Our Staff and Faculty
La Verne Niles
Ms. Niles is an enthusiastic educator and lover of children. Originally from the East Coast, she has lived in several states accumulating a breadth of knowledge and experiences from various educational institutions. She has six years of experience working within the Philadelphia School District. She previously taught and held leadership positions within the religious sector for twelve years. Ms. Niles is passionate about teaching the whole child and incorporating a love of self and communal identity. She has been successful with promoting student achievement and building strong relationships with both students and families. Prior to entering the field of education, Ms. Niles was a prominent banker for ten years. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from the University of Hartford in Connecticut and a Master’s in Education from Chestnut Hill College in Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Avdic is excited to join the team at Perseverance Prep. She grew up in Canada and completed her Bachelor’s of Education at the University of Western Ontario. Mrs. Avdic began her teaching career in 2017 with experience in private and public schools. For the past year, she has been teaching students through Zoom. Mrs. Avdic loves to read books and study history. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys playing tennis, traveling, and spending time with family.
Tifa Avdic
Jason Anthony Bermudez was born in Santa Clara, California. After graduating high school, he attended Evergreen Valley College, then San Jose State University, where in 2009 he earned his bachelor's degree in History. After experiencing various jobs from retail, food service, the circus, and tech start ups, he decided he needed a career to help support his young family. In 2016, he decided to follow in the family business of being a teacher, and he has never looked back. He earned his teaching credential from National University, and is committed to being a lifelong learner. He lives with his wife and son in the Bay Area, and they have 1 cat and 1 dog.
Jason Bermudez
Mr. Cirineo has 6 years of experience teaching history and coaching at KIPP: Heartwood Academy, San Jose. He enjoys working with scholars by building strong ties and assisting in character growth. With a degree in history from Western Washington University, he also has a passion for sharing and learning with others about the events that have taken place in our world. Outside of work, Mr. Cirineo spends his time with his wife and children, practicing his faith and exploring the beautiful state of California.
James Cirineo
Ms. Cruz, a San Jose native, is a full-time student at Evergreen Valley College pursuing an Associates degree with an emphasis in Health Science. After finishing her AA, she plans to transfer to Foot Hill College to work toward her Bachelors in Health Science and work as a pediatric dental hygienist. She finds joy in instilling students with the confidence they need to face the world. She is very grateful to be a part of the Perseverance Prep community
Rosa Cruz
Mr. Sargent is excited to bring his teaching and educational experiences to Perseverance Prep. He began his teaching journey at a university in Lithuania, and has also taught at the high school level in China. He has years of substitute teaching experience in the Central Valley of California. While substitute teaching, Mr. Sargent worked to earn his multiple subject teaching credential. He values critical thinking and believes that all students are deserving of a high-quality education. Mr. Sargent holds a bachelor’s degree from Houghton College, a master’s degree from American University, and a teaching credential from Western Governors University. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys spending time with family, traveling throughout California and the world, and listening to music.
Bradford Sargent
Ms. Martinez graduated from Cal State East Bay in 2019 with a Bachelor's in Hospitality & Tourism. In addition to her degree, she has worked in customer service for over 15 years. She is looking forward to bringing her skills to the charter school community.
Michelle Martinez
