Educators and Staff

Elementary

Jake Ceja

3rd - 5th Mod/Severe SDC Educator

Email: jceja@riversideunified.org   

Tanya Esquivel

K-6th Grade School Psychologist

Email: tesquivel@riversideunified.org

Dan Gusman

4th - 6th Grade
Resource Support Specialist

Email: dgusman@riversideunified.org 

Greg Johnson 

5th - 6th SDC Mild/Mod Educator

Email: gjohnson@riversideunified.org 

Laurie Rothlein

2nd - 6th Grade
Speech and Language Pathologist

Email: lrothlein@riversideunified.org 

Terri Moore

2nd - 6th Grade
Speech and Language Pathologist

Email: smoore@riversideunified.org  

Lindsay Pickering

K-6th Grade School Psychologist

Email: lpickering@riversideunified.org

"My mother was a special education teacher so that's how I learned about a career in school psychology.  I loved studying psychology at USC as well.  Between college and graduate school, I volunteered at a children's hospital in the rehabilitation department and on a ranch in hippotherapy.  I also worked as a substitute teacher for RUSD.  While in the school psychology graduate program at LMU, I was a practicum student for Irvine Unified and an intern for South Pasadena Unified.  I was also a school psychologist for Glendale Unified.  I'm happy to be working in my hometown once again!"

"Mi madre era maestra de educación especial, así fue como aprendí sobre una carrera en psicología escolar. También me encantó estudiar psicología en la USC. Entre la universidad y la escuela de posgrado, me ofrecí como voluntaria en un hospital infantil en el departamento de rehabilitación y en un rancho en hipoterapia. También trabajé como maestra sustituta para RUSD. Mientras estaba en el programa de posgrado en psicología escolar en LMU, fui estudiante de práctica para el Distrito Escolar Unificado de Irvine y pasante para el Distrito Escolar Unificado de South Pasadena. También fui psicóloga escolar para el Distrito Escolar Unificado de Glendale. ¡Estoy feliz de estar trabajando en mi ciudad natal una vez más!"

David Saenz

1st & 2nd Grade Mild/Mod SDC Educator
1st & 2nd Grade Reading Specialist

Email: dsaenz@riversideunified.org

"Every student has unlimited potential. I love helping them in unlocking learning strategies, removing barriers to learning, and building confidence."

"Cada estudiante tiene un potencial ilimitado. Me encanta ayudarlos a desbloquear estrategias de aprendizaje, eliminar barreras para el aprendizaje y generar confianza."

Sheri Salazar

3rd & 4th Grade Mild/Mod SDC Educator


Email: ssalazar@riversideunified.org

"I love to help my students gain confidence and the skills they need to meet their goals!"

"Me encanta ayudar a mis alumnos a ganar confianza y las habilidades que necesitan para alcanzar sus metas!"

Eliot J Rodriguez

K-3rd Grade Mod/Severe
SDC Educator


Email: ejrodriguez@riversideunified.org

 "I became a special education teacher (or Education Specialist) to provide opportunities for a person to help grow and develop their own voice."

"Me convertí en maestra de educación especial (o especialista en educación) para brindar oportunidades para que una persona ayude a crecer y desarrollar su propia voz."

Middle School

Jamie Boster

Department Chair
7th & 8th Grade ELA Educator
7th & 8th Grade Strategies for Success Coordinator 

Email: jboster@riversideunified.org

"I would like to be a part of every student's success story! Teaching is my passion and I love serving students and families through this amazing opportunity I have been given."

"¡Me gustaría ser parte de la historia de éxito de cada estudiante! La enseñanza es mi pasión y me encanta servir a los estudiantes y las familias a través de esta increíble oportunidad que se me ha brindado."

Alexandra Henninger

7th & 8th Grade School Psychologist



Email: ahenninger@riversideunified.org
Phone: 951-788-7441 ext. 45213

"I became a school psychologist to explore each of our students' unique strengths and needs so that we can find them the supports they need to be be successful. I love seeing our students make growth!"

"Me convertí en psicóloga escolar para explorar las fortalezas y necesidades únicas de cada uno de nuestros estudiantes para que podamos encontrarles el apoyo que necesitan para tener éxito. Me encanta ver a nuestros estudiantes crecer!"

Recommended Resources: 

CareSolace

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741 to reach a Crisis Counselor

SafeHouse Text Crisis Line: 844-204-0880

Emergency Treatment Services (951) 358-4767

Jeffrey Holle

Math and Science Educator



Email: jholle@riversideunified.org

"I like to see students succeed as they learn how to overcome the challenges in front of them."

"Me gusta ver a los estudiantes tener éxito a medida que aprenden a superar los desafíos que se les presentan."

Recommended Resources:

Khan Academy

Amy Salmeron (On Leave)

7th - 8th Grade Mod/Severe Educator

Email: absalmeron@riversideunified.org

Christina Romero

U.S. & World History Educator
Language Workshop Facilitator

Email: cgromero@riversideunified.org

"Growing up I knew I wanted to work with kids.  I entered the teaching profession with the goal of becoming a bilingual educator.   I was asked to help translate an IEP meeting, It was during this meeting that I realized that our parents of special education children that do not speak English really needed someone who understood their child and family and could help facilitate the confusing world of special education services.  I have over 20 years of teaching experience all in the Special Ed. setting.  I look forward to working with you and your child here at RVS."

"Al crecer, supe que quería trabajar con niños. Ingresé a la profesión docente con el objetivo de convertirme en un educador bilingüe. Me pidieron que ayudara a traducir una reunión del IEP. Fue durante esta reunión que me di cuenta de que nuestros padres de educación especial los niños que no hablan inglés realmente necesitaban a alguien que entendiera a su hijo y a su familia y pudiera ayudar a facilitar el confuso mundo de los servicios de educación especial. Tengo más de 20 años de experiencia docente, todo en el entorno de educación especial. Espero trabajar con usted y su hijo aquí en RVS".

Recommended Resources:

History students need to use their Clever Portal to access the Realize textbook, they also need the Kami App.  Students in Language Workshop need to access the Language Live app as well as the Kami app for written assignments.  Students should use a computer that has the ability to record.