Our Leadership Team

Allyson Schoolcraft is excited to join the ACLC community as Lead Facilitator for the 2023-2024 school year. 

Allyson earned her bachelor's degree at the University of Southern California and her master's degree and teaching credential at UCLA. She started her teaching career in Los Angeles and then, in 2010, jumped at the opportunity to return home to the Bay Area as a founding teacher for the Academy of Alameda.

Since earning her administrative credential from UC Berkeley in 2015, Allyson has served in various school leader roles in San Francisco and Richmond at charter middle and high schools. She looks forward to supporting the ACLC community's commitment to equity, community, democracy, and authentic learning experiences.

When not on campus, Allyson enjoys getting outdoors with her husband (Mike), two kids (Cecilia, 5 and Desmond, 3), and their Husky/German Shepard pup (Merrik). Allyson also enjoys baking, quilting, playing board games, and reading sci-fi and fantasy novels.

David Hoopes joined the ACLC team in 2012 and became Curriculum and Instruction Lead in 2017. David is a long-term advocate of project-based learning and creating a robust and engaging school culture. He is passionate about "educating students so they can excel and contribute in a rapidly-changing world and global economy.  Kids gain deeper understanding when they engage in project-based learning because it challenges them take initiative and think outside the box. Our approach develops learners' skills in critical thinking and problem-solving, and helps them synthesize complex concepts."

David came to ACLC from Envision Schools: Impact Academy of Arts and Technology in Hayward, CA, where he served as Principal.  Under his guidance, this fledgling charter increased API scores by 75 points and secured WASC accreditation and a 5-year charter renewal. Previously, as Academic Dean at Leadership Public Schools (Hayward), he implemented innovative instructional strategies and increased API scores by 89 points in two years.  Earlier, David was an Instructional Coach for various Leadership Public Schools in the Bay Area; and prior to that, a curriculum coach, department chair and social sciences teacher in Richmond and Fremont, CA, as well as in international schools in Italy and Brazil.

Stephanie Bean joined the ACLC community in 2023 as Assistant Lead Facilitator. She holds a B.A. in Psychology, a Mild/Moderate Teaching Credential, and Master's degree in Education. Stephanie has been an educator serving the greater Oakland education community since 2012. She has worked as a mental health counselor, a special education teacher, an education specialist, a grade level lead, a behavioral lead, and most recently as a Dean of Students at Lionel Wilson College Preparatory Academy in Oakland.

Stephanie strongly believes that education is a tool for liberation and is committed to serving the ACLC community through an equitable lens. She has experience with restorative justice practices and has done lots of work supporting learners with behaviors that many adults find challenging. Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys playing soccer, cooking, working out, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

Amanda Stoner joined ACLC as School Counselor in 2018. She holds a B.S. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and received a dual Master's degree in School Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy from Saint Mary's College. She finds the role of School Counselor very rewarding and is excited to be working with learners, parents, facilitators and administrators in a school community that is committed to educational success. Before coming to ACLC, Amanda spent two years as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in the San Ramon Unified School District. Before that, she spent one year as a School Counseling intern at a high school in the San Ramon Unified School District. Amanda grew up in Overland Park, Kansas and now lives in San Ramon with her husband and son.

Lai Llanda joined ACLC as a School Manager in 2018 and is honored to be part of a team whose mission supports learners’ individual needs. Her career in education started in 2009 after she left her profession in journalism and started working at a Montessori school. It was there that she realized working with children and families was her purpose and that the approach to “not one size fits all” was integral to catering to each child’s educational path. She has over 13 years of experience in education, both inside and outside the classroom and in both private and public schools. She is an advocate of choice schools such as ACLC, where families can find growth in a smaller community and where children can feel recognized.

Lai is passionate about inclusion, equity and restorative justice in schools. Lai was born and raised in Oakland, CA and is a product of Oakland public schools. She is a first-generation college graduate and received a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from San Francisco State University. She loves family time and grew up with six siblings and has 19 nieces and nephews!  When she finds free time, she likes to enjoy the outdoors, cook, go on foodie adventures and travel with her son and husband.

Heather Mahaffey is ACLC's Office Manager and has been part of the ACLC Office team since 2016.  This is her third year on the ACLC Board.  She is also the proud mom of an ACLC alum from the class of 2021.

Heather says, "I love our school, our learners, and staff members.  The ACLC community is a strong special group that I am proud to be part of."

Heather is an East Bay native and resides in San Leandro.  In her spare time she loves to read, swim, bike, travel, go to the beach and concerts, and spend time with friends and family.