The Educational Coordinators and Support Staff
of Pivot North Bay
Educational Coordinators and Education Specialists
Educational Coordinators
Pivot Charter School provides instruction to students through a robust standards-based online curriculum supported by class offerings at our resource center, tutoring, strong oversight and academic support. The school is a “blend” of online curriculum with resource center support.
The role of the teacher at Pivot Charter School is to monitor student progress online daily, provide feedback, encouragement, and support to students. They provide academic support in their areas of expertise for students needing help and produce accurate, timely and compliant documentation of independent study attendance. Teachers do not necessarily provide direct instruction to a “class” of students on a daily basis but are at our resource centers every day. Teachers, also known as Educational Coordinators, counsel, mentor, provide oversight, direction and whatever support it takes to help students succeed in their academic endeavors.
Education Specialists
Education Specialists play a crucial role in the education of Pivot’s students with Individualized Education Plans. Each student with an IEP will have an Education Specialist who will help them achieve their goals through regular support.
Abigail Titus
Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Abigail Titus
Abigail was born and raised in Ferndale, California, where caring teachers and parents showed her the power of learning and helping others. After graduating high school, she spent a year as a Rotary Youth Foreign Exchange student in France. She went on to receive her BA in Anthropology and Social Justice from St. John’s University in Queens, New York. Abigail returned to Northern California with a goal to make a positive impact in the lives of others through education and joined the teaching profession by entering the Sonoma County Office of Education Intern Teaching Program. Over the past five years, she has applied her passion for teaching and learning at Pivot Charter School where she can be an advocate for all students, first as an education coordinator, then as the North Bay Site Administrator, and now as the Directors of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. Abigail graduated in May 2023 from San Francisco State University with a Master’s of Education in Instructional Technology. When she is not in the classroom, Abigail enjoys spending time with her hilarious family and traveling. She has been to 39 states and hopes to visit all 50 while she is 30.
Robert Brier
Educational Coordinator
Robert Brier
Isabelle Beckner
Educational Coordinator
Isabelle Beckner
Isabelle grew up in Sonoma County exploring its vast landscapes and playing in the dirt. Her passion for nature led her to a path in science. She attended Sonoma State University where she got her degree in biology and pursued her teaching credential the following year. Isabelle loves to inspire students to ask questions and help them fill their lives with inquiry. She aims to give her students tools that they need to be successful while building connections which enable them to grow.
Meghan Coffey
Educational Coordinator
Meghan Coffey
Meghan was born and raised in Santa Rosa, and throughout her K-12 years, she got to learn from wonderful science teachers and naturalists. They sparked her curiosity and laid a foundation that led to a BS in Cellular and Molecular Biology and her Single Subject Credential in Biology from Sonoma State University. Over the years, Meghan has discovered that while she loves teaching science, what she enjoys the most is encouraging students to be lifelong learners and to embrace their curiosity. She joined Pivot in 2014 thinking it would be a good way to transition back into the classroom after becoming a parent in 2012. At Pivot she found she could connect with and support students in a way that was seemingly impossible in a traditional middle or high school. Prior to joining the Pivot family, Meghan worked for more than a decade in various programs that supported Santa Rosa’s at-risk youth, including a small alternative charter that offered independent study and job skills training, and after-school and summer programs. In her free time, Meghan enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, crafting, and baking.
Sarah Cullar
Educational Coordinator
Sarah Cullar
Sarah began her teaching career in 2003 as a third-grade teacher in Pittsburg, California while completing the Multiple Subjects Credential program at Cal State East Bay. After teaching in Pittsburg for eight years, she took some time off to have her son, Hunter, and move to the North Coast of California. A lifelong resident of California, Sarah now lives in Caspar where she taught at a small charter school campus for two years; first in a K/1 program, then teaching grades two through five in a combination classroom. When that school closed in 2020, she continued working for Pivot, but in the capacity she now serves as an Educational Coordinator. Sarah has a great passion for music, nature, and working with children.
John Halderman
Educational Coordinator
John Halderman
John was born and raised in Sacramento. He moved to Sonoma County in 1993 to pursue his education at Sonoma State. He has a B.A. in Mexican American Studies and a Teaching Credential from Sonoma State University. As an advocate for youth, John has a passion for educating our diverse community by encouraging creativity and supporting ambitious endeavors. For 9 years he educated youth at Rancho Bodega School. This is his fifth year teaching at Pivot, and he is committed to our mission to provide an individualized educational program to each student. In his free time, he loves to go hiking, mountain biking, spend time with his daughter, and play music with his band, Hoodwink.
Tim Mehew
Educational Coordinator
Tim Mehew
As an English teacher, Tim has always maintained the goal of enabling students to be more effective communicators. As a History teacher he tries to imbue their communication with understanding and context, a task he finds increasingly important today. He has had a desire to teach and reach young people since he was relatively young. He began pursuing his career at both Chico and San Francisco State Universities immediately after high school, while simultaneously pursuing a career as a musician. In his 9 years of teaching, Tim has worked in traditional classrooms in 9th-12th grades at various schools throughout the Bay Area, but, as a former independent study student, he feels most at home working at Pivot and the unique student population with whom he identifies very closely. He still plays music, and sometimes this endeavor takes him abroad and keeps him very busy. It enables him to find common ground and connect with students on a personal level, thereby building a better rapport with students and families alike. Establishing this accord between these three parties is an essential quality of an Educational Coordinator and the one to which Tim attributes his success.
Jered Hazlett-Karr
Educational Coordinator
Jered Hazlett-Karr
Jered was born and raised in Santa Rosa, CA. He received his B.S. and M.S. in Biology and Earth and Planetary Sciences from UC Santa Cruz, and later his teaching credential from Sonoma State University. Jered is passionate about fostering students’ creativity and curiosity, allowing them to develop a desire for learning. Jered is excited about working at Pivot Charter School because it allows teachers to form meaningful connections with students and individualize instruction while meeting standards and reaching higher goals. Before coming to Pivot, Jered worked in education at several traditional schools as a chemistry, biology and earth science teacher. Jered loves being in nature, especially with his wife, son and baby daughter. He also loves matching wits with a good board game after dinner.
Travis Prendergast
Site Administrator
Travis Prendergast
Travis grew up in Riverside, Southern California and Graduated from CSU Chico in 2018 with a degree in Social Sciences. He completed his Credential program in Paradise California in the midst of the Camp Fire, which gave him first hand experience in natural disaster response. His main goal within education is to turn students into self-sufficient, competent and confident young adults, who have the tools and resources necessary to succeed in whatever venture they choose. When he is not teaching, Travis’ passion is fishing new waters and hiking unfamiliar territory.
Chelsea Lapping
Educational Coordinator
Chelsea Lapping
Chelsea was born and raised in San Francisco, CA. She moved to San Diego in 2008 where she attended San Diego State for her undergraduate degree. Chelsea majored in Political Science and Women’s Studies with a minor in history. During college, she volunteered with the organization Girls on the Run where she helped young adults train for a 5K. She worked as a kindergarten teacher at a Montessori school for five years before going back to SDSU to obtain her teaching credential in History/Social Studies. Before coming to Pivot, Chelsea worked as a 6th grade History/ELA teacher and ASB leader. She loves traveling, cooking, and taking long walks on the beach with her husband and mini Goldendoodle; Mr. Baba Ganoush. Chelsea is passionate about implementing restorative practices in her classroom and nurturing her students’ social and emotional needs.
Sara Campbell
Educational Coordinator
Sara Campbell
Sara received her B.A. in Linguistics and English Education from CSU, Chico. She worked as a Logistics Analyst and Purchaser in the Bay Area and a Marketing Communications Specialist in Tahoe before returning to Chico State for her M.A. in Education. Sara is passionate about creating positive learning experiences for students that enable their growth and development as lifelong learners. She enjoys working at Pivot Charter School because it allows teachers to form meaningful connections with students and individualize instruction while meeting standards and reaching higher goals. Sara loves traveling, backpacking, swimming, cooking, and so many other things, especially when she can enjoy them with her husband, Corey, and daughter, Ruby.
Bob Firestone
Education Specialist
Bob Firestone
Bob was born in Missouri but moved to southern California at a young age. Following his service in the US Army, he graduated with a BA in Political Science from Sonoma State University. His first career was with the United States Postal Service, where he held a variety of management positions in operations, engineering and budget. He retired as Manager of the North Bay General Mail Facility in Petaluma, CA after more than thirty-five years of Federal service. He then began his second career in 2004 as a substitute teacher. Bob taught almost exclusively at Healdsburg High School for the next twelve years. A good deal of his assignments involved Special Education classes. One of Bob’s younger siblings had special needs and his understanding of the challenges these students face developed from an early age. In January 2016, Bob began work on his Special Education Teaching Credential with the County Office of Education. He joined the Pivot North Bay team near the end of the spring 2016 school year. During the past three years Mr. Bob has come to love both the Pivot model and the unique student population. Working closely with the Educational Coordinators who are responsible for students on his caseload creates a great collaboration model to support our students. The real reward comes at the end of each year when graduation rolls around and all the hard work pays off for the seniors receiving their high school diplomas. During his spare time, Bob and his wife enjoy spending time with their four children, eight grandchildren, and their two labs. Bob is a freelance photographer and enjoys hiking on local trails, camping, sailing and of course teaching at Pivot.
Shayna Calkins
Educational Coordinator
Shayna Calkins
Shayna Calkins is from Kauai, Hawaii and received a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Language Arts/Secondary Education from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. She loves learning about new cultures and has taught in The United States, South Korea, Albania, and Taiwan. She also has previous experience working for Upward Bound, Project Mentor, and the Des Moines Public Library. Shayna enjoys reading, writing, volunteering, gardening, swimming, hiking, and spending time with her husband and their new baby girl. She also holds a Master’s in Secondary Education and plans to continue her goal of being a life-long learner.
Nicole Benjamin
Educational Coordinator
Nicole Benjamin
Nicole grew up in Northern California and took her first Art History class at the junior college while she was a senior in high school. The experience sparked her lifelong love of history, culture, and travel. Nicole graduated from San Diego State and received her Social Science credential from Dominican University. As a third-generation teacher, learning and education were in her blood. Still, she did take several years off to start her own business traveling the country producing large-scale dinner festivals that led to opening a Sonoma restaurant, a VW bus wine tour company, and even filming several projects for the Food Network and Amazon Prime. Now a mom of three, she has returned to teaching, hoping to spark a love of life and higher education in her students, just as her first Art History teacher did for her.
Arianna Vincent
Educational Coordinator
Arianna Vincent
Arianna was born and raised in Ukiah, California. She received her B.A. in Fine Arts for photography from The Academy of Art University in San Francisco and has worked as a portrait and wedding photographer since 2010. She began teaching as a long term substitute teacher in 2017 and quickly found her passion for education. After teaching for a year she took time off to have her third and fourth son. During her time out of the classroom she started homeschooling her oldest two children and loved the ability to deliver individualized and personalized instruction that drew on strengths and student interests. These aspects of education are what led her specifically to Pivot. When she is not teaching, she is spending time with family and loves hiking with her five kids.
Derek Heejun Yip
Educational Specialist
Derek Heejun Yip
Derek is excited to be welcomed into the Pivot Charter School family where he hopes to help his students succeed academically and professionally. He has been an educator and school counselor for more than 17 years in areas that include teaching social science and taking part as a child welfare and attendance counselor. He comes to Pivot Charter School as an education specialist seeking to see that all his students’ goals are achieved on both academic and social levels. Above all, he wants everyone to know that he is there for you!
Danica Eng
Education Specialist
Danica Eng
Born and raised in San Diego, Danica received her B.S. in Mathematics (Specializing in Education) from UC Irvine and her Education Specialist Credential and M.A. in Education from CSU San Marcos. One thing about Pivot that inspires her is how incredibly student-centered Pivot is as a learning institution. All staff and faculty ensure that the instruction and curriculum is tailored to each individual, ensuring the success of all students. Previously, Danica taught Math at the middle school and high school levels. When she isn’t teaching, she enjoys spending time with her dog and crocheting for family and friends.
Chris Briggs
Education Specialist
Chris Briggs
Chris was born, raised, and spent most of his life residing in Chico, Ca. He has spent a significant amount of time playing competitive and recreational sports in the community, has a love of the outdoors, enjoys snowboarding in the winter, and plays guitar and bass in various local bands. Chris graduated from California State University, Chico where he received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and eventually earned Education Specialist and Social Science teaching credentials. Chris has spent seven years working in education as a Paraprofessional working one-to-one with a talented young man diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy. This will be Chris’ second full year as a full-time Education Specialist, and he is excited to continue the work with the awesome students and dedicated Pivot staff. His goal is to help young people find a passion in life, develop it as well as evolve and create meaning in their lives.
Sarah Torma
Educational Coordinator
Sarah Wilmarth
Sarah has a wide array of experience, having been an educator in three countries and nine grade levels. Her career started in San Diego, where after receiving her Bachelor of Arts in History of Art she worked as a Docent for the San Diego Museum of Art. There she discovered a love of sharing learning experiences with students and so earned her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Dominican University. In her work with middle school students she developed a passion for social-emotional learning and student wellbeing as a foundation for academic success. She received the Mindful Teacher Certification from Mindful Schools and her yoga teaching certification in Indonesia to broaden her toolbox for providing regulating experiences for all. Her career in education includes not only public and private school classroom teaching but grant management and administration as well. She started with Pivot North Bay as an Education Coordinator in 2023 and is excited to help guide students and families through a personalized school experience.
Courtney Evans
Educational Coordinator
Courtney Evans
Courtney received her BS in Biological Psychology from University of California, Santa Barbara. She also attended University of California, Irvine where she received her Masters Degree in Teaching and her Biology teaching credential. She taught high school Biology and AP Biology in San Jose for 6 years before transferring to Pivot. She has been with Pivot since 2022. She enjoys all things outdoors, like camping and hiking, and spends a lot of time with her dog!
Kim Pritchard
Education Specialist
Kim Pritchard
Kim grew up in Santa Rosa and attended Sonoma State University, where she majored in Liberal Studies. After graduating with her Bachelor of Arts in 2015, Kim spent a year teaching abroad. She came back to teach locally and will be clearing her Education Specialist Credential in 2023. She has been working passionately with students from a variety of backgrounds and needs for over ten years. Kim enjoys spending time with her family, watching movies and exploring the world when not working.
Support Staff
John Giacinto
Intervention Specialist
John Giacinto
John grew up in the neighborhood of Almaden Valley within San Jose, California. After graduating from Pioneer High School in 2016, he went on to the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo to pursue a BS in Business Administration and Economics. While in San Luis Obispo, John developed his interest in public service and sustainable development, and recognized education as an essential means to help develop communities envisioned in his coursework and book club discussions. Prior to earning his credential from Cal Poly SLO and starting as Pivot’s Intervention Specialist in 2023, John published research on urban forestry, did a little work as a beach lifeguard, a cheesemonger, an instructional aide, and a local cooperative grocery store employee. He comes to Pivot with an eagerness to serve students and families, to help spark others’ lifelong passions, and grow as an educator and human being. Outside of his work as an educator John loves spending time with his partner and their cat, crafting ceramics, journaling, cooking local produce, and spending time outdoors.
Kristen Poitras
Director of Student Support Programs
Kristen Poitras
Ashley Ecker
Grader
Ashley Ecker
Ashley is a San Diego native and mom to two wild boys. She has a Master’s Degree in Latin American Studies from SDSU and a teaching credential in Social Studies and Spanish. She taught for eight years – including a year in Spain – before leaving the classroom when her boys were born. In her free time, she loves going to the beach and traveling.
Megan Vatcher
Program and Attendance Clerk
Megan Vatcher
Megan grew up on the Central Coast of California and earned her Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She has been an educator in some capacity for the past 16 years, including teaching private music lessons, coaching volleyball, being a parent educator for children with special needs, and aiding in K-12 classrooms. She relocated to Chico in 2018 and loves the many opportunities for hiking and exploring with her husband and kids. She most enjoys the simple pleasures in life, including gardening, cooking, and taking her dog for long walks.
Anna Toso
Admissions Coordinator
Anna Toso
As the Admissions Coordinator for Pivot Charter School, Anna enjoys all aspects of assisting with student enrollment, maintaining student records and overseeing the campus logistics. Prior to joining the PCS team, Anna was the Operations Manager for Sierra Business Council, based in Truckee, CA and was the Project Coordinator for Prosser Creek Charter School, overseeing all aspects of student records and admissions. Anna graduated from New College of California with a BA in Humanities (with an emphasis in Music Composition and Natural History) and has an extensive background in Environmental Education. In her free time, you may find her hiking, swimming, enjoying the company of family and friends, gardening, or reading something new and interesting!
Julianne Cochran
Curriculum Coordinator
Julianne Cochran
Julianne is a San Diego native and math nerd. She has worked in mathematics education since 2006, in 6 different schools, on 2 coasts. She holds degrees in Mathematics and Secondary Education and Curriculum and Instruction. When she isn’t busy obsessing over numbers, she enjoys time with her husband and two boys, going to the beach, watching movies, reading, baking, and exercising.
Barbara Felix
Special Education Administrative Assistant
Barbara Felix
Barbara was born and raised in New York and New Jersey and relocated to California to be near family. She earned a special education teaching credential and M.A. at Fresno State and taught special education for 18 years at Fresno Unified School District. Barbara was an adjunct professor at Fresno State University in the special education department for 8 years, preparing teaching candidates. She moved to Sonoma County to be near her two grandsons and joined the Pivot Team in the role of special education administrative assistant in November 2016.
Joanna Yoels
Grader (English)
Joanna Yoels
Joanna has happily been a part of Pivot’s English Department team since 2015. She has been teaching middle school and high school English and history since 2003 throughout California before joining Pivot. She holds a Master’s degree from California State University, Fresno. She loves working at Pivot and helping all of our incredible students achieve their goals and become stronger writers. In her spare time, Joanna enjoys quality time with her family, music, road trips, reading, and the beach.
Jenny Maiorano
Grader (English)
Jenny Maiorano
Jenny was born and raised in Huntington Beach, CA where she spent most of her childhood in and out of the ocean or pool. She received her B.A. in English and a minor in Health Science, and later her M.A in Literacy Instruction, from Michigan State University. Jenny has lived in the midwest and the southwest of the United States, but has called Chico home for several years. When working with students, she strives to create meaningful relationships that are grounded in promoting a love for learning. Jenny has taught in grades 7 through 12 but finds working at Pivot Charter School refreshing and meaningful as it gives her the ability to work one on one with students in a unique and dynamic setting. When not working with students, she enjoys spending time with her husband and teenage daughters; as a family, they love traveling, cooking, reading, crafting, and cheering for the Michigan State Spartans.
Shawn Mallonee
Grader (Physical Education & Art)
Shawn Mallonee
Shawn has a degree in Art and Art History and a multiple subject teaching credential from SSU. One of the most rewarding teaching moments for her is when she gets to observe how students express themselves creatively through art when words can’t describe how they feel. Shawn looks forward to centering the needs of students at Pivot and contributing to an environment of mindfulness and reciprocity. During her own time, she does something that makes her happy every day. Whether it’s playing with her two kids, hiking, riding bikes, or helping her husband with garden projects – they are her favorite parts of the day.
Tiago Marta
Grader (Tech/Electives/CTE)
Tiago Marta
Tiago lives in Shasta County, CA and started his career as a California credentialed teacher in 2017 at a local personalized learning school such as Pivot and later at a large high school. He has three single subject credentials for Information and Communication Technologies, Business and Finance and Marketing, Sales and Services. He has supported a Tehama county school district as a Technology Support Specialist, Shasta County Office of Education as a Information Technology Analyst and the Office of State Publishing Department at the Capitol building in Sacramento as a technology consultant. Besides his love for technology, Tiago is also a language consultant for different government organizations and technology companies such as The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Google, Sony and many others. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, working as a volunteer and traveling around the world.
Liz Jones
Chief Business Officer
Liz Jones
Liz has always loved math, and she finds happiness in teaching others. Her favorite thing about Pivot Charter Schools is the ability to tailor students’ education plans to meet their individual needs and goals. Liz grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, graduated from UCSD with a Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science, and earned her teaching credential in Mathematics from SDSU. She loves rowing, music, cooking, puzzles, and backpacking.
As Chief Business Officer, Liz works with a wide range of staff and contractors to manage the financial operations that make Pivot Charter Schools possible. Liz has been with Pivot since 2010, and looks forward to serving Pivot’s students and families in many diverse ways in the years to come!
Craig Hobart
Regional Director
Craig Hobart
1st you do it for yourself, then you do it for friends and then you do it for money:
As a teenager, Craig loved ski racing and became the youngest instructor in ski school. He was mentored by a biology professor/professional ski instructor who planted the seed of becoming a life-long learner by teaching others. After ski school he found work as a river guide, a college trip leader, taking friends climbing, and discovering new trails on a mountain bike. He found great meaning by sharing new skills with others, especially younger people.
After college Craig first worked in biotech, and later in computer technology, but he wasn’t satisfied. One brave day he applied to graduate school and earned a Master’s degree in Education. Like many students, he thinks he found the ideal environment at Pivot.
Pivot has proven to be a campus of kindness and respect that strives to find an ideal work environment that first engages students. He strives to bring a culture that blends student needs, teacher satisfaction, technology, and an entrepreneurial spirit, together to create a safe real-life model of the outside world.
Jayna Gaskell
Executive Director
Jayna Gaskell
Jayna Gaskell has worked in education for more than 30 years. Gaskell holds a Masters degree in secondary education from Emory University. After teaching grades 4-12 in Florida and Georgia, Gaskell moved to California in 1993 to serve as Director of Admissions and Academics of a small boarding and day school for four years. In 1998 Gaskell co-founded and directed a California charter school for five years. Gaskell has presented multiple statewide workshops on Independent Study, Governance, Renewal, Special Education and Strategic Planning with the Charter Schools Development Center, CANEC and other educational agencies throughout California. Ms. Gaskell also established a highly successful charter school consulting business assisting schools by drafting and reviewing charter petitions, writing grants, creating charter renewals, developing staffing plans, WASC Self Study documents, educational plans and school wide improvement plans, and conducting governance trainings, compliance reviews and strategic planning projects. She served a two year term on the State Superintendent’s Advisory Commission on Charter Schools, and has participated in the US Department of Education and the Office of Civil Rights Summit on Charter Schools and Special Education for four years. In addition to serving many CA charter schools, Gaskell has worked with charter schools in Fl, TN, OR and AZ. She has worked with over 200 schools in the last 10 years. She served as a founding board member and chair of the Board of the California Montessori Project, one of the largest public Montessori schools in operation for 10 years. Ms. Gaskell has been Executive Director for Pivot Charter Schools since November 2010.
Andria McNamee
School Nurse
Andria McNamee
Brittany Daugherty
Director of Human Resources
Brittany Daugherty
Brittany Daugherty is a graduate of Plumas Charter School. She works as Director of Human Resources for all 4 Pivot schools. She enjoys traveling and reading, as well as spending time with her family and friends. She loves being a part of the Pivot team and looks forward to working with new students and families.
Rachel Angeles
Executive Assistant & COVID-19 Coordinator
Rachel Angeles
Born and raised in Southern California, Rachel Angeles has received her Bachelors of Arts from Cal State San Bernardino. She is currently working on obtaining her credential and master’s degree in elementary education from WGU. Throughout her life, Rachel has always been involved in competitive sports and performing arts and is always looking for continued growth in everything she does. She loves music, books, and all animals. When Rachel is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two boys, and dogs. She likes entertaining friends and family, rescuing animals, and is an avid movie watcher. Rachel loves the fun and diversity that Pivot brings and enjoys interacting with all the Pivot staff and families.
Shannon Mallory
Enrollment Specialist
Shannon Mallory
Jasmine Falary
Data Support Specialist
Jasmine Falary
Jasmine was born and raised in San Francisco, CA, and graduated from Ruth Asawa School of the Arts. She studied Early Childhood Education at City College of San Francisco. Prior to joining the Pivot team, Jasmine worked in the educational travel industry for 12 years and taught enrichment classes in engineering and robotics. She is proud to be a part of the Pivot team and looks forward to supporting her colleagues as well as the students and families we serve. In her free time, Jasmine enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and dogs, crafting, cooking, watching movies, and going on adventures around the San Francisco Bay Area.
Luis Portilla
Academic Counselor
Luis Portilla
Luis is native of South America, where he spent most of his youth. He received his B.A in Spanish Linguistics and M.S in Counseling with a specialization in school counseling, and Child Welfare and Attendance from California State University Dominguez Hills. Luis has been working as a College Counselor for over five years, and it is his greatest joy to help students guide them to reach their life goals. Luis has a great interest for languages and other cultures. His favorite hobbies are spending time with his family, traveling, and playing online video games.
Mariana Barajas
Paraprofessional / Classroom Aide
Mariana Barajas
Mariana was born in Michoacan, Mexico, but raised in Santa Rosa. Before working at Pivot, Mariana worked as the Manager of a shoe store, she came to Pivot because she wanted to work in a school environment. Mariana graduated from Piner Highschool in 2020, and is currently studying Child Development at the Santa Rosa Junior College. Her goal is to transfer and become an elementary school teacher.
Cindy Spencer
Accounts Payable and Logistics Coordinator
Cindy Spencer
Cindy Spencer was born in Placerville, California and raised in Placer County. She was fourth among five brothers and a sister, so she grew up in a very competitive environment. She attended Sierra Junior College and after two years transferred to American River College for her English degree. Enjoying the best of many industries, Cindy worked both in the public and private sectors of the land use industry. After the building industry fallout, Cindy moved into managing a Chiropractic office for nearly five years. Through that experience, Cindy was sought out to close out a teaching program for the Sacramento Office of Education for three years. She taught the Medical and Chiropractic Assistance program to at-risk adults. This program was fulfilling in that after 300 hours of class and hands-on training, she was tasked to place each student in a medical/chiropractic office for 250 hours of internship. Her last graduating class was 86% employed at the time of graduation.
Cindy has two sons, both Placer County Deputy Sheriffs who live also in the Roseville area. She also has two grandchildren. Her non-working hours are spent hiking and kayaking, golfing and playing volleyball. Before accepting this wonderful position with Pivot, Cindy spent six months in South America, backpacking through Ecuador, Argentina & Chile, enjoying the adventure of a new culture.
Kareen Poulsen
Director of Student Services
Kareen Poulsen
Kareen is a fourth generation Santa Rosan and graduated from Santa Rosa High School before attending UC Davis, where she played volleyball for four years, rowed crew for two years and earned a BA in English. After 25 years as the CFO for an Investment Corporation, she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a full-time teacher and went on to receive her teaching credential in Mathematics from Sonoma State University. She previously taught Math at Pivot and has now moved into the role of Director of Student Services for all four resource centers. Kareen also serves as the Title IX Coordinator for Pivot Charter School. For information on Title IX, click here. She enjoys spending time with family, going to the beach, hiking, traveling, reading books and watching good movies. As a part of the Pivot Charter School Team since 2013, Kareen is devoted to using her education and experience to help students succeed.
Christine Mazalewski
Grader
Christine Mazalewski
Christine is originally from Pennsylvania, but has lived in San Diego since 2009 . She has worked in education since 2008, teaching mostly middle and high school science. She holds a degree in Secondary Education for Chemistry and Geoscience. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys time with her husband and two kids, hiking, running, and coaching her kids activities.
Kelly Dobyns
School Counselor
Kelly Dobyns
Kelly grew up in Southern California, obtained her BA in Human Services at Cal State Fullerton, and her Masters in Counseling and PPS Credential from Chapman University. Kelly has a background working for mental health services for the County of Orange and this is her 5th year being a school counselor. She absolutely loves being a counselor and working with kids to help them however they need. In her free time, she loves reading, eating out and making memories with her three kids.
Jess Hughes
Independent Study File Auditor
Jess Hughes
Amber Herman
Paraprofessional and Classroom Aide
Amber Herman
Amber Herman was born in Pacifica CA and raised in Santa Rosa. Enthusiastic about secondary education, Amber has worked with teens since emerging from teenhood herself. From volunteer work at Piner and Montgomery high school to working at the after school YMCA centers, Amber remains inspired by and committed to the success and joy of young adults. A Santa Rosa Junior College alum, Amber holds a double AA in both English and Humanities. Furthering her education, Amber is simultaneously completing units for a BA in English with a focus in secondary education at Sonoma State University while working here at Pivot. Amber plans to enroll in the Secondary Education Credential program after graduation and begin teaching high school English. With her experience, education, and journey, Amber remains committed to upholding students’ voices and experiences – inviting them into the magic of education and the ways in which it opens up new opportunities, paths, and ways of thinking.
Estefany Corsini
Site Coordinator
Estefany Corsini
Estefany is the go-to person at Pivot North Bay. She was born and raised in Colombia, where she completed her University studies. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she is always available to assist staff, students, and families with anything they need. When she isn’t working, you can find her reading, painting, or spending time with her family. She loves dogs, music, and traveling!
Karen Cobain
Grader
Karen Cobain
Karen was born and raised in Northern Ireland where she gained her Bachelor of Education in Technology and Design and History. She studied abroad and developed a passion for Business. Upon returning to NI she completed a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and worked in a range of educational settings. Shortly after finishing her studies, she moved to California and set about earning her CA teaching credentials and pursued a Masters of Education: Instructional Technology. She has taught every grade level from 4th -12th and even adult education. In her spare time, Karen enjoys exploring all of the beautiful things California has to offer. She enjoys hiking, kayaking, learning new skills, and taking road trips in search of the best breakfast diner. She is also passionate about animal welfare and volunteers with local animal rescues. She is “mom” to Stanley (her dog) and to many, many cats that come to her through fostering. Her motto is “I work hard so my animals can live their best lives.
Lucas Elbaum
English Language Development Teacher
Lucas Elbaum
Jasmine Glasper-Nuñez
School Counselor
Jasmine Glasper-Nuñez
My name is Jasmine Glasper-Nuñez and I have been working in schools as a teacher and counselor since 2017. I started working with kids as an Educator at the San Diego Zoo doing summer camps and outreach programs. I have a passion for nontraditional educational settings since students have diverse strengths that are accessed using various modalities. I hope that as a school counselor at Pivot, I can build relationships with students and their families that make them feel valued and heard. It is important to me that all students feel welcomed, uplifted, and empowered when they are working with me. Aside from my professional life, I love spending time outside in nature, going on walks, playing volleyball, traveling, and reading.
Nicole Ling
Grader
Nicole Ling
Nicole was born and raised in Southern California. She has a degree in Political Science from UC Irvine and has taught high school English and Social Studies for about ten years. When she’s not grading, Nicole enjoys traveling, reading, yoga and watching her daughter grow from a tiny human to a big kid!