District Office
Dr. Ramona Bishop
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Dr. Ramona Bishop, a Bay Area native, is a dedicated administrator, scholar, and activist with over two decades of experience in education. She is the visionary/owner/CEO of ELITE Public Schools, a charter school network founded in 2019 to bridge the opportunity gap for black and brown students. Bishop holds degrees from UC Berkeley, University of San Francisco, Cal State East Bay, and University of the Pacific. Her research and publications primarily focus on improving educational outcomes for marginalized students, with a dissertation on leadership strategies for enhancing academic achievement among African-American students.
Bishop is a distinguished advocate who has held leadership roles on various boards and commissions. She is a past president of the California Association of African-American Superintendents and Administrators, where she received prestigious awards for her efforts in rebuilding the organization. Notably, she was appointed by Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye to a task force focused on addressing equity issues in school attendance, alongside esteemed judges, educators, and community leaders. Currently, Dr. Bishop serves as the Vice-President of the Black in Schools Coalition, working to ensure academic success for Black students in California. Moreover, she was recently elected President of the Community Democratic Club in Solano County, one of the largest democratic clubs in the area. Throughout her career, Dr. Bishop has been recognized with several awards, including Runner-Up for District Teacher of the Year in the Oakland Unified School District, Regional Superintendent of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators, National Administrator of the Year by the Coalition of Community Schools, and the Ida B. Wells Risk-taker Award from the National Alliance of Black School Educators.
Dr. Bishop's exceptional achievements in serving predominantly Black, Brown, and low-income communities are a testament to her impactful work. From receiving the Governor's Performance Award for driving a significant academic improvement (122 point increase) at Anna Yates-Emeryville, her first principal position, resulting in $10,000 bonuses for each staff member, to achieving notable increases in enrollment, attendance, graduation rates, academic performance, and college acceptance, while reducing suspensions, expulsions, and chronic absenteeism in the Vallejo City Unified School District (her second superintendent position), as evidenced by the California State Dashboard.
Dr. Bishop leads a groundbreaking institution dedicated to closing the achievement gap for historically underserved, particularly, Black and Brown students. ELITE stands out as the first charter school approved by the Solano County Office of Education and the first black-owned and operated charter school in the county. In addition to founding ELITE, Dr. Bishop is a renowned educator who has taught at UC Davis and Sacramento State, engaging students at both the undergraduate and doctoral levels. She is a sought-after speaker, having presented at prestigious events such as summer institutes at Georgetown University, the Parent Teachers Association conference, and the Association of California School Administrators Superintendents Academy. Her expertise led her to be a featured speaker at the White House during the Obama administration, addressing national leaders on issues related to disproportionate school discipline.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Dr. Bishop cherishes her role as a wife and mother of two daughters. In her leisure time, she enjoys reading, writing, traveling, spending quality time with loved ones, and unwinding by the water.
Ernani Santos
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Ernani Santos, a Vallejo Native, graduated from Hogan High School before attending Saint Mary’s College of California where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Health and Human Performance. Ernani remained at Saint Mary’s, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology and teaching credential. After over a decade in education, Ernani went on to achieve an administrative credential in Educational Leadership as well as a Master’s Degree in Education.
Ernani’s entire professional career has been spent serving the community of Vallejo, giving back to the city where he was born and raised. He has over 20 years of experience impacting the youth of Vallejo serving as Athletic Director for the Continentals of Omega Boys and Girls Club and as an educator with the Vallejo City Unified School District. During his tenure with VCUSD, Ernani served in a variety of capacities including teacher, coach, Assistant Principal, and Principal. As a school Site Administrator, Ernani led his teams in implementing programs such as PBIS, Full-Service Community Schools, Restorative Justice Practices, and Trauma informed Care. Through these efforts, Ernani was able to increase graduation numbers for the city’s continuation high school, decrease referrals and suspensions, and obtain a six-year accreditation status with WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges).
Ernani is currently the Assistant Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at ELITE Public Schools. ELITE is a relatively new charter school within the city of Vallejo and has served in a variety of positions over the last five years, ranging from Principal, Human Resources Director, and now Assistant CEO. Ernani has played a pivotal role in the development of ELITE Public Schools, helping the mission and the vision of scholars becoming trilingual (English, Spanish, & Coding) as they matriculate into institutions of higher learning and/or into careers post high school.
Throughout his upbringing, Ernani had to navigate the same waters as many of our underserved students (poverty, homelessness, parents with substance abuse issues, etc.), which provided a unique lens and firsthand insight into their many challenges. Ernani’s life experiences have also cultivated an even stronger passion for the students that he serves because he lived and overcame the deficits of an opportunity gap in which he experienced once he began to attend college. However, his journey has nurtured an ability to build strong relationships and great rapport with the students and families he serves. Education is not just a passion, but a calling which Ernani has embraced for 20 years.
Tamra Armstrong
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Tamra Armstrong is a versatile professional with a strong background in business and budding education experience. Born and raised in Vallejo, California, she has deep roots in the community. As a mother of three, she is not only dedicated to her professional pursuits but also, supporting her children's education and athletic endeavors.
Armed with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from the University of Arizona, as well as a Master's Degree in Education from Grand Canyon University, Tamra brings a unique blend of expertise to her career. Her journey began in the business world, where she worked as a Strategist and Business Consultant/Advisor for individual small business owners as well as the Small Business Development Center of Solano County. Subsequently, she founded her own strategic planning firm, offering consultation services to business owners across diverse industries, managing annual budgets with skill and precision.
Transitioning into the field of education, Tamra served as a fifth-grade teacher before taking on administrative roles, leveraging her business acumen to provide essential support. Currently, she holds the position of Director of Budget and Administration at ELITE Public Schools, where she continues to apply her extensive knowledge and experience to drive student, staff and organizational success. With an additional title of Professional Certified Marketer (PCM), Tamra's multifaceted expertise and dedication make her an asset in both the business and education sectors.
Aliesha McCurn
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Aliesha McCurn was born and raised in Oakland, California. A graduate of Castlemont High School, she is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration at Southern New Hampshire University Online. With over seven years of experience in office management with the Vallejo Unified School District, Aliesha has gained valuable industry experience. Aliesha has served as ELITE Public Schools’ first Human Resources Technician, was promoted to administrative assistant, and then executive assistant to the President/CEO.
The most recent promotion Aliesha received was to Director of Human Resources at ELITE Public Schools. As the Director of Human Resources, she is responsible for the recruitment and retention of qualified staff members. She manages evaluation and support processes for all employees. Aliesha is passionate about her work with students, parents, and the business community. She is married to Julius Mccurn Jr and has two exceptional children. ELITE's first inaugural class included Aliesha's daughter.
ELITE's Exceptional Teachers and Staff
We take great pride in highlighting our outstanding teachers and staff, who are dedicated to ensuring that every student not only succeeds but thrives. Our team of educators is committed to providing a supportive, enriching, and innovative learning environment that empowers students to reach their full potential.
Our teaching staff comprises a diverse group of individuals who bring a wealth of experience, passion, and expertise to the classroom. With backgrounds in various academic disciplines and a shared commitment to student success, our educators foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, and academic excellence.
When it comes to fostering a love of learning and helping students thrive, our staff sets the standard for excellence.