Administration

Dr. Michael J. Grainger, Principal

Office telephone phone: 760-778-0487 x1401

Cell number: 949-702-4055

  Administrative Secretary (Bilingual)

Ms. Mariana Anguiano, Phone: 760-778-0487 x1402

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF OF THE YEAR (2023)

Counselor

Ms. Rosalia Mendoza, Phone: 760-778-0487 x1420

Cell number: 760-676-9375 

Desert Learning  Academy Faculty Directory

Elementary School, Grades 1-5

Telephone (760)778-0487

• Ms. Moore, Grade 1st
• Ms. Knight, Grade 2nd
• Mr. Rexall-Scott, Grade 3rd
• Ms. Rabanova. Grae 4th
• Mr. Ferrell, Grade 5th

Middle School, Grades 6-8

Ms. Fabiano, Grade 6th 760-778-0487

• Core Classes: Math and Science
• Degrees: Bachelor’s Degree from Cal State San Bernardino, Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology
• Teaching Credential: Multiple Subject 
• Years in Education: 15 years
• Online Learning Certification: Leading Edge

Mr. Svoboda, Grade 7th 760-778-0487 

• Core Classes: Language Arts, Math, Science, & Social Studies
• Degrees: BS Elementary Education; MA Elementary Curriculum & Instruction; ABD: Organizational Leadership
• Teaching Credential: Multiple Subject
• Years in Education: 26
• Online Learning Certification: Edgenuity/Accelerate trained 

Ms. Syfert, Grade 8th 760-778-0487 x2204

• Core Classes: English, Social Science
• Degrees: Bachelor's degree from Concordia University, Irvine, Master's degree in Education
• Teaching Credentials: Multiple Subject, Specialist Instruction in Special Education
• Years in Education: 28 
• Online Learning Certification: Leading Edge certificated
•  

Special Education 

Ms. Brennan, Special Education, 760-778-0487 x2509

• Support Subjects: Mathematics, Reading, Writing
• Degrees: Bachelor's degree in Special Education/General Education from Western Michigan University, Master's degree from Chapman University in Special Education, Maser's degree in Education (Middle Grades) from California State University, San Bernardino
• Teaching Credentials: Multiple Subject, Resource Specialist, Specialist Instruction in Special Education
• Years in Education: 28

Mr. De La Cruz, Special Education, 760-778-0487 x2508

• Support Subjects: ELA, Math, Science, & History
• Degrees: Master in Special Education
• Teaching Credentials: Education Specialist
• Years in Education: 10

High School, Grades 9-12

Ms. Borun, 760-778-0487  mborun@psusd.us

• Core Classes: The Living Earth, Chemistry in the Earth System, Physics
• Electives: Science of Health and Wellness, Forensic Science
• Degrees: Bachelor's degree in Biology from University of San Diego, Master's degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Loyola University of Chicago
• Teaching Credentials: Single Subject Life Science
• Years in Education: 16
• Online Learning Certification: Leading Edge 

Ms. Colby, 760-778-0487  tcolby@psusd.us

• • • Core Classes: English I, English II, English III, ERWC, AP English Language and Composition
    • Electives: Media Literacy
    • Degrees: Bachelor's degree in English from California State University, San Bernardino, Master's degree in Educational Technology from Azusa Pacific University.
    • Teaching Credentials: Single Subject English
    • Years in Education: 22
    • Online Learning Certification: Leading Edge 

Mr. Escamilla, 760-778-0487  dbarriosescamilla@psusd.us

• Core Classes: Integrated Math I, Integrated Math II, Integrated Math III
• Degrees: Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering from San Carlos National University of Guatemala, Master in Education
• Teaching Credentials: Single Subject Mathematics
• Years in Education: 3
• Additional Languages: Spanish

Ms. Moreno-Nicholas, 760-778-0487   vnicholas@psusd.us

• Core Classes: CTE Courses & Work Experience (Permits), Math Support
• Degrees: BS in Mechanical Engineering, MA in Organizational Management
• Teaching Credentials: Clear Single Subject Credential in Technology & Industrial Education; Clear Single Subject Credential in Business; Supplemental Credential in Mathematics
• Years in Education: 23 (College & High School Levels)
• Online Learning Certification: Learning Edge   
• Professional Licensure: Professional Engineer (PE) MEX
• Additional Languages: Biliterated English/ Spanish 

Ms. Valenzuela, 760-778-0487  mvalenzuela@psusd.us

• Core Classes: Spanish I, Spanish II, Spanish III, AP Spanish Language and Culture
• Electives: Success 101, Freshman Seminar
• Degrees: Bachelor's degree in Spanish and ESL from Andrews University in Michigan, Master's in Teaching English as a Second Language from Azusa Pacific University
• Teaching Credentials: Single Subject Spanish, Single Subject English
• Years in Education: 20
• Online Learning Certification: Leading Edge 
• Additional Languages: Spanish, Serbian, Croatian

Mr. Wheaton, 760-778-0487   rwheaton@psusd.us

• Core Classes: Civics, Economics, World History, U.S. History, AP World History, AP Government
• Electives: Psychology, AP Psychology, Sociology, Social Problems
• Degrees: Dual Bachelor’s degrees in Earth Science and Social Science from University of Idaho, Master’s degree in Administration from California State University, San Bernardino
• Teaching Credentials: Single Subject Geoscience, Single Subject Social Science
• Years in Education: 36
• Online Learning Certification: Leading Edge