Leadership & Faculty Home / About Us / Leadership & Faculty Dedicated Leaders & Expert Teachers At our school, everyone works together to make sure students and families feel happy and supported. Our leaders, staff, and teachers are all here to help. Our teachers love sharing what they know, whether it’s about reading, music, or outer space! They make learning fun and exciting, helping students explore new things and find what they love. Together, we create a special place where students can grow and learn every day. From the Head of School Latrese Jackson Thank you for your interest in Heritage Oak. We are very proud of our excellent academic programs, exceptional students, and outstanding teachers and staff. Heritage Oak has been a leader in private education in North Orange County for almost 60 years. Heritage Oak appeals to parents who are seeking a school with a proven curriculum; a school which encourages and rewards excellence and success. Our environment is designed to foster the academic, social, and interpersonal skills needed to help our students become leaders. Our philosophy is to develop the whole child. We offer our students a well-rounded education that also includes music, Spanish, French, art, physical education, computer science, and etiquette. Our goal is for our graduates to be knowledgeable about the world and ready to take the lead toward a successful future. Parents appreciate our various communication tools including Personal Learning Plans, an online grade and homework portal, a mobile app, our online photo gallery, and weekly teacher emails. We keep our parents connected to our school and aware of what is happening in the classroom. Our family events such as our Trunk or Treat Event and Welcome Back Family Fun Festival foster a loving, close, family community. This web site contains a variety of materials that will help you better understand our program and our philosophy. We would love for you to come visit Heritage Oak to see our school in action. We can’t wait to meet you! Sincerely, Latrese Jackson Head of School Read More Browse By Role All Roles Faculty Leadership Search Mrs. Martinez Pre-Kindergarten Instructor Mrs. Martinez Pre-Kindergarten Instructor Mr. Martino Facilities Technician Mr. Martino Facilities Technician Miss Matthews Pre-Kindergarten Instructor Miss Matthews Pre-Kindergarten Instructor Mrs. Millares Support Staff Director Mrs. Millares Support Staff Director Miss Miller Seventh Grade English/Lit Miss Miller Seventh Grade English/Lit Mrs. Mitchener Middle School Social Studies Mrs. Mitchener Middle School Social Studies Julie Mullings Lower Elementary Principal Julie Mullings Lower Elementary Principal Email Mrs. Julie Mullings graduated from Cal State University, Fullerton with a bachelor’s degree in Child Development and a minor in Special Education. She also holds her Early Childhood Administration Certificate. Mrs. Mullings has been a valuable part of the HOPE family since 2005, and she has taught in each grade, kindergarten – 6th. Over the course of the past several years, she has been a middle school teacher along with an elementary, lead mentor teacher. Mrs. Mulling’s has also led Heritage Oak’s iReady data analysis and implementation. Additionally, Mrs. Mullings has served as a testing and data analyst for the Educational Records Bureau. This involves collaboration with teachers across the country to establish testing norms and milestones in order to assist in the development of the CTP 5 standardized assessment. In 2015, Mrs. Mullings was honored to be selected as one of Orange County’s Top 25 Teachers. Mrs. Mullings and her husband have two daughters- both HOPE alumni. Their oldest daughter attends ALMA College in Michigan and their youngest daughter, a HOPE class of 2022 graduate, attends Brea Olinda High School. Mrs. Myers Preschool Instructor Mrs. Myers Preschool Instructor Miss Nishitani Third Grade Instructor Miss Nishitani Third Grade Instructor Mr. Olivares Support Staff Mr. Olivares Support Staff Mrs. Owens Full-time Substitute Mrs. Owens Full-time Substitute Ms. Pace Educational Programs Ms. Pace Educational Programs Mrs. Palaeologus Support Staff Mrs. Palaeologus Support Staff Mrs. Paramo First Grade Instructor Mrs. Paramo First Grade Instructor Miss Phillips Support Staff Miss Phillips Support Staff Mrs. Plumlee Full-time Substitute Mrs. Plumlee Full-time Substitute Page 4 of 6 Jump to Page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Frequently Asked Questions What qualifications do teachers at Heritage Oak hold? Our faculty is comprised of dedicated professionals who meet rigorous standards at every level. Early Childhood Education (ECE) teachers hold specialized certifications focused on the unique developmental needs of our youngest learners. At the elementary and middle school levels, all teachers hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and are state-certified and licensed. Additionally, many of our educators possess advanced degrees, such as Master’s degrees in curriculum development or subject-specific instruction, ensuring high-level expertise across all disciplines. How does Heritage Oak invest in its teachers’ ongoing growth? We view our teachers as lifelong learners and invest in their evolution through a highly personalized professional development program. Beyond standard training, we work with each educator to tailor growth opportunities that align with their specific goals and keep them at the forefront of modern pedagogy. To further support their mastery, we provide educational assistance for those pursuing advanced degrees or continued professional studies, ensuring our faculty remains as academically ambitious as our students. Do you have long-standing faculty and staff at Heritage Oak? We are proud of our exceptionally high faculty retention, with nearly 50% of our elementary and middle school teachers serving our community for 10 years or more. This longevity ensures a deep institutional wisdom and a consistent, supportive environment where teachers form long-term, meaningful bonds with Heritage Oak families. What makes teachers at Heritage Oak exceptional? Our teachers are defined by a rare combination of academic passion and genuine kindness. They are exceptional not only for their subject-matter expertise but for their ability to create nurturing classrooms where every child feels known and valued. By balancing rigorous academic expectations with a commitment to character development, they empower students to reach their full potential in a safe and encouraging atmosphere.
