Meet Our Wonderful Teachers and Staff
Here at Tres Rios we have an outstanding team of teachers, administrators, and support staff. Working together with you, we strive to provide a safe, nurturing, and positive environment for your children to learn and flourish in. We believe one of the most powerful tools for student success is frequent, ongoing communication with parents and guardians. Please do not hesitate to contact a member of our faculty or staff with any questions or concerns you may have. We are here to help!
Administration
Steven
Rickert
Principal
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Biography
Meet Steven Rickert
Hometown
Freeport, ILHobbies
Playing and watching sports, attending concerts, and traveling.Message
It is an honor to serve the students and families of our district, and I look forward to partnering with each of you to ensure our students' success.
Eric
Nelson
Assistant Principal
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Biography
Lindsay
Kent
Dean of Students
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Biography
Meet Lindsay Kent
Favorite Subject
MathHobbies
Playing sand volleyball and hikingMessage
One of the most wonderful things about education is that a single teacher can change a kid’s life.
Office Support
Grace
Gutierrez
Support Specialist, Sr.
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Biography
Luciana
Vargas
Administrative Assistant
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Biography
Judith
Collins
Librarian
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Biography
Annita
Quintana
Support Specialist, Jr.
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Biography
Teachers
Kindergarten
Yadira
Lopez
Kindergarten
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Biography
Meet Yadira Lopez
Hometown
Long Beach, CAFavorite Subject
MathHobbies
I love spending time with my husband and kids. I also love food and shopping.Message
Teaching has been a passion of mine since I was in second grade. In my classroom we will be learning so much about reading, writing, math, and more. The skills we practice daily are the building blocks for your child’s future success in school and in life. I will guide and encourage your child, celebrating each step of the way as he or she gains a love of learning, self confidence, and the academic skills that form a foundation for continued success. The education of every child invokes a partnership between parents and teachers. There are many ways we will be able to work together to ensure your child receives the best education possible. Thank you for letting me have the opportunity to teach them.
Elizabeth
Ramos
Kindergarten
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Biography
Meet Elizabeth Ramos
Hometown
Renfrew, Ontario CanadaWhere I Started Teaching
I started teaching in 2003.Favorite Subject
ReadingHobbies
Book club and watching my kids in their activitiesMessage
Teaching kindergarten has been my passion for over ten years!
Patricia
Wawrzyk
Kindergarten
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Biography
Meet Patricia Wawrzyk
Hometown
New YorkWhere I Started Teaching
PendergastFavorite Subject
Social studiesHobbies
Hiking, shopping, and bakingMessage
I look forward to watching your children grow academically and as an individual.
First Grade
Giovanna
Guzman
First Grade
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Biography
Meet Giovanna Guzman
Hometown
El Paso, TexasFavorite Subject
HistoryHobbies
Reading, going to museums, and the beachMessage
Danielle
Ramirez
First Grade
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Biography
Meet Danielle Ramirez
Hometown
Phoenix, ArizonaWhere I Started Teaching
Tres Rios ElementaryFavorite Subject
Reading and writingHobbies
Reading and craftingMessage
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the guy who'll decide where to go." –Dr. Suess
Jordan
Trainor
First Grade
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Biography
Meet Jordan Trainor
Hometown
Westerville, OhioFavorite Subject
MathHobbies
I love to take my dog, Maggie, for walks, reading, going fishing, traveling, going to movies, and sewing projects. I enjoy to spend time on the weekends working in the garden with my husband. I always travel back east to see family in the summer.Message
My name is Mrs. Trainor and I will be teaching first grade at Tres Rios Service Academy. In previous years I have taught Kindergarten and I am excited for a new adventure. I am looking forward to getting to know your child and anticipating a year of fun. We will have a year of laughter, ideas, learning, and discovery. We will spend our time working together to learn and create a positive learning environment where everyone is excited to come to school. We will treat everyone with kindness and respect. I want to thank each child and family in advance for all the warmth, kindness, and memories we will get to share this year. We will all grow together and always strive to be the best we can be.
Second Grade
Courtney
Koska
Second Grade
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Biography
Meet Courtney Koska
Hometown
Nelsonville, OHFavorite Subject
Science and ArtHobbies
Hiking, yoga, and traveling.Message
"You're off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so......get on your way!" Dr. Seuss
Claudia
Lopez
Second Grade
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Biography
Meet Claudia Lopez
Hometown
MexicoWhere I Started Teaching
Tres Rios ElementaryFavorite Subject
Math and scienceHobbies
Playing sports, traveling, fishing, and hikingMessage
"Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you!" - Dr. Suess
Jennifer
Maidment-Stout
Second Grade
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Biography
Meet Jennifer Maidment-Stout
Hometown
Phoenix, ArizonaWhere I Started Teaching
Tres Rios ElementaryFavorite Subject
ELA and PEHobbies
Hiking, volleyball, and some occasional tennis. I love being with my family, our granddaughter, and our friends.Message
I strive to encourage, influence, and inspire each child to the best of my abilities!
Gwen
Walt-Eastwood
Second Grade
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Biography
Meet Gwen Walt-Eastwood
Hometown
Tampa, FloridaWhere I Started Teaching
Country Place Elementary SchoolFavorite Subject
Math and scienceHobbies
Reading, movies, shopping, traveling, and spending time with familyMessage
"A #2 pencil and a dream can take you anywhere." - Joyce A Meyers
Third Grade
Crystal
Carrera
Third Grade
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Biography
Meet Crystal Carrera
Hometown
Avondale, ArizonaWhere I Started Teaching
Tres Rios ElementaryFavorite Subject
ELA/ReadingHobbies
I love traveling and exploring.Message
Welcome to third grade! I am looking forward to a great year full of learning and fun!
Diana
Corona
Third Grade
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Biography
Meet Diana Corona
Hometown
Costa Mesa, CaliforniaWhere I Started Teaching
Tres RiosFavorite Subject
MathHobbies
Working out and spending time with familyMessage
I am excited to be at Tres Rios Service Academy! Go, Pumas! "Kid, you'll move mountains!" Dr. Seuss
Kari
Pitcher
Third Grade
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Biography
Meet Kari Pitcher
Hometown
Ann Arbor, MichiganWhere I Started Teaching
Tres Rios Service AcademyFavorite Subject
Social studiesHobbies
Hiking, cooking, baking, crafting, and spending time with family and friendsMessage
I am excited to be back a Tres Rios! I am looking forward to being a partner in your child's learning and success.
Fourth Grade
Sean
Fair
Fourth Grade
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Biography
Meet Sean Fair
Hometown
Phoenix, ArizonaWhere I Started Teaching
Tres RiosFavorite Subject
Math, science, P.E.Hobbies
Spending time with my family, coaching, playing sports, and going to the moviesMessage
I am so excited for another school year here at Tres! I look forward to helping my students become better learners and to show growth every day!
Lora
Fernandez
ELA/Social Studies
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Biography
Meet Lora Fernandez
Hometown
Bayard, New MexicoWhere I Started Teaching
Las Cruces, New MexicoFavorite Subject
Writing and social studiesHobbies
Scrapbooking, taking pictures, playing video games, and hanging out with my familyMessage
If a child cannot learn the way we teach, then maybe we should teach the way they learn.
Jami
Petersen
Fourth Grade
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Biography
Meet Jami Petersen
Hometown
Syracuse, New YorkWhere I Started Teaching
Tres RiosFavorite Subject
Reading and writingHobbies
Playing sports, hiking, reading, and being with family and friendsMessage
I am looking forward to a wonderful and learning-filled first year with the LESD family.
Fifth Grade
Kimberly
Clyde
ELA/Social Studies
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Biography
Meet Kimberly Clyde
Hometown
Garden Grove, CaliforniaWhere I Started Teaching
Wilson Colton, CaliforniaFavorite Subject
MathHobbies
Spending time with my family and relaxingMessage
I hope that this year will be filled with a lot of growing and learning together. I look forward to getting to know all of you this year.
Erin
Van Dusen
ELA/Social Studies
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Biography
Meet Erin Van Dusen
Hometown
Buckeye, ArizonaWhere I Started Teaching
Tres RiosFavorite Subject
Art and P.E.Hobbies
Hiking, painting, reading, and Krav MagaMessage
Hello! This is an exciting year as we are launching the new service-learning program. I am thrilled to be a part of Tres Rios Service Learning Academy teaching fifth grade—where students are learning about how to be more responsible with their resources and are developing empathy for those in need.
Megan
Lindsay
Fifth Grade
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Biography
Meet Megan Lindsay
Hometown
Lombard, ILFavorite Subject
Social StudiesHobbies
I love to play with my cats, watch documentaries, and try new things.Message
I am very excited to be continuing my teaching career in an amazing school like Tres Rios. I hope to equip each one of my students to make and reach goals, communicate effectively, and take responsibility for his or her own actions. I can’t wait to see you shine!
Alicia
Rosado
Fifth Grade
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Biography
Meet Alicia Rosado
Hometown
Toa Baja, Puerto RicoFavorite Subject
ReadingHobbies
Dancing, cooking, and reading.Message
I love to learn. Together we will learn and grow as we support each other on our learning journey.
Sixth Grade
Melissa
Hoppe
Math/Science
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Biography
Meet Melissa Hoppe
Hometown
Tolleson, ArizonaWhere I Started Teaching
Tres Rios ElementaryHobbies
Volleyball, hiking, and spending time with familyMessage
I am excited to begin teaching in a district that I grew up in, helping students in my community.
Andrea
Luna
ELA/Social Studies
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Biography
Meet Andrea Luna
Hometown
Downey, CaliforniaWhere I Started Teaching
Tres Rios ElementaryFavorite Subject
EnglishHobbies
DancingMessage
Let's work together to help motivate and teach our children how to make our world a better place.
Rio
Stinger
Math/Science
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Biography
Shayna
Voeller
ELA/Social Studies
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Biography
Meet Shayna Voeller
Hometown
Tucson, AZFavorite Subject
English and Social StudiesHobbies
Running, arts and crafts, and reading.Message
I am excited to join the Tres Rios community and I hope to encourage my students everyday to work hard towards their dreams.
Seventh Grade
Stephen
Davis
Math
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Biography
Meet Stephen Davis
Hometown
Marietta, GeorgiaFavorite Subject
HistoryHobbies
Sports, video games, and traveling.Message
Welcome! I am Mr. Davis, as you probably already know. I am looking forward to the 2020–2021 school year. You will learn more about me as the year goes on, but since you are reading this, I assume that you would like to know more about me now, so I created the following list. Hopefully, each one of you can relate to something below, but if not, I am sure that we will find something that we have in common as the year goes on. As you will soon see, I can be one big kid and I like to have fun.....after the learning, of course. My Hobbies: My sports team(s): Braves, Hawks, Atlanta United, Falcons, and the Georgia Bulldogs. Play Station, X-Box, or Nintendo: Play Station Favorite Video Game Series: The Batman: Arkham Series Favorite Type of Music: Hip-Hop (pre-2010's) and punk rock. Favorite Movie: The Dark Knight, closely followed by Infinity War/Endgame Marvel or DC: Actually it is Image, but I do love the MCU and Batman. Favorite Subject in School: Social Sciences Morning or Evening Person: Evening Favorite Food: BBQ ribs, potato salad, and collard greens. What I love about Mesa, AZ: The sunsets and the winter. What I don't care for about Mesa, AZ: The summers. Interests: I have a wide range of interests from sports, to video games, to traveling.
Nick
Ferrando
Social Studies
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Biography
Meet Nick Ferrando
Hometown
Aurora, OHFavorite Subject
Social StudiesHobbies
Football, basketball, swimming, weight lifting, and golf.Message
I am excited to get started and grow with the students.
Moira
McKinnon
Science
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Biography
Candice
Tolliver
ELA
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Biography
Meet Candice Tolliver
Hometown
Phoenix, ArizonaFavorite Subject
LeadershipHobbies
My hobbies consist of, but aren't limited to reading, dancing, star gazing, and cooking.Message
I believe that education is a group effort and requires the student, the caregiver, and myself to work together in achieving success. I am passionate about my role in educating, equipping, and enabling each student to thrive academically and culturally. I look forward to meeting you.
Eighth Grade
David
Isham Sr.
Social Studies
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Biography
Meet David Isham Sr.
Hometown
Tolleson, AZFavorite Subject
History and GovernmentHobbies
Coaching high school football, writing short stories and prose, and spending quality time with my family.Message
I am committed to enriching your child’s educational opportunities and character development through creative, interactive, and meaningful lessons that inspire a passion in life long learning,
Kyounghee
Mills
Math
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Biography
Meet Kyounghee Mills
Hometown
Buckeye, AZFavorite Subject
MathHobbies
Golf, horseback riding, swimming, and hikingMessage
I wish to make math as interesting as possible to the students. To achieve that it is essential that students have an open mind toward math.
Vanessa
Sanchez
Science
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Biography
Meet Vanessa Sanchez
Hometown
Mabton, WashingtonWhere I Started Teaching
Tres RiosFavorite Subject
ScienceHobbies
Watching movies, spending time with family, and creative writingMessage
I'm super excited for this school year and can't wait to meet all of my students!
Chad
Schafer
ELA
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Biography
Meet Chad Schafer
Hometown
Beal City, MichiganWhere I Started Teaching
Tres RiosFavorite Subject
English, drama, and historyHobbies
Cooking, hiking, writing, and readingMessage
Let's help our students be the positive change we wish to see in the world.
Exceptional Learning Teachers
Andrew
Garza
Resource
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Biography
Meet Andrew Garza
Hometown
Omaha, NEFavorite Subject
HistoryHobbies
Church, coaching, football, music, and family.Message
Time to get after it!
Irene
Vasquez
Resource
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Biography
Meet Irene Vasquez
Hometown
Avondale, ArizonaWhere I Started Teaching
Avondale School DistrictFavorite Subject
MathHobbies
I enjoy hiking with my family and doing yoga with my friends.Message
"You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." Winnie the Pooh
Student Achievement Coach
Gina
Forney-Lee
Student Achievement Coach
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Biography
Meet Gina Forney-Lee
Hometown
Phoenix, ArizonaWhere I Started Teaching
Phoenix ElementaryFavorite Subject
ReadingHobbies
Shopping and bingoMessage
Looking forward to a fantastic school year getting to know your students and being able to help them achieve their educational goals.
Reading Interventionist
Markeita
Momon
Reading Intervention K-3
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Biography
Meet Markeita Momon
Hometown
Compton, CaliforniaWhere I Started Teaching
Phoenix ElementaryFavorite Subject
Reading and historyHobbies
Traveling, going on cruises, family, and friendsMessage
"The more that you read the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." Dr Seuss
Special Areas
Erika
Avelar
Service Learning
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Biography
Meet Erika Avelar
Hometown
Peoria, ArizonaWhere I Started Teaching
Tres RiosFavorite Subject
MathHobbies
Hiking, reading, and spending time with family and friendsMessage
This is going to be a great year with my students again! I am so excited to see them and watch them grow as learners everyday!
Ingrid
Benson
Technology
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Biography
Meet Ingrid Benson
Hometown
Irvington, New JerseyHobbies
Yoga, biking, and church activities.Message
My mission as a computer teacher is to inspire my students through technology to become active lifelong learners and good citizens. I will create a positive, supportive, and encouraging computer lab environment that nurtures the student and the student's learning experience. Through the use of technology and technology-based projects, I will challenge and empower each student to strive to reach his full potential in our evolving global society.
Michael
Carden
Music
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Biography
Meet Michael Carden
Hometown
Canfield, OHFavorite Subject
MusicHobbies
Biking and other light exercise.Message
I am excited to work with the students at Tres Rios and do what I can to help them grow into the best young people they can be.
Roberta
Garcia
Gifted Teacher
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Biography
Judith
M. Smith
Art
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Biography
Meet Judith M. Smith
Hometown
Phoenix, ArizonaFavorite Subject
ArtHobbies
TriathlonsMessage
"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?" - Dr. Seuss
Autumn
St George
PE
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Biography
Meet Autumn St George
Hometown
Torrance, CaliforniaFavorite Subject
ScienceHobbies
Playing sports, hiking, gardening, reading, bike riding, and walking with my dogs.Message
I am excited to have the opportunity to share my passion for movement and fitness with students. My goal is to provide students with the knowledge and skills to achieve and maintain a long-lasting healthy lifestyle.
School Support
Paraprofessionals
Maria
Vargas
Paraprofessional - Early Childhood
Biography
Meet Maria Vargas
Hometown
Chihuahua, MexicoWhere I Started Teaching
Phoenix, ArizonaFavorite Subject
ReadingHobbies
Family, fun, and travelMessage
Be your best everyday!
Iracema
Leija
Paraprofessional
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Denise
Martinez
Paraprofessional
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Biography
