PV Elementary School Staff

Potter Valley Elementary is fortunate to have a dedicated professional staff.


Peggy Vest My name is Peggy Vest. I teach second grade, my favorite age group! I've been teaching for 18 years and this is my 11th at Potter Valley. I love to travel, paint, garden, and read children's books. I use my hobbies to enrich my classroom and make learning more fun for my students AND myself.	Manya Wik Manya is a native Californian who grew up in West Sacramento. In her youth she really enjoyed camping in the beautiful Sierras. That experience sparked a love of nature, so she went to Alaska. There she met her husband Ole, and they built a cabin lived in the arctic wilderness. During that time they were blessed with a son and a daughter. Manya has taught 5th grade in Potter Valley for many years and she loves it. Now she's a grandma who adores her two grandchildren. Her favorite activities, besides being with family, are skiing, biking, hiking and snorkeling.	Jean Masson My family moved to the Potter Valley area from Santa Rosa in 2000. My daughter graduated from P.V.H.S. in 2002 and my son in 2004. I began teaching at Potter Valley Elementary School in 2002, after eight years in Santa Rosa and Ukiah. I have always enjoyed sixth graders and was delighted when the opportunity came along to teach them here in Potter Valley.	Lucy Bayer Lucy Bayer has been teaching for 30+ years! She has a master's degree in reading and language from Sonoma State University and is our school's reading specialist. She loves to match students to books they'll love and inspire them to read.

Summer Smith I went to school here in Potter Valley and I am so happy to have returned to this school as the Kindergarten teacher. My students are taught by myself and the long time kindergarten aide, Annie Pierce. In our room we encourage team work, working hard and smiling lots.	Nicole Stoughton My name is Nichole Stoughton and I have been teaching for over eleven years, with the last four at Potter Valley. I truly enjoy teaching, and I find it exciting to watch the children learn and grow each year. In my free time I like reading, shopping, scrapbooking, camping, and fly fishing with my husband.	Cherie Alton I am honored to teach at Potter Valley Elementary School. Our third graders amaze me with their ability to learn, work, and play together. We try to have fun and work hard in our class. Teaching is really my third career. I have been a systems analyst, a stay at home mom of twin boys and I finally fulfilled my dream of being a teacher five years ago. This is my first teaching job. When I am at home I love to read, play tennis, walk, and needlepoint.	Amy Austin I was born in Potter Valley, and I am excited to be teaching at the same school I attended. I received my AA from Mendocino Junior College, BA from Chico State and my teaching credential from Sonoma State. I taught second grade for two years at Round Valley Elementary, and I am happy to be teaching fourth grade in Potter Valley.

Marty Wolff Marty has been teaching for 16 years. He holds a multiple subject clear credential and an education specialist II credential. He has taught grades one through eight and is currently Resource Specialist at Potter Valley Schools serving students in K-9th grades. Outside of teaching, and being home with his loved ones, his passion is motorcycling. He also enjoys camping, reading, water sports, and travel.	Marilyn Atkinson I grew up in Potter Valley. My father was the elementary principal here at that time, and I graduated from Potter Valley High School. I received my B.A. degree and teaching credential from San Jose State College, then moved back to Potter Valley to raise our children here. My five children graduated from Potter Valley Schools, and we now have three grandchildren. I am currently the speech and language specialist and the preschool teacher for the school district. I have been teaching in the Potter Valley schools since 1986. I love teaching preschool because I strongly feel that early intervention and education can have a great impact on children's lives. The 3 - and 4 year olds teach me something new every day and I look forward to seeing them come through the door each morning with their families. I believe that work is child's play and that a lifelong zest for learning begins in preschool. We want each child who goes through our program to be a good 'thinker and doer' when they leave here. I love collecting new ideas and activities for children, snorkeling and travelling to new places, plus I love spending time with my children and grandchildren.	Robert DeMoss I am the new Physical Education teacher at Potter Valley where I teach grades 1 through 12. I stress the importance of physical activity, the social interaction it brings to students, and the benefits of living an active life. I am a graduate of Sonoma State University where I received my bachelor degree in Kinesiology and my teaching credential. I am a certified personal trainer in Windsor where I also teach adults proper technique and form while designing exercise programs. I have been married for 5 years and I have two daughters. In my spare time I like spending time at home and working out in the gym, although it's rare to have spare time with two daughters at home.	Debra Doering I have been the Bilingual/ELD specialist at Potter Valley Schools since 1998. I have taught English, Spanish, and English as a second language for at least twenty five years in various settings including high school, community college, private industry, vocational and adult school settings. My professional and personal goal is to promote and work to develop a quality bilingual program in Potter Valley Schools for the maximum benefit of our English Learner students, as well as native English Speaking students and the community as a whole.

Quotes:

"My daughter has thrived at Potter Valley Elementary. The small class sizes have given her the one-on-one attention she needs, and I have really enjoyed getting to know her teachers." - Elaine Lindelef, parent

"We have a dedicated staff -- both professional teachers and paraprofessionals and we have a supportive community." - Ralph Paulin, former principal

Potter Valley CUSD Staff