Rio Plaza Administrative Staff

Lisette Garcia

Principal

Nora Alfaro

Office Manager

Leticia Ramos

Student & Family Support Specialist

Rio Plaza Teachers

Lupita Mendez

Dual Immersion Transitional Kindergarten Teacher
  • Teaching since 2021
  • Rio teacher since 2021
  • I received my Bachelors in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Teaching and Learning and a concentration in Science from CSU Channel Islands. I obtained my Masters in Education and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from UC Santa Barbara. I also hold a Preschool teaching permit.
  • I enjoy spending time with my partner and two kids, AJ and Ezra. We spend all of our time at the beach or doing something baseball related. I am also a former Rio Plaza Charger! I am happy to be back as a Maestra. ❤️

Mairely Lopez

Dual Immersion Kindergarten Teacher
  • Teaching since 2020
  • I love the outdoors, traveling, and going on hikes.
  • I am a big Dodger fan, so on my free time you can catch me at Dodger Stadium or watching the games with my family and friends.
  • I received my B.A. in Liberal Studies and my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with a bilingual authorization from CSU Channel Islands.

Mayra Rodriguez

Dual Immersion Kindergarten Teacher
  • I was born and raised in Oxnard, CA.
  • When I’m not teaching, I love spending time with my family, taking walks on the beach and attending concerts.
  • I received my B.A in Liberal Studies and my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with a Bilingual Authorization from CSU Channel Islands.

Esmeralda Rojas

Dual Immersion Kindergarten Teacher
  • Teaching since 2019
  • Rio teacher since 2020
  • B.A. in Liberal Studies and a minor in Psychology, CSU Channel Islands; Masters of Education and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, UC Santa Barbara
  • I enjoy traveling to new countries!

Candy Vasquez

Dual Immersion 1st Grade
  • Teaching since 2020
  • Rio teacher since 2021
  • Teaching Credential – Cal State Channel Islands; Bachelors of Science, Family Consumer Sciences – Cal State Northridge
  • I enjoy spending time with my family, watching sports, traveling, spending time outdoors, and reading.

Primitivo Garcia

Dual Immersion 1st Grade
  • I was born in Mexico.
  • I have a BA in Liberal Arts from Cal State University Northridge and a B-Clad Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.
  • I have been teaching in the Rio School District since 1999.

Teodora Juarez

Dual Immersion 1st Grade
  • I enjoy a good cup of tea, reading, and hanging out at the beach with my husband Rodrigo and our golden retriever, Luna.
  • I received my B.A. in Child Development from CSUN.
  • I then, obtained my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with a Bilingual Authorization and my M.A. in Educational Leadership from CLU.

Gloria Cervantes De Lira

Dual Immersion 2nd Grade

Yanixsa Galvan

Dual Immersion 2nd Grade
  • Teaching since 2019
  • Rio teacher since 2020
  • BCLAD, Teaching Credential from California Lutheran University, BA in Early Childhood Studies from CSU Channel Islands
  • I enjoy exploring new places, hiking, reading and iced coffee.

Annette Alfaro

Dual Immersion 2nd/3rd Grade
  • B.A in Early Childhood Studies, CSUCI
  • Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential, CLU
  • BCLAD
  • I love traveling, hiking, spending time at the beach and just being out in the sun.

Brenda Vazquez

Dual Immersion 3rd Grade
  • B.A in Anthropology, UC Santa Barbara
  • Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, CSU Channel Islands
  • I enjoy reading, cooking, and spending time outdoors.

Rocio Valadez

Dual Immersion 3rd Grade
  • Teaching since 2001
  • Rio teacher since 2001
  • B.A. in Liberal Studies from Cal State University Northridge, Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential & M.A. in Education from Cal Lutheran University.
  • I enjoy music, attending concerts, movies and spending time with family and friends.

Vanessa Salas

4th Grade
  • I have a Clear CLAD Teaching Credential and a BA in Liberal Studies from Cal State Northridge.
  • I have been teaching in Rio since 2002.

Rick Valdivia

4th Grade
  • Teaching since 2005
  • Rio teacher since 2005
  • AA- College of the Canyons BA – Cal State Northridge Teaching Credential – Cal State Channel Islands
  • I enjoy Spending time with my wife and our dog, Sundae. Being active and playing sports recreationally. I love collecting sneakers.

Nancy Ramos

4th Grade
  • Teaching since 2000
  • Rio teacher since 2000
  • BA, Teacher Credential – Northridge University, CSUCI
  • I enjoy art and science.

Cynthia Zarate

5th Grade
  • Teaching since 1990
  • Rio teacher since 2014
  • Bachelors in Liberal Studies from San Diego State University, Teaching Credential from San Diego State University and Masters in Education Curriculum and Instruction from San Diego State University.
  • I enjoy gardening, watercolors and spending time with my family

Ruben Castillo

5th Grade
  • Teaching since 2001
  • Rio teacher since 2005
  • Liberal Studies Degree from CSUN and teaching credential from CSUCI
  • I enjoy watching Star Wars and Marvel movies with my wonderful family who adore me very much.
  • My favorite sports teams are: The Los Angeles Dodgers The Boston Celtics The Dallas Cowboys I’m pretty awesome!

David Romano

5th Grade
  • Teaching since 2012
  • Rio teacher since 2014
  • BA Liberal Studies – Cal Lutheran, Multiple Subject Teaching Credential – Cal Lutheran
  • I enjoy 3D Printing, Video Production, Science Fiction, Space Exploration, and everything Star Wars/Marvel.
  • Founder of Skoolcade and the Rio Film Festival.

Rio Plaza Resource Staff

Juan Toledo

School Counselor
  • I was born in Mexico and came to the USA at the age of 12.
  • In high school I ran cross country and track and played soccer.
  • I like to listen to music, drama/theater, run, exercise, help at my church and community and of course spend time with my family.
  • I received a B.A. from Cal State Northridge in Psychology, and a PPS credential from University of La Verne.
  • I have being working for Rio School District since 2003.

Arianna Lopez-Castellanos

School Psychologist
  • BA in Psychology and Minor in Applied Psychology, UCSB
  • MS in Counseling with a Specialization in School Psychology, CSUN
  • Nationally Certified School Psychologist
  • I have been working as a School Psychologist since 2012 and have worked in the Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.
  • I enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, hiking, and going to the beach.

Jeanliz Perez

Speech and Language Pathologist
  • Born in Puerto Rico. Moved to California in 2019.
  • BA in Psychology and MS in Speech and Language Pathology.
  • I’ve been working as a Bilingual Speech Pathologist for four years.
  • I enjoy spending time with my daughters, family, and friends. I LOVE traveling and going to the BEACH.

Chantell Barragan

Resource Specialist

Julie Ellen Maria

Nurse

Nataly Zamudio

After School Coordinator

Valeria Gonazalez

Resource IA

Rio Plaza Support Staff

Marina Gonzales-Acevado

Librarian

Robert Lopez

Custodian

Jaime Garcia

Custodian

Eric

Custodian

Justina Lara

Food Service Assistant

Lilly Macias

Campus Supervision Assistant

Bertha Lujano

Campus Supervision Assistant

Lucila Rios

Campus Supervision Assistant
Skip to content