Meet Our Staff

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  • Dawn A

    Steve Constantino, Principal

    Hello RISE students. I am so fortunate to be part of the leadership team at RISE and am grateful to be involved with a staff that is dedicated to adult education. We strive in supporting adults in reaching their academic dreams and help open doors to the future. I have been a teacher and administrator in the Washoe County School District and have worked at Damonte Ranch High School, Hug High School, Vaughn Middle School and now RISE. I have earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History and a Master’s Degree in Teaching Social Studies at Stony Brook University in New York. I also earned my Master’s in Education and School Administration from the University of Phoenix. I have three wonderful children and enjoy being outside in the beautiful Truckee Meadows. I love working at RISE and gain my strength from witnessing hundreds of adults show courage in returning to school.

     

  • Dawn A Dawn Adams, Assistant Principal

    I am proud to be the assistant principal at RISE. I have a B.A. in Spanish/Film from UNR, a M.A.TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from UNR and a M.Ed in School Administration from Columbia University.  I coordinated the Carpenter Union's ESL and Math courses for adults for four years while also teaching in middle and high schools in WCSD.  I have instructed adults in university courses at UNR, and SNC for teachers pursuing their ELL endorsement for five years. I coordinated the middle and high school ELL programs for the school district before coming to RISE. My passion is empowering the community through education and I love working at RISE because we work to that end EVERYDAY!

     

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    IvetteIvette Jara Gonzalez, Admin. Assistant/Bookkeeper

    ¡Hola! I've been at RISE Academy for a few years & they've been the best! I have worked all shifts with RISE but I am currently working in the morning. I love being part of a team that works hard to help students succeed. I'm pursuing my education to someday be a school counselor & continue helping students in any way that I can. I believe we have the best students who continue to inspire me & motivate me every day!

     

  •  Luz Estrada, Evening Admin. Assistant 

       
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     Hello, my name is Luz Estrada. I emigrated from Durango, Mexico, at the age of 17. After graduating from high school, I attended TMCC and earned my Associate of Arts in 2014. I then transferred to the University of Nevada, Reno, where I graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a minor in translation. During these years, I learned English and continue to embrace this language. For me, learning English feels like an ongoing journey with no end, as there is always something new to discover. Like many immigrants, I navigated my educational path through scholarships while balancing work. I am now part of a great team here at Rise, where I am looking forward to learning and growing both professionally and personally, while being inspired and hopefully inspiring others. I am a true believer that anything is possible when you believe in yourself.

     

  • MariaMaria Franco Herrera, Registrar

     
    Hello! My name is María, I have worked with the district for about 5 years, but this is my first at RISE. I have my associates from TMCC in Early Childhood Education, where I transferred over to UNR & receiving my BA in psychology with Emphasis in Behavior Analysis. I have traveled to 7 different countries and have been fortunate to see different educational philosophies around the world. I believe here at RISE, we offer one, if not the best, adult education in Nevada. We work to inspire and empower our community of all different backgrounds every day!  
     

  • Shannon Q Shannon Quinn, Counselor

     
    I moved to Reno from San Diego, CA where I earned my MA in Education with an emphasis in Counseling and Guidance from Point Loma Nazarene University and a BA in Sociology from California State University, San Marcos. I also hold my Board Certification in School Counseling. I have been a school counselor since 2006. Before becoming a school counselor I worked  as a Financial Aid Counselor and an Academic Events and Projects Coordinator for Thomas Jefferson School of Law. I have also worked in a variety of community agencies and educational programs.  I have been working at RISE since April 2014. I love working at RISE because I get to interact with amazing students that challenge and inspire me every day!

  • Sandra Casey, Counselor

    While living in Southern California, I earned a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science and after moving to Reno, I earned my master’s in counseling and educational psychology. I like learning and challenging myself, so I hold board certifications in counseling and school counseling. I was honored to serve in many positions including president in the Greater NV School Counseling Association. Before beginning my career with WCSD, I worked at TMCC which sparked my interest in adult education. I owned and operated Positive Steps, a family education program. While working for the school district, I have been at Dilworth MS, McQueen HS, NorthStar Online School, and Turning Point k-12 School. I have worked part time at RISE Adult Academy for several years and I’m happy to now be at Rise full time. I love meeting adults who want to advance their education, broaden their opportunities, and discover their strengths. When I’m not at work, I hang out with my kids, grandkids, and dog. I also have great life-long friendships that keep me busy and happy.

     

  • Jeff Jeff Levine, Distance Education Coordinator

     
    I am the distance education coordinator as well as teach Math proficiency and music.  I have a BA in philosophy from Brandeis University.  This is my 7th year full time teaching adults.  I have worked previously with adults here in Reno as well as in California.  I like, actually love teaching at RISE for many reasons.  The most important reason is that I have never worked at a school that listens to student voice as well as teacher voice to assist in creating a program which gives the student the greatest chance to succeed and thrive.
     

  • Ian Moline, Ed. Tech. Spc.

     
    The position I hold at Rise Academy as "Ed. Tech. Specialist" entails a myriad of different tasks, some of which range from managing device updates to troubleshooting software, printers, iPads, PC’s, smart boards and the like. . . Our staff here is incredible. Everyone, including administrators, teachers, counselors, and front office personnel. I have never enjoyed going to work as much as I do now. I love knowing that I am contributing towards helping others succeed in procuring their “High School Diploma!”

  • Michelle Michelle Berry,

    SPED Case Mgr./Math Instructor

     
    I teach High School Equivalency Preparation classes and Mathematics classes at RISE Academy. I earned my Master of Education in Secondary Education from the University of Nevada, Reno. I also hold a Bachelor of Arts from Western Washington University and a Master of Arts in Foreign Language. I am licensed in the state of Nevada to teach Alternative Education, French, Spanish, and TESL. I’m proud to have been teaching at RISE since its inception in the fall of 2014, and feel that RISE promotes an engaging and stimulating learning environment that makes teaching and learning an amazing experience.
     

  • CiarraCiarra Proulx, ELL Coordinator

    Greetings! I am the ELL Coordinator at RISE Academy, as well as an English language instructor. I earned BA degrees in Anthropology and   Linguistics from UNR and an MA-TESL degree from Northern Arizona University. I had the pleasure of serving two years in the U.S. Peace Corps   in Mongolia and have also lived in China briefly. My passions revolve around teaching and learning both language and culture. RISE is an   amazing place to work because our students are here for personal enrichment, empowerment, and growth. Such tenacity and grit are a true inspiration for our community.

     

  •  JanJan Lenz, Instructor

    Greetings! I graduated from Briar Cliff University, in Iowa with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, and a second major in Secondary Education in 2010. Then I earned a Master of Science in Education from Southwest Minnesota State University in 2014. I have taught in schools where I have had two different math classes at a time to schools where I have taught seven different math classes at a time; all ranging from 6th grade math to Calculus and Physics. I have three children that I enjoy spending time with. I look forward to teaching at RISE and helping people to be one step closer to their dream.

     

  • Sam Sam O'Brien, Instructor

     
    I teach US History and American Government at RISE. I have taught adults in the college setting, as well as teaching a couple short sections of NV History for NHP Cadets. I hold a Bachelor's in English Language Arts from UNR, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Sierra Nevada College. I am currently working on a Masters of Education at Sierra Nevada College. Working with adult students at RISE has been a wonderful experience. The students work extremely hard, and are attentive, which inspires me to go above and beyond in the classroom to meet their needs.

  • Dawn A

    Heidi Warren, Instructor

    I have just finished my 16th year of teaching in Washoe County and have worked part-time for Rise for the past two years as an EL teacher. Now I have the privilege to be a full-time Reading Instructor for Rise during the 21-22 school year. I have lived in Reno for 33 years and, my husband of almost 30 years, was born and raised here as were our two sons, we love this community! I hold a Bachelor’s in Education and a Master’s in Literacy from UNR. I didn’t finish college until I was 38 years old, so I have the utmost respect for the perseverance adult learners must have and am so looking forward to helping Rise students to meet their goals. I love working at Rise because of the kind, compassionate and amazing people that I get to work with, staff and students alike.

     

  • Tim Woodside, Instructor

     
    Hello RISE students.  My name is Tim Woodside, I am excited to be an instructor at RISE.  I have been teaching for many years at a few different schools in Reno, Nevada.  I have taught all levels of Secondary Math Education at each of these schools.  I enjoy traveling and  spending time outdoors with my family.  I also enjoy watching Formula 1 racing and the San Francisco Giants.  Math is a wonderful subject, I look forward to helping RISE students continue their path towards the next step in life!  As someone once said, “It’s all fun and games until someone divides by zero.”
     
     

  • Abby Nelle Gama, Instructor

     
    Hello! I grew up here in Reno, and then moved to Eugene, Oregon, where I attended the University of Oregon and received my Bachelor’s degree.  After a few years, I returned to Reno to attend the University of Nevada and take graduate classes for a License to teach Elementary Education. I have been teaching kids since 2006, and I have been teaching adults since 2017. I finished my Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 2021. I have two kids and two cats. I look forward to teaching and learning with you.
     
     
     
     

  • Yerania AYerania Alvarez, Instructor

     
    Greetings! I am an Algebra teacher at RISE Academy. I earned a BS in education at UNR and have taught in Washoe County for three years. I have taught math and EL courses in the district, at TMCC, and previously at RISE. I am glad to be back at RISE while I complete my master’s degree. I am excited to share my experiences with math and help students feel successful!
     
     
     
     
     

  • Janet, School Nurse

     
    Bio Coming