April 17, 2020
215 Antelope Ridge Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89138 | Phone: 702-799-1420 | Fax: 702-799-1421
Specialized Programs
Victoria Vesp - Library
Hello!! My name is Vicki Vesp and I am beyond excited to be teaching the library special at Vassiliadis Elementary School. I was born in Newport Beach, California, but moved to Las Vegas as a small child. Most of my childhood was spent growing up in Boulder City. I am a product of the CCSD and very proud of it!!! I received my Bachelors of Elementary Education and Masters at UNLV and taught in the district full time since 2002. I originally substitute taught while my own children were young and taught at Bonner Elementary School for 14 years. I have been a part of the Summerlin community for over 30 years, teaching 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade and I absolutely love teaching. It is extremely rewarding to watch my students grow into successful individuals. I have also been involved in our Student Council and Cheer teams. It brings me great joy watching our students shine outside of the classroom.
I have been married for 32 years to my husband Gavin and we have two grown daughters, Taylor and Mackenzie. I love spending as much time together as possible. I love traveling, shopping, cooking, going out to dinner, and just spending time with family and friends.
My favorite author is Judy Blume. I loved her as a child and like her even more as an adult. I believe that books teach us all kinds of life lessons. I can’t wait for the 2017-2018 school year to begin. My students become part of my life and preparing them for middle school is the adventure we will take together.
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. - Maya Angeloup
Email: vespvl@nv.ccsd.net
Hello friends! I am the Music Teacher. I love teaching music at Vassiliadis. We have the best kids in the valley right here. Go Cubs!
About me: I grew up in a lake home near Spokane, WA. I love the outdoors, skiing, hiking, camping, and reading a good book. I come from a big loving and supportive family. I have two daughters who are all grown up and on their own now. I love teaching elementary kids, because they keep me young at heart and make me laugh every day.
I have been teaching for roughly a million years. I have a Bachelor's in Music Education from University of Northern Colorado, a Master's in Technology Supported Education from Eastern Washington University, an Education Specialist (Masters+) degree in School Administration from Nova Southeastern University, an endorsement in Teaching English as a Second Language, and I am a National Board Certified Teacher in Early and Middle Childhood Music.
I am looking forward to using all my experience and background to bring the love of music to all K-5 students at Vassiliadis as we explore singing, dancing, and playing music on a variety of instruments. We will also have extra curricular performance groups for our upper grade students. It's going to be a great year!
Music is the great uniter. An incredible force. Something that people who differ on everything and anything else can have in common. ~ Sarah Dessen
Jolyn Smith - Music
Email: smithjn@nv.ccsd.net
Davide Ghilarducci - Physical Education
Hello! I'm Mr. Ghilarducci and I’m excited to be a part of the Vassiliadis family. I am originally from Sunnyvale, California which is located in the Bay Area. My family and I moved to Las Vegas roughly four years ago. I attended Fresno State for my BA in Liberal Arts and got my teaching credential at San Jose State. This will be my fourteenth year teaching and fifth year in elementary. I taught 6th grade the previous nine years, where I developed a love of physical education while teaching this to my students. When I moved to Las Vegas I made the transfer to 5th grade and have been enjoying elementary school and educating our Cubs.
When I am not busy at work, I am blessed to have an amazing wife and two awesome kids. My wife Ali and I enjoy exploring what Las Vegas has to offer with our kids. Makena (8) and Myles (5) keep us busy with their crazy amount of energy and enthusiasm. If we are not checking out a new park, we are at home playing some crazy games. During my extra time, when I'm not with my kids, I enjoy baking, playing football (and coaching our Vassiliadis Cubs football team), building LEGO, and playing video games. I am beyond excited to be working with all the amazing students and families at Vassiliadis.
"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin
Email: ghiladg@nv.ccsd.net
Greg Gusmerotti - Physical Education
Hello to the community of Vassiliadis Elementary School. My name is Greg Gusmerotti and I am excited and honored to be a part of such a special community and team.
I grew up in New York and moved to Las Vegas in 1999. I suppose that is where I developed my passion for pizza and the NY Jets. Luckily pizza doesn’t let me down as much as my NY Jets, but I still love them. I enjoy the outdoor weather and being so close to Utah, as I still get the opportunity to do a little snow skiing. My hobbies include mountain bike riding, disc golf, all sports, and escape rooms. In 1996 I received a B.A. in Business and worked as manager of a financial institution back in New York. In 1999 my brother recruited me to help him buy a restaurant here in Vegas. In 2001 I made the best decision of my life, I followed my heart and went back to school to earn my Masters in Education. I have been living my dream for the
last 21 years. I have been fortunate to work in CCSD with some amazing teachers and incredible students for the last 21 years. After working in first grade for 17 years, I am fortunate to move into a position where I will be able to reach out and help more students in our community on a daily basis as the PE teacher. Every day in school with such incredible students is truly a gift.
I am lucky enough to be joined in the Vassiliadis’ community with my wife Jeanine, who teaches first grade. My daughter Isabella is a Vassiliadis graduate and will be attending LVA as an 11th grader this year. My son Trevor, also a Vassiliadis graduate, is a 9th grader at Faith Lutheran. My family is so special to me and I am ecstatic to have them along for the ride. My goal is to create a fun environment and instill a passion for fitness. I am looking forward to an incredible year!
Email: gusmegi@nv.ccsd.net
Veronica Swenson - GATE
Hello Cubs! My name is Veronica Swenson and I’m so excited to see you in our Gifted and Talented Education Program here at Vassiliadis!
Born and raised here in Las Vegas, I graduated from UNLV with a bachelor's in Psychology. Our little family moved to Minnesota when our girls were younger and I earned my first master's from St. Mary’s University in Curriculum and Instruction. Since being back in Las Vegas, I have enjoyed teaching second, third, and fifth grades. In 2021, I earned my Gifted and Talented Education endorsement and have been advocating for and enriching creative minds since. Having a deep-rooted passion for education myself professionally, I just finished up my second master's in English Language Acquisition and Development at UNLV and am looking forward to supporting our bilingual learners and their academic achievements.
My greatest joy is being with my two daughters; Sadie is attending UNLV and Madi is a junior at West Tech. We love taking hikes at Red Rock and Mt. Charleston, and snuggling our two dogs, Sam and Stella. We can also be found taking quick trips to SoCal for much-needed solar and beach recharging. If we aren’t out exploring someplace, we are snuggled up at home watching movies, listening to Taylor Swift, reading, baking, or watching hockey!Go Knights Go!
Being a teacher is my passion and one of my purposes on this Earth. I love learning with my students and nurturing a whole-child approach in their educational experience.
“You are stronger than you believe. You have greater powers than you know.” -Antiope
Email: swensv@nv.ccsd.net
Brian Davis - Counselor
Hello Cubs! I am thrilled for another year at the best school in the world, Vassiliadis Elementary! My childhood was spent in Yuba City, CA and I moved to Pleasant Grove, UT when I was 11. I’ve been in Las Vegas for 19 years and am married to a pretty rad gal named Candice. Our three kids, Ryder, Levi and Via, are the center of our world and keep us entertained! We love to spend time outdoors hiking, camping, and snowboarding. I love sports and am always down for a game of basketball, pickleball or tennis.
I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at Southern Utah University and taught 4th grade for 4 years. I received my Master’s Degree in School Counseling through the University of Phoenix and this is my 16th year as an elementary school counselor. I believe in educating the whole child and think Aristotle said it best, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” Helping kids to build their character and grow into the best person and leader they can be is something I feel very privileged to be able to help do. You’ll see me in classes teaching lessons on character traits and life skills, all of which support children in their social, emotional, and academic development. I love picture books and use them often in lessons because they have so many valuable messages they can teach all of us. One of my favorite authors is Peter Reynolds and any book that relates to growth mindset is an instant favorite.
I think the most important thing I do as the school counselor is to build connections and relationships. It’s why one of my goals each year is to know the name of every kid at the school. I may come up a little short, but I’ll never stop trying! I am so grateful to have an amazing partner in Julie Moffett and have to say we make a dynamic duo! I am looking forward to a wonderful year and learning about all of the awesome things that make you who you are!
Email: davisbs@nv.ccsd.net
Julie Moffett - Counselor
I am honored to have joined the Vassiliadis family as a school counselor. I am thrilled to have joined a team that goes above and beyond for the betterment of our students, staff and families.
I have 2 phenomenal children that are the light of my life and I am so proud of the little humans that they are! My daughter Parker is now in 7th grade and my son Nixon is in 5th. In my free time, I like riding my ATV, going to the movies, going to concerts, country line dancing and having game nights with family and friends.
I am Vegas born and raised and a product of CCSD. I graduated high school in 2001 from Cimarron Memorial High School. I got my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 2005 from UNLV (GO REBS) and I received my master’s degree in School Counseling in 2009 from UOP. This is my 18th year as an educator in CCSD. I taught 1st grade and kindergarten for 12 years and this is my 7th year as a school counselor.
I feel blessed to be able to be a part of so many students' journeys. I enjoy recognizing students in positive ways, seeing students be proud of themselves, helping students relate counseling lessons to real life situations and I treasure getting to have meaningful, real conversations with them. I take a lot of pride in knowing students personally… the task of getting to know names at such a big school has been somewhat difficult for me; but I am learning more students (& names) every day. I keep telling the kids “if I ask your name, please don’t think it is because I don’t care enough to remember, I am trying!”
My goal is to help students in their social-emotional journey in addition to their academic progress to support them in being well adjusted, productive citizens. If we each make a gesture (no matter how small) to make someone’s day better or to make ourselves better than we were yesterday, collectively, we will change the world!
Email: moffejm@nv.ccsd.net
Eric Kimball - Counselor
Hello Cub Family,
My name is Eric Kimball and I am so excited to be part of the amazing Counseling team and staff here at Vassiliadis Elementary. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Humboldt State University and a Master’s degree in Counseling from Cal State Hayward. I am enjoying my 28 th year in education after retiring from the Tracy Unified School District in California where I was a middle school counselor for 23 years and an adult school counselor for 4 years.
My wife moved to Las Vegas over a year ago while I was finishing out my contract in California and we first settled in the Henderson area. I arrived as a full time Nevada resident in June 2023 and purchased a home in Northwest Las Vegas in July. We have been loving every minute of being here. We have 3 adult children and are proud grandparents to 3 beautiful grandchildren. I do miss seeing my family in California, but am honored to work with our wonderful Vassiliadis students. It is like having 1,100 plus grandchildren so my heart remains full.
My wife and I enjoy traveling, getting outside, and being in nature almost every weekend. We enjoy seeing the beautiful desert landscape. I enjoy basketball, tennis and am learning pickle ball. I love fishing and kayaking and am currently putting some finishing touches on my 1967 Mustang. Please forgive the noise if I do drive it to school.
I look forward to building great relationships with our students, parents and staff, so if you see me please come up and say hello. Your smile will make my day.
Email: kimbaejm@nv.ccsd.net
Jennifer Kelly - STEAM
Hi Cubs! I’m excited to be starting another great year as part of the Vassiliadis family! Teaching STEAM is the perfect fit for me because I LOVE SCIENCE! It’s so wonderful to watch students discover new things about the world around them everyday and I love being a part of that.
I was born and raised in Waterloo, Iowa and earned my Bachelor’s Degree from Iowa State University. I married my husband, Todd in 2003 and we moved to Las Vegas in 2016. We have one son, Brandon and he attends Palo Verde High School. (He was once a Vassiliadis Cub too!) We also have the best dog, a Cavapoo named Rex. I’ve been working in elementary schools since Brandon was in Kindergarten and prior to that I was a Corporate Training and Development Manager for HR companies. I enjoy hiking, skiing in the winter, reading, spending weekends in Utah and discovering new places in our amazing city.
I’m looking forward to another great year in STEAM with all our Vassiliadis Cubs!
Email: kellyjm@nv.ccsd.net
Jennifer Davis - Art
Hello Vassiliadis students and families! I am Jennifer Davis and I am honored and excited to be back as the Art Teacher for this amazing learning community. I have been an art teacher for 13 years and 11 of those years have been with the Clark County School District. I have a deep passion for teaching young children about art and the creative process. Students in my art classes will gain an excitement and appreciation of looking at and learning about art. They will create their own masterpiece in my classroom and leave with a sense of accomplishment and pride.
I grew up in a small rural town in Maine, attended college in Florida and then made my way to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1996. I earned my B.S. in Art Education from Florida State University, earned an M.Ed. in Integrated Arts from Lesley University and hold an endorsement in Gifted and Talented Education from Southern Utah University. My husband is retired Air Force and is now Civil Service. His job has moved us to many places including Utah, Alaska, and the Azores Island, Terceira. We have two children and a Goldendoodle named Lucy.
In my spare time, I enjoy teaching after school art classes. I also enjoy drawing and painting, listening to audiobooks, movies, skiing, camping and just spending time with my family. I do not have much time to watch TV, but when I do, my favorite TV shows are Fixer Upper and Property Brothers on HGTV.
Email: kephajl@nv.ccsd.net
Holly Sanders & Joey Canada - Exact Path
Email: sandeh1@nv.ccsd.net
Email: canadjc@nv.ccsd.net
Ali Ghilarducci & Ted Fleury - Computer Science
Email: ghilaa@nv.ccsd.net
Email: Fleurtj@nv.ccsd.net
Tara Albidrez - RBG3 Literacy Specialist
My name is Tara Albidrez and I am beyond grateful to be part of the Vassiliadis family! I am a Brooklyn native and grew up in a large Italian family as the youngest of six. Go YANKEES!
I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Seattle University and a Master’s Degree in Education with a specialization in Curriculum and Instruction from UNLV.
I began my journey with CCSD 20 years ago as a middle school teacher and then segwayed into elementary education. Over the course of my career I’ve spent time as an instructional coach, learning strategist and magnet program coordinator.
I am a proud mom to four boys so most of my time is spent at sporting events. I can usually be found on the baseball field, basketball court or at a wrestling match. I enjoy weight lifting, hiking and reading. My absolute favorite way to spend my time is traveling!
“Every child deserves a champion—an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.”
– Rita Pierson
Email: riviet@nv.ccsd.net
Chandler Martin - Tech Stategist
I was born and raised in Salem, Oregon. I attended to the University of Portland in Oregon on a baseball scholarship and earned a degree in sociology. Following college, I played professional baseball in the Colorado Rockies organization for 9 years making it as high as AAA. I moved to Las Vegas in 2003 and soon after earned my Masters in Elementary Education as well as my CTE in Technology. I taught 3rd grade for 4 years at Frias Elementary, I was an Educational Computing Strategist (ECS) for 2 years split between four different CCSD schools, and I spent 4 years as a Learning Strategist specializing in technology at Bonner Elementary. I am so excited to begin another year at Vassiliadis Elementary School and love having the opportunity to help teachers and students integrate technology into their education.
I have two sons who both attend Faith Lutheran HS. Both boys play baseball so outside of school I spend a vast majority of my time coaching and watching baseball games. In between baseball outings I like to golf and work around the house. I'm looking forward to another great school year at Vassiliadis!
Email: martic6@nv.ccsd.net
Alexis Kamp-Berger - Math Strategist
Hello, Cubs! You might recognize me from 3rd grade, but this year I’ll be your Math Strategist! Math is my favorite subject because I love that there are so many ways to get to a solution and that there always IS an answer; you just have to find it. Math is an art and a language, and I can’t wait to help unlock a love of math in you!
I grew up in sunny San Diego, but I’ve found my heart belongs in the Las Vegas desert. I come from a family of educators, so teaching and education have always been an important part of my life. I attended San Diego State University where I majored in Elementary Education and minored in Mathematics. I graduated with summa cum laude honors, and then went on to complete my teacher credentialing program at SDSU. I also have a Master of Education degree with an emphasis in Response to Intervention and Differentiated Instruction that I earned from Touro University.
When I’m not at school, you can find me at a concert with my husband, Heath. We like to sneak away to new cities when our favorite bands go on tour. It’s a way for us to see the country, one musical act at a time.
If you spot me on campus, ask me for a rhyme or song to remember multiplication facts. Just like a calculator, you can always COUNT on me to help you out!
Email: kampaa@nv.ccsd.net
Meaghan Blair - Primary Intervention Strategist
Hello! My name is Meaghan Blair, and I am so excited to begin another year at Vassiliadis Elementary as the primary intervention specialist. I am originally from Dallas, Texas and attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, where I received my teaching degree. I grew up in a family full of educators, and it has been my passion for as long as I can remember! I have been teaching for 13 years and have experience teaching kinder through 4th graders. When I am not teaching, I am spending time with friends, family, and my husband, Hunter. We love trying out new restaurants, traveling to new places, and cheering on the Vegas Golden Knights. I also enjoy cooking, exercising, and shopping. I am thrilled to make new relationships and instill a love of learning in our students this year. I love being part of the Vassiliadis family and can't wait for another amazing year!
Email: moorem6@nv.ccsd.net
Sarah Alsterlind - Int. Intervention Strategist
I am excited to be a returning VES Cub for the 2024-2025 School Year! This is my 19th year in the Clark County School District, and my 26th year working in education. During the span of my career as an educator, I have taught High School, Vocational Education for Adults, 3rd Grade & 5th Grade in Elementary, served as an Instructional Coach, and I am currently in my 3rd year working as the Intermediate Intervention Strategist for Vassiliadis.
I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, located in Northern California. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies from San Diego State University in 2004, followed by my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential in 2005. In 2009, I earned my Master’s Degree in Curriculum, Instruction & Technology from Nova Southeastern University, and I obtained my Instructional Leadership Certificate through Harvard University in 2023. I also have my TESL Endorsement, and have enjoyed teaching English in many different countries. In my free time, I love to travel, take pictures, hike, watch sports, and spend time with my family and friends. I also love being an auntie to my three nieces: Olive, Penelope, and Emma, and my nephews, Miles and Jack. These five give me the best reasons to go back to California and visit!
I consider myself incredibly thankful and blessed to wake up and do what I love each day. Being able to do this within a community like Vassiliadis makes it even sweeter, and I’m ready for the upcoming year! My motto is...Work hard! Play hard! Go Cubs!