Induction Mini Conference -January 29, 2025

Hi, I am Brittney. I am an itinerant K-6 Art teacher for Irvine Unified School District.

Georgia Brittain has been an educator for 19 years, as both a Spanish and ELD classroom teacher and TOSA. With experience in public, private, charter, and international schools at a variety of grade levels, Georgia offers diverse perspectives on language learning.

Kristie has been a math educator in the Irvine Unified School District for 18 years, as a teacher at Woodbridge High School and as a Secondary Math Specialist (TOSA) at the district office. She has experience teaching every high school course and expertise in instruction and assessment to meet the needs of all learners. Kristie is a National Board Certified Teacher and Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching California Finalist (2021, 2023). She was recently named IUSD High School Teacher of the Year (2024) and a semifinalist for Orange County Teacher of the Year (2025... Read more

Kim Farag is a passionate literacy advocate and IUSD veteran, currently serving as an elementary literacy TOSA with a mission to ignite a lifelong love of reading in every young mind she encounters.  In her exciting new professional learning series, Middle Grade Mavens, Kim empowers upper-grade teachers to elevate their reading lessons with fresh, dynamic approaches. Under her guidance, teachers are expanding students’ vocabulary, building critical knowledge to bridge learning gaps, and equipping teachers with the tools to support bigger kids with bigger words!  With Kim’s support, teachers...

Nikkita Fox is the Elementary Literacy TOSA and leads the work on the Primary Literacy Project and Literacy Launchpad: Tier 2 Tactics. She is passionate about the interdisciplinary body of evidence based-research of how we learn to read and was an integral part of the first ever Science of Reading Institute in IUSD. She has over 10 years of experience and has worn a variety of hats from classroom teacher, Early Childhood Mentor, PLC Facilitator and Literacy Coach. Nikkita is a fun-loving wife, mother, and rescue dog mom!

Natalie is a Literacy TOSA and a former English teacher at IHS. She's an avid K-pop fan, dog mom, and loves infusing fun into ELA instruction.

Kathy is a mom of two amazing boys ages 24 and 20, and is an Elementary Math TOSA for the district.  Prior to joining the IUSD family in 1998, she began her teaching career in another district for three years.  Kathy has taught first grade and fourth grade between three IUSD schools before moving into her dream role of Math TOSA five years ago.  Being a triathlete, Kathy uses the lessons learned in the sport of triathlon to help bring her passion for teaching students and teachers that math is fun and anyone can learn math.  The belief a coach has in their athletes is powerful, so powerful...

Joyce has been teaching for the past 13 years and holds both Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe teaching credentials. She has taught both ESN-AUT and LCM. Currently, she serves as a Teacher on Special Assignment in the Special Education Department supporting Mild/Moderate separate setting curriculum. Outside of work, you can find her drinking coffee and spending quality time with her husband Larry and three young children.

Michele Ogden is an IUSD elementary math mentor and 2nd and 3rd grade teacher at Solis Park.  She is passionate about getting every student thinking in a joyful learning community.  Her experience in IUSD includes being an elementary principal, Coordinator of K-12 Math and Science, and Math TOSA prior to returning to her first love of teaching.  Michele loves learning through PLCs, conferences, reading, and collaboration and recently completed a term as a Scholastic Teacher Fellow 2023-2024.

I am a dedicated math educator at Woodbridge High School, currently in my 10th year of teaching. My passion for learning extends beyond teaching—I value being both a learner myself and an advocate for students. Throughout my career, I have navigated the evolution of teaching practices, embracing both victories and areas for growth. I am committed to inspiring my fellow educators by sharing actionable insights and practical changes that can be applied in the classroom. My goal is to foster a culture of continuous learning and collaboration that benefits both teachers and students, while also learning... Read more

Marla has been teaching Transitional Kindergarten (now PK) since its inception in Irvine Unified, and previously worked as the Early Childhood Education Specialist in the School Readiness Program at the Early Childhood Learning Center where she taught a variety of classes and workshops supporting adults and children from birth through age 5, including parents and children learning together and professional development for teachers. This is Marla's 20th year in Irvine Unified! In addition to teaching PK, Marla is one of the Pre-Kindergarten Mentors for the district. Marla received her Multiple Subject... Read more