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The Team » Our Staff

Our Staff

Each and every staff member at RCS works tirelessly to ensure that our students receive the best possible education in California.  Nothing is more important than creating exceptional leaders and scholars!

 

Administration

 

 

Matt Taylor
Superintendent

Matt has been appointed Superintendent in May 2020. Matt has spent the last two decades in education, focused on improving educational outcomes for all learners. Matt earned his first Master's Degree in Public Policy from Pepperdine University and his second Master's in Educational Leadership from the Broad School of Management. These schools are close to Matt's heart with all 3 of his children have been immeasurably improved by the education received from the teachers and leaders at River Charter Schools.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

StoneMr. Peter Stone
Chief Business Officer (CBO)

Peter joined River Charter Schools in 2012 as its Chief Business Officer. He spent most of the two previous decades in educational publishing finance as well as co-founding and growing the Electronic Education division of Pearson taking the new K-2 Waterford Early Reading Program to market in schools across the U.S. and making a significant difference in the reading achievement for the most needy children. Peter earned his Business Administration Accounting degree at UC Berkeley and is a CPA. He has lived in the Clarksburg area for the last 20 years on a working Delta farm, has four children, eight grandchildren, is very involved in his church and enjoys hiking.

 

 

 

Mrs. Amanda Zimmerman
Principal (DECS)

Mrs. Zimmerman is the Principal of Delta Elementary Charter School and leads this exceptional educational team and school community.  She is so excited to continue the wonderful work you do as a school community to educate our students. 

I arrive at DECS as both a seasoned teacher and principal with 13 years of experience. I received my Bachelors in Childhood Development with a concentration in cognitive development from Sacramento State and a Masters in Education from UC Davis. I am a lifelong Sacramenten and live in the Oak Park area with my family. When I am not working, you can find me singing and dancing around my house, crafting, or relaxing with my family and friends by the pool. 

 

I believe education is a life-long process and I will continue to learn much about the uniqueness and traditions of DECS this year and in years to come. Most importantly, I bring the understanding that ALL students have the right to high quality education that students are at the center of all school related decisions. I am excited to unite my experience, my openness to learn, and my child-centered approach to support our students.

 

Please follow me on Facebook at Delta Elementary Principal Zimmerman. I can also be reached via email at azimmerman@deltacharter.org. 

 

 

Ms. Kara Schene
Principal (LCS)

Mrs. Schene has been an inspiring educational leader for over eighteen years. Our Lighthouse Charter core values of demonstrating unconditional positive regard, continuous self-reflection, and high quality collaborative efforts are aspects she values and embraces as our Principal of LCS. Mrs. Schene received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from University of Nevada Reno, and earned her Master's Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from University of Phoenix. Mrs. Schene holds a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with an authorization in English and an Administrative Services Credential. She is excited to bring her extensive experiences of mentoring/coaching, building effective systems for positive school outcomes and implementing comprehensive models of inclusive practices for all students at LCS. When not spending time with the school family at LCS, she enjoys camping with her husband and three sons, gardening, and snowmobiling with her family in Graeagle, CA.

 

Mrs. Laura Andrews
Vice Principal (DECS)

Mrs. Laura Andrews rejoins the DECS team this year as Vice Principal. Her primary roles will be supporting teachers with their academic programs and building school culture. Mrs. Andrews has been with River Charter Schools since 2011 as a lead teacher at Delta Elementary Charter School. She has spent the last two years at our sister school, Lighthouse Charter, as a site Administrator. She is well-versed in our charter mission and philosophy of building leaders and scholars. Mrs. Andrews received her Bachelor’s of Arts degree from CSU, Sacramento in Liberal Studies (Elementary Education) with an emphasis in Human Development. She holds a multiple-subject teaching credential and administrative services credential. When she’s not on campus, Mrs. Andrews is spending time with her husband and son (with baby boy number two on the way this fall). Follow her updates about all things DECS on Instagram @edventures_in_admin.

 

Ms. HornemanMrs. Danielle Horneman
Vice Principal (LCS)

After graduating from Sacramento State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, I began my work at Chapman University (currently Brandman University) towards a Multiple Subject credential, Special Education credential and Administrative credential. While attending Brandman, I earned a Masters in Education: Curriculum Design and Instruction and in Administrative Leadership. Over the course of the last 10 years, I worked as a Special Education teacher and a CARE teacher (Community Action for Responsive Education) for at-risk youth as well as teacher leader and mentor. My expertise falls within working with a variety of students and families in guiding their academics, behavioral and social-emotional health to ensure safe and positive school experiences. When I am not on campus, I spend many weekends training and racing my dirt bike for Hare and Hound Scrambles in the Northern Nevada desert as well as participate in racing in a local Cross Country series.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Ms. PloszajMs. Christy Ploszaj
SPED & Student Support Services Director

I have known that I wanted to be a special education teacher since childhood and have been working in the field of education since I graduated from high school, when I got my first job as a para educator at a school for students with disabilities. After completing my credentialing program, I worked as a special education teacher, educational consultant and inclusive education specialist before becoming an administrator.
 
It has always been my passion and calling to help all learners reach their fullest potential through the lens of equity, and to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.
 
I love cooking, camping and spending as much time as possible with my family. I am the proud mom of three adult kids and one beautiful grandson. I also have two awesome step kids and quite a few fur babies!
 
I am thrilled to join the River Charter Schools team and have been inspired by the compassion and dedication every staff member has for all students and one another.
 
 

KamioMs. Kamio Jones
School Psychologist

My name is Ms. Jones. I was born in Ventura, CA but was raised primarily in Sacramento, CA. I attended CSU Long Beach and graduated in 2016 with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Africana Studies. I continued my education at University of the Pacific and received my Master of Arts in Education in 2017 and my Ed.S degree in 2020. I am currently in the last stages of finishing up my Educational Doctorate (Ed.D) at UOP. Prior to being hired with River Charter Schools, I worked as a fieldwork student for 2 years in Natomas USD, as an intern in Elk Grove USD for 1 year, and I also was a substitute teacher for Elk Grove USD for 2 years. I was lead down the path of school psychology because I always wanted to work in education since I was a little girl, however I wasn't sure where my place in a school would be best fit. I also had a dream of becoming a child psychologist when I started college. I began to research jobs in psychology and ran across school psychology. The job gave me the ability to work in education and also fulfill my passion to help children in need.  Kamio's Webpage and Kamio's Interactive Office
 
 
 
 

Mr. Brian Sherman
School Psychologist

Working with children has always been a passion of mine! Prior to my work here at River Charter Schools, I got my start in the school system working as a para-educator in mild-moderate and moderate-severe SDC classrooms. This is where I caught the bug to work as a school psychologist and haven't looked back since. Throughout my time in the field of Psychology, I have also held positions in the Veteran's Administration Hospital working with Veteran's who had experienced combat trauma (physically and mentally), as well as a community outreach center. During my time at the community out reach center I was working primarily in schools to provide outside resources for counseling in schools with primary populations of low socio-economic status, as well as substance abuse groups at the outreach center with people from all walks of life. 

 

 

 

 

CodyMs. Cody Mavis
Business Analyst

Cody has 16 years of experience working with small businesses including several local Non-Profits in the areas of bookkeeping, accounting, and internal controls. Cody has a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Business Administration with a focus in Accounting. Her learning opportunities from working with a wide array of businesses and people have given her the knowledge to not only understand accounting detail, and the day to day issues that many organizations face, but also to take a step back and create solutions for broken or inefficient systems. Cody is forever grateful for the many mentors she had a long the way who have taught her invaluable skills. She hopes to return that to others, always striving to help others make things better for the entire organization.

 

 

 

Ms. Elena Riolo
HR/Payroll Specialist

I was lucky enough to be born into a large, loud, loving Italian family. My grandparents set roots down here in the Sacramento valley because it reminded them of Sicily. While growing up our family had a cabin in Lake Tahoe and I consider this my second home. Graduated from Sacramento High School and Consumes River College and then entered the business world until I started my family. That’s when I became the CFO/CEO of our family, toughest and best job ever. During this time I worked 9 years for a company processing accounts payable and payroll. I have 3 smart, beautiful and strongly independent adult daughters who are out in the world helping make it better. As lucky as I was before with my family I now have a new family here at River Charter Schools.

 

 

 

Mrs. Nichole Colgrove
Data Coordinator

Nichole started working at Delta Elementary Charter School in August of 2016. Thriving in a high demand environment that constantly kept her on her toes, she was able to help develop policies and procedures to help keep DECS organized and in compliance with reporting policies. Her organizational skills and attention to detail made her an excellent office manager, she will now take those skills to her new role as Data Coordinator for River Charter Schools. Managing everything data for both sites, as the schools have grown, a position like this has become necessary. Nichole will miss being in the office and the day-to-day workings of being on campus but will be able to make the most of her time supporting RCS with its data needs as they continue to grow and improve. Nichole grew up living in Clarksburg and can’t imagine raising her family in a more beautiful community. She has three amazing children and a wonderful husband who support her through everything.

 

 

Ms. Aristea Walker
Manager of Information Technology

As a Communications Specialist in the United States Air Force I trained in many facets of Information Technology. It was during my enlistment that I realized my passion for technology and the value of teamwork. My thirst for knowledge led me to receiving many industry leading certification such as CompTIA A+, Microsoft MCP, and MCSA as well as degrees in Information Technology and Management. I hope to inspire our young leaders and scholars to think outside box and to view technology as a puzzle that can be solved.