Our Staff

Mindy Shelton, Principal

• I started teaching 31 years ago at the elementary school I attended as a child. I taught kindergarten for a year and then 5th grade for 12 years before becoming a TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment) focusing on school climate and wellness. I love helping students (and teachers!) discover new ideas that help them to be their best selves.
• I love that 4th and 5th Graders are able to think big and are beginning to understand so much more about the world around them. They really start to develop their own sense of identity and values.
• I live with my husband and 2 sons. I love to travel and spend time with friends. I’m a huge fan of musical theater, and I love to listen to audiobooks and podcasts.
  
  

Tracey Olazar, Administrative Assistant

• I have worked as a Paraeducator and Administrative Assistant for the San Carlos School District for 13 years. I have worked at Arroyo, Brittan Acres, Central Middle School, and Tierra Linda.
• In the 4th Grade, we used to do a fun rainy-day activity call Chicken Fat. It was a fast, fun exercise, and we would all end up laughing.
• I live with my husband, three daughters, and our favorite family member Zoey, our black Lab. I love to vacation with my family and friends. I enjoy music, the beach, horseback riding, boating, and camping.

 Kristine Trzeciak, Counselor, Shared with Central

• I am so excited to be this year's school counselor at Arroyo! I have worked in schools for the past 16 years in many different roles including as an Instructional Assistant for Special Education, Health Technician, Substitute Teacher, and as a Counseling Intern. I have worked with all ages, TK-12th grades, and love to take on the challenges and celebrate the accomplishments of each stage. Being able to give them the tools to help navigate the social/emotional, academic, and future career areas of their lives is very fulfilling and I love watching them use the tools they have learned.
• 4th and 5th graders have their own unique challenges while they are finding their own individuality, learning more executive learning skills, and figuring out how they fit into the world. I love watching the student's resilience and organizational skills become habits, enabling them to go into middle school with confidence. 
• I love living in the Bay Area with my two sons. In our free time we love to play with our cats, going to the movies, hiking, playing at the beach, and water skiing. I love to relax with a good book and a cup of tea. Learning about other cultures is a passion of mine and I would love to travel to explore our world. 
  
  

Page Pollack, School/District Nurse

• I was a teacher of K,1 and 2 before becoming a nurse in 2019.  I have been a school based nurse since 2020!  I love being back in the schools, working with students and staff.  I've made great friends here at Arroyo, which I am so grateful for!
• I got pneumonia in the fourth grade and remember how amazing my teacher Miss Dalstrom was when I was sick.  She was my fave teacher!
• I live in San Francisco, and I love taking advantage of all the fun in the city!  I love walking, hip hop dance and pickleball!
  
  

Katie Hultgren, Librarian

• I started as the Central-Arroyo librarian 13 years ago, when both my kids were students here. I enjoy being a school librarian because I love getting kids excited about reading! The part of the job I like best is making the Library a fun space that belongs to all the Arroyo and Central students.
• My favorite thing about 4th and 5th Graders is how interested all of you are in exploring the world and new ideas. 
• My husband and I have a son and a daughter who are now young adults. In my free time I like to walk the neighborhood with my dog, Maysie. I also love doing word games, baking bread, and going out to coffee!
  
  

4th Grade Teachers

Hillary de Saram

• I recently graduated from SJSU with my Master's in Education. I interned in 4th grade and taught 5th grade for a year. I also had the opportunity to teach English in Ukraine. I am passionate about education because of its transformative nature; I enjoy supporting students in their growth and seeing them accomplish their goals and more.
• I've enjoyed teaching upper elementary because students at this age are starting to think more independently, ask deeper questions, and take real ownership of their learning. As a fourth grader, I still remember creating projects like a flashlight and a shoe box book report! I can’t wait to bring that same sense of creativity and excitement into our classroom and see what our students come up with.
• I grew up on a farm in Indiana and moved to the Bay Area three years ago to be with my now-husband. Outside of school, I enjoy traveling, trying new food, and nail art.   
  
  

Samantha Noel (formerly Erickson), 4th Grade Teacher

• I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in May 2023 and am excited for my third year as a full-time teacher! I student-taught in 3rd, 4th, and 8th Grade rooms in Madison, Wisconsin, and loved getting to see the growth in the students, both academically and socially. I love teaching because I get to help students foster a love for learning and learn from them in return. As a life-long learner myself, I hope all students see themselves as smart and capable, both inside and outside of the classroom, and continue to develop their knowledge of any and everything.
• My favorite thing about 4th Grade is seeing students growing into themselves as individuals; they really start to learn who they are and what makes them unique. I also love the deep conversations they start having as they begin learning about the world around them.
• My partner, Matt, and I are new to the Bay Area, bringing along our two cats, Frasier and Niles. We are so excited to get to know the area and explore the redwoods! In my free time I enjoy reading books and baking using my grandma’s favorite recipes.
  
  

Michelle Sales, 4th Grade Teacher

• I started my career in education in 2008 as a preschool teacher. I studied and moved to Italy to teach English as a Foreign Language and taught EFL for a few years. In 2013, I decided to go back to school for my Master of Arts in Education. I love being able to guide and encourage our future change-makers to be humans this world needs.
• My favorite thing about 4th Grade is how intuitive these scholars are at this age. 9- to 10-year-olds are so observant of the world around them, and what better way to discover their strength and abilities than in a community that fosters their curiosities, their identities, and their voices. 4th Graders, honestly, never cease to amaze me.
• I truly believe I am solar powered and one with the ocean — I love paddle boarding, hiking along the coastline, and reading somewhere outdoors. My husband and I are also avid Disneyland attendees and can’t wait to be annual pass holders again!

Haya Shaikh 

• This is my 6th year teaching! I taught 6th grade for four years in Illinois, and just moved to California in June! I’m so excited to be teaching 4th grade for the first time this year.  I love teaching because I love getting to know each of my students and seeing their personalities shine throughout the year. My favorite part is watching students grow in confidence, and discover what they’re capable of. 
• I love that 4th graders are curious, creative, and ready to take on new challenges. They bring so much energy and excitement to the classroom, and I’m excited to learn and grow alongside them this year!
• Outside of school, I love spending time with my husband and our cat, Wolfie! I also enjoy cooking, trying new coffee or matcha shops, doing puzzles, and exploring new places.
  
  

Sheila Stengel (formerly Sevilla), 4th Grade Teacher

• I’ve been teaching in SCSD since 2001 and have taught 4th Grade, as well as 1st, 2nd, and 6th. I enjoy sharing my enthusiasm for learning with students and helping them get excited about learning as well! I find the 4th Grade curriculum very interesting, and I love to share my passion for the “Story of California” with my students.
• My favorite teachers were my 4th and 5th Grade teachers. I remember learning so much during those years from teachers who made our classrooms fun. There are many reasons I love teaching 4th Grade. One is that students have a growing curiosity about the world.  They learn to dig deeper into literature and history discussing multiple perspectives and possible influences behind the perspectives. Students grow in confidence and skills in math as the year progresses. They encourage and support one another, holding the spirit of “we are all in this together and we will conquer the bar model.”
• I have two amazing daughters. We enjoy exploring new places and visiting bookstores, shops, and restaurants. I enjoy spending my free time outdoors running, hiking, bike riding, and exploring new places. I also like reading, baking, and being with family and friends. 
  
  

5th Grade Teachers

Marianne Cheatham, 5th Grade Teacher

• I’ve been teaching on and off for 34 years. I have taught 1st through 5th Grades. I love seeing the light bulb go on in students’ minds when they understand a new concept, and learning about all the different personalities in my class each year.
• I love going to Outdoor Ed with the 5th Graders. It’s such fun to see the kids outside of the classroom. You really get to see their personalities shine.
• I am married and have three daughters and a dog. My girls all went through San Carlos schools (White Oaks and Central). Outside the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I love reading, listening to music, baking, and being outdoors.
  
  

Jennifer Crettol, 5th Grade Teacher

• I started teaching 5th Grade in 2007 at Central Middle School. I taught 5th for nine years at Central, then transferred to Arroyo in 2016 to continue teaching 5th Grade.
• I remember going to Outdoor Ed when I was in 5th Grade — beach day was my favorite day!
• I am a Disney fan! I love all things Disney, especially going to Disneyland with my three children and my two grandsons!
  
  

Shelli Murphy, 5th Grade Teacher

• I have been teaching for 28 years, 23 of which have been in San Carlos. I taught Kindergarten for one year before finding my sweet spot teaching upper elementary students (5th and 6th).
• I moved to a new school when I was in 5th Grade, and it was one of the most important moments of my life! I’ll never forget how welcoming everyone was and have tried to carry that spirit with me throughout my teaching career.
• I’m someone who is constantly on the go, and I thrive on being active. Spending time with my family fills my bucket! We have two boys. I’m a devoted hockey mom, and my husband and I love nothing more than watching our boys play.
  
  

Angela Naughton, 5th Grade Teacher

• My teaching career began in 2003, in Arusha, Tanzania, where I volunteered in a K-1st classroom. Since then, I have taught grades 2-8, as a classroom teacher and Resource Specialist. My favorite part of teaching is how every day is different, and brings both triumphs and challenges. Teaching also allows me to be a perpetual student, as I continue to learn new things every day!
• My favorite thing about 5th Grade is how it acts as a bridge to middle school. The students are learning to navigate their way to becoming young adults and show a tremendous amount of growth as they finish their elementary school years.
• I enjoy reading, writing, exploring new parks and trails, and spending time with my family in San Francisco and Lake Tahoe.
  
  

Michelle Robinson, 5th Grade Teacher

• I started my teaching career in 1997.
• I have enjoyed teaching both in the middle school and elementary level — 8th, 5th, 4th, and 3rd Grade.
• Hobbies: I LOVE laughter and enjoy spending time with family and friends. My favorite place to be is the beach. When I’m not teaching, I love to read and spend time with my family.

Student Support Staff

Caroline Dietzel, School Psychologist

• I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in education in 2018 and have taught in Pre-K and kindergarten classrooms. I decided to pursue my master’s degree in school psychology because I am passionate about supporting all students in gaining access to a quality education. My favorite part of working in schools is getting to know students and their families. Each child is truly special and unique!
• When I was in 4th grade, I changed schools and was lucky to make many new friends, some of whom I am still close with today. One of my favorite memories from that time was “Carn-o-Ween,” our school’s Halloween carnival. We dressed up, played games, and I even won the hula hoop competition! The thing I loved most during 4th and 5th grade was just being silly! I remember laughing with my friends for hours. As an educator, I love seeing that same joy for life radiate from our students.
• I grew up in the East Bay and am happiest when I am with my friends or family. I like to be active and enjoy playing tennis, going to the beach, or diving into a game of volleyball or pickleball. I love my sweet kitty, Buttons, who is always ready to curl up next to me when I read before bed. I’m also a huge movie fan, mostly because I’m obsessed with movie theater popcorn!
  
  

Melanie Tsonas

• I began my teaching career working with preschoolers in San Francisco, where I quickly discovered that I was especially drawn to working with neurodivergent students. That experience sparked my journey into special education. I spent several years teaching in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) before taking a long hiatus to raise my three daughters.  I have switched gears and I’m ready to begin this next chapter at Arroyo working with older students.  

• The 4th and 5th graders bring a wonderful sense of curiosity and growing independence to the classroom, creating a balance in teaching. I enjoy watching them become more confident in their learning, ask thoughtful questions, and take greater ownership of their education.  I’m looking forward to getting to know the students, learning alongside them, and being part of the Arroyo community.

• My family has been a part of the SC community for 16 years.  We enjoy spending time on the coast to watch the sunset.  In my free time, I connect with friends, listen to podcasts, explore new places to hike, and enjoy playing games.

Tin Fan

• This is my 19th year in education, and I have had the opportunity to work with students across a variety of grade levels. I also work at White Oaks Elementary. I love working with children because every day brings something new, and I enjoy helping students grow, not only academically, but also socially and emotionally. One of my favorite parts of teaching is getting to know each child's unique personality, strengths, and interests and helping them feel confident in themselves as learners.
• One of my favorite things about fourth and fifth grade is the opportunity to learn about California history! I actually moved to California when I was in fifth grade, and I remember being fascinated by everything I learned about California's history. I especially loved visiting museums and connecting what I was learning in school to the places around me. It is a special memory that has stayed with me all these years!
• Outside of school, I am also a proud mom of two boys. ! In my free time, I enjoy hiking, running, attending concerts, and going to baseball games with my kids.  And of course...Go SF Giants!
  
  

Katie Gotelli, Paraeducator

• I have worked in education for over 17 years. This will be my 7th year as a Paraeducator at Arroyo. My first two years at Arroyo were spent teaching Makerspace.
• 4th and 5th Grade is such a unique time. I’m glad our students have a special school catered just for them.
• I have two sons. My boys love to play baseball, and we love to go to baseball games together.
  
  

• This is my third year as a Paraeducator and my first year joining the wonderful team at Arroyo! I’ve had the joy of working with students across all grade levels from Kindergarten through 5th.
• I love supporting 4th and 5th graders through their pre-teen years, helping them build the confidence and independence they need for their next big leap.
• Outside of school, I coach kids ski teams in the winter. I also love hiking, biking, paddle boarding, and camping with my husband, our 7-year-old daughter, and our dog.

Diane Regonini, Speech & Language Pathologist

• I have been a speech-language pathologist for 17 years, spending my first 10 years in a local private practice before I came to SCSD in 2009.  I have worked with individuals as young as age 2 on up to young adults.  I love helping my students become more effective communicators and confident in their unique abilities.
• I remember 4th and 5th grade as a time when I believed I could do anything, including earning as many Girl Scout badges as possible!
• My husband and I have three grown children who went to public schools in Menlo Park.  I enjoy camping in our vintage VW van (I once worked as a ranger in Yosemite) and doing anything that involves LANGUAGE (talking, reading, book group, wordle, etc.).
  
  

Elective & PE Staff

Colyn Fischer, Orchestra Director

• I've been teaching music since 2005, starting in my native Pennsylvania and since 2008 here in San Carlos. Before that I was a professional violinist in Pittsburgh and Chicago.
• I’ve been playing violin since 1980, and after school I put my musician cape on and try to make the world a little more awesome with my fiddle!
• I have a cat named Petunia with lots of whiskers and personality who likes to sing at night.
• Hobbies: Hiking, camping, travel, reading, writing, listening to good music and making art!
  
  

Sarah Green, Band Director

• I have been teaching middle school band and orchestra for 17 years. I love this age group. Students at this age group are excited, eager to learn, and full of curiosity. Nothing is better than those light bulb moments!

• I love to play in pit orchestras for musical theater and to spend time with family and loved ones.
  
  

Staci Kavanagh, Art Teacher

• I have taught high school students art for over 17 years. I love guiding the students through the creative process and helping them create something that they are proud of.
• My favorite thing about teaching 5th Graders art is that they do not have the self-doubt of older children. They believe that they can do anything, and their creativity is boundless.
• I have two boys. We like to do art projects and bake together, but most of my time is spent taking them to sports and piano practices and coaching sports teams. I have coached my son’s baseball team since he was in Kindergarten.
  
  

Edith Garcia, Spanish & Design Teacher

• ¡Hola! I’m Profe García. I’m an immigrant, born and raised in Mexico until the age of 16. I spent 10 years as a Teacher’s Aide where I had the opportunity to work alongside excellent educators across all grade levels. This will be my second year as a classroom teacher. Two years ago, I taught Spanish at the high school level. I absolutely love working with kids—they’re always teaching me something new! Their curiosity and energy constantly surprise me and help me grow as a person.
• What I enjoy most about teaching 4th and 5th graders is their natural curiosity and how capable they are when it comes to building and creating things. One of my favorite memories from 5th grade is the first time I walked home with my friends—without a parent. I felt so grown up!
• In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, watching movies together, traveling, discovering new places, and trying new foods. I’m excited for another great year of learning and growing together!
  
  

Chris Davidson, PE & Multimedia Teacher 

• I was born and raised in San Carlos. I graduated from Central in 2000, and I have been teaching in Redwood City since 2014, working with Grades 5 through 8. Growing up, I always loved sports, and I remember thinking that being a PE teacher would be the coolest job in the world! I love teaching for so many reasons, but my favorite thing is making connections and building relationships with students so that they have a fun and memorable experience as they grow up.  There is nothing better than watching a student develop skills and grow throughout the school year! 
• Some of my favorite memories as a 4th and 5th Grader are walking to school with my friends, playing kickball and basketball at lunch, and I was always extra hyped up when it was hot lunch pizza day!
• My wife Ercilia, daughter Sophia, and I live in San Carlos, and we love taking walks down Laurel Street, hanging out at Burton Park and eating at Sneakers. When I can get out, I love playing golf, and I am an avid sports fan. I am so excited to be back teaching on the campus where I went to school! 
  
  

Christi McGuirk, PE Teacher

• This will be my 15th year of teaching. I taught three years of high school in Alabama and taught elementary for the past seven years in San Lorenzo. I love teaching PE because it helps kids learn how to be healthy, provides focus, and helps increase academic achievement. It also teaches students about teamwork and sportsmanship, and it increases attention and brain function through regular exercise.
• 4th and 5th Graders really start to understand how exercise and sports can help them lead a healthy lifestyle.
• In my free time I enjoy exercising, playing sports, and spending time with my family and our dog, Eli. 

Derek Nazar, PE Teacher 

• This is my seventh year as a teacher, and I have taught 6th through 8th grades the past few years. I love teaching because I get to see all of the “lightbulb” moments that students have when they accomplish a new skill or concept. I also get to help develop and see the growth that they have throughout the year. And, finally, building all of the awesome connections and relationships with the students throughout the year makes this one of the most rewarding careers that's out there!
• My favorite thing about the 4th Grade is the endless amount of enthusiasm and energy that they bring to class every day, making every lesson and activity extremely engaging and fun! My favorite memory from upper elementary school was definitely being able to play a bunch of different sports with my friends every day. Whether it was before school, at lunch, or during PE, it was always a ton of fun.
• I like to spend time with my friends and family, work out, go fishing, and play golf on the weekends!
  
  

Custodians

Gustavo Romero, Head Custodian

• I have been working for SCSD for 10 years.
• In 4th and 5th grade, I enjoyed recess, especially playing football on the blacktop.
• I have a daughter and a son.

Arnoldo Rodriguez, Custodian

Photo background is our beautiful Arroyo mural, courtesy of artist Flo de Bretagne.