Meet Our Educator Advisory Board
Our Educator Advisory Board plays a pivotal role as counsel, acting as a sounding board for all our programming and curriculum development. This team works hand-in-hand with TeachAAPI to ensure our programs are engaging, high impact and useful to all educators.
Crystal Catalan is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at The Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, CA and is thrilled to be a member of the TeachAAPI EAB! Prior to joining Buckley, she served as the Vice Principal of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Presentation High School in San Jose, CA, where she held several roles over her 11-year tenure in Silicon Valley. She is a skilled restorative justice practitioner and chaplain, and holds degrees from the University of San Diego, Eastern University, and Santa Clara University.
Crystal Catalan
Educator Advisory Board
Katherine Choe is the principal of Mar Vista Elementary School in the Los Angeles Unified School District. The school is recognized for its collaborative culture, rigorous academics, vibrant arts programs, and strong commitment to multicultural learning. Its dedication to excellence is reflected in teachers’ participation in the prestigious Cotsen Foundation for the Art of Teaching and Katherine’s recognition as a Cahn Fellow for Distinguished Principals. She also serves as president of the Alliance of Asian/Pacific Administrators (AAPA), advocating for equity and leadership within the education community.
Katherine Choe
Educator Advisory Board
Peter Cha is an Academic Support and Human Development Teacher at Harvard-Westlake School. In the middle school’s Learning Center, Peter works with students on study strategies, work completion, time management, school-life balance, and executive function skills, all in support of each student’s academic success. He also advises Harvard-Westlake’s Asian American Culture Club. He first was inspired to enter education by his classes and community work at Pomona College, where he majored in Asian American Studies and Sociology. He also holds a Master of Arts degree in Urban Education from Loyola Marymount University.
Peter Cha
Educator Advisory Board
Lily Davis is the Director of Programming at The Willows Community School, a progressive DK–8 school in Culver City, California. With over a decade of classroom experience across multiple grade levels, Lily now leads curriculum development, faculty mentorship, and school-wide program integration. She works closely with teachers to design thematic, interdisciplinary units that are academically rigorous, culturally responsive, and emotionally supportive. In her role, she facilitates professional development, mentors teachers, and supports initiatives that honor diverse histories, voices, and traditions. Lily has presented nationally and internationally on integrating social-emotional learning into existing curricula, and she is passionate about fostering school communities where students see themselves—and others—reflected in what they learn.
Lily Davis
Educator Advisory Board
Chris is the Associate Head of School for Community Engagement at Campbell Hall in Studio City. He is a dedicated advocate for social justice in education. As a founding consultant of the Campus Culture Group, he works towards fostering inclusive and equitable school environments. He promotes diversity and inclusion through faculty and staff recruitment, program design, and policy adherence.
Chris Dennis
Educator Advisory Board
Brisa Diaz is the Director of Mission and Culture at Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton, where she leads diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) efforts across preschool through 8th grade. She brings over 15 years of experience as an educator, instructional coach, and administrator in both public and private school settings. Brisa holds a B.A. from UC Berkeley and an M.A. in Urban Education from Loyola Marymount University. Grounded in restorative practices and committed to elevating student voice, she works to build inclusive, identity-affirming school cultures that support all learners.
Brisa Diaz
Educator Advisory Board
Dr. Lorena Franco currently serves as the Director of the Student Empowerment Unit at Los Angeles Unified School District, where she leads transformative initiatives that elevate student voice, foster youth leadership, and advance educational equity. A core focus of her work is increasing the number of LA Unified students, particularly those from historically underserved communities, who enroll in and graduate from institutions of higher education. In addition to her leadership within Los Angeles Unified School District, Dr. Franco is an adjunct professor at East Los Angeles College and has served as a guest lecturer at the University of San Diego. Dr. Franco is fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian. She enjoys traveling, exploring different cultures, and advancing educational equity as a researcher, curriculum developer, and consultant. Above all, she is a tireless champion for high-quality education and opportunity for all students.
Lorena Franco
Educator Advisory Board
Karen Fukushima serves as Dean and Dean Department Head of Middle School at Harvard Westlake. She has been a member of the HW family since 1999. As the Head of the Middle School Dean Team, she works alongside a team of Deans, Counselors and Learning Specialists. In addition to teaching 8th grade history, she is also faculty advisor for the Middle School Asian American Culture Club and South Asian Student Association. Karen designed and taught a summer school course on Asian Americans and Los Angeles, and will start teaching an elective in Ethnic Studies this year.
Karen Fukushima
Educator Advisory Board
Eric Hudson is a facilitator and strategic advisor who helps schools navigate change in education. He specializes in learner-centered assessment, human-centered leadership, and strategic program design. He spent a decade at Global Online Academy, most recently as Chief Program Officer, and 12 years as a classroom teacher. He’s designed learning experiences for hundreds of schools and serves on the board of ATLIS. His Substack “Learning on Purpose” has been featured in The Marshall Memo. Eric holds degrees from UC Berkeley and Cornell and lives on Cape Cod, MA.
Eric Hudson
Educator Advisory Board
Patricia Kong is the Head of School for Pilgrim School. Pilgrim is a PS- grade 12, day/boarding for high school. Patricia is Korean-born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina and the first Korean female K-12 head of school in California. She immigrated to America after her quinceaneras in high school. She studied child development and psychology for undergrad and educational leadership, taught elementary school in public school and private, taught middle school math and Spanish, did admissions, was assistant head of school, and is now head of school. Patricia lives in Koreatown with her husband and two teenage roommates. She is 1 of 5 children and English is her third language.
Patricia Kong
Educator Advisory Board
Asako Kurosaka-Jost, Ed.D. is the co-Executive Director of Southern California POCIS and brings over 30 years of experience in education. Her career reflects a deep and enduring commitment to DEIJ, with impact spanning local communities in Southern California to national platforms. She serves as a co-student program facilitator at the national Asian Educators Alliance (AsEA) Conference and is the co-founder of the national BIPOC Alumnx H.E.R.E. Conference, in collaboration with Rodney Glasgow of the Glasgow Group. She is also a frequent presenter at the NAIS People of Color Conference. She currently teaches journalism at Brentwood School, where she brings her passion for student voice and storytelling into the classroom.
Asako Kurosaka-Jost
Educator Advisory Board
Visual strategist, org design consultant, co-author of The New Team Habits. Creator of Strategic Planning Playbook. Believes in leadership, equity, and strategy. Senior Transformation Consultant at August Public.
Kawai Lai
Educator Advisory Board
Experienced early childhood and elementary education teacher/administrator with anti-bias and anti-racist pedagogy focus. Skilled in social-emotional and academic development and tech integration. Passionate about leadership, educational reform, and impact on the system. Holds California Multi-Subject Teaching Credential.
Janet Lee
Educator Advisory Board
Mei-Ling Leonard is the Assistant Head of School for Early Child Education at St. James’ Episcopal School where she is responsible for the staff and faculty, students and families of the Preschool through Grade 3. She is the visionary and creator of the Center for Belonging, a physical space to support the social emotional well-being of students while instilling DEIJB in all educational aspects of the school community.
Mei-Ling Leonard
Educator Advisory Board
Stephanie Leung is a passionate educator who currently holds the positions of Assistant Head of School and Head of Lower School at Mirman School. Stephanie’s journey in education has been marked by a diverse range of experiences, including serving in teaching and leadership roles in schools in New York and Los Angeles. She holds certifications in various areas including school leadership, early childhood education, special education, and gifted education. This extensive knowledge base enables her to provide invaluable guidance and support to both students and fellow educators.
Stephanie Leung
Educator Advisory Board
Virginia Nguyễn is a 20+ year educator, storyteller, and co-founder of Educate to Empower. Her work centers identity, agency, and belonging—creating learning spaces where marginalized histories are visible and valued. Rooted in community and love, Virginia believes education is a radical act of hope and transformation, and she is committed to uplifting voices through solidarity, empowerment, and justice-driven teaching.
Virginia Nguyễn
Educator Advisory Board
Meera Ratnesar is the Head of School at Curtis. With experience in independent school education and administration, she specializes in mathematics and curriculum design. She implemented various initiatives to keep Curtis at the forefront of educational practices and is dedicated to leading a vibrant and joyful school community.
Meera Ratnesar
Educator Advisory Board
Hayley, an experienced educator, across independent, international, and charter schools. With over 20 years of experience as an administrator, curriculum developer, instructional coach, and teacher, she has worked in schools across the United Kingdom, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and New York. Currently, she serves as the Director of Teaching and Learning at the John Thomas Dye School in Los Angeles.
Hayley Roberts
Educator Advisory Board
Gary is the Associate Academic Dean at the Governor’s Academy in Byfield, MA. He works to incorporate DEI work into classroom curriculum, where students must grapple with the issues as part of their expected learning outcomes. Gary also serves on the advisory board of the Asian American Footsteps Conference, an annual regional conference for AAPI students at New England independent schools.
Gary Satow
Educator Advisory Board
Joel Sohn is the assistant head of school for planning and strategic initiatives at Head-Royce School in Oakland, CA. Joel has held multiple leadership roles in different independent schools, primarily focusing on improving the culture of belonging through strategic initiatives and practices. He also plays an active role in mentorship and leadership cultivation of AAPI educators in independent schools across the country.
Joel Sok Sohn
Educator Advisory Board
Garret serves as the Dean of Students, Prep Division, at Windward School. Prior to coming Windward, Garret was the Ninth Grade Dean at Polytechnic School in Pasadena, where he also served the community as an advisor, history teacher, football coach, outdoor education trip leader, and member of the admission team. As a third generation educator, he takes great pride in being a lifelong learner, especially on the topics of culture and social justice. Garret and his high school sweetheart have two sons. They love living in L.A. and exploring the cultural diversity of Garret’s adopted home away from the islands.
Garret Tyau
Educator Advisory Board
Aliya Virani is a lifelong educator who currently holds the position of Lower School Director at the Bush School in Seattle. Aliya’s journey in education has held many positions, from being a DEI Director, Admissions Director, Curriculum Director that have all led to her current role. Aliya has a Masters Degree in Elementary Education and in Education Leadership and also co-teaches a graduate school class on Cultural Competency. These experiences allow her to support students, parents/guardians and teachers in exploring their own identity and making meaningful connections to curriculum and building community.
Aliya Virani
Educator Advisory Board
Erwin Wong is the Director of Admission & Strategy at The Bay School of San Francisco. His responsibilities include admission, strategic enrollment management, financial assistance, retention and he recently served as a Trustee at Park Day School in Oakland, CA. The better half of his professional life has been devoted to cultivating school communities through leadership roles in Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, DC.
Erwin Wong
Educator Advisory Board
