Terence Johnson, CEO 
Terence comes to Caliber with more than 30 years of experience in all aspects of education. He began his career as a teacher, athletic director, and Principal in Colorado Public Schools, before moving to Houston where he led the turnaround of schools in underserved communities. Terence then moved on to the KIPP Foundation leadership team, where after serving 12 years as Senior Director of Leadership, Terence joined KIPP Memphis as Chief Schools Officer, and eventually returned to Houston as Head of Schools for KIPP Houston. Terence says that he is “very excited about the opportunity to work with the Caliber team, parents and students to continue making Caliber Schools a place that exemplifies excellence and continues to prepare our learners for their next steps.” 

Markus Mullarkey, President
Markus Mullarkey comes to Caliber after a long and successful career in the private sector.  He spent over 15 years in marketing and leadership roles at successful blue-chip companies such as Proctor & Gamble, the Boston Consulting Group, and CNET Networks.  And he founded and grew his own mobile entertainment start-up for 8 years before joining Caliber.  Markus has a passion for K-12 education, having consulted to EdTech companies in the sector and having served as a fundraising board member at his daughter’s school.  He also has a lifelong connection to the East Bay.  He grew up and went to school in Richmond and Albany and now lives with his wife and two daughters only a few miles from Caliber:Beta Academy. Markus graduated from Harvard College and went on to complete an MBA and a post-graduate Finance Fellowship from Harvard Business School. 

Rachael Weingarten, Chief  Schools Officer 
Mrs. Weingarten started her career in education as a 2nd-6th grade teacher in Tucson Arizona, to Detroit Michigan, to Los Angeles California.  She served as a Dean at KIPP Empower Academy for 3 years. Mrs. Weingarten then headed to Vallejo and was the founding Principal of Caliber: ChangeMakers Academy for 5 years.  She drove instructional excellence by setting aspirational goals, defined and communicated a consistent vision for the school, and created a culture of high expectations and continuous improvement with a relentless focus on SEL, student achievement, operational efficiency, and self-improvement. Over the last 2 years Mrs. Weingarten has served as Calibers Head of Schools. She has worked to create an inclusive leadership model to drive the entire Caliber Network Strategic Planning Process for the 23-24 school year that includes inquiry and deep engagement of current challenges with all stakeholders. Mrs. Weingarten holds a masters degree in Educational Leadership with a focus on Urban Education from the University of Southern California.

Alyssa Wheeler, Managing Director of Special Education and Student Services
Alyssa has worked in public Special Education for the past 12 years, supporting Neurodivergent and Disabled youth and their families, educators, and service providers in advancing the achievement and inclusion of our diverse learners. She received her B.A. from Cornell University in History of Art and fell in love with teaching through her work as an Art Museum Educator. She went on to work as an Ed Specialist for Chicago Public Schools and to receive her Master's in Special Education. After moving to California, Alyssa worked for Aspire Public Schools, supporting 12th graders with IEPs in their transition to post-secondary opportunities and acting as an ELA Common Core Driver, advancing curriculum development and standards alignment for the Network. Settling into the Bay Area, she found herself at home conducting evaluations at Caliber Beta Academy, joining on as a Lead Ed Specialist for our Upper School, and then serving as the Program Specialist for 5 years. Alyssa joined the Caliber SSO Team to continue to promote equitable, quality education for our students, support our Network’s commitment to Social Emotional Learning and student wellbeing, and to carry on the legacy of her late mentor and Caliber's former Director, Gwen Agustin. Alyssa is passionate about affirming marginalized identities and is deeply committed to inclusion and social justice in education. Outside of work, Alyssa is a certified mindfulness and yoga instructor, and she enjoys art, music, traveling, and time with her friends and family.

Devin Gross, Managing Director of Operations
Devin comes to Caliber Public Schools with over 10 years in the education field and 15 years overall leadership experience. A native of Washington DC, Devin spent 6 years as the Youth and Family Services Director at the Alexandria YMCA running after school programs and summer camps for over 200 students. After spending some time in retail management and moving to California, Devin has spent the last 4 1/2 years at Rocketship Public Schools as a Business Operations manager helping to grow its East Bay region and founding a TK-5th grade school (Rocketship Delta Prep) in Antioch,CA. Devin is a people person and is dedicated to serving school communities through innovation and teamwork through operational systems and routines. Devin is super excited to be with Caliber and help continue to impact our students and communities in a positive way.

Vivian D. Brown Johnson, Managing Director of Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health/Student Wellness
Vivian is a founding staff member of Caliber: CMA, with over seven years of dedicated service in the fields of Mental Health and Education. She brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to fostering positive change within the underserved communities of the Bay Area, where she was raised. Vivian holds a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Human Services, as well as a Master's Degree in Child, Marriage, and Family Therapy. Her journey is defined by a relentless pursuit of excellence and an unwavering dedication to the well-being of youth aged 4 to 22. Vivian believes profoundly in the power of empathy, communication, and continuous learning. Her ability to understand and support those she serves has always been a cornerstone of her approach. She is firmly dedicated to being a conduit of resources in the areas of Mental Health, Restorative Justice, and Social-Emotional Learning. Her goal is to support and foster transformative change in the lives of those she serves. Vivian truly believes that when people have hope and can learn to challenge and replace irrational thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes, they are free to experience limitless change, happiness, and success. 
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist 
AMFT 135866

Katherine Hendrickson, Managing Director of Strategy 
Katherine has spent the last thirteen years working and learning in excellent public high schools. She began her career at the Denver School of Science and Technology, one of Colorado’s top public high schools for traditionally underserved students. Katherine served the network content lead for Social Studies and her students earned the highest AP scores in the city. While serving as the Academic Dean at Leadership Public Schools in Richmond, California, the academic program was recognized by US News and World Report to be among the nation’s top 1% of public high schools. 77% of 11th graders met or exceeded standards on the SBAC- ELA, more than doubling the proficiency of neighboring high schools. Katherine has also worked for the XQ SuperSchool Project, a $131 million philanthropic effort to redesign the American high school, and has led redesign efforts for non-profit organizations, including the Presidential Leadership Class at the University of Colorado - Boulder. She holds an MA in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado – Denver and an MA in Organizational Leadership from Stanford University. 

Forest Thomas, Controller
Forest comes to Caliber with many years of experience in accounting and finance. After beginning his career working for large corporations and government institutions in New York City he transitioned to the non-profit world after relocating to the bay area. He has more than 10 years’ experience at the controller and director level at multiple non-profits. As the son of two
educators Forest is happy to have the opportunity to continue the family commitment to education. As a resident of Richmond, he hopes to help Caliber as it continues to support families and the overall community. Forest earned a BSBA in accounting from The Ohio State University, an MBA in finance from Fordham University and holds a current California CPA
license. 

Brian Jimenez, Head of People
Brian Jimenez, is a leader focused on educational equity. Originally from Inglewood, California, a low socio-economic community of color in Los Angeles County, Brian moved to the Bay Area to attend the University of California, Berkeley. The first and only member of his family to graduate from college, Brian has experienced the power of education, and the life altering impact it can provide. This pursuit drove him to serve in education. Grounding in this, Brian has made it his life’s goal to ensure that students and families, especially those historically underserved, have a high quality, socially just education.

Throughout his career, Brian has served in various roles. As a teacher, he has taught students 1st-8th grade, and as a school leader, Brian has served as an instructional coach, dean, assistant principal and principal. 

Cormac Harkins, Head of Data, Research & Analytics 
Cormac is returning to Bay Area after spending a year back at his home in Boston where he earned a M.Ed in Educational Research, Measurement, and Evaluation from Boston College’s Lynch School of Education. Prior to graduate school, he worked in San Francisco at Breakthrough Collaborative as Manager of Research and Evaluation where he supported the internal evaluation process for Breakthrough’s students and teaching fellows across the country. Before moving to Bay Area, Cormac worked (and lived) at the Match Charter High School in Boston where he tutored students, coordinated the after-school program, and helped coach the basketball team. He graduated from Notre Dame with a degree in Anthropology.

Emily Perea, Head of Attendance Improvement and Data Operations
In 2017, Emily Perea, started her dedication to the field of education in Southern California. Her journey began as a community liaison, bridging connections between schools and their neighborhoods, she taught high school grades 9-12 and joined us at Caliber in 2021 as the Data and Student Information Associate. Now, in her fourth year at Caliber, she thrives as a Head of Attendance Improvement and Data Operations, meticulously overseeing student attendance strategies and state compliance through CalPads and her work with our networks operations teams. Beyond her professional achievements, Emily finds joy in the company of her fiancé and Dalmatian puppy, sharing memorable moments camping, trying out different restaurants, and exploring California's breathtaking ocean views.

Joanne Garcia, Director of English Language Development and Multilingualism
With 28 years of experience in education, I have dedicated my career to empowering bilingual students and supporting their academic and personal growth. My academic background includes a BA in Liberal Studies and minor in Latin American Studies, a BA in Child Development, an MA in Education with a focus on TESOL and a Translation Degree and lastly a PhD in Educational Curriculum and Design. Currently, I am also studying immigration law to expand my knowledge and help ensure that families navigating today’s complex society are aware of their rights.

My journey began as an ESL teacher and progressed through roles as a primary and middle school teacher, ultimately leading to my position as a college professor in the field of education. Inspired by my parents—my mother, who taught children in the fields of the Central Valley, showing me the transformative power and profound purpose of education, and my father, who instilled in me an understanding of the value of education and its importance in navigating the world as a Latina—I am deeply committed to supporting bilingual learners and honoring their unique strengths.

I believe that bilingualism is a superpower, and I am deeply committed to creating environments where students can leverage this strength. Through hard work and dedication, I continually strive to uplift multilingual learners within our Caliber Organization, ensuring they recognize their unique talents and contributions.

Matt White, Head of Data and Assessment
Matt started his teaching career as a founding 6th Grade ELA teacher with KIPP Memphis Public Schools. Since then, Matt has worked in nearly every school role from Dean, Assistant Principal, Director of Operations, and now as Head of Data and Assessment. As Head of Data and Assessment, Matt focuses his work on creating structures and systems that maximize technology to provide the best possible outcomes for students and to make teachers' lives easier day in and day out. Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in English from Colby College in Waterville, Maine and a Master's in Education Studies from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Outside of work, Matt enjoys spending time with his partner, Jocelyn, their two dogs, and rooting for Boston sports teams.

Alex Granados, Payroll and Benefits Lead
Alex Granados is an HR professional with a diverse skill set honed over the past decade, Alex has been deeply immersed in the world of Human Resources, specializing in leave of absences, pay integration, and a myriad of other vital HR functions.

A Bay Area Native, Alex's journey in HR began with a firm foundation in various HR functions. As his career progressed, Alex delved into the intricate realm of leave of absences management, navigating the complex landscape of employee benefits with finesse and compassion. Their expertise in this area has not only ensured compliance with legal requirements but has also cultivated a supportive and caring workplace environment for employees facing challenging circumstances.

Throughout their professional journey, Alex has remained committed to continuous learning and growth, staying abreast of industry trends and best practices to deliver optimal results for their organization. Their dedication to cultivating strong employee relations and fostering a positive company culture underscores their unwavering commitment to driving success in the ever-evolving landscape of HR.

Andy Santiago, Marketing Communications and Engagement Lead
Andy is a Los Angeles native with a strong Mexican-American heritage. He earned his BA in Media Studies and Performance Studies Minor from the University of California, Berkeley in 2020. Andy has work experience in non-profit, startup, and international (Singapore) environments that has allowed him to gain knowledge on intersectionality, and the importance of wanting to better a community. During his time at Berkeley, Andy was involved in a handful of leadership positions within dance organizations at Cal to showcase the importance of the arts for one’s individual health. Andy has always been interested in the education realm and joined Caliber in 2020 as an Operations and Administrative Coordinator. Now as the Marketing Communications and Engagement Lead,  he is excited to pursue further adventures in student recruitment, internal communications, our new volunteer system, and so much more!   He cannot wait to support the network to reach new goals as he enters his 5th school year working in education. 

Edith Saavedra, Student Services Lead 
My name is Edith Saavedra, and as a founding staff member and parent, my journey with Caliber began with a deep commitment to achieving educational equity for historically underserved students. I remain dedicated to this work because I’ve seen firsthand the genuine care and devotion our staff has for our students. The unwavering dedication of our teachers and staff is truly remarkable. I am proud to be part of Caliber, where our collective efforts create a nurturing environment that empowers our students to reach their full potential.

Eva Padilla Romero, Operations and Accounting Lead
Eva Padilla Romero was born and raised in South Central, Los Angeles where she attended school until she graduated high school in 1997.  Eva moved to the Bay Area in 1997 to attend UC Berkeley and graduated with a BA in Spanish Literature. She fell in love with the bay and now lives in Richmond with her husband and three daughters.  Since 2004, Eva has dedicated her life to working with youth in various capacities professionally and personally. 

LaShontae Norman, Talent Lead
Native to the Bay Area, I was born in San Francisco, spent a few years in Oakland and then settled in Richmond. I enjoyed and gained a lot from my high school experience at Middle College High School. After high school, I went to the east coast to pursue my undergraduate and graduate degrees. My undergraduate experience provided the full HBCU experience at Howard University in Washington, DC. I later developed my interest and passion for Public Health while attending George Washington University. I have worked in various professional settings that have contributed to knowledge in community health program implementation and management. Prior to joining the Caliber family in 2021, I was a Program Manager for a county program that helped Maryland residents enroll in health coverage through the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange. (Affordable Care Act).

I am absolutely grateful for my experience at Caliber. Having served as a teacher, math interventionist and build sub at Beta, I have had the opportunity to develop my classroom management skills through providing a continuity of academic curriculum while primary educators were absent from the classroom. I have built relationships with students and families by providing a positive familiar presence on campus. I have also contributed to Caliber's culture through assisting and collaborating with TK-4th grade educators, SEL department, SpEd department, ELD department and lower school leadership. I am looking forward to utilizing the many perspectives and  knowledge I gained to continue to preserve Caliber's culture.

Personally, I love spending time with my family (hubbie & two daughters). I like any activity that involves being social. I also appreciate my quiet space and time with a cup of herbal tea.  If you absolutely need to locate me, you can find me in the aisles of Costco on any given weekend!
 

Vicente Salinas, Network Facilities Lead
My name is Vince, I grew up in Sonoma County - Petaluma to be exact! I started my career in aviation maintenance, in my early adulthood by obtaining my airframe & power-plant certification, then my inspector authorization license and then became an instructor at AIM, a school for aviation. I later had my own aviation shop where I serviced airplanes alongside my son. I have two amazing adult children. I moved back home (meaning I stopped the long commutes to the South Bay) about two years ago and started working at Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma as a maintenance engineer. In my free time, I helped Caliber Beta Academy with operations & facility maintenance. Like making sure we are up to code with the fire marshal inspection to putting up window privacy film and fixing ceiling tiles. Which led me to working for the SSO (Caliber) full time.
Feel free to say hi anytime you see me on campus!

Chantal Winston, Expanded Learning Associate
Chantal is a proud Bay Area native who brings with her a wealth of experience and a passion for education. An alumna of UC Berkeley, Chantal earned her Bachelor's degree in History with a concentration in African American Studies. Seven years ago, Chantal discovered her love for working with students while serving as an Instructor at a local summer camp. This initial experience ignited a spark within her, propelling her towards a career dedicated to empowering young minds. Since then, Chantal has held various roles within the education sector, including Learning Specialist, Behavioral Learning Specialist, and Program Coordinator. Through each role, she has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to supporting students' academic and social-emotional growth. Chantal is looking forward to positively impacting Calibers' students and their families through the Expanded Learning program.

Vivian Hinojosa, Human Resources and Executive Assistant 
Vivian is an Oakland native and alumni of Sacramento State University with a degree in Criminal Justice. Vivian is dedicated to giving back and empowering the youth. She gained valuable experience in supporting and guiding young individuals through support groups and empowerment initiatives in her previous employment. She joined Caliber ChangeMakers Academy Operations Team in 2021 and has played a vital role in providing support to students and families, especially within the Latinx community where language barriers often exist. Now, stepping into the role of HR and Executive Assistant, Vivian is excited to utilize her skills and continue her mission of making a positive impact.

Jack Stehn, Education Pioneers Impact Fellow
Jack joined Caliber Public Schools as an Education Pioneers Impact Fellow. They are a data scientist who believes that data science is an intensely human science. Their experience at UC Berkeley solidified their commitment to using data to make a difference. They were awarded the Matthew Shepard Tolerance Scholarship and UC Berkeley's 2020-2021 Outstanding Data Science Undergraduate Award for their research and community impact. They are passionate about promoting educational equity and are excited to join Caliber Schools in their mission to empower students and teachers.