James I Gibson Elementary
James I Gibson Elementary
Mrs. Matanane
I am Mrs. Matanane and I will be your child's Kindergarten teacher this year. I am looking forward to our partnership in guiding your child through the new school year with excitement and growth. I am a mother of 3 adult children and this is my 40th year in Clark County. My teaching career has been mainly in Kindergarten and First Grade. The young learners are my favorite! I want to provide a safe, mutually respectful, and positive learning environment for all my students and families. I whole-heartedly believe learning comes from doing and the doing part is not just paper pencil work. Children need opportunities and the freedom to work, make mistakes and work some more. I encourage students to speak to me as well as their classmates, often. Communication begins with listening, modeling, repeating, and participating. Once we can think about it and speak about it, then we can read and write about it. My classroom is not quiet, but purposefully noisy. I look forward to working with you and your child. We are a team in this classroom. When I am not teaching, my pastimes are reading, cooking, or just hanging out with friends and family. I can't wait to meet you all and get started on a great new year!
Mrs. Zuniga
Hello, my name is Ms. Marysol Zuniga and I am very excited to be your child’s kindergarten teacher at Gibson Elementary! I have been teaching for 25 years mostly in first grade and kindergarten. My teaching career began as a bilingual teacher; I am fluent in English and Spanish. I strive to have a positive and respectful classroom environment, where children feel safe and loved. I believe that every child can succeed with positive encouragement, patience and guidance. I am excited to teach your child a love for learning through fun and engaging experiences. My classroom highly encourages parent communication and participation. Together we can make the best team for your child's kindergarten experience! When I am not at school, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, movies, reading and hiking. Welcome to our wonderful Gibson family!
Mrs. Bisbal
Hello! I’m Jackie Bisbal, and this will be my seventh year teaching at Gibson Elementary School. I have taught elementary school in the Clark County School District for 20 years. I have a masters in education from UNLV and am a National Board certified teacher. I consider teaching to be my passion. I feel so lucky that I get to work in a field that I love where I can impact children’s lives daily. I am originally from Buffalo, NY. I moved to Las Vegas in 2002. I currently live in Green Valley with my husband, 5 children, and 2 dogs. My children range in age from 22 years old to 15 years old. Between my home life and my school life, there is never a dull moment! I enjoy reading, traveling, and spending time with my family. I’m excited to start a new school year and get to know my new students and their families.
Kindergarten
First Grade
Mrs. Bennet
Hello! I’m Darla Bennett, and I'm thrilled to be beginning my third year as a first grade teacher at Gibson. I have over 22 years of teaching experience which includes teaching both special education and general education students in elementary, middle school, and high school. I look forward to another year of investing in the lives of first grade students who are part of the community in which I live. My husband and I have two sons, a 15 year old and a 20 year old. We have a cat named Wendy and a dog named Jack. Our house is never boring with these pets running around. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy watching my son play football, travel, music, interior decorating, and cooking. I look forward to a great year filled with learning adventures with my first grade Gibson Goldminers!
Mrs. Damole
I am excited to be a part of the first grade team this year! I am looking forward to a year of learning, fun and adventure. I was born in upstate New York and moved to Las Vegas to attend UNLV. I graduated and taught first grade for 4 years at Cahlan Elementary and then transferred to Gibson 21 years ago. I live in Mountains Edge with my husband, daughter and dogs. My daughter attended Gibson and is now attending UNLV. When I am not teaching, I enjoy being poolside, watching the Golden Knights play, dining out, traveling, and spending time with my family and friends.
Second Grade
Mrs. Hyde
Hi Goldminers! I am Mrs. Hyde and I am so excited to be a part of the Second Grade Team at Gibson Elementary! This will be my twelfth year teaching in CCSD. I graduated from UNLV with a degree in Elementary Education, I am a National Board Certified Teacher, and I am currently working on my Masters degree from UNLV in Curriculum and Education with an emphasis in Literacy. My goal is to foster a love of learning for every child in a fun and engaging environment. I am a strong believer in building relationships with students, families, and our community to help every child succeed! Outside of the classroom, I am a mom to two boys, a ten year old and a five year old. I love traveling with my husband and sons, and enjoying the outdoors as much as possible. I am so excited to be a part of your child’s learning!
Mrs. Novak
Hi Goldminers! I am excited to be on the second grade team again this year. I have taught first, second, and fifth grade. I also was a literacy coach, where I shared my passion for reading and writing with other teachers. I have been teaching for 20 years and this is my eighth year at Gibson. I love being a part of the magic in second grade, where students move from learning to read... to reading to learn. I take pride in creating science lessons, where students can explore their world through hands-on activities. My husband and I have one daughter, Hannah, who recently graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in communications. We like to watch movies, spend time outside and go to Disneyland. I love animals and once had two pot belly pigs, named Timon and Pumbaa of course! Currently, I have one very spoiled chihuahua, named Mama. She is mischievous and often the topic of my writing lessons. I can’t imagine doing anything other than teaching. I am looking forward to another year at Gibson, seeing little leaders do big things!
Third Grade
Mrs. Lowe
Hello Gibson family! My name is Mrs. Lowe and I am delighted to be a part of the Goldminer community as a third grade teacher. I have been working with students within the Clark County School District for six years and graduated from UNLV with a degree in Elementary Education. I love teaching and feel privileged to be a part of each student’s learning journey, and strive to foster a respectful, encouraging and enjoyable learning environment that aims to engage and recognize each child’s individuality! Mathematics is one of my favorite subjects to teach and I love to seek out a variety of fun activities that offer students a range of entry points into the amazing world of Math. I grew up in the U.K. and have been living in Nevada for the last seven years with my husband and daughter, who is a sophomore at college. We also have a very pampered Schnoodle puppy named Jarvis, who I love taking for walks and hope to take paddle boarding soon. I also enjoy keeping fit and have a passion for traveling - I’ve visited six continents and have Antarctica on the list! I cannot wait to teach, learn, and discover with your child and look forward to getting to know you to create an amazing school year.
Ms. Kelleher
Hello Goldminers! My name is Ms. Kelleher, though some of you may know me simply as Ms. K, and I feel so lucky to spend my days teaching our awesome third graders at Gibson ES. I believe every child deserves to feel welcomed, supported, and encouraged to be their best each day. My goal is to create a classroom where students feel safe to learn, grow, and discover their strengths while building confidence in themselves. I can't wait to make wonderful memories, celebrate successes, and help each of my students shine this school year!
Mrs. Salerno
Hello! I am excited to be moving up to the 4th grade this year! We have lived in Henderson for four years now, and enjoy our community, especially Gibson Elementary! My husband, Robert, and I have 4 children, 3 daughters and one son, who are now all grown. In my spare time, I love to hike, travel, and spend time with my family and friends. I love seeing my students excel, both in our classroom, as well as their activities in life. I encourage my students to have an enthusiasm for learning and personal growth. I love incorporating music, art, movement, and STEM activities in the classroom. My objective is to help influence my students to become passionate readers, hands-on learners, as well as to find the desire for lifelong learning and growth. I look forward to growing and learning with you this upcoming school year
Fourth Grade
Mrs. Bisbal
Hello! I’m Jackie Bisbal, and this will be my seventh year teaching at Gibson Elementary School. I have taught elementary school in the Clark County School District for 20 years. I have a masters in education from UNLV and am a National Board certified teacher. I consider teaching to be my passion. I feel so lucky that I get to work in a field that I love where I can impact children’s lives daily. I am originally from Buffalo, NY. I moved to Las Vegas in 2002. I currently live in Green Valley with my husband, 5 children, and 2 dogs. My children range in age from 22 years old to 15 years old. Between my home life and my school life, there is never a dull moment! I enjoy reading, traveling, and spending time with my family. I’m excited to start a new school year and get to know my new students and their families.
Mr. Pfeiffer
Hello! My name is Patrick Pfeiffer. I grew up half my life in Las Vegas & the other half in Texas, but I went to college in Utah at Southern Utah University where I got my B.A. in Elementary Education with a specialty for K-3. During my time in school, I have learned & adopted a variety of fun & effective teaching strategies that I use to this day. But as a teacher I know that learning never stops, & I am excited to continue to learn each day. This is my 1st year at Gibson Elementary, 1st year being a 3rd grade teacher, & 2nd year having my own classroom. Before Gibson, I taught Kindergarten & was a CTT where I would tutor students on Reading Literacy & Comprehension. I am ecstatic to be working with the Gibson Elementary teachers & students! No where else will you find a group of educators so dedicated to putting kids first. I believe every teacher has the duty of putting their students first & I strive to uphold this philosophy in my own classroom community. I feel that when students have the opportunity to be kids, they learn from each other as much as they learn from my teaching. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy playing & writing music, playing video games, & spending time with my fur family! I have no doubt in my mind that this will be a fantastic year! We got this!
Mrs. Rodrigues
Hello! I’m Mrs. Rodrigues, a.k.a. Rodrigues 2.0. at Gibson, but no relation to Mrs. Rodrigues, our Assistant Principal. I wicked love teaching 4th grade! My intentional use of the word wicked is meant to tip you off that I’m originally from Boston. After I graduated from high school, I moved west, graduated from UNLV and later received my teaching certification through iTeach Nevada. I live in the same community as Gibson Elementary, so school feels like an extension of home. My husband and I are empty-nesters with three grown children, one grandchild and now one more on the way! I love spending time with my family, watching shows, reading books and my favorite place to vacation is the beach. Teaching is my passion. My goal is to inspire students to love learning as much as I do. Together I promise we will have a year to remember!
Fifth Grade
Mrs. Bergquist
Hello! I’m Mrs. Bergquist and I am excited to be a part of the 3rd grade team this year! I have been a Goldminer for nine years and I am blessed to be among such a caring community of learners and leaders. I grew up in Henderson, Nevada and attended Estes McDoniel ES, Lamping ES, Bob Miller MS, and Coronado HS. I continued my education and received my Bachelor’s Degree from UNLV and my Master of Arts in Teaching through Sierra Nevada. Aside from teaching, some things that I love to do are: bowling, boating on the lake, riding in the sand dunes, hiking, fishing, being with my family, being a race mom and wife and laughing. I’ve been with my husband for 18 years and married for ten. We have one awesome son named Brody who is also a Goldminer. I cannot wait for an adventurous year ahead!
Ms. Chaney
Welcome to 5th grade! I am so excited to begin another amazing school year. This is my 11th year teaching, and over the years I have taught 5th grade, 4th grade, and Art and Computer Science specials. I am so excited to be back in 5th grade this year! I love building positive relationships with my students and their families and creating a classroom where everyone feels welcomed, supported, and excited to learn. My goal is to make learning engaging, meaningful, and fun while helping students make unforgettable memories during their last year of elementary school.When I am not teaching, I enjoy traveling to the beach, cheering on the Vegas Golden Knights, and getting lost in a good book. I cannot wait for an amazing year together! :)
