Administration
Darin Pust - Principal
I grew up in Roseburg, OR in the beautiful Umpqua Valley and graduated from Roseburg High School. I received a BA in Music from Simpson University. Graduated from Western Oregon University with an MA in Teaching along with my teaching credential, and then completed my Initial Administrative License coursework at the University of Oregon.
While completing my BA I began working as a Worship Pastor. After graduation, I began to substitute teach while still working as a Worship Pastor. I fell in love with the classroom environment while substitute teaching and decided to pursue education as a career. After receiving my teaching license from WOU I taught music in the Roseburg area for 5 years. I relocated my family to Redding, CA to begin administrative work in 2015 where I was the Assistant Principal at Parsons Junior High. The next year I moved to Principal of Alta Mesa Elementary where I spent 3 years. I then accepted my current position as Principal at Parsons Junior High School.
I am married to my beautiful wife Kristina, and we have three wonderful daughters. We love to enjoy the outdoors as a family. One of my most recent life accomplishments was surviving a short triathlon. When I'm not working (which isn't very often) you might find me enjoying my family, working out, or playing keyboard for the worship team at church.
Elise Towers- Assistant Principal
I was born and lived most of my childhood in the suburbs of Sacramento, but I spent my summers in the Colorado Rockies. After high school I married the boy next door and we moved to Davis, where we went to college and started to raise a family. In the late 1990’s my husband got an opportunity to be a partner in a small business in Redding, so we moved north to enjoy the mountains and the outdoors on our little farm in Palo Cedro.
Education
UC Davis - BS in Child Psychology
Simpson University - Multiple-Subject Credential
National University - MA in Education
UC Irvine - Administrative Credential
Career
Lassen View/Shasta Meadows - 1st - 4th grade teacher
EESD - Gifted and Talented Education Coordinator/Teacher, 4th - 8th Grade
Rother/Lassen View - Site Literacy Teacher and TVP
Parsons Jr High - Assistant Principal
Personal Life
I am married to my best friend, Steve. We have three beautiful daughters; Katie, Ellie, and Hanna, and three nearly perfect grandbabies; Hatch, Summer, and Magnolia. We spend our spare time playing tennis, gardening, cooking, hiking, traveling, and cheering on the Giants.
Kyle Vierra- Assistant Principal
Early Life
I grew up in Moss Landing, Ca. in Monterey County and graduated from North Monterey County High School. After high school, I received a BA in Elementary Education from Sterling College, in central Kansas. Recently, I graduated from National University with a MA in Administrative Leadership.
Career
During my time earning my BA in Kansas, I played football for four years and received multiple academic all-american awards during my time there. After graduating, I began teaching 6th grade math/science. I taught in Kansas for three years before moving back home for my father after major back surgery. During that year I taught at a junior high school, where I fell in love with the atmosphere and excitement of middle school. I met my wife and decided to relocate to Redding on a whim. I served at Mistletoe two more year before completing my MA and applying for administrative positions. I was fortunate to be hired and serve the students and staff of Parsons Jr. High.
Life Outside School
Just last year, I married my best friend and wife, Sarah. We do not have children, but we have three very large dogs. Our favorite thing to do is getting lost in nature. Whether we are mountain biking or hiking, we feel the most alive when we are out and about.