Who Are We?

Founding Group

Oxford Preparatory Academy will be founded as a center for higher learning in the Chino Valley where students from kindergarten to eighth grade are prepared to pursue university level academic studies. Our students will gain skills to be successful in the global community of the 21st century. Students will not just meet, but will exceed grade level expectations and become critical thinkers, as they are engaged with dynamic teaching that will make them self-motivated, competent, and lifelong learners. Staff collaboration, continual reassessment of practices based upon on-going performance measures, and recognition of the special learning needs of every child, make Oxford Preparatory Academy a place where achievement is the norm, challenges are viewed as temporary obstacles, and success will be applauded.

Our Founding Group recognized that we share a common vision for our students to engage in a wide variety of academic experiences based on the Theory of Multiple Intelligences in a collegiate atmosphere, where diversity is valued and scholarship is expected. The freedom, independence, and efficiency of our charter school will allow for maximum use of our resources for student achievement.

Below are the profiles of the individuals who comprise our Founding Group. Each person brings valuable input to various aspects of the charter. Our school community reflects a diversity of individuals who contribute a broad base of professional, volunteer, community involvement, talents, and backgrounds. These individuals have been active in the community and school system, and are familiar with the various details of operating a school.

Board of Directors:

Richard Hall, Ed.S. (R) (President) is employed by the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools as Director of Service Learning. He has held numerous offices within this department and has been given a multitude of awards including the CREEC Award of Excellence. Jack O’ Connell awarded him a Certificate of Recognition in 2005, and he was nominated for the Golden Bell Award in 1989. Mr. Hall has a Bachelor of Arts from Whittier College, a Masters of Education from Azusa Pacific University, and an Education Specialist degree from Loma Linda University. He has a Standard Secondary Credential with authorizations in biology, mathematics, physical education, psychology, and recreation. Additionally, he holds a California Administrative Credential, Tiers I and II. He has won “Teacher of the Year” for the Redlands Unified School District and the San Bernardino Unified School District, and was the “California State Teacher of the Year”, as well. His lists of publications include topics on such subjects as, mathematics, science, environmental education, service learning, and literacy. He is an adjunct professor for California State University, San Bernardino, and the University of California, Riverside. He is an Educational Consultant and has developed many professional development programs including; Thinking Maps, Grant Writing, Technology, and Professional Learning Groups. Mr. Hall is also responsible for SATTOS (Science and Technology To Our Students) and has raised over $200,000, along with ongoing capital of approximately $50,000 a year, to build a 40 foot motor home that delivers science and technology to all of the elementary schools in the Redlands Unified School District. He organized English Language Learner Science Strategies and wrote a grant that provided $10,000 for curriculum development.

Mary Chladni (R) (Secretary) has been the recipient of many well deserved awards: “Teacher of the Year” for San Bernardino County and Chino Valley Unified School District (CVUSD); Outstanding College Woman of the Year, Country Springs Elementary “Hall of Fame” Service Award, Edwin Rhodes “Honorary Doctorate,” and Business and Professional Women’s Career Woman Award. Mary Chladni began her teaching career in 1969 in the Ontario/Montclair School District. In 1979 Ms. Chladni came to work for the Chino Valley Unified School District at Anna Borba Fundamental Elementary School. She next assisted in opening Rolling Ridge Elementary, Country Springs Elementary, and Edwin Rhodes Elementary, all top performing elementary schools. She became a BTSA (Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment) Support Provider, a CVUSD Trainer in Towards Equity Trainer of Trainers, Peer Assistance and Review (PAR), Teacher Expectation and Student Achievement (TESA) and a Teacher Expectation and Student Achievement Trainer. Ms. Chladni received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Northern Arizona University and a Masters of Arts in Education from Arizona State University. Ms. Chaldni is trained in and certified as a Multiple Intelligences Specialist, and has conducted numerous workshops and staff developments in this area. Moreover, she has received her Preliminary Administrative Services Credential from California State University, San Bernardino. She has also donated her time to Cub Scouts and the Special Olympics.

Janet Yang (R) (Treasurer) is the Founder and Director of Chino Hills Chinese School, as well as the Founder and Principal of Premier Academy of Chino Hills, where her upper level math and science programs are highly regarded. She has taught the Chinese language, culture, and history, as well as AP Chinese, to hundreds of students, ages five (5) to adult at the Chinese School. Additionally, Ms. Yang has been responsible for educating several youth in our community in AP physics, Statistics, Biology, and AP Chemistry, just to name a few of the various science classes she has taught. Many of her students have been accepted to UCLA, Duke, and Berkeley. Ms. Yang received her Bachelor of Arts in Biomedical Engineering at Shanghai Jiaotong University in China, where she was also the editor of the campus magazine. She is presently a Doctoral Candidate in Biochemistry at Loma Linda University. Ms. Yang has worked for several years as a Research Assistant in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Southern California, where she was instrumental in analyzing data for the USC Medical School. She has taught a computer language—Pascal, and has received the School Leadership Award, at Shanghai Jiaotong University, China. She has also participated as a coach for the American Mathematics Contest.

Robert Apodaca (R) is Co-Director of Education for the Board of Directors for the Chino Community Theatre. Mr. Apodaca coordinates educational classes for the community at a reasonable cost, so anyone could benefit from being part of this wonderful experience. He is a graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Operations Management. He currently works with the Packaging Corporation of America as Design Department Co-Manager. Past employment that has furthered developed his current skills while acquiring new talents. These have included: Quality Control Internal Auditor; Senor Designer; and Sales Manager. During the past ten years, Mr. Apodaca has had extensive training in design and management, as well as PCA Integrity Courses.

Bob Kuhnert (R) spent nearly thirty years as a highly regarded Deputy District Attorney in the County District Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles, California. He was a supervisor in major litigation and was responsible for overseeing 250 attorneys and their supervisors. During this time, he was Director of Special Operations involving supervision of major units such as: Domestic Violence, Major Crimes, Special Investigations, Sex Crimes, Major Narcotics, Consumer and Environmental Protection and Welfare Fraud. Mr. Kuhnert received a prestigious award from the L.A. County Marshall Service, as well as being awarded for recognition of gang activity prosecution from the City of Norwalk. Earlier in his career, he was a Case Brief Writer and Editor, reviewing all Appellate and California Supreme Court criminal case decisions and the author of briefs on the rulings. He was also an extremely successful Attorney in the Anti-Trust Division, investigating and prosecuting Sherman Anti Trust Act violations. He considers education a top priority and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of San Diego School with a Juris Doctor Degree. Mr. Kuhnert received a B.S. in History and Political Science at San Diego State University, also graduating Magna Cum Laude. He is a member of the California State Bar Association and Municipal Advisory Council, reporting to the County Board of Supervisors. He was responsible for incorporating the city of Diamond Bar and to show his support for education, he became a Walnut Valley Unified School District Board member, where he served for four years.

Dana Reupert (R) is the current President for the California Association for the Gifted (CAG), a part-time lecturer at the University of California, Riverside Graduate School of Education, and a University of California, Riverside Extension Instructor for the GATE Certificate program. She has been a frequent presenter at CAG conferences, National Association for Gifted Children meetings, and the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children Conferences. She has been active in the educational community as an instructor, curriculum assistant, principal, and consultant in the Riverside area. She has received many awards during her career, including “Principal of the Year” in 2000-2001 for the Riverside Unified School District. Ms. Reupert received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Winona State University, Winona, Minnesota. She did graduate work at University of California, Riverside, Loma Linda University, California State College, Los Angeles, and the University of California at Los Angeles. Next she completed a Masters of Arts in Administration at California State University, San Bernardino. Ms. Reupert has a Life General Elementary Credential, a Certificate in Education for the Gifted and Talented (GATE), and an Administrative Services Credential. She is an active member in the Riverside Chambers of Commerce Business/Education Committee, Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), and Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).

Sue Teele, Ph.D., (R) is the Director of Education Extension and the Associate Dean at the University of California, Riverside, where she is the administrator and Director for over 900 courses, in-services, credential and certificate programs provided annually to over 12,000 educators. The Education Extension offers four unique certificates not offered anywhere else: The Study of Multiple Intelligences, Educational Facilities Planning, Advanced Placement for Educators, and Response to Intervention. Her responsibilities include supervising eighteen state approved credential programs, twenty-five certificate programs, three to four conferences a year, and over 200 staff development in-services at school sites. Moreover, she oversees the Renaissance Project, an educational research and training program that examines the relationship of the Theory of Multiple Intelligences to student learning. Ms. Teele also administers grant-funded programs in science, reading, and English Language Learners, professional courses for teachers and academic enrichment programs for youth. She is a famous published author, especially among educators, writing many researched-based books: Honor Each Child’s Diversity; The Multiple Intelligences School—A Place for All Students to Succeed; Rainbows of Intelligences, Exploring How Students Learn; and Into, Through, and Beyond the 1990’s: Combining the Multiple Intelligences with Assessment, just to name a few. Dr. Teele received her B.A. in English Literature from the University of Redlands, her M.S. in Humanities and Education from Southern Oregon University, and her Ph.D. from the University of California, Riverside.

Ex-Officio Officers:

Katharine Havert (R) works for the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools as the Service Learning Specialist and the California Regional Environmental Education Coordinator. Ms. Havert has a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education, General Science Emphasis, from the University of Montana, Missoula, and a Masters of Arts in Secondary Education, Environmental Education Option, from California State University, San Bernardino. With a background in science, she has developed curriculum for regional environmental agencies and organizations. Ms. Havert provides educator training in Service Learning, Project Learning Tree, Project WILD, and Flying Wild. She coordinates Youth Leadership and Service Learning Conferences. Ms. Havert has coordinated several school-based recycling centers in several areas in and around the San Bernardino County area. She has volunteered to work with our staff in the areas of Service Learning and Science on an ongoing basis.

Marita Isidore (R) owns the Tropical Smoothie on Butterfield Ranch Road located in Chino Hills. Ms. Isidore has an extensive background and experience with vendor and proprietary software documentation, training, curriculum development, and quality assurance. In addition, she has her experience creating and delivering curriculum for software release and will a great asset to Oxford Preparatory Academy. This, combined with her expertise in management and technical writing, she will also be able to offer sound advice in regards to business management. Ms. Isidore holds a Masters of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Loyola Marymount University. She also attended law school at Southwestern University School of Law. Ms. Isidore is an active participant in the community for elementary school age children and gives presentations about healthy eating. She also gives presentations about building businesses from the ground up to high school students.

Lead Petitioners:

Marianne Ballantyne currently teaches 1st grade at Rhodes Elementary School and has been a teacher in Chino Valley Unified School District since 1990. Ms. Ballantyne also helped open Country Springs and Rolling Ridge Elementary Schools, all three top performing schools in the District. She has been a trainer of teachers, developing in-services for district teachers on phonemic awareness, and decoding and blending. She has served as Grade Level Chairperson and is currently serving as President of School Site Council. She has also served on various district committees, including the development of a writing rubric and the adoption of a new Language Arts Program. Ms. Ballantyne holds a Bachelors degree in Liberal Arts from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona with a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. She has also successfully completed the Theory of Multiple Intelligence classes at the University of California, Riverside, and holds an SB1969 certificate.

Albert Chang, Esquire, (Lead Petitioner) (R) is a parent to a Rhodes Scholar and the Managing Partner and co-founder of Chang & Cote, LLP. Mr. Chang earned his Electrical Engineering Degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, and began his early career as an engineer and manager for a nuclear power plant, the Space Shuttle, and MX Peacekeeping Projects. Upon moving to Southern California, Mr. Chang earned his Law Degree from Loyola Law School, graduating with honors. Mr. Chang founded the offices of Albert J.C. Chang in 1993 in California, and thereafter in Nevada, serving the needs of Asian companies in the manufacturing, aeronautical, banking, oil producing, and investment fields. Eventually, Mr. Chang opened additional offices in the Caribbean and became the first U.S. law firm in the city of Tianjin, the fastest growing major city in China. Mr. Chang served on the Rhodes Elementary School Site Council, volunteered for the Junior Moot Court Project, and currently serves on the Measure R Citizens’ Oversight Committee for Mount San Antonio College.

Marci Herrera (Lead Petitioner) (R) currently teaches 5th grade GATE at Rhodes Elementary School. Ms. Herrera has taught all grades K-6 in both public schools (Chino Valley and Long Beach School Districts) and private schools (Page Private School, Beverly Hills). She received the “Outstanding Teacher Award” in 1992 and “Teacher of the Year” in 2004. Ms. Herrera wrote the Cal-Serve Service Learning Award and Picture America Award, which were awarded in 2009. She is currently Administrative Designee for Curriculum Development for a Performing Arts Grant, Professional Development Coordinator for Writing Programs and Curriculum in Grades K-6, and Community Service Learning Coordinator. Ms. Herrera is also the Curriculum Director and Administrator for the Chino Community Theatre Summer School Program. Ms. Herrera earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre Arts, with an emphasis in Acting and Directing, from California State University, Los Angeles, and her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Chapman University. Ms. Herrera earned her Masters in Educational Administration with an Administrative Credential from Grand Canyon University. She has also received numerous sales achievement awards as a sales representative in the pharmaceutical and telecommunications industries.

Tim Shackelford (Lead Petitioner) (R) is currently serving as the Battalion Chief of the Chino Valley Independent Fire District in charge of Emergency Medical Services and the Training/Safety Division. With over eighteen (18) years of experience, Mr. Shackelford has had extensive training in advanced life support and has been responsible for training of EMT-1 and Paramedic personnel. His current responsibilities include the development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures, budget development and management, and as a representative of the Fire District at Multi-Jurisdictional meetings and professional organizations. Chief Shackelford graduated in 1993 from Mt. San Antonio College with an Associate of Science degree in Fire Technology. In 2007, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from Columbia Southern University and is currently enrolled in the Master of Science Degree program in Occupational Safety and Health. He has been an advisor and program coordinator for the Explorer program, the treasurer of the Chino Valley Professional Firefighters, and the coordinator of the Spark of Love Toy Drive. He is a youth sports coach and serves on the Edwin Rhodes School Site Council, as well as, volunteering at his church.

John Shipes (Lead Petitioner) (R) has taught 6th grade at Edwin Rhodes Elementary School since 2004, when he earned his Multiple Subject Teaching Credential after a major career change. In 1991, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business from National University in San Diego, graduating Summa Cum Laude. In 1997, he received a Master of Business degree, with an emphasis in financial management, graduating with distinction. He worked as a mechanical engineer before deciding to pursue his teaching career. He has been a leader at Edwin Rhodes Elementary serving on the School Site Council and the Leadership Team, as well as, volunteering to be the head coach of the award winning track and field team. Mr. Shipes is also a member of the Board of Directors for National Junior Basketball and volunteers as a basketball coach for the City of Chino.

Nancy Taylor currently teaches 5th grade GATE at Edwin Rhodes Elementary School and has taught for over 24 years in the Chino Valley Unified School District at Anna Borba Fundamental, Country Springs, and Edwin Rhodes Elementary. Ms. Taylor has been a Site Mentor for three (3) years and a Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) Support Provider for seven (7) years. She has successfully worked with both GATE and RSP students including the 5th grade District GATE Magnet teacher for the last six years. Ms. Taylor was also a writer for the California Distinguished School Application and was a Grade Level Chairperson for several years. Ms. Taylor earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Theatre Arts, with a minor in English, from Eastern New Mexico University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and earned a Masters degree in Drama from California State University at Los Angeles. She also has a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, a SB1969 authorization, and a Certificate in Education for the Gifted and Talented.