Faculty & Staff

Yolanda Viramontes is super excited to be joining Franklin Avenue Elementary School. Some of her favorite things are hiking, going to Disneyland, and spending time with my family. She is looking forward to getting to know this school community.

Elisa Alamillo joins us with 17 years of classroom experience both in the private and public sectors. She completed her undergrad work at Pacific Oaks College in Child Development and earned a Master's Degree in Education at National University. Mrs. Alamillo is thrilled to be joining LAUSD and Franklin Avenue Elementary School. She is excited to demonstrate her passion and enthusiasm for education while promoting lifelong learning to students.

Ms. Garvey has worked in LAUSD since 1995. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, a Multi-Subject/B-Clad Credential, and a Master's Degree as a Reading and Writing Specialist. She has taught at Franklin since 2010; after teaching for 15 years at Los Feliz ES. She has taught a variety of ages/grades, including Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd, and also served as a Literacy Coach for 9 years working with grades K-6th. Her favorite hobbies/interest are dance, architecture, and being an international world traveler!

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Melita Lewis has more than 16 years of teaching experience in grades second, third, and fifth. She’s originally from Long Island, New York. Mrs. Lewis started her teaching career in Georgia and recently moved to Los Angeles. Mrs. Lewis has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and a Master of Arts Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. She believes that fostering positive relationships with students and parents is important and can build a stronger sense of community. We’re all in this together.

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Christina Casutt Waimrin holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communications from University of California, San Diego. and a Multi-Subject/B-Clad Teaching Credential from California State University Northridge. She started her teaching career at Los Feliz Elementary in 2000 and later joined the team of teachers at Franklin in 2010. From 2000 to present Mrs. Waimrin has taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade. Her daughter graduated from Franklin and her son is currently a student at Franklin. Mrs. Waimrin enjoys spending time with her family and friends, outdoor activities, and traveling. She is proud to be part of the Franklin community and enjoys working with the dedicated staff, parents, and students.

I am Janet Ramdeen-Banks and have been a teacher with the Los Angeles Unified School District for over 28 years. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and a Master’s degree in Education. I have a multiple subject credential, and also a reading specialist credential. I am pleased to be apart of the Franklin Avenue family, and am dedicated to working in partnership with an amazing faculty and staff as well as parents who are extremely supportive.

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10 Fascinating Things About Me, by Wendy Bescher Perez

1. I grew up in Waterloo, Iowa. After high school, I went to Rockford College, outside Chicago, and later transferred to Radford University in Virginia (near Roanoke).

2. I spent my junior year of high school as a Rotary Exchange Student to Orange, New South Wales, Australia. It was life changing!

3. I started out as an English major in college, and then switched to Fashion Design. This may have been my first true love. My claim to fame in the fashion world? Some freelance work, yes, but I had a paying job as a designer of shoulder pads! :)

4. I was fortunate enough to have the spectacular Maya Angelou as one of my professors when I was in school in Virginia. I only regret I was too young to fully appreciate all she had to offer.

5. Another job I had when I landed in Los Angeles was as a personal assistant to a celebrity. It seemed like a dream come true to go from detassling corn to spending time on movie sets and handling fan mail!

6. Before I became "Mrs. Perez" and had a family, I spent time in Central America and did some volunteer work with a school in El Salvador.

7. I love to read! And I consider it my mission to find the right books for my 2nd graders, books that will give them a taste of what losing themselves in a story feels like. It's a great era to be a new reader!

8. I love being a mom! Our 2 girls are proud Franklin graduates. Such a special time of our lives.

9. I started as a substitute teacher. I knew after just a few days that I wanted to be a teacher. I still love it!

10. I've had my own classroom - Room 18 - since 1997 and I think I have the best job in the world. I feel so fortunate to have found such a great family at Franklin!

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Rosalinda Aleman holds a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies and a Multiple Subject teaching credential. Mrs. Aleman is bilingual; speaks English and Spanish. She has taught Kindergarten at Franklin since 2014 however, Mrs. Aleman is relatively acquainted with the school setting and neighborhood as she was born and raised in the beautiful Los Feliz/ Hollywood area. Mrs. Aleman is a proud alumni of Franklin having been a student at Franklin from Kindergarten to 5th grade. Mrs. Aleman has worked within LAUSD since 2005. Her favorite hobbies/interests include, reading, arts & crafts, hiking/nature walks, and baking.

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My name is Jessica Juarez, I hold a BA in Spanish Literature and an MA in Educational Administration. In my almost 20 years of teaching, I’ve taught every grade K-6. I am a product of LAUSD, I attended West Hollywood Elementary many moons ago. Both my children are proud Franklin Foxes! I enjoy teaching at Franklin because the parents are so involved and this creates a real sense of community, that is palpable throughout the school.

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Carolina Orozco-Smith has 15 years of experience teaching students in various grades ranging from second through fifth grades. An LAUSD student first, she is re-joining our wonderful district as a fifth-grade teacher this year. She has ample experience in Restorative Justice and social-emotional behavioral training. She believes that the key to advancing any work with students is through building relationships with students and families.

Judy Murray’s journey as a Franklin teacher began in 1994, when she was hired fresh out of the UCLA Credential-M.Ed. program by then-principal Dr. Verna B. Dauterive. This diehard fourth-grade teacher considers Franklin her other family. Her own two children, Erin and James, attended Franklin and were a part of the school community long before they started kindergarten, often coming to school events such as FAME and the annual Halloween Costume Parade. A native So. Cal. girl, Mrs. Murray is proud to say she, too, is a product of LAUSD. Upon graduating from Pali High, she became a Cal Bear. After receiving her BA in French Literature & Civilization, she spent much of her twenties working in the fitness industry, as an aerobics instructor, personal trainer, and health club program director. Eventually, she realized her true calling was to be in a classroom with kids. In addition to teaching 4th grade, she serves as the school’s GATE Testing Coordinator, a hat she has worn since 2002. Look for her at the top of the middle stairs in Room 8!

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Mrs. Murray will also gladly accept donations of hand wipes and tissues.

Marco Serrano has taught several classes at our school as a substitute teacher. He immediately became one of our preferred subs and teachers and students alike were happy to have him in the classroom. He joins us from 24th Street Elementary where he served in a full-time position as a fourth-grade teacher. He often finds himself engaged in professional development to continue to perfect his teaching. Most recently, he participated in the District’s Future Ready Certification Program for teachers.

Jamie Halpenny is joining our Franklin family with 12 years of teaching experience in the private sector where she taught middle school (6th-8th grade) math while moderating the student council and acting as the school's testing coordinator.

Ms. Halpenny has a strong belief that collaboration, communication, and cooperation are key components to allowing students to experience success and joy throughout their education. She enjoys having the opportunity to engage with and contribute to students by ensuring they understand the inherent value they each possess while also developing their skills to be able to actively contribute to their communities in a positive way.