Bret Harte Elementary Teachers & Staff
At the heart of a child’s enjoyable educational experience is a passionate teacher who cares about his or her success. That is what you will find with each member of Bret Harte’s staff. Here we are dedicated to providing a positive, encouraging, yet challenging learning environment for our students and cheering them on throughout their time at Bret Harte and beyond.
Please feel free to contact us directly to learn more about how our teachers and staff can meet your child’s educational needs.
Administration
Linda Reis
Principal
P: (559) 992-8881
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About Linda Reis
Christina Askins
Vice Principal
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About Christina Askins
Ellie (Ruth) Andrade
Principal's Secretary
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About Ellie (Ruth) Andrade
Brandy Guzman
Preschool Secretary
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About Brandy Guzman
Ana Perez
Community Contact
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About Ana Perez
Teachers
Robin Feldmann
TK
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About Robin Feldmann
Tiffany Murberger
TK
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About Tiffany Murberger
Ivette Nunez
TK
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About Ivette Nunez
Experience: I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. I attended the University of Puerto Rico and graduated in 1984. I moved to Miami, Florida, in 1985, and two years later I moved to California. I received my teaching credential from Fresno State University and began my teaching career in Corcoran. I have been teaching at Bret Harte since 1988. I have been married for nineteen years to Pete, and we have been blessed with three wonderful children, Alex, Alyssa, and Peter. They attend Visalia Schools and are very active in many sports activities. We enjoy traveling as a family, eating out at restaurants, and spending time with our friends and family. We also enjoy watching sports on TV and following the New York Yankees here in California. We have a recent addition to our family—We adopted a pet dog named Dandy, who is adorable and unique. I enjoy teaching kindergarten and watching the students learn to read and write. It is a pleasure to work with the children who each have their own special personality.
Karen Yamashita
TK
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About Karen Yamashita
Experience: This is my eleventh year teaching at Bret Harte. I taught Kindergarten for ten years and this is my first year teaching Transitional Kindergarten. I was born and raised in Hanford, CA. I have a B.S. in Elementary Education from Jacksonville University and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Chapman University College (now known as Brandman University). I am looking forward to a great year with my TK students.
Lilian Guzman Gonzalez
Kindergarten
P: (559) 992-8881
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About Lilian Guzman Gonzalez
Maricela Lerma
Kindergarten
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About Maricela Lerma
Experience: I was born and raised in Corcoran. I went through the Corcoran school system and graduated from Corcoran High School in 1999. After high school, I received my AA degree from College of the Sequoias, my bachelor's degree from Fresno State, and my teaching credential and master's degree from Brandman University. I started teaching for Corcoran Unified in 2006. I have two sons, Alberto and Nicolas, who both are currently attending Corcoran High School. During my spare time, I like spending time with my family because they have been my biggest supporters and have always believed in me. I also like traveling to the Bay Area, hanging out with friends, and watching sports. My boys and I love baseball, and we love to go and watch our San Francisco Giants every chance that we get. The most rewarding part of teaching kindergarten is watching the growth my students make from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. This age level is amazing because their mind is like a sponge, they absorb so much information and keep getting better.
Laura Medina
Kindergarten
P: (559) 992-8881
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About Laura Medina
Experience: Hello, I am Mrs. Medina and I am currently a Kindergarten teacher at Bret Harte Elementary. This is my third year at Bret Harte and my fifth year as a primary grade teacher. I attended Fresno State University where I obtained a bachelors degree in Child Development. After graduating, I became a substitute teacher and discovered my LOVE for teaching. After obtaining a teaching credential, I was hired for Mendota Unified where I taught Transitional Kindergarten for two years. In 2014, I was offered a position with Corcoran Unified. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to work with an amazing group of teachers and staff. I love how excited my students are to come to school everyday. Seeing their smiles every morning is truly the most rewarding part of my job. In my spare time I enjoy cooking, traveling, shopping and spending time with my family and husband.
Elena Naranjo
Kindergarten
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About Elena Naranjo
Rafael Mendoza
Kindergarten
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About Rafael Mendoza
Experience: I was born in Jalisco, Mexico, and I came to the United States at the age of 17. My father enrolled me into the local high school, where I began my education. After graduating from Golden West High School, I attended College of the Sequoias, where I obtained my associate degree. I then transferred to Fresno State University, where I achieved a bachelors degree and a Multiple Subject B-Clad credential. I have been teaching kindergarten for thirteen years in Corcoran. Being a second-language learner and an immigrant, there were many obstacles I had to overcome in order to obtain a career. I hope that my journey to obtain a career can serve as an inspiration to others who find themselves with limited resources or away from their birth country. When I'm not teaching at Bret Harte, I am usually bike riding, taking my son to the park, reading books in my backyard, or spending quality time with my family and friends. I strongly believe that all students have the capability to learn and to become successful individuals. As a teacher, my goal is to make that possible.
Jessica Sweet
Kindergarten
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About Jessica Sweet
Amber Urias
Kindergarten
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About Amber Urias
Experience: Hello! I am Amber Urias and this is my fourth year teaching at Bret Harte Elementary School. I graduated from California State University, Fresno with a Liberal studies degree. I love teaching kindergarten! I believe that kindergarten is a crucial building block in every child's life. It's important to encourage students to develop a love of reading and writing. My grandmother was an influential part of my childhood. She encouraged reading and we frequented the library. When I'm not at school I enjoy spending time with my husband and son. I also enjoy going to yard sales, DIY furniture projects and baking. I look forward to an amazing year.
Elena Velasco
Kindergarten
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About Elena Velasco
Jessica Brockie
1st Grade
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About Jessica Brockie
Lupita Fields
1st Grade
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About Lupita Fields
Cristina Gallardo
1st Grade
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About Cristina Gallardo
Terri Heck
1st Grade
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About Terri Heck
Cynthia Miranda
1st Grade
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About Cynthia Miranda
Mary Navarrette
1st Grade
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About Mary Navarrette
Carmen Olivares
1st Grade
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About Carmen Olivares
Nancy Riker
1st Grade
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About Nancy Riker
Angela Toone
1st Grade
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About Angela Toone
Nicole Wales
1st Grade
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About Nicole Wales
Experience: Hello! Let me introduce myself. My name is Nicole Wales and I teach first grade here at Bret Harte Elementary School. This is my fifth year at Bret Harte and my ninth year teaching in the education field. Previous to being a school teacher, I was a dance teacher for 16 years, so I love to teach my students how to sing and dance! I truly believe that all students can learn in a positive, nurturing environment. If you set high expectations for your students and encourage them to reach their goals, the possibilities are endless! In my spare time I am running my kids either to band practice, dance class, aquatics, other sporting events or church activities. My family is so important to me. I also enjoy decorating for just about every holiday of the year and am a bargain shopper. I am looking forward to another fabulous year at Bret Harte! Go Bear Huggers.
Danielle Hernandez
RSP
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About Danielle Hernandez
Jennifer Van Essen
Certified RSP
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About Jennifer Van Essen
Experience: I have been teaching special education since the year 2000. I taught for seven years for Kings County Office of Education at the John C. Fremont campus for students with moderate to severe disabilities. I taught for two years with the Tulare County Office of Education at Linwood School in Visalia. I have been the resource specialist for seven years at Bret Harte Elementary. I obtained my bachelor's in business management from the University of Phoenix. I received my general education credential, level II special education credential and my master's degree in special education from Chapman University. I have two children; Megan, age 11 and Jacob, age 13. I also have a five-year-old chocolate lab named Maddie. I've been married for eighteen years to a very skilled mechanic. My hobbies include reading, camping with our travel trailer, being a 4-H club foods and nutrition leader, and being involved with my kids racing go carts, playing sports, and doing 4-H.
Support Staff
Laura Cabrera
Certified Reading Intervention Teacher
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About Laura Cabrera
Tifani Carlsen
School Counselor
P: (559) 992-8881
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About Tifani Carlsen
Dolores Hernandez
Literacy Coach
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About Dolores Hernandez
Kristine Scott
Technology Coach
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About Kristine Scott
Experience: I am from Hanford. I attended St. Mary's College in Moraga, California, where I majored in liberal arts and earned my Multiple Subject Teaching credential. I have been in the education field for over 14 years. In 2008, I earned my master's degree from Cal State Bakersfield. I am currently the intervention teacher at Bret Harte. I have also been a classroom teacher and literacy coach. My favorite part of my job is working directly with students and helping them learn how to read. There is such tremendous growth in early elementary, and that makes my work very rewarding.
Janice Westbay
Certified Title 1 Resource
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About Janice Westbay
Experience: I've been teaching for 21 years. My teaching experience has been with students in kindergarten through 3rd grade. I graduated from Fresno State University with my BA and then went to Chapman University to complete my teaching degree in education. I have been with Corcoran Unified for 11 years. For the past five years, I have been at Bret Harte Elementary School as the Title I resource teacher.
Veronica Ramirez
Library Tech
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About Veronica Ramirez
Anabel Alvarez
Classified Paraprofessional
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About Anabel Alvarez
Rose Marie Bernal-Renteria
Classified Paraprofessional
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About Rose Marie Bernal-Renteria
Vanessa Burnias
Classified Paraprofessional - SPED
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Marisol Carbajal
Classified Paraprofessional
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About Marisol Carbajal
Alondra Diaz
Classified Paraprofessional
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About Alondra Diaz
Erica Holquin
Classified Paraprofessional
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Lydia Martinez
Classified Paraprofessional
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About Lydia Martinez
Ofelia Moore
Classified Paraprofessional
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About Ofelia Moore
Petra Navarro
Classified Paraprofessional
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Cristina Perez
Classified Paraprofessional
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About Cristina Perez
Nathalie Ramirez
Classified Paraprofessional
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About Nathalie Ramirez
Andrea Rodriguez
Classified Paraprofessional
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About Andrea Rodriguez
Patrisia Terriquez
Classified Paraprofessional
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About Patrisia Terriquez
Maria Gomez
Cafeteria Staff
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About Maria Gomez
Andrea Ramos
Cafeteria Staff
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About Andrea Ramos
Martha San Miguel
Cafeteria Staff
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About Martha San Miguel
EJ Bocanegra
Custodian
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About EJ Bocanegra
Kenia Valenzuela
Custodian
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About Kenia Valenzuela
Isabelle Acosta
Yard Supervisor
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About Isabelle Acosta
Mariah Flores
Yard Supervisor
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About Mariah Flores
Maria Lira
Yard Supervisor
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About Maria Lira
Angelica Melendez
Yard Supervisor
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