Kori Kittle

Kori Kittle a returning Kindergarten teacher this year, and has previous experience teaching Kindergarten, Second Grade and Fourth grade.  She is a Core Knowledge trained teacher and is currently finishing her Masters Degree in Education Administration with the University of Scranton.  She received her bachelor degree in Child Development and her multiple subject teaching credential at California State University Sacramento.  She lives an active life and is very involved with her family.

Diane Footman

A founding teacher of Higher Learning Academy, Ms. Footman serves Higher Learning Academy coordinating community outreach and kindergarten teacher.  Ms. Footman is a committed teacher with considerable experience in teaching reading to beginning and struggling readers.  She graduated from CSULA with a MA in Special Education, emphasis Communicative Handicap. Ms. Footman is also a graduate of UC San Diego with a double major in English Literature and American Literature. 

When not teaching, she continues her professional growth by attending educational conferences. In down time, she spends time traveling with her family, reading and gardening.

Andy Rose

Andy Rose, a 1^st grade teacher, was born in Modesto, California. After graduating high school he worked as a clown for two years in the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. He then attended San Francisco State University, where he graduated with a B.A. in Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts. He worked in the broadcast industry for three years, and also obtained a M.A. in Communication Theory and Research from CSU Stanislaus. He obtained his teaching credential at San Francisco State University. Over the past decade, he has worked in all grade levels kindergarten through high school and taught in both public and private schools.

Amy Corcoran

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Cindy Kingsland

It is my mission to empower students to become life long learners and instill within them a belief they can reach any goal he/she sets for his/herself.  I began teaching at HLA in 2008 and it is my mission to bring the joy of learning to the students of HLA.  My teaching career began in Torrance, California where I worked with students in all grades K-12, including students with Special Needs, as a substitute teacher. I receive my bachelor’s degree and teaching credential from Chapman University in Orange, California. I am fluent in Spanish and enjoy working shoulder to shoulder with my student’s parents to help each child succeed in academics.

Danny Coonan

This is Mr. Coonan's first year at Higher Learning Academy!  He is very excited to be a part of this amazing staff!  Danny attended UC Davis where he played volleyball and earned a bachelor's degree in sociology.  He earned his credential from Fresno State University and has been teaching elementary grades for five years.  In the classroom, Mr. Coonan emphasizes personal responsibility and independence for all his young students.

Molly Anderson

Molly Anderson is the 3rd grade teacher at Higher Learning Academy and this is her fourth year teaching at HLA. She is originally from Los Angeles, CA and moved to Sacramento 3 years ago. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Teledramatic Arts and Technology from California State University Monterey Bay, her multiple subject teaching credential from California State University, Northridge, and is currently attending California State University, Sacramento for her Master’s in Education, in Curriculum and Instruction.

Sara Rikalo

Sara Rikalo, fourth grade teacher, was born in Placerville, CA.  As a student, she was motivated, involved and, early on, realized that teaching would be something she would enjoy.   Through teaching, she could help students learn, grow, and enjoy all that an education has to offer.  For Mrs. Rikalo, she was motivated to attend a University of California school and also to move away for this education.  When she met her now husband, she decided to attend UC Davis, just close enough but still a new experience.  She majored in Human Development and minored in Education.  While in college, she had many nieces and nephews born, was a nanny for a local family, and volunteered in Kindergarten classrooms.  A Teaching Credential and Masters of Arts were her next steps.  After a few years of experience at another school, she found her home here at HLA.  Sara enjoys working with older children and, after teaching 6th grade, is excited to be teaching 4^th Grade.

Caira Khoury

Caira Khoury is the 5th grade teacher at Higher Learning Academy.  This is her third year teaching at H.L.A. and has taught both 5th grade and a forth and fifth grade combination class.  Ms. Khoury is grateful for all that her previous students at H.L.A. had to offer, including receiving the award for “Teacher of the Year.”  Prior to getting her dream job at H.L.A, Ms. Khoury taught 5th grade for two years at another public school in Sacramento. 

Ms. Khoury grew up in Sonoma County and always had a passion for working with children. In High School, she developed a love for art which led her to Sacramento for college.  While in college she pursued a Graphic Design degree but always knew that something was missing.  After much soul searching, she decided to switch majors and become a teacher; something that she was born to do.  While in college, Ms. Khoury worked with children of all ages, volunteering her time in the Child Development center working with preschool aged children and children with disabilities.  As a college junior, she taught a Study Skills Freshman EOP class and was able to be a mentor to students; once again reassuring her decision to be a teacher.  She graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a Bachelors degree in Child Development as well as her multiple-subject teaching credential with a supplementary in art.  With a passion for the arts, she incorporates art into all areas of curriculum and motivates her students to be creative through project-based learning.  Ms. Khoury loves working with children and could not imagine doing anything else. 

Julie Turner

Julie Turner is excited to join the Higher Learning Academy this year!  She is the 6th and 7th grade Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher for the 2011-2012 school year.  She obtained her Professional Clear Teaching Credential by graduating from The Master's College with a B.A. in Education, completing CSU Bakersfield's Credentialing Program, and the CA State's BTSA program.  Miss Turner comes to HLA with 7 years teaching experience; 5 years as a Jr. High Social Science/Language Arts Teacher and 2 years at the Elementary level.  After recently relocating to Sacramento from Southern California, she looks forward to a wonderful year working with students and fellow staff members to improve academic achievement at HLA.

Jane Camm

Jane Camm is excited to join the Higher Learning Academy community. Mrs. Camm is the 6^th and 7^th grade Math/Science teacher for the 2011-2012 school year. She comes to HLA with 8 years of teaching experience in the middle school and high school mathematics department. Mrs. Camm has lived in Elk Grove for the past 15 years with her husband, daughter, and son. They also have two dogs, a snake, a gecko, and a chameleon. She looks forward to working with the students, parents, and staff to achieve academic excellence at HLA.