Meet the New Teachers and Staff at PVHS!
Megan Babcock
Student Support Specialist
What do you like to do in your free time?
“I love to go for walks and hikes, do puzzles, read, paint, travel, spend time with my husband, friends, and family, go to concerts, and watch my favorite TV shows! I am currently loving Ted Lasso.”
Valerie Browers
School Psychologist
What do you love most about your job?
“I love when students come to me if they have a problem, then helping them find ways to solve the problem and learn how to be self-reliant. I love working with families and I work a lot with special-ed, so that includes helping families understand programs, how to work with the school system and how we can all work together.”
Rye Chang
Korean 1, 2, 3 and 4
What is one fun fact your would like to share about yourself?
“I’ve taught Korean in three different countries—China, Cambodia, and the United States. I was also an actress for theaters in Daehangno, Korea. I was an actress for about two years.”
Roni Cross
AP Secretary
What is your favorite thing about PV High so far?
“I love all the activities and clubs and I feel like there’s a little bit of everything for everyone. There was a club for chocolate chip cookies and I’m just like, ‘I wish my high school had that!’ There’s a lot of fun things to do here. Someone can always find something to be a part of.”
Melanie Gerling
Algebra 2H, Precalc, Statistics
What is one fun fact you would like to share about yourself?
“I’ve been a dancer all my life and in quarantine I was actually featured in a music video. I had to learn and record a dance routine from home and send it in to be selected by the video editing team. I danced in the music video for the song ‘Lay Your Head On Me’ by Major Lazer feat. Marcus Mumford.”
Ellie Hung
Algebra 2, Precalc with Limits
What do you like to do in your free time?
“I go hiking pretty much every week. I have a vegetable garden with a bunch of flowers and I also like to read.”
Rachel Krupsky
School Psychologist
What is your favorite thing about PV High so far?
“My favorite thing about PV High so far has been the location and the block schedule. I am slowly getting used to it, but I am enjoying the three periods a day.”
Charlene Laird
Sub Desk
What do you like to do in your free time?
“I enjoy hiking, playing tennis, and being outdoors.”
Paige Metcalfe
Algebra 1, Precalc
What do you love most about your job?
“Seeing others fall in love with math like I did, or just seeing students persevere. Or learning something more about math or my students. It’s definitely rewarding.”
Kevin Neal
Social Studies, Football Coach
What do you like to do in your free time?
“In my free time I like to fly-fish, ski, and do ocean sports, particularly body surfing.”
Chris Pekich
Art, Surf
What is one fun fact you would like to share about yourself?
“I go storm chasing. 2013 was the first time I went and the first trip I ever went on I saw the biggest tornado in history in Oklahoma. It was about two and a half miles wide.”
Jodie Shurtleff
Student Support Specialist
What is your favorite thing about PV High so far?
“I think my favorite thing about PV High so far is watching everyone come back and come together. There’s a lot of energy right now and that’s really exciting to see. I love just seeing students interacting.”
Nina Sinsombutcharoen
Geometry, Calc Regular
What is one fun fact you would like to share about yourself?
“During my first year of teaching, my students actually picked out the car that I later purchased. We did a lesson on exponential decay and calculated which car would have the best resale value in 6 years. I bought the car based on the students’ research. I’m about to buy a new car in a few years. Maybe the students at PVHS will be choosing which car I’ll buy too!”
Marissa Tartaglione
Biology, Physcio/Anatomy
What do you like most about your job?
“The kids. I really like the kids. It’s fun seeing the students enjoy anatomy and physiology. I know that I love it and I know that it’s something I’m passionate about, but seeing the kids actually enjoying it and liking the projects we’re doing; that makes my job really fun.”
Robert Watt
Student Resource Officer
What do you like to do in your free time?
“I enjoy playing hockey, crossfit, and going to local sporting events.”
Maria Zarro-Anaya
English 2
What is one fun fact you would like to share about yourself?
“I was in the police academy before I had my second child. I’m also a swim coach (for 16 years) and a lifeguard, mainly for private occasions like pool parties or birthday parties.”