Our Coaches

Kelly Bonde currently serves as the assistant director for community engagement at the University of San Diego's School of Leadership and Education Sciences. With 15 years of experience as an educator, Kelly served as a Catholic middle school teacher before becoming an award-winning principal of the diocese’s St. Katharine Drexel Academy. Currently the Assistant Director of Community Engagement at the University of San Diego’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences, Kelly holds a bachelor’s degree from Providence College, a master’s degree from San Diego State University, and a certificate in Catholic leadership from Creighton University.

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Kara Bratton currently serves as an assistant professor in the doctoral programs of the School of Education at Concordia University Irvine, teaching special education and research classes and working as a dissertation chair. Previously, she was a special education director and K-8 special education teacher for Lutheran Special Education Ministries. A member of the board of directors of the Indiana Non-public Education Association, Kara is a co-author of Resilient Minds: Christ-centered Mental Health Curriculum, which is a middle school through high school curriculum published by Concordia Publishing House. Kara holds a bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University, a master’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan University, graduate certificates from, respectively, Indiana Wesleyan University and Ball State University, and a doctoral degree from Concordia University Chicago.

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An award-winning educator, Megan Burton is currently the Director of Special Education at Cathedral Catholic High School in the Diocese of San Diego. In this role for which she has been recognized via a scholarship program that has been named after her, Dr. Burton oversees a comprehensive special education department that supports academic accessibility through three tiers of service. Dr. Burton holds a bachelor’s degree from Loyola College Maryland, a master’s degree from Nazareth College, and a doctoral degree from the University of Southern California.

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With over 10 years of experience in special education as a teacher and academic coach serving elementary, secondary, and college students, Laura is currently an adjunct professor of special education at the University of Saint Joseph and the University of Hartford. Having previously held the position of Accommodation Coordinator and Academic Coach at the University of Hartford, Laura has also served as a K-12 special education teacher in both public and private schools. In addition to holding two graduate certificates from the University of Saint Joseph and being a certified teacher with endorsements for regular education (K—6) and special education (K—12), Laura holds a bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State University and a master’s degree from the University of Saint Joseph.

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Currently the vice principal of Our Lady of Grace Catholic School in the Diocese of San Diego, Tori Franklin has over 20 years of experience in education that includes service as a teacher liaison. Named by the diocese in 2023 the “2023 Catholic Teacher of the Year,” Tori holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley and a “Multiple Subject Teaching Credential” from San Diego State University.

As Assistant Dean for Innovation and Community Engagement at the University of San Diego, Sean Green, Ph.D. has spearheaded transformative initiatives, notably leading the Academy for Catholic Teaching (ACT). Through ACT, Dr. Green has strengthened partnerships with educational and religious institutions, emphasizing mentorship, support, and innovative practices to advance Catholic education. His dedication extends to managing university programs like the Pontem Path and the Black InGenius Initiative (BiGI), both of which are bridge programs for aspiring college students, as well as supporting initiatives that promote mental health and equity. Dr. Green holds a bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University and master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of San Diego.

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With close to two decades of experience in both public and private K-12 education, Katelyn has served as a teacher, teacher-mentor/coach, and supervising practitioner. Before assuming her current role as a middle school teacher in the Leominster Public Schools, Katelyn was a teacher at Holy Name Catholic High School (now, Saint Paul Diocesan Jr. Sr. High School) in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester. A past recipient of Leominster Public Schools’ “Teacher of the Year” award, Katelyn holds a bachelor’s degree from Bryant University and a master’s degree from Fitchburg State University.

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Liza has served as a middle and high school teacher, curriculum writer, and instructional coach. In these roles, Liza has developed her passion for fostering students’ wholistic development. Having most recently concluded 8 years of service at Valor Collegiate Academy in Nashville, Tennessee, Liza is currently pursuing graduate studies in education at Southern New Hampshire University. Liza holds a bachelor’s degree from Keene State College.

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Haley Mendes currently serves as Co-Director of Learning Support at Saint John School in the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego. Having served as a teacher before assuming her current role, Haley also contributes to the broader mission of the Catholic schools of the Diocese of San Diego by serving as a mentor teacher for induction candidates, a member of the diversity, equity, and inclusion steering committee, and a teacher liaison. In addition to being CLAD-certified and currently pursuing a master’s degree in special education at Grand Canyon University, Haley holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of San Diego.

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With over 15 years of education experience, Lauren Molinaro currently serves as Co-Director of Learning Support at Saint John School in the Diocese of San Diego. Specializing in fostering academic and social-emotional development through individualized support and collaboration with teachers, administrators, and parents, Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree from California State University at Long Beach and a master’s degree from California State University at Dominguez Hills.

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With over 20 years of experience in Catholic education, Jocelyn Pierre-Antoine has served the Diocese of Oakland as a Catholic school teacher, administrator, and associate superintendent. In addition, Jocelyn has led retreats and presented catechetical formation sessions for diocesan and Catholic school leaders, the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA), and the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA). Jocelyn holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston College and masters’ degrees from, respectively, the California State University at East Bay and the University of Notre Dame.

During a career in education that has spanned close to 30 years, Lauren has served as a high school teacher and instructional coach. An AVID teacher and trainer, Lauren is also an adjunct professor of education at the School of Leadership and Education Sciences at the University of San Diego (USD) and an ESL teacher at the San Diego College of Continuing Education. Currently completing a doctoral degree at USD, Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and a master’s degree from Stanford University.

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With over 40 years of experience in education, Jeannie has served as a Title I teacher, special education teacher, and professor of education. In her teaching of teachers, her primary areas of interest have been special education and, particularly, differentiation in English language arts. Jeannie holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston State College and a master’s degree from Lesley College.

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Currently a special education program specialist for the El Dorado County of Education, Dr. Sanchez has previously served in the same role for the Escondido Union High School and Sweetwater Union High School districts. Having also previously served as the former’s special education coordinator, Dr. Sanchez is an adjunct graduate and undergraduate professor at the University of San Diego’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences. At the university, she has previously taught in the Academy for Catholic Teaching (ACT) program. A bilingual and bi-cultural educator, Dr. Sanchez holds a bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University, a master’s degree from National University, and a doctoral degree from the University of San Diego.

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Beginning his career as a sixth-grade public school teacher, Brian has taught fourth, fifth, and sixth grades in a variety of configurations in public schools. Starting his district’s first multi-grade self-contained gifted and talented classroom, Brian has served in public schools as a coach of differentiated instruction, a mathematics coordinator, an assistant principal, and a principal. Also a published author, presenter, and workshop leader, Brian holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and a master’s degree, license, and doctoral degree from Ball State University.

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Before becoming the Director of Educational Programs for the Catholic schools of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, Dr. Snyder served as a teacher at and the principal of St. Joseph School in Santa Ana, California. In his current role as the diocese’s Associate Superintendent of Educational Programs, Dr. Snyder is dedicated to using data-driven strategies to support principals and teachers in creating inclusive learning environments that cater to all students. Notably, he led the successful implementation of a Tier 2 reading intervention across 16 of the diocese’s schools, significantly enhancing literacy outcomes and ensuring that each student receives the targeted support (s)he needs. Dr. Snyder holds a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and a doctoral degree from California State University at Fullerton.

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With nearly 20 years of experience in private pre-K-8 education, Lillie Stevens has served as an elementary and middle school teacher, teacher leader, instructional coach, and vice principal. Currently the principal of St. Cecilia School in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland (Oregon), Lillie holds a bachelor’s degree from Willamette University, a master’s degree from Lewis & Clark College, and an administrator’s license from the University of Portland.

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