AVID
SANTA BARBARA HIGH SCHOOL
Changing the future...one student at a time.
MEET OUR AVID & PEAC TEAM
Here to Guide, Inspire, and Support
JOSEPH VELASCO
AVID Site Coordinator,
AVID 10 Elective Teacher
Mr. Velasco has consistently brought a passion and dedication to the program since its inception at SBHS in 2006.
Mr. V also teaches in the English Dept. and when he is not teaching he is also a professional theater director and storyteller. He also enjoys cooking, basketball, reading, and building things with his hands.
(805) 966-9101 ext. 5022
HELEN DANIEL
AVID 12 Elective Teacher
Mrs. Daniel joined the AVID Program five years ago. She is so excited about how the program can support students as they challenge themselves with higher-level classes. When not working with her AVID students, she teaches math. After hours, you can often find her at the beach or reading a book. She loves to travel and to learn new things.
MEET OUR AVID & PEAC TEAM
Here to Guide, Inspire, and Support
VERONICA CALLES
AVID 11 Elective Teacher
Mrs. Calles has been teaching AVID since 2016. In addition to AVID she teaches English 10 Honors for the MAD Academy and ELD. Mrs. Calles has been a teacher at Santa Barbara High for 20 years. She is also a Santa Barbara native and an SBHS alumnus. Her interests include running, playing soccer, and reading.
MEET OUR AVID & PEAC TEAM
Here to Guide, Inspire, and Support
CAILEE VILLASENOR
Assistant Principal
Cailee Villasenor is a former Don (class of 2007) who graduated from UCSB with a B.S. in Environmental Studies and a minor in Education all while playing on UCSB's Division I women's water polo team. She immediately attended UCSB, where she earned her teaching credential and Masters in Education. Since then, she has been part of the Santa Barbara Unified School District for the past eight years, previously being a science teacher at Santa Barbara Junior High School, Technology Integration Coach and currently, assistant principal at SBHS who oversees seniors and SBHS' AVID program. Ms. Villasenor has also been a science teacher for the AVID/PEAC summer bridge program at SBJH and believes in preparing our first generation college bound students with the skills they need to be successful beyond high school. In her spare time, she enjoys swimming and lounging at Santa Barbara's various beaches, exploring local restaurants, riding her scooter, and laughing with friends and family."
cvillasenor@@sbunified.org
Dr. Elise Simmons
Principal
Dr. Elise Simmons has been an educator in SBUSD for over 20 years. She has been a junior high history teacher, teacher on special assignment as the District AVID Coordinator, Assistant Principal, and Principal. Dr. Simmons was also a National Trainer for AVID Elementary. She believes that the AVID and PEAC programs are essential to supporting our first generation college-bound students and families. She understands the importance of ensuring that all teachers, regardless if they are an AVID Elective teacher or not, receive the AVID training as the AVID strategies help all students access material and learn how to be a student.