Staff

2nd Grade, GATE

Mrs. Ching

Second Grade GATE, Room 23

• Started at PHE: 2012
• Values in your classroom: Students respecting fellow peers and adults is very important to me. When you are respectful, you are courteous and mindful. This makes for an enjoyable, safe, conducive learning environment.
• Favorite PHE event: Artwalk
• Hobby: Reading

Kinder

Mrs. Corcoran

Kindergarten, Room 3

• Started at PHE: 2018
• Values in your classroom: kindness, respect, empathy
• Favorite PHE event: So many!!
• Hobby: travel, reading, movies/theater, nature

Background: I’ve been teaching in some capacity for 30 years and started with Sac City. I am from the Bay Area originally, and am married with one daughter. l have wanted to be a teacher since first grade!

Favorite subject to learn about: History

Favorite classroom activity: Animal & Technology Presentations

Why do you love working at PHE? The families, the staff, the CHILDREN!: There is a warm sense of community.

1st grade

Ms. Davis

First Grade, Room 17

• Started at PHE: 2011
• Values in your classroom: Kindness, Hard Work, Independence & Fun
• Favorite PHE event: Artwalk
• Hobby: Dancing, Scrapbooking

Background: I have been teaching for 10 years in the Sacramento City Unified District. I have taught kindergarten, first grade, third grade, and fifth grade at various elementary schools including Isador Cohen, Thomas Jefferson, Jedediah Smith, and Phoebe Hearst.

Favorite school subject: One of my favorite subjects to learn about is Science because I am inherently interested in how things are made and how they function.

Favorite classroom activity: One of my favorite activities to do with my students is read. I love reading to them and I love listening to them read aloud to me and the class.

Why do you love working at PHE? I love teaching at Phoebe Hearst because it is much more than a school. It is a learning community where parents, teachers, and staff all work together to provide a safe, fun, rigorous, and enriched learning environment.

4th Grade, GATE

Ms. Dighero

Fourth Grade GATE, Room 10

• Started at PHE: 2016
• Values in your classroom: Kindness, hard work, efficiency, and fun
• Favorite PHE event: I’ve only been to one PHE event, Open House, and it was pretty impressive!
• Hobby: Snowboarding, kickboxing, running, and gardening

Background: I taught at Genevieve Didion for 17 years, where I taught 3rd, 4th, 5th, and a 3/4 split class. At some point during those years, I went back to school to get my masters and administrative credential, but love being in the classroom too much to take that leap.

Favorite subject to teach: I love them all, but writing especially, because I don’t recall any of my grade school teachers teaching me how to compose a composition, and that’s a shame. It must be taught!

Favorite classroom activity: Reading to my kids is the best! I love silly voices, and the joy it brings the kids.

What values do you try to teach your students?  From the very start, I teach them it’s okay to be wrong, because we don’t learn from being perfect; we learn from our mistakes. It’s important my students are fearless learners.

Why do you love working at PHE?As a new member of the PH community, I have already learned that the amount of support from the parents, the fellow teachers, the principal, and other members of the school is outstanding. I am very excited to get this year started and meet the kids!

Physical Education

Mr. Eisner

Physical Education

• Started at PHE: April 2019, but I consider September of the 2019-2020 school year my first year.
• Values in your classroom: Humor. Honesty. Humility. Resilience.
• Favorite PHE Event: I am new to almost all of them, but I am looking forward to the Jog-a-Thon
• Hobby: Raising my daughter. Botany. Restoring my Classic Ford Bronco. Health Optimization

Background:

Sacramento native. Began teaching in 2008.

Favorite school subject:

As a child, Science was most interesting to me. Since college, human Anatomy and Physiology and all things related.

Favorite classroom activity:

I’m enjoying my job most when my students are successfully completing cooperative activities. It’s a wonderful site to see.

Why do you love working at PHE?

The support from the parents and PTO has been very comforting. I get the pleasure of teaching every sibling that comes through Phoebe. I like the feeling of knowing many different families. If I haven‰’t met you yet, please come introduce yourself.

5th Grade, GATE

Mr. Frasier

Fifth Grade, Room 9

• Started at PHE: 2015
• Values in your classroom: 
  • To foster a safe classroom community where students are open and accepting to differences in personalities, learning styles, and opinions of others. 
  • To establish a mentality where mistakes are seen as a learning experience, rather than a sign of failure. 
• Favorite PHE event: Jogathon
• Hobby: Hiking and being at the beach, running, watching documentaries, and reading.

Background: I began working at Phoebe Hearst in 2008/09 at the 4^th R program while pursuing my Bachelor’s Degree in Family Studies at Sacramento State. When I graduated from Sacramento State in 2012/13, I became a substitute teacher with SCUSD and spent a lot of time substitute teaching at Phoebe Hearst, as well as other schools in the district. It was during my time as a substitute teacher that I realized I wanted to go into teaching full time. At that point in time I decided to go back to school in order to obtain a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and a Master’s Degree in Education. When I finished my program through National University, I ended up being hired for the 5^th grade opening in 2016/17 school year. I have been teaching 5^th grade ever since, and look forward to continue being a part of the Phoebe Family.

Favorite school subject: My favorite subject would be our solar system unit in science.

Favorite classroom activity:  I can’t pick just one activity so I would have to say our Mission to Mars field trip, the Heritage Luncheon, and our yearly 5^th grade Carol Off.

Why do you love working at PHE?   I love working at Phoebe Hearst because of the community that has been built within the school. Over the years I have been at Phoebe Hearst I have come to know and be involved in a community within a community that you unfortunately don’t find everywhere. Not only are the teachers and staff extremely supportive and hardworking, but we genuinely care about one another. On top of that are our amazing students and the families they come from. I believe that Phoebe thrives because the teachers, staff, students, and parents collectively buy into the goal of the program we strive to maintain. We are all here for the betterment of our students both personally and educationally, and the community of Phoebe Hearst works really well together to succeed at this.

5th Grade

Mr. Goul

Fifth Grade, Room 8

• Started at PHE: 2000
• Values in your classroom: Sustained and focused effort is a key to success
• Favorite PHE event: Harvest Festival
• Hobby: Photography

Background: 29 years with the district. Taught at Edward Kemble, Fruit Ridge, Pacific Elementary and Sutter Middle school. Taught 4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th grades.

Favorite school subject: Narrative writing is possibly my top choice, leading the students from brief sentences to descriptive paragraphs is challenging and rewarding.

Favorite classroom activity: The class play is an absolute blast. Every student has a role (or two) and each class puts a different spin on the performances.

Why do you love working at PHE?  The parents at PHE are i.m.h.o., the envy of all other schools in the district. We need drivers? Done. Could you please review this with your child? Absolutely.  Our supportive PTO is amazing and is an integral part of the success of the school. We are also the only school in the district that can showcase the cartooning/woodworking/landscaping skills of the spectacular Mr. Henrikson.

5th Grade, GATE

Mrs. Harris

Fifth Grade GATE, Room 14

• Started at PHE: 2008

Background: This is my 23rd year of teaching. I have taught in Elk Grove, Lake Tahoe, and Sac City. I have taught grades 1st-5th – basic and GATE.

Favorite school subject: My favorite subject to teach would have to be language arts, and math, and science, and social studies.

Why do you love working at PHE?  The best thing about teaching at Phoebe Hearst is the students, families and super staff.

1st Grade

Ms. Healy

First Grade, Room 28

• Started at PHE: 2016
• Values in your classroom: Empathy and Grit
• Favorite PHE event: Open House
• Hobby: Watercolor and Bowling

Background: I have 10 years of teaching experience with SCUSD. I taught at Nicholas Elementary, Edward Kemble, and Oak Ridge Elementary. With in these 10 years of teaching, I have taught third grade, second grade, and kindergarten.

Favorite subject to learn about: I enjoy learning about many things, but I have a fondness for art and history. I love the stories and expression that a painting can exhibit and enjoy learning about the history of how things came to be.

Favorite classroom activity: Writing. I enjoy writing within the three text types and experimenting with the multitude of genres that exist in writing.

What values do you try to teach your students?  I believe in creating a positive perspective for both my students and parents where instruction is student centered and lessons are differentiated to fit the needs of my students. It is important for our classroom to build strong relationships rooted in communication, respect towards one another, and establishing both high academic and personal expectations.

Why do you love working at PHE?  I love the family engagement and the high academic expectations that our students seek to achieve.

6th grade, GATE

Mr. Henrikson

Sixth Grade, Room 5

• Started at PHE: 2012
• Favorite PHE event: Movie Night
• Hobby: Golfing and watching my kids play sports

Background: I have been teaching 15 years in the district. I taught multiple subjects at at Sutter for 8 years, 6th grade at Freeport for 6 years, and now at Phoebe.

Why do you love working at PHE? I love Dragons.

Art

Ms. Jane

Art Teacher, Room 27

• Started at PHE: 2014
• Favorite PHE event: I think it’s going to be the Artwalk!
• Hobby: Making art, reading about art, talking about art, looking at art!

Background: Art is in my heart. I studied painting and print-making at Virginia Commonwealth University and my studies continued with a print making internship and a UCD artist in residency certification. Most recently I completed a series of workshops led by the Kennedy Center for the Arts focusing on Common Core Arts Integration. I have been a resident artist working in the public school system for 10+ years. Over that time I have developed hundreds of art lessons and delivered a visual arts curriculum to over 20 different sites through programs such as Very Special Arts, SMAC and Any Given Child. Since 2003 I have been the resident artist at David Lubin Elementary School and for the past year and half the ArtLab Jr. after school instructor at Phoebe Hearst. I continue my own personal artistic growth most recently returning to painting; collage and assemblage are my mainstay and I do have a love for the theater as well-which is very handy when teaching!

Favorite subject to learn about: Growing up in VA you are surround by history and I continue to love history…CA history, American History, World History and of course Art History!

What values do you try to instill in your classroom? I want all students to develop a life time love and appreciation of the arts. We need to embrace our differences as our treasures and let our uniqueness shine. Mistakes are okay and really are a sign that you are willing to try, to risk and there begins the great learning. Art is part process and part product, remember it’s called an Art Work because it takes work!

Why do you love working at PHE? I am so happy to join this wonderful school and look forward to getting to know the students, families, teachers and support staff at PHE. I live near by and I’m sure to see your smiling faces at Burr’s or Trader Joe’s, so wave and say hello.

1st Grade

Ms. Lozano

First Grade, Room 29

• Started at PHE: 2016
• Values in your classroom: Caring/kindness, cooperation, courage, curiosity, effort, flexibility, friendship, independence, initiative, integrity, organization, perseverance, pride, problem-solving, respect, resourcefulness, responsibility, and sense of humor!
• Favorite PHE event: Jog-a-thon
• Hobby: Almost anything outside including hiking, biking, and watching a lot of soccer!

Background: I have more than twenty years teaching experience. I have been teaching in the Sacramento City Unified School District since 1996. I taught a primary SDC class at Ethel Phillips Elementary School until 2000. At that time I transitioned to a first grade classroom at the same site until 2006. In 2006 I moved to O. W. Erlewine Elementary where I continued to teach first grade until 2016, when I moved again to Phoebe Hearst Elementary School to continue to teach first grade.

Favorite subject to learn about:  My favorite subject to learn about is science, especially environmental education, with first graders! I love to integrate language arts, math, and all other content areas, if possible, in order to better understand the world we live in.

Favorite classroom activity:  One of my students favorite activities has been raising salmon and Steelhead trout in the classroom, learning all that we can about them (life cycle, habitat, etc…) and culminating with releasing them in the nearby American and Sacramento Rivers.

What values do you try to teach your students?  I try to teach my students empathy, kindness, and respect. These values, I believe, go hand in hand. The ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes is a key step in understanding perspectives that may differ from your own and is important to developing and growing relationships with others. Kindness also helps form positive connections with others, makes students feel good about themselves, and ensures a strong sense of belonging in the classroom and beyond. Respect, showing regard or consideration for yourself, someone else, or something else, is also important for students in order to communicate effectively. These values ultimately help students to achieve their goals, academic and otherwise, and help them to reach their full potential. It is very rewarding as a teacher to hear or observe students display empathy, kindness, and respect with each other consistently in the classroom and beyond. It is the culture and climate of the classroom and is truly contagious!

Why do you love working at PHE?  I live with my family in River Park which is very close to Phoebe Hearst. I am excited to now work close by to where I live and look forward to perhaps seeing students and families that I may already know as well as building new relationships with students, families, and staff!

6th Grade

Mr. Meyer

Sixth Grade, Room 15

• Started at PHE: 2012
• Values in your classroom: Every person has something of value to offer the class. All that truly matters is that you are willing to share it and to try your very best at all times.
• Favorite PHE event: Love them all, especially when the kids are performing or actively participating.
• Hobby: Anything Sports related

Background: I have been teaching since 2003. I started my first year in a 5th grade class, and every year since I have taught 6th grade. My first nine years were at William Land Elementary, and I began teaching at Phoebe Hearst back in 2012.

Favorite school subject: Math & Science

Favorite classroom activity: Kahoots and science experiments

Why do you love working at PHE? Kids are amazingly nice, teachers are beyond laid back and easy to work with, parents are super supportive, and our principal wants to help us succeed.

Kinder

Ms. Nazari

Kindergarten, Room 2

• Started at PHE: 2012
• Values in your classroom: Treat others how you want to be treated
• Favorite PHE event: I love the Artwalk. We are so blessed to have the amazing art teachers we have at Phoebe Hearst.
• Hobby: Reading for my book club

Background:  I have been teaching since 1998. I taught kindergarten at Da Vinci for two years. I took some time off to have my daughter in 2000. I did some substitute teaching at Bradshaw Christian before returning to the classroom full time in 2004. I taught kindergarten at Matsuyama Elementary for eight years before coming to Phoebe Hearst. I love being a P.H. Dragon!

Favorite subject to learn about:  I love learning about children and how their minds work. I enjoy finding new ways to make learning exciting and relevant for my students.

Favorite classroom activity:  My students love storytime. I am always amazed at how mesmerized we all become when reading a great story. There is nothing like literature to teach us about ourselves and to spark conversation about the world in which we live.

Why do you love working at PHE?  I love teaching at PHE because it offers the kind of education every child deserves. The hardworking students, participation of the parents and the dedication of the teachers and staff are what make PHE an exceptional school.

Principal

Mr. Martin

Principal

• Started at PHE: August 1, 2022
• Values in your school: First and foremost, safety is my priority. I value ensuring the school is a safe learning space. We must value and respect each other’s opinions, differences, and backgrounds. Lastly, everyone must value themselves. To have love and respect for others, we must value our own worth first. Everyone is valuable in their own way.
• Favorite PHE Event: This is my first year at Phoebe. I have heard so many amazing things about all the great Phoebe Hearst events. BUT, with that being said, the first day of school will always be my favorite event because the nervous but exciting energy is such a great feeling. How many jobs get to start fresh every year?
• Hobby: My family takes up a lot of my time going to their activities. I’m either at a volleyball, softball, soccer, or baseball game and I can’t forget the track meets as well. If I’m not there, I’m studying or in class. I’m in the final year of my doctorate degree. I spend a lot of time working on my dissertation and studying. In between all of that, I love to golf when I can get out and play, my wife and I belong in a bowling league (don’t laugh but I’m the president), and I read when I can. Otherwise, I’m a very laid back and easy going person.

Background: I’m from San Diego, CA. I haven’t lived there in almost 30 years because I left after college. I’m the middle of two sisters. I grew up playing every sport possible. I went to San Diego State University and graduated with a degree in radio/TV journalism and a minor in sociology. Prior to being an educator, I worked in sports television for about 15 years mainly in New York City. I’ve been very lucky to have some amazing experiences such as interviewing the President of the United States and have two sports Emmy’s for writing and producing. I decided to change careers to become an educator. I taught in Davis and San Juan Unified School Districts and worked as an administrator in Sac City and Lincoln Unified School Districts.

Why do you love working at PHE? I’ll let you know in June 2023

Kinder

Mrs. Relles

Kindergarten, Room 4

• Started at PHE: 2012
• Values in your classroom: I try to teach the kids how to be a good friend. We read lots of books and write a lot about how to make friends, what good friends do for one another, and how to solve problems with friends.
• Favorite PHE event: Artwalk & Jogathon
• Hobby: Running

Background:    This is my 20th year teaching. I started teaching kindergarten at Washington Elementary in downtown Sacramento in 1998. I worked there for 7 years and taught kindergarten and first grade. I then got my reading specialist credential and moved to Edward Kemble Elementary in south Sacramento where I worked as the reading specialist for 6 years and a first grade teacher for 1 year. Then, I came to Phoebe Hearst and couldn’t be happier! I love teaching kindergarten and working with Phoebe families.

Favorite subject to learn about:   I love to learn about how kids learn, specifically how kids learn to read. I’ve been studying this for years, and learn something new every year.

Favorite class activity:  I love working in the garden with my students. We are so lucky to have such a beautiful place to work and learn with our friends.

Why do you love working at PHE? I love working with my smart, hard-working, happy students every day!

6th Grade, GATE

Mrs. Rupert

Mrs. Rupert

Sixth Grade GATE, Room 7

• Started at PHE: 2000
• Hobby: Family time
• Favorite subject to learn about: Because I’m a mother of two little girls, I do a lot of research about child development, growth, behaviors, and so on. I also Google a lot of questions like, “How do I handle a tantrum at the grocery store?”

Background:

All my years of teaching have been at Phoebe Hearst in Room 1. I have taught 4th, 5th, and 6th graders in both our Basic and GATE programs.

Favorite classroom activity:

Hands down, the sixth graders LOVE the week in Sly Park. Camping, hiking, good food, new friends, independence, no homework for a week… Going to Sly Park is one of the best things about being a sixth grader.

What values do you try to teach your students?

I tell the students all the time, “It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it needs to be your best.” Minimal effort and a mediocre product will keep you from reaching your full potential.

What is your favorite PHE event?

My girls and I really like the hands-on activities at the Art Walk. They also enjoy snuggling up with me on our blanket at Movie Night. Since I organize the Scarecrow Contest, the Harvest Festival is a favorite of mine as well.

Why do you love working at PHE?

I adore teaching at Phoebe Hearst for several reasons: First, we are not just a school, or a student body, we are a community. Our students, teachers, staff, administration, and parents work seamlessly together to create a safe, structured, learning environment that is full of wonderful enrichment opportunities and a lot of fun! Second, I feel fully supported by our principal, and my sixth grade team. We collaborate, share ideas, listen to one another, and laugh every day. Every year I am a better teacher because of them. Finally, I love teaching at PH because my students are a-rarin’ to go in September. They come from families that have read to them before bed, have checked their homework each night, have attended conferences and Back-to-School Night, and have chosen Phoebe Hearst because their child’s education is of top priority. In addition, the students have had many teachers before me with high expectations that have taught them the fundamental skills necessary to be successful in my class. As a result of parent involvement, and great teachers, my sixth graders are well-prepared and love to learn. We create maps, conduct research, read novels, write biographies, narratives, and poetry, have debates, perform musicals, and do lots of other creative, meaningful activities.

2nd Grade

Mrs. Vancil

Second Grade, Room 24

• Started at PHE: 2018
• Values in your classroom: Perseverance, hard work, empathy, kindness, patience, and fun!
• Favorite PHE event: Jog-a-Thon
• Hobby: I love being outside and you can often find me on a walk or jog in my neighborhood. Also, my husband and I love going to the movies!

Background: I started out teaching kindergarten at Joseph Bonnheim Elementary, where I student taught. Then I moved to Tahoe Elementary for two years (one year teaching kindergarten and one year teaching a Kinder/1st split). After Tahoe, I moved to Oak Ridge Elementary, starting as a kinder teacher, but being lucky enough to loop up with my class to 1st grade. My home before coming to Phoebe Hearst was Rosa Parks K-8 in Meadowview, where I taught five years of 1st grade (one of those years being a 1st/2nd split).  I was interested in furthering my professional learning about two years ago, and received my Master’s Degree in Education, Teaching in Learning. It’s helped me learn a lot about how students learn and helped me gain confidence in my teaching.

Favorite subject to learn about: As a child, I always loved learning about math. Now, as an adult, I love how it transfers across all nations and languages, and makes us all have something in common.

Favorite classroom activity: I love teaching phonics to my students and seeing it “click” when they start to blend and read. They become so enthusiastic in their own reading progress and I love to see what books they become interested in. I also love reading aloud to my students. It’s so fun to introduce kids to new characters and voices!

What values do you try to teach to your students? I work really hard to teach the value of kindness. I think it’s really important for my students to treat each other kindly because it makes everyone feel important, valued and know that they contribute to our classroom community.

2nd Grade

Ms. Wagner

Second Grade, Room 22

• Started at PHE: 2017
• Values in your classroom: kindness, enthusiasm, and collaboration
• Favorite PHE event: Jog-a-Thon
• Hobby: gardening and yoga

Background:  I love teaching. I’ve taught in Sacramento for over a decade, and every year is uniquely wonderful. Before Phoebe, I taught at Hollywood Park, Cesar Chavez, and Oak Ridge.

Favorite subject to teach: Helping students become proficient writers never gets old. In second grade, we start the year writing simple sentences and end writing 3-paragraph essays. It’s incredible.

Favorite class activity: Anything that allows students to be creative: the Dia de los Muertos collages in the fall, the holiday gifts for families, the American Heroes writing unit in the spring, all the trips to the garden.

Values I teach:  Building community in the classroom is extremely important to me. When students feel like they are a part of something, they’re more likely to take risks, show zest, and help one another.

4th Grade, GATE

Mr. White

Fourth Grade GATE, Room 11

• Started at PHE: 2012
• Values in your classroom: Embrace your mistakes, as they are your best teachers. A good sense of humor is the highest form of intelligence.
• Favorite PHE event: The Event, of course! No kids! Ha!
• Hobby: Reading

Background: 2020-2021 marks my 9th year at Phoebe Hearst and my 24th year of teaching. I spent the first 16 years at A.M. Winn Elementary teaching 4th-6th grades and was very fulfilled working to help improve a struggling community, but when I had the chance to come to Phoebe where my daughter was a student, I jumped at the opportunity. There’s never been a day of regret! (Well…there was ONE day, but I won’t mention it!)

Favorite school subject: As a teacher: math. It’s the most gratifying as progress is so readily evident. As a student, it’s a tie: literature, creative writing, science, and history. I love learning anything and everything, really.

Favorite classroom activity: Writing stories about Phoebe Hearst’s mysterious Room 13…bwahahaha!

Why do you love working at PHE?  The kids are much smarter than I am, so I get to learn a lot every day!

1st grade

Mrs. Nelson

First Grade, Room 18

• Started at PHE: 2022! 
• Values in your classroom: First, fostering positive relationships. Second, learning to love learning.
• Favorite PHE event: Fall Festival. I love any event my daughter can enjoy with me, and Fall is my favorite!
• Hobby: Painting my nails, High Fitness, time with my family.

Background: Before becoming a teacher, I worked for the 4^th R program while attending Sac State. Sac State is where I met my husband, who is also a teacher. I started with SCUSD as a long-term kindergarten sub in 2014 while finishing my credential and MA in Education. After my daughter was born, I taught part-time at Sam Brannan and Rosa Parks. Then I went back to full-time teaching at Harkness and Pony Express Elementary. In 2019, I went back to school at USC and earned my Reading Specialist credential. My next goal is to become a National Board Certified teacher. 

Favorite school subject: Reading.

Favorite classroom activity: Geoboards have been my favorite since I was in kindergarten. 

Why do you love working at PHE? School hasn’t even started yet, and I have been lucky enough to experience the amazing Phoebe community. I am so lucky to work with the best staff and parents.  More than anything I’m looking forward to having a great year with the amazing students!

3RD Grade

Mrs. Chasko

Third Grade, Room 21

• Started at PHE: August, 2022 was my starting month! I have loved it ever since I set my foot onto the front parking lot!
• Values in your classroom: Show kindness and empathy as you never know what someone else is going through! Work hard and enjoy the rewards.
• Favorite PHE event: So far, it’s hard to have a “favorite” – I am still reeling from the seamless way things are done and the mere quantity of awesome events! The Golden Dragon Awards are a great way to honor students so that’s one of my favorites.
• Hobby: I have too many hobbies but love piano, sewing, playing Scrabble and Huggermugger, reading, being at Lake Tahoe, and especially spending time with my mom, kids, siblings and grandkids.

Background:  I grew up on a ranch between Dixon and Davis. I’m proud to be an Aggie through and through. My husband and I have 3 children, 11 grandchildren and I’m related to the entire metropolis of Clarksburg and anything with the name “Dana” on it – ha!

I have volunteered, substituted and worked part- and full time at SCUSD. I was at Bancroft for many years then at Sutterville Elementary prior to Phoebe. I have taught piano keyboard lab, ELD, been a resource teacher and a classroom teacher.

Fun fact: My grandmother would recount her visits with Phoebe Hearst as right after college she and my grandfather managed the Meadowlark Dairy, located down the hill from Phoebe’s mansion (now the Castlewood Country Club). My grandmother said she was a ‘grand lady’ with a huge intellect.

Favorite subject to learn about:  My favorite subject is education through music as it can promote and/or restore the joy of learning.

Favorite classroom activity:  I love teaching the poems, songs and chants that get us through some of the hard lessons.

Why do you love working at PHE?  So many reasons…the amazing PTO group; the awesome families and staff; and the way everyone works together toward a common goal. The garden and the grounds are beyond compare and those who manage those areas should be bowed to often! The fact that everyone is so good at their jobs is a huge boost and makes working at PHE a total joy. I feel blessed each day to be part of the “Third Grade Dream Team”!

STEM

Mrs. DeWald

STEM

• Started at PHE: As a parent 2013-14, as a staff member, 2022-23.
• Values in your classroom: Teamwork, critical thinking, hands-on exploration and creativity!
• Favorite PHE Event: I love all things Phoebe! If I had to pick one, it would be the Jog-A-Thon! I love seeing the families, students and staff cheering each other on! A close second would be Family Dance and the Staff vs. Student activities! All of the events that brings our community together is a favorite!
• Hobby: Outside of school, I love being a soccer mom, baseball mom and dog mom! I am always at one of my kids’ events or walking/jogging with my dog! I love to snowboard and paddle board too!  

Background:

I grew up in northern California and made my way to Sacramento after college. I taught middle school science in Elk Grove for 12 years before taking a break while my own kiddos were very young. I served on the PHE PTO for 10 years in various roles.  I have been delighted to re-ignite my passion for teaching science at PHE with the opportunity to build the STEM program at a school my family has loved and been a part of for years. 

Favorite school subject:

Science, of course!  (But that was not always the case — I originally thought I wanted to be a Language Arts teacher. It was not until one very inspirational Biology teacher excited me about Science that I changed my mind.  I hope to be that inspiration in STEM to our young Dragons!)

Favorite classroom activity:

I am so lucky to get to explore hands-on STEM throughout the year with 1st – 6th graders. Every grade has a different standards-aligned focus.  Some grade level favorites include: 1st grade story-based STEM challenges, 2nd grade popsicle bridges constructed with student invented “glue”, 3rd grade adapted animal projects, 4th grade laser maze and color wheels, 5th grade chemistry and chemical reactions and 6th grade marble roller coasters! 

Why do you love working at PHE?

PHE is magical!  There is a winning combination of students, staff, families and community.  This dynamic team is all working to make PHE the best school for our Dragons!   I love how much fun students and staff have learning together and the community feel, school spirit, and support from families!  Every day, I look forward to seeing all the smiles! I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to bring hands-on STEM to students. Every day, I look forward to discovering something new and sharing my love of science with our students! 

3RD Grade

Mrs. Gray

Third Grade, Room 25

• Started at PHE: October 2022
• Values in your classroom: In Room 25 we value speaking from your heart and listening with your heart. This builds classroom community which is a must. It is important to me that students value one another.
• Favorite PHE Event: Jog-a-thon
• Hobby: Boxing for exercise and bike riding with my daughters.  

Background:

I love what I do!

Favorite school subject:

Mathematics

Favorite classroom activity:

Novel Studies and the projects that go along with them. 

Why do you love working at PHE?

The wonderful community of people that enjoy supporting students.

4th Grade

Mrs. Scinto

Fourth Grade, Room 12

• Started at PHE: Fall 2023
• Values in your classroom:
  • Never give up!
  • Always try your best…knowing that your best in going to vary from time to time.
  • Treat others the way you’d want to be treated
  • Don’t be afraid to be yourself!
  • Have fun!
• Favorite PHE event: They’re all going to be brand new to me this year, but I cannot wait to participate in them all!  I’m especially looking forward to the Jog-a-Thon and Harvest Festival
• Hobby: Spending time with my little family, reading, riding bikes, spending time on the water, and watching 49ers Football!

Background: This will be my 16^th year teaching…mostly in grades 4 and 5, but with a couple of years in 3^rd grade, as well.  I spent the first eight years of my teaching career in the Bay Area, before making my way to Sacramento in 2015.  I’ve had the pleasure of working at a couple of different schools in Sacramento, including Theodore Judah and Golden Empire.  I have a master’s degree, as well as an administrative services credential, in school administration, but I’m not sure the principal route is for me…I’d miss the kids too much!!

Favorite subject to teach: I love teaching math…even though it was my least favorite subject as a kid.  I love letting students know that there are more ways than one to answer a problem…and that making mistakes is the way we learn.  I’m also a huge fan of projects and anything that involves creativity.

Favorite classroom activity: Anything outside the box!  I love getting to know students and having fun with them.  I’m a big fan of morning meetings and field trips!

Why do you love working at PHE? I cannot wait to get to know families and become part of this amazing school community!  Everyone I’ve met so far has been so kind and helpful.

3RD Grade, GATE

Mrs. Enriquez

Third Grade, Room 20

• Started at PHE: 2022
• Values in your classroom: perseverance, problem solving, integrity, and kindness
• Favorite PHE event: My favorite school event is Open House. I am filled with pride when I observe my students share their learning projects and educational experiences with their families.
• Hobby: During my free time, I enjoy reading, hiking, camping, and spending time with my family and friends.

Background:  I began teaching in the Sacramento City Unified School District in 2002. Prior to Phoebe, I had the privilege of teaching in some wonderful school communities including Maple Elementary, Rosa Parks K-8, and New Joseph Bonnheim. My goal is to create academically engaging learning experiences through an environment that fosters creativity, curiosity, and collaboration.

Favorite subject to learn about:  Math & Science

Favorite classroom activity:  I love holding morning circles, where we build our classroom community and so much more!

Why do you love working at PHE?  Phoebe students have a real zest for learning that is inspiring and exciting! The parent engagement is phenomenal and everyone is dedicated in providing students the best education and enrichment opportunities possible. There is magic in this community and I’m lucky to be a part of it!

2nd Grade, GATE

Mrs. Chacon

Second Grade GATE, Room 30

• Started at PHE: 2022 Values in your classroom: In the classroom, students will value kindness, honesty, friendship, respect, and empathy
• Favorite PHE event: My favorite PHE event is the Talent Show. It is such an amazing way to see how talented all the students truly are.
• Hobby: My favorite hobbies are sports (baseball/softball, basketball, soccer), reading, camping, and spending time with my two children. 

Background: I have been a teacher for over 13 years. I have taught kindergarten through second grade. I was also a computer lab teacher and resource teacher for 2 years in which I taught kinder through sixth grade students. I am a Sacramento native and graduated from Sac State with my Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree. My next goal is to be nationally certified and receive my PhD. 

Favorite school subject: My favorite school subjects are math, PE, reading, history, and science. I also enjoy watching the students do art with Ms. Jane and music with Ms. Bianca. 

Favorite classroom activity: I enjoy reading aloud to the students different genres and themes.  I also enjoy observing the students create gingerbread houses in December and we cannot forget about attending the county fair in May.

Kinder

Mrs. Ritzman

• Started at PHE: 2024
• Values in your classroom: Golden rule, grace & kindness
• Favorite PHE Event: Jog-a-thon
• Hobby: Yoga, hiking

Background: I have been teaching for 7 years and I am so pleased to be joining the Phoebe A. Hearst team this year. I have a bachelor’s degree in history from California State University, Sacramento, and a master’s degree in education from University of California, Davis, where I completed research in the area of mathematical representations. I love teaching Kindergarten and creating rich and engaging learning experiences for my students. 

Favorite school subject: English

Favorite classroom activity: Reading

Why do you love working at PHE? Pheobe A. Hearst has an amazing school community and so many kind and helpful staff and volunteers that make it a fantastic place to work!