Faculty & Staff

BS California Polytechnic University, Pomona

Elin is the Director of The Help Group’s Therapeutic Schools; Westview School, North Hills Prep and Parkhill School. She also provides oversight to Project Six/The Commons, The Help Group’s residential treatment program. She received her B.S. in Social Work. After graduation, she began working as a Program Administrator in a residential treatment center with foster youth and provided oversight for a Foster Family Agency. For the past 19 years, Elin has served as an Administrator for non-public schools. Elin has been with the Help Group since 2011.

BA Edinboro State Universaity, Pennsylvania
MA California State University, Northridge

Gayle was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Go Steelers). She received her credential in Art Education from Edinboro State University of Pennsylvania, before heading west. She received her Special Ed. credential and Masters in Special Ed. from Cal State Northridge. She started her career working at The Help Group over 33 years ago. She taught all subjects in the High School program for 10 years, was assistant principal for 5 years and has been Principal for the past 18 years. She feels privileged to work in the field of Special Education, especially with such talented and caring staff. She enjoys and looks forward to the daily challenges and numerous rewards that working with such a diverse student population present.

BA University of California, Santa Barbara
MA California State University, Northridge

Laurie Owens, MS, MFT, is the Clinical Director for North Hills Prep and Parkhill schools. Laurie grew up in Southern California and has been working with children since high school. Laurie received a B.S. in Psychology and later completed her M.S. in Counseling Psychology. Laurie is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has counseled children, adolescents and families in a variety of settings. She has over 20 years experience working with youth facing a variety of issues such as depression, anxiety, identity issues, trauma, substance abuse, self injurious behaviors, eating disorders and transitioning to adulthood. When not working, Laurie can be found outdoors, preferably by a beach!

BA California State University, Northridge

Michael is a graduate of California State University at Northridge, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies. He has always wanted to be a schoolteacher. Michael wants to make a positive impact on our youth, who are the future. His goals are to be a positive male role model to my students, and teach them to be capable, confident, and responsible.

Deven was born and raised in California. After serving in the US Navy for 4 years, he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art in the field of illustration. Deven enjoys bringing illustration and art in a number of fun and creative projects to his students.

Born and raised in Sacramento, I moved to Southern California in June of 2023. Previous experience in 1:1 ABA home-based therapy exposed me to the field of SpED in a school-based setting. I feel inspired to teach the next generation of students who have all the tools necessary to succeed. I enjoy building rapport with students across all grade levels by playing sports and sharing creative outlets. In my free time, I enjoy songwriting for musicians, working out, playing pickup basketball, and experimenting in the kitchen with new recipes.

Valerie McCray is a compassionate educator that comes to North Hills Prep with over 15 years’ experience assisting persons with Autism and mental health challenges both in a home and educational setting. She believes that education is the passport to the future and assists each one of her students with that goal in mind.

B.A. Western Kentucky University

Leah Ong earned her BA is Psychology from Western Kentucky University. She moved to Los Angeles in 2003 where she began her career as a teaching assistant. After realizing that the Special Education field was where she wanted to spend her career, she earned her Teaching Credential and Master’s degree in Special Education. This is her 20th school year teaching at North Hills Prep where she teaches primarily math and science classes. Her classroom philosophy is that all students should feel comfortable and safe for there to be a positive learning outcome. Outside of teaching, Leah enjoys watching live plays, musicals, and sports and spending time with her kids, husband, and dog.

Mary Onyango started working with The Help Group in 2012 as Teacher Assistant. She has been given the opportunity to work with various classrooms of all grades. In 2019, Mary started in the Middle School at North Hills Prep which has now become her home. Outside of teaching, Mary sings at church and performs in various places.

Han received his Bachelor of Arts degree with the focus on Creative Writing at California State University Northridge. Han was born in Los Angeles and raised in San Fernando Valley. Initially, Han pursued to become an automotive journalist. However, he decided to pursue teaching after his experiences as a supplemental instructor during college and working as a substitute teacher upon graduation. Han’s classroom philosophy is building positive relationships and emphasizing the importance of progress, never perfection. On his free time, he enjoys road racing, watching movies and anime, playing basketball, and reading.

BA California State University, Los Angeles

Born and partially raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Julio migrated as a young child to the USA. The new home instilled a love for the arts and he became a self-taught musician, learning harmonica and percussion as well as becoming a vocalist. Love for the blues fueled a strong attraction to classic art, its history and appreciation, so much so that it awakened his inner desire to help those in need. Julio became a certified tutor with LAUSD, which prompted him to work for the office of noncompliance, thus taking him to the Help Group in 1988 where he was hired and has worked ever since, helping students and families with special needs. Julio has a loving daughter and three wonderful grandchildren, who are very healthy and make him immensely proud.

Jason Pinkerton has been a Teacher’s Assistant at The Help Group since 2007. His experience is in the classroom with all ages and disabilities. Before his time at The Help Group, Jason was a camp counselor and providing in-home ABA therapies. He takes pride in helping student’s access to their curriculum. Jason believes that every day on campus is a new adventure. In his free time, Jason pedals his little heart out on his bicycle.

UC Santa Barbara

Gabriel Ramirez received his BA in Art History from UC Santa Barbara and Teacher Specialist Credential from CSUN and has been involved in education since 2007. He is a musician and has also worked in art and history museums in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara as a researcher and curator. His top priority as a teacher is to help develop students’ academic, emotional and social skills so that they can pursue ambitions beyond high school. He enjoys riding bikes and rock climbing. His favorite family tradition is singing Las Mananitas first thing in the morning on someone’s birthday.

BA University of California, Los Angeles

Diane holds a Bachelor’s in Sociology and minor in Gender Studies from UCLA. She has been working with The Help Group for 4 years. Diane has also worked at the YMCA as a summer camp counselor and teacher’s assistant. Moreover, Diane has worked at STEM ^3 Academy as an elementary teacher’s assistant and North Hills Prep as a middle school teacher’s assistant. Diane would like to pursue a career in teaching and wants to obtain her Special Needs Teacher’s Credential while working at The Help Group. She enjoys working with children with special needs and underserved-marginalized communities. She is grateful and passionate to work with the North Hills Prep community as well as working alongside the wonderful administrators, faculty, and staff. Lastly, Diane looks forward to a fun and rewarding school year.

BA California State University, Los Angeles
MA Pacific Oaks College

Chrystal obtained a BA in Psychology from Cal State LA, and an MA in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College, where she also received her Teacher Specialist Credential. Chrystal has been teaching multiple core subjects and Performing Arts at The Help Group Schools for thirteen years, and has acquired over ten years of residential treatment experience. She believes that with each passing year, she has had the opportunity to educate and learn from the most extraordinary and resilient population in academe.

Mr. Winburn graduated with a B.A. in Liberal Studies with a Credential Option. After attending Cal State Los Angeles and National University, he earned his Clear Education Specialist Credential in the areas of Mild to Moderate Disabilities. Mr. Winburn has over 26 years experience in the field of special education as a teacher, site coordinator, principal, and director. He has recently returned to the classroom as a teacher to be able to spend more time with his family since adopting his son.