Meet Our Team  

Mercedes Kirk, Principal

MKirk@fcusd.org

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 

mwhitney@fcusd.org

Business Experience: Elementary School Administrative Assistant

Family: Married with two children, 4 grandpups

Interests: Family, Blues Music, Giants baseball

Sahar Ayoub / Clerk and Instructional Assistant

sayoub@fcusd.org

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.

Kristin O'Rourke, Teacher / Consultant

korourke@fcusd.org

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

lcataldo@fcusd.org 

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

koh@fcusd.org

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

jsalter@fcusd.org

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

bban@fcusd.org

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.

Mary Millsaps, Teacher / Consultant

mmillsap@fcusd.org

Liberal Studies, CSU, Chico; MA Ed. Cross Cultural Education, National University

I came to the Homeschool Charter in 2020 and have loved it ever since.  I have taught elementary grades in the district since 2000.  I am married to Kevin Emanuel and have two amazing teenagers, Kevin and Sydney, who both attend FCUSD schools.  In our free time we love to camp, scuba dive, and enjoy our extended family.  

Erin Morck, Teacher / Consultant

emorck@fcusd.org

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

lstafford@fcusd.org

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

kbrainar@fcusd.org

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  

Hayley Doe, Teacher / Consultant

hdoe@fcusd.org

UC Davis - Bachelor's Degree in Economics; CSUS - Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

I started my teaching career in the bay area. After 1 year and an earthquake experience, I moved back to the Sacramento area where I was hired by FCUSD in 1990.  I taught 6th and then 5th grades for 8 years with one year at kindergarten before taking several years to raise my own 2 boys.  I returned to teaching in Folsom, teaching kindergarten, 2nd and 3rd grades for the past 10 years.  I am excited about the opportunity to work with such experienced and talented staff at FCCC.  Being with students and meeting families to find the joy in learning is my passion. 

I enjoy time with my immediate family (husband of 33 years and 2 grown boys) and my extended family. I also love traveling, friends, sports, sewing, and learning new things.  We enjoy our quiet pets: a turtle, goldfish, ball python, goat, and chickens.

Janet Poulsen-Lynch, Teacher / Consultant

jlynch@fcusd.org

California State University, Sacramento with a BA in Liberal Studies, Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

I had the privilege of joining the homeschool charter in 2020 but have been teaching in the Folsom Cordova Unified School District for 20 years. My classroom experience includes second, third, and fourth grades, and the Newcomers program. The majority of my FCUSD career has been spent at Rancho Cordova Elementary School and Russell Ranch Elementary School. I like to play an active role in school activities and have served as the Transitional English Program site coordinator, Student Council advisor, yearbook coordinator, a member of the Geography and Spelling Bee committees, and on the PLTW Launch pilot team. 

On a personal note, I’m married to an amazing firefighter/paramedic and have two high school age sons. We enjoy sporting events and travel- especially to Disneyland!