Jenny Brietigam
    Manager, K-12 Programs, and PR
    jbrietigam@readingandbeyond.org

    Jenny Brietigam became a part of the Reading and Beyond’s
    administrative staff in June of 2004, after volunteering with the
    organization for 5 years. Jenny was born and raised in Fresno, and
    graduated from California State University Fresno in 2003, with her
    Bachelors degree in Communication.
 
    Jenny is responsible for the oversight and management of Reading
    And Beyond’s Literacy Intervention (tutoring) Department. This
    includes the management of five community sites, five school sites
    and the multiple Supplemental Educational Services program sites throughout Fresno County.

    Additionally, Jenny is responsible for volunteer recruitment and retention, public relations, event
    planning, fundraising, marketing and graphic design. Jenny is a part of the Fresno County Mentoring
    Coalition, the United Way Successful Children Impact Council, a member of the Fresno County Women's
    Chamber of Commerce, Fresno Women's Network, and South Fresno Lion’s Club.

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     Maria Ceballos
    Community Connection Coordinator
    mceballos@readingandbeyond.org

    Maria Ceballos joined the Reading and Beyond team in May 2009 as the
    Community Connection Coordinator. Maria graduated from Fresno State
    University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies.

    She has worked for 5 years in the education field. As a former English
    Language Learner (ELL) student she has focused her time on addressing
    the needs in our community, primarily with the ELL students. Maria
    manages the Families Improving Education program at Reading and Beyond.
    She works with parents of ELL students for three consecutive years. The goal
    of the program is for ELL students to be reclassified from ELL status to English proficient by 5th grade.
    Maria provides educational workshops and home visits for parents of ELL students. She believes parents
    are one of the key factors for students’ academic and social success.

    Maria is a proud mother of a two year old baby boy named Salvador, who loves to listen to stories about
    trains and sea animals.

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     Katie Crawford
    Family Literacy Site Coordinator
    kcrawford@readingandbeyond.org

    Katie joined the Reading and Beyond team in 2008, with five years of
    classroom teaching experience. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal
    Studies from California State University, San Diego. She also has a
    California Multiple Subject Credential with CLAD (cross-cultural, language,
    and academic development) emphasis.

    Katie has taught grades 1-5, with extensive experience working with diverse
    groups of learners (multicultural, low income , English as second language,
    and special-ed).  She manages Reading And Beyond’s life-skills program at
    West Park Elementary for the Junior High students as well as the Early Childhood Education program
    through First 5 (which educates parents on how to support literacy development at home). Katie also
    develops and leads training sessionss for Reading And Beyond volunteers and staff on reading tutoring
    and behavior management. 

    She has been an active volunteer with urban, low income youth, kids clubs, and community outreaches,
    for the past 18 years, since early high school, when she first discovered her passion for it. Currently
    Katie helps mentor Jr. High age girls at her church in Highway City.

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     Kao Saetern
    Executive Assistant
    ksaetern@readingandbeyond.org

    Kao Saetern joined Reading and Beyond’s staff in 2000. Kao graduated from
    California State University Fresno in 2004, with a Bachelors of Science
    degree in Business Administration with emphasis in Finance. 

    Upon graduation, Kao continued with Reading and Beyond as a full time
    staff member and is now the Executive Assistant who is responsible for the
    organization’s Human Resources and Finance Department.

    Kao is an Alumni of Delta Sigma Pi, loves chicken, sleep, and especially his
    new daughter, Serenity.

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     Matilda Soria
    Research & Development Director
    msoria@readingandbeyond.org

    Matilda Soria has been working at Reading and Beyond since 2001. She
    began as a volunteer before leaving Fresno to pursue a graduate degree.
    Matilda has earned a Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology and a Minor
    degree in Ethnic Studies from California State University, Fresno. She has
    earned a Masters degree in Human Development and Psychology, with a
    specialization in Risk and Prevention from Harvard University and is
    currently earning a Doctorate in Education from California State University,
    Fresno.

    She has extensive experience conducting scientific and behavioral research among ethnic and at-risk
    populations, as well as in the development and management of educational programs for children and
    families.

    Matilda serves on the Family Area Network Board of the California Department of Education; the
    Advisory Committee of the Fresno Unified School District – Community, Family, Engagement Network
    (CFEN); the United Way Successful Children Vision Council; and the First 5 of Fresno County Advisory
    Committee. She is also a lifetime member of the Honor Societies of Golden Key and Phi Kappa Phi.

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     Josie Vargas
    Upward Bound Coordinator
    jvargas@readingandbeyond.org

    Josie Vargas joined Reading and Beyond in 2009. She has earned a Bachelor
    of Arts degree in Social Work, along with a Master of Science degree in
    Counseling-Marriage and Family Therapy, both from California State
    University, Fresno. In addition, she has also earned a California Pupil
    Personnel Services Credential, which enables her to work in the school
    counseling realm of secondary education.

    As the Upward Bound Program Coordinator, she is responsible for college
    and career preparation amongst a percentage of high school students of the
    Central Unified School District, and works directly with them as they prepare for their high school
    graduation. Her ultimate goal is to collaborate with students, parents, and faculty to ensure the
    academic success of the student, while helping them achieve a considerable amount of college
    preparation.

    As a native of the Fresno area, she has a true passion for the successes and triumphs of the high school
    population here in our Central Valley. While she has extensive experience in working closely with high
    school students on their college and career preparation, her primary focus continuously exhibits joining,
    connecting, and collaborating with students within all aspects of their lives.

    Josie is happily married with two children, and enjoys traveling and spending time with her family every
    chance she gets.

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     Serenity Saetern
    Hospitality Liason

    Serenity has been with Reading And Beyond most of her life, having
    joined the Senior Staff when she was one-and-a-half months old.
    She is pursuing higher education, currently studying such subjects
    as Walking, Smiling, and Waste Paper Basket Examination.

    Miss Saetern provides hospitality to both visiting guests and staff at
    the Reading And Beyond office, by smiling hello, waving goodbye,
    and clapping.  She also supervises daily operations by monitoring
    staff activity, frequently visiting their desks in between naps.

    Serenity enjoys working alongside her father, Kao Saetern, as she can learn from his years of
    experience, as well as get a handy diaper change.