Canyon Charter Staff
Meet the teachers and staff who make Canyon such a special place. Use the “Send an email” links to reach a staff member directly.
Principal
Nicole Sheard
School Principal
When I was selected to be Principal of Canyon in 2015, I felt like I won the lottery! Growing up in Pacific Palisades and spending my entire career working at schools within the Palisades Complex, I had always admired Canyon from the outside. When I joined the Canyon community, I knew that I was “home.” Being part of a true community school where collaboration and community are strongly valued is important to me. From a very young age, I knew that I wanted to be in education. I spent much of my childhood in my mother’s classroom and enjoyed playing “teacher.” After graduating from Loyola Marymount, in 1995 I began teaching at Palisades Elementary and remained there for 10 years teaching various grades. My principal inspired me to go into administration and in 2006 I became an Assistant Principal, Elementary Instructional Specialist (APEIS).
As an APEIS, I traveled between 3 high performing westside charter schools where I supported the special education programs. I learned so much about special education laws and policies and supporting the individual needs of students became a true mission of mine. Since then, I have made it my goal to ensure that every child at my school gets what they need, whether additional intensive support, or further challenge.
After serving as APEIS for four years, I was fortunate to be selected as the principal of Topanga Elementary Charter School. It was at Topanga that I truly discovered the importance of a school community. In my four years at Topanga I thoroughly enjoyed the culture of collaboration and shared decision making. My passion for meeting the academic as well as social and emotional needs of students grew even more deeply as I strived to address the needs of the “whole child.”
On a more personal note, I currently live in Pacific Palisades with my partner, son, and 2 dogs. When not working I enjoy hiking, gardening, spinning, yoga, cooking, riding my horse, traveling and home improvement projects. I am a born busy body and rarely find time to sit still. I feel blessed to be at Canyon every day, carrying out the school vision to ensure that all students receive the best education possible. Canyon has made exceptional achievements and I am proud to be able to serve as this school’s Principal.
Faculty
Jamie Myhre
TK/Kindergarten · Room K1
Eliza Boyd
Kindergarten · Room 14
Kellie Howard
Kindergarten · Room K2
Welcome back to another fabulous school year at Canyon! I’m looking forward to seeing a new group of kinders this year and starting them on their happy journey at Canyon. My number one goal for all kinders is to LOVE school. I believe in teaching the whole child which includes character instruction as well as academics. I know we’re going to have a great year together!
Lola Balestra
Kindergarten · Room 2
Nikki Noori
1st Grade · Room 15
Erica Lamb
1st Grade · Room 18
I was born and raised in Santa Monica. I attended Pitzer College in Claremont, California where I majored in English Literature. Thereafter I earned a Masters in Education and Teaching Credential from Pepperdine University. I have been teaching since 2007. I have taught everywhere from Kindergarten through fifth grade, as well as teaching in both a lower primary and an upper 4/5 split special education classroom. I thoroughly enjoy the lower primary grades and try to build a caring, respectful, and educationally motivating classroom environment. I have been married to my amazing husband, Jeff since 2010 and we have two wonderful children together Emma and Jackson. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, exercising, and traveling.
Lori Wilson
1st Grade · Room 1
Maisha Harris
2nd Grade · Room 11
I’m a California Native. Graduated from University of California at Riverside with a BA in Social Relations and a Minor in Ethnic Studies. I’ve been at Canyon for over fifteen years and teaching for over twenty years. I’m married and have a son who attends Pali High.
Sherry Ikebe
2nd Grade · Room 17
I am thrilled to be back at Canyon teaching 2nd graders again this year. I have been at Canyon since 1999 and love the close knit community we share. I am looking forward to building an environment of fun and academic success in my classroom and hope to make this year a special year for each and every child. I was born and grew up in San Jose and moved to Los Angeles after high school to complete my college degree. I received my Bachelor’s in English from UCLA and my CLAD Teaching Credential from Cal. State Northridge. My interests include: Reading, writing, music, basketball, running, art and foods! In my free time, I try to visit my Granny, niece Kailey, and nephews Tyler and Ryan, as well as the rest of my family up north in San Jose and Sacramento.
Katje Davis
2nd Grade · Room 12
My name is Katje Davis and I am excited to begin the school year with my new third graders. Every year I get just as excited to meet my new class as I was my very first day of teaching back in 1998! I come from a family of teachers, so teaching was a natural path for me to take and I have loved every moment of it. I am a National Board Certified Teacher and I enjoy taking classes each year that will help me continue to grow professionally. I am married and we have three children, Keaton, our oldest daughter, and Piper and Cody, our girl/boy twins. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family. Our favorite thing to do is spend time at our cabin in Yosemite. I look forward to another wonderful year here at Canyon!
Joseph Velado
3rd Grade · Room 6
Steve Butts
3rd Grade · Room 7
I was born and raised here in California, in the city of Santa Barbara. I graduated from the University of California Irvine in 1993, with a degree in Social Ecology. Following graduation I joined the United States Peace Corps and spent the following 2 1/2 years working as a volunteer for the Department of Education in the country of Uruguay. My experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer were some of the best of my life. While there I worked with rural schools instructing practices of organic agriculture and environmental issues. Following Peace Corps, My wife and I traveled, hiking our way from the tip of South America north to Peru. We visited and saw many unbelievable places, as well as made many friends along the way. When I returned home, I decided to continue my education, and now have my Master’s degree in Elementary Education, with a specialty in Language Arts, and have been teaching for more than twenty years in the third and fourth grades. When not teaching, I enjoy spending my free time trail running in the Santa Monica Mountains, going to the beach, hiking through the Sierra Nevada Mountains, reading, listening to music, and spending time with my family. My wife Wendy heads up the Los Angeles Conservation Corps, my son Jackson is now in high school, and my daughter Soli is in middle school; so needless to say, we are always busy.
Stephanie Radulovich
3rd Grade · Room 8
Prior to my role as a classroom teacher I worked as an instructional aide at Canyon for four years, and was lucky to do my student teaching here as well. Nothing makes me happier than being in a classroom, on my feet, and having fun with my students through the learning process. Growing up in Malibu, I passed by Canyon countless times and always imagined working here. I am a graduate of Loyola Marymount University where I received my MA in Elementary Education and my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. I have always felt extremely lucky to work in such a fantastic community like Canyon. I am dedicated to helping students become self-regulated learners with critical thinking skills to guide them through challenges they are passionate about while providing a space where students feel safe to share their true selves.
Olivia Lim
4th Grade · Room 3
I was born and raised in Torrance, California. My passion for teaching began when my own elementary teachers demonstrated how educators could positively impact the lives of children. These hardworking and caring individuals inspired me to embark on my life-long journey in becoming an influential teacher. My professional experience in education prior to Canyon includes 8 years of teaching in various classroom settings, after-school academies, and as a home-based tutor. I joined Canyon’s community as an instructional aide, and I started teaching first grade in year 2014. When I am away from school, I am usually traveling with family and friends. I enjoy immersing myself in different cultures and love taking photos wherever I go to capture beautiful moments of people, events, and scenery.
Montana McIntyre
4th Grade · Room 10
Charlena TerVeer
4th Grade · Room 9
I started teaching at Canyon in 1994. I am excited to start another year with another wonderful group of students. I truly enjoy working with the 4th grade and preparing my students for 5th grade and the years ahead. My goals are for my students to gain the skills needed to achieve, to encourage them to excel with confidence and instill the organizational skills which they will use for the rest of their lives. I have a Bachelor of Arts from Cal State Northridge in Psychology and received my credential from the same university. I have been a National Board Certified Teacher since 2000. As a National Board Certified Teacher, I give workshops and support to new teachers throughout the district.
Doug Stoll
5th Grade · Room 4
When I left the film and television production community years ago and decided to become a teacher, I was somewhat unsure but determined to give it my most heartfelt effort. And, I have no regrets. As a matter of fact I never did. I love seeing the kids running around like bees in the morning and I love being in the classroom. I feel fortunate to be amidst a fine staff of professionals and active families that make Canyon a well-respected school and a stimulating place to work. My family is my fuel! My daughter Julia is a fantastic kid, a graduate of Boston University already, working hard, making friends and getting ready to make a difference in her own way. My wife Patty continues to perform magic assisting many organizations protecting animals and their habitats. I have many reasons to be proud of them and they make me a lucky guy. I hope the staff and all Canyon families have a productive and active school year!
Travis Cantero
5th Grade · Room 5
Office & Student Support
Margarita Contreras
Administrative Assistant
Lily Velado
Office Assistant / STAR Director
Luz Cruz
Office Assistant
Mona Huizar
APEIS (Special Education)
Akimi Sujishi-Watson
Resource Teacher
I began working at Canyon in April 1995 as the S.T.A.R. Director. In September of 2002, I completed my teaching credential. My experiences with children ages 5 through 17 have led me to a constructivist pedagogy. I believe students should be active, collaborative, and critical thinkers during the learning process. I strive to provide my students with a creative, nurturing environment that encourages them to be life-long learners and provides them with the skills for the future. I received my Liberal Arts Degree, Teacher Credential and Master of Arts in Education from Antioch University, Los Angeles. Canyon has been my community for over 2 decades and each year I find that my passion for teaching burns even brighter.
Carlos Velado
Digital Learning Instruction
Nirit Levy
School Psychologist
Colleen Drumm
School Nurse
Barbara Blake
Library Aide
Arts & Enrichment
Mike Wendland
Music Instructor
Susan Haskell
Art Teacher
Rachel Galper
Kindergarten Drama Teacher
This is not an official LAUSD site. Please visit the Canyon Elementary LAUSD Site for information about our school, published by LAUSD.
421 Entrada Dr
