Teachers & Staff


Meet our teachers and staff
The teachers and staff at PCMS are veteran teachers dedicated to the success of all PCMS students. They work tirelessly to ensure that they support parents in educating the whole student with their rigorous academics, virtue centered approach, and teaching of basic life skills.
Bev landers
executive director
& Homeless Liaison
Mrs. Lander’s experience with education includes, mother of five, grandmother to 16 grandchildren.
She has been in education for 42 years, including the following roles: preschool director, classroom teacher, principal of two K-8 schools, math mentor for CUSD, an instructional coach, trainer for a math publishing company, University Instructor and Supervisor for both teachers and administrators.
Her three greatest passions are kids, learning and teaching! She feels honored to support the amazing staff of PCMS!
MRS. amy behlke
6th English & 6th history
Mrs. Behlke has been an educator since 2000 after receiving her degree at CSU Chico. She has had various teaching positions and began her career at Paradise Unified. She was in Magalia for 2 years and Paradise Intermediate School for 11 years & has been at PCMS ever since. She enjoys reading, hiking, and teaching. Amy was recognized at the 2020 CUE North State Outstanding Teacher of the Year.
Mrs. Behlke and her husband and two sons live in Chico, but enjoy visiting their hometowns of Sierra City and Downieville, nestled in the mountains.
MR. Brian Faith
7th history & 8th history
Mr. Faith earned a BA in History from CSU, Chico in 1995, and his Teaching Credential in 1996.
He earned a Master’s Degree in History from CSU, Chico in 2016. He began his teaching career in 1996, all of them at PCMS.
He enjoys music, bicycling, motorcycling, and spending time with his family.
Mr. Todd Lanam
7th & 8th MATH
Mr. Lanam has been teaching at PCMS since its inception in the fall of 1995. In addition to teaching 7th grade Mathematics, 8th grade Science, and Physical Education, Mr. Lanam is the Athletic Director and has coached all the sports offered at PCMS at one time or another.
Currently the 8th grade Boys Basketball Coach. He received his degree from CSU Chico and his teaching credential from Chapman University. Mr. Lanam enjoys numerous hobbies including competitive softball, fishing, biking, kayaking, cooking, fitness, and DIY projects.
Mr. Chris palmer
6th Math & 7th Science
Mr. Palmer has been an educator since 2005. He began teaching at PCMS in 2011 as a science and math teacher, he taught for one year at Royal Oaks Elementary School and 5 years at Chico Christian School.
He earned his Multiple Subject Credentials at Concordia University Irvine and Mathematics Single Subject Credential at the National University.
His hobbies include exploring the outdoors and rock climbing but especially spending time with his wife Ashley and their two sons. However, one of his greatest passions is to work with young people and help them excel in and out of the classroom.
MS. CHLOE PATTON
7th & 8th SCIENCE
Ms. Patton has been an educator since 2017. She received her Science and Health Science degree and teaching credentials at Chico State. At PCMS, Ms. Patton teaches 7th and 8th grade Science. She is all about sharing her passion for science with her students through interactive learning materials and hands-on lessons. Ms. Patton encourages her students to think like scientists. “Be curious, patient, persistent, and open-minded to the world around you.”
Beyond working at PCMS, Ms. Patton loves to spend time gardening, painting, trying out new recipes, and hiking around in Upper Bidwell Park in Chico.
MRS. Yvette Kolstad
7th English & 8th English
Mrs. Kolstad has been a teacher at this amazing school since 1999! She received her degree at CSU Chico in 1998 and her Master’s degree in Education in 2013. She participated in the Northern California Writing Project in 2009.
In 2018, her friend and colleague Mrs. Amy Behlke and herself attended The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) held in Chicago IL. They were able to bring back lots of innovative ideas relating to incorporating technology in the classrooms. She will treasure this amazing experience always!
Mrs. Kolstad’s hobbies include traveling, learning new things, and playing with her grandbabies!!
MR. Dustin Miller
6th-8th PE
Mr. Miller received a bachelors degree in Kinesiology PETE (Physical Education Teacher Education) from Chico State in 2022. He is currently in the credential program to get his single-subject credential and is teaching as an Intern here at PCMS. He has taught in education for 2 years but is now in his first role as a teacher with his own classes.
His hobbies include swimming, playing pickleball, fishing & hunting, and spending time with his friends. He is always interested in spending time outside and getting moving. However, his passion is to teach the students why physical activity is important to help their physical, mental, and emotional health. His goal is to get every student to find activities they find enjoyable and would want to continue to do outside of school.
Jennifer duran
office manager
Jennifer joined PCMS staff as the part-time Assistant Office Manager in January 2022. In August 2022, she became the School Office Manager.
She has previously served as Chair of PCMS’s Governing Board from 2017-2020, and then again in 2021. She has many years of experience in Paradise Schools volunteering and leading other volunteers in many programs for the last 11 years. Her love for children has kept her active in many youth related programs throughout those years.
Jennifer enjoys spending time with her 4 children and husband. She loves to travel, outdoor activities, and especially anything Disney.
Jennifer Robbins
Assistant office manager
Jennifer joined PCMS as the School Office Manager in 2019. She was the school secretary at St. Thomas More Catholic School for 9 years, then she was Data Tech at Paradise High School for 2 years, she was the Principal’s Secretary at Ridgeview High School for 2 years and 5 years at Achieve Charter School, and finally 8 years as the Confidential Executive Assistant for the Superintendent prior.
She treasures working with students. Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband and family. Her hobbies include painting and sculpting, outdoor activities, and traveling. She and her husband live in Paradise.
Ms. Pat singer
yard supervision & ASP Director
Ms. Singer has worked for the Paradise Unified School District for 30 years and has spearheaded a variety of projects and programs. This includes the development of the PHS job shadowing program, the management of a California State funded grant for feeding infants of young mothers, and onboarding new hires for the district to name a few.
Ms. Singer is passionate about education and the youth on the ridge. Having raised three boys in Paradise, she understands the needs and challenges of the kids in our community. She is enthusiastic about creating new opportunities for our youth!
Beyond her time working with kids, Ms. Singer enjoys sharing her love for the outdoors and the arts. You can often find Ms. Singer organizing a game with friends, enjoying live music, or planning her next outdoor adventure.
Contact Us
6473 Clark Rd., Paradise, CA 95969
(Behind the CMA Church)
Phone: (530) 872-7277
Fax: (530) 762-4478
Bev Landers, Director: blanders@pcms.tv
Jennifer Duran, Office Manager: jenniferduran@pcms.tv