Faculty & Staff

Dr. Joe Ledoux

Our Principal Superintendent

Dear Almond Acres Families,

 

I am thrilled to welcome you back for my second year as Principal / Superintendent at Almond Acres Charter Academy! Reflecting on my 28 years of experience in K–12 public education—ranging from my foundational years as a teacher and principal to leading district-level special education programs—I remain deeply committed to cultivating inclusive, innovative, and forward-thinking learning environments where every child can thrive.

 

Having experienced the heart of this school first hand over the past year, I am fully invested in AACA’s unique philosophy of educating the whole child. I strongly believe in nurturing mind, body, and character to ensure that our students grow into confident, creative, and resilient lifelong learners. Seeing our shared educational values come to life in our classrooms every day continuously inspires my work and vision for our school community.

 

Prior to joining the Almond Acres team, I served as the Director of Special Education for the Templeton Unified School District, supporting hundreds of students and leading a large team of educators and specialists. Throughout my career, whether designing innovative programs, coaching educational leaders, or managing district initiatives, my core focus has always remained the same: ensuring that every student—regardless of background or ability—has access to a high-quality, supportive, and enriching education.

 

Almond Acres Charter Academy is a special place, and I welcome the opportunity to partner with you in your child’s educational journey. I am hosting monthly “Coffee with the Principal” meetings on the third Friday of each month if you would like to connect, share ideas, or simply say hello. Thank you for trusting us with your children. I look forward to working together to make this another extraordinary school year!

Dr. Joseph Ledoux
jledoux@almondacres.com

Our Teachers

ELEMENTARY

Aleah Comins

Aleah Comins

kindergarten

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Coming soon!

Alicia Clipperton

Alicia Clipperton

kindergarten/1st Grade

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Coming soon!

Megan Zimmerman

Megan Zimmerman

1st Grade

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Coming soon!

Jennifer Tanore

Jennifer Tanore

2nd grade

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Coming soon!

Taylor Fernando

Taylor Fernando

2nd Grade

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Coming soon!

Sarah Barr

Sarah Barr

3rd Grade

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Coming soon!

Reagan Elsome

Reagan Elsome

3rd Grade

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Coming soon!

Anne Brisco

Anne Brisco

4th Grade

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Coming soon!

Devon Grey

Devon Grey

4th Grade

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I am incredibly excited to be your child’s fourth-grade teacher! The philosophy of our school is so closely aligned with my own personal philosophy: each of us is unique, and our strengths should be affirmed, stretched, and celebrated.

In the Classroom
Each student deserves to have their strengths utilized to support their unique learning style, and I look forward to learning what makes your child unique and how I can help them reach their goals this school year. The disposition of each student is of utmost importance to me. As an educator, I aim to create a safe and engaging environment with a mixture of structure and flexibility. 

Things I Love
My interests include hiking, reading, photography and spending time with my sons and kitties.

Ellyshia Meling

Ellyshia Meling

5th Grade

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Although this is my first year at Almond Acres Charter Academy, this will be my 11th year teaching! I have just recently moved to Paso Robles from the Sequoia National Forest and I am exceedingly excited to start this new chapter!

In the Classroom
I have worked with children for over 25 years and have known that I wanted to become a teacher since the age of 9. Your children, and the environment in which they learn, are incredibly important to me and I strive to create an open and challenging atmosphere of learning within my classroom. I am looking forward to working with you and your child in order to help him or her reach their full potential.

Important to Me

  • Open and challenging learning atmosphere
  • Great parent-teacher communication
  • Parent involvement
Lucero Padilla

Lucero Padilla

5th Grade

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Coming soon!

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Joe Jensen

Joe Jensen

6th grade

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Coming soon!

Melissa Torgesen

Melissa Torgesen

6th Grade

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Coming soon!

Patricia "Louise" Hurley

Patricia "Louise" Hurley

7th/8th Grade ELA

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Coming soon!

Ryan Wagner

Ryan Wagner

8th Grade Math

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Coming soon!

Carissa Alcantar

Carissa Alcantar

7th/8th Grade Science

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Coming soon!

Claire Woodmansee

Claire Woodmansee

7th/8th Grade SOCIAL STUDIES

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Coming soon!

Recreation, Electives, & Intervention

Thomas Grandoli

Thomas Grandoli

MUSIC

Tanner Knuckles

Tanner Knuckles

INTERVENTION

Jessica Benzel

Jessica Benzel

recreation 6-8

Administrative Staff

Dr. Joseph Ledoux

Dr. Joseph Ledoux

principal superintendent

Megan Zettle

Megan Zettle

assiStant principal

Wendy Woodard

Wendy Woodard

Coordinator II

Erin Colegrove

Erin Colegrove

Administrative Assistant

Leslie Almaguer

Leslie Almaguer

Administrative Assistant

Dana Holt

Dana Holt

administrative assistant

Leandra Santoianni

Leandra Santoianni

RSP Teacher/Coordinator

Classified Staff

Melissa Moreno

Melissa Moreno

Receptionist

Ashley Dritsas

Ashley Dritsas

Program Supervisor and athletic director

Alex Puccinelli

Alex Puccinelli

Maintenance / Transportation

Yolanda Goldammer

Yolanda Goldammer

Food Services

Mary Ann Weis

Mary Ann Weis

Food Services

Adelina Ruiz

Adelina Ruiz

Custodial Lead

Bertha Fuerte

Bertha Fuerte

Custodian

Ricardo Puga

Ricardo Puga

Custodian

Sebastian Magallon

Sebastian Magallon

Campus Supervisor

Jocelyn Contreras

Jocelyn Contreras

Campus Supervisor

Kelsey Clements

Kelsey Clements

Campus Supervisor

Michele Fielder

Michele Fielder

Support TeAcher

Sandra Cordova

Sandra Cordova

Support Teacher

Sarah Gasch

Sarah Gasch

Support Teacher

Carina Munguia

Carina Munguia

Support Teacher

Naomy Camou

Naomy Camou

Support Teacher

Zack Logan

Zack Logan

Support Teacher

Bethany Mapes

Bethany Mapes

Support Teacher

Kiana Duran

Kiana Duran

Support Teacher

Millie Moerman

Millie Moerman

Support Teacher

Specialists

Kenneth Shaffner

Kenneth Shaffner

School Psychologist

Aaron Bailey

Aaron Bailey

Student Affairs and Facilities Supervisor

May Nunes

May Nunes

Education Specialist

Claudia Campoamor

Claudia Campoamor

SCHOOL COUNSELOR

Join Our Team

If you love kids, align with our school philosophy, and want to be part of a fun team of leaders, join our team!

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