Rio Plaza Administrative Staff

Lisette Garcia

Principal

lgarcia@rioschools.org

Nora Alfaro

Office Manager

nalfaro@rioschools.org

Leticia Ramos

Student & Family Support Specialist

lramos@rioschools.org

Rio Plaza Teachers

Lupita Mendez

Dual Immersion Transitional Kindergarten Teacher

mmendez@rioschools.org

Twitter

• 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

mlopez26@rioschools.org

• 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

mrodriguez@rioschools.org

• 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

erojas@rioschools.org

• 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

pgarcia@rioschools.org

• 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

tjuarez@rioschools.org

• 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

gdelira@rioschools.org

Yanixsa Galvan

Dual Immersion 2nd Grade

ygalvan@rioschools.org

Website

• 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

aalfaro@rioschools.org

• 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

bvasquez@rioschools.org

• 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

rvaladez@rioschools.org

• 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

vsalas@rioschools.org

• 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

ccalafati@rioschools.org

• 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

nramos@rioschools.org

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

Cynthia Zarate

5th Grade

czarate@rioschools.org

Website

Twitter

• 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

rcastillo@rioschools.org

Website

Twitter

• 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

dromano@rioschools.org

Website

Twitter

• 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

jtoledo@rioschools.org

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

jperez@rioschools.org

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

rwinkley@rioschools.org

Resource Specialist

Rio Plaza Support Staff

Marina Gonzales-Acevado

Librarian

Robert Lopez

Custodian

Jaime Garcia

Custodian

Eric

Custodian