Click on any teacher’s picture to view their website.
Elaina Andreasen
Mrs. Elaina Andreasen is currently teaching Kindergarten at Riverside Prep. She previously taught elementary piano and music appreciation in which she enjoyed working with the primary grade students and teaching them music through entertaining concerts, fun songs, and hands on projects. She received her Bachelor of Music at Brigham Young University. At BYU she also developed an interest in childhood development and spent time in an on-campus preschool observing and working with young children. This interest extended into church service where she oversaw a large group of primary aged children, planned activities and music programs, and regularly taught in large group settings.
Since graduating from BYU, Mrs. Andreasen has attended and received her multiple subject teaching credential and music supplement from the University of Redlands. She had a great time teaching at Riverside Prep the last two years and is excited to return as a kindergarten teacher for another awesome year! Mrs. Andreasen is married to Mr. Andreasen, the science teacher, also teaching at Riverside Prep, and is expecting a little boy in November! In her spare time she enjoys singing, playing the piano, reading, and doing things with her family. Her most recent hobby is collecting children’s books and plans on writing her own one day.
Kristine Castro
Mrs. Kristi Castro teaches third grade at Riverside Preparatory. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies with a Minor in Psychology. Mrs. Castro also attended Azusa Pacific University where she earned her Multiple Subject Credential and a Masters Degree in Curriculum Foundations. She is also C.L.A.D. certified. Prior to coming to Riverside Preparatory, Mrs. Castro taught Kindergarten and Third grade in the San Bernardino Unified School District where she received training in both bilingual education and dual immersion programs.
Deshawna Chacon
Mrs. Chacon is in her third year at Riverside Prep. She is teaching fifth grade. She is excited for the new challenge. She received her BA & MA from Chapman University. She has a CLEAR Multiple-Subject credential and a CLEAR Education Specialist Credential. She is currently working on her second Master’s in Administration at the same university. She is also enrolled in Pioneer University working on her Educational Doctorate Degree with a 2012 graduation anticipation.
Mrs. Chacon is excited about Project-Based Learning and anticipates that her students will embrace it as the best way to learn using hands-on, experiential learning to enlighten their lives. The fifth grade is in the process of growing a garden at Riverside Prep. It is a year-long project that will help students incorporate many aspects of learning including: Science, Math, Language Arts and Social Studies.
Together with the other fifth grade teachers she conducts the LOT(Leaders of Tomorrow) meetings to ensure that our school leadership will bring forth great leaders for tomorrow
Alissa Chitwood
Mrs. Alissa Chitwood teaches elementary music at Riverside Prep and is in her second year of teaching. Prior to coming to Riverside Prep, she taught Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Music Theory AP, Music Appreciation, Colorguard, Percussion, and Marching Band at Silverado High School. Mrs. Chitwood attended California State University, Fresno as a Presidential Scholar, where she graduated cum laude with her bachelor’s degree in both music education and mathematics. She then continued on to receive her teaching credential in both music and math from Fresno State. While Mrs. Chitwood can play all of the instruments, she is a flute player at heart and continues to play today; a member of the Rancho Belago Wind Symphony. Mrs. Chitwood is also a member of the California Band Director’s Association, Tau Beta Sigma Honorary Band Sorority Alumni Association, and the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association.
Jill Conforti
Mrs. Conforti has loved teaching as long as she can remember. Before teaching at Oro Grande School District, Mrs. Conforti taught private voice lessons and organized children’s choral programs throughout the High Desert. She is a graduate of Brigham Young University majoring in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Psychology. She received her teaching credential from the University of Redlands and is now working on her Master’s degree from Pioneer University. Mrs. Conforti loves to spend time with her husband, 6 children, and 4 soon to be 5 grandchildren.
Her hobbies are reading good books, playing the piano and arranging music. Making learning a joyous, relevant and lifelong activity for all her students is her primary goal.
Ashleigh Coulter
Ms. Coulter is one of the newest teachers to Riverside Preparatory this year. She is excited to be teaching second grade, which is her favorite grade. Ms. Coulter has wanted to be a teacher since she was in fourth grade and loves every minute of teaching. Ms. Coulter comes to Riverside Prep with experience in second and fifth grades in both Redlands and San Bernardino City Unified School Districts. Ms. Coulter received her Bachelors in psychology and teaching credential from the University of Redlands. She enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her Himalayan cat named CoCo.
Marcie Evans
Mrs. Evans is in her first year here at Riverside Prep, but this is her 6th year teaching. Prior to coming to Riverside Prep, she taught 3rd grade for five years in Barstow. She graduated from BYU-Idaho and is currently working on her Masters of Education through Pioneer University. She is CLAD and GATE certified. In her free time she enjoys reading a good book, baking, traveling and blogging. She is excited to be a part of Riverside Prep!
Carol Gabriel
Carol Gabriel comes to riverside Prep from the Adelanto District where she taught five years. Prior to her Adelanto experience she taught at districts in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. She is a graduate of California State University at San Bernardino and holds a multiple subject teaching credential with CLAD certification. Mrs. Gabriel is a wife, mother of 4, step mother of 3 and a grandmother. When she is not teaching she enjoys sewing, crafts, and board games. On milder days you can find her gardening or swimming with her children.
Kyla Gonzales
Kyla Gonzales is a first grade teacher at Riverside Preparatory. This is her second year teaching first grade and her fourth year teaching. Before coming to Riverside Preparatory, she taught in Apple Valley. Kyla has a Bachelor Degree in Social Science with an emphasis in Sociology, a multiple subject teaching credential, and a Mater Degree in Education with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction. She is working on a Doctorate in Education. Kyla is looking forward to new learning opportunities and a great year.
Anna Hill
Mrs. Anna Hill is currently teaching Kindergarten at Riverside Preparatory and is in her 5th year with the Oro Grande School District. She earned her Bachelor Degree in Social Sciences from Chapman University followed by her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. She joined the Oro Grande School District in 2003 teaching first grade and after a one year hiatus, she returned to Oro Grande to teach Kindergarten. Kindergarten is her favorite! Anna believes that every day is a fresh new day that is full of opportunity for every student to learn.
Marsi Kearney
Mrs. Kearney began playing flute in her elementary school band. After high school, she attended Brigham Young University, where she studied music and elementary education. After graduating, she was recruited by the Jurupa Unified School District and came to California where she taught fourth grade for three years. After taking some time off to be at home with her children, Mrs. Kearney returned to teaching last year and taught sixth grade Language Arts and History at Wells Middle School in Riverside. She also began a Master’s program in Reading and Language Arts at CSUSB. By next year she will have completed this program and will hold a Reading Credential in addition to her Multiple Subject Credential. She now lives in Apple Valley with her husband, three sons and two dogs. Mrs. Kearney has recently joined the Riverside Prep team and is extremely excited to teach General Music and Keyboard!
Ryan Miles
Mr. Miles got his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Utah Valley University. He has taught fifth grade for five years. He recently moved to the High Desert from Southern Utah. Mr. Miles enjoys football, fishing, spending time with his family, reading, and basketball.
Charity Moore
Ms. Moore is in her second year teaching fifth grade at Riverside Preparatory. Ms. Moore holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropolgy earned at California State University, San Bernardino and is completing her Masters Degree in Education at Chapman University. Prior to coming to Riverside Preparatory School Ms. Moore taught muliple subjects and science at Mojave River Academy and served in the United States Army with tours of duty in Korea and at duty stations across America.
Julie Odweyer
Mrs. Julie O’Dwyer teaches third grade at Riverside Preparatory. This is her fifth year of teaching for the Oro Grande School District. Prior to working for our district, Mrs. O’Dwyer taught as a substitute teacher for seven years with the Victor Elementary and High School Districts. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from the California State University at San Bernardino along with her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Last year she upgraded her credential to a Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.
Becky Rasmussen
Mrs. Rasmussen is teaching Kindergarten this year at Riverside Prep. She earned her Bachelors Degree from University of LaVerne in Business Administration. She attended University of Redlands and earned her multiple subject teaching credential. When Mrs. Rasmussen isn’t teaching she is involved with the youth in her church and likes spending time with her family, scrap booking, and burning calories at the gym.
Connie Rojas
Mrs. Rojas is a 3rd grade teacher at Riverside Preparatory School. Following a successful career in the restaurant business (former owner of The Red Pepper in Victorville), she attended Azusa Pacific University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree, Maters Degree, Clear Credential, and CLAD certificate. In addition to her multiple subject teaching credential, Mrs. Rojas is bilingual and has supplemental credentials in Spanish and English.
In March 2007 she was voted the High Desert’s “Best Teacher” by readers of the Daily Press newspaper. Her motto is “learning should be fun and exciting.” When asked about her philosophy of learning she stated, “if we can spark our children’s curiosity, nurture independent learning, and celebrate their achievements, we will have students who are life-long learners.”
Monta Romriell
Mrs. Monta Romriell is one of three 6th grade teachers. This is her second year at Riverside Preparatory School. Last year she was the 6th grade math and science teacher and she taught 6th, 7th and 8th grade art. She is very excited to be teaching al of the 6th grade subjects this year in an enclosed classroom. Mrs. Romriell completed her Associates of Arts at the local Victor Valley Community College and she received both her Bachelor of Arts and Teaching Credentials through Azusa Pacific University’s High Desert campus. She is currently 1 thesis paper away from her Masters Degree, also through Azusa Pacific University. Prior to teaching at Riverside Preparatory School Mrs. Romriell worked for 11 years as a CHP dispatcher. She is an avid believer in the power of positive thinking and believes her students will accomplish great things because she will help give them the tools needed to do so.
Ibet Ruiz
Mrs. Ibet Ruiz is a fifth grade teacher at Riverside Preparatory. She was the Spanish, P.E., and art teacher last year for Riverside Prep. in which she enjoyed working with all elementary grade levels. Mrs. Ruiz received her Bachelors in Human Development from Azusa Pacific University and is currently finishing her credential and masters program from the same university. She loves being around family and has a strong commitment and dedication to teaching students from the heart.
Heidi Smith
Mrs. Heidi Smith has lived in the High Desert her entire life. After graduating high school, Mrs. Smith continued her education at California State University, San Bernardino where she received her Bachelor’s of Art degree with an emphasis in painting. In an effort to further her education, Mrs. Smith obtained her credential from Chapman University. When she is not teaching, she enjoys sleeping on her days off, working on her own artwork which she has recently began selling, and spending time with her husband of two years. They just recently bought a house in Apple Valley and share it with a cat named Seymour. She is excited to be teaching art at Riverside Prep and is looking forward to seeing all the great artwork that will be created.
Dawn Western
Mrs. Western is a first grade teacher at Riverside Prep. Prior to coming to
Riverside Preparatory School she worked for six years as a Family
Resource Specialist for Hesperia Unified School District. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Cal State San Bernardino and is pursuing a Master’s Degree through National University.
Leigh Wilson
Mrs. Wilson received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from Southern Oregon University, in Ashland, Oregon, and her Master’s in Education from the University of Phoenix. She previously taught music and piano for Riverside Prep and is currently teaching 4th grade. In her free time, Mrs. Wilson enjoys biking, rollerblading, swimming, reading, and scrap booking.
Jennifer Woolley
Mrs. Woolley received her Bachelors Degree in Psychology from the University of San Diego and her Masters Degree in Education from the University of Phoenix. Mrs. Woolley has had experience teaching 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students here at Riverside Preparatory and through her previous school district. Mrs. Woolley enjoys reading, sports, outdoor activities, and spending time with her family.
