Our Faculty

The teachers and staff are amazing... - Shelly Whipple, parent of Mason
The faculty at FRCS are second to none. I love the diversity in the teaching and the energy everyone puts forth... - Diana Burgon, parent of Bronte and Brighton

TK/Kindergarten - Theresa Palmarini
tpalmarini@forestranchcharter.org

Ms. Palmarini is a founding teacher at FRCS. She started with a 2nd/3rd grade combo in 2008-09 then moved to kindergarten in 2009-10. She received a degree in Environmental Science Writing from CSU, Chico in 1996 and her teaching credential in 2001. Prior to becoming a classroom teacher at FRCS, Ms. Palmarini taught reading intervention and GATE. She also taught environmental education to K-12th grade students at the Chico Creek Nature Center and as an AmeriCorp member with the Nature Conservancy. Ms. Palmarini brings her training and experience in Service Learning, Watershed Education, Project Wild, Project Learning Tree, Read Naturally, and Highly Effective Teaching to FRCS. In her spare time, Ms. Palmarini enjoys gardening, working on the Butte Creek Canyon property she shares with her husband and two daughters, hiking, reading and knitting.

First/Second Grade - Katrina Stearns
kstearns@forestranchcharter.org

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Ms. Stearns joined the FRCS faculty in 2010-11, teaching a 1st/2nd grade combination class. She graduated from CSU, Chico in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, emphasizing English. She received her teaching credential from the same institution in 2006. She enjoys teaching the younger grade electives such as baking, cooking, and art. She also brings a background of acting and drama into her teaching. Mrs. Stearns frequently organizes our school assemblies and mentor times, including the popular "teacher challenges." Her class hosts The Annual Great Egg Drop and heads up the Box Tops for Education fundraising. When she's not teaching you can usually find her with her family and out and about at her kid's sporting events!

Second/Third Grade - Kala Ulep
kulep@forestranchcharter.org

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Miss Ulep joined the FRCS family in the 2017-18 school year as an aide. She then worked as the Aftercare Director, Student Teacher, and finally in the 2020-21 school year she became the 2nd/3rd grade teacher. She graduated from CSU Chico in 2018 with her Liberal Studies degree followed by her preliminary credential in 2020. Before that she received an associate degree in Social Behavioral Sciences from Butte College. Miss Ulep also has interests in sports. Before going to college she coached and refereed basketball and volleyball from ages 5-14. With that background Miss Ulep now runs our after school sports program. In her spare time you can find Miss Ulep devouring books and spending time with family and friends.​

Fourth/Fifth Grade - Lisa Sellu
lsellu@forestranchcharter.org

Another founding faculty member, Ms. Sellu taught the 4th/5th/6th combo in 2008-09. She survived with flying colors. Ms. Sellu graduated from Sonoma State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies with concentrations in Applied Arts and Mathematics in 2001, receiving her teaching credential in 2002.  She enjoys teaching her students to be lifelong learners and sets an example by taking part in multiple professional development opportunities. She has participated in iSTEM, HET trainings and seminars with Susan Kovalik, project WET, project WILD, Forestry Institute for Teachers, Art for educators, and other science institutes through Chico State. She has been the Lead Teacher at our school from inception. She has brought her enthusiasm of art and dance to our electives. To help families, she started, and continues to run, our after school Homework Club. She also enjoys putting on Math Days/Nights and hosting the Sock Hop. Her dedication to her students, their families, and the rest of the staff at FRCS is an asset to our  school.

Click here to link to Ms Sellu's website for classwork, events and info.

Middle School Teacher - Michele Jimenez
​mdj@forestranchcharter.org

Michele attended Chico State majoring in Liberal Studies with an area of concentration in Child Development.  Her heart is devoted to her family and her students.  Michele's career has been split between teaching and finance.  She has taught Pre-K, First, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth grade.  Middle school feels like her niche and where she is supposed to be at this time in her life.  Michele's certifications include iSTEM, NGSS, AVID, HET with Susan Kovalik, Thinking Maps, and MTSS.  She is currently the Middle School Coordinator for Forest Ranch Charter School, which includes teaching all subjects, organizing and attending overnight field trips, and supporting extracurricular activities of her students, as well as social activities for the middle school here at FRCS.

​Mrs. D.J.'s Middle School Site

Long-Term Independent Study (Home School Program) - Aimee Moffett
amoffett@forestranchcharter.org