THE ACTIV8 FAMILY
Our instructors at Activ8 are some of the finest in the industry. Each holds a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree, along with teaching credentials and professional credits in a variety of fields. Personally selected and guided by the owners, our staff not only excel in their individual roles, but embody the spirit of advocacy and customization that is central to the Activ8 approach.
ANNA LABOON
After 12 years of experience in teaching and special education, as well as being a mother of two boys with special needs, Anna saw a need in our community to bridge the gap between general education and special services. In 2014, Anna opened Activ8 Learning Center with hopes of becoming an advocate for children who didn't fit into the general education "box". Activ8 has made it's name in the Orange County community as a voice for families and children who need it the most. Her education includes:
• Masters in Reading from the University of San Diego
Credentialed Teacher
• Trained in Lindamood-Bell Methods
• Certificate of Attendance: Implementing Social Thinking® Concepts And Vocabulary into the Home and School Day
• Trained in the Slingerland Method for teaching children with dyslexia
• 15 years teaching experience at lower elementary/middle school levels including GATE programs and Resource Teacher
MEG BECKER
Meg is a mom of two boys, ages 8 and 11, who both attended Andersen Elementary and Corona Del Mar Middle School. She has been involved with creating and operating an after school running program, “Andersen ROCS”, enjoys her duties as Room Mom and is an event planner extraordinaire. In her spare time, Meg enjoys cooking and staying fit. She is also a big fan of traveling the world, looking for new adventures and experiences to share with her family.
Meg has partnered with other small businesses to help them identify needs, create solutions and help them grow. She brings with her a background in Marketing and Business Analysis and has come on board to help take Activ8 to the next level in serving families in Newport Beach and surrounding areas.
KRISTEN EUZEBIO
Kristen graduated from Vanguard University with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a multiple subject teaching credential. Kristen specializes in special education intervention primarily with children needing behavioral modification: autism, sensory processing and reading disorders such as Dyslexia. For the past 11 years, she has worked in NMUSD in Special Education.
Kristen loves working with children and seeing them grow. She is excited to be a part of the Activ8 team!
PINA TRIPODI
Pina has loved working with children for as long as she can remember. After receiving her Bachelors and Masters Degree in Elementary and Special Education from Boston University, Pina was a special education teacher for 8 years serving schools across the country. She has always been passionate about building authentic relationships, meeting children where they are at, and helping them shine. Pina uses her intuitive and creative nature to help people of all ages tap into their own power using art, reiki, yoga, and mindfulness through her business, Peaceful by Pina, and has recently published her first children's book, Sunny Finds her Shine!
Pina is so excited to be a part of the Activ8 community where she can use her unique skillset to help students grow.
JILL PROODIAN
Jill has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Baldwin Wallace College in Ohio, a Masters if Science degree in Administration from Pepperdine University, lifetime teaching credentials in Ohio and Nevada and holds a current CA Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential. She brings over 13 years of teaching experience in grades 1-5, Assistant Principal and Summer School Principal assignments, volunteering as PTA President for 15 years and 8 years of substitute teaching experience in grades 1-8 to our team. After staying home to raise her 3 boys, she is excited to be back to helping students succeed!
On her days off, Jill can be found with her husband cheering their 2 older sons on at the beach in their competitive surf contests or cooking with their younger son. She also enjoys traveling, reading, and being a mom.
CRYSTAL ROMO
Crystal graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelors of Arts in Mathematics, Teaching Concentration. She has extensive experience working with diverse students in both community and school settings. Her passion for helping students excel in their education is what drives her to pursue teaching as a career.
Crystal is continuing her education and obtaining a Masters in Secondary Education at Concordia University in pursuit of becoming a high school mathematics teacher. She is so excited to be at Activ8!
CORRINE MEEKHOF
Corrine has worked in education in various capacities for 8 years, ranging from working at a university walking students through the college admissions process to being a middle school math teacher in the traditional classroom setting. These experiences have given her the opportunity to work both one-on-one and in whole group settings with students of all ages and each with a diverse set of needs. Corrine loves getting creative with her lessons and tailoring them for her individual students’ interests and gaps in understanding.
When Corrine is not working to support students, she is either sewing clothes or playing with her puppy, Charlie. Corrine can’t wait to meet you!
KYLE VITWAR
Kyle is currently pursuing his bachelors degree in education at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, and has plans to go on to get his credentials and masters in education. Kyle works with kids ages 4 to 18 through education, recreation and at his church. He is excited to help students learn by overcoming obstacles as well as helping them gain confidence in their abilities.
In Kyle’s free time, he enjoys playing sports, hiking, going to the beach, playing guitar, and helping with youth programs at his church.
ALICIA ALDERSON
Alicia graduated from California State University Long Beach with Bachelor’s degrees in German Studies and Mathematics with an Option in Education. She continued pursuing her education with a Master’s in German studies. Her experience with teaching ranges across all age groups and a variety of subjects including Mathematics, German and English.
When Alicia isn’t working in an educational capacity she is usually undertaking some kind of physical activity and enjoying the outdoors. She is honored to be a part of the Activ8 team and make a positive impact on students.
ELLEN ABRAMS
Ellen has a bachelors degree in graphic design and advertising and a masters degree in business administration. She has spent much of her career working in the advertising industry as a media buyer and was most recently the administrative assistant for a respected real estate team in Orange County. She was drawn to our establishment because she recently had a baby and is looking for a change of pace and new career opportunities. She also has a 14 year old with ADHD so she is well experienced living with a child with learning difficulties and is excited to help Activ8 support families with similar needs.
In her free time (does that exist for a new mom?) Ellen enjoys being outdoors hiking, biking and camping, or enjoys many of the shopping and entertainment options Orange County has to offer.
JESSICA CAMPBELL
Jessica obtained a Bachelor's degree from Indiana University. She then received a Masters in Teaching from The University of Southern California. She holds a Multiple Subject Elementary Education Credential in the state of California as well. She loves working with children to help them achieve their goals.
Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter. She also has a passion for the arts, photography, and is quite the world traveler.
CHANEL FRENN
I have a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Vanguard University and acquired my teaching credential through their Graduate Education program in 2018. I believe in the power of a growth mindset and giving each student access to academic material. I love teaching lower elementary and I am so excited to teach first grade this year! I believe learning should be a fun and an interactive experience. In my free time I enjoy running, walking my dog Maggie, and spending time with family and friends. I look forward to my first year with Activ8 Learning Center!
COREY PACHOREK
Corey is a current graduate student at Emerson College studying to be a speech pathologist. Corey Graduated from Chapman University with a B.A. in Integrated Educational Studies with an emphasis in Disability Studies. For the last few years Corey has served as a social skills instructor for children on the autism spectrum in the Los Angeles County area.
In Corey’s free time, she enjoys exercising, cooking, hanging out with family and friends and trying new restaurants. Corey also enjoys philanthropy and is a member of the GIVE-MENTOR-LOVE Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to the care and support of at-risk foster youth in Los Angeles County.
CASSIDY JOHNSON
Cassidy graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Special and Elementary Education. She then went on to receive her Masters of Arts in Special Education from Chapman University. She holds both a CA Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential and a CA Education Specialist Teaching Credential. She has always loved working with children and has had the dream of becoming a teacher for as long as she can remember. Cassidy is so excited to join Activ8’s team and help learners grow to their greatest potential!
On her days off, you can find her at the beach, exploring the outdoors, reading, or playing with her puppy Zona.
FRIDA AGIULAR
Frida graduated from UC Irvine with a Bachelor's in Mathematics and a concentration in Statistics. She is currently pursuing a certificate in Data Science through IBM and she hopes to get her teaching credentials next year. She has been a math and spanish tutor for eight years and she has experience working with first graders to high school seniors. She's super excited to join Activ8 and help students achieve their educational goals.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, cross stitching, thrifting with friends, and playing with her two cats Rocket and Luna.
KRISTI TAM
Kristi completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies, a Masters of Education degree in General Education with a teaching emphasis, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, and a Single Subject Teaching Credential in Physical Education. She also earned UCLA’s Early Childhood Education Certificate and UCSD’s Gifted and Talented Education Certificate. Kristi loves children and knew she was meant to be a teacher before she even started kindergarten! She has taught grades TK-8 as a full-time teacher. Her specialties are: all subjects for elementary school, middle school math, and literacy from TK-college. Her mission is to mentor children to accomplish much more than they ever thought they could. Her philosophy is: “Everyone can learn; we just learn in different ways.”
In her spare time, Kristi enjoys going on active adventures by the beach.
EMILEE HASKELL
Emilee graduated from University of Arizona with a Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education with an SEI endorsement. She holds a CA Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential. She holds GATE and Google certifications. Emilee has taught 3rd grade for 2 years. Currently, she is teaching a 2nd/3rd combo grade class in Santa Ana.
On the weekends Emilee enjoys reading, going to the beach, hiking, camping or shopping. She enjoys spending quality time with her family, friends and pups.
DANIELLE ELIZONDO
Danielle graduated from Sonoma State University in 2016 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies as well her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. She has many years of teaching experience in grades kindergarten through sixth grade. She is currently teaching kindergarten. She has a life-long love of learning as well as a passion for exploring her students’ interests and personalities. She wants to help your child reach their full potential (and have fun while doing so!).
When she is not teaching, Danielle loves to read, try new restaurants and paddle board. She is very excited and honored to be a part of the Activ8 team.
"Finally a group which fills a key educational niche! Take highly educated, powerful intellects deeply rooted in their academic subjects as well as the art of teaching, blend with a spirited, fun- filled (and beautiful) environment and you get this winning combination. Right out of the gate our children loved going. Incredible. Nowhere else like it!"
- Anonymous