OUR TEAM
Our founder
Kellye McKinna, Ph.D.
I have a fundamental belief that we learn throughout our lives and that every experience we have and every person we meet can provide us with an opportunity to learn, if we open our hearts and minds to listen.
Dr. Kellye firmly believes that life is a continuous learning journey, where every person we meet and every experience we have offers an opportunity for growth if we keep our hearts and minds open.
Her strengths—hope, optimism, curiosity, enthusiasm, honesty, and humor—reflect this mindset and fuel her passion for life. Rooted in family, compassion, integrity, and perseverance, her values guide both her personal and professional life. As a mom of two young adults, Dr. Kellye has firsthand experience navigating the trials and tribulations of parenting, which has deepened her empathy and understanding.
Academically, she earned her doctorate and master’s degrees in Educational Psychology from UCLA, where she focused on how children with ADHD develop social perspective-taking skills. Prior to that, she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Education with a major in English at Pacific Lutheran University. For Dr. Kellye, the journey of learning never ends, and she embraces each moment as an opportunity to grow and connect.​​
Alicia Axilbund, M.A.
(TITLE)
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Alicia (Ali) was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. She is a first-generation college student and earned her B.A. in Commercial Photography from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore before eventually earning an M.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Portland. During her time in graduate school, Alicia conducted research and wrote an academic paper about the effects of teaching about neuroplasticity and growth mindset in elementary classrooms and the effects it has on learning outcomes. Her research was presented at an educational conference at the University of Oregon.
Alicia's favorite part of being a teacher is building relationships with her students and getting them excited about learning. She believes that every child is capable of academic success with the proper support in place and thrives on seeing her students succeed. In her time away from the classroom, she can usually be found scouring the beach for sea glass or going for a hike with her husband and her corgi, Bernie.
“No one is perfect, that's why pencils have erasers.”
Bianca Saldivar, M.A.
MATH SPECIALIST
MATH, SCIENCE & SPANISH TEACHER
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Bianca Saldivar is the first person in her family to attend college, and she earned her bachelor's degree at the University of California Santa Barbara before moving on and earning her master's degree from Cal State Long Beach. During her time at Cal State, Bianca published two articles in the field of Educational Psychology with her professor.
She has taught at McKinna Learning Academy as a math specialist since 2014. In addition to teaching math, Bianca is passionate about teaching science, history and Spanish. After school, she tutors students in a wide variety of math skills ranging from middle school math to college-level calculus.
Her hobbies include salsa dancing, cooking, exercising, and traveling the world. She volunteers as an event coordinator for her salsa studio. An avid Disney fan, she has been a Magic Key Holder at Disneyland for the last three years and goes every chance she gets. Bianca finds the most rewarding part of teaching to be helping her students find joy in math.
“No one is perfect, that's why pencils have erasers.”
"Give a man fish he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and he will eat forever."
Bridget Cundiff
TEACHER
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“It is my belief that each child has an innate desire and potential for success. I have made it my life’s mission to help each child discover their voice and their strengths.” Bridget began her career working with challenged children in group homes and school settings. In the Bay Area, she worked assisting families as an administrator for a weekend respite care program. From very young children to adolescents, and from profoundly disabled youth to foster youth and the highly gifted, she discovered that each child formed connections and made progress in their own way. With a bachelor’s degree in Biopsychology from UC Santa Barbara, Bridget decided to further her education, and five years ago, she received her Teaching Credential from Cal State Channel Islands. Since then, she has worked with 3rd graders, 5th graders, and 9th-12th grade students. Bridget is beyond excited to work with the McKinna Learning Center, where she feels that she can combine her practice in individualized education with her experience in classroom instruction.
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STRENGTHS​
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Compassion
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Patience
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Positivity
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Adaptability
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Resourcefulness
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VALUES​​
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Integrity
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Family
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Collaboration
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Individual opportunity
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Environmental awareness