The Skirball Teacher Advisory Council (STAC) is an exciting, collaborative group of active classroom teachers who partner closely with the Skirball’s Education department. As champions for LA County’s diverse student populations, STAC members share our mission to inspire empathy, collaboration, and community. This vibrant group of educators and leaders meets regularly to co-create and implement innovative programming and lesson plans that benefit students and fellow teachers alike. 

Please note: Applications for the 2026–2027 school year are now closed.  

Questions? Email education@skirball.org.

We want to connect with passionate educators who: 

• Are active classroom teachers eager to explore and develop new opportunities for students
• Emphasize social and emotional learning in their teaching
• Are committed to advancing both new and ongoing Skirball educational initiatives
• Have experience with arts integration and/or community-based projects 

Funding provided by Specified General Fund for the Museum Grant Program under the California Cultural and Historical Endowment. 

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Cynthia White Anderson, Grades 9-12 Teacher at East Valley Senior High 
A teaching philosophy of change agent Cynthia White Anderson is, “Art classrooms are optimum learning environments when the students are the artists.” She uses the Skirball Cultural Center’s rich educational materials and primary resources to empower the artist in each student. Anderson promotes social justice, curiosity, and equitable and inclusive educational opportunities inside and outside of the classroom. Her Advanced Placement 2D Art course was selected for Skirball Cultural Center’s In-School Residency Program in Spring 2024. She received the National Art Education Association 2021 Northwest Region Pre-Service Educator of the Year and California State University, Northridge 2022 Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award. She has taught art in Florida, Georgia, Oregon, Haiti, and Thailand, and English in Japan through the JET Program. She teaches all levels of visual arts including Advanced Placement at a High School in the East Valley. 

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Dr. Ellen Dooley, Grades 9–12 Teacher at Milken Community School
Dr. Ellen Dooley is Director of Global Studies and Advanced Programs at Milken Community School, where she teaches history, art history, and global studies. Before entering secondary education, she served as a university instructor and assistant curator at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. She holds a PhD in Art History from the University of Southern California. In 2026, Dr. Dooley received the Milken Educator Award. 

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Claudia Felix, Grade 8 Teacher at Bell Gardens Intermediate
Claudia Felix spent half of her twenty plus years teaching in kindergarten and grade 1 classrooms. The other half of her teaching career has been in middle school, where she tries to support students as they transition into their teen years. Teaching is her passion, and she tries to guide her students as she instills skills that help them to become lifelong learners. Another great interest of Claudia’s is learning about various cultures, which has led her to do a little traveling and learn firsthand about the commonalities that unite us and the differences that make us so unique. She looks forward to forming part of the Skirball community and contributing to its growth.

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Maria Guerrero, Grades 6–8 Dual Language Arts Teacher at Lennox Middle School  
For the past twenty-six years, Maria Guerrero has been a middle school educator in the Lennox community. A proud member of the Lennox Middle School faculty, she has taught multiple subjects in both English and Spanish to first-generation students, and newcomers to the country. Maria is passionate about introducing her students to the importance of knowing and becoming more of themselves and pursuing higher education. A first-generation student herself, she hopes to inspire her students to continue their education and create the lives of their dreams. 

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Maria Mendez, Teacher-Librarian at Richard E. Byrd Middle School
Maria Mendez has over fifteen years of teaching experience and recently joined Richard E. Byrd Middle School as Teacher Librarian. She started her career teaching in New York City, and for nine years taught at Lennox Middle School. Maria has her Masters degree in Teaching English Language Arts, is a Reading Specialist, and is completing her MS in Leadership in Media and Technology with Teacher Librarian Certification at California State University, Long Beach. She is also pursuing National Board Certification.  

Over the last seven years, Maria has attended Advancing Literacy at Teachers College, Columbia University, professional development multiple times. Throughout her career, she has strived to create engaging activities to motivate students in their study of literature and writing, with particular sensitivity to struggling learners and their varied academic needs and interests.  

As Teacher Librarian, Maria's passion extends to fostering a love of reading for all students, collaborating with teachers to integrate library resources into unit projects, and building equity through inclusive library programming. She is dedicated to creating a vibrant library environment where every student can discover the joy of reading, develop strong research skills, and feel confident as learners. Maria believes the library serves as the heart of the school, connecting curriculum to real-world exploration and ensuring all students have access to diverse, engaging resources that reflect their experiences and broaden their perspectives.

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Christina Muraczewski, Grades 9-12 Teacher at Loyola High School
Christina Muraczewski has been a practicing visual artist since childhood and has worked in arts education for over twenty years. She holds a CA Single Subject Teaching Credential in Art and a certificate in Design Thinking and Creativity from Stanford d.school, in addition to a Masters in Fine Arts.  

Christina teaches visual arts at Loyola High School and is the Fine Arts Department Chair this year. Christina previously taught at St. Mary’s Academy for thirteen years, where she served as the Arts Careers Program Director and was awarded the California Art Education Association’s Outstanding Visual Arts Administrator and CAEA’s Exemplary Visual Arts Program in 2023.  

Christina shares her passion for creating with her students and exposing them to the art world that exists around them. Christina believes that the arts are an essential component of education no matter the discipline and that it offers unique opportunities for students to develop their creativity, critical thinking, and twenty-first century communication skills. She strives to create an environment where students feel empowered to find their creative voice and become effective storytellers to have their voices heard.

Martha Cervantes, Grade 2 Teacher at Suva Elementary
Martha Cervantes has been a teacher for over twenty years. She holds a multiple-subject teaching credential with a bilingual Spanish certification and a Master's in Educational Technology. Martha has a passion for teaching English-language learners and mentoring new teachers. She is a member of the Montebello Teacher Induction Program Advisory Board. Martha values providing students real life learning experiences, hands-on activities, and integrating the arts in all content areas. She believes that the Skirball Cultural Center is a special place and is excited to introduce it to her students and her friends. In her free time, she enjoys walks in nature. 

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Gina Debuque, Reading Interventionist at Sendak Elementary School and ACT Magnet    
Gina Debuque taught second graders at Vena Gifted Magnet for more than twenty years. During the pandemic she took on the new challenge of helping young readers break the code. To engage her students, she incorporates the arts and multimedia into her daily lessons. Gina used to be a professional ballerina and enjoys playing the ukulele. She was named Teacher of the Year for LAUSD in 2016–2017. Her core belief is that children come to school not just to learn subjects, but to become the best version of the wonderful human beings they are.   

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Shannon Garrison, Grade K–5 Categorical Programs Advisor at Stonehurst STEAM Magnet
Shannon Garrison is a National Board Certified educator with twenty-nine years of classroom experience. In 2008, she received the Milken National Educator Award. Shannon served two terms on the National Assessment Governing Board, which sets policy for the National Assessment of Educational Progress. She was named a Teacher of the Year for LAUSD and Los Angeles County in 2016-2017 and was a semifinalist for California Teacher of the Year. A highlight of her career was being selected to carry the Olympic torch in Scotland for the 2012 London Olympics. Shannon currently works at Stonehurst STEAM Magnet in Los Angeles, California.

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Loribeth Mau, Grade 6 Teacher at Robert Hill Lane Elementary School
Loribeth Mau is an adventurous sixth grade educator at Robert Hill Lane Elementary School. As a National Board-Certified Teacher with twenty-two years of experience and a Science and Engineering teacher leader within the Division of Instruction in LAUSD, she has a great love of working with both students and teachers! Her favorite activity outside of school is exploring national parks with her husband, three kids, and their dog, Gummy. 

Our Legacy Group is made up of educators who have served on the Teacher Advisory Council in previous years. We created this group to honor and celebrate their contributions to STAC and the lasting impact of their work. 

Their dedication, knowledge, and commitment to arts education continue to inspire and support future educators and students. We are grateful for the foundation they have helped build and the legacy they continue to create within our community. 

• Jane Fung 
• Polina Protsenko 
• Dolly Sanders 
• Nadine Shindel 
• Susie Shiver