Amber Golden Raskin, Executive Director of Business Development & Operations

Amber Golden Raskin is a veteran charter school founder and accomplished television producer with expertise in school governance and business management. Amber has worked tirelessly for the past several years to launch Santa Clarita Valley International (SCVi) Charter School. The idea for the school began when Amber, who had moved to the Santa Clarita Valley for its outstanding neighborhood schools, quickly became disillusioned when she realized that her local school with its high test scores and stellar reputation was not a good match for her sensitive and creative daughter. Amber’s son, a naturally structured little boy who prided himself on following rules, caused her to worry that a traditional educational model might promote too many rigid behaviors and not help him explore enough of his own thoughts and ideas as he followed a well-defined and entrenched path of learning. Seeking alternative educational options, Amber soon learned Santa Clarita Valley schools, including private institutions, focused on traditional models that did not respond to the instructional needs of her children.

Amber began touring the state looking for alternative educational models that fostered learning beyond multiple-choice tests and a “one size fits all” approach to learning. Over the course of her search, Amber found exciting educational innovations that focused on providing youth with the necessary skills for achieving 21st century demands. Amber also learned that while it would have been more financially prudent to establish a private school, her interest in educational reform and alternative educational models had become a newfound passion. Amber decided to create a charter school so that access to innovative educational instruction would be accessible to a wider range of students throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. Amber’s efforts quickly found its grassroots supporters among other Santa Clarita Valley residents, many of whom had been home schooling their children due to a lack of local educational options. Soon innovative educators became interested in Amber’s efforts and an email list turned into a founding group that launched SCVi. When the time came, Amber selected a board of directors who reflected the necessary leadership needed to establish facilities, a financial and business framework and individuals with educationally progressive expertise.

When Amber is not taking care of her 2 school-aged children or working at SCVi where she currently oversees all operations, facilities and business development, among other things, she can usually be found working as a community activist. She founded a local chapter of another non-profit in an effort to protect children from gun violence. She has lobbied in both Sacramento and Washington for safety issues on behalf of our community.

A graduate of Cal State University at Long Beach, she has traveled the world, usually with kids in tow, and has worked hard to bring an international perspective to her family. Amber first traveled though Europe after graduating from college with a degree in interior design, but the heart for doing something more. Inspired by Oprah Winfrey, a woman who has realized great success through making a difference, she went into television — working as a producer to create hundreds of hours of network television. She was responsible for multimillion-dollar budgets, hiring staff, and the start-up of new companies, including work in payables, receivables, and a host of other management activities. She managed several different staffs of 100-plus, including some especially difficult talent relations. These experiences prepared her for the most difficult of all producing jobs: being a mom. She can be reached at amber.raskin@scvcharterschool.org

Dawn M. Evenson, Executive Director of Education
Dawn comes to us with 23 years of experience in education. She has been a school administrator for 10 years in both primary and secondary schools. As a teacher, Dawn used project-based learning in her classroom. She is passionate about doing whatever it takes to make a difference in the lives of children. She has successfully set up small learning communities with a focus on building relationships, which encourages students to make good choices.

While a student at Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington, Dawn earned a liberal arts degree with an emphasis on special needs students and English. She received her master’s in educational administration from California State University, Northridge. Dawn has been a curriculum resource teacher, a mentor teacher, and a BTSA program director.

Dawn is active in the Association of California School Administrators. She has held several positions on the Region XV Executive Board and currently serves as the Region XV president. She was awarded the 2006 Middle School Principal of the Year Award by ACSA Region XV.

Dawn is excited to be a part of the SCVi team and looks forward to creating an innovative, engaging, and supportive learning environment! She resides in Lancaster, California, with her husband and 3 daughters. On weekends she is busy driving all over southern California taking her daughters to their various sporting events. She can be reached at dawn.evenson@scvcharterschool.org.

Mary Rockwell, Principal
Mary comes to SCVi this year with a solid background in education and leadership, including helping to build high schools from the ground up. She most recently served as an assistant principal in the Antelope Valley Union High School District, where she managed the details of a strong instructional program. This included overseeing testing and the master schedule, as well as supervising instruction and curriculum.

Prior to that, Mary served in the role of professional development coordinator, where she coordinated professional development for classified, certificated, and administrative staff; facilitated training in the Classroom Organization and Management Program; managed the district's Career Advancement Program to encourage all teachers and para-educators to meet NCLB highly qualified requirements; led the Professional Development Advisory Committee; coordinated and facilitated training for instructional coaches; managed and coordinated the district's technology program; and more. During her years with the district, Mary also held the roles of professional development consultant, BTSA coordinator, and English teacher. Mary launched her career as an English teacher with the Los Angeles Unified School District. Additionally, she is a member of the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, National Staff Development Council, and National Council of Teachers of English Kappan.

Mary will be working closely with SCVi's current leadership team to further develop what they have started and to be a support to facilitators and parents. Also, Mary will coordinate the International Baccalaureate program. Ultimately, she is here to help make SCVi an even greater place to gain a passion for learning and the skills to thrive in the twenty-first century.

Gris Ibarra, Student Support
Gris is responsible for Powerschool, CALPADS, student and staff attendance, calling substitute teachers, and other various state reporting. She assists the executive director of education, executive director of business development and operations, principal, and facilitators, and she maintains the calendar for Student Support meetings. Gris also makes it a priority to be available to students, parents, and anyone who might have a question.

When Gris joined the SCVi team in October of 2009, she brought with her a diverse background as an administrative assistant, office manager, research unit specialist, mammography liaison, and homeschool mom of 10 years.

Gris has been married to Ray Ibarra for 22 years and has 4 children, a son-in-law, and a wonderful grandson. Her 2 youngest children attend SCVi. Gris loves to read, swim, sing, and spend time with family and friends.

Gris is so proud to be a part of the SCVi team. She truly enjoys seeing the students every day. "Our school is a happy place, a place to learn, inspire and grow, for these are the leaders of tomorrow," she says. Gris' favorite quote is "People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care." She can be reached at gris.ibarra@scvcharterschool.org

Danijela Kuric, Clerk/Registrar
Danijela was first introduced to SCVi as a parent of two students. After she and her husband first heard about SCVi, they added their boys’ names to the wait list, and as luck would have it, the school added one more class and both were accepted. She says SCVi gave her kids the ability to learn at their own pace and to be recognized as the unique individuals that we all are.

Danijela was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina. When she was 18, she traveled to Germany to visit her aunt. While there, the war in former Yugoslavia escalated, making it impossible to return home. She remained in Germany for 6 years with a temporary refugee visa until the German government began sending refugees back to Bosnia. She and her husband applied for a resettlement program offered by the U.S. government

After moving to the U.S., Danijela worked in accounting for 4 years. When her first son was born, however, she decided to stay at home with him. Six years later and now a mom of 2 boys, Danijela returned to work at a grocery store as a cashier and accountant. Today, she enjoys being part of the great team at SCVi that makes a difference for so many students.

Danijela enjoys reading and traveling. The next destination for her and her family will hopefully be Jamaica. She can be reached at danijela.kuric@scvcharterschool.org

Melissa Brimigion, Administrative Assistant, Health Clerk
Melissa is responsible for SCVi’s Health Office, Student Records, and Attendance: Absence and Late Learner reporting. When she joined the SCVi team, she brought with her a diverse background as an administrative assistant, accounts manager, and claims adjuster. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies (elementary education).

A native Californian, Melissa is married to Scott Brimigion, who works at Valencia Acura. She is the mother of two—SCVi learners, of course! In her spare time, she loves doing crafts, going to the beach, riding roller coasters, and spending time with her large extended family.

Melissa is truly honored to be a part of the SCVi family as a parent and staff member. She loves seeing all the children’s faces when they're engaged in the learning process, as well as taking care of the skinned knees and elbows of learners who are so happy to be running and playing like children should. Their sweet smiles after she fixes their boo-boos or bruises make her day! She can be reached at
melissa.brimigion@scvcharterschool.org.


Amy Horner, Reception

Amy is thrilled to be a part of the SCVi Family. After 11 years of being a stay-at-home mom and home schooling her eldest child through high school she was excited to hear about SCVi Charter School. Her 2 youngest children are currently enrolled as SCVi Learners and the entire family’s beliefs fit the educational philosophies of the school.

Amy loves to help parents, learners, and SCVi staff with the myriad of questions that come to the front desk. Call her and she will be honored to answer your questions, research the answer for you, and lead you in the right direction.

In her spare time, she loves spending time with family playing board games, any outdoor activities, and starting new adventures. She can be reached at Amy.Horner@scvcharterschool.org.

Matt Schnittker, IT Director

Matt is responsible for keeping SCVi's computers, networks, and phones working. He also writes software for the school to manage the computers, systems, and student accounts. He can be reached at matt.schnittker@scvcharterschool.org. However, if you have a technical support issue, problem with your student's accounts, or a campus phone, please contact him through the school's tech support web site: http://www.scvitech.com/.

Shannon Barragan, IT Coordinator
Shannon is responsible for making sure that SCVi's Love and Logic schoolwide discipline plan is not only embraced inside the classroom, but outside on the playground as well.

For the past several years, Shannon has been an avid volunteer with the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts organizations, holding various duties including the leader of as many as three troops at one time!

Shannon lives in Santa Clarita with her husband and three children (SCVi learners!).  Shannon is proud to be a part of the SCVi team and has been very encouraged by the impact our school’s charter and educational philosophy has had on her children. She can be reached at shannon.barragan@scvcharterschool.org.