Victor Q. Diaz, Principal
Victor is the Founder and President of the Board of REALM Charter Schools. Victor, former the Principal of Berkeley Technology Academy (BTECH), the continuation High school in Berkeley, California, where he raised the API score 270 points and earned the school its first accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) during his 6 year tenure. Prior to BTECH, Victor was the principal of the Community Academy in Boston, and taught at the Real Alternatives Program in the Mission District of San Francisco and for San Francisco County Schools. Victor is a Koshland Fellow, a Redford Center Honoree and a Ph.D Candidate in Language, Literacy, Society, and Culture at the University of California at Berkeley. He holds a BA from UCLA, a JD from the New College of California Law School, and a Master’s of Education from the University of San Francisco. Victor has two children in Berkeley public schools. Contact Victor at victor@realmcharterschool.org.

Nancy Williams, Campus Manager
Nancy was born and raised in Berkeley, and attended elementary, junior high and high school in Berkeley. Because of her commitment to Berkeley families, Mrs. Williams has developed relationships with families throughout the Berkeley community, and serves as a parent advocate and resource. Mrs. Williams has over 25 years of public service and people skills. Mrs. Williams worked for U.C. Berkeley, Berkeley Housing Authority, Kaiser Permanente, Salvation Army, and is currently employed by the Berkeley Unified School District, where she started out as a Parent Coordinator and is now School Secretary III at Berkeley Technology Academy. Mrs. Williams is passionate about helping to improve the lives of all people in the community of Berkeley, with a particular focus on providing excellent service and educational opportunity to Berkeley families. Contact Nancy at nancy@realmcharterschool.org.

Amber Lester, Director of Counseling
Amber was born and raised in the Monterey Bay area. Growing up, Amber was extremely involved in church, which helped to build the foundation for her passion to work with others. While in high school, Amber joined the Salinas High Math Club where she, along with a group of 20 other students, fundraised their way to a 3-week trip to France. This moment sparked her love for traveling and she continues to work with the students of Math Club as well as attend annual international trips as a chaperon.  After graduating from Salinas High School, Amber attended UC Santa Barbara, where she majored in Psychology and minored Black Studies. While attending UCSB, Amber worked as a Peer Advisor for the Educational Opportunity Program and as a Special Program Advisor for the Transfer Achievement Program at Santa Barbara City College. As a senior in college, Amber followed her calling to counseling and applied to graduate school. At the end of the following 3 years, Amber graduated with a Masters of Science in Counseling, specializing in College Student Personnel and School Counseling. Her counseling experience consists of comprehensive and continuation high schools, community college and 4-year institutions, all assisting in providing services for marginalized communities. Throughout her journey in education, Amber has found herself falling in love with young people who, at first, may not see the power in education. She is excited to be working with the students of REALM and being a part of their educational journey. Aside from spending her time with youth, Amber enjoys decorating cakes and cupcakes (then eating them afterwards). Contact Amber at amber@realmcharterschool.org.

Jason Mickelson, Director of Design + Technology
Jason is an educator, designer, and native to the San Francisco Bay Area. Jason specializes in research, strategy, and design for learning tools and environments that encourage engagement through social technologies and hands-on activities. He has taught high school math and computer classes, helped develop curriculum, advised the publication of a school yearbook, led technology workshops, and tutored students. Previous to his life in education, Jason spent seven years in the music industry, corporate advertising/sports marketing, and non-profit administration. He has traveled in more than 20 countries, runs, hikes, takes pictures, and makes stuff up (studies improv). Jason holds a MFA in Design from the California College of the Arts and a BA in Black Studies and Business Economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He lives in San Francisco’s Mission District with his wife and newborn son. Contact Jason at jason@realmcharterschool.org.

Tanisha Walton, Director of After School Programs
Raised in Oakland California, Tanisha attended Biola University where she also played basketball and ran track. With a degree in Communications in hand, she by fate ended up working at a summer youth program. There, she found her love and passion for working with young people. For the past five years, Tanisha has been developing and supporting students at Berkeley Technology Academy until making the transition to Realm where she oversees the Athletic program and serves as the After School Director. She is an avid sports fan who loves working out, playing basketball, singing and hanging out with her husband and kids. Contact Tanisha at tanisha@realmcharterschool.org.

Belén Pulido Martinez, Community Outreach Coordinator
Belén has lived and worked in the West Berkeley neighborhood for the past seven years. She was born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico, and began her involvement in social justice work creating documentary videos  of networks of sustainable, organic farm workers and indigenous communities while at the ITESO University,   Where she holds a BA on Communication Science. Through guidance from her Aunt who was active in the Zapatista movement of Chiapas, Belén was introduced to School for Chiapas, and in 1998 began volunteer work for them supporting autonomous education projects in Mayan communities through organizing fundraisers, and coordinating delegations to Chiapas. Through this work she met her husband and together they moved to West Berkeley nine years ago. Upon arriving in Berkeley, Belén was hired as a Lead Community organizer with Berkeley Organizing Congregations in Action (BOCA). Where she worked six years coordinating local organizing committees in the BOCA’s member congregations, around issues of educational success for students of color, immigration, health care, community safety and to build grassroots leadership to enhance the quality of life in Berkeley. Belen is a West Berkeley Koshland Fellow since 2007. Contact Belén at belen@realmcharterschool.org.