Educational Coordinators
Pivot Charter School provides instruction to students through a robust standards-based online curriculum supported by class offerings at our resource center, tutoring, strong oversight and academic support. The school is a “blend” of online curriculum with resource center support.
The role of the teacher at Pivot Charter School is to monitor student progress online daily, provide feedback, encouragement, and support to students. They provide academic support in their areas of expertise for students needing help and produce accurate, timely and compliant documentation of independent study attendance. Teachers do not necessarily provide direct instruction to a “class” of students on a daily basis but are at our resource centers every day. Teachers, also known as Educational Coordinators, counsel, mentor, provide oversight, direction and whatever support it takes to help students succeed in their academic endeavors.
Education Specialists
Education Specialists play a crucial role in the education of Pivot’s students with Individualized Education Plans. Each student with an IEP will have an Education Specialist who will help them achieve their goals through regular support.
Educational Coordinators and Education Specialists
Brandon Gragnano
Site Administrator
Brandon Gragnano
Brandon is very excited to be involved with, and contribute to, the unique format and opportunity that Pivot offers its students. He has been with Pivot since the 2015-2016 school year. Brandon grew up in Irvine, CA, where he played baseball from the time he was 5 years old until 20. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fullerton in Business Administration, with a concentration in finance. He then acquired his teaching credential in Foundational Mathematics through California State University, Long Beach. Brandon also coached baseball at his Alma mater, Northwood High School, for 14 years. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, water skiing, and riding his bike with his two sons Noah (2019) and Colin (2021).
Robert Brier
Educational Coordinator
Robert Brier
Dr. Mackenzie Jessip
Educational Coordinator
Dr. Mackenzie Jessip
Dr. Mackenzie Jessip is on a mission to make math engaging, accessible, and—dare we say—fun! Over the past five years at Pivot, she has leveled up from a passionate new instructor to earning her Doctorate in Education alongside her Master’s in Educational Technology and dual credentials in Math and Industrial & Tech Ed.
Known for keeping her classroom laughing with a steady stream of corny jokes, Mackenzie believes learning should always be an adventure. When she isn’t helping students conquer their goals, you can find her traveling to new places, working on cars, watching movies, or binging a fun new TV series!
Katie Miller-Rowlands
Educational Coordinator
Katie Miller
Katie Miller is a lifelong South Orange County resident and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Education from California State University San Marcos’s Integrated Credential program in December of 2019. Katie completed her teaching credentials in May of 2020. Since then, she has worked in North County San Diego. Outside of the classroom, Katie loves to spend time with friends and family. Her favorite place to be is at the beach—whether it is just relaxing or going on runs.
Gustavo Muñoz
Educational Coordinator
Gustavo Muñoz
Gustavo is passionate about teaching and helping kids. He worked as a special education and substitute teacher in Orange County, while also working as a Juvenile Correctional Officer for the Orange County Probation Department. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fullerton in Human Services and his teaching credential and Masters of Education from the University of Phoenix. Gustavo enjoys finding new and innovative ways to teach/motivate his students and loves working for Pivot Charter School. In his free time, Gustavo enjoys camping, kayaking, Angels baseball and spending time with his wife, kids and grandsons.
Ella Villafana
Educational Coordinator
Ella Villafana
Ella was born in Malaysia and came to the United States when she was only 2 years old. She grew up in Santa Ana and graduated from Los Amigos High School in 2016. Afterwards, she pursued her degree in English with an emphasis in Education at California State University of Channel Islands and later got her single subject teaching credential at Vanguard University. In her free time, she loves exploring new places, working out, and going to Disneyland with her husband. A fun fact about Ella is that she was seen on an episode of The Ellen Degeneres Show and three episodes of Ridiculousness.
Shannon Rogers
Education Specialist
Shannon Rogers
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Shannon attended the University of Oregon, where she earned her B.A. in English before deciding to pursue a teaching career. She obtained her Education Specialist credential and Master’s Degree in Special Education from Chapman University. Shannon began her career in 2005 as a paraprofessional at a Bay Area high school. She earned her Administrative Services credential in 2009 and has since worked as both a special education teacher and general education administrator at the high school level for over 17 years, with a particular interest in alternative education. Her personal passions include sports, cars, family, dogs, and nature (in no particular order).
Kelly Heffern
Educational Coordinator
Kelly Heffern
Kelly Heffern, or “Ms. H” always wanted to teach. She began her “teaching career,” when she set her toys around her as an 8 year old, and taught them the alphabet.
As an honor-bar thespian in high school, Ms. H performed in many plays, including children’s theater. She also had the opportunity to teach workshops on how to apply character makeup to youth in a local theatre group.
While in high school, Kelly also took classes and earned a certificate to become a catechist through her church, and at 16 began teaching her first religious education classes, which she continued for the next 30 years or so.
After moving to Aurora, CO, Kelly taught Mommy & Me classes with Parks and Rec and taught 3 & 4 year old pre-school courses.
Returning to SoCal, Kelly worked as a paraprofessional for 10 years at the middle school level. She volunteered as a Scout leader, and served as BSA & Cub Scout camp staff, where she especially enjoyed using her theatre training to organize campfire activities!
In 2002, she was the first in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree from Cal State University, San Bernardino, and her MA from Chapman University after that.
In her spare time she is honing her skills on the pottery wheel at a local ceramics studio.
This is her 18th year as a teacher!
Sheila Lowe
Education Specialist
Sheila Lowe
Sheila is a lifelong Californian who has called Menifee home for the past nine years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from California State Northridge, and her passion for education was reignited during the COVID-19 pandemic, when a shortage of teachers inspired her to pursue a master’s degree and teaching credential in Special Education – Moderate to Severe from Grand Canyon University.
Sheila spent three and a half years serving students with extensive support needs in the Menifee Union School District before joining Pivot, where she continues to make a meaningful impact. She brings a wealth of experience in differentiated instruction, inclusive classroom practices, and meeting students at their individual learning levels.
Outside of work, Sheila cherishes time with her husband and two children. Together, they enjoy swimming, hiking, taking walks, and relaxing with their favorite shows.
Sarah Cullar
Education Coordinator
Sarah Cullar
Sarah began her teaching career in 2003 as a third-grade teacher in Pittsburg, California while completing the Multiple Subjects Credential program at Cal State East Bay. After teaching in Pittsburg for eight years, she took some time off to have her son, Hunter, and move to the North Coast of California. A lifelong resident of California, Sarah now lives in Caspar, where she taught at a small charter school campus for two years; first in a K/1 program, then teaching grades two through five in a combination classroom. When that school closed in 2020, she continued working for Pivot in her current role as Educational Coordinator. Sarah has a great passion for music, nature and working with children.
Adolfo Ortiz
Education Coordinator
Adolfo Ortiz
Adolfo Ortiz, also known as Mr. O or Mr. Ortiz, boasts a background with credentials such as a Public Administration degree and a teaching credential. His passion for teaching stems from personal experience. As a late bloomer himself, he understands the challenges and rewards of igniting a love for learning. This fuels his innovative approach, where he bridges the gap between textbooks and real-world application through theater, social media, and experiential learning like nature exploration.
From dissecting the physics of motorcycle dynamics to analyzing brain letter recognition’s impact on academic challenges, his insatiable curiosity translates into a classroom where questions are celebrated and exploration thrives. This passion extends beyond academics, nurturing a supportive and inclusive environment where every student feels valued and heard.
He is not just a teacher with credentials; he is a lifelong learner, facilitator, and mentor eager to empower students. His unique blend of experience, enthusiasm, and dedication makes him an ideal candidate to contribute to students’ positive growth and development. He is very happy to be part of the EC staff at Pivot Charter School.
Emily Runyan
Education Specialist
Emily Runyan
Emily grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota enjoying ice skating and sledding in the snowy winters and swimming in the lakes in the warm summers.
After completing a double major in Psychology and Spanish at Earlham College, Emily spent two years teaching English in Guanajuato, Mexico before venturing to California in 2017 to find a new home. She eventually settled on the sunny beaches of Santa Cruz where she discovered her calling working in special education.
She began as a paraprofessional and then became a special education classroom teacher in 2020. She taught in an adult transition program and loves helping students achieve their dreams. She also earned a Masters Degree in Education from CSU Monterey Bay.
After the birth of her son, Theo, she relocated to Chico to be closer to extended family. In her free time, she enjoys jogging, exploring Upper Bidwell Park and dressing Theo in cute outfits.
Support Staff
Bill Calleja
Site Coordinator
Bill Calleja
As the Resource Center Coordinator for Pivot Charter School, Riverside, Bill enjoys all aspects of assisting with student enrollment, maintaining student records and overseeing resource center logistics. Originally from Sonoma, CA Bill is a sports enthusiast and has coached youth baseball, softball, boxing, and basketball. Bill enjoys working with charities, and founded The Chilly Willie Foundation in 1999, raising much-needed funds for special needs classrooms throughout the Sonoma Valley. In 2014, he moved to Corona from Sonoma to help open the Pivot Riverside resource center.
Abigail Titus
Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Abigail Titus
Abigail was born and raised in Ferndale, California, where caring teachers and parents showed her the power of learning and helping others. After graduating high school, she spent a year as a Rotary Youth Foreign Exchange student in France. She went on to receive her BA in Anthropology and Social Justice from St. John’s University in Queens, New York. Abigail returned to Northern California with a goal to make a positive impact in the lives of others through education and joined the teaching profession by entering the Sonoma County Office of Education Intern Teaching Program. Over the past six years, she has applied her passion for teaching and learning at Pivot Charter School where she can be an advocate for all students, first as an education coordinator, then as the North Bay Site Administrator, and now as the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. Abigail graduated in May 2023 from San Francisco State University with a Master’s of Education in Instructional Technology. When she is not in the classroom, Abigail enjoys spending time with her hilarious family and traveling. She has been to 39 states and hopes to visit all 50 while she is 30.
Carol Castro Ballard
Director of Special Education
Carol Castro Ballard
Carol is passionate about creating inclusive school environments where all students feel supported, valued, and empowered to succeed. She brings a collaborative approach to leadership, focusing on strong IEP practices, meaningful family partnerships, and thoughtful support for educators. As a bilingual and bicultural educator, Carol is especially committed to ensuring that families from diverse backgrounds feel heard, respected, and involved in their children’s education.
She holds a Master’s degree in Special Education, a Bachelor’s in Social Science, and credentials in administration, special education, and single-subject instruction.
Outside of work, Carol is an outdoor enthusiast who loves hiking, kayaking, and swimming. She also enjoys traveling and discovering new places whenever she can.
Barbara Felix
Special Education Administrative Assistant
Barbara Felix
Barbara was born and raised in New York and New Jersey and relocated to California to be near family. She earned a special education teaching credential and M.A. at Fresno State and taught special education for 18 years at Fresno Unified School District. Barbara was an adjunct professor at Fresno State University in the special education department for 8 years, preparing teaching candidates. She moved to Sonoma County to be near her two grandsons and joined the Pivot Team in the role of special education administrative assistant in November 2016.
Shawn Mallonee
Grader (Physical Education & Art)
Shawn Mallonee
Shawn has a degree in Art and Art History and a multiple subject teaching credential from SSU. One of the most rewarding teaching moments for her is when she gets to observe how students express themselves creatively through art when words can’t describe how they feel. Shawn looks forward to centering the needs of students at Pivot and contributing to an environment of mindfulness and reciprocity. During her own time, she does something that makes her happy every day. Whether it’s playing with her two kids, hiking, riding bikes, or helping her husband with garden projects – they are her favorite parts of the day.
Rachel Force
Reading and Literacy Specialist
Rachel Force
Rachel Force is a SoCal native who graduated from California State University San Marcos in 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in Literature and Writing. She then earned her Education Specialist credential in 2021. She is currently completing her Master’s in Reading Instruction as well as her Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential from California State University San Marcos. She is passionate about improving literacy outcomes for all students and fostering a love of reading. Rachel enjoys helping her students grow and succeed here at Pivot. She is an avid reader, animal lover, and is a San Diego Padres fan.
Kristen Poitras
Director of Student Support Programs
Kristen Poitras
Kristen is a Northern California native, growing up and going to school in the East Bay area. Kristen began talking about being a teacher “when she grew up” from as young as four years old. In college, she studied creative writing (her other passion) and earned her BA in English/Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. After some time spent traveling in Europe and living in Scandanavia, Kristen returned to earn her Single Subject Teaching Credential in English at Cal State University Sacramento where a strong emphasis was placed on social justice and equity in education. She worked as an English and reading intervention teacher for two years at Armijo High School in Fairfield, before leaving to pursue a career in alternative education. She is so happy to have found a home at Pivot where a holistic approach to education leads every student on their unique path to success! When she isn’t teaching, she loves writing, playing and listening to music, hiking, catching up on her favorite shows on Netflix and spending time with her family and friends.
Megan Vatcher
Program and Attendance Clerk
Megan Vatcher
Megan grew up on the Central Coast of California and earned her Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She has been an educator in some capacity for the past 16 years, including teaching private music lessons, coaching volleyball, being a parent educator for children with special needs, and aiding in K-12 classrooms. She relocated to Chico in 2018 and loves the many opportunities for hiking and exploring with her husband and kids. She most enjoys the simple pleasures in life, including gardening, cooking, and taking her dog for long walks.
Lucas Elbaum
ELD Coordinator
Lucas Elbaum
Lucas was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he earned two undergraduate degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, followed by a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Chatham University. Lucas began his language teaching career while living in the Andes region of Ecuador, and later joined a bilingual, eco-oriented school in the Galapagos Islands. In the U.S., Lucas has taught middle and high school Social Studies, English Language Arts, and English Language Development, and served as an ELD Content Specialist with San Francisco Unified School District. Lucas is passionate about supporting students to hone their multilingual superpowers and to use their language skills to find success in school and beyond. When not planning lessons, you can find Lucas digging through old records, arguing about politics, or searching for mushrooms in the forest.
Julianne Cochran
Curriculum Coordinator
Julianne Cochran
Julianne is a San Diego native and math nerd. She has worked in mathematics education since 2006, in 6 different schools, on 2 coasts. She holds degrees in Mathematics and Secondary Education and Curriculum and Instruction. When she isn’t busy obsessing over numbers, she enjoys time with her husband and two boys, going to the beach, watching movies, reading, baking, and exercising.
Rachel Angeles
Executive Assistant
Rachel Angeles
Born and raised in Southern California, Rachel Angeles received her Bachelors of Arts from Cal State San Bernardino and recently completed her credential and MA in Elementary Education from WGU. Rachel is excited to be part of the Pivot team and looks forward to supporting her colleagues, students and families. When Rachel is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, rescuing dogs and listening to music.
Joanna Yoels
Grader (English)
Joanna Yoels
Joanna has happily been a part of Pivot’s English Department team since 2015. She has been teaching middle school and high school English and history since 2003 throughout California before joining Pivot. She holds a Master’s degree from California State University, Fresno. She loves working at Pivot and helping all of our incredible students achieve their goals and become stronger writers. In her spare time, Joanna enjoys quality time with her family, music, road trips, reading, and the beach.
Andria McNamee
Resource Nurse
Andria McNamee
Sukhdev Singh (Singh)
Grader
Sukhdev Singh (Singh)
Sukhdev Singh was born in Northern India and migrated to the USA when he was 18 years old. He has taught high school physics, chemistry and math since 2005.
He holds BSc and MSc in Physics from Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State LA. In his spare time, he likes gardening, hiking, and camping.
Jenny Maiorano
Grader (English)
Jenny Maiorano
Jenny was born and raised in Huntington Beach, CA where she spent most of her childhood in and out of the ocean or pool. She received her B.A. in English and a minor in Health Science, and later her M.A in Literacy Instruction, from Michigan State University. Jenny has lived in the midwest and the southwest of the United States, but has called Chico home for several years. When working with students, she strives to create meaningful relationships that are grounded in promoting a love for learning. Jenny has taught in grades 7 through 12 but finds working at Pivot Charter School refreshing and meaningful as it gives her the ability to work one on one with students in a unique and dynamic setting. When not working with students, she enjoys spending time with her husband and teenage daughters; as a family, they love traveling, cooking, reading, crafting, and cheering for the Michigan State Spartans.
Liz Jones
Chief Business Officer
Liz Jones
Liz has always loved math, and she finds happiness in teaching others. Her favorite thing about Pivot Charter Schools is the ability to tailor students’ education plans to meet their individual needs and goals. Liz grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, graduated from UCSD with a Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science, and earned her teaching credential in Mathematics from SDSU. She loves rowing, music, cooking, puzzles, and backpacking.
As Chief Business Officer, Liz works with a wide range of staff and contractors to manage the financial operations that make Pivot Charter Schools possible. Liz has been with Pivot since 2010, and looks forward to serving Pivot’s students and families in many diverse ways in the years to come!
Luis Portilla
Academic Counselor
Luis Portilla
Luis is native of South America, where he spent most of his youth. He received his B.A in Spanish Linguistics and M.S in Counseling with a specialization in school counseling, and Child Welfare and Attendance from California State University Dominguez Hills. Luis has been working as a College Counselor for over five years, and it is his greatest joy to help students guide them to reach their life goals. Luis has a great interest for languages and other cultures. His favorite hobbies are spending time with his family, traveling, and playing online video games.
Brittany Daugherty
Director of Human Resources
Brittany Daugherty
Brittany Daugherty is a graduate of Plumas Charter School. She works as Director of Human Resources for all 4 Pivot schools. She enjoys traveling and reading, as well as spending time with her family and friends. She loves being a part of the Pivot team and looks forward to working with new students and families.
Kareen Poulsen
Director of Student Services
Kareen Poulsen
Kareen is a fourth generation Santa Rosan and graduated from Santa Rosa High School before attending UC Davis, where she played volleyball for four years, rowed crew for two years and earned a BA in English. After 25 years as the CFO for an Investment Corporation, she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a full-time teacher and went on to receive her teaching credential in Mathematics from Sonoma State University. She previously taught Math at Pivot and has now moved into the role of Director of Student Services for all four resource centers. Kareen also serves as the Title IX Coordinator for Pivot Charter School. For information on Title IX, click here. She enjoys spending time with family, going to the beach, hiking, traveling, reading books and watching good movies. As a part of the Pivot Charter School Team since 2013, Kareen is devoted to using her education and experience to help students succeed.
Ashley Yim
Grader
Ashley Yim
Ashley earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and her Master’s in Teaching from the University of Southern California. Before joining Pivot Charter Schools, she taught middle school science in San Diego. She enjoys gardening, rock climbing, and spending time with her family and two dogs. Ashley loves all things science and enjoys sharing her curiosity and enthusiasm for chemistry with students.
Shannon Mallory
Enrollment Specialist
Shannon Mallory
Jayna Gaskell
Executive Director
Jayna Gaskell
Jayna Gaskell has worked in education for more than 30 years. Gaskell holds a Masters degree in secondary education from Emory University. After teaching grades 4-12 in Florida and Georgia, Gaskell moved to California in 1993 to serve as Director of Admissions and Academics of a small boarding and day school for four years. In 1998 Gaskell co-founded and directed a California charter school for five years. Gaskell has presented multiple statewide workshops on Independent Study, Governance, Renewal, Special Education and Strategic Planning with the Charter Schools Development Center, CANEC and other educational agencies throughout California. Ms. Gaskell also established a highly successful charter school consulting business assisting schools by drafting and reviewing charter petitions, writing grants, creating charter renewals, developing staffing plans, WASC Self Study documents, educational plans and school wide improvement plans, and conducting governance trainings, compliance reviews and strategic planning projects. She served a two year term on the State Superintendent’s Advisory Commission on Charter Schools, and has participated in the US Department of Education and the Office of Civil Rights Summit on Charter Schools and Special Education for four years. In addition to serving many CA charter schools, Gaskell has worked with charter schools in Fl, TN, OR and AZ. She has worked with over 200 schools in the last 10 years. She served as a founding board member and chair of the Board of the California Montessori Project, one of the largest public Montessori schools in operation for 10 years. Ms. Gaskell has been Executive Director for Pivot Charter Schools since November 2010.
Donna Choo
School Psychologist
Donna Choo
Donna grew up in Southern California, obtained her BA in Psychology at UC Berkeley, and then graduated from Columbia University in New York with a Masters of Education in School Psychology. As a school psychologist, she has worked with special education students with mild to more severe needs at the elementary, junior high, and high school levels for 14 years. She has been a part of the Riverside team at Pivot since September of 2018 and has enjoyed seeing what the students can achieve with the dedication, support, and collaboration of the staff and parents. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family, going to the beach, and reading.
Omar Abassy
Grader
Omar Abassy
Omar is a dedicated science educator with a passion for fostering student success. Born and raised in Orange County, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Systems from UC San Diego and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Chapman University. Omar’s interdisciplinary background has equipped him with a robust understanding of scientific concepts and pedagogical strategies. Currently pursuing a PhD in Kinesiology with an emphasis on Exercise Science, Omar demonstrates a strong commitment to lifelong learning and staying at the forefront of his field. He holds teaching credentials in Biological Sciences, Psychology, and Physical Education, enabling him to create engaging, NGSS-aligned curricula that support diverse learners. Dedicated to inspiring students to explore the wonders of science, Omar’s ultimate goal is to cultivate a love for science in his students, empowering them to become critical thinkers and lifelong learners. When he’s not teaching, Omar enjoys watching, playing, and coaching basketball. He is also an avid kickboxing enthusiast, appreciating the discipline and fitness the sport provides.
Kelly Dobyns
School Counselor
Kelly Dobyns
Kelly grew up in Southern California, obtained her BA in Human Services at Cal State Fullerton, and her Masters in Counseling and PPS Credential from Chapman University. Kelly has a background working for mental health services for the County of Orange and this is her 5th year being a school counselor. She absolutely loves being a counselor and working with kids to help them however they need. In her free time, she loves reading, eating out and making memories with her three kids.
Jasmine Falary
Data Coordinator
Jasmine Falary
Jasmine was born and raised in San Francisco, CA, and graduated from Ruth Asawa School of the Arts. She studied Early Childhood Education at City College of San Francisco. Prior to joining the Pivot team, Jasmine worked in the educational travel industry for 12 years and taught enrichment classes in engineering and robotics. She is proud to be a part of the Pivot team and looks forward to supporting her colleagues as well as the students and families we serve. In her free time, Jasmine enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and dogs, crafting, cooking, watching movies, and going on adventures around the San Francisco Bay Area.
Karen Cobain
Grader
Karen Cobain
Karen was born and raised in Northern Ireland where she gained her Bachelor of Education in Technology and Design and History. She studied abroad and developed a passion for Business. Upon returning to NI she completed a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and worked in a range of educational settings. Shortly after finishing her studies, she moved to California and set about earning her CA teaching credentials and pursued a Masters of Education: Instructional Technology. She has taught every grade level from 4th -12th and even adult education. In her spare time, Karen enjoys exploring all of the beautiful things California has to offer. She enjoys hiking, kayaking, learning new skills, and taking road trips in search of the best breakfast diner. She is also passionate about animal welfare and volunteers with local animal rescues. She is “mom” to Stanley (her dog) and to many, many cats that come to her through fostering. Her motto is “I work hard so my animals can live their best lives.
Ashley Fletcher
Grader
Ashley Fletcher
Ashley has been in education for 11 years. She has a Master’s in Education and a Secondary Mathematics Teaching Credential. She loves to spread her passion for math to her students by helping them see that math doesn’t always have to be “hard”. When she isn’t grading, she loves hanging out with her husband and kids, baking, sewing, and enjoying the fresh air.
Nicole Ling
Grader
Nicole Ling
Nicole was born and raised in Southern California. She has a degree in Political Science from UC Irvine and has taught high school English and Social Studies for about ten years. When she’s not grading, Nicole enjoys traveling, reading, yoga and watching her daughter grow from a tiny human to a big kid!
Ryan Muldery
Grader
Ryan Muldery
Ryan is a Northern California native who grew up in the heart of Gold Country. With nearly 20 years of experience teaching history at the junior high, high school and college levels, he brings a deep passion for the subject and a thorough understanding of how students learn and express historical thinking at every stage of their academic journey.
He holds two master’s degrees — one in online learning and one in teaching pedagogies — which have sharpened his ability to evaluate student work thoughtfully, provide meaningful feedback and support learning across diverse formats.
As an avid traveler who has visited all 50 states, Ryan brings a broad perspective to history that extends beyond the textbook. When he is not in the classroom, he enjoys exploring the mountains, kayaking in Monterey and spending time at the beach. He is married to a talented artist, and together they are enjoying the adventure of raising their young daughter, who keeps them on their toes alongside their two energetic cats.
Ryan is excited about the opportunity to contribute as a grader and help students grow in their understanding and appreciation of history.
Karyn Songer
Virtual Grader
Karyn Songer
Karyn is a native of Clovis and mom of two teenage girls. She has a multiple subject teaching credential & a minor in Biology from California State University, Fresno. Karyn taught 6th grade for over 7 years before becoming a stay at home mom. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking & hanging out with her family.
Auvianna Zavala
Paraprofessional / Classroom Aide
Auvianna Zavala
Auvianna attends Santa Ana college where she hopes to transfer to Cal State Fullerton. Her goal is to become a Teacher. Before working for Pivot, Auvianna worked as a teacher aide for the Anaheim School District. Throughout her life she has enjoyed playing soccer competitively and currently enjoys coaching. When Auvianna is not working she loves to attend professional soccer games, play with her dogs, and to hang out with family and friends.
Romello Smith
Accounts Payable and Logistics Coordinator
Romello Smith
Romello grew up in Sacramento, California and graduated from a local public charter high school. Since a kid, he always had a fascination with business finances and investing, and would spend hours playing Tycoon games. This passion led him to obtain a BS in Managerial Economics and a minor in Accounting from UC Davis. After a decade in Sacramento, Romello moved to Chico CA for a taste of the small city life. He has worked as an accountant in various industries, but ultimately decided to work for Pivot Charter because of the personal impact charter schools made in his life.
Luke Shoulders
Systems and Technology Coordinator
Luke Shoulders
Luke was born and raised in Santa Rosa and is an alumnus of Sonoma State University and is currently pursuing a MLIS degree at San Jose State. He is happy to serve in his role as the Systems and Technology coordinator and offer support to the students and staff at Pivot. Apart from work and school Luke enjoys going on river walks, hanging out with his cat, and working in his garden.
Wes Simon
Paraprofessional
Wes Simon
Wes attended Mt. San Jacinto Community College, where she earned her Associates in Art History. Before joining the team at Pivot, Wes worked as a Paraprofessional II at Menifee Union School District. Though education was an unexpected “pivot” in her professional career, she has enjoyed helping students exceed their own expectations and find academic and personal success. When she is not working, Wes enjoys creating art of all mediums, exploring urban areas, and watching movies with her friends and partner.