staff bios
- Linda Inlay, Director
- Cathy Adams, 7/8
- Celeste Akiu, 7/8 (email)
- Christine Ansley, 7/8 Math/Math Coordinator (email)
- Mary Lynn Bryan, Social Studies, Language Arts
- Megan Burton, Social Studies, Language Arts
- Sara Euser, 6 (email)
- Madeleine Gomez, 6 (email)
- Jeremy Grove, 7/8 (email)
- Chris Kvidahl, PE (email)
- Thom Lichtenstein, 6 (email)
- Fawn Lustig, PE
- Richard Mettler, Math/Science 7/8 (email)
- Nancy Perez, PE (half) (email)
- Diane Reid, Drama (email)
- Kevin Reid, Vocal Music
- Wendy Scott, Band
- Louann Talbert, 7/8
- Gentle Tassione, 7/8 (email)
- Melissa Vashe, Art (email)
- Keith Waechtler, 7/8 (email)
- Heather Watson, 6 (email)
support staff
Wendy Beltrami, Attendance Secretary (email)
Venita Bush, Business Manager
Teri Renz, Attendance Secretary
Beth Wheeler, Executive Assistant (email)
Diane Reid
- Educational Background
- Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Bowling Green State University in Ohio
Single Subject Teaching Credential in Language Arts from Humboldt State University
- Personal Information
- I am an adventurous spirit who loves world travel, camping, making music, roller skating, and spinning poi. Art is my favorite thing to do, and I am happiest when I am producing a creative project. I design beaded jewelry and I love to collage. As a passionate foodie and a closet pastry chef, I am delighted to be in the kitchen. Reading has been a lifelong joy for me, and getting lost in a good book while swinging in a hammock is my idea of a dreamy afternoon. I also adore spending time at coffee shops absorbed in conversation with friends.
- Subjects Taught at River
- Drama/Musicals
- Taught Before
- I began teaching in college when I was an ensemble member of The Treehouse Troupe, a touring children's theatre company. Our company performed plays and taught Drama workshops in elementary schools throughout the Midwest.
While living in Los Angeles, I was a designer and teacher for Storyopolis, a children's bookstore and art gallery. My job was to create and facilitate parties and events based on books. I brought many favorite stories to life in the gallery and taught workshops related to each theme.
In the public school system, I began as a substitute teacher for NVUSD. When I temporarily relocated to Florida for a year, I taught Middle School Drama and directed the Broadway musical Once On This Island, Jr. at Veterans Park Academy for the Arts.
This is my third year teaching at River School.
- What is important to me that I'd like my students to learn:
- Collaborating with other people to tell stories on stage is an incredible bonding experience which truly transformed my own educational journey. Working with others to produce theatre is a process of community building in which every single part of the ensemble is vital, resourceful, and creative. I am passionate about Drama because I love to share that experience with my students!
It is important to me that my students learn the ancient art form of storytelling on stage because it connects all of us in an immediate, visceral way. The art of theatre allows us to personally and collectively explore the human condition and hopefully evolve toward compassionate understanding for all.