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Staff Directory: Valley Charter Middle School

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Leadership

Brenda Sadeghi, Principal

Brenda Sadeghi grew up in Tulare, California but now considers herself a Los Angeles native. She earned her bachelor’s degree from California State University, Northridge, where she double majored in political science and Chicano studies and went on to get her teaching credential from Fresno Pacific University. She also holds a master's degree in educational leadership from CSUN. Prior to joining VCMS, Brenda taught at Extera Public School in Boyle Heights. She especially treasures what she calls the “oh moments” in the classroom. “I love teaching when the vast majority of the class has little experience with the concept, because when they start to understand it, they often say, ‘Oh, I get it!’ Then I feel our experience has come full circle." In her spare time, the Lake Balboa resident enjoys trying new things such as parasailing and kayaking. She also seeks out local destinations where she can experience different cultures and traditions.

Rose Powers, Assistant Principal

Rose Powers is from Boston, Massachusetts where she taught high school Spanish for almost ten years.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in Spanish language from University of Massachusetts Boston and her master’s degree in teaching from Simmons University.  She then received a certificate of advanced graduate studies in educational administration from University of Massachusetts, Boston.  In Boston, she ran several summer programs and worked as a substitute dean of students. Rose has a passion for leading professional development and has run sessions on restorative justice and culturally responsive teaching.  She believes in positive behavior reinforcement systems and works to develop meaningful relationships with the students and families of VCMS.  Rose was the Dean of Students and School Culture at our 7th and 8th Grade site for a year and a half before moving into the Assistant Principal role.  In her spare time, Rose enjoys reading, traveling, photography, listening to 90’s music and spending time with her husband and son.

Office Staff

Cecilia Chimal, Office Manager

[email protected]valley charter middle school Cecilia Chimal
Cecilia Chimal grew up in the San Fernando Valley and attended Mission College in Santa Clara. She worked as an administrative assistant and pre-school teaching assistant before joining VCMS. According to Ms. Chimal: “It’s never a dull day at VCMS! I get to work with nice, fun, smart people every day.” The mother of four—two boys and two girls—is a devoted girl scout troop leader and, in her words, “full-time soccer mom.”

Maira Lopez, Office staff 

Maira Lopez was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. Ms. Lopez graduated from California State University Northridge with a bachelor's degree in psychology in 2016. She has been in the education field since 2011, starting as an after-school supervisor before joining VCMS in the fall of 2017 as an assistant teacher. Since then, she has held various roles at VCMS. From day one, VCMS felt like a second home to Ms. Lopez, thanks to the wonderful staff, teachers, and students. She finds working with middle school students incredibly rewarding, as she gets to know them during a pivotal stage in their lives. During her free time, she likes to spend time with her dog, friends, and family. Ms. Lopez enjoys cooking, home decorating, gardening, painting, running, going to the beach, and watching soccer games.

Keri Miller, Office staff 

Keri Miller grew up in Southern California and has resided in Sherman Oaks for the past six years. She spent twenty years in operations and administration before coming to VCMS. Keri knew a career change was in her future when she started volunteering at VCES during her daughter's kindergarten year. She felt so much joy as she volunteered around campus, especially during weekly lunch service. She enjoyed getting to know the kids and knew that VCS was where she was meant to be. According to Ms. Keri: "I absolutely love working with the middle school kids. Being in middle school can be very challenging, and it is so fulfilling when you are able to be there for the students and watch them grow as you send them off to high school. I couldn’t be more thankful to be a part of such an amazing school with such wonderful staff." During her free time she likes going to the beach, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family. 

Teaching Staff, Deans and Specialists

David Betshmuel, Resource Teacher

David Betshmuel was born and raised in Los Angeles and has been working in education for the last 10 years. He received his history and SPED credentials from California State University Northridge and has always had a passion for history and the social sciences. 

Sigrid Caballero, Director of Special Education

Sigrid Caballero brings over 24 years of experience in education, beginning as a paraeducator in the Hawthorne School District before working with WestEd on early childhood education initiatives, where she developed a strong commitment to student advocacy and a growth mindset. Her career in special education grew through roles as a behaviorist technician in Long Beach Unified School District, which led her to earn a specialist credential and a clear administrative credential from California State University, Dominguez Hills. Holding a master’s in early childhood education, Sigrid has served as dean of students, interim special education director, program specialist, disabilities specialist, and special education teacher. Her expertise spans early intervention, special education, and student services, where she has mentored at-risk youth, supported IEP meetings, and led staff training workshops. During remote learning, she returned to homeschooling her daughters, further enriching her teaching skills. Sigrid has collaborated closely with counselors, psychologists, educators, law enforcement, and community partners and appreciates contributing her skills and leadership to VCMS.

Samantha Cerda, English Teacher/ELD Teacher

Samantha Cerda is a San Fernando Valley native and proud first-generation Latina. She received her bachelor’s degree from California State University Northridge where she double majored in English literature and Chicano/Chicana Studies. She later received her single subject teaching credential and worked as a middle school English and ELD teacher for two years. Ms. Cerda is passionate about helping students develop their literacy skills and fostering an environment where students are empowered to learn and grow. She loves being a part of the VCMS team and learning from her colleagues. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family.

Damian Coleman, 7th/8th Grade Mathematics Teacher, Lead Teacher

[email protected]valley charter middle school Damien Coleman
Damian is a veteran math teacher with over two decades of teaching experience. After earning his applied mathematics degree from the University of California, San Diego, Damian earned his single subject teaching credential from National University. During his time teaching middle school, Damian has served as an instructional math coach, a department chair, a gifted coordinator, and an eighth-grade class sponsor. His experiences differentiating instruction and teaching math in a problem-based learning format make him an invaluable asset to VCMS staff.

Jason Cruze, 7th/8th Grade Dean of Students

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Jason Cruze, originally from Maryland and raised in California, has dedicated over 14 years in education and wellness, driven by his belief in the power of transformative learning. He has served as a high school teacher, director of a humanities program, violence prevention specialist and mental health coach. Teaching in diverse settings—including public and private schools, colleges, prison, and juvenile hall—Jason has cultivated a deep commitment to fostering resilience, emotional intelligence, and student empowerment. Holding a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies specializing in philosophy, ethics, and applied educational theory, he is especially passionate about social-emotional learning and restorative practices, which he views as vital for creating school cultures built on belonging, empathy, and connection. His work in community mental health has further strengthened his dedication to creating spaces where students feel seen, valued, and empowered to make a difference. Outside of work, Jason enjoys time with family and friends, comedy shows, stargazing, and his cat Capone, who has control issues.

Randy Cseh, 7th/8th Grade PE Teacher

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Randy Cseh grew up in Spring Hill, Florida. He received his bachelor's degree in physical education from Florida Southern College, where he was also a pitcher on the baseball team. Randy moved to California with his wife in 2010 and completed his student teaching assignment at Burbank High School. Randy enjoys teaching physical education because he is passionate about sports and physical activity. Randy has two daughters and a son. When he isn't teaching, Randy enjoys coaching his kids' sports, traveling with family, golfing, and playing poker.

Desiree Fedalen, 6th Grade Science Teacher

Desiree Fedalen was born and raised in Venice Beach, CA before her family moved to the San Bernardino mountain region when she was young.  In middle and high school, she thrived in the musical department, eventually becoming band president and first chair, for flute piccolo and oboe.  She was a varsity tennis player and track athlete as well.  For college, she attended the American Jewish University; where she graduated summa cum laude honors in pre-med and psychology.  For graduate school, she attended USC for her master's and credential in math and science education, and a certificate in gifted and talented education.  She has been teaching for 11 years now, in a variety of different school environments.  Her teaching method is to encourage students with positivity and fun in order to love and enjoy school as much as possible.  She is an avid athlete still, and practices what she preaches!  She incorporates social-emotional wellness, as well as research and writing into her studies to sharpen as many skills as possible.  She has three children with her husband who is an attorney, and they have many animals.  Her family loves travel, hiking, and gardening. 

Arnold Gomez, 7th/8th Grade History Teacher

Arnold Gomez graduated from California State University Northridge where he earned a bachelor's in history with a minor in civic and community engagement in 2018. During college, he worked as TA and became passionate about teaching and helping students. He went back the following semester to CSUN and earned a single subject teaching credential. Mr. Gomez was a student teacher at San Fernando High school and Byrd Middle School. He strives to be the best teacher he can be and help students with their education in any way possible, just like the impactful teachers he had when he was a K-12 student. Mr. Gomez is motivated and dedicated to continuously improving his teaching methods and learning from his fellow teachers. He positively impacts his students' lives and makes VCMS a school students love. He plans to earn his master’s degree with the intention of becoming a principal. In his free time he enjoys watching football, reading, playing Fallout and listening to music.

Joshua Heffner, 6th Grade PE Teacher

[email protected]valley charter middle school Kevin Waterman

Joshua Heffner studied kinesiology at California State University Northridge, where he earned his bachelor's degree and teaching credential. Before joining the team at VCMS, Joshua was a PE and health teacher in Palmdale. There, he used his passion for physical activity to inspire students to become lifelong learners who are eager to participate in sports and activities, regardless of their background or previous experience. He aspires to create an engaging and inclusive learning environment where his students always feel supported and inspired to do their best. Josh enjoys spending time with his wife and three stepsons. He also coaches his stepson's AYSO soccer team and enjoys traveling with his wife during summer break.

Stephen Lopez, Athletic Director

[email protected]valley charter middle school Stephen Lopez
Stephen Lopez is a native Angeleno, born in Culver City. He studied kinesiology at Cal Poly Pomona. Before coming to VCMS, Mr. Lopez worked as an assistant athletic trainer.  He loves being an athletic director because he gets to inspire the joy a student gets from playing a sport that, without school athletics, they might not have had the opportunity to play. When he is not at VCMS, you might find Mr. Lopez playing soccer with friends or cheering on his beloved Dodgers.
 

Cristina Medina, 7th/8th Grade ELA

[email protected]valley charter middle school cristina medina
Cristina Medina was born and raised in Seattle, Washington where she completed her BA in English Language Arts and Literature, as well as earning her credential in secondary education from Seattle Pacific University. Ms. Medina made Los Angeles her home in 2011. She holds a Masters in Fine Arts - Poetry and six years of experience as a high school and middle school teacher. In her spare time, Ms. Medina is a poet and yogi, and loves to hike, cook, and play Roblox with her three sons and dog named Trudy. 
 

Meredith Moores, 7th/8th Grade Resource Specialist

[email protected]valley charter middle school meredith moores

Meredith Moores was born and raised in the Los Angeles area. She graduated from UCLA with a bachelor's degree in psychology and then went on to earn a master's degree in educational psychology and counseling from Cal State Northridge. Following this, she attended San Diego State University to obtain her multi-subject credential in special education. Meredith brings 16 years of previous teaching experience to VCMS. In her free time, she enjoys relaxing with her family and playing games.

Alicia Paoletta, School Psychologist

Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Ms. Paoletta has returned after spending the past two decades in the Palm Springs area. She earned two bachelor's degrees from the University of California at Riverside in sociology and administrative studies, holds a master’s in school psychology, and has a pupil personal credential from California State University at San Bernardino.  She has worked in the field of school psychology for nearly a decade in both the private sector and in the public sector for school districts in Riverside County and Alameda County conducting assessments and providing counseling. Ms. Paoletta is dedicated to matching students with their best learning modalities.  During her free time she enjoys taking walks with her herd of miniature schnauzers and playing Pokémon Go. 

Melanie Ramirez, 7th/8th Grade Spanish Teacher

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Melanie Ramirez graduated from California State University Northridge and earned a bachelor's degree in Spanish language and culture. She was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley and has always had a passion for language learning. Throughout her career, Melanie has worked extensively with middle school students, serving as a paraprofessional, student activities coordinator, and assistant teacher. These roles have allowed her to connect with students on various levels, fostering a nurturing and engaging learning environment. In her free time, Melanie enjoys bullet journaling and practicing her calligraphy. At VCMS, she leads the calligraphy club, inspiring students to embrace the art of cursive writing. Melanie firmly believes in the power of education and strives to help students recognize the importance of the learning process.

Eduardo Reynoso, 6th Grade Math Teacher

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Eduardo is a seasoned educator with a background in teaching mathematics across various educational settings. He holds a bachelor's of science in mathematics from California State University Channel Islands and a master's of science in mathematics from California State University Los Angeles. Eduardo's teaching journey has been diverse, encompassing roles as a math adjunct instructor at multiple community colleges in Ventura County, a mathematics educator at a private high school, and a teacher at a charter school serving students from grades 6 to 12.  Eduardo finds immense fulfillment in witnessing his students conquer challenges and gain newfound confidence in mathematics. Beyond teaching, Eduardo harbors a passion for travel, although he has not had the opportunity to indulge in this passion for quite some time. In his leisure moments, Eduardo cherishes spending quality time with his family and friends.

Christian Ruiz, 6th Grade ELA Teacher

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Christian Ruiz grew up in Los Angeles, primarily in the east side communities of Downey, Norwalk, Bell Gardens, and Pico Rivera. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English education with a minor in Spanish and completed his teaching credential program at Cal Poly Pomona. Currently, he is pursuing a master's degree in education. Christian is fluent in both English and Spanish, which has been instrumental in his work with students across different educational levels. He has experience working with college students as a Class Assistant at Mount San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) and spent three years teaching English Language Arts (ELA) and English Language Development (ELD) at the middle and high school levels within the Montebello Unified School District. Christian brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to student success in his classroom. He firmly believes in the power of education to empower students and is dedicated to preparing them for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. He strives to ensure that every student has the chance to succeed and make a positive impact on their lives.  Christian enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, camping, attending live sporting and music events, and spending time outdoors.

Michelle Shirtcliff, 7th/8th Grade Science Teacher

[email protected]valley charter middle school michelle shirtcliff

Michelle Shirtcliff was born and raised in Burbank, California. She graduated from California State University, Northridge, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a teaching credential. During the pandemic, Ms. Shirtcliff began working with middle school students, quickly found her passion for teaching this age group, and has been dedicated to teaching middle school science ever since. In 2023, she was selected for the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum’s Teacher Innovator Institute, where she received hands-on training in ways to integrate technology into the STEAM classroom. In her free time Ms. Shirtcliff enjoys tap dancing.

 

Maira Solis, School Counselorvalley charter middle school Maira Solis

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Maira Solis grew up in the San Fernando Valley and graduated from California State University Northridge (CSUN). She double majored in psychology and central American studies and then earned her master's in school counseling. She also has a Pupil Personnel Services credential. As a first generation student, she uses her own experiences to connect with her students and school community.  Ms. Solis has worked with students in TK-12 grades in many capacities. Her favorite educational role has been working as a school counselor and bringing social-emotional, academic, college and career awareness to middle schoolers. As a counselor her goal is to be an ally and advocate for her students while helping create a positive learning environment for them. She believes every student is unique and experiences their own educational path. During her free time she enjoys traveling, spending time with her loved ones, and her dog, Frida.

Kevin Waterman, 6th Grade History Teacher, Lead Teacher

[email protected]valley charter middle school Kevin Waterman
Vermont native Kevin Waterman served five years in the Marine Corps infantry, including seven months in Iraq, before pursuing his bachelor’s degree in history and teaching credential at California State University, Northridge (CSUN).  On being a teacher, Waterman said, “I love working with kids and engaging with ideas. I have always been passionate about history and social studies. It feels very rewarding to see students really thinking critically and grappling with questions concerning the way the world works.” In addition to spending time with his wife and cats, in his spare time, the North Hills resident loves to read, exercise (and in particular, hike), and play strategy computer games such as Civilization V and Stronghold: Crusader.