Rio del Valle Middle School

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