Teachers and Staff
At FAA, you’ll find teachers dedicated to meeting the individual learning needs of their students. Together with a team of office and support staff members, we create a positive environment, which nurtures creativity and inspires learning.
Administration
Charles Blanton
Principal
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Biography
Meet Charles Blanton
Hometown
Rochester, NHWhere I Started Teaching
Franklin, NHFavorite Subject
BandHobbies
Cooking, reading, and playing pianoMessage
Express yourself.
Natalie Sauch
Assistant Principal
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Biography
Meet Natalie Sauch
Hometown
Bourbonnais, IllinoisFavorite Subject
HistoryHobbies
Reading,gardening, and baking.Message
I am so excited to be back at Fine Arts this year! I love our students and staff. We really are a family here. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work with and serve the members of our community. Here’s to another amazing year at FAA!
Scott Popovich
Dean of Students
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Biography
Meet Scott Popovich
Hometown
Fresno, CaliforniaFavorite Subject
MathHobbies
Watching Netflix, raising cattle, and riding horsesMessage
Welcome to the Fine Arts Academy. It is a pleasure being an administrator in this district. I was involved with 4-H and FFA in elementary and high school. I grew up in the central valley in Fresno. California. I was raised on a farm and grew many crops and livestock as a child and young adult. If anybody is interested in 4-H, I am here to help you. If you have any questions about the program, just let me know.
School Support
Janeen Gaston
Administrative Secretary
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Biography
Daisy Diaz
Nurse
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Biography
Vicky Torres
Office Support Senior
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Biography
Stephanie Garcia
Office Support Junior
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Biography
Diane Hedges
Library Clerk
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Biography
Meet Diane Hedges
Hometown
Hoquiam, WAWhere I Started Teaching
I am not officially a teacher, but the first school I worked at was Corte Sierra in Avondale, AZ.Favorite Subject
ScienceHobbies
Reading, meeting authors, and travelingMessage
"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." – Dr. Seuss
Guadalupe Okamura
Cafeteria Manager
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Biography
Martin Aguilar Cruz
Lead Custodian
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Biography
Robin Anderson
Psychologist
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Biography
Meet Robin Anderson
Hometown
Bristol, New HampshireFavorite Subject
ScienceHobbies
Cooking, playing with my children, and going on adventuresMessage
I graduated from Arizona State University for Special Education, Argosy University for School Psychology. I am truly grateful to work collaboratively with you to do what is best for ALL children to be successful.Teachers
Kindergarten
Beth Raymond
Kindergarten
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Biography
Meet Beth Raymond
Hometown
Hillsdale, MichiganWhere I Started Teaching
Cartwright School District, John F. Long ElementaryFavorite Subject
Band and readingHobbies
Reading and hanging out with familyMessage
The more we practice the better we get.
Kayla Price
Kindergarten
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Biography
Meet Kayla Price
Hometown
Potosi, MissouriWhere I Started Teaching
LESD Fine Arts AcademyFavorite Subject
MathHobbies
I like playing video games, going hiking, and making things with my Cricut.Message
"Every child deserves a champion; an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best they can possibly be." -Rita Pierson
First Grade
Jodi Beck
First Grade
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Biography
Meet Jodi Beck
Hometown
Brooklyn, NYFavorite Subject
Reading and Creative WritingHobbies
Writing stories, reading, coloringMessage
I am so excited to be learning together with everyone at Fine Arts. This is my 21st year of teaching and first grade is my favorite grade to teach. I can't wait to share the adventure of learning and growing together.
Aurora Mattern
First Grade
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Biography
Meet Aurora Mattern
Hometown
Anaheim, CAFavorite Subject
Math and MusicHobbies
Hiking, playing my flute, modern calligraphy, reading, video games, baseballMessage
I may have my students for only a year, but I strive to create relationships that last a lifetime.
Second Grade
Rhea Ciadella
Second Grade
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Biography
Meet Rhea Ciadella
Hometown
Surprise, ArizonaWhere I Started Teaching
Littleton ElementaryFavorite Subject
TechnologyHobbies
Traveling, board games, YoutubeMessage
"Be the best you, you can be."
Amy Gontarczyk
Second Grade
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Biography
Meet Amy Gontarczyk
Hometown
Lockport, New YorkWhere I Started Teaching
Littleton Elementary School District - Fine Arts AcademyFavorite Subject
History, Social Sciences, and English Language ArtsHobbies
Spending time with family and friends, baking, cooking, crafts, and readingMessage
I am so excited to be your child’s second grade teacher. It is going to be a great year full of new friends, new adventures, and new discoveries. This will be my first year teaching at the Fine Arts Academy. To my students, I want you to know that I cannot wait to get to know you and learn more about you!
Bonnie Martin
Second Grade
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Biography
Meet Bonnie Martin
Hometown
Laguna Niguel, CaliforniaWhere I Started Teaching
I started teaching 16 years ago.Favorite Subject
Reading, Writing, and Social StudiesHobbies
Swimming, shopping, and spending time with family and friendsMessage
Third Grade
Delany Luthy
Third Grade
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Biography
Meet Delany Luthy
Hometown
Mt. Sterling, IllinoisWhere I Started Teaching
Fine Arts AcademyFavorite Subject
EnglishHobbies
Knitting, crocheting, watching movies, spending time with family, and travelingMessage
"Today is your day. You're off to great places! You're off and away! You have a brain in your head. you have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose." - Dr. Seuss
Danielle Van Dalen
Third Grade
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Biography
Meet Danielle Van Dalen
Hometown
Clovis, CaliforniaWhere I Started Teaching
Fine Arts AcademyFavorite Subject
History and language artsHobbies
Going to Arizona Diamondback games, reading, swimming, hiking, and watching NetflixMessage
I am beyond excited to start my teaching career! I can't wait to meet my students and their parents/guardians and work with them throughout the year! Teachers who love teaching teach children to love learning.
Selma Berlanga
Third Grade
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Biography
Meet Selma Berlanga
Hometown
Torreon, CoahuilaWhere I Started Teaching
Littleton School District, Country PlaceFavorite Subject
Social studies and readingHobbies
Nail art and collecting moviesMessage
"I am excited to be a part of your child's education and future."Fourth Grade
Toshio Fish
Math
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Biography
Meet Toshio Fish
Hometown
Youngstown, OhioFavorite Subject
MathHobbies
Listening to music, reading, puzzles, watching basketball, watching television, watching movies, and board games.Message
Every student can achieve success without any exception. Believe in yourself.
Sara Hall
Fourth Grade
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Biography
Meet Sara Hall
Hometown
Phoenix, ArizonaWhere I Started Teaching
Pendergast School DistrictFavorite Subject
Language artsMessage
"Don't judge me by my successes. Judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again." - Nelson Mandela
Raymond Thomas
Fourth Grade
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Biography
Meet Raymond Thomas
Hometown
GoodyearFavorite Subject
LiteratureHobbies
My favorite hobbies are outdoor recreational activities like camping and hiking in isolated places where I can off-road, swim, photograph, read, craft, explore, fish, and hunt while enjoying the amazing beauty of nature. I also am an avid do-it-yoursMessage
I consider working with young people to be a great opportunity to help prepare them for their amazing futures. I remember growing and changing during my elementary school years and how that progression and development impacted my whole life. I believe everyone is capable of learning (and we all learn at our own pace) as long as we have the mindset of wanting to learn, and we have someone to guide us. To that end, I believe one of the greatest accomplishments a teacher can achieve is helping others learn how to learn for themselves for the rest of their lives.
Fifth Grade
Megan Gustafson
Fifth Grade
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Biography
Meet Megan Gustafson
Hometown
Port Angeles, WAFavorite Subject
WritingHobbies
Running, hiking, traveling, and reading. Spending quality time with friends and family.Message
"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." - Harriet Tubman
Michele Nowell
Fifth Grade
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Biography
Meet Michele Nowell
Hometown
Philadelphia, PAFavorite Subject
ReadingHobbies
Traveling, reading, going to the theater (performance, movies, etc.)Message
"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence PLUS character - that is the goal of true education." Dr. Martin Luther Kings, Jr.
Areya Zugish
Fifth Grade
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Biography
Meet Areya Zugish
Hometown
Maryville, WAFavorite Subject
Math and ScienceMessage
I look forward to this school year with you!
Sixth Grade
Ciera Adams
Sixth Grade
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Biography
Meet Ciera Adams
Hometown
Indianapolis, INFavorite Subject
ArtMessage
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." - Nelson Mandela
Robert Crouse
Sixth Grade
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Biography
Meet Robert Crouse
Hometown
Glendale, ArizonaWhere I Started Teaching
Littleton School District, Fine Arts AcademyFavorite Subject
ScienceHobbies
Bicycling, Netflix, reading, and swimmingMessage
There's no such thing as mistakes—just happy little accidents.
Jessica Tosti
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Biography
Meet Jessica Tosti
Hometown
Tualatin. OregonFavorite Subject
HistoryHobbies
Tap dancing, traveling, riding bikes, taking my dog to the dog park, doing arts and craftsMessage
Hi! I am Ms. Tosti. This is my first year at Fine Arts Academy, and my first year living in Arizona! I just moved from Oregon with my dog, Mikey. I am so excited to be joining the school and can't wait to get to know you all. We are going to learn a lot and have tons of fun together!
Joanne Vianos
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Biography
Meet Joanne Vianos
Hometown
Born and raised in El Toro, CA, but spent last 33 years in Lake Havasu City, AZFavorite Subject
ScienceHobbies
Singing in choir, reading, photography, journalingMessage
I like to teach my students the importance of "Being Aware of the World Around You." Being present in our "world" is an important part of becoming a balanced person.
Seventh Grade
Jaime Fierro
Science
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Biography
Meet Jaime Fierro
Hometown
Phoenix, AZFavorite Subject
ScienceHobbies
Camping, hiking, wood work, motorcycling (formerly), and I want to get back into bicyclingMessage
I look forward to working with your students and plan to make science an exciting subject for them.
Ylicia Ramirez
ELA
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Biography
Meet Ylicia Ramirez
Hometown
Phoenix, AZFavorite Subject
EnglishHobbies
Reading, traveling, and learning about new thingsMessage
Learning has always been a collaborative effort amongst teachers, students, parents, and staff. This year will prove that with extraordinary effort and dedication, we all have an opportunity to become better learners. I am excited to experience the growth our students will have in reading, writing, and learning.
Manuel Torres
Social Studies
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Biography
Meet Manuel Torres
Hometown
Phoenix, ArizonaWhere I Started Teaching
Dysart Unified School DistrictFavorite Subject
PEHobbies
Camping, fishing, watching sports and moviesMessage
"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." -Maimonides
Brian Tuttle
Math
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Biography
Meet Brian Tuttle
Hometown
Phoenix, AZHobbies
Movies, books, and fishMessage
I have been working in education as a teacher for over 25 years. I am the happiest working with children and am so pleased to be teaching your child this year.Eighth Grade
Nicholas Corbeil
ELA
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Biography
Meet Nicholas Corbeil
Hometown
Detroit, MichiganWhere I Started Teaching
Pioneer PrepFavorite Subject
ELAHobbies
Playing/watching sports, working out, and I am very passionate about movies and television.Message
I am excited to join the Littleton team! With this being my first full experience in the classroom, I am confident I have the support system in place to help me hit the ground running and be successful. I hope that students will appreciate my passion for education, and I know our students are going to achieve great things this year!
Andrea DeMondo
Math
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Biography
Meet Andrea DeMondo
Hometown
Las Cruces, New MexicoWhere I Started Teaching
Fine Arts AcademyFavorite Subject
MathHobbies
Sports, binge watching shows, playing with my dog, hanging out with my family, sleeping, and eatingMessage
“Everything will be okay, in the end if it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” - John Lennon
Margaret Peterson
Social Studies
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Biography
Meet Margaret Peterson
Hometown
Bountiful, UtahWhere I Started Teaching
LittletonFavorite Subject
MathHobbies
Crafting and logic puzzlesMessage
Teaching is my true calling in life, and I will continuously support students in finding their true callings.
Vanessa Rios
Science
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Biography
Meet Vanessa Rios
Hometown
Glendale, ArizonaWhere I Started Teaching
Littleton School District, Fine Arts AcademyFavorite Subject
ScienceHobbies
Drawing, acting, painting, writing, comic conventions, making props and costumesMessage
Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.Exceptional Learning Teachers
Kristina Crowson
Gifted/Dance
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Biography
Meet Kristina Crowson
Hometown
Espanola, New MexicoWhere I Started Teaching
Glendale Elementary DistrictFavorite Subject
MathHobbies
Yoga, volleyball, cake decoratingMessage
"Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames." - Rumi
Kathy Ibarra
ESS Resource Teacher
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Biography
Meet Kathy Ibarra
Hometown
Chicago, IllinoisFavorite Subject
ReadingHobbies
Choral singing, reading, traveling, camping, and cookingMessage
”Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” - Aristotle
Danielle Lowrie
ESS Resource Teacher
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Biography
Meet Danielle Lowrie
Hometown
Huntington Beach, CAFavorite Subject
Language ArtsHobbies
Traveling and spending time with familyMessage
I'm so excited to continue working in the Littleton School District community!
Deb Viste
ESS Resource Teacher
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Biography
Meet Deb Viste
Hometown
Tinly Park, IllinoisFavorite Subject
Independent ReadingHobbies
Crochet, baking, and shoppingMessage
I love teaching! I am looking forward to meeting you and your student and look forward to an amazing year!
Student Achievement Coach
Susan Candelaria
Student Achievement Coach
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Biography
Meet Susan Candelaria
Hometown
Glendale, AZFavorite Subject
ScienceHobbies
Reading, crafting, shopping, watching movies, spending time with family and friendsMessage
"Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success." - Henry FordReading Interventionist
Dawn Christensen
Reading Interventionist
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Biography
Meet Dawn Christensen
Hometown
Algonquin, IllinoisWhere I Started Teaching
Elign School DistrictFavorite Subject
Social studies and scienceHobbies
Hiking, traveling, playing American Indian flute, walking the dogsMessage
"The person who does the work is the only one who learns." -Harry Wong
Related Arts
De'Vonne Gonzales
Dance
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Biography
Meet De'Vonne Gonzales
Hometown
Ann Arbor, MichiganFavorite Subject
Science & Performing ArtsHobbies
Performing; Dance, Theater, Karaoke, cake decorating, and driving my '41 classic packardMessage
Perform like everyone is watching, the world is your stage! Be confident to show everyone who you are!
Susan Knighton
Band/Music/Theatre
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Biography
Meet Susan Knighton
Hometown
Commerce Township, MichiganWhere I Started Teaching
Novi Community SchoolsFavorite Subject
Language arts, musicHobbies
Gardening, reading, playing with my catsMessage
"I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music." -Billy Joel
Fabian Sanchez
P.E.
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Biography
Meet Fabian Sanchez
Hometown
Deming, NMFavorite Subject
HistoryHobbies
Video games, jump rope, walkingMessage
I look forward to working within this community with all the phenomenal parents and students to help create an inviting atmosphere where we can all learn and grow together into an incredible unit.
Michelle Walla
Art
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Biography
Meet Michelle Walla
Hometown
Valparaiso, IndianaWhere I Started Teaching
Littleton School District, Littleton ElementaryFavorite Subject
ArtHobbies
Love to travel and see new places, watching Michigan State and Chicago Bears football, hiking, boating, and paintingMessage
Excited for another exciting school year with bright smiling faces ready to create some amazing artwork! "Every child is an artist." - Pablo Picasso
Travis White
Choir/Music/Theatre
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Biography
Meet Travis White
Hometown
Phoenix, ArizonaWhere I Started Teaching
Littleton School District, Country PlaceFavorite Subject
ChoirHobbies
Reading, writing, hiking, playing video games, and sleepingMessage
Music is a world within itself. It is a language we ALL understand.