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

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!

Click here to link to Mrs. Stearns' website for classwork, events and info.

Second/Third Grade - Joe Ball
jball@forestranchcharter.org

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Mr. Ball started at FRCS as a Teacher's Aide in 2008, so he has been with us since day one. Beginning as a long-term substitute in 2012-13, he started the 2013-14 school year with his own classroom. Mr. Ball graduated from American University, Washington DC in 2004 with a History Major and a Justice, Law, and Society Minor. He earned his Teaching Credential from CSU, Chico in 2011.

Third/Fourth Grade - Tara Potter
tpotter@forestranchcharter.org

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Ms. Potter is new to FRCS this year, but prior to joining our school, she spent nine years teaching 3rd grade at a local private school.  This year, she is excited to continue teaching 3rd grade, but also really excited to gain experience teaching 4th grade as well.  Ms. Potter was born and raised in Chico and she graduated from CSU, Chico in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and a Minor in Child Development.  She earned her Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential from Chico State in 2008 and this year marks her tenth year of teaching.  When she’s not teaching, she loves taking her dog on walks or to the park, spending time with her friends and family, and she especially enjoys playing with her 3 and 5 year-old nieces.  

Fourth/Fifth Grade - Lisa Matoes
lmatoes@forestranchcharter.org

Another founding faculty member, Ms. Matoes taught the 4th/5th/6th combo in 2008-09. She survived with flying colors. Ms. Matoes 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 the partnering with Mrs. McNulty to host 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 Matoes' website for classwork, events and info.

Middle School Lead Teacher - Michele Dwyer-Jimenez (aka Mrs. DJ)
mdj@forestranchcharter.org

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Mrs. Dwyer-Jimenez (DJ) reentered teaching in 2013 after a five-year stint as a Financial Controller for a local advertising agency. She received her Teaching Credential from Chapman University in 1995, after earning a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Child Development in 1993 from CSU, Chico. She brings experience in Highly Effective Teaching and individualized instruction designed to inspire learners.  Mrs. D.J. is a participant in the i-STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) program through Chico State, a three year intense lesson study in STEM, in order to incorporate more STEM activities on the FRCS campus. Mrs. D.J. is certified in College Preparatory Mathematics instruction, a common core math curriculum delivered in grades 6 through 8 at FRCS. She is also part of an NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) intensive through Chico State for the next two years, which will help transition FRCS to the next phase of Science curriculum implementation in the classroom. Mrs. D.J. is our Student Government teacher and takes an active role in fundraising on campus, including our annual Jump and Jog-a-Thon. She is a proud wife and mother of a son and a daughter who are now grown, in college, and venturing out on their own. 

Click here to link to Mrs. DJ's website for classwork, events, and info.

Middle School Teacher - Cindy Thompson
cthompson@forestranchcharter.org

Long-Term Independent Study (Home School Program) - Mallory Bodney
mbodney@forestranchcharter.org

Mrs. Bodney earned her Bachelors in Sociology and her Masters in Education from the University of California, Santa Barbara. After moving north she came to Forest Ranch Charter School to teach a first/second grade class and then a second/third grade class. Then she married her husband Chris and they started a family. Now Mallory is back as our Home School Program Teacher.