Calli Ollin Academy Schools -- About Our Staff

Melinda Campbell
Ms. Campbell has been an educator for over 20 years. A native of Michigan, she moved out to Tucson in the summer of 2002; Arizona is her home now. She is a lifelong learner and has recently taken up drawing and painting as her newest venture of discovery. She enjoys traveling, is an avid reader of many kinds of novels and enjoys gardening. She believes students learn best by experience and teaching.

Dana Ortiz
Mrs. Ortiz is beginning her second year of teaching/academic advising at Itzcalli Academy. Along with teaching, she is currently pursuing her Master's degree in School Counseling at Northern Arizona University. Since her move to Tucson in summer of 2003, she has learned to appreciate Arizona winters, though misses her native Ohio summers. Mrs. Ortiz also advises Ultimate Frisbee as an after school activity.

Tim Rust
I grew up in Minnesota and began my teaching career there. In 1992 I moved to Arizona and have taught here since that time. I completed my Master's Degree in bilingual and multicultural education through Northern Arizona University in 2001.

Heather Ellison
No bio available.

Luis Maldonado
I was born in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico in the "Calli" year of 1977. A breed of Durango-Coahuila blood, I was raised in El Paso, TX. I graduated from "La Jeff" (H.S.) and entered El Paso Community College in 1995. I completed the Architecture Program at EPCC and decided to leave "El Chuco" for "La Tusa," and arrived in Tucson in 1998. Attended Pima Community College for a semester before transfering to the University of Arizona where I received a Bachelor's in Spanish Literature. A year later I entered the "Teach for Tucson" Program at the U. of A. where I received a Master's Degree in Teaching and Teaching Education. It was during this program that I began to look into the Calli Ollin Schools as one of my choices and in June of 2003 I joined the COA family. I entered Toltecalli Academy with an open mind and in a matter of days I had found my "Toltec Spirit." Teaching Spanish is my love but teaching Chicano Studies is my passion. Mexica Tiahui! Toltecalli Tiahui!

Orlando Santana
Mr. Orlando Santana obtained his B.A. in Secondary Education with a major in Math and a minor in Science from the University of Puerto Rico. He has taught, for more than 20 years, courses such as Algebra, Geometry, Advanced Algebra, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus. He was selected to appear in the publication of Who’s Who Among American Teachers in the years 1998 and 2002. Before becoming a full time teacher he worked as Production and Quality Control Supervisor for different companies; experience that let him apply mathematics concepts to real-life applications in class. In addition to his teaching duties at Toltecalli, since December 2003, he is also teaching Math 082 as an adjunct faculty for Pima Community College Desert Vista Campus at the Toltecalli site.

Nicole Snook
Ms. Snook was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She moved to Tucson ten years ago to attend U of A. After receiving her Bachelor's of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology in 1998, Ms. Snook decided to stay in Tucson and make it her home. Ms. Snook worked for the University Medical Center and Pima County Medical Examiner's office as a pathologist's assistant before coming to work at Toltecalli. She is married and has one son.

Admin. / Support Staff

Shannon Dineley M.Ed.
Ms. Dineley is a native Tucsonan who graduated from Catalina High School and the University of Arizona. She obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Humanities with an emphasis in English. In 2002, Ms. Dineley graduated with honors from Northern Arizona University with a Master's Degree in Bilingual and Multicultural Education, with and emphasis in English as a Second Language. She is bilingual in Spanish and English.

Ms. Dineley has 7 years of teaching experience, including 4 years as adjunct faculty at Pima Community College Desert Vista Campus teaching writing. She has been with Calli Ollin Academy Schools for 2 ½ years in administration. In addition to her Principal duties at Calli Ollin Academy and Toltecalli Academy, Ms. Dineley oversees the federal No Child Left Behind programs.

Salvador Paz
Salvador Paz has been a member of Calli Ollin staff for more than 3 years and has worked both at Calli Ollin and Toltecalli. He is a native Tucsonan and graduated from Tucson High. Sal is currently attending college and is planning on furthering his education. He feels that students learn from their peers and the adults in and around their lives.Helping students get on the right track is what he loves about working for Toltecalli. Feel free to stop by and visit this wonderful facility.

Dora Valentin
No bio available.

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