K-5 Faculty

Janet Salvoni joined Sun Valley Community School in 2005 and was appointed Lower School Head in 2011. Janet has extensive experience in the classroom, having taught pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grades; she has also served as a Learning Specialist and as Early Childhood Coordinator. Currently, in addition to her role as Elementary School Head, she serves as Co-Director of the Teacher Training Academy (TTA)

Janet holds a BA in elementary education from University of Massachusetts, Amherst and an MA in education from Cambridge College.

In her daily work with students, parents, and colleagues at the school, Janet is continually inspired by the passion of the school's faculty. "They believe 100 percent in the work they are doing, both with students and behind the scenes," she says.

Janet and her husband, Frank, are parents of two Cutthroats: Tyler '23 and Cooper '27. When she's not at school or spending time with her family, Janet spends time on the ice pursuing her passion for ice hockey.

Megan Moore joined the Lower School faculty as its new Kindergarten teacher in the fall of 2024. Megan earned her BS in Elementary Education from University of Vermont and is currently pursuing her Masters of Education in Early Childhood Education at Worcester State University.

Prior to joining the Cutthroat community, Megan most recently worked as a Paraprofessional at Stanley M. Koziol Elementary School in Ware, Massachusetts and as an assistant teacher working with infants through 5-year old students at Heartworks Preschool in Burlington, Vermont.  She brings a deep passion for all things Kindergarten, supporting young children as they build their sense of selves through meaningful connections, both in the classroom and in the outdoors. Her warmth, energy, and enthusiasm for early childhood will be strong assets in the Kindergarten classroom, as well as within the broader Lower School community. 

 Edith Perez Rodriguez joined the Lower School in 2020 as a Teaching Assistant in the Kindergarten classroom. For the 2022-23 school year, Edith served as lead Kindergarten teacher. 

A native of Mexico, Edith worked as an English teacher for six years, teaching preK-4th grade students in Coahuila, MX before moving to the Wood River Valley in 2018. She enjoys kayaking and snowshoeing and is excited to learn to ski this winter! Edith holds a BA from el Centro de Idiomas, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila en Torreón, Coahuila, MX.

Hannah Young joined Sun Valley Community School in 2010 and currently teaches first grade.

Hannah earned a BA at New York University and a MAT at Lewis and Clark College.

Drawn to the progressive, hands-on learning community and standard-setting outdoor program at the school, Hannah appreciates the sense of community and commitment to learning she encounters every day as a teacher here and loves to share time outdoors with her class. "My love and respect for the outdoors is evident any time I venture outside with my students, and my wish is for them is to push beyond their comfort zone and try new things, as that's when meaningful learning often takes place."

When Hannah isn't teaching—in her classroom or in the outdoors—she loves to adventure with her husband and daughter.

Heather Cunningham joined Sun Valley Community School in 2018 and is currently a teaching assistant in 1st grade. 

She holds a BA in Sociology from The University of Arizona.

Heather truly appreciates the capacity for growth of young minds and their willingness to learn.  At this age, they are like little sponges, they just want to absorb and experience all they can at this stage in their young lives.  She feels grateful to be in a community who appreciates both the importance of classroom based and outdoor education.   

When Heather is away from school, she loves to spend time with her family outdoors; snow or water skiing, boating and hiking.  She and her husband have two children.

Tricia St. George is a Sun Valley Community School graduate (Class of 1995) and returned in 2012 to teach second grade after having spent over ten years teaching a variety of elementary grade levels.

She holds a BA in communications from Western Washington University and a MA from City University in Seattle.

Tricia loves spending her days with seven and eight-year-old people. "Second graders are amazing and very capable," she says. "One of the aspects of our Elementary School program I love is that from early on children learn to be assertive and problem solve on their own; we are simply here as their guides. From this they have a strong sense of self and are confident little people."

As a graduate of the school, Tricia also appreciates the opportunity to be back on campus, paying the gift of her own education forward and watching her own children benefit from all the school offers: "When I was a student here, I had teachers who encouraged me, challenged me, and believed in me. Now, as a parent, I get to watch my own children build similar relationships with their teachers. It's these relationships that really make Sun Valley Community School such a special place."

When Tricia is not at school, you will find her with her family. She and her husband, Tony, are parents to two Cutthroats: Charlie '26 and Stella '29.

Dawn Webber joined Sun Valley Community School in 2010 and is currently a teaching assistant in second grade.

Dawn holds a BA from University of Arizona and a MEd from Ohio State University.

Dawn appreciates the close student-teacher relationships that develop at the school, as well as the outdoor program, traditions, and family atmosphere that are hallmarks of the school. She is inspired by her students every day: "Hearing the students’ perspectives, questions, and ideas on a daily basis is a privilege—and, of course, their sense of humor is priceless," she says. "Having a fantastic group of colleagues is quite a perk as well."

Dawn and her husband, Brian, are parents to Keegan '18.

Sophie Sawyers joined the Lower School staff as its 3rd grade teacher in the fall of 2024. Most recently, Sophie was the Director of Learning and Engagement at Sun Valley Museum of Art. Prior to this position, she spent five years at New York City’s Grace Church School, where she served two years as an assistant teacher for grades 3 and 4 and then three years as a grade 3 teacher.

Sophie has a BA in Government Studies and Legal Studies with a minor in education from Bowdoin College. She also holds a Master of Arts, Curriculum, and Teaching from Teacher College at Columbia University. 

A longtime Wood River Valley native, Max Kwok joined the Lower School faculty as the third grade Teaching Assistant in the fall of 2024. Max is currently working toward his teaching credential with the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence. He holds a BA in Liberal Arts from Syracuse University where he was also the Head Coach for the Syracuse Women’s Club Hockey Team.

Locally, Max has coached the U10 boys soccer team for the former Sawtooth United FC and was the Head Coach for Sun Valley Youth Hockey’s Varsity boys team last season. Says Janet Salvoni, Lower School Head, “Max is a natural teacher and talented coach. He brings an infectious energy and passion for learning that will brighten our classrooms every day. We are excited to welcome him to the Third Grade team.”

Norah Parkinson joined the Cutthroat Lower School staff in the fall of 2024. Norah holds a BA in Education from Idaho State University and brings 10 years of teaching experience in grades 1-4, including locally at Hailey Elementary School where she taught for two years. Most recently, Norah worked with students in grades 1-8 in the Special Education Department at Hemingway STEAM Elementary School.

Norah is no stranger to Sun Valley Community School, having worked in 2015-2016 with our K-5 Aftercare students for one year before moving over to Hailey Elementary. Says Lower School Head Janet Salvoni, “What impresses me most about Norah, then and now, is her ability to connect with children and meet them where they are. The way she designs curriculum and develops essential questions inspires children to become deeply engaged in their learning. Her warm personality and collaborative nature are strong assets in the elementary division.”

Former Teaching Training Academy intern Will Stack joins the 5th grade team as a Teaching Assistant for the 2024-25 school year. During his time as a TTA intern for the 2023-24 school year, Will worked with Caroline Bomstein in Upper School history, Eric Covington in World Religions, and Erika Daly ‘03 and Stacey Ward in Physical Education. He also assisted with the Outdoor Program.

Will hails from Clinton Corners, New York. He attended St. Lawrence University and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Government and Arabic Studies. He was a member of Sigma Phi Alpha Honor Society and the St. Lawrence men’s club Ice Hockey Team. At Pine Island Camp in Maine, he has worked as an experienced counselor and outdoor leader. He has taught fly fishing, basic wilderness first aid, trip planning, and trip leadership. 

Sarah White joined the Lower School faculty as the Spanish teacher in the fall of 2022. Sarah holds a degree in Environmental Geoscience and a minor in Spanish from DePauw University in addition to a Postgraduate Certificate in Science Communication from the University of Otago in New Zealand.

Sarah most recently worked as a 4th grade Class Assistant at the Denver Waldorf School. Prior to this role, she worked as a substitute teacher for grades K-8 at Graland Country Day School and Colorado Academy’s Middle School. 

Lower School music teacher Jessica Mayne was first introduced to the valley in winter of 2018 and fell in love. An avid skier and outdoorswoman, she was thrilled when she was finally able to move here in spring of 2020. For the next few years, she worked as a drama teacher at the Wood River High School, performed with The Liberty Theatre Company, taught improv classes for kids at Sun Valley Museum of Art, and taught private music lessons at C’s Mountain School of Music.

A Massachusetts native, Jessica escaped the New England winters to study opera and economics at Emory University, then went back to New York City to pursue her MA in acting at Pace University. Jessica joined the SVCS faculty in 2022 and has been thrilled to share her love for music and the arts with Community School’s youngest Cutthroats. “I love witnessing kids' creativity develop from a young age. It is always a wonder to see what zany, authentic, cool ideas they can come up with.”

Jessica, and her husband Earl are parents to Melody (‘38) and baby June.

Millicent “Millie” Kozak joined the Lower School as the new Aftercare Coordinator starting the fall of 2022. Since 2018, Millie has worked as the Adult Day Program Director for the Smith Agency in Aurora, Colorado, where she developed enrichment programs to ultimately encourage individuals to live more independently. Prior to this role, Millie was the Smith Agency’s Adult Day Program Manager, a role she held from 2016-18.

Millie earned her BA in Studio Art and History from University of Colorado and a Post Baccalaureate Work for Occupational Therapy from Cleveland State University. 

Cara Frost joined Sun Valley Community School in 2011 and currently teaches kindergarten through eighth grade art, serves as a seventh grade advisor, leads the Art Club, and coaches Middle School volleyball.

Cara attended San Jose State on a Division 1 volleyball scholarship and went on to earn a BFA in Art and Art Education at the University of Arizona.

Prior to joining the Cutthroat faculty, Cara taught sixth through twelfth grade in Tucson, Arizona, where she also coached varsity volleyball.

Cara appreciates "the freedom to question the process and the trust encouraged by the administration, the faculty, and the students" at Sun Valley Community School, and, she says, "I love to watch the students and their passions grow. Mark making, storytelling, imagination, and innovation are all expressed within their creations, in their voice. It is beyond powerful."

When Cara is not teaching, she finds inspiration for her own art in the outdoors, her dogs, books, and her daughter Tova.

Stay tuned for information on our new ES Dance Teacher, Jensen Sutton!

Stacey Ward joined Sun Valley Community School in 1994. She currently teaches K-8 P.E. and was also a teaching assistant in fourth grade until 2021, when she transitioned to teaching K-8 physical education.

Stacey holds a BS in education from University of Wyoming.

Stacey was drawn to the school by the wide variety of programming the school offers students. She is inspired every day by the children she teaches. "I strive to create a fun, inclusive, and safe environment for all my students every day," Stacey says.

When she isn't teaching, you can find Stacey on the ski hill or pursuing other outdoor adventures. Stacey has two children: Taylor, who graduated from Sun Valley Community School in 2008, and Latner.

The Technology Department welcomed Marisa Still as the new LS STREAM and Technology teacher in March 2023. Marisa has 15 years of experience with Silicon Valley Independent Schools, where she taught elementary and middle school science. Most recently, she was the 4th-8th grade science teacher at Beechwood School in Menlo Park, California. Prior to this role, she was the Lead Educator with Biodiversity PEEK (Photography Educating and Empowering Kids, a project developed by the Biodiversity Group, aimed at promoting citizen science and conservation in rural communities around the globe through nature photography. 

Marisa holds a M.S. in Ecological Teaching and Learning from Lesley University and a BA in Nature and Culture with a focus in Bioregionalism in addition to a minor in English from University of California, Davis. Claudia Mihm, Director of Educational Technology and Innovation, said “Marisa will be a natural and welcome addition to our team. She brings seemingly endless energy and excitement for the practice of education and has been looking for the right opportunity to share her passion for inquiry and design thinking with students in a setting that also embraces outdoor education and adventure.”