Academics & Educational Support Services
    Elementary K-5
    Middle School 6-8
    Specialties
    Educational Support Services
ACS Elementary School

Kindergarten – Aimee Wright >email Aimee   >Classroom Page
I love Kindergarten! When I was a Kindergarten student I loved to finger paint, use paste to glue projects, and admire the scratch and sniff stickers on my homework.  Most of all, I loved my Kindergarten teacher.  She made learning come alive to me by celebrating each moment of learning.  As a teacher, I hope to make learning a positive experience for my students.  It is a special milestone that I am happy to be a part of!

 1st Grade – Merrideth Dressler >email Merrideth   >Classroom Page
Mrs. Dressler completed her B.A. in Liberal Studies and the credential program at Chico State University in 1994. In 2001, she earned a Masters Degree in Educational Management from University of La Verne. Over the past fifteen years, she has taught various grade levels including Kindergarten, First, Second, and Fourth grades. Merrideth Dressler first realized she wanted to be a teacher at the age of eleven when she tutored a young neighbor boy who had Down syndrome. Merrideth resides in Chico with her husband, three children, Bentley the dog, and Chloe the cat. Her hobbies include walking, Pilates, attending performances and traveling and spending time with her family.

2nd Grade – Steve Wright >email Steve   >Classroom Page
I was born and raised right here in Paradise. I love living and working in a small community. Seeing people I know and students I’ve taught each time I go out is particularly fun. Aside from work I enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. Lately the top priorities have been hiking, backpacking, fly fishing, cycling and generally exploring. I like learning new things and using my hands. I also play guitar and enjoy sharing this with the students in class. I live with my wonderful wife Aimee (our Kindergarten teacher) and our dog Tucker.

3rd Grade – Ryan Van Roekel >email Ryan   >Classroom Page
Back in the summer of ’75, Ryan was born and raised in Logan on the wind-swept prairies of Kansas. Ryan graduated University of Kansas (Go Hawks'), then moved to Denver, CO where he met his wife, Julie. After obtaining his MA in curriculum and instruction from the University of Colorado and teaching second grade in Thornton, CO, Ryan and Julie moved to Cape Town, SA and taught at the American International School of Cape Town. In 2005, Ryan and Julie finally put down roots in Paradise, a move that has resulted in the addition of several new family members, two kids and a dog. Mr. Van Roekel loves working at Achieve Charter School with the sense of community, academic freedom and challenges that it offers. Ideally, you may spot him riding his bike, swimming in the club pool, camping, reading a good book, chasing his kids and wife, or tending the garden in his back yard.

4th Grade – Diana Visinoni >email Diana   >Classroom Page
I am a local Paradise girl, born and raised in the area.  I have been teaching for over 15 years.  I have taught 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 6th grade.  My favorite grade to teach is 4th because of the curriculum. It is so much fun to share the history of California with the class and watch them become interested in the events of the past and how those events lead us to where we are today.  During my free time, one hobby that I enjoy is working on craft projects, but I will be the first to tell you that I do not have any natural artistic ability. The hobby that I am most known for is shopping.   

5th Grade – Tricia Etchison >email Tricia   >Classroom Page
I am married to a wonderful man (21 years). My children, Justin, Meagann, and Nicole are my pride and joys. I enjoy being a grandparent. I have been a credentialed teacher for eighteen years: teaching is a gift given to me to give back to my students; it’s my passion. I love spending time with family and friends. I enjoy participating, coaching, and watching team sports. Animals are my favorite subject; especially dolphins. Music keeps me centered. It’s difficult to single out my favorite subject to teach—watching students learn all subjects is rewarding. I rejoice when I see the “light-bulb” go on when a child figures something out. I have a strong, positive, outlook on life.

 


ACS Middle School

6th Grade – Kelli Gordon   >email Kelli   >Classroom Page
I have had the pleasure of growing up in Paradise, and plan to never leave. Coming to Achieve Charter School to help start the 6th grade program in 2007, has been a wonderful experience, as I have both reconnected with people from the past, as well as made many new connections. Teaching is a passion of mine that energizes me daily. Seeing that look when students “get it” or watching them make new connections is what makes me love my job.

7th Grade – Kaylan Triplett   >email Kaylan   >Classroom Page
I grew up in sunny San Rafael in Marin County, and attended CSU Chico for my Bachelor’s Degree and Teaching Credential. In 2006, I moved to Sacramento to be closer to my family where I taught high school English and Journalism for 3 years. Yearning for a smaller community and an opportunity to grow professionally, I moved back to Chico and began teaching at Achieve Charter School. I never thought I would be a Middle School teacher, let alone a Middle School Math teacher, but this change has proven to be the best move ever! I thoroughly enjoy working with students at such a pivotal time in their lives, and teaching them to be positive, lifelong learners whom not only challenge themselves but challenge others to be better people.

8th Grade – Joe Boisse >email Joe   >Classroom Page
To some people, I was born in a log cabin in Oakland, CA a very long, long time ago. The Bay Area was my home from the time, that what is now called Silicon Valley, produced a wide variety of fruit from orchards, instead of microchips, computers and search engines. My wife and high school sweetheart of 47 years, Linda, moved to the Upper Ridge 10 years ago from the Santa Cruz Mountains. After teaching 35 years in grades 2 thru 8, the last 25 as a Jr. High science teacher, I came to Achieve Charter School, and it’s been a pleasure and unique experience to be able to teach my grandchildren, to work with such a talented and dedicated staff, but most of all to be in such a nurturing school with students who really want to learn and grow.

Art – Nicole Garcia   >email Nicole
Favorite Artist : Jacob Larence
Favorite Subject: Cultures of the world
Favorite Word: Tolerance
Favorite Author: Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Fact: Nicole spent several years woking in New Mexico performing Radio-Chemical tests on samples from all over the world.

Art – Susan Gasaway   >email Susan
Art has always been a part of my life in some form or another. When I was growing up it was sometimes dancing or flute playing, and other times it was pottery, drawing and painting. In my adult years it took the form of visual merchandising and display work. It is something I have always loved. It continues to be a joy each day learning and experiencing art through the eyes of the Achieve Students. I am originally from Vallejo, California. I have a wonderful husband, Robbie, and one son, Eddie.

Spanish – Mark Mayo   >email Mark
Hola! My wife and I both grew up in Northern California, and moved back after living in Portland, Oregon for 9 years. Together with our two sons, two Dachshunds and a Sheltie, we have lived in Paradise for 10 years. Before being married, I lived in South America for two years, teaching and working with people from various Spanish speaking cultures, countries, and economic backgrounds in Spanish language. I feel great satisfaction working with Achieve Charter students to build a foundation of communication and understanding between North American and Latin American languages, people and cultures.

Leslie Carpio - Instructional Aide   >email Leslie
I have had the pleasure of working at Achieve since 2007. Beginning in the ACE after school program, I worked into the first grade instructional aide position. I am also working in the K-3 homework club. Somehow I have always worked with kids and feel that this is the place to be. My husband and I have lived in Paradise since 1978 and raised our three sons here as well. I look forward to making a difference in the lives of our students.

Sheryl Dysthe - Academic Support, ACS Librarian   >email Sheryl
I have lived and worked in Paradise for the past 15 years. I have had the pleasure of working at Achieve and with your children for five years. Each year brings about new challenges which I delight in watching students rise up to meet. The extra support that I am able to provide for your children makes my job rewarding and fun. I love the family atmosphere that this little school provides and have enjoyed watching your children learn and grow. I am privileged to be a part of the Achieve Charter School family!

Cindy Kurtz - Instructional Aide   >email Cindy
This is my 6th year working at Achieve serving as the Kindergarten and 2nd grade Instructional Aide. I love working with the students in the classroom and out on the playground. It is a joy to work with the children and still consider it my dream job.

Chris Robbins - Academic Support   >email Chris
We have an amazing staff here at Achieve. I am excited everyday that I have the opportunity to work with individual students in and outside of their classroom to provide the support they may need. It is a privilege to work along side a wonderful group of educators that inspire the students to pursue their individual goals. We are all united in the common goal for all students to achieve their very best academically and socially. The personalized learning plans truly empower the students to do this.

Jessica Harrison - Instructional Aide   >email Jessica

Marijane Stauss - Instructional Aide   >email Marijane