Staff Bios
Education Specialist (ES)
Our teachers, called education specialists, or ES's, are all fully credentialed by the California Department of Education.  This group of skilled and dedicated educators collaborates to provide the highest quality of guidance and support.

Mary Wilbur Started with PCS: 2001
Began teaching: 1970 Grade levels taught before PCS: 5-12
College Degree
MARYMOUNT COLLEGE B.A.,Literature,
Loyola of Los Angeles M.A ,Literature
U. of SAN FRANCISCO

M.A.,Counseling

Specialties

Literature and History

Hobbies

Reading and travel


 
Patricia Hudson Started with PCS: 2003
Began teaching: 1997 Grade levels taught before PCS: k-8
College Degree
Humboldt State University B.A
   
Specialties Elementary Education
Hobbies Reading, walking, jewelry making and crafts

 
Taletha Washburn Started with PCS: 2004
Began teaching: 2000 Grade levels taught before PCS: Jr. High- H.S.
College Degree
Feather River College Biology AS and Liberal Studies AA
Brevard College Ecology BA
Chico State University Education MA, Teaching Credentials, Biology Mathematics
Specialties Biology, Ceramics and Algebra
Hobbies Making pottery, hiking and swimming in the Sierra  , and gardening.

 
Liz Leahy Started with PCS: 2006
Began teaching: 1966 Grade levels taught before PCS: 4-6 and K-6 in one room school
College Degree
University of Maryland B.S.
Numerous other colleges for graduate level courses
Specialties Art, science, history, writing and reading
Hobbies Art work of all kinds, especially watercolors, outdoor activities such as gardening, hiking, naturalist observations, indoor activities such as reading, music, cooking and sewing.

 
Joe Willis Started with PCS: 2006
Began teaching: 1965 Grade levels taught before PCS: 6-college
College Degree
MIT  
Tulane University B. S., Zoology
Univ. of Florida 2 years graduate work in biology
Chapman Univ. 1 year graduate work in education
UC Davis  
Specialties

Sciences, Math, also certified in English, Social Studies

Hobbies Photography, canoeing, art, music, hiking, freelance writing and graphic design, travel


Laura Beaton Started with PCS: 2006
Began teaching: 2004 Grades taught before PCS - K-8
College Degree

Santa Barbara City college

 

AA, English; Certificate in Landscape&Horticulture

 

Antioch University BA, Communication& Creative Writing
  MA, Education

Specialties:


Elementary Education, Creative Writing
Hobbies: hiking, reading, gardening, cross-country skiing
   
   
   

Kara Torrence-Burkhead Started with PCS: 2005
Began teaching: 2005  
College Degree
Frather River College AA Liberal Studies
CSU,Chico BA Liberal Studies
   

Specialties:


Elementary Ed., Language Arts ,Second language aquisition

Hobbies:

Reading, travel, swimming, running, spending time with friends and family 

   
   
   


Daniel Wilson Started with PCS: 2007
Began teaching: 1974  
College Degree
San Jose State BA history
University  
   
   
   
   
   
   

Kate Zachman Started with PCS: 2007
Began teaching: 2005  
College Degree
University of BS, Zoology
Wisconsin , Madison Certificate in Environmental Science
   
   
   
   
   
   
 

Support Staff
PCS support staff assists the education specialists, students and parents with library and materials management, assessment, documentation and scheduling.  They . capably handle the numerous financial, management, and compliance issues faced by all California public schools.

     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

 

Administration
Director Janet Wolcott, Educational Coordinator Taletha Washburn, and Co-founder and Transitional Director Kent Frid oversee the day-to-day operations of PCS with the aim of enabling our teaching staff to provide a sound, stimulating education that is tailored to meet the needs of each student.  All three also serve as ES's.

Plumas Charter School Advisory Board
The Plumas Charter School Advisory Board consists of seven members: three parents of enrolled students, three educational staff members, and the Superindendent of our charter granting agency, Plumas Unified School District,.

 

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