Mrs. Lionetti
A southern California native and long time Orange County resident, Mrs. Lionetti has dedicated her professional life to teaching children and transforming education through her work at Kinetic Academy.
Mrs. Lionetti believes that hands-on learning, or learning by doing, is crucial to a child’s learning, and that education should go beyond the traditional academic subjects, while fostering a sense of curiosity, empathy and social responsibility in young learners. She works tirelessly to recruit a team of dedicated and inspiring educators who share her vision and commitment to nurturing the potential of every child.
“I wish I would have had the opportunity to attend a school that offers what Kinetic offers to our students,” Mrs. Lionetti. She believes that all students should receive a quality education that gives them multiple opportunities to excel, explore and find their passions, which is exactly what Kinetic Academy strives to do.
In her spare time, Mrs. Lionetti enjoys spending time with her husband, their sons, and their labrador, Sammie.
Mrs. Vento
Mrs. Vento is beyond thrilled to join the Kinetic team! She received a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Illinois State University, a Master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from California State University/San Bernardino, and her educational administration credential from California State University/Long Beach. Mrs. Vento taught elementary school for 10 years, worked as an intervention specialist for 5 years, and a principal for 7 years. During this time, she was named the California Teacher of the Year for her work with struggling readers, the recipient of the Orange County Human Relations Award for her collaboration with the Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership program, and the winner of a National Blue Ribbon Award for exemplary high performance of an elementary school. Mrs. Vento is committed to adding to Kinetic’s vision by enhancing and supporting learning opportunities infused with collaboration, innovation, critical-thinking, and problem-solving for all students.
Mrs. Vento resides right here in Huntington Beach with her husband and three children. Outside of work, she loves to travel, read, and bike on the boardwalk. Mrs. Vento is proud to serve and support the students, families, and staff at Kinetic Academy!
Ms. Gallagher
Ms. Gallagher is a proud native of Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications from San Diego State University, followed by a multiple subject teaching credential from National University. She also holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Brandman University. Throughout many years in education, Ms. Gallagher has developed a deep passion for teaching and leadership. She has taught kindergarten through 8th grade, established a successful science and history learning center, and has served as an Assistant Principal and Principal. As a school choice advocate with extensive experience working in charter schools, she is deeply committed to inspiring a lifelong learning mindset. She feels fortunate to be a part of the Kinetic team and share her enthusiasm for empowering students to reach their full potential.
Ms. Gallagher’s favorite pastimes are spent with her family and adventuring outdoors. An avid ocean enthusiast, she loves time on the water, sailing and competing in outrigger canoeing. She enjoys the thrill of competition and the sense of camaraderie that comes from a team working together to achieve their goals
Mrs. Fischer
Mrs. Fischer is proud to be part of the Kinetic Academy community! A Huntington Beach native, she attended Eader Elementary, Sowers Middle School, and Edison High School. She loves being able to work and raise her family in the same community where she grew up.
This year marks Mrs. Fischer’s 25th year in education. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies from California State University, Long Beach and her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Concordia University. Throughout her career, she has served as a classroom teacher, intervention specialist, Behavior Support TOSA, summer school principal, and elementary school principal before joining Kinetic Academy. She is passionate about building strong relationships with students and families and creating a school community where students feel connected, supported, and excited to learn.
Mrs. Fischer lives in Huntington Beach with her husband, Tommy, and their labradoodle, Coco. They have three children two currently in college and one a senior in high school. As a lifelong Huntington Beach resident, she loves being involved in the community and often runs into current and former students and families around town. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, attending Dodger games, traveling, and cheering on her kids in all that they do.
Mrs. Fischer feels incredibly fortunate to serve the students and families of Kinetic Academy and looks forward to another wonderful school year!
Ms. Cass
Ms. Cass is thrilled to join the Kinetic team at the West Campus! Last year, she was an instructional aide at Kinetic East and quickly realized how much she loves being part of the Kinetic community. She was born in Tennessee and spent her early years in Colorado before moving to Huntington Beach at the end of fourth grade. She has called it home ever since. After graduating high school, she earned her Associate of Arts degree from Golden West College, followed by a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. She worked in management and administration for several years before choosing to stay home and raise her three kids. Once her youngest started school, she began working as a playground supervisor at a local elementary school, where she discovered her true passion: working with children. Since then, she’s earned her substitute teaching certificate and will begin her teaching credential program at San Diego State University in Fall 2025. Outside of work, she stays active with her family. She enjoys playing tennis with her daughter, participating in weekly coed volleyball games, and going on bike rides with her children. A lifelong lover of the water, she also looks forward to river trips with family and friends. She brings energy, a warm heart, a love for learning, and a ton of life experience to everything she does, and she’s excited to contribute to the West Campus community.
Mrs. Hersh
Mrs. Hersh loves being part of the Kinetic Academy team! Born and raised in Huntington Beach, she graduated from California State University Dominguez Hills with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She has previously worked in the Fountain Valley School District as a substitute teacher and truly enjoys being in an educational setting. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, camping, and traveling with her husband and their three daughters.
Mrs. Mosqueda
Mrs. Mosqueda is a Southern California native and a resident of the Huntington Beach community. For the past few years, she has worked in Special Education and has felt an overwhelming sense of reward in helping others. She’s delighted to be a part of the Kinetic team and looking forward to meeting all the amazing Kinetic families. Veronica’s other passions besides helping others include, riding her bike down the boardwalk with her husband on the weekends, attending music festivals, trips to Lake Tahoe, reading, and culinary arts.
Mrs. Gilchrist
Mrs. Gilchrist is excited to be back at Kinetic for another year! After growing up in the Santa Ynez Valley, she attended Loyola Marymount University where she received her Bachelor’s degree, Multiple Subject Credential, and Masters in Special Education. For over twenty years, she has supported special education students as an Education Specialist and the last two years as a Behavior Support Intervention teacher. She is passionate about finding ways for all students to learn and be successful.
During her free time, Mrs. Gilchrist enjoys traveling, reading, and spending as much time as possible with her husband and daughter. Her family also enjoys rooting for the Anaheim Ducks.
Mrs. Breeze
A Washington State native, Mrs. Breeze graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Tourism Management and a Minor in Dance Education and Ensemble. She has worked at both Charter and Private schools in Northern and Southern California and is happy to be a part of Kinetic’s inaugural staff. Mrs. Breeze is passionate about the Performing Arts and loves to travel and spend time with her daughter, husband and two Mini Poodles.
Ms. LDR
Born and raised in Miami, FL to a Cuban family, Ms. Lopez del Rincon (Ms. LDR to the Kinetic family) spent her childhood immersed in books, falling in love with reading from the start. It was no surprise when she later chose to study English at the University of Florida. Within her degree, she specialized in poetry, and today is passionate about teaching her favorite elective class at Kinetic: Creative Writing! She also enjoys teaching her other elective class inspired by her favorite books in middle school: Fantasy and Dystopian Literature. She has lived in California for five years now and has taught 6th-8th grade English Language Arts at Kinetic for four years. She is excited for her fifth year and for continuing to “never waste the gift!” Her educational philosophy is rooted in inspiring her students to pursue their curiosity, build confidence in their critical thinking skills, and search for beauty and wisdom in the world around them.
Mr. Su
A Fountain Valley native, Mr. Su has been teaching math to middle and high school students for 13 years. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science from UCLA after studying Electrical Engineering for a few years. He went on to UC Irvine for his teaching credential and master’s degree in Secondary Education. Mr. Su is enthusiastic about using the programming skills he has picked up over the years to create dynamic demos that make math concepts easier for students to visualize and understand more deeply. He also looks forward to further building his library of self-regenerating math problems that can be fine-tuned to his students’ needs. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys playing guitar, gaming and hiking. He moved back to the area so he can spend more time with his family and is looking forward to building new connections with students and staff.
Mr. Boone
Mr. Boone grew up near lakes and mountains in Northern California, before living in both San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles for college. After graduating from UCLA with a BA in History, Mr. Boone spent his 20s traveling to 49 different countries teaching History, English, PE, and Science to students from K-12. He lived and worked on 5 continents during this time, and lived in Spain, Japan, Chile, and Australia. He became fluent in Spanish and proficient in French while abroad. Mr. Boone returned to his native California to receive his teaching credential in Social Sciences, and a Master of Education in English Learner Equity and Academic Achievement. Mr. Boone now enjoys spending time watching his 1-year-old son crawl after his corgi dog, Eddie. Mr. Boone believes middle school is a fantastic time for students to develop critical social and academic skills before entering the fast-paced world of high school and beyond, and is delighted to help his students be prepared, happy, and successful!
Mrs. Ostrander
A Southern California native, Professor Ostrander graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a B.A. in Theater Arts, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, Single Subject Teaching Credentials in General Science and Biology, and a CTE Credential in Arts, Media, and Entertainment. She is also a certified yoga instructor and enjoys incorporating mindfulness, balance, and wellness into her everyday life and teaching.
Professor Ostrander is passionate about creating meaningful connections with her students and helping them discover their strengths, confidence, and sense of purpose. She was honored as the 2025–2026 Kinetic Academy Teacher of the Year and was recognized as a Top 15 Semifinalist for Orange County Teacher of the Year. She believes in being the change you wish to see in the world and is dedicated to building inclusive, supportive communities where everyone feels valued, empowered, and inspired to grow.
When she is not teaching, Professor Ostrander can often be found acting and directing on stage and at Renaissance fairs, exploring the outdoors through camping adventures, spending time with animals, or training dogs—including her beloved service dog, Sirius Black. She also cherishes time with her husband, family, friends, and her other fur baby, Mochi, who keep life full of joy, laughter, and adventure.
Mrs. D’Agostino
Mrs. D was born and raised here in Huntington Beach. She grew up attending school in the OVSD district and graduated from HBHS. Mrs. D graduated college from Cal State Long Beach where she obtained her B.S. in Kinesiology and her Single Subject Physical Education Teaching Credential. Since graduation she has been a substitute teacher in the OVSD, FVSD, and LOSAL schools. Her passion for Physical Education stems from the positive experiences she enjoyed as a local student. She believes every student deserves to benefit from Physical Education and learn the fundamentals behind being a healthy and happy human being. When Mrs. D isn’t teaching P.E; she is a Personal Trainer to her clients. She is also an avid Skier/Snowboarder and spent much of her college career competing on the CSULB competitive Ski Team. On her days off she can be found in the mountains, desert, beach, or lakes enjoying the great outdoors with friends, family, her chocolate lab Yogi, and a good book.
Mrs. Rierson
Mrs. Rierson is proud to have been part of the Kinetic Academy (KA) inaugural staff. She loves the vision and mission of KA. Her goal is to educate the whole child, so she focuses on strong academics, social competence, and character development. While at Kinetic, she has developed a comprehensive 5th grade program that includes extra-curriculars such as an over-night science camp, Student Council, and Yearbook Club. Mrs. Rierson earned her B.A. in English as well as her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential through UC Irvine. In recent years, she has received training in Project Based Learning, Responsive Classroom, and Units of Study for Reading and Writing through Columbia University.
Miss. De La Grana
Miss. De La Grana is thrilled to return to Kinetic Academy as a fifth grade teacher! Having previously served as an instructional assistant at Kinetic for three years, she had the opportunity to support students across grade levels, collaborate with teachers, and build meaningful relationships with families and staff. Returning to the Kinetic community as a classroom teacher is truly a full-circle moment and one that is especially meaningful to her.
Miss. De La Grana earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University, Long Beach and her Master of Arts in Teaching, along with her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, from the University of California, Irvine. Her teaching philosophy centers on creating a warm, inclusive, and engaging learning environment that nurtures curiosity, encourages collaboration, and supports students’ academic, social, and emotional growth. She hopes to inspire a lifelong love of learning while helping students grow into kind, confident, and thoughtful individuals. Outside of the classroom, Miss De La Grana enjoys getting lost in a good book, spending time at the beach, and relaxing with her beloved cat. She is excited to partner with students and families and looks forward to making fifth grade a joyful, memorable, and meaningful year for everyone.
Ms. Bunch
Ms. Bunch is so excited to have another amazing year at Kinetic Academy! This will be her second year teaching fourth grade, and before that, she had a wide variety of teaching experience from sixth grade to first grade. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies and her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from California State University, Fullerton. Through her varied experiences in education, she has learned the importance of making learning fun and engaging for all students. Her teaching style is a unique balance of holding high expectations for students and understanding their individual needs and personalities. She is passionate about supporting Kinetic Academy’s mission and vision and cultivating a lifelong love of learning in her students. In her free time, Ms. Bunch enjoys traveling, camping, bike riding, going to Disneyland, and taking her dog Musket to the beach.
Miss. Fiola
Miss Fiola received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Disability Studies from Northern Arizona University in 2022. She has also obtained her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential in the state of Arizona and California and now maintained a clear credential through the induction program at Cal State Fullerton. She has had experience teaching a wide variety of grade levels from Kindergarten all the way up to seventh grade and has found beauty and appreciation for each in their own unique way. She is passionate about giving every student a voice and allowing them to grow utilizing kindness and compassion in the classroom. When she is not teaching she enjoys playing the guitar, traveling, spending time with her cat, and watching a good movie. She loves being a part of the KA community and is excited to meet all of the new students and families.
Mrs. Rosing
Mrs. Rosing is thrilled to join the Kinetic Academy family this year. She brings over 20 years of experience working with elementary students in a variety of educational settings. She began her career in Newport -Mesa Unified School District and Orange Unified School District teaching kindergarten and 3rd grade. Throughout her career, she has taught in Title 1 schools, private schools and a homeschool academy. For the past four years, she returned to Newport Mesa USD as an intervention teacher, supporting students grades K-6. A Southern California local, Mrs. Rosing, earned her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Southern California (USC) before completing her master’s degree in education with a Multiple Subject Credential at Pepperdine University. She is passionate about helping every child reach their full potential by meeting the students where they are and encouraging both academic and personal growth. She believes a positive attitude can take you farther than you can imagine and that mistakes are valuable opportunities to learn and grow. Mrs. Rosing strives to create a classroom where every child feels supported and excited to learn each day! Mrs. Rosing lives in Eastside Costa Mesa with her husband, 3 boys and their sweet dog Penny. Outside the classroom she enjoys spending time at the beach, visiting Mammoth Mountain and Lake Havasu, practicing hot yoga and hiking. As her boys have grown older and started their own adventures, she treasures family time even more. Her perfect evening is a backyard BBQ and a movie night with her favorite people.
Mrs. Hardin
Tiffany Hardin was born and raised in Long Beach, California, and has always had a deep love for the outdoors and wildlife. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Management and Conservation from Humboldt State University. After starting her family, Tiffany returned to school and earned her Master’s in Teaching: Elementary Education, along with her teaching credential, from Western Governors University.
Tiffany has been part of the Kinetic Academy community since 2024, beginning her journey as a K–5 Instructional Aide. Throughout her time at Kinetic, she has worn many hats, including After School Program Coordinator, Summer Camp Coordinator, Substitute Teacher, and TK Aide. This year, she is excited to step into her very own classroom as a third grade teacher!
Outside of the classroom, Tiffany’s happy place is anywhere outdoors. She is passionate about wildlife and loves incorporating her knowledge and appreciation for the natural world into her teaching whenever possible. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, bird watching, and finding any opportunity to be outside.
Tiffany is thrilled to begin this new chapter at Kinetic Academy and is looking forward to an exciting year of learning, growing, and making memories with her third grade students!
Mrs. Davis
Mrs. Davis is delighted to continue in her third year with Kinetic Academy, working in partnership with the staff, families, and sweet students! Raised in Montana, Mrs. Davis received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, K-8, from Montana State University – Bozeman, and later earned her Masters of Arts in Teaching and CA Reading Certification from National University. She is a veteran teacher of over 20 years, with experience across grades K-6. Mrs. Davis also holds a CLAD credential and a certificate in Gifted and Talented Education.
Mrs. Davis believes in fostering a rigorous academic program, where children can explore and collaborate to reach their highest potential! Her passion for teaching is fueled by her absolute love for her students and the joy of watching them grow and thrive in a learning environment based on kindness and respect.
A longtime resident of Huntington Beach, Mrs. Davis loves spending time with her husband and two boys. She feels blessed to be a part of the Kinetic family!
Mrs. Allen
Mrs. Allen is excited to return for her second year at Kinetic Academy. She has been teaching for 28 years. Mrs. Allen received her multiple subject teaching credential and CLAD certificate from California State University Long Beach and earned a Master’s degree in reading curriculum and instruction from National University. Mrs. Allen is passionate about teaching and fosters a collaborative and respectful classroom environment where students feel safe and comfortable among their peers to take risks in their learning journey. Mrs. Allen has taught in Tennessee in a small country school. She loves being outdoors hiking and running and enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters along with their three dogs and one cat.
Mrs. Snodgrass
Mrs. Snodgrass is thrilled to be teaching first grade at KA this year. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies and her teaching credential from Cal State Channel Islands. She has taught both second grade and TK, but her very favorite grade to teach is first! When she is not teaching, Mrs. Snodgrass is usually playing with her son Cade, her daughter Daisy, and her dog Maggie. She is excited for another great year at Kinetic Academy!
Ms. Brown
Ms. Brown has been teaching at Kinetic since the school opened in 2016. She has enjoyed watching the school grow into what it is today. Most of her teaching career has been in first grade, where she finds joy in supporting students during such an important year of growth and development. Ms. Brown got her BA in Geography from Long Beach State and her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from National University. Ms. Brown has two young adult children who are attending 4 year universities. In her free time she enjoys hiking and being outside in the sunshine.
Mrs. Rodriguez
Mrs. Rodriguez is a Year 4 teacher and is excited to begin her first year at Kinetic Academy. Born and raised in Long Beach, just a few beaches north. She received her BA and her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from CSULB. Mrs. Rodriguez previously taught TK and is certified in Early Education and Development. She has a passion for building strong learning foundations and supporting students’ social-emotional well-being. Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Rodriguez loves camping, going to the beach, and exploring nature with her family. She is a proud mom of three, ages 11, 6, and 2. They enjoy dancing, singing, and reading together. Their family also includes Bernard, their Labrador retriever, who loves to swim, snuggle, and sleep! Mrs. Rodriguez is excited to embark on this new journey through project-based learning and become part of the Kinetic Academy community.
Mrs. Hardman
Mrs. Hardman earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Northern Illinois University and her Master of Science in Elementary Education with a specialization in Reading and Literacy from Walden University. Originally from Illinois, she moved to California in 2007 and now proudly calls Seal Beach home.
As she begins her second year at Kinetic Academy, Mrs. Hardman is grateful to be part of such a supportive and inspiring school community. She loves teaching kindergarten and feels fortunate to spend her days helping young learners grow in confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning. Watching students develop as readers, thinkers, and friends is one of the most rewarding parts of her job.
Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Hardman enjoys spending time at the beach, being outdoors, and soaking up the California sunshine. She is excited for another wonderful year at Kinetic Academy and looks forward to creating meaningful memories with her students and families.
Mrs. Ratinoff
Mrs. Ratinoff is so excited to be a part of the Kinetic Academy team! She has worked in education in various capacities for many years and has been teaching TK for the past four years. In addition to teaching the littles, in the winter Mrs. Ratinoff spends a few days teaching skiing for Mammoth Mountain and in the summers, she teaches sailing and kayaking to students who are 9-14 years of age. Mrs. Ratinoff is originally from Ventura, California and enjoys going there to visit family and friends. Mrs. Ratinoff earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from San Diego State University. She also earned a Continuing Education Certificate in Speech and Language Pathology from the University of Vermont. Mrs. Ratinoff lives in Costa Mesa with her boyfriend, who, in addition to being an Aerospace Engineer, is also a sailor and avid skier.
Coach Mac
Mr. Macdonald is excited to join the Kinetic family this year as the physical education teacher for our West campus. He was born and raised in Orange County in both Garden Grove and the city of Orange. He received his bachelor’s of science degree in Kinesiology from California State University of Fullerton. He then continued at CSUF and earned his teaching credential in physical education. From there he began teaching physical education to fourth and fifth graders in Los Angeles at Hawthorne School District for two years. He then transitioned to teaching at a charter middle school named Citizens of the World Middle in Silverlake which is also located in the greater Los Angeles area. He taught there for the past five years where he was able to clear his teaching credential through the Los Angeles County of Education program. Mr. MacDonald enjoys spending time with his family. Which include his wife Margaret, his two daughters Elizabeth and Eleanor, and his two dogs Ringo and Starr.
Mrs. Roy
Mrs . Roy received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Design from the University of California, Los Angeles. She continued on to obtain her teaching credential and took her first teaching position in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Mrs. Roy has taught Kindergarten, 2nd and 4th grades. Mrs. Roy is passionate about sharing her love of art, art history, and exploring art techniques. Nothing brings her more joy than watching students gain confidence and learn to express themselves through creating. Mrs. Roy raised her family in Huntington Beach and loves calling it home. She is very connected in the community and belongs to several organizations. Outside of school, she loves to hike, paddleboard, and travel with friends and family.
Ms. Castellon
Maricel Castellon is a passionate educator who is excited to join Kinetic Academy to share her
expertise and love for learning about the Spanish speaking world and language. Her teaching experience ranges from K to Adult school, instruction both English and Spanish as a second language as well as Art and Music. Ms. Castellon is a proud native of Nicaragua, Central America as well as a proud resident of southern California where she has lived most of her life. She is a graduate of Biola University with a B.S in Art Education and a graduate of California State University Fullerton with a B.A in Music (Guitar). Her teaching experience includes teaching Art, Spanish and English for CVUSD, RBUSD, OUSD and SAUSD as well as teaching in Mexico and Nicaragua. She is an avid pickleball player, watercolorist and salsa dancer, loves to travel, and go to the beach.
Mrs. Lacey
A Southern California Native, enjoys being a part of the Kinetic Academy community. She loves helping others. Has worked in the medical field for many years. In her spare time, she enjoys going to the beach, traveling, going to concerts and reading. Mrs. Lacey currently lives in Huntington Beach with her Husband, two children and their dog.
Mr. Michael
Mr. Endy
Sammie
Sammie Lionetti has been part of Kinetic Academy since opening in 2016! He loves to interact with students, parents and staff and make sure we know when deliveries have arrived. His favorite things to do while onsite, is greet students at the gate, Walk & Talk in the morning, have students read to him in the office and visit classrooms.