SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
Director
(707) 572-6901
Director of Special Services
School Psychologist, MA, LEP, NCSP
(707) 572-0099
Hello! My name is Nichole Dollarhide and I direct Special Services here at Alder Grove. I am also the McKinney-Vento Liaison. I help students, staff, and families find the support they need in and out of special education. I have been a nationally certified school psychologist for over 13 years (receiving my Master’s degree from HSU), have my Clear Administrative Services Credential (since 2017). I am also a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP). When not at work, I love spending time with my two children and husband, who is a CAL Fire Captain. We love to be outdoors and hike, fish, go clamming, kayak, camp, etc.! We also love our dogs, chickens, and ducks. Travelling, art, music, and eating good food are also among my favorite things! I am so thankful to work for this amazing school. Please let me know how I can be of service.
Stefani GambrelAssessment and Academic Support Coordinator
Credentialed Teacher
Math Teacher
College & Career Coordinator
Credentialed Teacher
Hello, I’m Jen Burtram and I’ve had the honor of helping AGCS grow since 2007. After maintaining a full-time credentialed teaching position for seven years at Alder Grove, I was offered the administrative position of College and Career Coordinator in 2014. I added a College Counseling Certificate from UC San Diego to my BA and teaching credential from Cal Poly Humboldt. I will have my Clear Administrative Services Credential in 2023 and am working towards completing my MA in Education, with a focus on College and Career Program Development. This dynamic position at Alder Grove allows me the privilege of guiding students in their exploration and navigation of their post-high school plans. Whether students are planning to attend college, vocational school, or wanting to start working right away, I am here to provide support and opportunities to help them reach their goals! Some programs which I have developed and oversee at Alder Grove include: Dual Enrollment, Career and Technical Education, and Work Experience. I am also an active member of our school’s leadership team, WASC team, and community member of the McKinney-Vento Executive Advisory Council, HCOE Internship Advisory Committee, and CalSOAP governing board. When I’m not working or going to school, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, seeing live music, kayaking in our awesome waterways, or finding fun and adventure exploring everywhere life takes me.
Kathy YeagerAdvisory Teacher / Coordinator
Credentialed Teacher
Science Teacher
Erica AlstonAdvisory Teacher / Coordinator
Credentialed Teacher
Spanish Teacher
My name is Erica Alston. I attended Tufts University and The School for International Training to earn a BA in International Studies. In 1990 I lived in Mexico, working and studying in a community health project. I became fluent in Spanish in addition to gaining other skills. My husband and I moved to Humboldt in 1998 where we homeschooled our children until middle school age. We were motivated to create strong family relationships and a life-long love of learning. We incorporated a variety of methods (Waldorf, Charlotte Mason, Classical, and emergent curriculum choices) leading me to label myself as an eclectic homeschooler. I returned to school to earn my Multiple Subject Credential from CalStateTEACH, CSU Monterey Bay in 2015. So it is with great pleasure that I am part of the credentialed teaching staff at Alder Grove! I teach onsite Spanish and am a CT for independent study students, as well as a Teacher Advisor.
SCHOOL STAFF
Joy AndersonAdministrative Assistant
Jenifer DoaneRegistrar
Administrative Assistant
Tatiana Ferrington-GolatInstructional Aide
Office Support
Campus Maintenance
Becky GarrawayInstructional Aide
Office Support
Rich MillerTechnology Coordinator, BS, MIS
Rich’s career in IT has been almost exclusively in schools where he feels he can make the biggest difference in helping others succeed. Rich has also been a journalist and coffee entrepreneur. He moved to Eureka with his wife in 2021 because they love the arts, clean air and Alder Grove Charter School where he is Technology Coordinator.
Luana NelsonLocal Vendor Relations Secretary
SPED Scheduler
Campus Monitor
Instructor / Tutor
Inventory Account Clerk
Library Aide
Campus Monitor
Tutor
Secretary
I started part time at Alder Grove in November 2016. I took over the secretary position in 2018.
SCHOOL FACULTY
Speech Language Pathologist
Credentialed Teacher
Sarah BradshawSpecial Education Teacher
(707) 572-6875
Special Education Teacher
Crystal CollinsSchool Psychologist, MA
(707) 572-6846
Hello, my name is Crystal! I come with a passion for helping students, families, school staff and our local community. I started out at Alder Grove as an intern through the Cal Poly Humboldt School Psychology graduate program. I fell completely in love with Alder Grove, and am honored to have been hired as a fully credentialed school psychologist in 2018 after graduating with my master’s degree. I work closely with our special education team to ensure students with disabilities are receiving the accommodations and services that they need, in addition to supporting students with a variety of mental health needs. I am also the 504 Plan Coordinator, participate on the PBIS committee, and consult with teachers. In my spare time I enjoy going to the forest, beach, and river, walking my dog, and hanging out with friends and family. I have also taught courses at Cal Poly Humboldt and continue to expand my knowledge through professional development.
Credentialed Teacher
Credentialed Teacher
Literature Teacher
History Teacher
Jeff is a veteran teacher who has lived on the North Coast for over 25 years. He enjoys teaching history and English at Alder Grove, and has English taught at College of the Redwoods for many years. Besides teaching, Jeff loves spending time with his family, surfing, playing music, and backpacking. As a long time member of the Alder Grove faculty, Jeff’s goal is to bring more CR classes to the school to promote academic challenge and progress for our students.
Credentialed Teacher
Art & Poetry Teacher
Credentialed Teacher
Safety Coordinator
Credentialed Teacher
Credentialed Teacher
Credentialed Teacher
Reading Teacher
School Workshop Coordinator
I have been teaching at Alder Grove charter school since it opened. My job centers on Inspiring Alder Grove students to find their interests and learning needs as well as to help them set high expectations for learning and consistent productivity. This can be a real blast! Teaching enrichment and academic classes is my favorite thing to do. I also enjoy running the reading support program.. Please email me with any questions or suggestions.
Credentialed Teacher
Credentialed Teacher
Credentialed Teacher
My name is Patty Marsh, a Credentialed Teacher at Aldergrove Charter School since January 2007. I have a Bachelors in Wildlife Biology from HSU. Working at Aldergrove Charter School has allowed me to graduate many students who would have fallen through the cracks. I primarily teach high-school and really enjoy seeing my students thrive in our concurrent enrollment program with College of the Redwoods. Some of my favorite things about teaching at Alder Grove are the wonderful staff and the fact there is no bullying. How many schools can say that? We provide a safe learning environment for children. In my spare time, I run my ranch and ride my horses in the wilderness. Mostly, I enjoy family, friends, and a nice sunset.
Holly MatthewsSpecial Education Teacher
(707) 572-6894
Hi, my name is Holly Matthews and I started working at Alder Grove Charter School in 2020 after teaching middle school for many years. Helping students navigate their way through their high school years is what I am passionate about in my job as a teacher. My role at Alder Grove is being an Education Specialist for high school aged students. In my non-teacher life, I commercial fish in Bristol Bay, Alaska in the summers, enjoy our beautiful Humboldt beaches, and garden (while trying to find humane ways to relocate snails). I love my English Bulldog, Lyndah, cheese and the sun!
Credentialed Teacher
Credentialed Teacher
Credentialed Teacher
Event Coordinator
Hello! My name is Randi Mead and I have been teaching at AGCS since 2008. I attended Cal Poly Humboldt School where I received my bachelors degree in Liberal Studies Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology and also my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. I have taught various elementary classes over the years. I have taught Dance, Flute, Science, History and Math. I am currently the Event Coordinator and I also co-teach Student Council. Some of the events that take place at AGCS are Back to School Night, Author Festival, Halloween Party, Holiday Craft Party, Spelling Bee, Geography Bee, Prom, End of the Year Party, Graduations, and various field trips all over our community.
Speech Therapist
(707) 572-0243
Credentialed Teacher
Math & Science Teacher
GSA Coordinator
Special Education Teacher
(707) 572-0249
Credentialed Teacher
Music Teacher
Credentialed Teacher
Credentialed Teacher
Writing Lab Teacher
Credentialed Teacher
Credentialed Teacher
Credentialed Teacher
Brooke has always enjoyed working with children but came late to her career as teacher after spending the first part of her adult life as an organic farmer, trail worker and wildland firefighter, and pedestrian/ bike advocate. At Alder Grove she loves teaching Life and Earth Science, Financial Literacy, Engineering and leading the Makerspace but also treasures her one on one time with her Independent Study students. In her free time she has many hobbies that she enjoys such as mountain biking, rock climbing, backpacking, playing soccer, gardening, reading, knitting, and raising animals. She also loves coaching soccer.
Credentialed Teacher
Math Teacher
Food Service Coordinator
Aimee has been a math teacher in Humboldt County for over 20 years and enjoys her many roles at Alder Grove, including teaching on-campus high school math courses, working with her wonderful independent study families, tutoring, creating the staff newsletter, and running the school’s breakfast and lunch program. Outside of work, she likes to spend time with her children, go for walks with friends, read, do puzzles, travel, and work in the garden.
Lorenza Simmons-PhillipsPiano, Choir Teacher
Lorenza Simmons-Phillips has been a music teacher and performer in Humboldt County for over 20 years, focusing on vocal and piano instruction, primarily for youth and teens. She started at Alder Grove in 2011 as a private piano and voice vendor but went on to also teach choir and keyboard classes, as well as assist with music for Theatre class. She loves and appreciates being a part of the Alder Grove Community!
Credentialed Teacher
I have been a CT at Aldergrove for 10 years! I immediately fell in love with our unique school. Some of the things I enjoy most about our school include working with the same students and families each year as they progress through their educational journey, the unique classes we can teach that reach learning styles and interests of a variety of learning types, and the amazng staff I work with. Over the years I have taught enrichment classes on-campus to students in grades k-3. A few classes I have taught included math/ P.E., math and logic and Yoga/ Science. In my free time I enjoy running, hiking, reading and writing.
Credentialed Teacher
Suzanne Smith is a veteran teacher who enjoys working with middle and high school students in any subject. She is a graduate of UC-Berkeley and obtained her MA at Sonoma State. Her teaching experience includes grades K-12 in seven different school districts.
Credentialed Teacher
Espanol
Felicia TreeceCredentialed Teacher
Hi! My name is Felicia Treece and I have been a CT at Alder Grove since 2015. I graduated from HSU with a BA in Education in 2005 and received my teaching credential in January 2007 with an emphasis in music education. A little about myself; I moved to Humboldt in 2000 and did a two-year volunteer program with the Ameri-Corps tutoring program out of CR; which helped me realize that I really loved teaching. I have been playing music all my life, but for the last 10 years I am proud to say I have been playing in The Scotia Band and serving our community with musical talent. I love AGCS because of all the freedom it allows parents and students to explore. Recently, I have been brushing up on my French and hope to continue and perhaps share my passion for language to my students. I love traveling with my family and exploring sites and sights this bountiful planet has to offer.
Tanya TurCredentialed Teacher
I love teaching, and working at Alder Grove Charter School! I attended Humboldt State University and studied Elementary Education. I have an amazing son who attends Cal Poly Humboldt, a sweet husband, and two black cats named Hazel and The Doctor. A few of my favorite things are spending time with my family, seeing live music, going on bike rides, and enjoying all the beauty this area offers.