Administration
Mercedes Kirk, Principal
UC Davis alumni & University of San Francisco, Spanish Bilingual Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
I started my educational career in San Francisco USD and then moved to the Sacramento area to teach at Folsom Cordova USD. I have enjoyed teaching 1st - 4th graders for the past many years and now I feel honored to be the Principal of our amazing homeschool and to work with the most talented and caring staff.
I am married with three adult children and lots of pets. I enjoy spending time with my family, creating pottery, hiking, and exploring different regions of our beautiful state and country.
Melanie Whitney, Administrative Assistant
I have been with the Folsom Cordova School District for 24 years. I started at Riverview Elementary and then Navigator Elementary. I have to say the Homeschool has my heart! It is a wonderful place to be.
I am Married with two grown children and 2 spoiled Akitas that keep me walking everyday. I enjoy being outdoors, listening to music and hanging out with family and friends.
Sahar Ayoub , Clerk
I have been married for over 28 years and have 4 adult children. Two of them are becoming teachers. I recently moved to Sacramento from Bakersfield after living there for 27 years. This is my first job in a school. I absolutely love it here and can truly say this has been the best job that I’ve had.
I love to spend time with my family, which always includes food and cooking. We play a lot of trivia and have game nights with our extended family.
Kelley Wells, Health Assistant
I am a Health assistant for 3 schools in FCUSD.
I am married with 2 adult children and one puppy.
My favorite place to go is “home” to Hawaii to see family and friends as often as I can.
Kristin O'Rourke, Teacher / Consultant
BA - Human Development from Long Beach State University, Multiple Subjects Credential from Sacramento State University, and Masters in Curriculum Design and Instructional Leadership from National University
I have been with Folsom Cordova Unified for 28 years. I started off at Riverview Elementary, where I taught 4th and 6th grade. Then I became a second grade teacher at Natoma Station for 8 years. Finally, I joined the developing team for our district’s first charter school. Once we got things up and running, I never looked back. I have been with our charter for 19 years now as an educational consultant for grades kindergarten through 4th grade. My favorite aspect of the job is working alongside my families not only on their educational journey, but often on their personal journeys as well.
I have been married for 26 years and have two adult children. I have 2 really spoiled dogs who I love to walk every morning. I also enjoy hiking, traveling, boating, photography, and hope to work with rescue animals in the near future.
Laura Cataldo, Teacher / Consultant
California State University, Chico with a BA in Liberal Studies, Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
After teaching in the Santa Clara Unified School District and at FCUSD, I had the amazing opportunity to homeschool my twins at FCCC. During this time, I became an Educational Specialist and have been working at Folsom Cordova Community Charter since 2008.
My husband and I have been married for over 25 years. We have two adult children, 2 cats (Kit Kat and Angel), 1 turtle (Emerald), and 2 koi fish.
I especially enjoy exploring new places and spending time outdoors. A few of my favorite activities are hiking, gardening, and traveling.
Kerry Oh, Teacher / Consultant
B.A.-Communication Studies, Minor- Anthropology, Sacramento State University; Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, CSU East Bay
After teaching in EGUSD and FCUSD, I homeschooled my oldest three children with FCCC and later became an educational consultant/teacher in 2007. I’m married, have five adult children and three dogs and enjoy running, hiking, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Jennifer Salter, Teacher / Consultant
UC Davis– Anthropology
I have been teaching for 27 years including 6th grade at Natoma Station and Williamson Elementary. The best part is that I have been with the Charter School since it started in 2004! I am married and we have two daughters. I love to read and hike, but traveling is my absolute favorite.
Brittany Ban, Teacher / Consultant
CSUS, Sacramento- BA in Child Development & Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
I graduated from Sac State in 2017 and earned my teaching credential there as well, in 2019. My first teaching job was here at the Charter School in Fall 2020, and I have been here ever since! It has been an amazing experience working with all of the wonderful teachers, staff, and homeschooling families. I couldn’t have asked for a better first job in my career.
I also got married in 2017, and have two sweet babies- Logan (3) and Brooklynn (1). I am lucky enough to work part-time so I can still stay home with them. I absolutely love dancing! I coach high school cheer at a local high school in the Arden Park area. My family loves to travel to new places, but my all-time favorite vacation spot is always Disneyland or the beach- with an iced coffee in my hand.
Erin Morck, Teacher / Consultant
CSU Sacramento- BA Liberal Studies, Multiple Subject Credential
I started my teaching career as a P.E. Teacher at White Rock Elementary & Blanche Sprentz Elementary. I taught kindergarten at Empire Oaks Elementary and then took a hiatus to raise my three children. I homeschooled the younger ones for 7 years, 5 years at FCCC. I am passionate about homeschooling! I’ve been teaching at FCCC since 2017.
I am blessed to be married to my best friend. In my spare time I love to workout and spend time with friends and family.
Lisa Stafford, Teacher / Consultant
UC Berkeley with a BA in Physical Education; St. Mary’s College, Teaching Credential Program
Taught 4th grade for 4 years at Burton Valley Elementary School in Lafayette and 7th grade for 1 year in Loomis before starting a family and staying home for 12 years to raise kids. I started at FCCC in 2007 teaching science and became an Educational Consultant. I’ve enjoyed working with homeschool families to provide different options for education and guide them through their journey.
I’ve been married for 29 years and have three grown children as well as a granddaughter.
I am very focused on health/wellbeing and love to read new studies and information. As a family we love to be outdoors, whether that is skiing, gardening, hiking or attending baseball games!
Krissy Brainard, Teacher / Consultant
UC Davis - Bachelors in Psychology with an Education Minor.
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from College of Notre Dame- Belmont, Ca.
I worked in the classroom for 4 years teaching 4th and 5th grades, and then I took a short break to start my own family. I was blessed with boy/girl twins who are now college graduates and amazing young adults. I’ve been so lucky to be at the Folsom Community Charter School since 2004. I just love meeting one on one with my 4th-8th grade students and parents to guide them through their homeschool journey. I also love teaching Art to Middle Schoolers at our Adventure Club.
I’ve been married to my husband, Steve, for over 30 years, and we’ve lived in Folsom for over 20 years. We are very excited to start a new business together- a music school for all ages coming soon to Folsom, called Music Lab. Please check it out and watch for our updates at www.musiclab.co
Heather Hennessy, Teacher/Consultant
Kara Tham, Intervention Teacher