Faculty & Staff

• Incline Village/Reno
• Las Vegas/Henderson

Incline Village/Reno Faculty

Beth Taliaferro Bouchard

• Professor, Department Chair
• B.A., Social Sciences, University of Arkansas
• M.A., Curriculum and Instruction, University of Colorado.

Beth Bouchard has twenty-two years of experience in education as a public school classroom teacher, curriculum specialist, elementary school principal, and college and university instructor. Her last position was the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Florida Department of Education.   In addition to her administrative duties, Bouchard also teaches in the Teacher Education program.

Keli Brown

• Assistant Academic Director, Reno/Tahoe Field Experience Coordinator, M.A.T. Academic Advisor Teacher Training
• B.S., Early Childhood Education, University of Nevada, Reno
• M.A., Educational Leadership, University of Nevada, Reno

Keli Brown has seventeen years of experience working with children and adults in educational environments including early childhood, experiential outdoor education, and private K-8 programs. Keli has extensive knowledge in Emilia Reggio, Montessori and Waldorf pedagogies and curriculums and has taught second through fifth grade using Waldorf methods. In addition to being an administrator, advisor, and instructor in the Teacher Education program, Keli is currently working on her PhD in Educational Leadership at the University of Nevada, Reno.

ADJUNCT FACULTY

 

Tanya D. Caron,Ph.D.

• Adjunct Professor
• B.A., Theater, UCLA
• M.A., Education, United States International University
• Ph.D., Literacy Studies, University of Nevada, Reno.

Tanya Caron joined the adjunct teaching staff in 2009, bringing with her a wealth of experience as an elementary mainstream classroom teacher, Reading Specialist, and English as a Second Language Specialist. Tanya is the founder and Principal Consultant for TESoLutions, a firm providing school improvement planning and teacher development focused on meeting the needs of English language learners.

Mavis Leathley, Ph.D.

• Adjunct Professor
• B.S., Education and Speech Communication, University of Nevada, Reno
• M.Ed., Admininstration and Speech, University of Nevada, Reno
• Ph.D., University of La Verne

Diverse and ambitious, Mavis went on to earn a Norwegian Degree from the University of Oslo in 1982, a TESOL Endorsement in 1992, and her Administration Credential in 1994.  In 2006, Mavis finisher her Ph.D. from the University of La Verne California. From 1991 to 1999, Mavis was an ESL Program Coordinator and an ESL/Foreign Language Specialist.  In 1998 Mavis obtained her first principalship and is currently the principal at Desert Heights Elementary School.  Mavis joined the SNC Adjunct Faculty in the Spring term of 2006, bringing with her 17 years of educational experience and wisdom to the classroom. In addition to classroom teaching and principalship, Mavis has lended her time to being a Washoe County School District Social Studies Curriculum Textbook Member (2001-2007), Tengo un Sueno Pre School Board Member (1997-2001), and a Bilingual Task Force Member (1995-1998).  Mavis has also been a member of the National Association of School Administrators (2001-Present) and the Washoe County Administration Association (1994-2001).

Marsha Kobre Anderson, Ph.D.

• Adjunct Professor
• B.A., Dramatic Arts, Douglass College, the women’s college of Rutgers University
• M.A.T., English Education, Trenton State College, now The College of New Jersey
• Ph.D., Higher Education Administration, University of Denver

Dr. Anderson has taught nearly 40 years at almost every level of education. She taught in grades 7-12 in Pennsylvania and Colorado before moving into teaching remedial courses to adult students in colleges, universities, and adult high schools. Dr. Anderson was assistant dean in the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University from 1987-1992 and moved to Las Vegas in 1992 to be a grant writer for Clark County School District. In 1990, she started an academic editing and grant-writing business, The Document Doctor, and that continues to be her full-time endeavor.

Brittany Culbertson

• Adjunct Professor

Charlotte Curtis, Ph.D.

• Adjunct Professor
• Ed.D., University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada
• M.A., Educational Leadership, St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California
• B.S., University of Texas

Dr. Charlotte Curtis is an adjunct professor with Sierra Nevada College. She has been associated with the college since 2008 as student teacher supervision, MAT adjunct professor and is currently a thesis supervisor. She is concurrently associated with the Nevada Department of Education providing leadership to state and federal programs for the past eighteen years. She has worked as the Nevada GEAR UP State Director for the past eleven years, and currently serves on the Nevada ACT State Council, College Readiness Task Force, College Access Challenge Grant Advisory Commission and National Council for Community and Education Partnerships Advisory Commission. Initiatives she has participated in include the National Governor’s Association Honor Grant High Schools, Nevada Public Education Foundation, Nevada’s School to Careers, Goals 2000, Improving America’s Schools Act and ESEA Title I School Improvement.

Amy Hope

• Adjunct Professor

Nancy Kelly

• Adjunct Professor
• B.S., Education, University of Nevada, Reno
• M.Ed., Lesley College

Nancy joined SNC as an adjunct faculty member in the fall of 2009. She received her ESL endorsement from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2008. Nancy taught 29 years for the Washoe County School District. She retired and became an independent educational consultant. She is presently working at a variety of schools in the district as an instructional coach and teacher leader. She is currently working for Pearson as a professional developer and traveling all over the United States. Nancy is a member of the International Reading Association, and is on the editing board for the Reading Teacher. She is also a member of ASCD.

Michael Lauletta

• Adjunct Professor

Michael is in his 44th year in professional education.He has served in the capacity of secondary teacher and college adjunct professor, student teacher supervisor for student teachers, as a secondary counselor, and as a principal at elementary, middle and high school levels. He also was a district director of K-12 programs.

Deanna LeMay

• Adjunct Professor

Kari Michael

• Adjunct Professor

Elizabeth (Betts) Markle, Ph.D.

• Adjunct Professor
• B.A., Management, National Louis University
• M.A., Library Information Sciences, Dominican University, River Forest, IL
• Ph.D., Education Leadership, Colorado State University

Dr. Markle has served as Library Director at three different institutions over the past 20 years. After 12 years at DeVry University, both in the Chicago area and Atlanta, she worked for Argosy University in Atlanta for four years before moving to Incline Village as Library Director at Sierra Nevada College. Her teaching experience includes teaching at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate level, including online classes. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for SCELC (Statewide California Electronic Library Consortium). Here at SNC, Dr. Markle teaches Business Research for the Business Department and Education Research classes for the Teacher Education Department.

Susan Moulden-Horton, Ph.D.

• Adjunct Professor
• B.A., Physical Education, California State University, Chico
• M.A., Physical Education, Indiana University
• Ed.S., University of Nevada, Reno
• Ph.D., Education Leadership, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Dr. Sue Moulden-Horton has taught Physical Education in grades K-12 for 7 years in Nevada before becoming a school administrator in a small rural district in Nevada. After 5 years of middle and elementary administration, Dr. Moulden-Horton has been working for the Nevada Department of Education as the statewide School Improvement Grant (SIG) Coordinator. Most recently, she is teaching both online and on campus Health Education classes for Sierra Nevada College.

Katie Rossi

• Adjunct Professor

Sheryl Watson

• Adjunct Professor

Toby Wiedenmayer

• Adjunct Professor
• B.A., Art, Humanities, and English, Washington College
• M.A.T., Sierra Nevada College

Toby moved to Reno, Nevada after coaching softball and field hockey at Randolph-Macon College in 2003. She completed her Teacher’s Certification at Sierra Nevada College in 2004 with a focus on secondary art and English. She began teaching at Rainshadow Community Charter High School in Reno, Nevada during her student teaching internship and has remained. Toby continued her education at University of Nevada, Reno, adding a Special Education Endorsement to her Teacher’s License. She is currently the Dean of Academics and Special Education Case Manager at Rainshadow Community Charter High School. Toby joined the Sierra Nevada College faculty as an adjunct in the Teachers Education Program in the summer of 2011.

 

Faculty & Staff – Las Vegas

FACULTY

 

Beth Taliaferro Bouchard

• Professor, Department Chair
• B.A., Social Sciences, University of Arkansas
• M.A., Curriculum and Instruction, University of Colorado.

Beth Bouchard has twenty-two years of experience in education as a public school classroom teacher, curriculum specialist, elementary school principal, and college and university instructor. Her last position was the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Florida Department of Education.   In addition to her administrative duties, Bouchard also teaches in the Teacher Education program.

Jeanne Klockow, Ph.D.

• Professor, M.Ed. Program Director
• B.A., Governors State University
• M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction, Governors State University
• Ph.D., Instructional and Curricular Studies, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Dr. Jeanne A. Klockow, is currently serving as the Director for the Master in Education degree in Advanced Teaching and Leadership (M.Ed.) Program. Dr. Klockow created and developed the M.Ed. program, with a primary focus on advocacy and teachers as agents for change through active leadership. The primary purpose of the M.Ed. program is to encourage professionals to become leaders in their respective professional fields. Dr. Klockow also serves as a Professor in the Department of Teacher Education, where she teaches classes in leadership and educational theory. Prior to coming to SNC, Dr. Klockow served in other educational capacities including the Director for the Center for Teaching & Learning-Assessment and also Curriculum Developer for large environmental agencies.

Francine Mayfield, Ed.D.

• Professor, M.A.T. Field Experiences and ALDR Internships Director
• B.A., Speech and Language Pathology, California State University, Los Angeles
• M.Ed., Southwest Texas State University
• Ed.D., University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Dr. Francine Mayfield holds a BA in Speech, Language Pathology from California State University, Los Angeles, M.Ed. from Southwest Texas State University and Ed.D. from University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Francine has twenty-seven years of experience in education as a public school special educator, curriculum specialist, elementary school principal, Director of Elementary Special Education for the nation’s 5th largest school district and college and university instructor. Her last position was founding Dean for the School of Education at Nevada State College. After a brief retirement, Francine joined the SNC Adjunct Faculty and has most recently been appointed Director of Field Experiences.

Maria Meyerson, Ph.D.

• Professor, Graduate Research Coordinator
• B.S., Education, State University of New York at Buffalo
• M.S., Education, State University of New York at Buffalo
• Ph.D., Literacy Education, State University of New York at Buffalo

Maria joined the SNC Adjunct Faculty in 2007, bringing more than 20 years of experience in higher education to the classroom.  Currently, Maria has been appointed Director of Graduate Research of Teacher Education at SNC.

 

ADJUNCT FACULTY

Angela Geiger

• Adjunct Professor

 

Trudy Abell

• Adjunct Professor, Professional Project Director

Gretchen Alden

• Adjunct Professor

Marsha Anderson, Ph.D.

• Adjunct Professor, Thesis Chair

Allison F. Berman

• Adjunct Professor
• B.S., Education, University of Arizona
• M.S., Counseling, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Furthering her education, Allison received her endorsement certification in Gifted Education from Sierra Nevada College.  In addition, Allison has obtained endorsements in School Administration and Educational Media. Allison has been a classroom teacher, an adult educational administrator for TUSD in Tucson Arizona, a multicultural trainer for CCSD, a Religious School Director in Summerlin Nevada, a presenter for Gifted and Special Education Conferences for CCSD, and is the co-author of “Teaching with Dignity.”  Currently, Allison is the GATE Program Facilitator for the Northwest Region, an Itinerant Specialist for the CCSD Highly Gifted Program.

Kandace Birdsall-Harden

• Adjunct Professor
• B.A., Applied Arts and Sciences, San Diego State University
• M.Ed., Instructional and Curricular Studies, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Advanced Studies Certification in Gifted and Talented Education, Sierra Nevada College.

In 2005 and 2006, Kandace received the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers Award.  Currently, Kandace is a Literacy Specialist at Clarence Piggott Elementary School.

Bernadine Brunson, Ph.D.

• Adjunct Professor, Thesis Chair

Sallie Chaffin

• Adjunct Professor
• B.S., Southern Utah State University
• M.Ed., University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Sallie brings more than 33 years of teaching experience to the classroom.  In addition, she supervises student teachers and works for the Professional Development Department at CCDS as an Alternate Route to Certification as a project facilitator and teacher mentor.

Maria Chairez, Ed.D.

• Thesis Chair

Deanna R. Davis

• Adjunct Professor
• B.S., Business Administration & Management, San Diego State University
• M.A., Higher Education Administration, New York University

Ms. Deanna R. Davis currently serves as an on-line instructor for Sierra Nevada College. In addition to working at SNC, she also serves as the Director for Academic Enrichment at the UNLV Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach (CAEO). She administers four federally funded TRiO projects (three Student Support Services, and one McNair Scholars Program). Her previous positions include serving as an elementary school teacher and counselor for the San Francisco Unified School District. Ms. Davis has made numerous presentations on educational issues on the state, regional, and national levels. Davis is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in Workforce Development and Organizational Leadership.

Heather Day, Ph.D.

• Thesis Chair

Lisa Doptis

• Adjunct Professor

Mike A. Foster

• Adjunct Professor
• B.S., Physical Education, Northern Arizona University.
• M.S., Northern Arizona University.

In addition, Mike received his Administrative Certification in 1981 from the same University. In 1997, Mike received the NAU Centennial Year of Education Distinguished Alumni Award.

Kevin Graziano, Ed.D.

• Thesis Chair

Bob Gerye

• Adjunct Professor
• B.A.,  English and Theater, Washburn University.
• M.A., University of Kansas

In addition, Bob became a Certified Breaking Ranks Trainer for the National Association of Secondary School Principals in 1990. Among his numerous achievements, Bob founded two high schools in the Las Vegas area: Las Vegas Academy and Spring Valley High School.  In addition, in September of 2006, Bob received Congressional Recognition for his contributions to education in Las Vegas.

Ritzie Gratrix

• Adjunct Professor
• BCBA Respecialization, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
• M.Ed., Special Education with Emphasis in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, University of Nevada Las Vegas
• B.S., Special Education General Studies, University of Nevada Las Vegas

Ritzie Gratrix has worked with people with Autism Spectrum Disorder for over 10 years. She began her career as home program tutor. She has earned her Bachelor’s Degree and Masters of Education degree to continue to work with the students with autism in a public school setting. She has received training in other various areas such as has received supplemental training in the areas of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) and Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). Ritzie is currently teaching as a Special Education Teacher in a Secondary Autism Program.

Darren Hall

• Adjunct Professor

Heather Honig

• Adjunct Professor, TESL.
• Heather Honig began teaching at Sierra Nevada in spring, 2009.  She graduated from Grand Canyon University with a MA in Curriculum and Instruction in Technology.   Prior to receiving her MA, Ms. Honig earned a BA in Education with a TESL minor.   In her 13 years of teaching, she has taught elementary and middle school in both California and Nevada.   Each of these experiences has allowed her to teach many diverse language learners. Ms. Honig is currently teaching middle school science courses in Las Vegas.

Amanda Kappel

• Adjunct Professor
• B.S., Special Education, Western Illinois University
• M.Ed., Special Education, Nevada State College
• ESL Endorsement, Nevada State College

While in Chicago she taught in a self contained cross categorical classroom (all subjects) as well as math in a self contained emotional/behavioral classroom.  After moving to Las Vegas she was a Self Contained Autism teacher and is now currently a Special Education Instructional Facilitator.

Matthew Keener

• Adjunct Professor
• B.S. Elementary Education, Slippery Rock University, PA
• M.S. Education: Elementary Reading and Math, Walden University
• M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction: Technology, Grand Canyon University

Matthew Keener currently teachers TESL 563: Methods & Materials – Non-Native English Speaking.  Matthew has a Masters degree from Walden University in elementary reading and math as well as a Masters degree from Grand Canyon University in Instructional Technology.  He is early childhood certified and teaching English as a second language endorsed.  He currently teaches second grade in an urban school in Las Vegas, NV.

Delilah Krasch

• Adjunct Professor
• B.A., Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• M.Ed., Special Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• M.S., Elementary Education, Nova Southeastern University.

Delilah Krasch is an adjunct faculty member for the M.Ed. program. Ms. Krasch is also a project facilitator for the Early Childhood Department of Clark County School District and has served as a part-time instructor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is also currently engaged in the dissertation phase of her Ph.D. in Special Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

April L. Key

• Adjunct Professor
• B.A, University of New Mexico
• M.Ed., Special Education, University of New Mexico

She furthered her education even more at UNM and became an Education Specialist in 1999.  April has prior experience as both an elementary and secondary principal.  Currently, she is the Principal at Global Science Middle School.

Dorothy (Dottie) Kulesza, Ed.D.

• Adjunct Professor

Dr. Dottie Kulesza is an assistant principal in an elementary school in Clark County School District. Dr. Kulesza received all of her degrees from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She has been teaching a variety of courses for the past several years in Sierra Nevada College’s M.A.T. and M.Ed. programs, both face-to-face and online.

Dustin B. Mancl

• Adjunct Professor
• B.S., Elementary Education, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• M.Ed., Special Education, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
• TESL Endorsement, Sierra Nevada College

Dustin is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children and the Council for Learning Disabilities.  In addition, Dustin received the 2006-2007 Outstanding Special Education Teacher Award from the National Association of Special Education Teachers in Washington D.C.  Currently, Dustin is the Intermediate SLD teacher at Paradise Professional Development School and an Inclusive Schools Project Trainer for the East Region’s Student Support Services Division.

Andrew Martinez, Ed.D.

• Thesis Chair

Cheryl Mayfield

• Adjunct Professor

Richard A. McEananey, Ed.D.

• Adjunct Professor
• B.A., Music Education, University of Arizona
• M.M., University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Ed.D., Curriculum and Instruction, Northern Arizona University

Currently, Richard is the coordinator of Secondary Fine Arts for the Clark County School District in Las Vegas.

Janet Miner

• Adjunct Professor

• B.A., Education, Augustana College
• M.S., Special Education, Western Illinois University

Janet is currently a Special Education Facilitator for CCDS at the Middle School Level. In addition, Janet serves on the CCSD committee for Inclusive School Practices and presents in-services district-wide on this topic.

Thomas Mullins, Ed.D.

• Adjunct Professor, Thesis Chair

Tammy Muniz

• Adjunct Professor
• B.S., Secondary Education, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• M.Ed., Secondary Education, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• M.Ed., Literacy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Tammy Muniz is currently teaching for Sierra Nevada College’s Master in Education degree in Advanced Teaching and Leadership Program. Ms. Muniz also teaches English at Foothill High School in Henderson, NV and has been educating students in the Clark County school district for seven years. In addition, she received an Advanced Studies Certificate in teacher leadership from the Clark County School District.

Jacob Murdock

• Adjunct Professor
• B.A., Political Science, Fort Lewis College
• M.Ed., Higher Education Leadership, University of Arkansas

Jacob Murdock, is currently an Adjunct Faculty member in the Advanced Teaching and Leadership (M.Ed.) program. Jacob is also the Manager of the United Way of Southern Nevada Volunteer Center. Prior to teaching at SNC, Jacob taught in the Leadership & Civic Engagement Minor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Linda Patefield

• Adjunct Professor

Linda Patefield, MSM is currently teaching the online ALDR 505 class.   Linda began teaching online for Sierra Nevada College in the summer of 2011.  She has over twenty years experience in Human Resources and currently works as a Human Resource Director at a college in Indiana.  Linda received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Robert Morris University; and a Masters of Science in Management from Argosy University.

Carmel Phelan

• Adjunct Professor

Natalie Prasch

• Adjunct Professor
• B.A., Spanish, University of Minnesota
• M.A., Education, St. Mary’s University of Minnesota

Natalie is currently an ELL Specialist at Canyon Springs High School.

Jeffrey B. Schroer

• Adjunct Professor
• B.S., West Virginia University
• M.Ed., University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Currently, he is the Department Chair and Student Council Advisor at Monaco Middle School.

Brooke Stratton

• Adjunct Professor

Darlene Russell, Ed.D.

• Professional Project Director

Bonnie Townsend

• Adjunct Professor
• Bonnie Townsend, Ed.D, is currently teaching the online TLDR 601 class. Bonnie began teaching for Sierra Nevada College in the fall of 2011. Her teaching career spans forty years, and includes working as an elementary teacher, special education teacher, special education administrator and school site administrator, and part-time professor. Bonnie is currently Principal at Ira J. Earl Elementary School, in the Clark County School District. Bonnie received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, a Masters in Ed. in Special Education, and a Masters in Ed. in Elementary School Administration from East Central University, Ada, OK. She earned her doctorate degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in Curriculum and Instruction.

Julie Tumpney

• Adjunct Professor
• B.S., Elementary Education, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• B.A., Psychology, California State University, Long Beach
• M.S., Elementary Reading and Literacy, Walden University

Ms. Tumpney currently teaches TESL 565: Teaching Language Arts – listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Ms. Tumpney has a Masters degree from Walden University in elementary reading and literacy. She also has completed 32 graduate credits above the master’s degree level. Her endorsements include teaching English as a second language, elementary literacy specialist, and computer applications. She currently teaches first grade at an urban school near downtown Las Vegas, Nevada.

Colleen Vlacancich

• Adjunct Professor
• B.S., State University of New York at Oswego
• M.A., Library Science, Stonybrook University,

Colleen has earned over 60 post graduate credits from various institutions. Colleen joined the SNC Adjunct Faculty in 2006, bringing over 14 years of education and experience to the classroom.  She taught at a private school in New York her first year of teaching and at Farmingdale School District in New York for the next 7 years. Moving to Las Vegas, Collen was employed by CCSD for 6 years and is currently the GATE Specialist and Facilitator of the Highly Gifted Program.

David Westendorf

• Adjunct Professor
• B.A., Elementary Education, University of Northern Iowa
• M.Ed., Educational Leadership, Texas Woman’s University

David is currently the principal at David M. Cox Elementary School.

STAFF

 

Joyce Flynn

• Enrollment Services

John Keith

• Administrative Assistant, M.Ed. Program

Josephine Kenyon

• Administrative Assistant, M.A.T. program

Michele Noe

• Receptionist and Administrative Assistant