This is my 28th year of teaching, and my first ever year doing it all in a digital setting. I grew up in Southern California and went to UC Santa Barbara as an undergrad. My first teaching job was in iSacramento, where I taught 4th grade and kindergarten. Then I moved to New Zealand where I taught Form 1. Form 1 is the first of a two year intermediate school, so sort of like 7th grade, but they were really age equivalent to 6th grade. That was a really fun and exciting year for me. I traveled around the world on my way home from New Zealand, doing things like trekking in Nepal, exploring India, sailing the Nile, exploring Turkey, seeing ruins in Syria, and visiting Petra (an ancient city carved out of rocks). When I got back home I got a job here in Lake Tahoe because I had been coming here with my family my whole life and decided to make Tahoe my home. I started out teaching 4th grade at Sierra House, then moved to the middle school teaching 6th grade. I have since taught all the levels of math and science offered at STMS. So this job here at Elevated Digital Learning Academy is a new chapter and a new challenge for me. When I'm not teaching I love to be outside exploring my surroundings. I love to hike and backpack, am an avid bike rider, have kayaks and paddleboards, and in the winter I love to ski. I also love to read, spend time in my garden, and be with my family.
Mrs. Malone
I have been in education for 17 years. I taught 8th grade English in La Puente, CA (East L.A.), worked as a substitute teacher for LTUSD for 5 years and taught 8h grade English at STMS last year. I was also the Director of Admissions of various Art and Design Colleges throughout the nation.
As a native of New York City, I received my Bachelor of Arts in English and teaching credential from The State University of New York, Geneseo and I am working towards receiving my MBA. I have been coming to South Lake Tahoe since I was a baby and finally moved here 10 years ago. My parents moved here 22 years ago and live in Meyers. I am married to Ray and we have 2 kids: Abby, age 11 and Jay, age 5. Like many residents of South Lake, I enjoy hiking, kayaking,and skiing.
Mrs Polan
Hello! My name is Anne Polan and I am so excited to be the Resource Special Education Teacher for Elevated Digital Learning Academy! This is my 6th year teaching in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts and Music from California State University, Hayward (now California State University, East Bay). I moved to South Lake Tahoe in 2001 and worked in corporate marketing for Caesars Entertainment. I also have a California Cosmetology License and prior to moving to Lake Tahoe, worked as a hairstylist in the Bay Area. I decided to become a Special Education Teacher when my daughter Dylan was born with Down Syndrome, the greatest gift I have ever been given. I also have a 2 year old son named Austin who keeps me on my toes and brings more smiles to my face than anything else. I enjoy crafting, camping, cooking,singing (especially musicals), and eating dark chocolate. I am so happy to be a part of the Elevated family!
Ms Navarro
Ms. Raymond
I am a native New Yorker and a Tahoe local since 2002. I love skiing, traveling, yoga, surfing, and reading. My daughter keeps me busy playing and adventuring. We live on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe and along with my partner, Brennan, we live to make the world a better place for people and the planet. #blm #science #climatejustice #nohumanisillegal #loveislove
Oh, and I LOVE LEARNING! My Education background includes a BA in History and Spanish from James Madison University, MA in Education from Humboldt State University, and an EdD in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California. This is my 15th year serving LTUSD and I enjoy working and learning from my unique classes and designing lessons to meet my students needs, interests, and strengths. My guiding pedagogical philosophy is relevance, rigor, and relationships. These anchoring principles, coupled with equity and justice, ground me and have informed my practices in the now virtual classroom. Fun Fact: I have skied all 7 continents Favorite foods: Italian
Mrs. Desoucy
Ms Seely
Mrs Riegel
Hello! My name is Alison Riegel and I am the TK/Kindergarten teacher for Elevated Digital Learning Academy. This will be my 16th year teaching in our school District. I have an English Degree with an Elementary Teaching Certificate. I moved to South Lake Tahoe in 2002 from Pennsylvania and enjoy skiing, boating, beaching, and reading. My husband and I have three grown children, two of which still live and work in South Lake Tahoe. I am so excited to join the Elevated team!
Ms. Ilvento
Ms. Zalles
Hi, I’m Mrs. Zalles. I’ve been a teacher at STHS for the past 18 years- yeah I know, that’s a long time. I have taught Biology, STEAM, and all levels of AVID. I am passionate about Science, exploring wild places, and taking care of the environment. My greatest accomplishment so far is helping over 100 students get into a 4 year College through the AVID program. I went to the University of Oregon and have a B.S. degree in Environmental Studies and a Minor in Biology. I later went to San Francisco State to get my Teaching Credential. I have a husband and two little boys that keep me very busy. I love being on my mountain bike, skis, or paddle board depending on the season. I am excited to be a part of Elevated Learning Academy!