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School Closure: Inclement Weather Conditions and Safety Precautions

Dear Rio Community, We want to inform you that the air quality has changed to unhealthy levels and the smell of smoke is now noticeable in our schools. We are actively running our air filtration systems to improve the improve the indoor air quality. We are asking families to pick up your students

District
  1. About
  2. Staff & Faculty

Staff & Faculty

Rio del Valle Administrative Staff

A woman with long brown hair smiles warmly at the camera, wearing a black blazer and a white shirt.

Elizabeth M. Botello

Principal

Rio del Valle Administrative Staff

  • Michelle Mullen

    Assistant Principal

  • Vivian Saldana

    Office Manager

  • Sandra Betancourt

    Student & Family Support Specialist

  • Frances Carrizales

    Student & Family Support Specialist

Rio del Valle Teachers

  • Vanessa Acosta-Yi

    7th Grade Science

    • Teaching since 2017
    • Rio teacher since 2017
    • BA in Communicative Disorders, CSUF | MS in Instructional Technology, GCU
    • I enjoy playing soccer, art and spending time with my family.

  • Carlos Anaya

    8th Grade Social Studies

    • Teaching since 1999
    • Rio teacher since 1999
    • BA History/Minor in Bilingual Education from Eastern New Mexico University/ Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Azusa Pacific University
    • I enjoy reading.

  • Lorene Bacon

    6th Grade Math/Science/Elective

    • Teaching since 2016
    • Rio teacher since 2016
    • B.A. Sociology, University of the Pacific M.A. Curriculum and Instruction, Grand Canyon University
    • I enjoy spending time with family and friends.

  • Barbara Beltran-Walker

    Social Studies

    • Teaching since 1992
    • Rio teacher since 1996
    • UCSB BA in History
    • I enjoy traveling with my family. I am honored to have been a Rio Real Bulldog (1981) and a Rio del Valle Knight (1983)

  • Brittany Brinson

    Art Teacher

    • Teaching since 2012
    • Rio teacher since 2020
    • BFA in Art Education, The University of Georgia MA in Art Education, The University of Florida
    • I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, baking, and online shopping. I am passionate about art and art education and enjoy sharing my love of art with others.

  • Elizabeth Clayton-Bennett

    7th Grade Social Studies

    • Teaching since 2001
    • Rio teacher since 2013
    • UC Berkeley (BA in history), University of Chicago (MA in religious studies), Bowling Green State University (BS in elementary education)
    • I enjoy reading, knitting and hiking.

     

  • Jackie Griffin

    Physical Education

    • RDV Physical Education Teacher since 2014.
    •  BS in Exercise Science, CLU.
    •  MA in Teaching Leadership.
    •  Volleyball Coach.

     

  • Michelle Geair

    Physical Education

    • Teaching since 2001
    • Rio teacher since 2001
    • Associate of Arts from Ventura Community College, BA in Liberal Studies with a Kinesiology Specialization from California Lutheran University, MA in Education from California Lutheran University
    • I enjoy being in the great outdoors, reading and spending time with my family

  • Sonja Gustafsson

    7th Grade Language Arts/ELD

    • Teaching since 2017
    • Rio teacher since 2017
    • Associate in Arts Degree from Santa Barbara City College, Bachelor of Arts Degree With A Major In Literature from UC Santa Cruz, Master of Arts Degree in Education from UC Santa Cruz
    • I enjoy sailing, playing sports, and hiking.

     

  • Hugo Guzman

    Mathematics & Robotics

    • RDV Teacher for 11 years
    •  BA in Education; CSUN
    • MA in Education; Cal Lutheran
    • I enjoy SCUBA diving & Mountain Biking

     

  • Kevin Hardy

    Special Education

    • Teaching since 1996
    • Rio teacher since 1996
    • BA in Sociology from Cal State Northridge, Masters in Special Education from Cal Lutheran
    • I enjoy reading, golf, and spending time with my family.

     

  • Sonia Hernandez

    8th Grade Math

    • Teaching since 2017
    • Rio teacher since 2017
    • BA in Mathematics with a Minor in Education from UCSB & Single Subject Teaching Credential in Mathematics from CSUCI
    • I enjoy spending time with my family.

  • Kari Ibarra

  • Erica Landeros

    6th Grade Math/Science/ELD

    • Teaching since 2003
    • Rio teacher since 2005
    • Cal State Northridge- Bachelors in Liberal Arts Cal State Northridge-Multiple Subject Teaching Credential Cal Sate Northridge- Bilingual, Cross-Cultural, Language and Academic Development Authorization
    • I enjoy spending time with my family.

  • Marcy Lewis-Abriol

    8th Grade Language Arts/Honors

    • RDV Teacher for 16 years
    •  BA Religion; La Sierra University
    • MA Religion; La Sierra University
    •  I like spending time with my children

     

  • Katherine Mares

    Science

    • RDV Teacher since 2019
    • BA in Liberal Studies from CSUCI
    •  Teaching Credential from CSUCI
    • I enjoy crafting, baking, camping, swimming, traveling, and watching baseball and hockey.

     

  • Mindy Martinez

    6th Grade Language Arts/Social Studies, 8th Grade AVID

     

    • Teaching since 2011
    • Rio teacher since 2011
    • BS Interior Design, CSUN M.Ed Teacher Leadership, CLU
    • I enjoy seaglass hunting with my kids, eating sandwiches, and making things pretty!

  • Nicole Martin

    8th Grade English Language Arts

    • RdV Teacher since 2012
    • BA English; UCI
    •  Graduate Gemologist; Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
    •  MA Education; UCI
    •  I enjoy reading, spending time with family, and hanging out with my chinchillas.

  • Yajaira Milan

    Specialized Academic Instruction

    • Teaching since 2021
    • Rio teacher since 2021
    • BA- Psychology from CSUCI and M.S. in Special Education from California Lutheran University
    • I enjoy reading and spending time with my family.

  • Katy Montecino

    Special Education

    • Teaching since 1998
    • Rio teacher since 2005
    • BA Deaf Education- CSUN; General Education Credential- CSUCI; Special Education Credential- CSUCI
    • I enjoy camping, crafts, making jewelry, gardening, and DARK CHOCOLATE.

  • Michelle Oropeza

    Math/Science/AVD

    • Teaching since 2001
    • Rio teacher since 2001
    • University of California, Santa Barbara: Bachelors in Sociology, Azusa Pacific University: Masters in Curriculum & Instruction, Masters in Educational Counseling
    • I enjoy spending time with my family, making jigsaw puzzles, reading, listening to music.

  • Heather Parks

    6th Grade Language Arts/Social Studies, 6th & 7th Grade Art

    • RdV Teacher since 2015
    •  BA, Art History; CSUN
    •  MA, Educational Administration; CSUN
    • I have been a teacher in Rio for my entire 18-year career. I am the proud mother of Emily, 23 years old. I love to be in the outdoors, hiking and kayaking and traveling.

  • Debbie Phillips

    6th Grade Math/Science, AVID

    • Teaching since 1998
    • Rio teacher since 2000
    • B.A. – Anthropology, San Diego State University Teaching Credential – Califoria Lutheran University M.Ed California Lutheran University
    • I enjoy READING, time at the beach, spending time with my family

  • Minerva Ramirez

    Social Science

    • Teaching since 2021
    • Rio teacher since 2021
    • B.A. Chicana/o Studies Cal State Channel Islands; Teaching Credential Cal Lutheran University
    • I enjoy reading and going to the beach.

     

  • Alejandro Sandoval

    Math

    • RdV Teacher since 2002
    • BS, Biochemistry; Cal Poly SLO
    •  I enjoy coaching, gardening, mountain biking and connecting with the natural world.

  • Lauren Schuster

    SDC

    • Teaching since 2013
    • Rio teacher since 2013
    • UCSB – Sociology California Lutheran University – MS Special Education
    • I enjoy walking my dog, paddle boarding, spending time with my family and crafting

  • Richard Soliz

    PE, Football Coach, Athletic Director

    • RDV Teacher since
    • BA, Communications; CSLA
    •  MA, Education; Azusa Pacific
    •  I love coaching and fantasy sports.

  • Stefanie Terrazas

    Teacher

    • RDV Teacher for 3 years
    •  BA, Sociology; UCSB
    •  MA, Curriculum & Instruction; University of Phoenix
    • I love coaching and baking

  • Ken Tomimitsu

    Physical Education/Cadet Corp

    • Teaching since 2005
    • Rio teacher since 2005
    • Bachelor in Kinesiology Physical Education and Master Degree in Educational Technology from Cal State University Northridge
    • I enjoy being active in various sports, traveling the world and teaching.
    • CA Cadet Corp Teacher and Flag Football Coach

  • Angel Velez

    Music

    • RdV Teacher since 2016
    • MA in Music Education from University of Southern California
    • I like to surf when I’m not doing musical things.

  • Mary Walzer

    7th Grade Language Arts, Honors 8th Grade Spanish

    • RDV Teacher for 5 years
    •  BA, English/Spanish Literature; Hunter College
    •  MA, education Bilingual Studies; City University of New York
    •  I love reading, camping and biking.

  • Debbie Zaritsky

    8th Grade Science/Medical Pathway

    • Teaching since 2004
    • Rio teacher since 2004
    • Bachelors of science – cal state Northridge Masters in biology emphasis in education- Grand Canyon university Career Technical Education credential- patient care
    • I enjoy my family, my dogs, AND SCIENCE!

Rio del Valle Support Staff

  • Andre Vasquez

    School Counselor

    • Counselor since 2001
    • Rio counselor since 2001
    • MS in School Counseling
    • I enjoy being active.

     

  • Eugenia Rivera

    School Counselor

  • Eric Nunez

    Wellness Center

  • Janelle Beckman

    Speech Language Pathologist

  • Eric Schlundt-Bodien

    Occupational Therapist

  • Patty Martin

    Occupational Therapist

  • Daniela Vela

    Wellness Center

  • Sheryl Preciado

    EXPLORE Program Coordinator

  • Mimi Anderson

    Kitchen Manager

  • Emeterio Munoz

    Custodian

  • Belinda Sanchez

    Food Service Worker

  • Gabriel Lopez

    Custodian

  • Donald Moreno

    Custodian

  • Jordan Duckett

    Instructional Assistant

  • Gracie Balderama

    Instructional Assistant

  • Arpaul Gonzalez

    Instructional Assistant

  • Blanca Alfaro

    Instructional Assistant

  • Nelly Cano

    Instructional Assistant

  • Jovan Duckett

    Instructional Assistant

  • Daniella Mendoza

    Instructional Assistant

  • Nicole Ruelas

    Instructional Assistant

     

  • Maria Vega

    Instructional Assistant

     

  • Lidia Romero

    Instructional Assistant

  • Manny Ramirez

    Campus Supervision Assistant

     

  • Marilu Yanez

    Campus Supervision Assistant

  • Cindy Balderas

    Campus Supervision Assistant

  • Rodrigo Martinez

    Campus Supervision Assistant

  • Jamar Johnson

    Campus Supervision Assistant