CalSAC is proud to announce three new additions to our team!
AYALA GOLDSTEIN
Community Partnerships Manager
Ayala believes in the transformative power of high quality out-of-school time (OST) programs. Early experiences as a camp counselor led her to afterschool programs and school day teaching where she saw young people become more of themselves through having access to enriching experiences and adult mentors. She joined the CalSAC team in September 2018 as the Community Partnerships Manager motivated by the opportunity to expand the resources that out-of-school time professionals have to support their students.
Previously, she founded and ran a site-based school garden program in Oakland, California, which incorporated field trips, service learning projects and community work days into daytime learning. During this time, she was hired to author a standards-aligned curriculum based on her work and stayed connected to the OST field by leading professional development trainings for other educators interested in starting similar programs. Ayala holds a bachelor’s degree from UC San Diego in Cognitive Science and a master’s degree from NYU in Educational Leadership, Politics, and Advocacy.
In her free time, Ayala most enjoys swimming in lakes, meandering walks, and eating ice cream cones.
“We are each other’s harvest; we are each other’s business; we are each other’s magnitude and bond.”
ayala's Top 5 Strengths:
Strategic│ Empathy │ Connectedness │ Learner│ Developer
Gender Pronouns: she/her/hers
DIANA QUINTANA
Intern
Born in the Philippines, Diana was raised by parents who continuously emphasized the value and function of education. While Diana enjoyed learning during the school day, she found that some of her most fruitful educational experiences took place during her participation in out-of-school time programs—ranging from afterschool programs in elementary school that helped facilitate her experience immigrating to the United States, to a high school summer college enrichment program, which broadened her understanding and critical awareness of the inequities and disparities in access and experience that exist within the educational system.
Prior to joining the CalSAC team, Diana worked with non-profits aimed at increasing access and retention in education, which helped deepen her engagement to initiatives aimed at equity and justice. During her time at CalSAC, Diana hopes to continue the legacy of community and support that were integral to her experience with education, and, through her work with out-of-school time programs, to contribute to the efforts geared toward bridging inequity in education for underrepresented communities.
Diana is currently in her fourth year at UC Berkeley, pursuing a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Education. In her free time, Diana can be found exploring new food spots, exercising at the gym, or spending quality time with her dog and her loved ones.
“Education…is the practice of freedom, the means by which [people] deal critically and creatively with reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of their world.”
diana's Top 5 Strengths:
Input│ Intellection │ Strategic│ Analytical │ Achiever
Gender Pronouns: she/her/hers
KARL ABORDO
Field Organizer
Karl Abordo joined the CalSAC team in September 2018 through the AmeriCorps Public Allies program. Prior to signing on, Karl was based in North Carolina, where he worked as the database and marketing administrator at a certified public accounting and business consulting firm. During his time on the east coast, Karl received his B.A. in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). There he also co-founded the university’s largest Asian-interest student organization, the Filipino-American Student Association.
Karl was initially inspired and found his passion in leadership development in 2013 after being invited by a friend to attend a week-long intensive leadership program through LeaderShape Institute. Shortly after, Karl ran and served as the Student Organizational Senator for the Student Government Association of UNCG and received the 2013 Excellence in Leadership Award from the National Society of Leadership & Success.
Karl’s more recent contributions include serving as the first state chairman of North Carolina for the National Federation of Filipino American Associations and the vice president of Fil-Am Sangbayan, Inc., a Filipino-American non-profit cultural and charitable organization serving the north-central regions of North Carolina.
Today, Karl resides in the Bay Area and continues his leadership journey through the mentorship of AmeriCorps Public Allies in San Francisco. By moving to California, Karl is hopeful and motivated to grow a deeper understanding of social justice in order to educate others and to discover a path for a more equitable world.
When he is off the clock, Karl enjoys exploring new places, creating videos and graphics, and spending time with his friends, family, and a community student group that he leads.
“If given a chance, give your best shot.”