Faculty & Staff
Mrs. Kimberly Ritterhouse
Administrator-Title IX Coordinator
Kimberly Ritterhouse is the school administrator at Red River Valley Charter School. She brings to administration 25 years in the classroom. Before becoming the school administrator, Mrs. Ritterhouse taught grades first through eighth in various single grade and multi-age combinations. Of those 25 years in the classroom, 14 of them were dedicated to the students at Red River Valley Charter School. In her role as administrator, Mrs. Ritterhouse enjoys getting to know the students and families across grade levels and helping her teachers and staff through the school's mission and dedication to students and families.
Mrs. Tonya Lewis
Office Manager & Secretary
Tonya Lewis is the Office Manager & Secretary at Red River Valley Charter School. She started as an EA in 2012 and changed positions in 2016. Mrs. Lewis began working with the school when the Little Red School House was still on the property. Mrs. Lewis met her husband, Vance Lewis, at Bobcat Pass Cowboy Evening and married 26 years ago. They have raised 3 kids who all attended RRVCS. She looks forward to the team/community support from everyone that has had a hand in the school and students. "It takes a village to raise these kids and we have that village here in Red River NM."
Mrs. Jackie McCollum-PreK
Jackie McCollum has been the PreK teacher at RRVCS since August 2017. Before returning to teaching in 2017, she worked in Early Childhood Intervention as a Developmental Specialist and Family Service Coordinator with newborns to three-year-olds for 9 years in New Mexico. After moving to Red River, and originally from a small town herself, Mrs. McCollum quickly discovered not only what an excellent school RRVCS is to work with, but also what a wonderful community Red River is to be a part of. There is no greater joy for Mrs. McCollum than providing a first school experience that is positive, empowers children to accept themselves as well as others and cultivates a love for learning.
Mrs. Melissa Smith-Kindergarten
Melissa Smith studied Interdisciplinary Studies at Adams State College and began her teaching career in 2008. She taught the upper elementary grades at an elementary school on Fort Carson Army Post near Colorado Springs, CO for several years while also earning her MA degree in Reading Instruction from Grand Canyon University. She moved back to Red River with her family and began teaching at the charter school in 2013. She is excited to be part of a wonderful community of learners at the Red River Valley Charter School. When she's not in the classroom, she enjoys being outdoors with her family hiking, backpacking, and skiing to name a few.
Ms. Suzy Polk-5th/6th Grade
Ms. Polk joined our team after retiring from Texas. She just has too much energy and knowledge to impart on students to simply sit back and enjoy the mountains. Instead, Ms. Polk will take her students on journeys using literature and history found in the Core Knowledge Curriculum and light a passion for science in here students through her own passion and expertise in the subject area.
Mrs. Rebecca Pockrandt-7th/8th Grade & PE
Rebecca Pockrandt started teaching at the Red River Valley Charter School in 2010. After graduating college in 2006 she started teaching that fall in Mbale, Uganda. She moved to Red River in January of 2008, where she worked in property management until a position became available at RRVCS. In October of her second year teaching at the charter school she also became the Physical Education teacher. Mrs. Pockrandt loves building relationships with her students and is always watching for the ‘aha’ moments, especially in math. Spending time with each student on campus is one of the things she loves most about her unique position. Red River has been a beloved place since 2003 and she believes this community and school is exactly where God has called her.
Mrs. Lorie Hawkes
Art
Lorie Hawkes has been working with the students and staff at RRVCS since 2014. She has enjoyed teaching first through fourth grade classes, and is now privileged to work with her first love: teaching art to children. She also enjoys being able to explore the world of art withall grade levels. She knew from an early age that she wanted to be a teacher and came from a long line of teachers including parents, grandparents, and many aunts and uncles.
Ms. Sarah Parker
Special Education Director
Sarah Parker is the Special Education Director and Teacher. She's been teaching at RRVCS since January 2012. Her back ground is in Biligual, TESOL and early childhood education, she loves math and Social Studies. She started teaching at RRVCS to be near her daughter who attended the school from Kindergarten to 8th grade. Ms. Parker loves working on concepts with individuals and small groups, loving celebrating students' growth and exploration. She loves playing the ukelele, making art and running, and is constantly trying to pursuade students to find their passion.