Kathleen Daugherty is a retired superintendent with more than 34 years of experience in educational administration at all levels and 47 years of overall experience in education. She brings a background in charter school development, oversight, and leadership, with experience working with underperforming schools, school site leadership, public relations, and community involvement through membership and leadership roles in the International Lions Clubs, the National Cancer Society, the International Soroptimist Club, and local non-profit organizations. Kathleen is a firm believer that it “Takes a Village” and involves the community to support the schools. In 2009, she was named the Superintendent/Principal of the year for California by the Association of California School Administrators. She also received the key to the City of Napa in 1999 for her work with the city as part of Leadership Napa Valley, was named Citizen of the Year by the Newcastle Community Association, was honored as Lion of the Year by District 4C-5, and received the Leadership Award from the Newcastle Business Association.
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Annette has had experience working with students and staff throughout all grade levels. She brings a wealth of knowledge and heart to her job here at Harvest Ridge.
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Paige Staton
Kindergarten Teacher |
Rebecca Feickert
First/Second Grade Teacher |
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Born and raised in Auburn, I grew up the daughter of a teacher and dreamed of a classroom of my own. I attended Newcastle School, where my mom still teaches today, before heading to Placer High School.
I obtained my undergraduate degree in teaching from Chico State, then went to work as a ranch hand in Montana where I found a passion for the ranching lifestyle. For the next 4 years I split my time between ranching across Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho while working towards my teaching credential during the school year. I finalized my teaching credential this year and am honored to land back in the community that raised me. In my time away from teaching I enjoy going to the lake, painting, and running in the canyon. Kindergarten is a special place as children expirience their first year in elementary school. Our youngest Hawks on campus learn through exploration, movement, art, reading, and writing. Each day in our classroom students engage in building community and friendships they can carry with them for years ahead. I am proud to be a part of Harvest Ridge’s unique culture with my fellow educators, and families. |
My name is Rebecca Feickert. I grew up in Newcastle, attending Newcastle Elementary School and Del Oro High School. I attended California State University, Chico, where I earned my undergraduate degree in Liberal Studies. After that, I completed my teaching credential at Sierra Nevada College in Incline Village. More recently, I completed my Master's in Instructional Education. I’ve been teaching in the area for over 25 years, working with all grade levels. Having grown up in Newcastle, it’s such an honor to remain in this beautiful area to teach.
My list of favorite things to do is long: family, friends, books, long walks, and fall weather. Now that my two girls are out of the house and away at college, my husband and I enjoy having time to spend at our cabin on Donner Lake, traveling with friends and family, and, of course, seeing the kids we miss having at home! Teaching is all I’ve ever wanted to do, and I’m thrilled to be part of the Harvest Ridge Family. It’s a joy to work with educators who genuinely enjoy and love their work. There is something magical about Harvest Ridge, and I am very proud to be a part of it! |
I was born in Quito Ecuador, South America where my dad was teaching in American schools. Growing up I also lived in Columbia, Alabama, Los Angeles, and King City. I moved to Chico to attend California State University, Chico and continued on to National University for my teaching credential.
I worked my way through college as an aide for special education and knew that being in the classroom was where I wanted to be. I found myself following a long line of educators and becoming a teacher. I worked for the Pleasant Ridge School District for twelve years and enjoyed every minute of it minus the drive. I chose to find a job closer to home, which brought me to Newcastle. I taught for two years at Newcastle Elementary School and moved to Harvest Ridge to open our wonderful school. I have found my home! My daughter attended Harvest Ridge, and has now moved on to high school. We love to travel in our spare time, and enjoy cruising, camping, and seeing places we have never been to before. I also enjoy reading, swimming, listening to music, and decorating. My passion is in the classroom and I look forward to every year I have with the students and families who forever touch my life! |
My name is Nate Nugen, I was born in Fairfield, California and lived in Rio Vista, California until about the age of 7 when I moved up to Citrus Heights, Sacramento where I currently live! I have 3 sisters, 2 chocolate labs and a bengal cat.
I graduated from Sacramento State where I played division 1 college soccer and got my degree in Kinesiology. I went on to play 3 years of semi-professional soccer until an injury had to bring my soccer career to an end. I still love the sport, on any given day you can probably find me in my office watching soccer games at lunch! It was in 2019 I decided to return to school to get my teaching credential and I received my credential in 2021 leading to me being hired here at Harvest Ridge later in the same year! Some hobbies of mine include fishing, playing pickleball, disc golf, ball golf, and most importantly: working out! I am a huge exercise and movement enthusiast and that’s what brought me to become a Physical Education Teacher. My desire is to impart my passion for leading a healthy, physically active lifestyle, supplemented by quality nutrition, to kids at all ages. |
My name is Andrea Sardella and I was born and raised in Modesto. After high school, I attended college at California State University, Chico where I met my husband, Eric. We both graduated in 1997 and moved to this area when my husband got a job working at Intel. I began my teaching career at Placer Elementary in Loomis teaching 7th and 8th grade. I loved teaching 7th and 8th graders, and I could not picture doing anything else until my children were born. I took a few years off of work to be home with my two sons, and I loved every minute of it. I returned to work as a part-time home study teacher, first in Loomis Union School District and then with Horizon Charter School. Teaching home study gave me the opportunity to work with students in grades K-12, and I learned so much about homeschooling, curriculum, and alternative approaches to education. I also had the chance to homeschool my own son for a year.
In 2009 I was thrilled to have the opportunity to help create Harvest Ridge Cooperative Charter School. I feel so lucky to be able to teach at a school that shares my same vision for education, a sense of community, and a love of children. My boys have both attended Harvest Ridge Cooperative Charter School. When we are not at school my family enjoys being at home together, boating, camping, and more recently, learning to raise chickens. In my free time, I can be found reading, listening to music, and pursuing any avenue that allows me to be creative! |
My name is Robin Silski and I was born and raised in Stockton. I went to Chico State where I received a BA in Liberal Studies, a Minor in Latin American Studies and my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. After college I moved back home to teach 3rd/4th for eight years at a multi-age, project-based, performing and visual arts school. My husband, Todd, is a fireman and we met at a CPR class he was instructing. We moved to Auburn in January of 2007 to be close to the trails and we thought it would be a great place to raise children. Our two children, Robby and Amaya, keep us busy with many adventures.
I enjoy doing a lot of things. Searching through cookbooks, running with my two German Shepherds, working in the yard, and mountain/road riding are all things I love, as well as quilting and making jewelry. One of my favorite things to do with my family is to explore new cities on foot and asking the locals where to eat. This is how I discovered salted caramel ice cream! |
I was born in Southern California and moved to Auburn when I was nine years old. That move was tough, but I have been lucky enough to meet lots of wonderful people in Auburn over the years, including my wife! We have two kids in high school and we also have a dog, Milo Zeppy Dexter III. He’s kind of adorable!
I graduated and earned my teaching credential from Sacramento State University in 2005. I have been teaching ever since the fall of that year. My first six years of teaching were in Lincoln, California (5th grade) before I took my first job here at Harvest Ridge teaching the ⅚ combo class in the years between 2011and 2017. Over those six years, I mostly taught ⅚ combo before moving into the math teacher role. I left Harvest Ridge for three years and met amazing teachers and staff at E.V. Cain (one of them is Mr. Ornelas!) where I taught math and science in 6th grade. I am happy and thankful to be back. When I have finished my work and done my chores around the house, I enjoy golfing, fly fishing (thanks Mr. Wallgren!), playing drums, looking at art, and visiting with friends. We are lucky to have lots of family near us too. A quick “hello” to family members does not take much time (as a matter of fact, I can visit a family member in our very own office!) Go Hawks! |
I was born and raised in Auburn, California where I attended St. Joseph’s and Placer High School. I grew up playing basketball and baseball. After attending Sacramento City College, I played professional baseball for the Minnesota Twins. I was also inducted into the Placer High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019. In my spare time, I enjoy music, fly fishing, friends, travel, 30 countries, and counting.
After taking almost two years off for world travel, I attended Humboldt State University where I studied Fisheries Biology, and later attended Seoul National University in Korea where my academic path led to a degree in ESL Education and Cultural Geography. I lived in Seoul, Korea for almost 15 years where I owned a private tutoring business attended by students ages 5 to 65. I taught English literature, reading comprehension, writing, history, science, and math. It was a great life experience that I will never forget. I came home to put down roots in the place where my heart lies. I started at Harvest Ridge in 2015. A new journey led me to Brandman University and Special Education. I obtained my special education credential through the Placer County Office of Education. Like many educators, I am a lifelong learner, and I hope to bring my background knowledge, experience, and coursework to my teaching practice for the benefit of my students. I look forward to every day on campus with our learners. I feel very proud and fortunate to be a part of the Harvest Ridge community which is a rare and unique learning environment. |
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Ashley Neufeld
Intervention Teacher |
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I was born and raised in Southern California. After high school I worked at Disneyland while attending the University of California Irvine, where I eventually graduated from. After that I got married, moved to the Bay Area, and worked for a number of years designing subdivisions for a planning and engineering firm. I left that field to stay at home with my 3 children.
In 2015 we moved from San Jose to Newcastle to be further from crowds and closer to family. I began substitute teaching at Harvest Ridge in 2016 and became the PTO President for 3 years. After that, I proudly served as a Harvest Ridge board member for 5 years. During that time, I subbed for Loomis Union and decided to go back to school for my teaching credential. I had found my passion. I began an online program through UMass Global in the fall of 2022. Working through the credential and masters program while working full time and juggling 3 kids was the hardest thing I’ve ever accomplished, but I did it, and am so proud. All of that has led me back here to Harvest Ridge where two of my 3 children still attend. My eldest is now at Del Oro being an amazing sophomore. In the free time I don’t have, I enjoy “old lady things” like puzzles and sewing. I also enjoy cooking and baking in an attempt to satisfy my sweet tooth. I love playing soccer with my youngest and attending my daughters theater and choir productions. We have a passion for traveling and love spending time in Europe. I like a wide range of music and love a good karaoke night! I am thrilled to be part of this unique and amazing place that has served my children so beautifully and now gets to be a second home for me as well. |
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Our Support Staff
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