EPAPA benefits from a small but dedicated staff which is passionate about the mission of preparing traditionally under-served children for success in college and the world beyond.

Thomas Madson, along with Nick Romagnolo, founded East Palo Alto Phoenix Academy ("EPAPA"). He came from Michigan in 1999 after working as a youth specialist for the Sarah Fisher Residential Treatment Center and teaching high school English. After teaching third grade at EPACS since 2004, he became Site Coordinator for the K-8 program. Mr. Madson has a BA in Psychology and in English Language and Literature and also holds an M.A. in Educational Administration. When asked about his experience with EPAPA, he said, "The entire EPAPA community works so hard to develop these youngsters and I am proud to have been involved for so long."


Nick Romagnolo has been teaching at EPACS since 2001, with two years teaching 4th grade and three years teaching middle school math (including two years as middle school lead teacher). He is a co-founder of East Palo Alto Phoenix Academy and has designed and implemented multiple extra-curricular programs, including choir, visual arts, Destination Imagination, basketball, baseball, Junior League mentoring, and Stanford tutoring. Born to a family of educators from South Lake Tahoe, CA, Mr. Romagnolo has a BA degree in History with a minor in Biological Sciences from Stanford University, as well as a Master's degree in Educational Administration from San Francisco State University.


Mike Berman joined the EPACS staff in the spring of 2003. Mr. Berman worked as a middle school Humanities teacher until July 2008, when he joined the staff of East Palo Alto Phoenix Academy as a college counselor/academic advisor, part-time dean of students, after school program director, and "utility infielder." While earning his BA and MA in US History from Stanford University, Mr. Berman tutored at several different schools in East Palo Alto. The experience inspired him to learn more about this fascinating and vibrant community, and he wrote his master's thesis about the history of East Palo Alto. Originally from Silver Spring, MD, a suburb of Washington, DC Mr. Berman has remained at EPACS and EPAPA because this school is his family away from his family, and he is dedicated to seeing every EPAPA student graduate from a four-year college or university.


Esmeralda Maldonado has worked at EPAPA as the office assistant since 2007. She first joined the Aspire community in 2004, when her children were enrolled at EPACS. She feels that it is a pleasure to come to school everyday and be part of EPAPA. She has come to appreciate the unity of the community because it makes a difference in many families' lives. Esmeralda is currently attending Canada College to improve her knowledge of Microsoft Office; future plan include studying excel in the English Language.


Melanie Tsang joined the EPAPA team in August 2008. She was born and raised in Fresno, California (living the country life). She graduated from UC Davis in 2006 with a Bachelors degree in Asian American Studies. Melanie has had various jobs in different schools, including a substitute special education teacher and an intern in a first grade classroom. After graduation from Davis, she moved to the Bay Area and worked in administration at various universities, including Stanford Medical School and San Francisco State University. After much searching, she has finally found the right place to work and is glad that she can help make a difference in a school that aims for excellence. She enjoys being surrounded by lively teachers who strive to make college a possibility for EPAPA students.

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