Our Faculty & Staff

I am blessed to serve as principal of Assumption BVM School. My professional background is rooted in students’ and adults’ education and leadership. I have taught in elementary, middle, and high school settings, serving students and mentoringteachers. My administrative experience includes various leadership roles and as the Head of School. The skills and lessons learned from these experiences will help me better serve our community as your principal.

As a product of Catholic schools in Los Angeles (elementary, high school, and university), I understand and know the sacrifices parents and guardians make to send their children to Assumption BVM School. With that in mind, our school community works together to give your child a nurturing environment that will allow for the best experiences to develop their faith, academics, leadership, and ability to serve others.

If you are looking for a school community supporting your child’s growth and faith, then you belong at Assumption BVM School. Please call us at (626) 793-2089 to schedule an appointment and tour our school. Great things are happening, and we would love for you to be a part of our family. Become, Bless, Believe.

Blessings and Go Gators!Mr. R. Bringas, Jr.Principal

• Bachelor of Science – California Polytechnic University, Pomona 
• California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential & Master’s of Arts in Education/Elementary Teacher Education Degree – in progress.
• Anticipated date of graduation: Spring 2023

Hello! My name is Ms. Alonso. I am excited to start my first year at ABVM as the 7th grade homeroom teacher and also one of the Junior High Math instructors.  This will be my fourth year teaching math in a Catholic school setting. My journey as an educator begins with both of my parents being educators. My father teaches math at a local Catholic high school and has been a strong influence on me and my interest in teaching mathematics. Just as he made learning math fun for me, I would like to provide a learning environment where my students not only love math and are successful, but also understand its value. It is my goal to make a positive difference in the lives of the children I work with so that they too can go forward and pursue their dreams successfully. As a product of Catholic education I understand the value of a faith-based education and how it prepared me with a solid academic foundation. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy going to the movies, grabbing an iced coffee from Starbucks, spending the day at the happiest place on earth, Disneyland, and cheering on the Los Angeles Dodgers and Lakers.

• Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential- Mount Saint Mary’s University 
• Crosscultural, Language and Academic Development Certificate- Brandman University
• Elementary Education Certification – Michigan
• Early Childhood Special and General Education Certification – Michigan
• Bachelor of Arts in General Education – Aquinas College; Grand Rapids, MI

Hello! I am Nicole Ostrander, the First Grade teacher at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This year will be my sixth year teaching and my third year teaching First Grade at ABVM. I previously taught TK at ABVM for three years. First Graders are active learners. Our classroom strives to be a safe and loving learning environment for all students. The students will be invited to apply their knowledge daily to the real world. Each day will be filled with Reading, Writing, Religion, Math, Social Studies, Science, along with their specials classes. Reading and writing are at the core of each of our subjects and students will have multiple opportunities to practice both daily. We will have a lot of fun moving around the classroom and singing along with educational songs. The students will engage in academic conversations with one another to build their understanding of concepts.  

I am a graduate of Annunciation Catholic School in Arcadia, Bishop Amat Memorial High School in La Puente, and Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a graduate of Catholic Schools at the Elementary, High School, and Collegiate levels, it was the involvement and support of students, families, faculty, and staff that drew me to a career in education. In the past I have had the opportunity to work as a reading tutoring coordinator in a Grand Rapids Public School, complete an internship at an Early Childhood Educational Center and to teach First Grade in a Grand Rapids Catholic School. In my spare time I enjoy reading, going to Dodger games, and traveling. 

I look forward to a wonderful year with the 1st Graders!

• Bachelor of Arts, English – California State University, Northridge
• Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential – California State University, Los Angeles
• Master of Arts in Education, Option in Reading Instruction – California State University, Los Angeles
• Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential – California State University, Los Angeles
• Dyslexia Screener  and Consultant

Welcome! My name is Amanda McGeough and I am the Learning Specialist and STEP Coordinator for grades K-8.

The call to education came late in life for me–the wise old age of 30. Prior to coming to Assumption, I taught 5th grade, as well as  6th-8th Math and Science at St. Thomas More School in Alhambra from 2002-2008. In the three years from 2008-2011, I actively pursued my teaching credential and masters, with the goal in mind of becoming a reading specialist. Why? It is best answered with the following quote by Rick Lavoie, noted education specialist, “Fairness doesn’t mean giving every child the same thing. It means giving every child what they need.” Knowing what a child needs allows for effective instruction and leads to student success.

Hello!  My name is Ms. Rodriguez.  I truly believe God has called me to assist, teach and guide students in their education and faith journey.  Prior to my work experience in Los Angeles I worked as a part-time Kindergarten teacher and preschool special education teacher in Honolulu, Hawaii. My personal education journey has been highlighted by Catholic Schools.  I attended St. Mary of the Assumption School in Whittier, CA for my elementary studies, graduated from St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs, CA and I earned both my Bachelor’s Degree and Ma Save & Exit ster’s Degree from Chaminade University of Honolulu.

I enjoy running 5k’s, half marathons and marathons. I have completed marathons in California, Hawaii, and Dublin, Ireland! If its summer time you can find me on the lake jet skiing with my family.  In the fall and winter months you can find me enjoying my season tickets for Los Angeles Kings hockey.  I also enjoy traveling to watch the Los Angeles Kings play; I’ve been to games in Arizona, Colorado and Canada!

I am blessed that God placed me within this school location.  I am eager to immerse myself in the culture and community of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary School and Parish!

• Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Studies – California State University, Northridge
• Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential – California State University, Bakersfield
• Masters of Education, Early Literacy – Walden University

Hello and welcome to Kindergarten!  My name is Mrs. MacLennan. I am very excited to be your student’s kindergarten teacher.  We are going to have so much fun in kindergarten! We will sing, dance, and learn! This is my second year at ABVM and I have over ten years of teaching experience. I have a diverse background in teaching since I have worked in both public and private schools. I have also taught kindergarten, first, second, and third grade in the past. My experience in schools ranges from classroom aide, lead teacher, one on one specialist, to reading specialist. I am looking forward to spending this year with your children and working together to give your child the best education possible!

• Bachelor of Arts, Theater- Loyola Marymount University
• Master of Science, Education- University of Southern California
• Professional Clear Multiple-Subject Credential (Bilingual)- University of Southern California

I am a proud graduate of Assumption (class of ’91) and I’ve been a teacher at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary since 2011. ABVM prepared me well for high school at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy. The skills I learned as a theater major at LMU continue to be useful tools in my “bag of tricks” as a primary grades teacher.  I’ve enjoyed using my theater background as director of the annual Assumption Spring Concert.  I received my Master’s degree and teaching credential at USC. Upon completing my program I worked for the Los Angeles Unified School District for 3 years as a 1st grade teacher at Hobart Elementary.  I helped open up Mariposa-Nabi Primary Center, a new LAUSD school in Koreatown.  I was a first grade teacher there for 6 years before I had the wonderful opportunity of coming back to Assumption as the first grade teacher for 9 years.

I am so happy to begin the new school year at ABVM, teaching music and leading the Childrens’ Choir to another successful year of worship.  I plan an exciting year of learning for all of the children, as well as helping them to reach their full potential as loving and helpful people in the world.

I grew up with an understanding that music contributes to all aspects of learning. Music is math, science, language, and art, all rolled up and disguised as fun! It is my privilege to teach children of all ages, from 4 to 94, but especially now in the community of Pasadena an ABVM.

I have spent my entire life as a musician, starting with my musical family. I derive inspiration from my father, who spent his career as a music teacher and band director in my home state of New Jersey; from my mother, who taught us to read music before we could read English, and to play the piano; and from my siblings, who all play several instruments and sing!

I have my Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies, with a Flute Concentration, from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. I was privileged to be able to study flute with Harry Houdeshel; Jazz Studies with Domenic Spera and David N. Baker of the Smithsonian Jazz Institute; and voice classes with operatic legend Eileen Farrell. I developed the program for Flute Studies in the Jazz Department myself, so that my best friend and I could learn more! While there, I was able to learn conducting, electronic music, composition, and arranging for band, orchestra, and choir.

I spent my early career in Chicago, where I honed my skills in several different recording studios as a vocalist, singing commercial jingles for radio and television, and singing backup and lead vocals for many artists.  I played and sang in bands of different styles, performing blues, jazz, pop, progressive rock, funk, classical, musical theatre, and rock along the way. And I thoroughly enjoyed all of the styles!

I moved to Los Angeles to pursue music and my heart, and I started my family here. I had been living in the Santa Clarita Valley since 1989, teaching voice, flute, and piano, as well as leading the Honor Band Flute Section in the Saugus school District.  I continue to play and sing with and for the religious community of Santa Clarita, which I have done since 2006, as well as here at ABVM.

I moved to Pasadena in 2020 to live closer to my daughter, and I have fallen in love with this community! I am looking forward to another year of lifting this community up with music.