ABOUT US
Celebrating our 41st year in 2024
Project Think is a non-profit organization, committed to supporting and enriching the lives of children in the surrounding communities through excellence in education.
Project THINK was founded in 1980 by master educators Kay Conley, MS and Susan Warren, Ph.D. with the goal of academically motivating students. Ms. Conley retired in 2015 but Dr. Warren still has direct involvement and participation in all aspects of the program. She has over 40 years of experience as a teacher and administrator at the TK-12 and university levels and understands the importance education has on helping all children reach their full potential.
Included in the mission of Project Think is the goal of preparing students for the school year ahead, excelling them beyond their grade level, and motivating them to love learning. Dr. Warren believes in offering the best education to students by providing credentialed teachers who are hand selected based on their experience, expertise, accomplishments, and ability to engage all learners through exceptional classroom curriculum and instruction.
About Project Think
Project Think Rocks!
But don't just take our word for it...
Students Love
Project Think
"The teachers and staff are really nice. I've learned a lot of new things at Project Think, especially in the computer, drama, art and language arts classes. I also love the mystery animal of the week!"
- Lena Shapiro, 5th Grade
- Lena Shapiro, 5th Grade
Dr. Susan Warren
Project Think Co-Founder and Director
Developing, inspiring, teaching, and directing children and educational research, curriculum and courses for over
40 years.
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Served 22 years as a K-8 teacher, mentor teacher, and principal in 3 Southern California districts
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Developed MA programs in Education and taught MA & Doctoral Courses 17 years at Claremont Graduate University (CGU) and Azusa Pacific University
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Trained school administrators and provided science professional development to schools in two state programs
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Served as a senior research associate at CGU evaluating education programs in TK-12 and higher education institutions
Meet The Master Educators
Project Think is proud of its highly qualified teachers, administrators, and support staff who are not only content experts but understand how to engage and excite all children. The program is supervised by a diverse staff comprised of teachers and administrators with advanced degrees and/or credentials from the State of California, trained and experienced instructional assistants, friendly office staff, and gifted high school volunteers. All employees are screened and undergo a background check as part of the selection process.
Laura Miller
Assistant Director
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Over 13 years experience in general and special education classrooms: transitional kindergarten – 8th grade
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Bachelors in Multiple Subject Education and Master’s in Education
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Three years as Project Think’s Assistant Director, Lead Science Teacher, and Childcare Coordinator
Zoraida Torres
Spanish Curriculum Advisor
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Taught Elementary, Middle School, High School and College since 1998:
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General Education, Spanish Language and Culture, English as a Second Language.
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Master teacher, Spanish and Young Thinkers classes, at Project Think for 10 years.
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Single Subject Credential/ Spanish Language and Culture/ ESL and M.A in Education
Guadalupe Padilla
Young Thinkers: A.M. 1st Grade Teacher
P.M. Visual & Performing Arts Lead Instructor
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Taught 1st-grade 8+ years and ESL (Adult school)
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Bilingual English/Spanish
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Master's in Education and Teaching Credential (SPED specialization)
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BA in Liberal arts from Brandman University.
Amber Bolin
Young Thinkers
Teacher
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7+ years of teaching experience including Project Think, Special Education, and Braille for the Visually Impaired.
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Currently: TK/Kindergarten Teacher and ESL (Adult School).
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Masters in Education and Teaching Credential (SPED specialization)
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BA, Summa Cum Laude in English and Spanish. Braille Transcription Certified.
Quinn Hannah
AM Advanced Thinker Science
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Currently teaching high school Physics.
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Taught as a STEM tutor for over 6 years from 6th grade through college science and mathematics.
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BS In Physics and a MA in teaching from the University of La Verne.
Keeana Villamar
Intern for Advanced Thinkers Creative Writing Class & Social Media, Communications, & Events Coordinator
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Senior at Scripps College studying English and Political Science
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Over 7 years of experience tutoring and coaching children in k-12th grade, including 2 summers at Project Think
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Over 5 years of experience in Copywriting and Marketing
Tito Cuchilla
Harvey Mudd College Intern
AM YT Coding/Robotics and PM AT Computers Instructor
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Rising Junior at Harvey Mudd College.
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Tutored and acted as a student grader at Harvey Mudd College Computer Science courses
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Tutored for Harvey Mudd Homework Hotline (K-12 Homework Support)
Alis Simpson
Assistant Director
PM Spanish Teacher
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Taught middle school Spanish, Language and Culture, and college Research Methods
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Title III Grant Director—worked with in-service bilingual & ESL teachers
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Doctorate in Education, Master’s in Public Administration & Program Evaluation Certificate
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BA, Summa Cum Laude in Spanish
Darren Alcala
Technology/Makerspace Advisor
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Taught elementary over 15 years, Leads Technology at his district as a coach, Selected as Teacher of the Year twice, instructed computer & makerspace classes at Project THINK over 10 years
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Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, Administrative Credential, MA in Education, Selected 2 years as Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert
Esther Adams
Young Thinkers: A.M. 2nd Grade Teacher Session 1
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Bachelors in Multiple Subject Education and Master’s in Education
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1st grade teacher with 11 years experience teaching in the classroom
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Taught abroad in Japan
Christina Ciani
Young Thinkers: A.M. 2nd Grade Teacher Session 2
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Over 23 years teaching experience in general education classrooms: Taught Kindergarten, Second, & Third Grade
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BA in Liberal Studies, Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, Master’s in Education
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Taught in public, private, and public charter schools
Cami Howard
Advanced Thinker Art Teacher 1st Session
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Elementary school teacher for 28 years including 8 years as a TK-5th art instructor
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Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with a minor in Child Development and a multiple subject teaching credential all from Cal State Fullerton.
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Specializes in photography
Marlene Cuevas
Advanced Thinker Maker Space Teacher
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Experience in education for 14 years in general and special education classrooms
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Taught 4th & 6th grades
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BA in Psychology, MA in Education, and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
Melissa Gallup
Young Thinker Music and Movement Teacher TK- 2nd grade & PM Swim Activities
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Gymnastics coach for ages 3-12 for over 6 years (First Aid Certified)
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2 years volunteer experience at Project Think working with all ages
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Global education experience in UCEAP for Social Justice and Activism in Paris, France.
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B.A. International Studies with a minor in Medical Anthropology from UCI, currently pre-law
Claremont Colleges Interns
Machelle Kabir
Scripps College Intern
AM YT TK/K Homeroom & PM YT Visual & Performing Arts
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Worked with high school students assisting in Academic Decathlon
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Taught young children at a local church during Sunday school
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Taught middle school students at LASPA Leadership occupation
MaLaun “Launnie” Phillips
Office & Volunteer Coordinator
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Bachelor's in Psychology, minor in Hispanic Studies, and current Master’s candidate for School Psychology, PPSC
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Teaching experience in general and special education classrooms TK-12th grades
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Over 5 years of experience in administrative work in educational environments
Zef Neemuchwala
Technology/Makerspace Advisor
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Founded, directed, and instructed – Be a Maker Club, Upland, CA – children’s makerspace that teaches STEAM through making.
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Consulted on gamification for education technology
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MS with Distinction in Design and Manufacture, MBA, awards for teaching at University of Leeds, UK
Susan Rogers
Young Thinkers
Art Specialist
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Instructed children and adults in mixed media & paper crafts and Young Thinkers at Project Think
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BA in Fine Arts with an emphasis in drawing and painting, BA in Art History, Certification in Textile & Surface Design
Yash Gupta
Technology Teacher
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Extensive experience teaching children web design, video editing, special effects, programming, 3D printing, and photography at Project Think, Be a Maker Club, and ID Tech camps
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Over a decade in the tech world in User Experience Design
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BFA from Savannah College of Art and Design
Dalen Duguay
Advanced Thinker Art Teacher 2nd Session
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Graduated from UC San Diego with a Bachelor's of Art in Theatre
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Substitute Teacher for the Ontario-Montclair School District
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Worked as an acting coach and theatre consultant for children’s theater
Stephanie Aggazzotti
Advanced Thinker Creative Writing Instructor
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Taught for two years at Project Think and other public schools
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BA Psychology & MBA Finance/Management & Leadership from University of La Verne
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Currently pursuing an MA Education/Learning & Teaching Mild/Moderate
AM AT Makerspace and PM Swim Instructor
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Student at Harvey Mudd College studying Computer Science and Physics.
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Developed a website with interactive simulations to teach upper division physics
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Tutored students with varying educational backgrounds
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Certification in lifeguarding and a state-qualifying competitive swimmer for multiple years
Isabel Godoy
Harvey Mudd College Intern
Al Salgado
Advanced Thinker Art Teacher 2nd Session
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Elementary school art teacher
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10 years of experience in the animation industry as an artist: 7 years Walt Disney studios
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Degree in Fine Arts
Amen Divine Ikamba
Pitzer College Intern
PM AT Computers Instructor/PM Childcare
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Data Science major at Pitzer College originally from Rwanda
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Taught school-aged children for a year
Josue Meraz
Harvey Mudd College Intern
AM AT Computers & PM Spanish
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4 years tutoring students in specialized subjects in STEM
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2 years tutoring python programming language
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Currently pursuing a bachelor’s in engineering at Harvey Mudd College
Julia Kolt
Harvey Mudd College Intern
AM YT Art & PM YT Visual & Performing Art
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Harvey Mudd engineering student from Georgia
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Volunteer tutor for the past year and a half
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Passion for Art
Brock Bownds
Harvey Mudd College Intern
AM AT Computers & PM Swim
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Majoring in Engineering & love sports
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Teacher’s assistant in Kindergarten classroom
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Spanish Honor Society tutor
Victoria Tellez
Harvey Mudd College Intern
AM YT Homeroom & PM Swim
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Computer science major originally from Cleveland, Ohio.
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Recently helped teach my robotics team the basics of programming a robot
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Spent two years teaching and helping with kids under the age of 16 including reading to K-2nd grade students
Emily Lee
Pitzer College Intern
AM AT Science & PM Swim Instructor
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Student athlete majoring in Science Management
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Worked as a summer camp counselor with kindergarteners/first grade students
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Personal basketball trainer & coach for youth athletes ages 7 and up
Broderick Bownds
Harvey Mudd College Intern
Advanced Thinkers AM & PM Drama
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Majoring in Engineering
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Served as a kindergarten instructional aide
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Teaching assistant for Vacation Bible School providing interactive lessons, games, and creative activities
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Supported students with special needs, including creating modified lesson plans, offering individualized assistance, and collaborating with special education professionals
Timi Ibitokun
Pomona College Intern
Advanced Thinker AM Computers & PM Technology
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Computer science major with a strong foundation in technical knowledge and skills
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Taught STEAM courses to elementary and middle school students for the past two summers, integrating STEAM concepts through engaging activities
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Served as a camp counselor and group mentor
Assistant Teachers
Breanna Bailey
Young Thinkers Music & Movement Instructor & Swim Coordinator
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Swim, Childcare, and Office Coordinator for 3 years at Project Think
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Currently works at an elementary school grades K-4 supporting literacy
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BA in Psychology & pursuing an MS in Counseling
Andy Sherwood
Swim Lead Instructor
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Coached football for 3 years now at Charter Oak Pop Warner and Damien High School.
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Proctored and took swimming courses at Ohio University
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Exercise Physiology Bachelor’s Degree from Ohio University
Brooke Hudspeth
Swim & Childcare Instructor
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Graduating from Boise State University in December 2024 with a BA in Elementary Education and an endorsement area in literacy
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Student teaching in 2nd and 6th grade as well as substitute teaching in the Boise Independent School District
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Work at a childcare and preschool center for the past 1 ½ years with a Childcare Workers License and CPR certification
Payton Hudspeth
Swim & Childcare Instructor
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Work as an intern at a preschool specializing in supporting students with special needs
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Studying psychology with a minor in human development and family studies at the University of Utah
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Taught volleyball to all ages the past 7 years, including directing camps
Ryan Nguyễn
Young Thinker AM Art & PM Swim Instructor
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Instructional assistant & swim instructor at Project Think last summer
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Active in sports preferably soccer and swimming
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Pursuing a BA at Cal Poly Pomona in Health Sciences
Jason Bailey
Office Assistant
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Project Think session 2 office assistant in 2023
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Local school district part-time paraeducator Preschool – 8th grades & 5th grade classroom assistant
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Pursuing BA in Engineering at Cal State Fullerton