Staff & Faculty
Rio del Valle Administrative Staff
Rio del Valle Administrative Staff
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Michelle Mullen
Assistant Principal
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Vivian Saldana
Office Manager
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Sandra Betancourt
Student & Family Support Specialist
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Frances Carrizales
Student & Family Support Specialist
Rio del Valle Teachers
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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.
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Jackie Griffin
Physical Education
- RDV Physical Education Teacher since 2014.
- BS in Exercise Science, CLU.
- MA in Teaching Leadership.
- Volleyball Coach.
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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
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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.
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Hugo Guzman
Mathematics & Robotics
- RDV Teacher for 11 years
- BA in Education; CSUN
- MA in Education; Cal Lutheran
- I enjoy SCUBA diving & Mountain Biking
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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.
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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.
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Kari Ibarra
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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.
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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
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Alejandro Sandoval
Math
- RdV Teacher since 2002
- BS, Biochemistry; Cal Poly SLO
- I enjoy coaching, gardening, mountain biking and connecting with the natural world.
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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
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Richard Soliz
PE, Football Coach, Athletic Director
- RDV Teacher since
- BA, Communications; CSLA
- MA, Education; Azusa Pacific
- I love coaching and fantasy sports.
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Stefanie Terrazas
Teacher
- RDV Teacher for 3 years
- BA, Sociology; UCSB
- MA, Curriculum & Instruction; University of Phoenix
- I love coaching and baking
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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Andre Vasquez
School Counselor
- Counselor since 2001
- Rio counselor since 2001
- MS in School Counseling
- I enjoy being active.
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Eugenia Rivera
School Counselor
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Eric Nunez
Wellness Center
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Janelle Beckman
Speech Language Pathologist
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Eric Schlundt-Bodien
Occupational Therapist
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Patty Martin
Occupational Therapist
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Daniela Vela
Wellness Center
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Sheryl Preciado
EXPLORE Program Coordinator
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Mimi Anderson
Kitchen Manager
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Emeterio Munoz
Custodian
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Belinda Sanchez
Food Service Worker
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Gabriel Lopez
Custodian
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Donald Moreno
Custodian
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Jordan Duckett
Instructional Assistant
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Gracie Balderama
Instructional Assistant
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Arpaul Gonzalez
Instructional Assistant
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Blanca Alfaro
Instructional Assistant
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Nelly Cano
Instructional Assistant
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Jovan Duckett
Instructional Assistant
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Daniella Mendoza
Instructional Assistant
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Nicole Ruelas
Instructional Assistant
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Maria Vega
Instructional Assistant
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Lidia Romero
Instructional Assistant
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Manny Ramirez
Campus Supervision Assistant
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Marilu Yanez
Campus Supervision Assistant
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Cindy Balderas
Campus Supervision Assistant
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Rodrigo Martinez
Campus Supervision Assistant
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Jamar Johnson
Campus Supervision Assistant