MEET THE BOARD MEMBERS
Dr. Jaun Lewis
Dr. Jaun Manuel Lewis is a seasoned public servant with an illustrious 36-year career in California, culminating in her retirement from the State of California California Department of Motor Vehicles.
In the San Bernardino Unified School District, she began her journey as a teacher’s aide; she ascended to the role of student teacher, where she demonstrated a profound commitment to educational excellence and student development.
After eight years with the San Bernardino School District, Jaun furthered her career with the Department of Motor Vehicles, continuing to exemplify her dedication to public service. Her final position as Office Administrator and Regional Manager-Substitute showcased her adeptness in organizational leadership. This position had many responsibilities and duties. She considered the most important duty was ensuring that community needs were met with the utmost professionalism.
Since retiring, she has continued contributing to her community by taking on various key roles within her church, embodying the values of service and leadership. Her passion for nurturing the next generation is reflected in her enjoyment of raising her grandchildren, blending family life with her commitment to community engagement.
Jaun’s educational background, include, an Associate of Arts degree, a Bachelor’s degree, a Master’s degree in Christian Education, a teaching credential, and a Doctorate in Theology.
Cynthia James
Cynthia is currently in her second year serving on the Board. She was drawn to Charter Schools for her youngest child who is a neurodivergent student and has a deep appreciation for the curriculum and dedicated teaching staff of Savant Prep Academy. She has always enjoyed volunteering in various roles demonstrating her commitment to supporting the educational environment while tirelessly advocating the needs of the neurodiverse child. She is persistent in her approach and takes pride in partnering with educators to help her child achieve his educational goals. Cynthia was born and raised in the Inland Empire. She lives in San Bernardino with her husband. They have 2 sons, the youngest being a graduate of Savant Prep Academy’s first class of 2023. Cynthia’s passion for actively participating in her children’s education is evident.
In her spare time, she enjoys line dancing, traveling, hosting events, and spending quality time with her family. Professionally, Cynthia and her husband run a small tax firm where she takes pride in promoting financial literacy within her community.
Dr. Tanisha Johnson
Dr. Tanisha Johnson is currently a middle school math teacher at Loma Vista Middle School in Riverside, CA, an advisor to Black students on her campus, serves on the executive board for the Greatness Within initiative at Alvord Unified School District, and an EMEID fellow for her teachers’ union. She graduated from the School of Education at the University of California-Riverside (UCR) in 2021 with a Ph.D. in Education, Society, and Culture. The title of her dissertation is Toxic World for Chocolate Skin: Black Educator-Parents and the Layers of Racism They Navigate.
She also holds a Master’s degree in Elementary Education, an Advanced Certificate in Urban Teaching & Leadership from the University of Rochester Warner School of Education, and has taught in K–8 schools since 2007.
Her work is focused on the culturally sustaining education of Black students, the training of K–12 teachers to teach Black students, and the ways in which Black parents and educators navigate a system that, historically, was not built for them. In her research, she continues to explore the experiences of Black middle school students in Southern California and the effects that anti-Black racism and racial microaggressions have on their academic success and Black identity development at large.
She lives in Ontario, CA with her husband and 2 children.