Classes

at Rainshadow
Rainshadow was initially set-up as an interdisciplinary, project-
based school. The school has undergone a variety of changes
throughout its 11 years, but retains much of this same culture.
Rainshadow has a unique schedule that caters to the needs of
the population while also allowing for community
collaboration. School is in session Monday through Thursday
from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This allows Fridays to be used flexibly
if needed.

Administration
Steve West.
Steve is the administrator of the
school. He is always looking for
resources for community relations, and
community connections.

Alissa Wilmet.
Alissa is our school counselor and Dean
of Students, and she is always in the
market for student internship
possibilities for students. She also has
the ability to link students with
potential jobs.

Toby Wiedenmayer.
Toby is the Dean of Academics and the
special education case manager. She is

Creating
Th

Students attend 4 hour-long classes in core areas and 1 hour

long elective. They also have a 30-minute intervention time
everyday that is meant to support a deficiency they may have.
Finally, everyday students have an interdisciplinary, project-
based elective class that meets for the last hour and a half
everyday. Because we are so small, we can be flexible with
how the classes meet and how we incorporate field
experiences. We also have had success in the past with having
themed afternoons, such as the multi-cultural fair where there
was a rotation for all students to see six different speakers on
different multi-cultural affairs.
At Rainshadow, all education is meant to enhance real-world
experience. It is always better to learn from an expert in the
field as opposed to out of a textbook.

COM

Our teachers.
Emily Reese.

Emily is our English teacher, but she also teaches courses in social
reconstruction and college preparation. She provides oversight on
the senior project that is required to graduate. A component of
this project requires connection with a community mentor that
they are able to interview. Emily has had success editing student
work for publication.

Sam OBrien.
Sam is the lead teacher at Rainshadow. He teaches both English
and history. Sam also teaches a course in Nevada history, which
allows him to take students on a variety of field experiences. He
also teaches Project Citizen which exposes students to local
government. Outside of his classes, Sam has been actively
involved in the dramatic performances of Rainshadow, coaching
our basketball team, and doing stand-up comedy and improv.
Sue Brown.

in finding ways to incorporate art into mathematics, which is a

personal passion. Outside of Rainshadow, Victoria has had several
art shows including a nearly sold out show at Reno Art Works and
a current show at T.M.C.C. that focuses on geometric patterns in
art. Victoria is bi-lingual and is a great ambassador for the school.

Kristen Quintana.
Kristen teaches social studies at Rainshadow. She looks for
opportunities to take her students to museums and other exhibits.
She would love to see her students have the opportunity to work
hands-on with historical artifacts. Kristen also teaches how to
develop a digital yearbook, and provides oversight for student
leadership. As leadership coordinator, she looks for ways to get
students involved in the community, run fundraisers, and
represent Rainshadow. Kristen also salsa dances!

Pan Pantoja.

Victoria Velazquez.

Pan is not only one of our talented art teachers on site, but also
fills in for other subjects such as math and English. He is the head
of our drama department, teaching creative writing and art, and is
the Poetry Out Loud coach. Outside Rainshadow, he is
instrumental in the art community founding Reno Art Works and
the Potentialist Workshop among other things. Pan would love to
have an ongoing collaboration for students to publish their writing
in local periodicals.

Victoria teaches math at Rainshadow. She has been instrumental

Chris Jalkson.

Sue teaches science, all forms of science. She is also the computer
literature teacher, and the health teacher. Sue also has a passion
for working with ESL. She is always looking for outside
professionals to support her classes, and opportunities for her
students to see science being practiced in the field.

Chris is new to Rainshadow as our head chef.

Chris is always looking for opportunities to involve
Rainshadow in catering, and would ultimately love
to re-open the coffee shop and be a presence at
local events.

Erik Holland.
One of our very talented artists in residence, Erik
also is a very active political presence, and would
love to do political cartoons with his classes.

Rick Eyester.

As a free, public
Rainshadow offe
higher academic
who would choo
our students to r
previous expecta
this adventure an
can be. If you are
alternatives in ed
offered and have
challenging acad
utilizes highly qu
small, safe classr
century technolo
creative learning
arts, a private sc
public school pri

Rainshadow is in
existence. Over
had many succes
greatest success
relationships wit
Our students ben