760.952.1760


Our Team

Meet the dedicated staff that makes ICA the premier charter school in the Helendale area. Our faculty’s collective goal is to provide every Independence Charter Academy student with the tools they need to succeed academically and beyond.

Our mission begins in the classrooms, but it extends throughout every aspect of our student’s lives. We are passionate about the role we will play in your child’s life and understand that we aren’t just teachers, coaches and administrators. Our faculty members are dedicated to enabling our students to achieve their goals and fulfill the immense potential they all possess.

Personalized teaching from top educators

Our entire team of educators and support staff are here to help your student succeed. Feel free to reach out to your child's teacher at any time by sending an email to the address below.


Director of Pupil Services and McKinney Vento Liaison

William Crist

Guidance Counselor

bcrist@helendalesd.combcrist@helendalesd.com

Brady Clark

School Psychologist

bclark@helendalesd.combclark@helendalesd.com

Hannah Saifi

Instructor

hsaifi@helendalesd.comhsaifi@helendalesd.com

Megan Gjerde

Instructor & EL Specialist

mgjerde@helendalesd.commgjerde@helendalesd.com

Cindy Jennings-Bass

Instructor

cjennings_bass@helendalesd.comcjennings_bass@helendalesd.com

Larry Kast

Instructor

lkast@helendalesd.comlkast@helendalesd.com

Natalie Lagergren

Instructor

nlagergren@helendalesd.comnlagergren@helendalesd.com

Heather Lewis

IEP Coordinator

hlewis@helendalesd.comhlewis@helendalesd.com

Ricardo Maldonado

Instructor

rmaldonado@helendalesd.comrmaldonado@helendalesd.com

Maureen Ratajesak

Instructor

mratajesak@helendalesd.commratajesak@helendalesd.com

Amanda Woolley

Secretary

awoolley@helendalesd.comawoolley@helendalesd.com

Miguel Rodriguez

Technology Lead

mrodriguez@helendalesd.commrodriguez@helendalesd.com

tech support: 760-490-9823