About Us
Our Origin Story
Odyssey Charter School opened its doors in September 1999 with 160 students in grades Kindergarten through 8th grades, in a church facility located across the street from Pasadena City College. The opening of Odyssey came as a result of the vision of its founder, Kathleen O’Sullivan. Her tireless effort throughout the chartering process and navigating the endless challenges we faced, paired with the dedication of teachers and support of community members, Odyssey became the first charter school in the State of California to be approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Education (LACOE). In August of 2018, OCS- South was opened to meet the growing need in our community to serve more students in the area.
Our Educational Approaches
Our unique school design embraces the individual and varied learning styles of all students and is tailored to meet the needs of those who learn best by doing. In our classrooms, students experience learning in both traditional and innovative ways that blend a multitude of content sources, learning modalities, instructional approaches, and pedagogies.
Looping Classrooms
The practice of teaching students in looping classrooms creates long-term relationships between teachers, students, parents, and ultimately improves learning and instruction. At its core, the intent is for students to have the ability to remain with a teacher for two years. This design also creates a learning environment that gives students extra time together to build relationships with each other and their teachers, and provides an efficient continuum of experience that boosts achievement, learning and social-emotional wellbeing. This approach benefits teachers as well, giving them more time to get to know students and families, to know their needs, and to use longer-term strategies to effectively teach all learners.
Workshop Model
The workshop format provides a structured and predictable place where teachers are viewed as mentors and models. In workshop, student writers, readers, mathematicians, learn, and practice new strategies, develop understanding and explore questions using prior and personal experience as scaffolds to creatively integrate new knowledge. Teachers confer, stimulate, and question as they work with whole groups, small groups, and individual students to personalize their instruction. Since workshops are times when all students are working at their independent levels, the instruction they receive is inherently responsive to students’ needs.
Academic Excellence
Academic Excellence is the ability to think critically, transfer knowledge and undertake original thinking with creativity and imagination. A workshop based approach provides opportunities to integrate multiple content areas and for teachers to be responsive to student interests. By focusing instruction in a workshop based approach, teachers are better able to meet the learning needs of students, address student interests and incorporate standards within an environment of academic excellence.
Social Emotional Wellbeing
Social Emotional Wellbeing is the ability to develop self-reflection and effective problem solving skills. It describes the ability to motivate ourselves toward a positive goal, to understand and manage our own emotions and impulses, to handle the emotions of others, and to build positive relationships. These skills enhance the problem solving and decision making abilities of students, improve their relationship satisfaction, and maximize their potential in school. Our Restorative Practices provide a holistic approach to school culture that is built on the understanding that children develop prosocial skills best in the presence of firm, clear boundaries and expectations, and persistent, motivational support from authoritative, fair, relationally connected adults.
Social Responsibility
Social Responsibility is a student’s ability to perceive social needs and global concerns. Through increasing awareness and sensitivity toward social, cultural, and environmental concerns, students apply leadership and problem solving skills to make positive contributions to their community and society. By accessing resources in the community, Odyssey provides students opportunities for ongoing civic engagement and leadership, which increases their understanding of ways to contribute to society. Students collaborate with teachers, parents, and the community at large to create innovative ways to apply their knowledge and leadership skills in a real-world context.
Special Education at Odyssey
Odyssey Charter Schools offers a robust and comprehensive special education program across our two campuses.
Join our Team
Odyssey Charter Schools invites qualified candidates to apply for one of the following openings that we have for immediate hiring.
Occupational Therapist (Full time position)
Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (Full Time Position)
Our Partners
Odyssey Charter School is proud to be active members of various local and national organizations. As members of these organizations, Odyssey Charter Schools and our students become beneficiaries of the support and knowledge offered.
Our Leadership Team
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Dr. Carlos Garcia Saldana
Executive Director
Executive Director
Dr. Carlos serves as the Executive Director of Odyssey Charter Schools. As a lifelong educator, he is committed to the values of community, academic excellence, and diversity which are found throughout many aspects of the Odyssey Charter Schools.
Most recently he served as Director of Operations overseeing a variety of aspects of the Odyssey and Odyssey SOUTH campuses. From 2018-2022, he served as the Founding Principal of Odyssey Charter SOUTH, and previously was the Assistant Director at Odyssey Charter School overseeing the areas of assessment, accountability, reporting, marketing, and technology. Prior to joining Odyssey, he spent eleven years working in higher education in counseling/advising and student affairs at various large public universities in California and Maryland.
Dr. Carlos earned a B.S. in Marketing & International Business Administration from Cal Poly Pomona, an M.Ed. in Counseling & Personnel Services from the University of Maryland, and an Ed.D in Educational Leadership for Social Justice from Loyola Marymount University. He finds balance from professional responsibilities by reading, traveling, cooking and baking, as well as spending time with friends and family.
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Sylvia Corona
Director of Education
Director of Education
Ms. Sylvia Corona is an educator who believes that education is both an act of service and social justice. She started her teaching journey with LAUSD in 2000 through Teach for America, and joined the Odyssey staff in 2005.
During her time at Odyssey, she has taught all grade levels between 4th-8th grade, coached girls basketball, developed and organized our annual High School Fair, taught Middle School Language Arts, and served as Middle School Coordinator for seven years. She has also partnered with Teach for America to train and mentor new teachers. From 2018 to 2023, Sylvia served as Principal of Odyssey Charter School where she provided leadership through the COVID-19 Pandemic and the subsequent return to in-person learning. Since 2023, Sylvia serves as the Director of Education.
During her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her family, traveling, reading, and hiking.
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Chasityflame Price
Director of Special Education
Director of Special Education
Ms. Chasityflame Price joined Odyssey in 2015 as an Inclusion Specialist and since 2021 serves as the Director of Special Education.
Her passion for teaching sprouted at the age of 8 when her teacher took interest in her joy of writing. From that day on she knew she wanted to make children feel seen and special. In college, she decided this passion would best serve students with special needs and thus made it her focus. Her biggest motivation is her sister Breezydai, growing up and supporting her sister’s special needs instilled her desire to ensure all children with special needs receive the best care, understanding, and education. Working as an Inclusion Specialist prepared her to step into the role of Director of Special Education and touch the lives of more children. She completed her Liberal Studies BA and Education Specialist Credential at California State University Northridge.
Other passions include writing, bike riding, trips to the beach, visiting the local farmers market, spending
time with friends, and watching movies.
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Melissa Herrera
Director of Food Services
Director of Food Services
Melissa Herrera started as Odyssey’s Lunch Coordinator in August 2013.
Prior to working at Odyssey, she previously worked as a Tutor and Recruiter with various non-profit organizations in the Inland Empire and Los Angeles County area. Melissa received her B.A. in Business Administration from Cal State University San Bernardino. With a passion for nutrition and healthy student eating, and a background in Business/Education, she found a position at Odyssey Charter School.
When not working at Odyssey, Melissa enjoys traveling, movies, volunteering and finding new vegan restaurants.
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Latoya Presley
Office Manager
Office Manager
Bio coming soon
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Cliff Cordova
Facilities & Plant Manager
Facilities & Plant Manager
Bio coming soon