STAFF MEMBERS
Alfonso Paz, Executive Director
Alfonso Paz has for the last 24 years been supporting/helping under represented students and families in Los Angeles's east Hollywood area to have greater opportunities and access to college and other post secondary options. In his various capacities, he has been a teacher, counselor, and Co-Founder/Co-Director of APEX Academy. His experiences have solidified his belief that it does take an entire village to raise a child to be a positive contributing member of society. He believes that while schools can provide a foundation for positive change in a community, it is strong partnerships between with families, schools, and communities that will positively influence the life of a student and ready them to make society united, stronger and healthier.
Cesar Arturo Lopez, Executive Director
Cesar Arturo Lopez has for the last 2 decades worked with working-class and underrepresented families in the Los Angeles area to have greater opportunities and access to college. Serving at every level in education, as a teacher, coach, principal, director, and founder of a charter school, has exposed him to the many obstacles faced by families in poverty, and at-risk students in their pursuit of secondary and higher education opportunities. In his various capacities, he has partnered with educational reform organizations such as The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, The Annenberg Foundation, Diploma Plus Inc., Johns Hopkins University Talent Development, and many others to implement innovative approaches and practices in schools.
Nancy Cruse, Implementation Coach / Lead Coach
Nancy Cruse is a life-long educator with over 20 years classroom experience teaching secondary and post-secondary mathematics and over 11 years experience as a trainer and consultant. She serves as an Implementation Coach for Diploma Plus, Inc., and as a School Coach for Diploma Plus Schools in the Midwest Network. Nancy is an Agency Trainer for the Cognitive Coaching SM Foundation Training, a trainer for 4MAT® 4Algebra, and serves as co-director for the Central Indiana Educational Service Center’s Instructional Coaches Academy (ICA). She is a graduate of Learning Forward’s (NSDC) Professional Development Academy XVI, trained extensively with Rick and Becky DuFour and is a graduate of the inaugural PLC Academy. Nancy earned Bachelor and Master's of Science degrees from Indiana University in the areas of Social Studies, Math and Secondary Education.
Alfonso Paz, Executive Director
Alfonso Paz has for the last 24 years been supporting/helping under represented students and families in Los Angeles's east Hollywood area to have greater opportunities and access to college and other post secondary options. In his various capacities, he has been a teacher, counselor, and Co-Founder/Co-Director of APEX Academy. His experiences have solidified his belief that it does take an entire village to raise a child to be a positive contributing member of society. He believes that while schools can provide a foundation for positive change in a community, it is strong partnerships between with families, schools, and communities that will positively influence the life of a student and ready them to make society united, stronger and healthier.
Cesar Arturo Lopez, Executive Director
Cesar Arturo Lopez has for the last 2 decades worked with working-class and underrepresented families in the Los Angeles area to have greater opportunities and access to college. Serving at every level in education, as a teacher, coach, principal, director, and founder of a charter school, has exposed him to the many obstacles faced by families in poverty, and at-risk students in their pursuit of secondary and higher education opportunities. In his various capacities, he has partnered with educational reform organizations such as The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, The Annenberg Foundation, Diploma Plus Inc., Johns Hopkins University Talent Development, and many others to implement innovative approaches and practices in schools.
Nancy Cruse, Implementation Coach / Lead Coach
Nancy Cruse is a life-long educator with over 20 years classroom experience teaching secondary and post-secondary mathematics and over 11 years experience as a trainer and consultant. She serves as an Implementation Coach for Diploma Plus, Inc., and as a School Coach for Diploma Plus Schools in the Midwest Network. Nancy is an Agency Trainer for the Cognitive Coaching SM Foundation Training, a trainer for 4MAT® 4Algebra, and serves as co-director for the Central Indiana Educational Service Center’s Instructional Coaches Academy (ICA). She is a graduate of Learning Forward’s (NSDC) Professional Development Academy XVI, trained extensively with Rick and Becky DuFour and is a graduate of the inaugural PLC Academy. Nancy earned Bachelor and Master's of Science degrees from Indiana University in the areas of Social Studies, Math and Secondary Education.