April 17, 2020
215 Antelope Ridge Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89138 | Phone: 702-799-1420 | Fax: 702-799-1421
3rd Grade Team
Laura Gallagher
Hi Cubs! I’m Mrs. Gallagher and I’m thrilled to be a part of the Vassiliadis team! I was born and raised in Las Vegas and knew that I wanted to teach way, way back when I was a 1st grader. I have been teaching in CCSD since 2005. Over the years, I have taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade. I also earned a master's degree in teaching reading and literacy.
Teaching is my passion and I love helping kids realize their potential. I like to think of my classroom as a family. If I am lucky enough to have you in my class, I hope you feel at home. We will work together as a team to help everyone achieve.
​ When I’m not teaching, you may find me hiking around the mountain in my backyard with my husband and our kids. During the summers, we like to go visit our family living in Australia. The native kookaburra is my favorite animal. Look it up if you’ve never heard of it!
I am looking forward to getting to know you. Get ready for an amazing year!
Email: gallala@nv.ccsd.net
Kristen Luque
Hello! My name is Kristen Luque, and I am excited to be your child's 3rd grade teacher for the 2023-2024 school year! This is my eighth year teaching for the Clark County School District, and my second year teaching 3rd grade at Vassiliadis Elementary. Go Cubs! I look forward to having a successful year with you and your child.
I was born and raised in Peoria, Arizona. I moved from Peoria to Las Vegas about 10 years ago. I love living and teaching here. I have a daughter Emma, who is five years old, and a fur baby named Zoey. In my free time, I love being with my family, and going on adventures. Some of my hobbies include cycling, trying new foods, baking, and watching sports.
I have my Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education, which I received from UNLV. It has always been my dream to be a teacher, and to make a difference in my students' lives.
I believe in teaching each student at their instructional level and will frequently assess them in order to best meet their needs! I believe in creating a fun, engaging student-centered environment for my students. Here is to a wonderful year in 3rd grade full of success and growth!
Email: luquekm@nv.ccsd.net
Patrick Minney
Hello! My name is Patrick Minney, and I am excited to join the 3rd grade team at Vassiliadis Elementary this year! I have been teaching with CCSD for 18 years, mostly in elementary school (3rd and 4th grades) with the one lone exception being this previous year where I taught 7th grade math. Why 7th grade math, you ask? Well, my hair just wasn’t gray enough, so it needed an accelerant. What better way than to try and teach exponents, ratios, and percents to over 100 teenagers? Mission accomplished!
I am originally from St. Louis, but grew up in Central California (Fresno and Madera). I am a lifelong fan of the reigning, defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Blues, and St. Louis Cardinals. When I am not watching my teams, I am usually hanging out with my wife, my four cats, working out at the gym, or practicing guitar. Now that I’m writing it out, I seem pretty dull outside of school. I would much rather talk about my wife and her amazing job, but it is so top-secret that I am barely even allowed to mention that it is top secret. I’ve said too much! What I meant to say is that she is a florist. Yeah, that’s it. A florist.
Without question, 3rd grade is my favorite grade to teach. I enjoy working with the kids and helping them learn in small groups. I also enjoy annoying them with awful dad jokes, so prepare to hear a few groaners next year.
I look forward to being a part of the Vassiliadis team next year and working with this wonderful community!
Email: minnepj@nv.ccsd.net
Brandon Komuro
Welcome, my name is Mr. Komuro. My journey began in California and after living there my entire life I decided to try something new. I moved to Las Vegas in 2001 and graduated from UNLV with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and received my Masters of Education in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University. I also have completed advanced studies certifications in Technological Innovations in Teaching and Learning and Emergency Management.
I have taught 2nd and 3rd grade. I began at Martinez Elementary School before moving to Conners Elementary School. I then became a Digital Learning Coach for the Clark County School District. I decided to return to the classroom and taught the Accelerated Learning Model class for 3rd grade at Bozarth Elementary School and coached the 5th grade basketball team there. Now, I am honored to be the Vassiliadis Cub Basketball and football coach.
During my free time I enjoy getting out on the water to do some fishing. One of my favorite places to go is Mammoth Lakes in California. I have been going there since I was a small child with my parents for summer vacation. It’s my get away place, the place I can relax and enjoy the surroundings.
I’m very excited for the new school year and challenges that come with it. For all of the students that are part of Vassiliadis Elementary School, remember, "You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."
Email: komurbh@nv.ccsd.net
Emily Hutchins
Hello Cubs! My name is Emily Hutchins and I am thrilled to join the Vassiliadis family!
I was born and raised in Southern California. I grew up in a very small town in the San Bernardino Mountains. I got my B.A in Liberal Studies and Studio Art from Sonoma State University in 2015. Followed by my Masters in Education and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential in 2017 from the University of California at Riverside. I taught 3rd grade for 4 years in California and moved to Las Vegas in the summer of 2021, where I have taught 3rd and 2nd grade.
In my classroom I strive to create a fun and encouraging environment where kids can be successful academically and socially. I truly feel lucky to teach and get to know my students each year.
In my free time I like to cook new recipes, work in the garden and eat my way through Las Vegas! I also love to travel and eat my way through new cities! I have a passion for film photography and graphic design which I use in my classroom quite often.
I am so excited to join the Vassiliadis family and get to work with you and your child this year. See you soon!
Email: hutchee@nv.ccsd.net
Janel Lazootin
Hi! My name is Janel Lazootin and I am thrilled to be a 3rd grade teacher at Vassiliadis Elementary! I have taught for CCSD for the past 12 years. I have taught 2nd, 6th, and 3rd grade. I am originally from Oregon but moved to Las Vegas in 2000 to attend UNLV. I later graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. I moved straight into earning a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership.
My husband Shaun and I have three daughters: Addison , Mikaela , and Alana. My youngest is at Vassiliadis. I love to cheer on my favorite teams- Seattle Seahawks and, of course, Go Knights Go! I also enjoy hiking, reading, movies, trying out new restaurants, and traveling with my family. My goals as a teacher are to build relationships with my students and inspire them to love school, set and achieve their goals, and work towards achieving their absolute best! You are never too old to stop learning. I am delighted to be a part of the Vassiliadis family!
Email: lazoojl@nv.ccsd.net
Jennifer Trumble
Hello Cubs! My name is Jennifer Trumble (formerly Katz) and I am thrilled to be back for my second year as a member of the Vassiliadis family! I was married at the end of last school year to my amazing husband, Kyle! We traveled all over beautiful Italy this past summer to celebrate!
A little about me… I was born and raised in Woodbury, NY (Long Island). After finishing high school, I moved to Tucson and earned my Bachelors of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona. Go Wildcats! I earned my Masters of Science degree in Curriculum, Instruction and Educational Technology from Nova Southeastern University. This will be my 14th year teaching and 11th for CCSD. I have taught kindergarten, 5th grade, 4th grade (for 9 years!) and it is my second year teaching 3rd. I absolutely love teaching 3rd grade because I am confident that I will thoroughly enrich and prepare my students for what’s to come and obviously have some great times along the way! I integrate technology in the classroom in order to meet the needs of all students and to make learning fun! In addition, I differentiate for all students to make sure every student is successful on their own learning pathway in order to grow and reach their maximum potential.
For fun, I enjoy vacationing with my husband to new (preferably warm) destinations and visiting friends and family all over the country. I also like to attend concerts, sporting events (Golden Knights & Arizona Wildcats), shop and spend time by the pool. My students would say I appreciate anything nautical, coffee or college sport related.
I have always wanted to be a teacher because of the amazing teachers I had growing up. I want to continue to inspire my students every day. Teaching is my passion and I am honored to be a part of the Vassiliadis community. I look forward to another wonderful and memorable school year. GO CUBS GO!
Email: katzjl@nv.ccsd.net
Meredith Trochenski
Hi there, Cubs! My name is Meredith Trochenski and I absolutely LOVE teaching and challenging young minds! I was born in Morristown, NJ, spent most of my childhood living in a suburb of Philadelphia, PA and moved to Spartanburg, SC for high school. After finishing high school, my parents moved out West to Las Vegas and my twin sister and I attended Arizona State University where I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education in 2003. Go Sun Devils! After graduating, we both moved up to Las Vegas to be closer to family, as our parents have now retired here. In 2008, I earned my Masters of Science degree in Literacy from Lesley University.
I have been teaching for a total of 20 years! I taught fourth grade for 11 years at Katz Elementary before teaching third grade accelerated at Staton Elementary for 8 years. Last year, I had the pleasure of joining the Vassiliadis team and taught third grade! My goal as a teacher has always been to make learning fun through integrating technology, proposing skill-based challenges and real-world scenarios, and using project-based learning!
In my leisure time, I love spending time with my husband, Steven, and our identical twin daughters, Ava and Chloe. I also enjoy vacationing to new destinations, particularly beaches! Hobbies of mine include hiking, attending concerts and sporting events, and relaxing by the pool.
Looking forward to a wonderful and memorable school year! Go Cubs!!!