Director of Schools/Interim Executive Director

Kalin Balcomb is in her seventh year working at Arts in Action Community Charter Schools.  Prior to the role of Director of Schools, Kalin has worked as the middle school principal for Arts in Action Middle School and the Director of Special Education for Arts in Action Community Charter Schools.  Before working at Arts in Action, Kalin worked on the Big Island of Hawaii as a Special Education teacher and Student Services Coordinator.

Kalin completed her undergraduate degree at Syracuse University, with a Bachelor’s in Political Science and minors in Global Political Economy and Geography. Kalin completed her Master’s Degree in Special Education through Chaminade University in Honolulu. Currently, Kalin is working towards her Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a focus on Social Justice through Loyola Marymount University.  

 Kalin is a Teach for America alumni and a member of Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE).

My name is Jamie Kikuchi and I am the Elementary School Director. I was a founding teacher at Arts in Action in the first 2011-2012 school year and had the privilege of teaching both kindergarten and first grade for six years at Arts in Action. I received my Master’s degree in Education and my Elementary Teaching Credential at the University of California, Los Angeles in the Teacher Education Program. Prior to this, I attended the University of California, Berkeley where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with teachers, students and families this upcoming school year. I am inspired every day as we witness our young scholars develop into active and responsible members of our community who challenge themselves to achieve their highest potential.