Cedar River Academy - Faculty & Staff

Faculty & Staff

Kristin McSwan
Head of School

Ms. McSwan is an accomplished teacher who earned her Bachelors of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from Central Washington University. Kristin's classroom teaching experience includes ten years in the Las Vegas, Nevada School District. Ms. McSwan holds a Washington State teaching certificate and joined Cedar River Academy in 2009.

Marie Riley
Senior Middle School Teacher

Marie received her Bachelor of Arts in Education, with a focus on Kindergarten through Eighth Grade Education, from Washington State University. Ms. Riley holds a Washington State Teaching Certificate for grades K-8. Marie is pursuing her Masters Degree in Educational Administration as well as National Board Certification.

Jennifer Grisham
Early Childhood Teacher

Jennifer is working to earn her Master of Education degree from the University of Washington. She holds a Washington State teaching certificate. Prior to joining Cedar River Academy, Jennifer was employed by the University Place and Bethel School Districts as a substitute teacher. Mrs. Grisham created and taught her own pre-k class for three years where she focused on whole child education and state standards.

Anna Schofield
Middle School Teacher

Anna earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Whitworth University, majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics. She has had experience working with middle school students in the classroom as well as in summer school programs over the past few years and has extensive experience with thematic integrated individualized instruction. She is passionate about the academic success of all students and possess a true love of learning.

Brittney Boyer
Early Childhood Teacher

Brittney earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education degree from Central Washington University with both an Elementary Education and Early Childhood certification. Prior to teaching at Cedar River Academy, Ms. Boyer worked in various childcare and early childhood education settings.

Nicole Maves
Early Childhood Teacher

Nicole earned her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood and Elementary Education at Central Washington University. Mrs. Maves has worked as both an early childhood teacher and Assistant Director of Extended Care for a school in Bellevue. She is certified to teach grades K-6.

Tamara McPherson
CRA at Home Teacher

Tamara earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Central Washington University with majors in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. Ms. McPherson holds a Washington State Teaching Certificate for grades K-8 and has concentrated thematic instruction training and is focused on child-centered learning.

Alicia Porter
Office Administrator, Substitute Teacher, and Intervention Specialist

Ms. Porter earned her Bachelor of Arts and Science and her Master of Education degrees from the University of Washington, and holds a Washington State teaching certificate. She has worked as a preschool and substitute teacher for many years, and enjoys working with students of all ages.

Silvia Lopez
Spanish Instructor

Ms. Lopez was educated in Mexico and has been an increasingly important member of the CRA team since its formation. Silvia leads our Spanish immersion program to assure that all of our students practice speaking only Spanish a significant portion of their weeks at CRA.

Linda Kittleson
Art Instructor

Linda has been teaching art to children for the past 25 years. She attended Green River and Highline Community Colleges, studying early childhood education and art. While her four children attended elementary school, Linda helped in their classrooms doing art projects and introducing the kids to famous artist's works. In 1998, she taught art classes at Gateway Christian School, and is currently teaching art classes to home-schooled children. For the last 11 summers, she has conducted children's art day camps. Along with teaching art to children, Ms. Kittleson has painted murals in homes and seasonal windows at businesses. Linda has taught children's and adult pottery classes. She is currently involved in the creation of horsehair pottery, making custom pieces for customers, using the hair from their own horses.

Kaitlin Lohr
Violin Teacher

Kaitlin received level 10 certification through the Royal Conservatory of Music and National Music Certificate Program. Her experience includes 5 years of teaching violin and piano along with coaching for the Tacoma Young Chamber Players Program. Kaitlin is also an active member of the Puyallup Valley Chapter of the Washington State Music Teachers National Association and enjoys participating, as a community member, in the Pacific Lutheran University Symphony Orchestra.

Kevin Jones
Guitar Teacher

Kevin is a music producer, guitar instructor, vocalist, and songwriter with expert level experience. He's produced 4 CD's of his original music to date. He owns and operates a professional recording studio which he incorporates in his instruction if desired by the student. Teaching focuses on giving students a foundation to grow upon while learning songs of their choice and performance tips.

Anne Gerken
Director of Admissions

Anne graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. Now the mother of four small children, Anne's focus on early childhood education is a top priority. Her dual role as parent and educator have motivated her to help build the best possible environment for her children to grow and learn pragmatically, emotionally and academically. With all four of her children attending Cedar River Academy, Anne is uniquely prepared for her role as the Director of Admissions. Her hobbies outside of school range from portrait photography to game night with her family. She enjoys learning new skills and makes time to read daily.

Son Nguyen
Director of Information Technology

Mr. Nguyen is Cedar River Academy's Director of Information Technology. Son has more than 20 years of progressively complex and diverse experience in the computer software industry. These experiences include assignments in customer service engineering and application software engineering for Syntax Systems, Inc., systems software engineering for Syntax Systems and LSI Logic Corporation and DHI Technologies, Inc., and information technology at Cedar River Academy. In addition to other responsibilities at Cedar River Academy, Son is the ASPEN product development manager. Mr. Nguyen holds a B.S. degree in Computer Science from Seattle University and a B.S. degree in Mathematics from Seattle University.

Roger Franklin
Founder and CEO

In the absence of competent private school choices for their grand children, Mr. and Mrs. Franklin founded Cedar River Academy in 2005. Mr. Franklin is an entrepreneur, founding operating Syntax, Inc., a successful international computer software company. Recently, Roger has founded and directs three successful enterprises, including Cedar River Academy. Mr. Franklin holds a BA degree in Mathematics and Physics.


Home Page About CRA Head of School's Welcome Our Mission Values for a Global Community FAQs Grow With Us Campus Development Accreditations Location & Hours Faculty & Staff Employment Admissions Admissions Process Application Packet Financial Aid & Scholarships Tuition Parent Handbook Programs Programs PreKindergarten Kindergarten Grade One Grades Two & Three Grades Four & Five Fine Arts Foreign Languages Physical Education Extended Day Options English as a Second Language On Campus Calendar Community Nights Photo Gallery Donate Now CRA Ultrapreneurs CRA Community Center CRA at Home Aspen System Staff Lounge	Faculty & Staff Kristin McSwan Head of School Ms. McSwan is an accomplished teacher who earned her Bachelors of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from Central Washington University. Kristin's classroom teaching experience includes ten years in the Las Vegas, Nevada School District. Ms. McSwan holds a Washington State teaching certificate and joined Cedar River Academy in 2009. Marie Riley Senior Middle School Teacher Marie received her Bachelor of Arts in Education, with a focus on Kindergarten through Eighth Grade Education, from Washington State University. Ms. Riley holds a Washington State Teaching Certificate for grades K-8. Marie is pursuing her Masters Degree in Educational Administration as well as National Board Certification. Jennifer Grisham Early Childhood Teacher Jennifer is working to earn her Master of Education degree from the University of Washington. She holds a Washington State teaching certificate. Prior to joining Cedar River Academy, Jennifer was employed by the University Place and Bethel School Districts as a substitute teacher. Mrs. Grisham created and taught her own pre-k class for three years where she focused on whole child education and state standards. Anna Schofield Middle School Teacher Anna earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Whitworth University, majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics. She has had experience working with middle school students in the classroom as well as in summer school programs over the past few years and has extensive experience with thematic integrated individualized instruction. She is passionate about the academic success of all students and possess a true love of learning. Brittney Boyer Early Childhood Teacher Brittney earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education degree from Central Washington University with both an Elementary Education and Early Childhood certification. Prior to teaching at Cedar River Academy, Ms. Boyer worked in various childcare and early childhood education settings. Nicole Maves Early Childhood Teacher Nicole earned her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood and Elementary Education at Central Washington University. Mrs. Maves has worked as both an early childhood teacher and Assistant Director of Extended Care for a school in Bellevue. She is certified to teach grades K-6. Tamara McPherson CRA at Home Teacher Tamara earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Central Washington University with majors in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. Ms. McPherson holds a Washington State Teaching Certificate for grades K-8 and has concentrated thematic instruction training and is focused on child-centered learning. Alicia Porter Office Administrator, Substitute Teacher, and Intervention Specialist Ms. Porter earned her Bachelor of Arts and Science and her Master of Education degrees from the University of Washington, and holds a Washington State teaching certificate. She has worked as a preschool and substitute teacher for many years, and enjoys working with students of all ages. Silvia Lopez Spanish Instructor Ms. Lopez was educated in Mexico and has been an increasingly important member of the CRA team since its formation. Silvia leads our Spanish immersion program to assure that all of our students practice speaking only Spanish a significant portion of their weeks at CRA. Linda Kittleson Art Instructor Linda has been teaching art to children for the past 25 years. She attended Green River and Highline Community Colleges, studying early childhood education and art. While her four children attended elementary school, Linda helped in their classrooms doing art projects and introducing the kids to famous artist's works. In 1998, she taught art classes at Gateway Christian School, and is currently teaching art classes to home-schooled children. For the last 11 summers, she has conducted children's art day camps. Along with teaching art to children, Ms. Kittleson has painted murals in homes and seasonal windows at businesses. Linda has taught children's and adult pottery classes. She is currently involved in the creation of horsehair pottery, making custom pieces for customers, using the hair from their own horses. Kaitlin Lohr Violin Teacher Kaitlin received level 10 certification through the Royal Conservatory of Music and National Music Certificate Program. Her experience includes 5 years of teaching violin and piano along with coaching for the Tacoma Young Chamber Players Program. Kaitlin is also an active member of the Puyallup Valley Chapter of the Washington State Music Teachers National Association and enjoys participating, as a community member, in the Pacific Lutheran University Symphony Orchestra. Kevin Jones Guitar Teacher Kevin is a music producer, guitar instructor, vocalist, and songwriter with expert level experience. He's produced 4 CD's of his original music to date. He owns and operates a professional recording studio which he incorporates in his instruction if desired by the student. Teaching focuses on giving students a foundation to grow upon while learning songs of their choice and performance tips. Anne Gerken Director of Admissions Anne graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. Now the mother of four small children, Anne's focus on early childhood education is a top priority. Her dual role as parent and educator have motivated her to help build the best possible environment for her children to grow and learn pragmatically, emotionally and academically. With all four of her children attending Cedar River Academy, Anne is uniquely prepared for her role as the Director of Admissions. Her hobbies outside of school range from portrait photography to game night with her family. She enjoys learning new skills and makes time to read daily. Son Nguyen Director of Information Technology Mr. Nguyen is Cedar River Academy's Director of Information Technology. Son has more than 20 years of progressively complex and diverse experience in the computer software industry. These experiences include assignments in customer service engineering and application software engineering for Syntax Systems, Inc., systems software engineering for Syntax Systems and LSI Logic Corporation and DHI Technologies, Inc., and information technology at Cedar River Academy. In addition to other responsibilities at Cedar River Academy, Son is the ASPEN product development manager. Mr. Nguyen holds a B.S. degree in Computer Science from Seattle University and a B.S. degree in Mathematics from Seattle University. Roger Franklin Founder and CEO In the absence of competent private school choices for their grand children, Mr. and Mrs. Franklin founded Cedar River Academy in 2005. Mr. Franklin is an entrepreneur, founding operating Syntax, Inc., a successful international computer software company. Recently, Roger has founded and directs three successful enterprises, including Cedar River Academy. Mr. Franklin holds a BA degree in Mathematics and Physics.