Welcome to the Eisner Campus

Dear Jaguar Families,

Hello and Welcome to our Camino Nuevo Castellanos and Eisner campuses, or as we call it, CAS-EIS. I’m Suzette Torres, your new principal, and I am looking forward to getting to know you all.

Allow me to briefly share the CAS-EIS values and social mission, that are grounded in C.A.R.E, - Community, Alegria, Respect and Equity. At CAS-EIS, we combine our rigorous instructional program, which includes dual language, music, STEM and art, with our whole-child lens - ensuring our students are not just academically prepared, but that they are also socially and emotionally healthy. We fervently believe that your child’s success requires us to work in concert, parents, teachers, students and school leaders, in order to prepare our children to be responsible, independent adults of good character and confident to face the challenges and struggles encountered in adulthood.

We have a lot of work ahead of us in order to accomplish this goal. We invite you to join with us through workshops, coffees, volunteering throughout the school day, in ParentSquare, email, and more. There is no impediment to our collaboration in the interest of our students.

As we celebrate Camino’s 25th Anniversary all year long, I invite you to join us, not only in the celebrations, but in the important work happening every day in our classrooms. Together, let’s uplift our students, support their growth, and make this a year full of learning, joy, and meaningful connection.

Warmly,
Suzette Torres

Principal

About Eisner

The Jane B. Eisner Middle School is part of the Camino Nuevo Charter Academy network. We are a caring and supportive community that is committed to serving the children and families in the West Adams/Harvard Heights neighborhood.

Our school is small with about 270 students in grades 6-8. This allows us to give students individual attention and constant feedback to help them grow and improve. Our focus is on preparing students for high school and college and empowering them to be agents of social change. This approach sets our middle school apart from others in the neighborhood.

We foster an inclusive environment in which each student is valued and encouraged to succeed. Teachers and students build close relationships and parents are involved in their child's education. We strive to help each child reach their full potential so that they can thrive in middle school and then in high school. Learn more about our approach here.

Our mission is to educate students in a college preparatory program to be literate, critical thinkers, and independent problem solvers who are agents of social justice with sensitivity toward the world around them.

You can access our most current charter renewal petition and other documents by clicking here.

Leadership

Suzette Torres CAS/EIS Principal	Suzette Torres, MA.Ed. is a seasoned and visionary educational leader with over 15 years of experience driving transformational change in K–12 schools. She specializes in leveraging data-driven strategies, systems thinking, and inclusive practices to improve student outcomes and build strong, equity-centered school cultures. Suzette leads strategic initiatives focused on personalized learning, social-emotional development, and continuous instructional improvement. Previously, Suzette held principal roles at TEACH Public Schools and Alliance College-Ready Public Schools, where she successfully led WASC accreditation renewals, implemented Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), and fostered restorative, trauma-informed environments. Her leadership consistently resulted in improved academic performance, staff development, operational efficiency, and strong family-community partnerships. Suzette holds a Master’s in Educational Administration from California State University, Northridge, and a B.A. in History from Occidental College. She is recognized for her expertise in instructional leadership, charter accountability, school operations, and building collaborative school cultures that prioritize both academic excellence and student well-being.
Yesica Shah Assistant Principal of Instruction, Lead Admin	Yesica Shah joined CNCA in 2021 and currently serves our community as the Assistant Principal of Instruction and Lead Admin at Jane B. Eisner Middle School. With a strong background in education and 10 years of experience, she is committed to supporting both educators and students to achieve their full potential. Mrs. Shah holds a Masters Degree in Secondary Education from the University of New Mexico and has previously served students and families in New Mexico, Arizona, and LA County school districts. Her focus is on enhancing instructional practices, driving student achievement, and fostering professional growth within the school community. In her role, Mrs. Shah oversees curriculum development, supports staff professional development, and ensures that students receive a high-quality education in a supportive and collaborative environment. She is passionate about creating a positive and effective learning atmosphere for both students and teachers and is excited to contribute to the continued success of our Jaguar family.
Samantha Guzman Assistant Principal of Student Supports	Samantha was born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley, about 30 minutes outside of Los Angeles. Samantha graduated from UC Riverside with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Sociology. After graduating in 2013, Samantha began her career in education by serving as an Americorps member with City Year, Los Angeles. In her two years of service at Virgil Middle School, Samantha discovered her passion for supporting students in becoming their best possible selves. Since then, Samantha has spent the past 10 years working with students, staff, and school communities in Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, and Huntington Park. In 2017, Samantha earned a Masters Degree in School Counseling and PPS credential from Loyola Marymount University, and most recently earned her Administrative Credential in 2022. Samantha has held various roles such as Instructional Aide, 9^th grade English teacher, academic counselor, and most recently School Counselor and Special Education Coordinator. Samantha joined the CNCA Eisner community in 2022 as the Assistant Principal of Student Supports. Samantha strives to ensure that students feel they can come to school with not only connection and belonging as an Eisner Jaguar, but the supports to be their best and most authentic selves. As part of her educational mission, Samantha wants students to not only excel academically but to develop and practice interpersonal skills to be successful in whatever path they take. In the words of Ms. Guzman, she wants students to “Make good choices.” Along with this, Samantha works to create alignment and collaboration with Eisner teachers, staff, and parents to create a space at Eisner for all to feel safe, connected, and valued. Samantha is grateful every day for the opportunity to be a part of Eisner.
Yesenia Rivas CAS/EIS Student and Family Service Coordinator	Yesenia Rivas-Hernandez is the Family Services Coordinator for families for both the CNCA Jose A. Castellanos and CNCA - Jane B. Eisner MS campus. This year, she is excited to officially serve families for 10 years at Camino Nuevo. Prior to joining the school's leadership team, she worked for Youth Policy Institute for nine years. There she developed a passion for working with children and families as a tutor, serving students in the Pacoima and San Fernando area. She has an extensive background in coaching, budget management, workshop development and facilitation, and cultivating connections from school to home. Yesenia graduated with a bachelor's degree in liberal studies from California State University, Northridge. In her spare time, Yesenia enjoys doing family activities and going out to explore new places.
Audriana Mendoza CAS/EIS Lead School Operations Manager	Audriana Mendoza is the Lead School Operations Manager for both the CNCA Jose A. Castellanos and CNCA Jane B. Eisner campus. Supporting students and building meaningful connections with families is at the heart of everything she does. With over 10 years of experience in education, she is passionate about creating a school environment where every child feels welcomed, valued, and encouraged to succeed. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, cheering on the Dodgers, and exploring new coffee shops. She looks forward to partnering with our scholars and families to make this a wonderful year of learning, growth, and community.

Contact Us

2755 W 15th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90006

Phone: 323-358-2030

Eisner Programs