Staff and Faculty

Rio del Valle Administrative Staff

Leslie Pimentel

Principal

Rio School District since 1992 in service to students and families as a teacher, TOSA, and administrator
BA, Social Welfare; UC Berkeley
M.Ed, Educational Leadership – CSUN
I am blessed to spend time with my family and serve the Rio community. My hobbies include baking, dancing, gardening, and reading.

Michelle Mullen

Assistant Principal

Vivian Saldana

Office Manager

Frances Carrizales

Student & Family Support Specialist

Sandra Betancourt

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.

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

Jackie Griffin

Physical Education

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

Jenny Navarro

Math

Teaching since 2002
Rio teacher since 2002
BA in Mathematics, Single Subject Credential in Mathematics, Masters in Education
I enjoy spending time with my family.

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!