BrightYoungMind
The Team
At Brightyoungmind, our team is made up of passionate, highly qualified educators with over 50 years of combined experience in the field of education. Each team member holds a California teaching credential and a Master's degree in an education-related discipline, ensuring a strong foundation of both academic knowledge and practical expertise.
Our educators bring diverse experience from both public and private school settings and specialize in supporting learners of all backgrounds and abilities. Drawing on our extensive backgrounds, we craft engaging, individual lessons designed to meet each student's unique needs - helping them gain confidence, reach their academic goals, and thrive!
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Your child's success story starts with a great teacher. Meet ours and see the difference expertise makes.
Jakell graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Master's of Education in Cross Cultural Teaching from National University. She holds both a Clear California Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential and a Preliminary Administrative Service Credential.
Jakell has over two decades of educational experience in the public and private sector. As a classroom teacher and a private educator, she is experienced in working with students with diverse learning backgrounds including A.D.H.D., Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, and gifted and talented. Jakell specializes in elementary subjects and K-8th grade literacy focusing on reading comprehension, reading fluency, vocabulary development, and writing. She also loves working with students to improve their executive functioning skills such as time management, self advocacy, testing strategies and organization.
Samantha holds a Master of Arts in Special Education from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. With over 22 years of experience in special education, she has excelled in diverse roles, including resource specialist, instructional coach, intervention and prevention coordinator, and assistant principal.
Her expertise focuses on designing and implementing effective reading and math intervention programs, particularly for children with learning challenges and those struggling with foundational skills. Samantha is deeply committed to educational equity, striving to empower all students to reach their fullest potential.
Connie holds a Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction with a focus on Instructional Leadership and a Master of Science in Educational Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. She also holds both teaching and administrative credentials from the state of California.
With 30 years of experience in education, Connie has taught in public and private independent schools across Los Angeles and served in roles such as Classroom Teacher, Mentor and Guiding Teacher, Restorative Justice Teacher Advisor, Systems of Support Advisor, and Elementary Instructional Coach. She is deeply committed to empowering students to build confidence and trust their own thinking, while designing research-based, innovative curricula in math, phonics, reading, writing, and social-emotional learning. Connie is known for building strong, meaningful relationships with students and families through an approach grounded in warmth, understanding, and support.