MEET THE FOUNDER:
Shira Woodlee
Shira Woodlee founded EdFront in 2013 with the goal of personalizing support through coaching one-to-one. Shira's dedication to supporting students and their families in receiving the most equitable education possible has brought coaching and tutoring support to many students. Every day, Shira works directly with students to ensure success in their academic life by promoting their strengths and advocating for their areas of challenge.
Shira began her journey in education as a Resource Specialist in various high school settings and as a private academic coach, leading her to serve in many roles inside and outside of the school setting. As she continued to coach her students, she honed her coaching techniques and now directly works in triage with her whole team to ensure support for as many students as possible.
Shira is honored to work with incredible coaches and tutors who are all on the mission to support unique and misunderstood students to meet their highest personal potential.
“Shira brings something special to the table. There is a trust between her and my daughter. That trust opens the conversation for her to be able to help my daughter without judgment. Shira brings a fresh outlook and fresh ideas of how my daughter can help herself.”
MEET OUR TEAM!
OUR ONLINE COLLEGE COACH:
Kaylee Faria
Kaylee Faria is the college Coach Lead at EdFront. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton in Spring 2020 with a double major in Sociology and Criminal Justice. She is currently in graduate school at University of Las Vegas, Nevada getting her masters and Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice. She is a first-generation college student, so she knows how overwhelming the college applications process can be for her high school friends – and this is why she loves doing what she does here at EdFront!
OUR EF COACHES:
Rachel Walker
Rachel holds a Bachelor’s degree in English, and a Master’s of Education in Early Childhood and Special Education from Hunter College. As a teacher in New York City and Chicago, Rachel helped students across grade levels find confidence and success both in and beyond the classroom. Rachel brings years of experience in creating support systems that are uniquely tailored to the needs of each student, and include a range of strategies, from organization and self-regulation to problem-solving techniques. She believes that students thrive when they can begin to self-identify their strengths and celebrate their growth.
Nicole is a school-based mental health clinician in Chicago Public Schools and has spent the last decade working with young people in therapeutic and academic settings. She takes a collaborative, strength-based approach to her work and believes strongly that with the right tools all students can reach their goals. She also has a passion for school-based advocacy and draws upon her experience in assessment and therapy to support families in getting the services their student needs to succeed.
Joanna Wong
Joanna Wong (she/her/hers) believes in providing high quality education to all students through collaboration between families and educators. She has been in the education world for almost a decade, ranging from being a 1:1 paraprofessional in a special education classroom to a middle school special education teacher. She prioritizes advocacy above all else with her students and families, ensuring that they are receiving the best services and strategic tools that they deserve. Joanna believes in giving students the most equitable education possible, despite any potential systemic obstacles that could hinder their growth. Outside of education, you can find Joanna with her nose in a book, finding the next best restaurant in Philadelphia with her husband, or (napping) on the couch with her two cats and dog.
Brianna Yvonne Ambriz
As a dedicated, creative, and enthusiastic first generation college graduate, Brianna hopes to bring her passion and previous experience of helping others into the field of Psychology and Education. Brianna was born and raised in Stockton, CA and graduated from UC Davis with a Bachelors in Cognitive Science and Psychology. Her journey began as a residential counselor, where she applied therapeutic techniques such as crisis intervention, personalized counseling, and client-centered recovery planning to support individuals with mental illnesses in achieving greater independence. Selected from a pool of 45,000 applicants nationwide, she joined a prestigious national teacher corps dedicated to under-resourced public schools. For the past few years, she has been making a difference as an 8th-grade Education Specialist, focusing on inclusive education. Her commitment to learning led her to earn a Master's in Special Education while serving with Teach For America, where she holds a teaching credential in the state of California. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University, driven by her aspiration to blend psychological insights and educational expertise to empower individuals facing challenges. With a dynamic blend of experience and education, she is dedicated to helping others utilize their executive functioning skills and thrive in both academic and personal pursuits.
Gabrielle Plastrik
Gabrielle is passionate about supporting young people as they learn more about how their own brains work, their strengths, and pathways toward self-advocacy. She has nineteen years of classroom teaching experience in English, humanities, social studies, computers, and drama. She has taught supported reading and writing classes and worked in several schools designed to meet the needs of gifted and twice exceptional learners. Gabrielle is a mindfulness expert and leads professional development on learning sciences for other educators. She is adept at compassionately helping children and teens navigate anxious feelings related to school work and school.
Jessica Eskridge
With a rich background in social-emotional learning, curriculum development, and student advocacy, Jessica Eskridge is a certified K-12 School Counselor and K-6 Elementary Teacher with a specialization in Special Education. She has a proven track record of enhancing student leadership and academic achievement through strategic SEL initiatives and inclusive practices. Jessica’s experience spans roles as a Social Emotional Learning Specialist, Humanities/Social Justice Teacher, and Inclusion Teacher, where she successfully reduced behavioral interventions, developed comprehensive curricula, and improved school climates. Passionate about student well-being and executive functioning, Jessica is dedicated to fostering growth and resilience in students and their families.
Jenn Young
Jenn is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor with a Master’s in Counseling from Loyola Marymount University and a Bachelor’s in Journalism from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. After a decade-long career in the entertainment industry, Jenn transitioned into education to utilize her experience navigating the higher education system and her passion for college and career advising to ensure that all students receive quality resources to excel in their futures. She has experience working with students in both academic and social-emotional counseling. Jenn is passionate about supporting students' growth inside and outside the classroom and being an education access advocate for families. Outside of her professional life, you can find Jenn playing volleyball, watching a good TV series or checking out a new restaurant in Los Angeles.
OUR EF AIDE:
Jordan Donohue
Jordan (She/Her/Hers) was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV. She received her Bachelor of Arts degrees in psychology and criminal justice from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the Spring of 2021. She is currently pursuing her Master of Arts degree in criminal justice at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and is set to graduate in the Spring of 2023. She plans on pursuing her Ph.D. in criminal justice in the Fall of 2023. Jordan has always had a passion for helping others, specifically in the educational realm, because she knows exactly what it is like to desire extra support and guidance along the way. She has experience in working with children from various backgrounds, experiences, and skill levels. When she is not attending to her academics, Jordan loves spending time with her dog, Presley. She is excited to work with all age groups across a variety of subjects!
OUR IMPACT LEAD:
Marlene Barrios
Marlene was born and raised in San Mateo, CA. She is a fourth year student at UC-Riverside majoring in psychology and minoring in Gender and Sexuality Studies. She plans on becoming a clinical psychologist who works with children and adolescents. Marlene has tutored elementary school students in reading and math at an after school program. She has also tutored adults who wanted to take the American Citizenship exam. Marlene has had many tutors and mentors throughout her academic career and believes they are a big reason why she is where she is today. The impact her tutors and mentors have had on her inspire her to be a tutor to others.
OUR BUSINESS COORDINATOR:
Vanessa Zarou
Vanessa has a diverse background in education, mental health, and nonprofit operations. As a first-generation college student, she earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland and went on to complete a Master's in Education from George Mason University. She began her career in nonprofit mental health, both as a counselor and supervisor, guiding high school students through their critical transition from school to the workforce and higher education. Vanessa's passion for education led her to teach language learners at both the middle and high school levels and to provide individualized financial literacy support to young adults. While she loves the personal connection of working with young people, Vanessa has also discovered a deep interest in the business side, enjoying roles where she can strategize, streamline processes, and enhance organizational efficiency. Her ability to blend direct service experience with business acumen allows her to drive mission-oriented goals and support operational success and organizational growth.