Dr. Velarde is a graduate from the Los Angeles Unified School District and at that time she was identified as an English language learner. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree and Master of Arts Degree in Psychology with Option in School Psychology from California State University, Northridge, and her Doctorate in Education Degree in Educational Leadership with Concentration in Educational Psychology from University of Southern California. She has a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Psychology and an Administrative Services Credential Certificate of Eligibility granted by the State of California. She is also a Licensed Educational Psychologist authorized by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Velarde is fluent in Spanish as she is a native Spanish speaker. She has worked as a bilingual School Psychologist in the public schools setting and as a bilingual Licensed Educational Psychologist in the private setting, and has over 25 years of experience working with students and their families from preschool to college age of various disabilities and cultural backgrounds.

Dr. Velarde currently works as a School Psychologist and a Licensed Educational Psychologist in Southern California. Her passions include students’ learning patterns, their social-emotional development and functioning, and providing supports and advocacy for all students, in order for students to access their education to be successful in their learning and life. Dr. Velarde was elected to the Ararat Charter School’s Governing Board in 2017 and is honored to continue serving as a Member of the Governing Board of Ararat Charter School.