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Roni Weil • ASP Director

Roni loves science art and teaching kids. Her experience as the director of education at The Discovery Center, Museum of Science & Natural History and as the science coordinator with the Metropolitan Museum History and Art confirms her belief that children are born scientists. Roni encourages her staff to move beyond the boarders of traditional academics so that kids can fully use all aspects of their intellect and curiosity about the world they live in.

She enjoys back packing in the Sierras, animals of all kinds, practicing Martial Arts and is an active artist who has illustrated several children’s books.  Her  greatest joys are her son and all the wonderful and interesting friendships, including her husband, Steve,  that she has cultivated over the years.

GROUP LEADERS

See Lee • Dragons (K-1)

See is currently a student at Fresno State and is enrolled in the credential program. Ms. Lee is a member of John Cho’s Lion dancing Team and has performed throughout the central valley area. She also has performed as an actress in local film and stage performances. Ms. Lee especially enjoys working with younger children and uses her various experiencesin the performing arts to enhance the Dragon group’s daily activities.

Helen Garzon • Wombats (1-2)

Ms. Helen is one of the original ASP group leaders. During her first year with ASP, she became our first science instructor. Drawing upon her experience as a science educator at The Discovery Center and  her degree in forestry from Reedley Community College, Helen continues to integrate inquiry based science into her daily activities with the Wombats. She has worked as a preschool educator in Texas and is married to Pablo Garzon who also has worked in VASA ASP.

Janny Hue-Witte • Pandas (2-3)

Ms. Hue-Witte’s innovative style and positive attitude toward teaching is the hallmark of her two years as an ASP group leader. In addition to her position as the Panda Group leader, Janny also works as a classroom aide for Ms. Konik’s first grade class.

Cristi Hayes • Rhinos (3-4) • ASP Assistant Coordinator

Ms. Hayes was here in the beginning as an after-school program volunteer and has worked at VASA for the past two and half years as an ASP group leader.  She also serves on the  VASA elementary school site counsel both as a staff member and the ASP coordinator representative. Her extended training for ASP leadership  has included the Lawrence Hall of Science math and science workshops and the Fresno County Office of Education after-school leadership camp. Her two lovely daughters attend both  VASA day program and ASP.

Philip So • Bears (4-5)

Currently a student at CSU, Fresno, Mr. So is studying food science nutrition. His past experience includes working with 15 to 18 year old students as a drug abuse counselor and  as a chef for 6 years at Rodger Rocka’s Dinner Theatre. He was a former site manager for Fresno Acorn and a photographer for the Cambodian Collegiate Association of Fresno State.

Pam Mao • Ligers (5-6)

Mrs. Mao has a special talent for keeping our ASP 5th and 6th graders focused and performing to task. During her last two years as a group leader in the VASA ASP,  Pam has kept her group engaged and excited about learning new things. She also works in the VASA elementary program as a classroom aide in Mr. Fink’s 2nd grade. Her son and daughter attend both VASA elementary and ASP.

Kristi Baptise • Cheer Squad Leader

Marjy Carver • Boyscout Leader

Christy Oberholtzer • Girlscout Leader

Marlon Calderon • Substitute

Marci de Puckett • Substitute

Vera Jackson • Substitute

ENRICHMENT EDUCATORS

Sandi Howard • Science

Teaching Science this year we have Sandi Howard. Mrs. Howard is a graduate of  Fresno City College with AA degrees in Liberal Arts and Social Science. She is pursuing a degree in Anthropology and Non-
Profit Management at CSU Fresno. In addition to her interest in Science, Mrs. Howard is also a published writer and an artist working primarily in fiber crafts. She has 6 children; One of whom, Arabella, is a student at VASA. This year, in Science, we are pairing cultures of the world with   important scientific  discoveries and principles. We look forward to an awesome year!

Brandey L. Steiner • Performance Arts

Brandey L. Steiner is an accomplished actress and the former Artistic Director of the Fresno Children’s Playhouse. She has done numerous stage productions in Los Angeles and in the Central Valley. Brandey works as an acting coach for different clients. She has trained with Kimberly Jensen in Los Angeles and at LACC. She has taught mask workshops and created masks for “Black Silk in the Mirror” and other productions. Also, Brandey has done several freelance work as a graphic artist for promotional and marketing teams in Hawaii and locally. Currently she is the Artistic Director for “THE TAKE OUT THEATRE”. Currently Brandey and KP co-own and run KP’s ACTORS GYM, a training studio for actors and inspiring talents.

KP Phagnasay • Creative Movement

Khetphet “KP” Phagnasay earned a B.A in Theatre Arts from California State University, Fresno. He has worked in film and stage for more than ten years. KP studied Asian Theatre at the University of Hawaii at Manoa , specializing in masks and movement. KP was a puppeteer/actor in the Kaiser Educational Theatre Program.  He holds a Certified Stage Combat (basic) from Dueling Arts International and continues to do fight/action scenes on film. You may have seen some of them on such shows as LOST, 50 First Dates, Tropical Thunders, and in a wide variety of independent films. In the spring of 2009, he was chosen as the acting coach for the featured film “FINDING HOPE NOW” as well as acting and doing stunts for that film. He has worked with casting directors and agents and has taught acting skills at various studios in California and in Hawaii. KP and his wife run KP’s ACTORS GYM, a training studio for actors and inspiring talents. WWW.KPACTORSGYM.COM

Theresa Webb • Art

Ms. Webb is a credentialed teacher with her master’s in Art. She enjoys teaching the fundamentals of drawing and art appreciation both in the VASA day program and the after-school program.  Theresa has been teaching children since 1976.She enjoys encouraging her students to explore, experiment and learn how to feel comfortable making and viewing art.  Ms. Webb is an active, working artist and has shown her work in many venues throughout Central Valley Area.

Denise Plank • Cultural Connections

Denise loves all areas of art and wants to give everyone a chance to experience creative activities. She has her bachelor’s in art education and her master’s in elementary education. In addtion to art, Denise enjoys reading, dance, music and cooking, and shares these activities with her Cultural Connections class.