August 3

I would like to take some time to introduce new teachers to our site!! Here is a little about each of them: 

I am so excited to join Suisun Valley staff this year!  My teaching career started in 1998 when I began subbing in Napa as I finished film school. In 1999, I accepted a long term 1st grade position with FSUSD and fell in love with teaching.  In 2000, as a brand new teacher not yet credentialed, I was fortunate enough to work as Patty Raina’s partner in kindergarten at Tolenas for 4 years. After leaving kindergarten, over the next 12 years at Tolenas, I taught 2nd, 4th, and 5th grades.  This year, I am eager to start out on a new path as an Instructional Specialist.  I am also thrilled to return to kindergarten as Patty’s partner once again!  
    As for my personal life, I have an adult daughter and currently live in Davis with my two younger children (10 and 14), my two chickens, and two dogs.
- Michelle Quinton (Kinder teacher)

My name is Jennifer Barnett (6th grade teacher) and I am very excited to be teaching 6th grade at Suisun Valley Elementary School.  Most of my friends call me Jen or Jennie. (Jennifer is what my mom would call me when I was in trouble.)  I have been working the past 4 years in Vacaville Unified as a Para IA while going to school and completing my BA and getting my teaching credentials.  Though I have plenty of experience in the classroom, this is my first time being “The Teacher”.  In addition to working in education, I have worked in construction as a project manager and managed a bookstore.  I have done a great deal of volunteer work with the Girl Scouts of Northern California and coaching my children’s sports teams.  

I am a California girl, born and raised in San Jose. I watched the city change from an agricultural mecca to the Silicon Valley.   My fondest memories from childhood are playing in the apricot and plum orchards next to my home with my twin sister and cousins. Today, I live in Vacaville and enjoy working in my small garden and working on projects around the house.   My husband, 23 year old son and 11 year old daughter are the center of my world.  We spend much our free time with our extended family camping, hanging out on the lake or just simply enjoying some good music.  Without the support of my family I would have never been able to go back to school.  They are all amazing people!

I am looking forward to meeting the staff and students. I can’t think of a better place to be then Suisun Valley Elementary!

Greetings Suisun Valley Staff!

I look forward to joining your team and being a part of such an amazing school. I'm an Education Specialist and have my masters in special education. I love working with students and learning from them as well. I taught children with mild to moderate learning differences in Marin for seven years, was a Director of Education at Sylvan Learning Center and even started my own learning center here in Fairfield. I live with my husband and two boys. My boys are in the dual immersion program at B.Gale Wilson and I love hearing them speak Spanish:). I enjoy running/walking/hiking, skiing/snowboarding and spending time with family and friends.

Cheers to a successful school year!

Leigh Biega (RSP Teacher)

My name is Lindsay McCulley (1st grade teacher) and I am new to California! I was born and raised in Georgia, and this is my first year as a teacher. I love to read and my favorite thing in the world is Disney. I am very excited to start my new adventure in California, but mostly at Suisun Valley!

Hello Suisun Valley Elementary Staff,

My name is Melissa Beck (7th grade teacher) and I am so excited for my very first year of teaching!!!!!  I have earned my Bachelor of Arts Degree from Cal Poly, Pomona and where I also received my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential this summer.

I have lived in the SoCal my whole life with my loving parents and my older brother. My brother is currently serving our great country in the United States Air Force.

Fun fact about me is that I am an accredited pet training instructor. I have worked at Petsmart for over 8 ½ years. This experience working as a trainer allowed me to learn how to teach families the essential tools needed to make their new dog a member of their family. Training a dog is not easy and it takes patience and consistency just like teaching.

I am making a huge change in my life moving up to Fairfield to begin my new career and achieve my dreams of becoming a teacher.  I cannot wait to meet my new Suisun Valley family and begin my first year of teaching.

Always,

Melissa Beck

Dear Dragon Staff,

I hope your summer is going great and that you are relaxing and enjoying your time off. It has been a busy summer at school with getting our school ready. Thank you Carlos and Anthony for making our rooms SPARKLE!!

Our retreat is scheduled for August 11^th. We will meet at Suisun Valley at 8:30am in the staff room. Buy back is available. If you are unable to attend please email or call me. Wear comfortable clothes, sun block, and/or a hat. We will be spending some time in the garden. On Monday morning August 15^th we will have our first staff meeting from 8:30-12:00pm in the staff room J. I WOULD LIKE ALL STAFF TO ATTEND FOR THE FIRST 30 minutes. Come ready to discuss one thing you want to stop, one thing you want to start, and one thing you want to continue doing this year in your personal life. If you are a new staff member on campus you will meet with me in the staff room at 1:00pm on August 15^th. The meeting will last about an hour. On August 19th at 5:00pm we will be having our staff social at my home at 137 Auburn Way Vacaville, 95688. Please bring your family and your swim stuff. We hope to see everyone there.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to some new staff members on our site Brandon Klein (8th), Melissa Beck(7^th), Michelle Quinton (K), Arica Henry(School Psychologist), Jennie Barnett (6^th), Leigh Biega (RSP teacher), Alee Litvinchuk (6^th/7^th), and Lindsay McCulley (1^st) . If you see them on campus please introduce yourself and help them in any way that you can.

I want you to know that I think we had an exciting fifth year together. You are an amazing staff and I feel fortunate to be able to work with you. I am excited about our new year, our new teachers, staff and just being back!!   

The 2016/2017 school year promises to be a great year. We will continue to work on our Ag/Tech focus for the upcoming school year. We will also continue to support our efforts of being an NEU school. As a staff we will work together to learn NGSS and Common Core I know that through our continued hard work, we will see our students grow academically and socially.

The school calendar has been approved and the teacher work days are August 15^th and August 16^th, and the students will arrive on August 17^th.  The school will be open for you to pick up your keys, August 3rd. We have been working very hard to ensure that your rooms are ready.

Have a super rest of the summer and I will see you on August 11^th.

Thursday, August 11, 2016        8:30-3:30pm                 Ag PD Bring your Life lab books

                                                                      Coffee, muffins, and lunch will be provided

Monday, August 15, 2016        8:30-12:00       Staff Meeting-  in staff room

                                                1:00-2:00     Orientation for new staff on site- in staff room

12:00-3:00                     Teacher Work Day in Your Classrooms

Tuesday, August 16, 2016         8:00-3:00                       Teacher Work Day in Your Classrooms

Best Regards,

Jas Bains Wright