AVHS CTE Staff

Gretchen Peratt, CTE Coordinator 

gretchen_peratt@avusd.org

Phone: 760) 247-7206  Ext. 21440

Meet Mrs. Peratt. She graduated AVHS in 1997 and has taught here since 2003. She has taught Science, Math, ASB, AVID and in 2010 helped establish the Computer and Media Pathway (CAMP) Academy. She was the CAMP teacher since 2021, where she became the CTE Coordinator. She loves working with all of the pathways, and is very passionate about student growth. She loves spending time with her family, her husband, two children and many nieces and nephews. When asked what her favorite part of the job is Mrs. Peratt said, “Interacting with the students and watching them succeed." She also stated "The teachers at AVHS are the BEST, and make so many opportunities for their students to obtain valuable industry standard skills."

Suzanne Penfold, CTE Specialist

suzanne_penfold@avusd.org

Phone: 760) 247-7206 Ext. 71926

Meet Mrs. Penfold. She joined the CTE Team in early 2024, bringing over two decades of experience in the public sector and education. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry & Natural Resources, Mrs. Penfold has spent 10 years with CAL FIRE and 11 years at Victor Valley College, where she honed her passion for Career Technical Education. Now, as a member of the CTE Team, she is dedicated to providing students with valuable opportunities to learn and grow in their CTE pathways, preparing them for success in the workforce. 

Stephanie Arredondo, Patient Care Pathway, MAHST Academy

stephanie_arredondo@avusd.org

Ext. 71608

Meet Mrs. Arredondo. She is an experienced Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher at AVHS since 2012 and worked for 12 years in the medical field. She teaches MAHST II and MAHST III within the Medical Academy of Health and Science Technology (MAHST). In addition to her work in the academy, she teaches Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) and 12 Lead EKG courses. Stephanie holds a master’s degree in Public Health, emphasizing her commitment to health education and community impact. Her favorite part of teaching is watching students perform the medical skills they've learned in class, bringing lecture material to life in real-world applications. 

Kevinz Carpio, Patient Care Pathway, MAHST Academy

kevinz_carpio@avusd.org

Ext. 71602

Meet Mr. Kevinz Carpio, a Medical and Health Science Technology (MAHST) teacher. He has been an AVHS Sundevil since 2021. Previously, Mr. Carpio worked for five years as a Certified Athletic Trainer for multiple secondary schools and a semi-pro football team. During his college years, he interned with a Major League Soccer Club. When asked what his favorite part of the job is Mr. Carpio said, “The daily student interaction and the uniqueness of each day.” 

Allison Crosswhite, Food Service & Hospitality Pathway 

allison_crosswhite@avusd.org

Ext. 71702

Meet Mrs. Allie Crosswhite, the Culinary and Baking teacher. When she came to the school in 2019 she brought with her 15 years of experience in the Food Service industry and now shares her passion and amazing talent with her students. When asked what her favorite part of the job is Mrs. Crosswhite said, “Getting to witness students become more confident in the kitchen and seeing their progression. Also seeing their excitement when they get to share what they have created!”

Annie Jesness, Design, Visual, & Media Arts Pathway: Graphic Design & Print Production

annie_jesness@avusd.org

Ext. 71411

Meet Miss Jesness! She is the new Graphics CTE teacher at AVHS. She teaches Graphic Communications 2, Screen Printing, and Print Production. Miss Jesness is an alumni of AVHS and the CAMP Academy. With her Bachelor’s of Fine Art in Graphic Design + Digital Media, she hopes to inspire students to pursue a career or continue their education in art, media, and graphic design.

She spent her college years honing her skills in the Adobe Creative Suite and forming connections with many industry professionals. Post college, Miss Jesness spent time working as a Graphic Designer for many different people, brands and projects. When asked what her favorite part of her new job as a teacher has been, Miss Jesness said “I love forming connections with the students and earning their trust. I want them to feel confident and comfortable to take risks and make mistakes on their design journey!”

Carlee Johnson, Patient Care Pathway, Sports Therapy

carlee_johnson@avusd.org

Ext. 71307

Meet Ms. Carlee Johnson, aka Ms. C, the Sports Medicine teacher and Athletic Trainer at AVHS. Ms. C joined us in January of 2022. She has worked as a high school athletic trainer for 3 years after interning countless hours with professional motocross racers and college athletes. Ms. C graduated from San Jose State in 2020 with her B.S. in Athletic Training and a minor in Sports Nutrition. She also completed her M.S. in Sports Management last year. When asked what her favorite part of her job was Ms. C. said, “Seeing the excitement and dedication that comes from the students as they progress through the classes”.

Taylor Kerns Arts, Media and Entertainment Pathway, CAMP Academy

taylor_kerns@avusd.org

Meet Mrs. Kerns, the CAMP coordinator and Computer and Media Pathway (CAMP) Academy teacher. She has been teaching since 2022 and is an alumni of both AVHS and the CAMP program. She is dedicated to fostering a supportive and creative learning environment for her students that allows them to be themselves and get as creative as possible. She is a wife and a mother of two. She loves her family and her job. She is happy to be a Sundevil for life! When asked what her favorite part of her job is, she stated "watching students succeed and producing media that showcases their creativeness". 

Ryan Ostlie, Software & Systems Development: Systems Programming Pathway

ryan_ostlie@avusd.org

Ext. 71405

Meet Mr. Ryan Ostlie, the Computer Science, Webpage, and Robotics instructor. Mr. Ostlie joined AVHS in 2006 and has taught AP Computer Science since 2007. During college, Mr. Ostlie started a business that created web pages, installed technology, and provided technical advice for businesses. Both of Mr. Ostlie’s parents were teachers and following in their footsteps teaching was his first job after college. When asked what his favorite part of the job was, Mr. Ostlie said, “Helping kids discover something new that they enjoy or that they didn’t know they would be really good at.”

Casey Penfold, Ag Mechanics Pathway 

casey_penfold@avusd.org

Ext. 71210

Meet Mr. Casey Penfold, the Agricultural Engineering / Welding teacher since 2008. On top of being a great teacher, Mr. Penfold is certified by the American Welding Society as a Welding Inspector allowing him to properly prepare students for careers with industry-standard welds. On top of having a Master’s Degree in Education, Mr. Penfold spent 2 years working in a welding and machine shop and also worked in commercial construction for 3 years. When asked what his favorite part of the job was Mr. Penfold said, “Seeing students become confident in their skills and success in their work.” 

Hannah Rayburn, Arts, Media and Entertainment Pathway, CAMP Academy & Design, Visual, & Media Arts Pathway: Graphic Design

hannah_rayburn@avusd.org

Ext. 71402

Meet Miss. Rayburn. She teaches the Introduction to Graphics and Introduction to Multimedia classes here at AVHS. For Miss Rayburn Sundevil pride truly is contagious, as she is an alumni of both AVHS, ASB, and CAMP. She returned to AVHS and began her teaching journey in 2024, loving every minute of it. Miss Rayburn says she owes her knowledge and passion for graphic design and multimedia to Mrs. Peratt and Mrs. Watson, both former teachers of hers here at AVHS. After graduation, Miss Rayburn worked as a freelance media specialist for various small businesses and even the VVC Fire Academy. Miss Rayburn's favorite part about teaching is seeing her students succeed not just in her classroom, but in life. She also loves seeing her students show their creativity through their projects and develop a passion for graphic design.

Josh Rees, Residential & Commercial Construction Pathway 

joshua_rees@avusd.org

Ext. 71201

Meet Mr. Joshua Rees, the Construction teacher here at AVHS. Mr. Rees has been surrounded by both residential and commercial construction his whole life. He teaches Construction topics in the evening with the adult students.  He also is an instructor at our local college VVC; Teaching woodworking.  He has a small business in shed building.   When asked about his favorite part of the job Mr. Rees said, “I love seeing when the lightbulbs turn on for students both literally and mentally” 

Jennifer Pierson, Animal Science Pathway

jennifer_pierson@avusd.org

Ext. 71208

Mrs. Pierson is an accomplished farmer, rancher, educator, and off-road racer who has been teaching and inspiring young minds since 2020. As an FFA advisor and 4-H leader, Mrs. Pierson has led multiple student groups to impressive achievements, including placing in the top 5 at regional speaking competitions and coaching a top 4 finalist for the National FFA Sheep Proficiency Award. Her dedication has also guided numerous students to win grand and reserve champion titles for their animals at the SBC Fair.

Mrs. Pierson's commitment to agriculture extends far beyond her personal involvement in farming and ranching; she is deeply invested in mentoring future agricultural leaders. Her roles in FFA and 4-H allow her to equip students with practical skills, strong values, and the confidence to thrive in agriculture. For Mrs. Pierson, farming is not just a way of life—it’s a powerful means of fostering responsibility, resilience, and pride in hard work. Her unwavering dedication to agriculture and teaching makes her a guiding force for young people ready to grow into the next generation of informed, innovative, and capable agricultural leaders.