Our Team

Administration

Katherine Acosta-Verpraskus
Principal
Born and raised in Lima, Peru and moved to Kansas when she was 10 years old. Katherine is a first-generation college student and earned her master's and undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas. She is dedicated to serving youth and supporting them to reach their goals and dream. In the past she has served as a vice principal in a K-8th school in East Oakland and as a special education teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in WCCUSD. Ms. Acosta-Verprauskus values working in partnership with teachers, students, and families to maximize the learning and experience of ALL students get at Montalvin Elementary School. In her spare time she chases her boys, 3 year old and 5 year old and enjoys cooking in her Richmond home.

Jessie Welcomer
Vice Principal
Jessie Welcomer is Montalvin's Vice Principal. Prior to serving in this role, she taught 5th grade and 3rd grade and was a district literacy lead teacher. She has been working at Montalvin since 2015. She is passionate about building the leadership of both students and staff and values the collaborative community at Montalvin. Ms. Welcomer received her undergraduate degree from Pomona College and her master's degree from Loyola Marymount University. She was named a WCCUSD Teaching Excellence Award winner in 2018. In her free time she loves reading, hiking, and traveling.

Tiana Dudley
Dean of Climate & Culture, Unconditional Education Coach
Tiana grew up in Southern California where she fell in love with dance and theater. She attended USC and obtained her BA in Theater. Soon after, Tiana moved to the Bay Area and started working for Seneca Family of Agencies as an Afterschool Activities Leader to share her love of dance and theatre with underserved youth. While there, Tiana was introduced to the world of mental health and behavioral intervention. Tiana spent nearly 10 years at Seneca where she held several positions including Therapeutic Behavioral Services worker and Behavior Intervention Specialist. During this time, she discovered her passion for serving children and families with the highest needs. She left Seneca for a few years in order to be the founding Dean of Students at Aspire Richmond Technology Academy where she introduced trauma informed practices to a school setting. She cares deeply for the students and families she serves and feels led to bring love, joy, and empathy to her work every day.

Coach Pete
Dean of Students
Coach Pete supports the vision for Montalvin Manor K-8 School by supporting a positive culture and climate across campus and ensuring all students have access to behavioral interventions and supports. Coach Pete works closely with the school administrative team to lead and provide structured recess, provide at-risk students with social supports and Tier 2 interventions, and facilitates in-school suspension and restorative meetings for students returning to school from suspension or incarceration.