TRCS Staff

Rana Adams

STUDENT PROGRAMS SPECIALIST, TIDES COORDINATOR

I have been working at TRCS since 2017 and have had many roles here in the past including classroom aide for 5/6th grade, teacher for 1st/2nd and 5/6th, and P.E. instructor. This year I am excited to lead our newly funded, revamped after-school program, TIDES, which will include academic support and introductory sports, in addition to other  engaging and structured STEAM activities. I love that I get to spend time with every student in our school across all grades! I also run the TRCS website, lead the student yearbook committee, and support the admin team. I am a strong advocate for supporting the whole child through the awareness of mental health and fostering a growth mindset. I grew up in San Jose, CA, and I received my BA in Human Development, with a minor in Photography from Prescott College. Before moving to Mendocino County, I coached and judged Junior Olympic gymnastics for 17 years. In my free time I like hiking, learning about art and science, and hanging out with my husband, cat, and dog.

Alex Arnal

TEACHER AIDE - GRADES 3 & 4

Welcome Ms. Alex for the 2023-24 school year! Check back soon for more about her.

Mindy Ballentine

TEACHER AIDE - GRADES 5 & 6, ENGLISH LEARNING SPECIALIST

 I started working with Three Rivers in 2016 in the 5/6 classroom as an aide. I transferred to Casper Creek School and worked with the upper grades for years before happily returning to Three Rivers in 2021. I have been a camp counselor at Kennolyn Camp in Santa Cruz and have been involved with Kudos and Just for Kids here in Fort Bragg. I grew up in Georgia and have lived in multiple states but am glad to be settled in Fort Bragg. I believe in the power of our children. I am honored to be a step in children’s process while they grow up to be responsible stewards of our world.

Marsha Bartholomay

COUNSELING SUPPORT

Hello! I am Marsha Bartholomay (Ms. Bart), Student Support Counselor. I have been enjoying working with children and parents for the past 35 years, from in-home child care to creating after school programs, personal development programs, on the Board of the Nevada County Women's Self Help Center and Crisis Counselor with our Local Project Sanctuary.  My degrees in Psychology are from Syracuse University and my Master’s from Holy Names College.  My joy comes from supporting our children and parents to find confidence and happiness. 

Rebecca Deerwater

TEACHER AIDE - GRADES 1 & 2

I’ve lived on the Mendocino Coast since 1976, when my family moved here from the Los Angeles area.  Since that time I have run a family business (Racine’s), been active in service clubs (Soroptimist), served on many civic committees and non-profit boards, and been a member of a local art gallery.  It’s been a long road to the best time of my life.  I love being here at Three Rivers.  This has been some of the most challenging and rewarding work I have ever done.   I’ve come across a beautiful quote that I believe sums it all up.  “Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom.” 

Sofia Duran

TEACHER AIDE - GRADES 7 & 8

The students know me as Ms. Sofi. I was born and raised in Fort Bragg. I attended FBUSD for all K-12, and graduated high school in 2011. After high school I attended Sacramento Junior College for two years but did not pursue any career. I lived in Sacramento, California for two years and in San Antonio, Texas for about two years before moving back to Fort Bragg. I love the indoors as much as I love the outdoors, it all depends on the weather. I take advantage of every moment I get to spend time with family and friends. I joined the TRCS family in 2018 as Junior High Aide. I enjoy working with the junior high grade level and love getting to relearn alongside the students. When I was in school I appreciated all the help teachers could give me. I understand that it isn’t always easy to ask for help so I do my best to get to know all the students; individually or as a group. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be part of a team that helps each other to learn and teach.

Walter Kimmelman

MUSIC SPECIALIST

I’ve been playing music with Three Rivers students since 2015. I started as the band leader, subsequently adding the jazz band and most recently, piano. I’m a Los Angeles transplant to Fort Bragg, arriving here in the spring of 2014. I bring with me many years of musical experience, starting with piano lessons when I was 6. I’ve played in numerous bands and orchestras, starting in Junior High. My experience ranges from marching bands and classical orchestras through jazz combos, swing bands and Salsa! I developed a strong love of musical theatre playing in a number of productions for Hollywood High School and the Robinhood Band Ensemble, and then here in Fort Bragg playing in musicals for Gloriana Musical Theatre. I’m on the Board of Directors for Gloriana, am a professional piano tuner/technician and I have a Bachelor degree in Psychology. I really truly love working with the students!  (I’m also pretty handy with a hammer and screwdriver!)

Danielle Krebs

TEACHER - GRADES 5 & 6

I have been teaching at Three Rivers since 2018, but I started out in the 7/8th grade. I am originally from Lancaster PA, and I earned my B.S. in education from Temple University in Philadelphia. I have both my social studies credential and my multiple subject credential, and teaching a variety of grades has allowed me to grow a lot as a teacher. I am a mother of two and I also have a variety of different pets. My favorite aspect of Three Rivers is the feeling of being welcome and of family.

Michael Lang

TEACHER - GRADES 7 & 8

I am the TRCS Junior High teacher. I graduated from Sacramento State University in 2015 and relocated to Fort Bragg that summer. I began my journey as an educator in 2018 and spent my first three years teaching eighth grade mathematics. My dad grew up in this beautiful community and I love being able to spend my time here, helping my students prepare for all the rigors of high school. I enjoy many activities, including riding my motorcycle, playing and coaching various sports (wrestling is my #1), and traveling.

Cassandra Luna

TEACHER - GRADES 1 & 2

Hello, my name is Ms. Luna! When I am not in the classroom you can find me playing board games with my sons, riding bikes, and watching them play football. I recently moved to Fort Bragg after living in Southern California. I have been enjoying the new change and am getting settled in this part of town. I enjoy photography and challenging myself with puzzles! I have to have a morning cup of coffee and our family's favorite meal at the end of the day is breakfast for dinner! 

I graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Child Development at Cal State Fullerton (yes, all the way down south!). I then went on to complete my teaching credential at Hope University. I have taught grades ranging from 2nd-5th grade during my 20 years of teaching. I looking forward to my new home here at Three Rivers Charter School.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve children and families in this way.

Amber McGregor

NUTRITION SERVICES COORDINATOR

Hello everyone! I am so happy to be here. Here’s a little about me: I am currently attending Chico state online to become a teacher. I know that a good teacher can make a huge difference in the lives of students forever and I want to help as many kids as I can. I have a son and two daughters; they are my world. My favorite thing to do is anything we do together. My family enjoys playing in the woods and swimming in the river, along with many other outdoor activities. In my spare time I enjoy long drives with my love, fishing, kayaking, baking and singing. We have a sweet pup, Laia and a house-trained lop ear bunny called Bungee. I have a deep passion for travel but my favorite part is coming home to Fort Bragg, my own little slice of paradise.

Natalie Shoptaw

TEACHER - GRADES 3 & 4

I'm the current teacher of the third and fourth grade students at Three Rivers Charter School. I love the excitement and curiosity of ages 8 and 9!   I carry a fondness for messy art, math, and technology.  I hold my Masters in Education and a Bachelor of Science degree  in Marine Biology from University of North Carolina Wilmington. I got to the north coast as a commercial fisherman, and later worked locally as a school-based, part time, art teacher for a dozen years, a part time PE teacher, Brain Gym instructor, Resource Aide, and substitute teacher. Additionally, I've taught various adult fitness classes for more years than I care to mention, and long ago worked for many years with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Mendocino County Youth Project.

Courtney Thiesen

SPECIAL EDUCATION

In my previous career I brought art to life at the San Jose Museum of Art, teaching art making at both museums, local studios, and galleries in the Bay Area. At Employment and Community Options I worked with adults with disabilities on cooking and life skills while building relationships and job opportunities. Wanting to have a more meaningful role in student's lives, I took a leap and went back to school in 2017, getting a credential from Sacramento State as an Education Specialist. In Roseville, I began teaching high school students life skills and core academics. I worked at Woodcreek High School for about three years, and loved my team there! 

I believe that students teach teachers how to teach them, like the famous quote by Haim Ginott, "It's my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous." It is my passion to make the "weather" joyous every day and help students to learn what they are all capable of, what excites them, and surprise themselves by what they are able to do. Every learner can be included in general education, when general education makes room to welcome all learners. It is my goal to put that philosophy into practice and help advance the cultural shift from exclusion to inclusion. 

My family moved to Fort Bragg in July of 2021. We enjoy hiking, going to the beach, making art, and relaxing by petting our little black cat named Haru. I am so excited to be here, looking forward to a great year!

Ginny Varnum

READING SUPPORT SPECIALIST

I have been with Three Rivers Charter School since 2012, following more than 40 years teaching elementary school students at Redwood and Dana Gray in Fort Bragg. I consider Three Rivers to be a unique school with an amazing staff and a great commitment to the overall well-being, learning and growth of each and every student. My first position at Three Rivers was as a Resource Specialist.  I then took a leadership role developing and coordinating the Reading Intervention Program for the school.  In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my children and grandchildren. Hiking, walking, biking and skiing in the winter are among my favorite activities. At home I enjoy reading, gardening, knitting, sewing, and creating a variety of hand-crafted items. I received my BA at UC Berkeley and my MA at San Francisco State University. I hold credentials in Elementary Teaching, Learning Handicapped and Resource Specialist.