ABOUT US
Celebrating our 42nd year in 2025
Project Think is a non-profit organization committed to supporting and enriching the lives of children in the surrounding communities through excellence in education.
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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
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Selected in 2024 as Representative Judy Chu’s Woman of the Year representing Claremont & Upland and Pitzer College Distinguished Alumni of the Year for her community service, including her volunteer work with Project Think
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
Trevor Santellan
Enrollment & HR Consultant
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Creates enrollment operational procedures & trains/manages new staff on enrollment software
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Assists with HR management
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BS in Political Science and a minor in Business
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.
Lisette Lupian
Young Thinkers 1st Grade Teacher
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Experience teaching in elementary and secondary classrooms
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Behavior interventionist for students with special needs
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BA in Liberal Studies & pursuing MA in Multiple Subject Education and Special Education
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
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
Maria Corona
PM Spanish Teacher
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High School Teacher with 15 years of experience
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Native Spanish speaker
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Teaching credential & MA in Education from Claremont Graduate University
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BA in French Studies and Mathematics from Scripps College
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
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
Yash Gupta
Lead 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
Kimberly Bryan
Young Thinkers 2nd Grade Teacher, Session 1
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6 years teaching TK-6 for a public charter school, 2 of those years as an Education Specialist
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Taught in Japan for 4 years
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BA in Liberal Studies, Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, & MA in Curriculum Planning and Instruction
Laryssa Lahn
Young Thinker Art Teacher
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Teach art, grades 1-6, at three different elementary schools in Upland to expand artistic creativity and ability.
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Taught Project Think Art class 2024
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Over five years practicing Fine Art, curating, and exhibiting in local museums
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Graduated from the University of La Verne with a BA in Studio Art (Summa Cum Laude) & currently pursuing a teaching credential/MA in Education
Alvin Castro
Young Thinkers P.M. Visual & Performing Arts Teacher
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10+ Years of classroom teaching experience in both the private and public school settings
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Currently a certified music teacher for the Chino Valley School District
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Education: BA in Instrumental Performance and Music Education; M.M. in Instrumental Performance; and Single-Subject Music Credential
Amanda Tonkin
Advanced Thinker AM & PM Drama/Theater
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10 years teaching Elementary Theatre and Art classrooms for grades K-8
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BA in Theatre Arts with an emphasis on Theatre Education, and a multiple-subject teaching credential
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Specializations in Improvisation, Musical Theatre, and Lighting Design
Michelle Plummer`
AM Advanced Thinker Science
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Over 20 years experience in the education field
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17 + years experience teaching full-time in public, private, and charter schools
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Multiple Subject Credential & MA in Education from Claremont Graduate University
Eszti Adams
Young Thinkers Coordinator
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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
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
Raelynn Lewis
Young Thinkers 2nd Grade Teacher, 2nd Session
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Over 7 years of elementary school teaching experience in public, charter, and virtual schools
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MA in Education: Teaching & BA in English/Creative Writing from Azusa Pacific University
Melissa Gallup
Young Thinker Music and Movement Teacher TK- 2nd grade & PM Swim Instructor
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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
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
Chris Herrera
Advanced Thinkers AM Art & Young Thinker PM Visual & Performing Arts
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Over 13 years of experience teaching Graphic Design and Figure Drawing
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Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration & CTE Teaching Credential
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Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop certified
Marlene Cuevas
Advanced Thinker Maker Space Teacher
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Experience in education for 15 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
Claremont Colleges Interns
Assistant Teachers
Payton Hudspeth
Swim & Childcare Instructor
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Works 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
Brian Lewis
Teaching Intern
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Campus aide for two years at local charter school
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Currently seeking BA/MA in IT at Western Governors 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
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
Vanessa Terry
Assistant Teacher, AM & PM Drama
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B.A. Theatre Arts
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9 Years of Theatre Training at the Collegiate Level
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Pursuing credential/MA in Theatre Education