5th Grade Team
Tina Stevens
Hello to all Vassiliadis students and families! I love being part of the fifth grade team and the wonderful school community here at Vassiliadis Elementary School. I am originally from a rural town in Illinois. There were only 35 students in my graduating class and 850 people in the entire town! I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Western Illinois University and a Master’s Degree in Special Education from BYU. Throughout my teaching career (30+ years) I have taught fourth grade, resource, and fifth grade. I also currently teach for UNLV’s College of Education. I teach college students who are working towards becoming teachers themselves.
In 1999, I moved to Las Vegas with my husband and two children. We now have 4 (3 boys and 1 girl) who have all attended CCSD schools. We loved being involved in youth sports. Through the years, I have sat through hours and hours of baseball, basketball, football, gymnastics meets and cheer competitions cheering my kids on. Now we spend our time attending and cheering on the Golden Knights!
I have an extensive classroom library and love sharing my passion for reading with my class. Continuing to learn how to be a better teacher is how I challenge myself each summer. The last two years I have attended a summer academy on Eduprotocols which I have implemented to support engagement and learning for my students. I love being a teacher and every new school year I look forward to meeting those fabulous fifth graders who will share my classroom with me!
Email: stevetl@nv.ccsd.net
Jennifer Guia
Hi! My name is Mrs. Guía, and I am thrilled to be a part of the fifth-grade team at Vassiliadis! I am originally from Columbus, Indiana, but I have lived in Las Vegas for 23 years. I attended Purdue University for a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, then graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. While working at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City, I met my, now, husband of 29 years. We have two wonderful adult children who, fortunately, live locally. When my kids were younger, I was lucky enough to be a stay-at-home mom before returning to school to earn my teaching degree, followed by a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction. Additionally, I have certifications in Math Instruction from Stanford University and Data Analysis from Harvard University. This is my 13th year teaching in the Clark County School District.
I enjoy hiking and camping with my four dogs, knitting, and making cheese in my downtime. I love reading and science and hope my 5th-grade students will develop a passion for both. My students can expect to engage in collaborative, hands-on activities where they can think critically and make connections. I look forward to making the journey toward middle school with my fifth graders!
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” -Nelson Mandela
Email: jonesj14@nv.ccsd.net
Jaime Borkholder
Hello! My name is Jaime Borkholder, and I'm excited everyday to be a part of the Vassiliadis family. I am originally from South Bend, Indiana, home of the South Bend Cubs (an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs). While living in Indiana, I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University with additional endorsements in both Life Science and Mathematics. These endorsements give me the ability to teach Science and Math up to ninth grade. I have had the pleasure of teaching sixth grade students for five years and our Vassiliadis fifth graders for the past three years. Every new class of students has brought me joy and challenges. Each year, I marvel with wonder and amazement at the growth my students and I make together.
In my spare time you can find me walking my mischievous dog, Gypsy, and spending downtime with family and friends. I love to read various types of novels and explore investigative shows. Also, I tend to spend every weekend on a pickleball court enjoying a morning of laughter and competition. Every year my mother and I take a girl’s vacation to the beach. This beach can be found in the United States or even the Caribbean, especially Jamaica. When I cannot go to the beach, I visit with my brother and his family in Texas.
I want all my new fifth grade students to know that they have me as their teacher for life. I enjoy watching my students grow in extracurricular activities as well as academics. As Vassiliadis events become available, I look forward to spending time with not only my students but their families. My hope is that my students and I are able to share our successes and challenges for years to come. I cannot wait to get to know all of my fifth grade students this school year!
One of my favorite quotes is, “Education is improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.” - Marian Wright Edelman
Email: borkhjr.ccsd.net
Andrew Giacomino
Hello Vassiliadis students and families! My name is Andrew Giacomino (jocko-mee-no) and I am honored to be part of the fifth grade team and proud to be a Cub! I was born and raised in Butte, Montana and moved to Las Vegas nineteen years ago to begin my teaching career with the Clark County School District. My teaching experience includes thirteen years at the elementary level and five years at the middle school level teaching my favorite subject, Math! In addition to my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Montana, I’ve most recently earned a Master’s degree in Administration from Sierra Nevada College.
My wife Noelle and I have two young children and two quirky rescue dogs. Our daughter Beatrice will be moving to 2nd grade this year and our son Grover will be a 1st grader here at Vassiliadis. We enjoy being active outdoors and visiting family in Montana and Minnesota. We are also big sports fanatics, especially when it comes to our love for the Golden Knights. When I’m not spending time with my family, I am working to improve my golf game or trying to get a round in with friends.
My classroom philosophy is work hard, play hard. I adhere to this idea by bringing energy and enthusiasm to my lessons. I’ve been known to participate in many games of four square and basketball with my kids during recess! My students will be encouraged to become strong leaders and great citizens while building a classroom community that is both challenging and supportive. My focus will be on helping my students become responsible, independent learners prepared to take the next steps in their educational journeys.
“If you do the work, you get rewarded. There are no shortcuts in life” -MIchael Jordan
Email: giacoap@nv.ccsd.net
Lindsay Hagman
Hello fellow Cubs! My name is Lindsay Hagman, and I am very excited to join the Vassiliadis team. I am originally from a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After high school graduation, I moved to Knoxville to attend the University of Tennessee’s education program, earning my undergraduate and masters degree in Elementary Education. My love for schooling was not yet fulfilled, so I attended Lincoln Memorial University in Knoxville to receive my administration license. I also earned my National Board Certification in middle school science as well. I taught 16 years in Knoxville, Tennessee, before my husband’s job moved us to Las Vegas last year. We have a daughter who is in first grade this year at Vassiliadis and another daughter who is in fourth grade at the school. After seeing what an incredible school Vassiliadis is, I immediately joined the PTO and started to substitute teach. I’m thrilled to be part of this community and excited to expand my work at Vassiliadis.
When not attending to Cubs at Vassiliadis, I enjoy spending time with my family and taking them along on hikes and walks around beautiful Summerlin. We are also enjoying exploring the West and traveling to many of the National Parks that surround Las Vegas. My two girls keep us plenty busy with their interests in ice skating, theater, choir, soccer, swimming, and [insert the latest flavor of the month here].
I am passionate about student growth and building my students’ confidence. A joy of teaching is discovering how each individual student likes to learn and making meaningful connections with them. I strive to create an environment where students are motivated, and I’m excited to start building relationships with my students and their families.
Email: hagmal@nv.ccsd.net
Sarah Robledo
Hello Vassiliadis families! My name is Sarah Robledo, and I am thrilled to be joining the Vassiliadis team as a fifth-grade teacher. Originally from Buffalo, New York, I made the move to Las Vegas in 2007 to kickstart my teaching career. I began my journey in a third-grade classroom and later transitioned to fourth grade at a fantastic 5 star magnet school in the valley, and stayed for almost 9 years. After welcoming my two children, Sebastian (incoming 5th grader), and Sofia (a soon to be fourth grader), I chose to stay home and be their 'room mom,' which reignited my love of education and eventually led me back to teaching. In January of this year, I started teaching at Vassiliadis and I'm excited to be joining the 5th grade team for the 2024-25 school year. I hold an undergraduate degree in speech-language pathology from the University at Buffalo, and a Master's degree in elementary education from Canisius College.
In my free time, I love spending time with my family and watching my children in their various activities like dance, flag football and floor hockey. I enjoy a good book, the beach, or being able to go for a run.
I’m excited to be back in the classroom this year. Teaching is something I love to do. I strive for a positive classroom community where every child can succeed in all areas! I believe in goal setting and it is awesome to see when a student sets one and eventually hits the target! As Napoleon Hill the author once said, “ A goal is a dream with a deadline”, so let’s get those dreams started!
Email: scaccsc@nv.ccsd.net
Cheri Garner
Hello students and families! My name is Mrs. Garner, and I am honored to join the Vassiliadis fifth-grade team. I’ve been living my dream job as an educator for over thirty years! I was raised in Storrs, Connecticut home to the UCONN Huskies then headed to the Rocky Mountains in Provo, Utah to attend Brigham Young University where I graduated with a degree in Elementary Education, got married, and started a family. I taught for nine years as a classroom teacher and technology specialist in Utah and 23 years in Las Vegas in public and private schools.
During my years as an educator, I have primarily taught 5th grade, but I have also specialized in science, technology, engineering, and math. Although I love STEM-related subjects, my heart is often with the arts. I have produced nearly a dozen Shakespeare plays and even organized a charity rock concert at the Henderson Pavilion. I completed my Master's degree in technology education from Lesley University, and I love integrating technology, in a meaningful way, throughout the curriculum. I enjoy challenging students to exceed classroom expectations and become life-long learners. I live in Las Vegas with my husband. We have raised a large family and enjoy spending time with our nineteen grandchildren! I LOVE reading, hiking, boating, four-wheeling, camping, watching movies, serving in the community, and exploring our beautiful planet!
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire” - William Butler Yeats