Hello! I am so excited to be joining the CCDS team. I have taught 4th grade for five years in Butte County. 4th grade is fantastic! I love connecting with students and families, and sharing in the whole learning process as we go. I firmly believe in lifelong learning, and am so glad to be…

I came to Chico in 2003 to study art at Chico State and never left! I hold both an Art and a Multiple-Subject credential, and completed my M.Ed. in 2023 with an emphasis in curriculum and instruction. I bring to CCDS my experience teaching visual art, ceramics, graphic design, yearbook, theatre, and independent study. Off-campus,…

Hi CCDS! I earned my undergraduate degree and teaching credential from California State University, Chico. I was lucky to serve as a student teacher at CCDS back in 2018 and fell in love with the strong values and the amazing community of families, students, and staff here! I have spent the past eight years teaching…

¡Hola! I’m Max Montgomery—second-grade teacher, Chico local, and firm believer that great learning happens with a guitar in hand.  My classroom is student-centered, energetic, hands-on, and often filled with live music and joyful collaboration. Coming from a family of educators (my mom teaches history over at PV High!), teaching is truly in my DNA. One…

Hello CCDS! I am overjoyed to be joining the team as a 2nd grade teacher! This will be my second year teaching, but prior to that I have been a preschool teacher as well as a communications trainer. I earned my Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education along with my multiple subject credential at Grand…

Greetings CCDS! I received my Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Humboldt State University, and worked in the field for a couple seasons studying Northern spotted owls and field botany before I began to lean into my natural affinity for teaching. I received my multiple subject teaching credential concurrently with my Master of Education with…

I absolutely love teaching at CCDS and feel incredibly privileged to spend my time doing something I am so passionate about.  Our school is a magical place -the kiddos, the families, the staff, the philosophy and vision of education that is shared all adds to the sparkle and shine of CCDS.  This will be my…

I’m thrilled to join this amazing school community and embark on my first year teaching 1st grade! While this is my debut in a 1st-grade classroom, I bring 16 years of experience in elementary education—including 11 years in special education and 5 years as a reading intervention specialist. My background has deepened my passion for…

Hello CCDS Families! My name is Susan Efseaff.  I’ve been a part of the CCDS Community since 1999!  I started at CCDS as a first grade teacher and have loved teaching first graders ever since!  I was born and raised in Texas, but moved to California after graduating from Texas A&M University. I fell in…

I’ve been at CCDS since the first year. I ran the After School Program while attending college and obtaining my teaching credential. I knew right away that this school was where I wanted to teach. Since then, I’ve taught a year of 3rd grade, a year of 4th grade and 17 years of Kindergarten. This…