Welcome to The Instructional Technology Departments Web Site!

This website is designed to be a place where you can gain more information concerning Riverside Unified School District's Instructional Technology Department.

Instructional Technology Work Flow Chart

Instructional Technology/IT Dept. Year Calendar 2008-09

Instructional Technology Staff Developer and Instructional Aides Schedules: 

Either the staff developer or the instructional aide will be on your campus on a weekly basis.  We have their schedules setup on a two week rotating basis.  Click on the staff developer and IA schedule below for details.

Brandy Haegg's (Staff Developer) Schedule

Seth Moran's (Instructional Aide) Schedule

Schools Covered:

Alcott, Castle View, Franklin, Jackson, Lake Mathews, Madison, Rivera, Taft, Twain, Washington, Earhart and Sierra

Michele Navarro's (Staff Developer) Schedule

Naomi Dona's (Instructional Aide) Schedule

Schools Covered:

Adams, Beatty, Bryant, Central, Chemawa, Fremont, Highland, Kennedy, Liberty, Magnolia, Monroe and Pachappa

Eric Palmer's (Staff Developer) Schedule

Jon Cross' (Instructional Aide) Schedule

Schools Covered:

Emerson, Gage, Harrison, Hawthorne, Highgrove, Hyatt, Jefferson, Longfellow, Mt. View, University Heights, Victoria and Woodcrest

Instructional Technology Staff

Jay McPhail:  Director, K-12 Instructional Technology

Prior to entering education Jay McPhail spent 23 years as a self employed general and electrical contractor, during that time he coached girls volleyball and worked with youth at Ramona, Lake Ennis, Montana. Poly and Perris High schools.  Returning to College in 1994 he holds degrees from Riverside Community College, University of California, Riverside and is currently completing his admin degree at Cal State SanBernardino.  Jay began teaching as a second career in 1998 at Perris HS where he was selected as the Sallie Mae First Class Teacher for Perris Union High School District and a nominee for the State of California First Class Teacher.  His understanding of technology and its power to transform the educational environment led to his being appointed director of technology from 2000-2003 when he was selected as teacher of the year for Perris HS. In 2004 he was hired as an instructional services specialist in Instructional Technology for Riverside Unified School District where he led the district in its efforts to obtain EETT grant funding resulting in RUSD obtaining two highly competitive EETT grants bringing over 5 million dollars into the district.  Over the years, Jay has been a presenter at numerous conferences throughout the nation (NECC, ISTE, CUE, NACOL, California League of Middle Schools, TechEd, district presentations and board presentations) he was a member of the state CTAP coordinating council in 2005-2006 and currently serves on the Promethean National Advisory Council and the California Advisory Board for Tech Forum. Jay is known nationally as an instructional leader who is passionate about the appropriate use of technology within the curriculum and was recently appointed Director of K-12 Instructional Technology for Riverside Unified School District.

Office Phone:  951-788-7135 Ext. 80307

Email: jmcphail@rusd.k12.ca.us

Catherine Green:  Instructional Specialist K-12 Instructional Technology

Catherine has been in education for 17 years, predominately in the classroom. She has taught at the elementary level (4th, 5th, and 6th grades) for eleven years.  At the middle school level, Catherine has taught 7th grade Language Arts and History for five years, as well as performing the duties of literacy coach at Chemawa Middle School. During the last school year she was the categorical program specialist, and the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) coach.  Her duties included classroom observations, conducting model lessons, and following the cognitive coaching model when conferencing with teachers.  During the last several years, she has participated in staff development, both at the site and district levels. Catherine has presented at several conferences; among them Title 1 Achieving Schools, Computer Using Educators (CUE), and the California League of Middle Schools (CLMS). 

Office Phone:  951-788-7135 Ext. 80207

Email: ctgreen@rusd.k12.ca.us

Eric Palmer:  Instructional Technology, Staff Development Specialist K-8

Eric Palmer has been teaching in the Riverside Unified School District for 13 years. He taught 5^th and 6^th grades for 10 years at Hyatt Elementary School. Several years ago, he moved to staff development as a K-6 Math Specialist. This year Eric will be helping teachers improve student achievement through the integration of instructional technology.
Eric states that his learning curve is once again vertical, but he will make it horizontal with hard work and determination.

 

Contact Info:  (951) 788-7540

Email: epalmer@rusd.k12.ca.us

Michele Navarro: Instructional Technology, Staff Development Specialist K-8

Michele has taught elementary school for 19 years.  She taught both regular and special education classes in grade K-6.  She began her teaching career in Fontana at Tokay Elementary School and then taught in Rialto at Bemis Elementary School when class size reduction started.  She taught an upper SDC class here in Riverside at Liberty Elementary School. This is her 20th year in education and her first year in staff development.  She has a B.A. in Speech and Hearing Sciences from UC Santa Barbara and an M.A. in Special Education from Cal State San Bernardino.  She attended UC Riverside for her teacher credential program and has a multiple subject credential as well as a special education specialist credential.  She was born and raised here in Riverside.  She is married with 3 children, 2 daughters ages 2 and 14 and a son age 9.  Michele is assigned to support upper SDC teachers, ELL program needs, and liaison to CTAP along with her cluster teachers. 

Work Phone:  951-788-7540 ext. 69714 

Email: mnavarro@rusd.k12.ca.us

Brandy Haegg: Instructional Technology, Staff Development Specialist K-8

Brandy has been teaching 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th grade for 16 years in Riverside and Moreno Valley Unified School Districts.  She has been a grade level team leader, BTSA support provider, EETT site coach, and has served on L.Arts, math, and social studies textbook adoption committees.   Brandy is a native of Riverside, who graduated from Poly High School and earned her BA and teaching credential from UCR.   Additionally, she earned an MS degree in Instructional Leadership from National University.  She credits her husband, also a teacher, for her initial interest in using technology to engage her students in the classroom. 

Email: bhaegg@rusd.k12.ca.us

Julie Ellingson:  Administrative Support Staff Instructional Technology and 7-12 Language Arts

Julie Ellingson has been working as an Administrative Secretary supporting Staff Development, Instructional Services Secondary LA, and Instructional Technology since February 2007. Previously, she worked as an Office Manager at Lord of Life church for nearly 12 years.

Work Phone:   788-7135 ext. 80311

Email: jellingson@rusd.k12.ca.us

Tracy Arner:  Administrative Support Staff Instructional Technology, K-6 Language Arts and K-6 HSS

Tracy Arner started her career with RUSD as an office assistant at Franklin Elementary in May 0f 2002.  In addition to supporting Accelerated Reader she is also an Administrative Secretary supporting K-6 ELA and HSS.  Her experience with technology has made her an invaluable member of the district support staff.   She has been instrumental in the successful implementation of Accelerated Reader both at the site level and the district level.  She currently holds an Associate Degree in Science and will complete her Bachelors Degree in Science/Instructional Technology-Visual and Communications in June 2009.

Work Phone:  788-7135 ext 80210

Email:  tarner@rusd.k12.ca.us

Marilou Cove:  Administrative Support Staff Instructional Technology and K-12 English Learner Services

Marilou has worked with Riverside Unified School District for 4 years.  She has been assigned to the English Learner Services Department as an Administrative Assistant working with the Instructional Services Specialists and Staff Developers, assisting them with their trainings to make sure that all teachers are state authorized to teach our English Learner students.  She has always been interested in computers, how they work and learning new programs. She is very excited to have the chance to join the Instructional Technology Department and be involved in the Weblockers program and am looking forward in assisting teachers, students and parents with their needs.

Work Phone:  788-7135 ext 80715

Email:  mcove@rusd.k12.ca.us

Email: jmcphail@rusd.k12.ca.us  Phone 951-788-7135 ext 80307