Staff

Rose Lynn Abesamis-Bell, Training Director

Ms. Abesamis-Bell joined Super Stars Literacy as the Co-Program Director in 2006. She has over 9 years of experience teaching socio-economically and ethnically diverse students. Ms. Abesamis-Bell holds a Masters of Arts in Education from Claremont University, a B.A. in Sociology from Pepperdine University, and in is the process of earning a Reading Specialist Credential from California State University of the East Bay, Hayward.

Erin Drake, Program Director

Erin Drake oversees the successful execution of Super Stars Literacy curriculum at its five school sites. She brings extensive knowledge of the needs of students and schools in underserved areas to this role. A Teach for America alumna, Drake continued working at Budlong Elementary School in South Los Angeles after completing her service years there. She spent a total of three years in this school teaching kindergarten and first grade. While earning her Master’s Degree in Education from UCLA, she also served on the school’s leadership council, earning valuable planning skills she exercises in leading the growing Super Stars staff and implementing and further formalizing the Super Stars Literacy program. Additionally, her experience in working as a Corps Member Advisor with Teach For America has contributed to the implementation of Super Stars new lesson planning templates, school day curriculum alignment and updated coaching model support for its Group Leaders. She is currently in progress of receiving her Administrative Credential from California State University, East Bay.
“After spending three years teaching five- and six-year olds in an underserved community, I understand how vital early literacy is to continued academic success,” commented Drake. “I am thrilled to work with an organization like Super Stars that makes such a positive, lasting effect on the lives of students and their families and enjoy working with program staff and school-site classroom teachers to deliver curriculum that engages and educates our students.”

Jennifer Graves, Grants Manager

Jennifer has been involved with the SSL program since 2004. From 2004-2008, she was a volunteer member of the Junior League of Oakland-East Bay’s Super Stars Literacy Program Committee, assisting with field trips, program event coordination, and fundraising. In 2008, when SSL separated from the JLOEB, she joined the SSL staff as the Development Specialist/Grants Manager, and continues to provide volunteer support on the Board’s Strategic Planning and Marketing/Communications committees. Jennifer has a B.A. in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University. Prior to joining SSL, she worked in the mental health field both in a treatment setting and providing organizational consultation on employee mental health issues. She later transitioned to grantwriting and copywriting work. Jennifer has been an active community volunteer as a JLOEB member and as an elementary school Board member.

Britta Gray, Volunteer Coordinator

Mike Mowery, Executive Director

After a long career in senior legal roles for Bay Area telecommunications and technology companies, Mike transitioned to the nonprofit sector as Executive Director of Super Stars Literacy in October 2007. Mike’s background with both large corporations and small startups going through a rapid growth process is serving Super Stars Literacy well as it moves into its expansion phase. Mike brings over ten years of community non-profit experience to this role. He currently serves on the Youth & Education Committee of the Oakland Rotary and, until recently, was a member of the Board of Directors of Destiny Arts Center, an Oakland nonprofit, teaching violence prevention to Oakland’s at-risk youth through dance and martial arts training. Mike and his wife, Patty, direct a donor-advised fund at the East Bay Community Foundation in memory of their daughter, Danielle, supporting youth and education programs. Mike has also been a member and project lead for two engaged philanthropy organizations: Full Circle Fund and Social Venture Partners. Mike received his law degree from University of Toledo and earned his B.A. in Political Science from The Ohio State University.

SSL Program Staff by School Site 2010-2011

Back row, from left: Indy Johal, L’aurelei Durr, Julie Goshe, Karen Schreiner, Laura Kaneko, Erica Breuer, Michelle Seidman, Sam Petty, Samuel Dodoo
Front row, from left: Rose Lynn Abesamis-Bell, Erin Drake, Britta Gray, Pearl Woo, Rosie Krieger, Liz Kleinrock, Madora Soutter
Not pictured: Mickey Vuksinich