Meet the GALS Team

Ms. Garza's previous educational leadership roles include: Director of Teacher Development, at Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, where she served multiple LAUSD schools and as an Assistant Principal at Green Dot Public Schools and PUC Schools.  In these roles, she collaborated with Principals and teacher leaders to support and coach the effectiveness of their instructional practices as measured by the district's teaching standards and teacher evaluations.  Ms. Garza was born and raised in Los Angeles and proud of earning her Masters in Education from UCLA while serving as a middle school teacher in LAUSD.  Ms. Garza earned her bachelor degree from Tulane University and her administrative credential at the Charter School Leadership Academy at Loyola Marymount University.

Ms. Younan's previous educational leadership roles include serving as the Middle School Lead at iLEAD Pacoima and the Assistant Principal and ELA Department Head at GALS LA.Ms. Younan's previous educational leadership roles include serving as the Middle School Lead at iLEAD Pacoima and the Assistant Principal and ELA Department Head at GALS LA. In these roles, she collaborated with teacher leaders to support student achievement and growth, oversaw school activities and functions, created schoolwide systems to increase academic performance, and provided professional development for teachers and staff. Although Ms. Younan was born and raised in California, she left the state to attend college at the University of North Dakota upon receiving a full scholarship for athletics. Ms. Younan returned to her home state and has since spent her time working with students and families in the San Fernando Valley.

Katherine is currently attending Loyola Marymount University in order to receive a multiple subject credential and Masters’s Degree in Education. Katherine believes that obtaining an education is very important for students. She is excited to work at GALS, hoping to inspire and guide students toward achieving success.

Before joining the GALS team Andrew worked supporting students with special needs for two years at an elementary school. That same school he was able to hold many roles being; the middle school math teacher and P.E coach during summer school. As well as, a 5th grade teacher while student teaching.

Some things he enjoys on his free time is going to the movies, playing games and spending time with his best friends.

Andrew is excited to join the school and inspire students to grow and learn beyond the best of their abilities.

Her career started out with a BA in Biology and a minor in Environmental Science and Policy at Hartwick College in New York. Before she began teaching in the classroom, she taught science outdoors in New York State and Big Bear Lake, CA. She lived along the Hudson River Estuary (outside of NYC) and worked for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as a camp counselor, waterfront director, and camp director. She taught 3 years of high school Earth Science, Biology, and Chemistry at GALS Denver and for Alliance College Ready Public Schools for 3 years. So many of her opportunities have been provided to her through her education, so she went into teaching because this is what she wants for others. Oh, and if you don’t know, she is a reptile enthusiast and will be sure to help you fall in love with Maxine, her bearded dragon, while helping spread awareness about respect for all living things! In her free time she enjoys dancing, swimming, biking, and volunteering with shelter animals.

She is attending Loyola Marymount University to obtain her Master's Degree in Education, with an expected graduation in May 2025. Megan grew up in the San Fernando Valley and attended all-girls schools, including Marymount High School, which fostered her deep love for learning and education.

Megan believes in the power of education and its ability to inspire and empower young women. She advocates for GALS' social-emotional learning model and understands its significant role in student development. Megan is passionate about fostering a supportive and empowering environment for the young women at GALS.

She is currently attending Loyola Marymount University in the intern credential program to obtain a credential as a single subject History/Social Science educator and Masters Degree in education. She taught preschool for three years as an Assistant Teacher for the UCLA Early Care and Education Center. 

Yulisa believes in the power of education. As a first generation graduate she is aware that education brings knowledge, builds self-confidence and is a tool for gaining opportunities and opening new paths for our students. She is an advocate for GALS' social-emotional learning model and the influential role social-emotional learning plays in education. Yulisa is passionate about inspiring and empowering the young women at GALS. 

She is currently attending Loyola Marymount University in the intern credential program to obtain a credential as a single subject Foundational Mathematics educator as well as earn her Master's Degree in Education.

She chose GALS because of its unique learning experience with the involvement of movement. She is excited to coach her Wellness Team as she has experience coaching novice swim and synchronized swim teams. She has had experience tutoring others since she was in middle school and her favorite school subject had always been math so she's very excited to teach 8th grade math. Apart from teaching, she is a certified LA City Lifeguard and swim instructor. She also enjoys going to the gym for a variety of classes such as Zumba, yoga, and cycling. Her other hobbies include swimming, listening to music, cuddling her cat Luna, and spending time with her family.

In his free time, Ben enjoys running, running, and running. His favorite foods include quesadillas, sardines, and spinach.  What Ben loves most about GALS is that it is a brave space where not only students but staff as well are encouraged to see the loving nature in others and themselves and make a positive difference in the world in their own unique way - just to name a few.

Hannah is committed to creating a supportive learning environment where students feel empowered to achieve their goals and develop a lifelong love for learning. Outside of her academic pursuits, Hannah enjoys traveling to new destinations, running, and spending quality time with family and friends.

After college, she moved to Dallas, Texas, where she completed the Educator Preparation Program at Southern Methodist University and taught 10th grade English for two years before returning to LA and joining the GALS team in 2020.

Caroline is thrilled to be at GALS and to be part of a team that believes in a holistic approach to education. Movement has always been an important part of her life. Many of her favorite family memories involve biking. Tennis and ultimate frisbee have helped her strengthen some of her most special friendships, and she learned some of life's greatest lessons through competitive swimming. In the past, she has also had the opportunity to coach for Girls On The Run and knows first-hand how empowering movement, teamwork, and personal goal-setting can be for women of all ages.

In her free time, Caroline is a dedicated mother to two beautiful cats (please ask her about them!). When she is not doting over them, though, you can find her knitting, writing, reading, sketching, playing video games, and watching and talking about TV. She also loves learning new things and is currently studying Japanese.

She has been teaching and working with English Learners since 2015. She is passionate about helping guide all students to their own success. Elaina is also a true lover of both nature and travel. In her free time, she enjoys backpacking, surfing, reading, and taking road trips.

He then transferred to Cal State LA, where he obtained a BA in History: Teacher Preparation. He is currently attending California State University at Northridge in the intern credential program to obtain a credential as an Education Specialist. He began teaching at GALS in 2017 as an Education Specialist for the 7th grade. Prior to that, he worked as a paraprofessional for GALS, and was an After-School All-Stars coach during the founding year. Edrees is passionate about the movement-based curriculum and the value of the close-knit school community. He knew GALS was an amazing place to work when he saw how much the administration and teachers cared about the students. Edrees enjoys spending time with his family, girlfriend, and close friends. He enjoys watching sports, and is a huge Lakers and Dodgers fan. In his spare time, Edrees enjoys lifting weights, playing basketball, and boxing.

As the first person in her family to graduate college, she understands the value of an education. After years of working in Real Estate and as an Executive Assistant, LaTrice decided to pursue her passion of education. While LaTrice is new to teaching full-time, as of joining the team in 2018, she has 4 years of experience working with kids age 5-17 as a tutor. LaTrice is a San Fernando Valley native, born in Lakeview Terrace, CA, and working at GALS has been a great experience as she gets to work in her own community.  LaTrice loves GALS’ holistic approach and the focus on social-emotional support, as she believes this is large part of developing a human being — not just educating students’ minds, but taking care of the whole person. In her free time, LaTrice enjoys hiking, travel, reading, trivia, and playing board games.

Blanca is passionate about the movement-based curriculum GALS offers and the dedication all teachers and staff demonstrate at GALS. She knew GALS was an amazing place to work and contribute to.

Blanca attended Los Angeles Mission College and hopes to continue school to become a nurse. She dreams one day of becoming a labor and delivery nurse. 

Blanca was born and raised in Pacoima. Blanca loves sports, and began cheerleading at the age of 10 years old. She participated in all-star cheer competitions and high school sideline cheer. She also played softball at a young age. Blanca enjoys spending time with her baby, family and close friends. She enjoys watching live baseball, going to the beach and dancing. She is a huge Disney and Dodgers fan.

She is passionate about helping build her community and assisting our students in becoming great leaders. What Cynthia loves most about GALS is the freedom our students are given to express themselves in various ways.

In her free time, Cynthia enjoys spending time with her two dogs, making art, roller skating, playing Zelda, and attending concerts.