Hi my name is Kuldip Kaur. I was born in India and moved to the United States when I was 22. I was a bus driver for Rancho Cordova district for 2 years before I started working here. I like working with kids so this job is perfect for me. My hobbies include exercising, cooking, and spending time with kids. I drive the Natomas route, plan the menus and order the food for SVCS school lunch program.

Working with students of all age groups is my foremost passions. Other interests are traveling, anthropology, history, literature and spirituality. During this summer break, I worked on a historical project related with Pacific Coast Khalsa Diwan Society Stockton which was incorporated in 1912. I am presenting my research paper in the Centennial Conference on “100 years of Sikh Gurdwara” on September 22, 2012 at University of the Pacific Stockton.

After completion of my Bachelor's Degree in Arts(1972) and Bachelor's in Education (1973) from Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar, I joined R. D. Senior Secondary School, Nadalon in India. I started my career as  a English and Punjabi teacher (1974-1984) and retired in 2011 as a School Principal. While working I acquired Master's in English and Master's in Education  My life took a huge turn when I immigrated to USA in 2009 with my husband to live with our son. I share very loving bond with my two grand kids. I keep myself busy with household chores and love cooking for my family. I have always treated my students with great affection and respect. I am excited to learn the new culture here at SVCS and happy to share the knowledge and skills I have acquired back home in my teaching profession. I will try to make learning Punjabi as enjoyable as possible.

My name is Rick Anderson. After high school I joined the US Air Force for 6 years serving 5 years in Alaska.  After being honorably discharged from the air force I attended Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College for four years graduating with a BA in music.  While in college, I traveled with a college singing group to most of the US and three foreign countries; Costa Rica, Korea and Philippines.  
I love spending time with my family, my wife, my two kids and my three grandchildren.  My favorite hobbies are cooking and singing.
I love working with children and have worked with them professionally and as a volunteer for over 40 years.  With the cut backs in the public schools I took an early retirement and started looking for another full time job.  Working at Sacramento Valley Charter School is a perfect fit for me with the close family atmosphere.
I drive the Elk Grove route and help in the class rooms.

I am originally from Texas where I received my Bachelors of Science in Psychology with a minor in Health at the University of Houston. I taught in Texas before coming to California and joining SVCS last year. My California teaching credentials include Multiple Subject and Education Specialist Mild/ Moderate. In my spare time I like to travel, read and hang out with my family. This summer, my husband and I enjoying traveling throughout Spain and Italy. I am excited to meet the new Kindergartners and I’m looking forward to another great year at SVCS!

Mr. Gold always has had a passion for teaching and for learning about cultures different than his own.
He recently received a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from University of California – Davis for which he student-taught in second grade and kindergarten classrooms. Prior to his studies at the University of California – Davis, he taught English as a Second Language for three years in rural Namibia, a country in Southern Africa, in which he truly realized the importance of foundational skills to a student’s educational career. He looks forward to teaching Kindergarten this year, and maybe even learning a little Punjabi along with his students (he only knows a little Hindi, from studying abroad in India while in university).

I am looking forward to my second year of teaching 1st grade at SVCS. I have five years of experience working with 1st grade students. I am looking forward to a very exciting and productive year working with your child. My education consists of a BA degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Child
Development; and the Multiple Subject Credential (SB 2042) from CSU, Stanislaus. I have completed multiple highly qualified
subject matter exams for teachers under NCLB (No Child Left Behind). Along with working in my classroom, I love spending time with my family and husband. I love to travel whenever I get the chance. I am looking forward to my next big trips to Miami and New Orleans!

I'm not the first person you'd think of when you hear 'Mrs. Singh' but that's me! I married my husband seven years ago and enjoy learning about his culture. I can speak, read and write Hindi and I recently started learning Punjabi. My husband's family is from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India.  I have traveled there four times and I enjoy eating delicious food, dressing in sarees, riding in rickshaws and trains as well as seeing new places. I recently traveled to Hyderabad and Amritsar.

I am originally from California but I have also lived in Alaska, Texas and Arizona. I attended Sac State earning my bachelors in Liberal Studies with minors in mathematics and physical education and a concentration in theatre arts. I have a multiple subject credential and recently completed a masters in Education in Curriculum and Instruction. My thesis project focused on including movement in the school day to improve brain processing and retention.
In my spare time I love to dance, sew, cook, swim, read books about the brain, watch my husband play cricket and snuggle with Pekingese dog named Josie.

Mrs. Cooper is looking forward to bringing creativity to her classroom. Before becoming a teacher, she was an actor, singer, storyteller, and theatre director. It was after having three children that she discovered she had another passion: teaching! She completed her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential at the University of California, Davis and is looking forward to her first year at SVCS. Mrs. Cooper is very excited about helping children become lifelong learners and is most energized when she is teaching literacy and getting kids fired up about reading.

In her spare time (which she doesn’t get a lot of), Mrs. Cooper loves to travel and write. Her favorite places in the world are India (because of the people, the architecture, and the food) and London (where she fell in love with her husband). Her greatest wish is to travel around the world with her family and write a book about it. Quite often, Mrs. Cooper can be found in a library or used bookstore… she has never met a book she didn’t like! She also likes to try new things, even if it means getting messy.

Miss McComas loves learning as much as she loves teaching. She travels as often as she can to explore unfamiliar places and meet interesting people. This past summer, Miss McComas traveled to Costa Rica. While she was there, she zip lined through the rain forest, repelled down waterfalls, rode a horse, went snorkeling, and practiced her Spanish. This year, Miss McComas is learning how to plan a wedding - her own! Next May, Miss McComas will become Mrs. Chavez. In addition to traveling and planning her wedding, Miss McComas stays busy being a mom to her two dogs, training for half marathons, and helping her fiance study to be a police officer. Miss McComas has a B.A. in Psychology from San Francisco State University, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from U.C. Davis, and a Master's in Education from U.C. Davis.

Mr. Peer loves to experience other cultures. He has traveled to many different
places in his life. He lived for several years in Austria, where he worked as a ski
instructor. One of the most interesting trips he has taken was a seven-week journey
through Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. One of his dreams is to go helicopter skiing in Alaska. Mr. Peer loves to run in the mornings before school. He has completed one marathon and four half marathons. He is currently training for the next one. He is also enjoying being a father to his young daughter, Julia, who was born in the spring of 2012, and husband to his beautiful wife, Kristin. Mr.
Peer completed his B.A. at Holy Names University, in Oakland, CA, and his Multiple Subject Teaching Credential at U.C. Davis. This year he will be completing his Master’s in Education at U.C. Davis.

Although I have thought about this biography throughout this whole summer, I find myself beginning to write this less than two weeks before school starts. In many respects, I was hesitant to describe who I am because words might fall short of the passion my heart holds. Another fear I had was not knowing what parts of myself would be most important important to share—my culture, my family, my struggles, or even my fears. With that said, I shall begin with one simple fact: My name is Katreena Halili Tolentino.

As a child, I had trouble speaking. I often mispronounced words, spoke too quickly, and occasionally stuttered. People had a difficult time trying to understand me; however, that never stopped me from talking and expressing my thoughts. I was lucky to be surrounded by a strong support system—caring teachers, loving family, and encouraging friends—without whom I would not be the person I am today. It was not always easy. Sometimes, I would get frustrated that I tried my best but didn't seem to improve. Other times, I felt discouraged because someone would tease me. Despite the challenges, I never gave up because my strong support system continued to believe in me. Now, it is my turn to help build a support system for every child that walks into my classroom. I cannot do this alone. I know that we—as a community built of caring teachers, loving family, and encouraging friends—can help all students within Sacramento Valley Charter School to find their voice. I believe that every child has an important story to tell and that we are ready to listen.

I am originally from the Bay Area, but moved to Sacramento to attend CSU Sacramento.  Through hard work and determination I successfully earned a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies and also minored in Mathematics.  It was here that I met my soul mate, Benjamin... also known as: my cat.  I was also fortunate enough to meet my wonderful husband and begin a new chapter in my life.  Shortly after graduation I was invited to join a credentialing program that allowed me to work as a full time teacher while I attended my credentialing classes.  
I was given the opportunity to return to my hometown and begin my teaching career by giving back to my community through teaching at the high school from which I had graduated from several years back.  So, I spent the next couple of years teaching 9th grade math in the Bay Area and commuting back and forth to Sacramento on the weekends.  
In the past year, I had a chance to travel to my husband's home country of India for our wedding and travel to several cities and landmarks that India is known for.  My favorite and most adventurous landmark was definitely the Bawe Temple in Jammu where I ACTUALLY got mugged for fruit by a monkey!
This year I hope to enjoy spending more time with my family and friends.  I also enjoy cooking/baking, scrapbooking, and traveling to new places with my husband. I am thrilled to be joining the SVCS community and look forward to the exciting year ahead!

I Graduated from Washington State University with a BA in Sociology. After
college I moved to the Czech Republic, where I taught English for four years and
traveled extensively through Europe. I returned to the United States and received
my teaching credential and M. Ed. at National University here, in Sacramento. My interests include athletics, music, and the outdoors.