Staff/Faculty

The Staff and Faculty of Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School would like to welcome you to the School’s website.

Feel free to contact us by email or by phone.

Matthew Rodríguez, Principal. I have a BA in Sociology (University of Illinois at Chicago); M.Ed. Secondary Education Type 9 Certificate (University of Illinois at Chicago); M.Ed. Educational Leadership Type 75 Certificate (Northeastern Illinois University). This will be my eighth year in the school, third year as Principal. My goal is to ensure the ongoing work of our school’s mission and vision, engaging our students, their families and our community in building a better and more just world.

mattr@pedroalbizucamposhs.org

Danette Sokacich, Assistant Principal/Lolita Lebrón Family Learning Center Program Director. BA ’98 – History – George Washington University, Washington, DC; MS ’04 – Childhood Education Lehman College, Bronx, NY; Type 9-Secondary Education ’09 – Illinois College, Jacksonville, IL, Certifications – Type 9-History, Endorsement in English. I recently accepted the position of Assistant Principal for PACHS and concurrently serve as the Director of the Lolita Lebrón Family Learning Center. In my role as Assistant Principal, I will be pursuing a Master’s in Educational Leadership at Northeastern Illinois University. Envisioning a place where families can learn cooperatively, I am interested in developing a comprehensive family literacy program for the school. In addition, I want to support the academic advancement of all students at Albizu Campos and prepare them with the critical tools they need to navigate a dynamic, integrated society.

danettes@pedroalbizucamposhs.org

Carlos De Jesus, Assistant Principal/Urban Agriculture Program Coordinator. Although I am a former high school dropout, I am a graduate of Yale University and have a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Northeastern University. In my 6 years at PACH I have served as a teacher in Integrated Science, Puerto Rican History, and Latino and Black Literature. I presently serve as Assistant Principal and as the Director of Urban Agriculture. I believe all students are intelligent, gifted and talented, and my goal is to help students achieve their full potential as successful and productive contributors to their family, community and society.

carlosdj@pedroalbizucamposhs.org

Juanita García, Registrar. I am currently attending Roosevelt University for a BS in Business Administration. I am the Registrar at PACHS, and I hope to gain the skills needed to make the Administrative Team one of the best within YCCS. This is my fourth year at Albizu Campos Puerto Rican High School, and I look forward to many more.

juanitag@pedroalbizucamposhs.org

Viola Salgado, Fiscal Manager. Associate of Arts, I am the Fiscal Manager in the school. I contribute and learn new accounting skills as I look towards retirement. Since 1980 I have supported the school community philosophy and would like to continue my support and advocate for Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School.

violas@pedroalbizucamposhs.org

Elias Carmona, Operations Assistant Manager.
I am the technology specialist and webmaster for the school, in addition to the school’s physical plant’s manager. This is my third year with the school and I look forward to another exciting year!

eliasc@pedroalbizucamposhs.org

Judith Díaz, Dean of Student Affairs. I am a proud member of the Puerto Rican community, Paseo Boricua. PACHS has changed my life, as I hope it will change yours. I come to work “con ganas de trabajar” (willingness to work) and I love to be a constant witness to how our students grow, change and teach me more than I can ever teach them. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology/Psychology and a Master’s in Education for Youth Development, both from the University of Illinois at Chicago. This is my sixth year working with the Social Emotional Learning Team and I look forward to this exciting school year!

judyd@pedroalbizucamposhs.org

Ruben Gerena, Youth Skills, Scholars and Service Mentor. I am a graduate of an Alternative high school like PACHS. This will be my tenth school year at PACHS. In these ten years, I have served in many roles, but no role has been more important to me then that of Mentor. This year, I will continue to be part of the SEL team as the YS3 mentor. I look forward to working and learning from our students and I hope that together we will earn the love and respect from each other that will bring us closer to our humanity and help us to enjoy another school year.

rubengerena@pedroalbizucamposhs.org

Crystal Morales, Re-Enroll Student Program/Title XX Mentor. I have been at this school for 12 years. I have worked at the Family Learning Center and then I was the receptionist here at the high school. This is my second year with the SEL team and currently I am a Title XX Mentor. I love working with the students and being able to help them accomplish there goals. Working here at Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos has encouraged me to continue my passion; working with youth.

crystalm@pedroalbizucamposhs.org

Rodolfo González, Title XX Mentor. I am a recent graduate from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a double Bachelors degree in Criminal Law and Justice and Psychology. I am a part of the SEL team and currently I am a Title XX mentor. I am here to serve as motivational influence and support to the students. I am also here to encourage and engage our students in community involvement. I came to Dr. Pedro Albizu High School because this is an environment where the staff members along with myself feel like a family. We are all here to reach one common goal, which is to encourage and promote success beyond high school.

rodolfog@pedroalbizucamposhs.org

Meredith Rodriguez, Youth Experiencing Success Mentor. I have a Masters degree in Educational Leadership in Higher Ed. I am working in the SEL department as a YES mentor. I have many years working with youth and understand the challenges and barriers that can hinder their success. I want to assist students with those challenges and watch them blossom into the successful men and women I know they can be and break the barriers that may impede on that success.

meredithr@pedroalbizucamposhs.org

Gustavo Colón-Braña, English Teacher. I am the Black and Latina/o Literature II and III teacher. I have a Master’s Degree in Language Arts Education and am type-9 certified. My goal this year is to learn and gain as much experience in the classroom and help students develop an appreciation for literature and writing as I transition from my role in ELO to my new role as a literature teacher in Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School.

gustavoc@pedroalbizucamposhs.org

Christina Camacho, Social Studies Teacher. I have a Bachelors in Elementary Education, with a concentration in History with a Type 03 certification. I teach United States Government and World History classes. I also have coached women’s basketball and various other Physical Education classes. One of my goals is to teach the history of people who have shaped the world we live in today and whose stories are often untold. I would like to help students learn their history and make connections to their lives today.

christinac@pedroalbizucamposhs.org

Partrycja Baran, Social Studies Teacher. I was born in Poland. I have attained a Masters degree from DePaul University in Secondary Education, along with a type-9 certification. I am the current Puerto Rican Studies teacher at Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School. I am a firm believer in social justice and the idea that learning is a life process, which is what brought me to Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School.

patrycjab@pedroalbizucamposhs.org

Juan Rodríguez, Math Teacher. I have BA in English Literature and Spanish Literature (Amherst College); M.Ed. candidate in Secondary Education (Boston College); Type 9 Certificate candidate (Illinois College). This is my fifth year teaching Mathematics at PACHS. I will be teaching Intermediate Integrated Math. My goal is to help students develop their mathematical acumen while connecting their classroom experiences to their lived experiences. Additionally, I strive to help students develop their interpersonal skills and community building practices.

juanr@pedroalbizucamposhs.org

Justin Sanabria, Math Teacher. I am teaching Integrated Mathematics 1 and 3. I possess a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Lewis University. I am working on my thesis to finish my MA in Psychology at National-Louis University. I am currently attending Benedictine University to complete my MA in Education. I have a Type 25 and at the end of the year I will hold a Type 9. A goal of mine is to effectively reach and encourage students through math, to be critical thinkers, and analyze their potential. I believe PACHS will help me achieve my goal.

justins@pedroalbizucamposhs.org

Elizabeth Hoffman, Senior Portfolio Teacher. I have recently earned a BA in Latin American/Latino Studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago and I also have a BFA in Graphic Design from the University of the Arts. I first started teaching multimedia for the BACCA program and this is my second year teaching the Senior Portfolio Class. I love supporting students in the graduation process so they may flourish as responsible, dynamic and dignified young leaders.

elizabethh@pedroalbizucamposhs.org

Diamond Montana, Science Teacher. I am a graduate of Philosophy and Chemistry B.A from Loyola University Chicago. Currently I’m attending Chicago State University for an M.Ed in Mathematics Education with a completion date of Fall 2011. I am also the Integrated Science teacher at PACHS. I look forward to working with the community and the PACHS staff to bring integrated science to the community through the Urban Agriculture Program and engaging our student in authentic learning through transformation and self-determination.

diamondm@pedroalbizucamposhs.org

Yamini Balassoubramaniane, Science Teacher. I have a Masters in Community Development and Conservation, and I’m working on my Type 09 Certification and MS in Education at Northwestern. I’m teaching integrated science this year, and I hope to help students see how scientific inquiry and reasoning can be used as tools for problem-solving and social change. I am especially excited to be teaching at PACHS because of its commitment to addressing real issues of social and environmental justice in the community through urban agriculture and social ecology.

yaminib@pedroalbizucamposhs.org

Zoraida Tañon, Spanish Language Teacher. I have a Bachelor Degree from DePaul University in Liberal Arts, Major in Spanish, a Master Degree in Hispanic Studies from University of Illinois at Chicago, an EdS (Education Specialist Master Degree) from Northern Illinois University and recently I became a student for the Type 9 program at Illinois College. Yes…I really like to go to school!!!! I am the Spanish teacher at Campos, sometimes the Culinary Arts teacher or softball coach. I am at Campos because I like to give back to my community and love to see my people improved their lives through education. I love when I see my former students walking by the neighborhood and they let me know that I make a difference in their lives, in any way.

zoraidat@pedroalbizucamposhs.org

Brenda Torres, Fine Art Teacher. I am an interdisciplinary artist, curator and educator born and raised in Fajardo, Puerto Rico and currently living in Chicago. I have a Bachelors in Arts from the Universitity of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus and a Masters in Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (2004). I have been the art teacher for Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican High School since 2008.

brendat@pedroalbizucamposhs.org

Marisol Velez, Performing Arts through Creative Writing Teacher. I’m the little lady with the crazy pink, purple and blue hair! I have been performing Hip Hop music for over 7 years, and this will be my first year teaching at PACHS. I am very excited to teach a Performing Arts/Creative Writing/Hip Hop-focused course! I am one semester away from obtaining my BA in Creative Writing at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The youth of Chicago are our lights, and I can’t imagine doing anything other than working at PACHS and helping to shine the stars of tomorrow! What are YOU doing to make a difference?

marisolv@pedroalbizucamposhs.org