Robert Rice Elementary School

We’re excited to welcome Ava Von Weimer, our new 4th Grade Classic teacher, to the Rice family!

📚 Experience: First year teaching 4th grade

What drew you to the Rice family?
The welcoming, positive atmosphere and the school’s focus on sustainability.

⚡ Rapid-Fire Round
☕ Fueled by: Either a Black Rock drink or a Swig soda—something with coconut flavor of course!
🦸 Teacher Superpower: Being able to make any task fun
🏡 When I’m not teaching: Reading a good book on the couch with my goldendoodle.

💬 Share a piece of encouragement for Ms. Von Weimer as she starts her first year in 4th grade!

🎉 Welcome Wednesday! 🎉

We’re excited to welcome Robert Kay, our new PE teacher, to the Rice family!

📚 Experience: 18 years teaching Elementary PE (K–6)

What drew you to the Rice family?
The people! From his first conversations with staff and administrators, Mr. Kay felt the positive culture, strong sense of community, and commitment to students. He was excited to join a school that values teamwork, inclusion, and helping students grow both academically and personally.

⚡ Rapid-Fire Round
☕ Fueled by: Black coffee (hot or iced), unsweetened tea, water, and the occasional ProBaller Energy drink!
🦸 Teacher Superpower: Bringing energy, positivity, and connection to PE class through music, engaging activities, teamwork, and sportsmanship
🏡 When I’m not teaching: Traveling, spending time with his wife, dogs, family, and friends, attending sporting events, trying new restaurants, golfing, playing pickleball, and occasionally wandering the aisles of Costco looking for things he didn't know he needed!

💬 Help us welcome Mr. Kay by sharing your favorite PE game or activity from your school days!

🎉 Welcome Wednesday! 🎉

We’re excited to welcome Kelly Blunk, our new School Psychologist, to the Rice family!

📚 Experience: 20+ years as a School Psychologist in Arizona

What drew you to the Rice family?
A passion for working with younger children and families to identify needs early, foster growth, and provide support before students reach high school.

⚡ Rapid-Fire Round
🍊 Fueled by: Pure Energizer Bunny energy! (Plus a glass of orange juice with extra pulp.)
🦸 Teacher Superpower: Helping students, staff, and families pause, refocus, and find the solutions that are often already within reach
🏡 When I’m not at school: Spending quality time with my husband, family, and friends—usually relaxing by the pool or heading to the river

💬 Say hello to Mrs. Blunk in the comments!

We’re excited to welcome Eliana Matthies, our new Paraprofessional in our Specialized Classroom, to the Rice family!

📚 Experience: 11 years in Preschool Special Education and 1.5 years in a SOC/Communication Special Education class (K–1)

What drew you to the Rice family?
Rice Elementary is very close to home, and she is excited to be part of our community.

⚡ Rapid-Fire Round
☕ Fueled by: Green tea
🦸 Strengths: A great sense of humor and a positive presence for students and staff
🏡 When I’m not teaching: Being a mom to a teenager and her dog

💬 Let’s show Ms. Matthies some Rice family love—share a welcome below!

It’s Summer Snapshot Saturday! 📸

From beach trips to backyard BBQs, show us what your summer looks like. Reply with your favorite photo from your summer!

🌟 Welcome Wednesday: Meet Mrs. Heather Orlando! 🌟

We're excited to welcome Heather Orlando, our new 1st Grade CTA teacher, to the Rice family! 🎉

🍎 Years in Education: 20+ years teaching elementary students, from Kindergarten through 6th grade! After teaching gifted 1st grade for the past two years, she says 1st grade has become her favorite place to be.

❤️ Why Rice?
Mrs. Orlando was drawn to Rice's strong sense of community, commitment to student success, and the variety of learning opportunities available to students and families. She loves that Rice is a place where students, staff, and families work together to help every child thrive.

⚡ Rapid Fire Round!

☕ What fuels you?
Pumpkin Spice Latte season! Until then, you'll find her enjoying an iced cinnamon dolce latte or a Coke Zero.

🦸 Teacher Superpower?
Building strong relationships with students and families while helping young learners feel confident and successful.

🌳 When I'm not in the classroom, I'm...
Cheering at her daughter's softball games, reading, shopping, enjoying nature walks, playing with her cats, or decorating her home.

Please join us in giving Mrs. Orlando a warm Rice welcome in the comments! 💙💛

🌟 Welcome Wednesday 🌟

We’re excited to welcome Anandita Kanwar, our new 6th Grade Classic teacher, to the Rice family!

📚 Experience: Approximately 5 years in education, specializing in elementary education (grades 3–6)

What drew you to the Rice family?
A welcoming community, a student-centered culture, and a commitment to helping every child grow academically and personally.

⚡ Rapid-Fire Round
☕ Fueled by: Coffee—preferably a latte!
🦸 Teacher Superpower: Helping students feel seen, valued, and capable
🏡 When I’m not teaching: Trying new recipes, enjoying a good book, or spending time with my family.

💬 Let’s show Mrs. Kanwar what makes the Rice community so special—share a welcome below!

🌟 Welcome Wednesday 🌟

We’re excited to welcome Christie Clemente, our new Tech/Media teacher, to the Rice family!

📚 Experience: 27 years total in education — 20 years in the classroom and 7 years as a technology specials teacher

What drew you to the Rice family?
After working at Rice “on loan” from another site last year, I enjoyed it so much I decided to become part of the family permanently 🙂

⚡ Rapid-Fire Round
☕ Fueled by: Basically a coffee IV drip ☕
🦸 Teacher Superpower: Problem-solving almost any tech issue
🏡 When I’m not teaching: Hiking, camping, kayaking, listening to audiobooks, spending time with my boys, or surfing social media.

💬 Drop a 👋 in the comments to officially welcome Mrs. Clemente to her permanent Rice home!

🌟 Welcome Wednesday 🌟

We’re excited to welcome Andy Johnson, our new 6th Grade Classic teacher, joining us all the way from Illinois!

Experience: 7 years in education (5th grade + substitute teaching)

What drew you to Rice?
She was inspired by the positive culture she saw among both students and staff.

⚡ Rapid-Fire Round
☕ Fueled by: Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew in the morning, Diet Coke or unsweetened tea in the afternoon
🎶 Teacher Superpower: Disney music always keeps her smiling!
🏡 When I'm not teaching: Reading, watching TV, digital scrapping, and (currently) unpacking from a big move!

💬 Let’s give Mrs. Johnson a warm Rice welcome—drop a hello in the comments!

🌟 Welcome Wednesday 🌟

We’re excited to welcome Matt Wisniewski, our new 4th Grade Classic teacher, who is joining us all the way from Iowa!

Experience: 12 years in education

What drew you to the Rice family?
A strong sense of community, a welcoming atmosphere, and a commitment to whole-child growth—supporting students academically, socially, and emotionally.

⚡ Rapid-Fire Round
☕ Fueled by: Morning coffee (and a homemade White Chocolate Mocha that rivals Starbucks!)
🦸 Teacher Superpower: Building strong relationships and creating a safe, welcoming space where students feel valued and supported
🏡 When I'm not teaching: Spending time with family, relaxing by the pool, enjoying nature, building LEGOs, and playing golf

💬 Help us give Mr. Wisniewski a warm Rice welcome—share a comment below!