Members of Our Paraeducator Leadership Network

Janet Eberhardt (PSA): 

Janet is a dedicated paraeducator working as a Paraeducator on Special Assignment (P80) with the PLL/ Professional Learning and Leadership Team. In this position, her focus is on coaching members of the Paraeducator Leadership Network to support their growth towards enhancing leadership skills and helping develop meaningful and relevant PD for all paraeducators.  She has been in the district for 37 years and previously worked as an Elementary Advisor for 30 years, where she valued her role as a Community Relations Specialist/Elementary Advisor. serving as a child and family advocate addressing the needs of the whole student, which encompasses the family and community.   It is her passion to continue to be an advocate for students, families, and peers while in her current role.

Sean Nunley-Willis (PSA):

Sean, a former member of the network turned coach, has been working with youth, their families, and their communities for the past 15 years. Sean has experience in elementary and middle schools, although he has a real passion for middle school students. He loves to support their social-emotional growth. He believes that students need trusted adults who build authentic relationships during these critical years of their lives. This led Sean to work with his peers to create more inclusive, equitable, & fun communities. As a coach, Sean wants to encourage paras to continue to learn, grow and challenge themselves and their practice and pedagogy.

Jennifer JLó López (PSA)

JLó joins us in serving as a coach for the Para Leadership Network (PLN). Born and raised in San Francisco, JLó is a graduate of SFUSD K-12, CCSF, and SFSU. Working in education for the past 10 years, JLó has served the community as an S10 Para Educator in the classroom with students and an N34 Site Nutrition Coordinator out of School Health Programs serving various school sites. Completing the 4 years of the PLN has fostered JLó’s skills to plan, organize and facilitate professional development for her peers throughout the district.

Nora Houseman, PLL Supervisor

Nora Houseman grew up in Washington, DC, attending (tracked and segregated) public schools there and leaving high school determined to further equity and justice in public schooling. She taught middle school (all subjects; math through social justice) for nine years in Oakland, San Lorenzo, and San Francisco, then served as the school leader (principal) for four years at San Francisco Community School. SFC - a racially diverse, K-8, project-based school with democratic leadership structures - allowed Nora to grow deeply in her practice and leadership, working collectively to interrogate and interrupt inequitable structures and practices and seeking to create transformative ways of “doing school” and building and strengthening community with SFC’s students, adults, and families. This is now Nora’s 7th year serving as Supervisor in SFUSD’s Department of Professional Growth & Development, leading the Professional Learning and Leadership Team, designing and supporting various professional development programs and initiatives, including the Teacher Leader Fellowship, the ParaEducator Leadership Network, and other paraeducator learning initiatives, Deeper Learning and Project Based Learning, the Lesson Study Project, Leading for Equity PLCs, and PD Hours for Educators. These programs focus on educator-led, grassroots, professional learning and leadership, supporting SFUSD educators at all stages of their careers to design, deliver and/or experience high-quality, equity-centered professional development - to grow and enhance their practice and their leadership - so that we transform student outcomes and student experience in SFUSD schools.

Janelle Johnson-Burke, S10 Paul Revere K-8

Janelle has been a paraeducator in SFUSD for the last 10 years.  9 of those years as a K-2 Special Education Paraeducator at Paul Revere Elementary School.  A first-year member of the Para Leadership Network. Janelle was born and raised in San Francisco and is a graduate of SFUSD K-12. Currently, Janelle is completing her first year as a member of the UBC Committee, the Equity Committee, and a facilitator for Racial Affinity Groups at her site. Janelle is excited to further her learning and use the skills she has gained to help support fellow paraeducators.

Ariana Velasco, CWAL John Muir Community ES

Ariana Velasco is a San Francisco Native and a graduate of SFUSD. She has served our SFUSD community for the past 15 years in various capacities. Ariana started her journey in education supporting students and families as a Student Advisor at Fairmount Elementary, she then made her way to her current position as a Child Welfare Attendance Liaison (CWAL). As a CWAL, Ariana was at Pupil Services servicing many school sites the lead Department, and now resides at John Muir Community ES.  Ariana gets her inspiration from the community and the students that she serves.  As a second-year participant Ariana has presented a PD she developed Understanding School-Wide Attendance at the Para Institute, Spring Conference, and Winter Conference. This year she is developing a PD on resting a sense of belonging   Ariana is looking forward to continued learning and supporting her fellow Paraeduators in the district.

Erica Benard, S10Q Mission HS

Ariana Velasco is a San Francisco Native and a graduate of SFUSD. She has served our SFUSD community for the past 15 years in various capacities. Ariana started her journey in education supporting students and families as a Student Advisor at Fairmount Elementary, she then made her way to her current position as a Child Welfare Attendance Liaison (CWAL). As a CWAL, Ariana was at Pupil Services servicing many school sites the lead Department, and now resides at John Muir Community ES.  Ariana gets her inspiration from the community and the students that she serves.  As a second-year participant Ariana has presented a PD she developed Understanding School-Wide Attendance at the Para Institute, Spring Conference, and Winter Conference. This year she is developing a PD on resting a sense of belonging   Ariana is looking forward to continued learning and supporting her fellow Paraeduators in the district.

Kena Hazelwood, R35 School Health Programs

Kena Hazelwood (ey/em) has been involved in education in a variety of capacities for over 20 years. As a high school student with an emerging understanding of ier queerness, the innovative queer-affirming initiatives of San Francisco Unified School District's (SFUSD) LGBTQ+ Students Program helped Kena feel safe and seen. Ey are honored to be in eir third year coordinating the LGBTQ+ Students Program for the district. Kena brings eir background as a racial and reproductive justice advocate, education researcher, and classroom teacher to bear in the work ey do to create district-spanning, individually-uplifting interventions. Ey hold a BA in political studies and an MS in TESOL.  This is eir first year in the PLN.  Ey hope to leverage eir experiences in the PLN to create interventions better to uplift and empower paraeducators everywhere.

Mikka Kelly, S10 John O'Connell HS

Mikka is in her first year with the Para Leadership Network (PLN). Born and raised in San Francisco’s Fillmore district,  Mikka is an SFUSD and San Francisco State University graduate with a BA in Black Studies with a minor in History.  Mikka has been working in education and athletics with students from K-12 for more than 10 years in San Francisco.  Before working in SFUSD Mikka worked in the community with a nonprofit that helps first-generation college students plan and apply for college, as well as coaching with Playworks at a SFUSD K-5 school.   Mikka currently is serving her community as an S10 Paraeducator at O’Connell High School, both in the classroom and as a one-on-one support when needed.  The 2023-2024 school year will be Mikka’s fourth year working for SFUSD. Mikka plans to use her newly learned leadership skills in the PLN to organize and further support her community in SFUSD while pursuing her writing.

Christina Lopez, CHOW John O’Connell HS

Mikka is in her first year with the Para Leadership Network (PLN). Born and raised in San Francisco’s Fillmore district,  Mikka is an SFUSD and San Francisco State University graduate with a BA in Black Studies with a minor in History.  Mikka has been working in education and athletics with students from K-12 for more than 10 years in San Francisco.  Before working in SFUSD Mikka worked in the community with a nonprofit that helps first-generation college students plan and apply for college, as well as coaching with Playworks at a SFUSD K-5 school.   Mikka currently is serving her community as an S10 Paraeducator at O’Connell High School, both in the classroom and as a one-on-one support when needed.  The 2023-2024 school year will be Mikka’s fourth year working for SFUSD. Mikka plans to use her newly learned leadership skills in the PLN to organize and further support her community in SFUSD while pursuing her writing.

Eva Marquez, R39 McAuely CEEP

My name is Eva Marquez, currently in my fourth year with SFUSD working at McAuley CEEP with the city and county of San Francisco. I began working in SFUSD as an S10 Paraeducator and transitioned to an R39 Registered Behavior Technician. In this role, I focus on supporting students specifically with behavioral, emotional, and social goals.   I have had the pleasure of working with incredible students growing through adversity and finding themselves along the way. I have a deep passion for advocating for student needs and guiding students in finding and using their voices. As a first-year participant in the PLN, I am excited to connect with paras across SFUSD and share learning skills, practices, and supports that ultimately serve our students in transformative ways.

Lisa Richardson, R20 Family Liason, Malcolm X Academy

Lisa Richardson is In her 4th year with SFUSD as the R20 Family Liaison at Malcolm X Academy. Having started with SFUSD as an S10 Bus Paraeducator with Leola Havard ESP.  Currently an active UBC Representative at her school site and previously participated in the AFT Teacher Leadership Program.  In her first year of the PLN Lisa is currently developing a PD on Interpersonal Communication to present to her fellow paraeducators.  Lisa’s Mother Mena Blackwell is her inspiration “ She is one of the strongest black women in my life, her resilience has taught me that giving up is not an option. She is my Shero”.  After the completion of the PLN Lisa plans to continue for her second year and continue providing professional development with her fellow educators.