes us to our greatest potential and he’s very hardworking. He makes sure that all his students are strong, he’s not too strict, but not too lenient. He knows when students need to be disciplined and this makes him cool! 

What is your favorite memory associated with music?
I like songs with feeling, especially the ones from Coco. My little sister had the movie on repeat and the music was always playing in the background. Music has become very important to me and I can feel the meaning behind it.

If you could go on a dream vacation, what would you do + where would you go?
If I could go on a dream vacation, I would go to Oaxaca, Mexico.  I want to go there because it’s culturally rich. I've been there before and I think that building homes there is important.  Corner stores have homes on top where entire families live, so working takes over peoples lives. If there were homes built around the business, not two in one, this would give everyone their lives back.

What is your favorite thing about the Bay Area? 
My favorite part about Richmond is that there is a sense of community. You can say "hi"to your neighbor and you feel welcomed. You don’t have to fear the people you live next to.

What is one thing that nobody knows about you? 
I feel like people know a lot about me, but they don’t know that I am the 4th out of 6 kids!
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Keep shining, Danny! We are happy to have you be part of our Caliber community!!

Words about Roseline from her coworkers: 
"What can I say about the saint who resides in the corner of my classroom ...She does SO much and accepts so little in return. Once she told me, "The greatest thing you will ever give these kids is your time." Ms. Onu knows better than anyone the time it takes to do this job as well as she does. She keeps me sane, silly, and more often than not - well fed." 

"Ms. Onu is the glue that holds our 1st grade team together. She is always readily available to assist in any capacity, more importantly she offers her service with a smile. She is funny, compassionate and seasoned with experience. It's a joy working alongside her. Her purpose on campus is to serve the kids and educate them. She will always do what's best for the students no matter what. In the words of artist, 2Face, " She is my African Queen!" Well deserved recognition! Caliber loves you Ms. Onu. Thanks for all you do." 


A recent interview with Roseline: 
What is your favorite thing about working at Caliber?
 My favorite thing about working at Caliber is definitely the families. My interactions with the kids allow me to build relationships with everyone in their families; the moms, dads, uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews. They have all touched and enriched me in different ways. The kids are very loving and appreciative. Their thirst for learning is infinite. I remember spending a little time helping a kid in third grade two years ago with a math problem. She thanked me for days and days. Her family went to Mexico and they brought me back a pen made in Chapala. The families are gracious and love to help. I honestly believe that one of Caliber’s strongest points is the relationship we build with our families. We are blessed in those strong relationships and I am thankful to be a part of it. I have not met anyone  at Caliber that I didn’t like. I know for a fact that our "Rome" at Caliber is being built. We are always growing and evolving!!

What was your favorite subject when you were in school and why?
While I was in school, I loved history. I attribute it to the fact that I love to tell stories. I love memorizing dates and I am kind of good at it. Unfortunately, being good at memorizing was in the past, right now, I suffer from CRS (Can’t Remember Stuff).

What is your favorite memory associated with music (maybe a memorable concert, or playing an instrument yourself!)?  
I have a true love for the piano. My mother gave me a few lessons as a child, however, I got too busy with other interests. I tried to live vicariously through my children by signing them up for piano lessons, but that also went to downhill . I now satisfy that true love by embracing Antonio Vivaldi’s classical music. It’s close enough.

If you could go on a dream vacation, what would you do + where would you go?
I would love to go to Paris on a dream vacation. I have heard so many beautiful things about Paris. The cafes, the people, the historic buildings and architectural styles etc. One day, I shall make my dream a reality by walking the streets of Paris and give the Effiel Tower a  big hug. 

What is your favorite thing about the Bay Area (or specifically Richmond )?
My family has lived in the Bay Area for over thirty years. The Bay Area reminds me of a famous giant melting-pot. There are so many people that come from so many different walks of life. It amazes me to see how all these different people come together here and for the most part are able to coexist.

What is one fun fact that most people don't know about you?
I love music and I love to dance! Many people do not know that I actually love different genres of music, one of them being heavy metal! 
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Nenji Yilpet is the Assistant Principal at Caliber: ChangeMakers Academy. Her love and commitment to the students, families and communities is out of this world! She embodies all of our pillars- HEART,SMART, THINK, ACT on a daily basis. We are truly lucky to have Nenji at Caliber. She is someone that truly leads by example and naturally inspires and lifts others with her radiant energy! 
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Words about Nenji from her coworkers: 
"Nenji is a loving, passionate, incredible educator who supports ALL students, staff, and families. Anyone who is with Nenji feels her contagious love and passion for kids. Personally, I love Nenji and CMA is so blessed to have her. Nenji is a gem and is loved by all."

"Nenji is a superstar!  She is an amazing educator who is 100% dedicated to all of our students.  Her commitment is a daily inspiration and she makes me want to work harder every day to create a school where students can reach their full potential.  Nenji has taught me so much through thought provoking conversations and just by being who she is in our community.  I am grateful to be part of Nenji's team and to learn and laugh with her everyday. "

"What can I say about Ms.Yilpet!!! She is dedicated to our school and the children. Her humbleness and work ethic is what I strive to be. Nenji is an amazing leader and educator. She is on the move constantly ensuring all teachers and students are getting what they need. If I had an extensive amount of money I would buy her a Segway :) "

"Nenji is an achiever in every sense of the word. I love her commitment to rigorous instruction while continuing to support our student's in their socio-emotional development. Nenji has this super special talent in which she is able to balance the delicate balance of making sure student's get what they need, teachers feel supported and families feel heard. She is able to do all of this with grace and a great sense of humor!"

​A recent interview with Nenji: 
What is your favorite thing about working at Caliber?
 My favorite thing about working at Caliber is the people. I absolutely love our school team and our babies and families! I learn so much on a daily basis from our kids, teachers and the rest of the leadership team. It is beautiful to work in a place that feels like family and embodies the belief that "we fall together and rise together."

What was your favorite subject when you were in school and why?
As child, I loved writing. Probably because I also loved talking! I was in 2nd grade and I discovered how powerful it was to use writing as a means of communication. I wrote a story for our school district in Chicago, and I won the Young Author’s Award. Definitely a highlight of my elementary years!

What is your favorite memory associated with music (maybe a memorable concert, or playing an instrument yourself!)?  
My favorite memory associated with music is seeing The Lion King on Broadway in New York. Absolutely mind blowing! Loved every moment of it!

If you could go on a dream vacation, what would you do + where would you go?
My dream vacation (hoping to make it happen in the next year) would be to go to South Africa. Oh, and I would also  do a lot of zip lining, hiking, snorkeling, and make sure to eat dinner on the beach, possibly even skydive. I love to travel. I grew up around the world with people from everywhere. So any chance I get, I’m always ready to experience new places. I prefer being in local communities when I travel too!

What is your favorite thing about the Bay Area (or specifically Vallejo )?
Again, I would have to say the people. My life has taken me to many different communities and I love getting to know the people in Vallejo,  their stories and values. 

What is one fun fact that most people don't know about you?
Something about me that some people may not know is that I identify as a black, bi-cultural woman. Some people may not know I’m bi-cultural. I was raised by a West African father from Nigeria and an African American mother from Detroit. My parents raised me equally across both heritages and I absolutely loved growing up between two worlds: growing up riding the bus to school in North Chicago as a kid and then as a teen speaking pigeon English hanging out on the streets in my city in Nigeria. My family and the communities I come from are everything to me!


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Franky Carrasco is the Student Support Coordinator at Caliber Beta Academy.  He is a compassionate, dedicated and loving role model for our kids. He is an inspiring coworker who is always willing to lend a hand whenever needed.  His dedication to our kids who need him most is immeasurable.  We are  VERY lucky to have someone that truly embodies our HEART on a daily basis! 

Words about Franky from his coworkers: 
"What makes Franky so special is the many roles that he plays and how good he is at all of them!.. Mentor, interventionist, coach, translator, student advocate and parent partner to name just a few. It is Franky’s range and ability to hold so much at once and with such ease that makes him so unique and us so incredibly lucky to have him. He can go from helping in Kinder with all of the energy that this requires, to then sinking down into a moment with one of our middle schoolers who is going through something that very few people can understand but Franky pulls from personal experience and can support in ways that few of us can.  He also challenges himself on a daily basis  and as a result has grown by leaps and bounds, but above all else he is the most amazing role model. The father, the son, the friend, the educator, the professional and up-and-coming Richmondite that our students themselves strive to be.
We love you Franky!"

"Frankie is amazing!  He holds students incredibly accountable while still giving them 100% assurance that he loves them and is on their side.  Plus he does this all without breaking a sweat!  He is always so cool, calm and collected
... keep doing what it is that you do."

A recent interview with Franky: 
What is your favorite thing about working at Caliber?
My favorite thing about working at Caliber is supporting the kids who need the most help. 
 
What was your favorite subject when you were in school and why?
Math, I really like numbers. 

What is your favorite memory associated with music (maybe a memorable concert, or playing an instrument yourself!)?
 I would have to say taking my grandfather to a concert to see his favorite artist. He’s my hero and my
everything. He's always working and never has time to have any fun and taking him out was an honor for me. 

If you could go on a dream vacation, what would you do + where would you go?
Fiji! I'm a tropical person. I want to be in one of those huts that stand in the middle of the ocean and be able to wake up to see  water and fishes as my floor would be awesome! I love the water, sand and seeing fishes swim. 

What is your favorite thing about the Bay Area (or specifically Richmond )?
My favorite thing of Richmond is the culture and the community. 

What is one fun fact that most people don't know about you? 
I love to cook. I can cook anything from pastas to anything that requires barbecuing. I would say my specialty is smoked ribs!  

​Soundhari is in charge of all mental health and social emotional work at ChangeMakers Academy. She is a visionary in her dedication to using her mental health expertise to influence the culture and practices at our school. Soundhari has a Ph.D in clinical and school psychology from the University of Virginia as well as a Masters in Education. She is research based and data driven --- AND an incredibly caring and thoughtful leader. Caliber is very lucky to have Soundhari on our team! 

Words about Soundhari from her coworkers: 
"Soundhari is an incredible asset to the CMA family!  She has assisted in creating a school from ground 0, where we support the Social Emotional Development and Mental Health of all of our students.  Using her clinician background she has been able to contribute to supporting some of our most challenging students using a therapeutic mode.  Soundhari has been the leading woman in terms helping Caliber "Reimagine Education."  Thank you Soundhari for all that you do for staff, students, and families to create such a warm and welcoming environment for ALL!"

"Soundhari is always available and genuine. She remains consistent and present for not only the students but for staff as well. I really appreciate our discussions, laughs and feedback sessions. Soundhari checks in on me personally and professionally. She is a wonderful person and I am grateful to be working alongside such a grand professional. " 

"It's impossible to leave any conversation or interaction with Soundhari without a sense of joy. Her commitment to ChangeMakers extends far beyond just the students but to each and every teammate on campus, parent, and community member. Whether working with a student who's experiencing a challenging day to immediately pivoting and organizing an outstanding festival or fundraising drive with the Family Connections Committee, she helps bring the best out of all of us. And somehow, someway, she just knows the right snack to share to provide that afternoon pick-me-up." 

A recent interview with Soundhari! 
What is your favorite thing about working at Caliber?
This sounds cheesy, but everything!  The students, my colleagues, our families...what's not to love!  Every day a student will make me smile and laugh and to be surrounded by their joy and spirit is uplifting.  I also feel so grateful to be part of a team that values helping our students develop in multiple ways...in their academics, building their inner resilience, navigating conflict...working with educators who truly believe that students can learn and grow is a gift.   

What was your favorite subject when you were in school and why?
So much of enjoying a class depended on the teacher for me, when they were positive and excited about the subject and about me as a student...those were the times I really got into a class.

What is your favorite memory associated with music (maybe a memorable concert, or playing an instrument yourself!)?
I played the violin for years and enjoyed the friends I made through my school orchestras.  Spoiler, I was a nerd.

If you could go on a dream vacation, what would you do + where would you go?
So many options, what to choose?!  I've always wanted to go to Greece and sightsee and lie on the beach. 

What is your favorite thing about the Bay Area (or specifically Vallejo)?
Vallejo is rich in so many cultures.  My family is multicultural and I think the mixing and melding of cultures in Vallejo is beautiful.  Also, the food :) .     

What is one fun fact that most people don't know about you?
In 2004, when I lived in Boston, a local furniture store had a deal that if the Red Sox won the World Series that people would get refunds on the furniture they bought.  We watched the Red Sox sweep the Cardinals and celebrated a World Series win and a free couch!