Bob Curley - Principal

Bob Curley began teaching math and science at Rancho Middle School in the late 80s. He was able to move to South Lake Middle School in 1994 and open the first school in the district that was wired for the Internet. A few years later he became the Assistant Principal of South Lake, and subsequently moved to Springbrook Elementary School. After seven years at Springbrook he moved to Bonita Canyon School as their principal. He’s excited about opening Beacon Park and returning to a setting with middle school students. He lives in Fullerton, where his wife teaches 3rd Grade, with his two young adult daughters. 

Shannon Manista - TOSA

Shannon Manista comes to Beacon Park having taught 1^st, 5^th, and 6^th grades (as well as a 5^th/6^th grade combination class) at Oak Creek Elementary and was most recently the School Support TOSA at College Park Elementary.  She earned her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Concordia University and her Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership (and Administrative Credential) from USC.  Dr. Manista is so proud to be a Beacon Park Bengal and feels so lucky to be a leader in IUSD!

Misty Razey - Administrative Assistant

Misty is an Administrative Assistant to the Principal and specializes in customer service and support. She collaborates well with others, offers exceptional communication and time management skills. She brings her expertise in project management, budgeting and sales experience to assist others with efficiency and trust. She joined IUSD in 2010 as a part-time Health Clerk where she loved working with children, parents in the community and the front office staff.

Connie Hsu - Clerk

Connie Hsu comes to Beacon Park Elementary from Plaza Vista School where she has spent the last year as a paraprofessional in Special Education. She received her Bachelor of Science/Arts in Communicative Disorders from California State University Fullerton and she currently holds a Speech and Language Pathology Assistant License. Connie is an Irvine native and a product of the Irvine Unified School District since grade school. She has an affinity for working with children and is eager to serve the community she grew up in. She loves engaging with people and is passionate about creating a safe environment where children will thrive and grow. In her spare time, she enjoys bowling, singing, and traveling to new places.

Anna Berger - Ed Specialist

Anna Berger is finishing her 6th year at South Lake Middle School. Anna has taught History and English to both 7th and 8th graders. She earned her Masters degree in Special Education from Chapman University and is currently working on her Administrative Credential at UCI. Anna was awarded IUSD’s Teacher of Promise in 2012. 

Alexis Swanson

Alexis Swanson is a product of I.U.S.D. and began her career as an educator in 2001, working for the Irvine Adult Transition Program with students who had developmental disabilities. Prior to joining to Beacon Park, she taught Kindergarten and First Grade at Oak Creek Elementary School.

 Brandon Wislocki

Brandon Wislocki comes to Beacon Park from Stonegate Elementary where he is a 5th grade teacher. In his 10th year as an educator, Brandon has spent time teaching 2nd-8th grades as well as 3 years as a technology integration specialist. In 2013 & 2014, Brandon was Orange County CUEs Outstanding Emerging Educator.

Darin Nakakihara

Darin Nakakihara comes to Beacon Park from the IUSD District Office where he is an Educational Technology Teacher on Special Assignment. As an EdTech TOSA, Darin travels around the district to help teachers integrate technology in a meaningful way. Darin has taught the 4th & 5th grade at Stonegate Elementary and, in 2014, was recognized as IUSDs Teacher of Promise.

Donnie Mai

In 1997 Donnie Mai began his teaching career as a 5th grade teacher at Taft Elementary in Orange Unified School District.  After 7 yrs. in OUSD, he joined Irvine Unified School District as the 6th grade APAAS teacher at Deerfield Elementary. In 2011, Donnie was recognized as IUSD’s Elementary Teacher of the Year. After 8 yrs. at Stonegate he moved to Springbrook Elementary as their school site TOSA.

Jessica Rath

Jessica Rath has come to Beacon Park from Turtle Rock Elementary where she has spent two years in third grade. Before that, she was in the Newhall School District in Valencia California, where she started her career. She has taught third and fourth grade and several 3/4 combination classes.

Jodi Peters

Jodi Peters has been with IUSD for over 30 years. She is coming to Beacon Park from Northwood Elementary where she has taught a wide range of grade levels from Kindergarten through 5th grade. In the last 15 years she has taught mainly second and third grade and many combination classes of the two.

Sarah Barnes

Sarah Barnes has been in education for over ten years. She comes to Beacon Park from Vista Verde where she spent four years teaching second grade and one year teaching seventh grade English and Social Studies. Prior to joining IUSD, Sarah taught 1st and 2nd grade within the Capistrano Unified School District. Sarah holds a Master’s in Educational Technology and a Bachelor’s in Child and Adolescent Development.

Samantha Waterman

Samantha has been teaching within IUSD for ten years. Her two teenage children currently attend Woodbridge High School in Irvine. She has her Masters degree in education from Chapman University and in addition to teaching fifth grade, she has had several years of experience teaching primary grades as well.

Zareen Tarapore

Zareen Tarapore has been teaching with IUSD for ten years. She has a Masters degree in Children’s Literature and a Masters degree in Teaching. She has taught a variety of grade levels both primary and upper, including the Newcomers Program for English Language Learners.

 Rachel Garcia

Rachel Garcia comes to Beacon Park from Greentree Elementary where she spent three years teaching first grade and this past year teaching a K/1 combination class. She received her Master’s degree in education from Concordia University. 

 Erica Henderson

Erica Henderson comes to Beacon Park from Springbrook Elementary where she taught Kindergarten for 4 years.  She attended California State University Long Beach where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Art and her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. She also has passion for art and photography. For the past 4 summers she has taught Digital Photography classes to elementary students through IPSF. 

Kevin Miller

Kevin comes to Beacon Park from Canyon View Elementary where he just finished his first year of teaching Second Grade, as well as his first year of teaching. He has been part of IUSD for over three years as an Instructional Assistant and Credentialed Teacher. He earned his teaching credential from National University and graduated with the Schools First Federal Credit Union Worthy Student Award. 

Annie Rovzar

Annie Rovzar comes to Beacon Park from Andersen Elementary, located within Newport-Mesa Unified School District, where she was a support teacher for students in second and third grade as well as the primary science teacher for grades K-2. Prior to that she taught kindergarten at a private school in Newport Beach for two years. She attended the University of Colorado where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and then went to UCI to earn her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.

Jessica O'Connell

I was a student myself in IUSD and love having the privilege of giving back to the community that helped shaped me into who I am today. Teaching is my passion. I have taught kindergarten, first, second, and third grade. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Sport Management from the University of South Carolina and obtained my teaching credential and Masters in Elementary Education from Vanguard University.