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Staff & Faculty
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
cvazquez@rioschools.orgWebsite
- 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
alopez-castellanos@rioschools.org
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