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Becky Barkdoll
Mrs. Becky Barkdoll teaches Physical Education at Riverside Preparatory School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Stanislaus and her Teaching Credential at National University. She grew up in the High Desert playing soccer, softball, and volleyball in the local recreation and club programs. She continued on with the three sports through high school earning various MRL and CIF awards, finally rounding out her career with soccer and softball at the collegiate level including a year of Division II soccer at CSU Stanislaus. Coaching sports is a passion for Mrs. Barkdoll. Most recently she coached the High School Junior Varsity volleyball team and the Middle School soccer team at Riverside Prep. Mrs. Barkdoll is currently completing her Masters Degree in Education at National University.
Bridget Brandon
Mrs. Brandon will be teaching Math and Science as well as Dance and Performing Arts during the 2009-2010 school year. She graduated from Chaffey College with an Associate of Arts degree in education and from California State University San Bernardino with Bachelors in Liberal Studies and a minor in English. She obtained her teaching credential from the University of Redlands and is currently working on her single subject credential in Science at the University of Riverside. Mrs. Brandon has taught grades two through eight and has spent the last five years focusing on teaching Math and Science to Middle School Students. Mrs. Brandon believes that education is empowerment and enjoys sharing that motto with her students. Mrs. Brandon’s favorite pastime is to spend time with her Husband, daughter, turtle and two very funny Chihuahuas.
Tom Charboneau
Mr. Thomas Charboneau teaches 8th Grade English and Social Studies at Riverside Preparatory. His elective is the Riverside Prep chapter of 4-H, a national program that provides learning experiences and opportunities for youth which will help them grow and develop to their fullest potential.
This is Mr. Charboneau’s second year at Riverside Preparatory and for the three years prior to joining Riverside Prep, Mr. Charboneau taught 6th through 8th grade at Mesa Linda Middle in the Adelanto School District. Prior to his formal teaching, he taught for many years at outdoor schools and summer camps.
Mr. Charboneau received his teaching credential through CSU San Bernardino, his master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Oregon, and his bachelor’s degree in History & Law and Society from UC Riverside. He is currently enrolled and pursuing his Ed.D. from Pioneer University.
Some of Mr. Charboneau’s hobbies include breeding and showing basset hounds, rabbits, and boer goats. He is an active member of the High Desert Community, managing the public pool for the City of Victorville during the summer.
Menya Cole
Ms. Cole teaches 7th grade Language Arts and History as well as the Environmental Science elective. She previously taught first grade at Riverside Prep and is looking forward to the new challenges that await her. Ms. Cole graduated from California State University, San Bernardino with a Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies and a minor in Spanish. She received her California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from the University of Redlands and holds a supplementary authorization in English. In addition, she is currently working on her Master’s in Applied Linguistics. She enjoys being outdoors, reading and spending time with her family.
Kennith Cook-Askins
First Lieutenant Cook-Askins has served as the California Cadet Corps, Commandant of Cadets at Riverside Preparatory School since April 2008. Since June 2007, he has concurrently served as Brigade Support Officer for all California Cadet Corps units in the High Desert and also serves on the State Headquarters Staff of the California Cadet Corps as the Assistant Public Affairs Officer and Assistant Information Technology, Communications & Systems Officer.
First Lieutenant Cook-Askins received a state military commission as a Second Lieutenant by the California Military Department in June of 2007 and was promoted to First Lieutenant in July of 2009. As the Commandant of Cadets at Riverside Preparatory School, he is the chief instructor of the California Cadet Corps unit and is responsible for the overall management of the program. As a Brigade Support Officer he works along side the Brigade Adviser, helping in the administration of brigade and school district functions through out the High Desert. As a member of the State Headquarters Staff, they lead and guide the operations of the state-wide California Cadet Corps program, in conjunction with the full-time staff personnel of the California National Guard, Youth Programs Directorate. He has completed the Basic Commandant Training Academy and was the Distinguished Graduate for the Advanced Commandant Training Academy.
First Lieutenant Cook-Askins was also a Cadet with the California Cadet Corps for six years, during Junior High and High School. He attained the rank of Cadet Colonel during his senior year of High School and served locally in the High Desert as Cadet Brigade Commander and was also Cadet State Commander for all California Cadet Corps units in the State of California.
Bev Marcum
Beverley Marcum is currently teaching 7th grade Life Science and Pre-Algebra here at Riverside Preparatory School. She also heads the Yearbook staff as their advisor. Bev received her Bachelor of Arts in Human Development from Azusa Pacific University and will complete her Master of Arts in Education this December. Before coming to RP, Bev was a substitute teacher and taught two-year-olds at a private Christian pre-school. Bev’s hobbies include watching movies on the weekends, playing Chinese checkers, and working toward completing her pilot’s license. She hopes to tend olive trees and raise honeybees later in life.
Colin Opseth
Mr. Opseth teaches Grade Six English, World History and Latin Culture at Riverside Prep. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from CSU San Bernardino. Last year, he served as Site Coordinator for Mojave River Academy in Barstow and enjoyed working with the students there as the program grew exponentially. He’s proud to be a part of the faculty body at Riverside Prep and looks forward to developing a love for education in all of his students.
Tiffanie Pittman
Ms. Pittman is teaching seventh grade pre-algebra and life science at Riverside prep this year. She received her Multiple Subject Credential from Cal State San Bernardino and is currently pursuing her supplemental in Mathematics from CSUSB. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Mount Olive College in North Carolina, where she also received consecutive first team honors in softball. Ms. Pittman will be coaching middle school volleyball and high school varsity softball this year.
Brian Redmond
Mr. Redmond is in his second year teaching Spanish at the Junior/Senior High School level at Riverside Preparatory School. He graduated from Victor Valley College with an Associates of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies and from Brigham Young University with a Bachelors Degree in Latin American Studies. Prior to coming to Riverside Preparatory Mr. Redmond spent two years in Nicaragua, was the Spanish club advisor at Excelsior Education Center and worked in the BOLD program in Utah helping Spanish speaking families assimilate into society. Before coming to Riverside Prep Mr. Redmond taught at Mojave River Academy.
Mellisa Smith
Mrs. Smith is in her third year at Riverside Preparatory. She has been refining her craft of teaching for 13 years and is very excited to be teaching at the best school in the High Desert. She will be teaching U.S. History and Dance during the 2009-10 school year. Mrs. Smith has double Associate Degrees in Liberal Arts and Math/Science. She received her Bachelors Degree in Social Science from Chapman University with an emphasis in History. Mrs. Smith is currently working on completing her Master’s Degree in Education at Azusa Pacific University and is on track to graduate in December of 2009. She was selected as “Teacher of the Year” in 2003. In addition, in 2005, Mrs. Smith was inducted into the “Who’s Who in America’s Teachers” 9th Edition.
Kim Taylor
Ms. Kimberly Taylor is the Vocal Music Director for Riverside Preparatory School. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Redlands as well as her Masters in Vocal Performance from the University of Redlands. She also completed her teaching credential in Music at Azusa Pacific University. Prior to coming to Riverside Preparatory School Ms. Taylor taught private voice and piano lessons and was the musical director for several musical theater productions. She also taught Elementary music at Wrightwood Elementary in the Snowline Joint Unified School District. She is excited to be here at Riverside Preparatory School.
