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Meet Our Team
Meet the Counseling & Support Team
Jessica Haun | Instructional Coach
My name is Jessica Haun. This is my 10th year teaching. I earned my Bachelor of Arts and my Teaching Credential from Chico State University, and I enjoy sharing my love for people’s stories. I believe that understanding English is integral to our ability to communication with other human beings, understand experiences and situations that are different to our own, to express ourselves fully, and to get what we want and need in our lives. In addition to being fascinated with people’s stories, I enjoy backpacking, travelling in my our RV, and am a complete “foodie.”
Rachel Harrison | Instructional Coach
My name is Rachel Harrison and I am the Instructional Coach here at Insight schools. I was a history teacher here for 8 years before transitioning over to the Instructional Coach role. I have a bachelor’s degree in history and love learning new and creative ways to enhance student learning in an online environment. Outside of school, I enjoy the beach, hiking, traveling, and kickboxing. Anything outdoors and adventurous is my favorite!
Amber Scala | School Counselor, Last Names K-P
My name is Amber Scala and I am a school counselor here at Insight schools. I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from the University of Nevada, Reno. While this is my third year at Insight, I have worked at both the elementary and high school level as a school counselor for five years. I think school counseling is the best job ever, and look forward to working with all of my students and families this year! Outside of school counseling, I love to bake, play guitar, travel as much as possible and spend time with my cat, Sir Thomas. I am also an avid runner and recently took up learning how to surf.
Kelly Mortensen | School Counselor, Last Names Q-Z
My Name is Kelly Mortensen and I am one of the Insight School Counselors. I serve students with Last Names: “O-Z.”
I have a Master’s Degree in Educational Counseling and think I have the BEST job in the world. I have been in education for almost 30 years in various capacities including Teacher Assistant, Registrar, Family Academic Support Liaison and School Counselor. I have been working with K12 online schools since 2015, initially starting at CAVA and presently at Insight. Prior to working in online schools, I worked for nearly 20 years in the juvenile court and community schools in an in-person setting.
I am married with a teenage son (and 4 fur babies and a tortoise) and enjoy spending time with my family. I love working with my students and helping them prepare for their futures beyond high school.
Nilma Alvarez-Drinkwater | School Counselor, Last Names D-J
Hi! My name is Nilma Alvarez-Drinkwater and I am part of the Counseling team here at Insight. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. I earned a BA degree in Psychology from the Universidad de Puerto Rico and a Master’s degree in counseling from Universidad Central de Bayamon. I have been in the School Counseling field for 14 years. My first four years as a school counselor were as an elementary school counselor in Puerto Rico. I also lived in Florida and worked at an elementary school as the ELL School Counselor. This is my third year with Insight! And I feel honored to be part of this family! On a personal note, I have two boys and love spending time with them and watching them grow. When I am not working, I enjoy taking them to the park or for walks, going to the beach and exercising!
Taylor Barter | Student Support Specialist
Taylor Barter has a Bachelor of Arts in History and a minor in Religious Studies from University of the Pacific. She went on to further her education by attending Liberty University’s online program to earn her Master of Arts in Theological Studies: Church History.
Mrs. Barter has been working in education for over 8 years as a substitute teacher, Family Academic Support Liaison, Academic Growth Advocate, and Student Support Specialist. She has been with Insight for about 7 years now! She loves supporting Insight students and seeing them achieve their goals and earning their high school diplomas. She is looking forward to working with students with Last Names L-Z regarding Graduation Plans.
Beyond Insight, she has been married for 8 years and has 2 littles, a girl and a boy. She enjoys playing card and board games; reading; volunteering at her church; being crafty; and spending time with her family.
Heather Raposo | Student Support Specialist
My name is Heather Raposo and this is my 9th year at Insight Schools and have been working in education for near 20 years. I also am finishing up a master’s degree in Art History and plan to try for a doctorate research program in the same field that is based in England. I am a world traveller and have been to 22 countries to date (and counting). I spend most of my free time either traveling, in my garden, or doing floral designs and other crafty things. My husband immigrated from the Azores islands of Portugal, so we like to spend our vacations exploring his native country. I have two adult children and a third grandchild on the way and spending time with my family is also a huge highlight of my free time.
Monica Chatfield | Dashboard Coordinator
Hi! My name Monica Chatfield and I am Insight’s High School Dashboard Coordinator. I have a Bachelor’s of Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Educational Counseling. I have served in many roles within the counseling department and have enjoyed working with students and watching them succeed with the caring team at Insight. In my off time, I like to spend time with my husband and three kiddos in the great outdoors.
Wai (Monica) Lau | Intervention Specialist – Math
My name is Wai Lau and I am a member of the Intervention department here at Insight Schools. I have been teaching K-12 since 2009 and obtained a master’s degree in teaching math in 2017. I love to help students remove their fear of math. Since math is such an important part of life, I hope that my students will develop the math skills required for their careers. I enjoy studying personal finance and many sports.
Wesley Harden | Intervention Specialist – English
Nice to meet you! My name is Wesley Harden. I am part of the amazing English Intervention Team here at Insight. I have a boundless passion for literature and language, and hope to ignite the same flame of curiosity and creativity in my students. My classroom is geared toward a safe and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and inspired to excel. I know each and every one of my students has the ability to learn and it is my goal to provide the tools and scaffolding to help shape them into confident and compassionate individuals ready for the real world.
Corry Perez | ELD Specialist
Hi! I’m Corry Perez. I’ve been teaching for 11 years- both in high school and elementary. I have a master’s degree in education in language arts/reading from CSUF. At Insight I support students and help them stay on their path to graduate. I believe a high school diploma is a crucial accomplishment, and is the starting point of creating a great life for yourself. My favorite things are family, art, and my sweet little pets. I absolutely love when students share their art with me- paintings, drawings, digital, and music- it’s amazing!
Susan Steinmetz | ELD Specialist
Hello! My name is Susan Steinmetz, and I am excited to be the ELD Specialist at Insight Schools of California. This is my 13th year in education, and over the years, I have taught many different grade levels in just about every subject.
I enjoy interacting with the students and believe they learn best in a positive learning environment where they feel welcomed, comfortable, and safe. I try to create this type of atmosphere where students can meet their full potential. I encourage my students to express themselves, accept themselves for who they are, as well as embrace the differences of others. It is my aim to bring an open mind, positive attitude, and high expectations every day.