La Mariposa TK - Meet The Teachers

kmusselman@pleasantvalleysd.org

Hello! My name is Katie Musselman and I am so excited to teach TK for the 2025-2026 school year. This is my 12th year teaching and my 12th year in PVSD. I previously taught kindergarten and first grade at Pleasant Valley School of Engineering and Arts for 9 years, and joined the La Mariposa team 2 years ago. I wanted to teach for as long as I can remember. Or rather, since 5th grade, when I realized my many animal allergies were going to get in the way of my elementary school dreams of being a veterinarian. When I am not teaching I like to read, play games, attend live theater, and travel. I can’t wait to be a part of your child’s educational journey!

lwallace@pleasantvalleysd.org

Hello, my name is Linda Wallace and I am so excited to be teaching TK at LMS. This will be my 31st year teaching. I have taught at La Mariposa School since we opened in 2002, prior to that I taught at Tierra Linda and Camarillo Heights School. I started my teaching career in the Fillmore Unified School District. My grandmother was a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse in Nebraska. As a child, I loved hearing stories of her adventures in teaching in the wilderness. She was so excited when I decided to become a teacher and follow in her footsteps. My husband, Mike, and I have lived in Camarillo for 31 years. We have two grown daughters who also attended La Mariposa. Our oldest daughter and her husband live in Oklahoma and have two small children. Our youngest daughter lives in San Francisco and works in tech sales. When I am not teaching, I love to read, scrapbook, attend concerts and travel. Not so fun fact: I am extremely allergic to hazelnuts and coconut. I am excited to get to know you and your children and look forward to a beautiful year together. Welcome to the La Mariposa TK family!

awest@pleasantvalleysd.org

My name is Alyssa West and I am so happy to be teaching Transitional Kindergarten. This is my 26th year of teaching and second year at LMS. As a child I moved often, and several teachers were important in my life during those transitions. As a result, from a young age I aspired to become an elementary teacher who will likewise nurture and inspire children.

I graduated from Westmont College and began my teaching career in the San Francisco bay area. I moved to Camarillo in 2003 and taught part-time for 20 years in Ventura Unified and Pleasant Valley School District. During this time I also raised our four children; they are now 15, 17, 19 and 21 years old. Our younger two attend Camarillo High School and the older two are in college at USC and Westmont. I just celebrated 25 years of marriage to my college sweetheart, David, who is a chemical engineer at Amgen. I love taking walks with my dog Penny, watching my kids competing in their sports, and spending time in the redwoods in Northern California.

I look forward to getting to know each unique student and feel confident we will have a wonderful year in TK!