Mr. Scott Salk
Mr. Gordon Brown
Ms. Erika Goethe
Dr. Theresa nabavi
Mr. Ben Paulson
Ms. Juli Jeffers
Mr. Aaron Trigg
Staff & Faculty
Ms. kaitlyn myzwinski
Ms. Kaitlyn Myzwinski
Biography Coming Soon
Ms. Kristin
Liley
Ms. Kristen Liley
Biography Coming Soon
Ms. lindsay
fitzpatrick
Ms. Lindsay Fitzpatrick
Biography Coming Soon
Ms. Elizabeth Strimbu
Ms. Elizabeth Strimbu
Ms. Strimbu joined Rancho Solano in 2022 with over 13 years of experience in K-12 education as a school counselor, prevention specialist, and behavior interventionist. Ms. Strimbu earned a BS in Family and Human Development from Arizona State University an M.Ed. from Bowling Green State University. Ms. Strimbu is trained in crisis counseling, motivational interviewing, and prevention education.
Ms. Jill
Babcock
Ms. Jill Babcock
Biography Coming Soon
Mrs. Ilse Chaigneau
Mrs. Ilse Chaigneau
Biography Coming Soon
Mrs. Judith
Crane
Ms. Judith Crane
Biography Coming Soon
Mrs. Joanna case-sanders
Office Admin
Mrs. Joanna Case-Sanders
Mrs. Case-Sanders has a BA in Ethnic Studies from Arizona State University. She has worked in education in a support role for over 18 years. She is originally from Mexico City but has lived in Arizona for 32 years. She loves to travel, read and spend time with her family.
MS. Gabriella Canavan
Office Admin
Ms. Gabriella Canavan
Biography Coming Soon
Mr. chris
brown
Mr. Chris Brown
Mr. Brown began teaching in 2006 and joined Rancho Solano as an educator in 2017. As a member of the Media Arts Department, he taught courses in computer science, podcasting, web design, information technology, and yearbook. He holds a BA in Education with an emphasis in History from Arizona State University and an MA in Educational Technology from Northern Arizona University. Mr. Brown now proudly serves as the Director of Technology and Chair of the Media Arts Department.
Ms. Kamani Odina-Herbert
Ms. Kamani Odina-Herbert
Ms. Odina recently joined Rancho Solano. She obtained a BSN from Arizona State University in 2019 and worked at Phoenix Children’s Hospital in their inpatient psychiatric unit for 3 years prior to joining the Rancho team. She is currently working to obtain her DNP in psychiatry at ASU.
Ms. Kim
Kaplan
Ms. Kim Kaplan
Biography Coming Soon
Mr. Joe
Pugh
Mr. Joe Pugh
Biography Coming Soon
MR. Johnny
Marshall
Mr. Johnny Marshall
Biography Coming Soon
Ms. myeisha
johnson
Ms. Myeisha Johnson
Ms. Johnson joined the Rancho Team in 2021 with 5+ years of experience in Early Child Development and specializes in Play therapy. She started her career in Early Child Development in 2007 as an elementary volunteer tutor. Her journey truly began when she volunteered for a 2-year service as an AmeriCorps VISTA where she built long-lasting partnerships between schools, organizations, and communities through the development of sustainable projects and programs. Ms. Johnson has an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis on Childhood and Adolescence Disorders from Grand Canyon University and a BA in Psychology from Arizona State University.
Ms. Genesis
Gordon
Ms. Genesis Gordon
Biography Coming Soon
MS. Debbie
Petras
Ms. Debbie Petras
Ms. Petras joined Rancho Solano in 2010. This is her second career as she is also a Registered Nurse with 25 years of experience. She has a BS in Nursing from the University of Phoenix and a BA in Management from Eckerd College in Florida. She graduated from the Cardiovascular Nurse Specialist program at the Arizona Heart Institute. She has been teaching preschool for 12 years and loves her students. She is an author and she loves photography.
MS. Tina
KHalil
Ms. Tina Khalil
Ms. Khalil is thrilled to have joined the Rancho Solano family in 2018. Ms. Khalil has over 18 years of educational experience and has taught theatre, English, and General Music/Musical Theatre to Pre-K, 3rd Grade, and High School. She graduated from Ottawa University with her Education degree and has a BM from Arizona State University.
MS. Sheila
Rose
Ms. Sheila Rose
Mrs. Rose has two career loves; Pre-School and Real Estate. She has over 30 years of experience teaching in Pre-Schools and working in Real Estate. Mrs. Rose has taught all ages of pre-school, written Pre-School programs, and has been a Pre-School administrator. She has also taught adults in Real Estate Licensing, Broker Licensing, and numerous other Real Estate courses. Mrs. Rose has a BS in Education from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. She also has numerous master-level courses in Pre-School and Parent Education from Wayne State University.
Ms. JEssica
Dang
Ms. Jessica Dang
Mrs. Dang holds a BA in Early Childhood Education from Ottawa University. This her 4th year with Rancho & 13th year being involved in the Early Childhood Education setting. In her free time she enjoys nature photography, hiking, camping, off roading, crafting, and spending time with her family.
MS. Margaret ramsey
Ms. Margaret Ramsey
Biography Coming Soon
Ms. Stephany
McMahon
Ms. Stephany McMahon
Biography Coming Soon
MS. KAitlyn
Hauser
Ms. Kaitlyn Hauser
Biography Coming Soon
Ms. Jeannette
Suarez
Ms. Jeannette Suarez
Biography Coming Soon
MS. teena
dennis
Ms. Teena Dennis
Biography Coming Soon
MS. patricia
grant
Ms. Patricia Grant
Biography Coming Soon
MS. Karen
Carter
Ms. Karen Carter
Biography Coming Soon
MS. quinn
madow
Ms. Quinn Madow
Biography Coming Soon
MS. Mary
Johnson
Ms. Mary Johnson
Biography Coming Soon
MS. Theresa
Wilson
Ms. Theresa Wilson
Biography Coming Soon
MS. Kelsey
Lambert
Ms. Kelsey Lambert
Biography Coming Soon
Mrs. Sara
paulson
Mrs. Sara Paulson
Mrs. Paulson joined Rancho Solano in 2016 and has been teaching kindergarten for 5 years. She holds a BS in Psychological Sciences from Northern Arizona University, and a M.Ed. from Arizona State University.
Ms. sydney
wahl
Ms. Sydney Wahl
Biography Coming Soon
Mrs. Trysten
Melhart
Mrs. Trysten Melhart
Biography Coming Soon
MS. carrie
caruso
Ms. Carrie Caruso
Biography Coming Soon
MRS. Cyra
Behrana
Mrs. Cyra Behrana
Biography Coming Soon
MRS. Pamela Vernon
Mrs. Pamela Vernon
Biography Coming Soon
MS. kristen
roden
Ms. Kristen Roden
Biography Coming Soon
MS. janie helfinstine
Ms. Janie Helfinstine
Biography Coming Soon
MS. denise robinson
Ms. Denise Robinson
Biography Coming Soon
MS. sheena
barton
Ms. Sheena Barton
Mrs. Barton graduated from Arizona State University with a BA in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. She has 14 years of teaching experience and joined Rancho in 2021. She is married with three children and loves to cook, read, spend time with her family and tries to go to Disneyland as often as possible!
MS. Nicole
Liebentritt
Ms. Nicole Liebentritt
Mrs. Liebentritt joins the Rancho team with years of experience teaching second grade at an A+ school and also a National Blue Ribbon school. Mrs. Liebentritt grew up in the Midwest and attended Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio where she received her BA in Early Childhood Education. Mrs. Liebentritt moved to Scottsdale in 2007 and began teaching second grade. She continued her education and has an Elementary Education degree along with a reading endorsement and a Structured English Immersion endorsement.
MS. tamy
ramsey
Ms. Tamy Ramsey
Ms. Ramsey has been teaching for over 25 years and joined Rancho Solano in 1996. She has taught the second through fifth grades throughout the years. Ms. Ramsey holds a BA in Elementary Education as well as Computer Sciences from Arizona State University and earned her Master’s Degree in Mathematics K-5 Curriculum Design from Walden University.
MS. rachel
smith
Ms. Rachel Smith
Ms. Smith joined Rancho Solano in 2021 with 14 years experience in the elementary classroom. She holds a BS in Early Childhood Education from Arizona State University. Ms. Smith’s goal for every school year is to create a safe and fun learning environment in which every student can succeed. A place where children are challenged to reach their full potential and think outside the box. She believes the only way to do this is to forge strong bonds within the classroom where every child feels safe and loved.
MS. Mary
Hegwood
Ms. Mary Hegwood
Biography Coming Soon
MS. Kristine Harrison
Ms. Kristine Harrison
Biography Coming Soon
MS. jessica robertson
Ms. Jessica Robertson
Biography Coming Soon
MS. Emma
Pappas
Ms. Emma Pappas
Biography Coming Soon
MS. Priscilla
ferry
Ms. Priscilla Ferry
Mrs. Ferry joined Rancho in 2020 as a substitute teacher and quickly became the Social Studies teacher for Grades 4-5 before becoming a full-time 5th-grade teacher. She taught in the Chicagoland area for 10 years, helped build a charter school, and did data consulting for various charter schools in Chicago. She has a BA in Community Health Education from Southern Illinois University where she was also in the swim division 1. She also has an M.eD. in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Illinois, as well as an Administrative Certification from DePaul University.
MS. kelsie
nielsen
Ms. Kelsie Nielsen
Ms. Nielsen has a BFA in Film and TV production from La Sierra University (Riverside, CA) and an MA in Teaching: Elementary Education from Andrews University (Berrien Springs, MI). She recently joined Rancho with previous experience teaching middle school English and history, as well as STEM and Photography/Film. Ms. Nielson is also the 5th grade girls Volleyball coach.
MS. maria
mayeux
Ms. Maria Mayeux
Biography Coming Soon
MS. lourdes armas frezza
Ms. Lourdes Armas Frezza
Biography Coming Soon
Ms. kimberly
nyabela
Ms. Kimberly Nyabela
Biography Coming Soon
Ms. Lyttia Cancinos
Ms. Lyttia Cancinos
Biography Coming Soon
MS. erin
joyce
Ms. Erin Joyce
Ms. Joyce has a BS in Early Childhood Education from Kent State University, and an MA in Teaching: Reading and Language Arts from Oakland University.
Ms. ellen
king
Ms. Ellen King
Mrs. King joined Rancho Solano in 2022 with 20 years of experience in Elementary and Middle School Arts Education. She holds a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and an MAT in Elementary Education from National-Louis University. Upon completing her undergraduate coursework, she spent time working as an Art Instructor for the Chicago Park District. After obtaining her Master's degree, she became the Elementary Arts teacher, School Librarian and IB Visual Arts teacher for the Middle Years Program at Kate Starr Kellogg School in Chicago. It was during this time that she was voted “Most Outstanding Teacher of 2010” by the student body. She is well versed in Curriculum Planning and Design, Social and Emotional Learning practices and incorporates the tenets of the “Calm Classroom” method into each of her lessons.
Mr. christopher webb
Mr. Christopher Webb
Biography Coming Soon
Mr. Dante
Hunter
Mr. Dante Hunter
Biography Coming Soon
Mr. jason hertzberg
Mr. Jason Hertzberg
Biography Coming Soon
Ms. Shelly
Jain
Ms. Shelly Jain
Biography Coming Soon
Mr. Chris
Kotila
Mr. Chris Kotila
Mr. Kotila joined Rancho Solano in 2015 with 15 years of experience in Middle School education. He holds an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University and a BA in Mass Communications with a specification in Graphic and Web Design from Principia College. He is passionate about teaching students and working with them to learn real-world skills.
Ms. karen martinson
Ms. Karen Martinson
Biography Coming Soon
Ms. Molly
Poniatowski
Ms. Molly Poniatowski
Biography Coming Soon
Mr. ted
strickland
Mr. Ted Strickland
Biography Coming Soon
Ms. Francesca
Angelone
Middle School History
Ms. Francesca Angelone
Biography Coming Soon
MS. Molly
Lawson
Middle School History
Ms. Molly Lawson
Biography Coming Soon
MS. Michelle
Blincoe
Ms. Michelle Blincoe
Biography Coming Soon
Ms. Shasta
Phillips
Middle School English & Photojournalism
Ms. Shasta Phillips
Biography Coming Soon
Ms. Kathleen
Wyrowski
Ms. Kathleen Wyrowski
Mrs. Wyrowski has been teaching at Rancho since 2016. She has a BS and MA in Education from the University of Kansas. Besides teaching, she also serves as an 8th Grade advisor.
Ms. Cecile
mahieux
Ms. Cecile Mahieux
Biography Coming Soon
Ms. Carmen
Sanchez
Ms. Carmen Sanchez
Biography Coming Soon
MS. Jessie
Tolman
Ms. Jessie Tolman
Ms. Tolman joined Rancho Solano in 2022 as a middle school Spanish teacher. She holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras in addition to an M.Ed. in curriculum and instructions from Grand Canyon University. She has over 20 years of teaching experience. Ms. Tolman is overjoyed to be part of the Rancho community working with her middle school students.
Ms. Gail
Avenell
Ms. Gail Avenell
Biography Coming Soon
MS. Remy
Barnes
Ms. Remy Barnes
Ms. Barnes joined Rancho Solano in 2021. She holds a BA in Studio Art and Spanish from the University of Oregon, in addition to a BFA and an MAT in Art Education from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She has had over 11 years of teaching experience. Ms. Barnes is thrilled to be part of the Rancho community, working with her favorite age group.
MS. Andrea
Gamez
Middle & Upper School Dance
Ms. Andrea Gamez
Biography Coming Soon
Mr. Brandon
Zale
Mr. Brandon Zale
Mr. Zale came to Rancho in 2015 after teaching in schools in Phoenix and his native Chicago since 2001. He has taught various courses in General Music, Choir, Theatre, and Musical Theatre to grades Pre-K through high school. Mr. Zale holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Millikin University. In addition to teaching, Mr. Zale is also a freelance artist and professional actor, having sung, acted, directed, and performed in numerous venues both nationally and internationally.
Dr. Maurice
Terrell
Band Director
Dr. Maurice Terrell
Dr. Terrell is a veteran of the United States Airforce. He joined Rancho Solano in 2018 with over 15 years of teaching experience in higher education, and a professional performance background. Dr. Terrell received his BA in music performance from Rollins College, Winter Park, FL., MA in music education/curriculum & instruction from the University of Central Florida, and an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership with emphasis on Organizational Development from Grand Canyon University. During his career, Dr. Terrell gained experience as a program director and department chair at Seminole State College of Florida, and program director at Yavapai College.
Dr. Therese
Kerbey
Dr. Therese Kerbey
Biography Coming Soon
Mr. Scott
Guerin
Middle & Upper School Technology
Mr. Scott Guerin
Biography Coming Soon
Mr. Carl
Vernado
Mac Lab, Media, and Film
Mr. Carl Vernado
Biography Coming Soon
Ms. Cheryl
Berech
Upper School Visual Arts
Ms. Cheryl Berech
Biography Coming Soon
Dr. Kaylee
Hamann
Dr. Kaylee Hamann
Biography Coming Soon
Ms. yukari bromfield
Ms. Yukari Bromfield
Biography Coming Soon
Mr. Jim
Berman
Mr. Jim Berman
Mr. Berman has a MS in Mathematics from Columbia University and a BS in Mathematics from Arizona State University.
Mr. ryan
mcleod
Mr. Ryan Mcleod
Mr. McLeod has been a faculty member at Rancho Solano since 2014. He served as the Math Department Chair from 2016 – 2022. He now teaches various Upper School Math courses and serves as the Blackbaud Scheduling Specialist. Mr. McLeod graduated from Ferris State University with BS in Education and is certified to teach K-12 Mathematics.
Ms. Shelli
Powell
Upper School Chemistry
Ms. Shelli Powell
Mrs. Powell has a BS in Biology with an emphasis on Pharmacology from Grand Canyon University. She has a background in teaching organic and general chemistry collegiate laboratories and assisting all collegiate levels of chemistry lectures. She continues to assist with teaching undergraduate students at Grand Canyon University in research involved with carbon nanotubes and electrochemistry. In her spare time, she likes to kayak in northern AZ lakes with her family or read books in her backyard hammock.
Dr. Jean
Witty
Dr. Jean Witty
Biography Coming Soon
Mr. paul
zukowski
Mr. Paul Zukowski
Mr. Zukowski has been an educator at Rancho Solano since 2016. He has taught STEM, EPICS, Introductory Robotics, Advanced Robotics, as well as Upper School Introductory Physics and IB Physics. Mr. Zukowski holds a BS in Physics with a minor in Music from Northwest Nazarene University and serves as the head coach of the Competitive Robotics and Science Olympiad teams.
Dr. Jennifer
Bryant NAgel
Upper School History
Dr. Jennifer Bryant Nagel
Dr. Bryant holds an MFA from the University of Notre Dame and a PhD in English Literature and Textual History from the University of Washington in Seattle. She serves on the Historical Advisory Committee for the Town of Paradise Valley and as Paradise Valley’s volunteer Town Archivist.
Ms. Angela
George
Ms. Angela George
Biography Coming Soon
Ms. Devorah
Kenney
Ms. Devorah Kenney
Ms. Kenney holds an M.Ed. and a BA in Political Science from Emory University. She has 22 years of classroom experience teaching high school social studies, including Advanced Placement and IB History. Early in her career, Ms. Kenney and her students were nationally recognized for service learning campaigns that promoted activism in underserved communities. She has had extensive training in teaching literacy in the content area. Ms. Kenney encourages students to critically examine texts, to find messages depicted in visuals, and challenges students to read and share narratives that provide unique perspectives on historical events.
Mr. marco garbino
Mr. Marco Garbino
Biography Coming Soon
Dr. Dane
spencer
Dr. Dane Spencer
Mr. Spencer has a PhD in English from the University of Tulsa, an MA in English from Brigham Young University, and a BA in English from Brigham Young University.
Mrs. Pamela
Mccarty
Mrs. Pamela Mccarty
Mrs. McCarty has a BA in English from Saint Leo University and an M.Ed. in English from the Catholic University of America.
Ms. Charlie
Drummond
Upper School English
Ms. Charlie Drummond
Biography Coming Soon
Ms. Sylvia
Adam
Ms. Sylvia Adam
Biography Coming Soon
Mrs. claudia descloux-peisl
Mrs. Claudia Descloux-Peisl
Mrs. Descloux joined Rancho Solano in 2019. She is from Switzerland and came to the United States in 2017. Mrs. Descloux has a BA in English, German, and Psychology from the University of Lausanne (UNIL), Switzerland, and has taught French, English, and German for over 30 years. Teaching is her passion; she embraces the IB spirit and is trained to teach IB at every level. She is pleased to see that more and more students are joining the French program and that everyone finds their right place.
Ms. Cristina correas
Ms. Cristina Correas
Biography Coming Soon
Mr. Wilson
Moreno
Upper School Spanish
Mr. Wilson Moreno
Biography Coming Soon
Mr. Richard
Cao
Upper School Mandarin
Mr. Richard Cao
Mr. Cao joined Rancho Solano in 2020 with 17 years of private school teaching experience. While specializing in the areas of Chinese and English language acquisition, he also learned Greek, Hebrew, German, and Korean. Mr. Cao has a BA in Linguistics from Yantai University in China.
Mr. dallin
payne
Mr. Dallin Payne
Biography Coming Soon
Ms. Vicki
Dereszkiewicz
Ms. Vicki Dereszkiewicz
Biography Coming Soon
Mr. Ryan
Okwudibonye
Mr. Ryan Okwudibonye
Biography Coming Soon
Ms. Stacey
Peed
Ms. Stacey Peed
Ms. Peed holds a BS in Health & Physical Education from Northern Arizona University and earned her MA in Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix. She has been an educator for 20 years and joined Rancho Solano in the fall of 2007 as the lower school PE teacher at the Gilbert Campus. In 2014, she moved over to the Greenway campus and in the fall of 2021, she joined the upper campus as the high school Health & PE teacher. Ms. Peed also coaches cross country, volleyball, and track & field.