Options Staff Directory
Richard Blonigan
Administrator of Alternative Programs
I love to work with Alternative Education students. I have had the honor to work with this population for more than twenty years and have learned so much from my students and families. It is very important to me to be able to build relationships and help students overcome barriers to be successful in the classroom and outside the classroom.
I’m excited about educating students about career pathways and how to get them there!
I am excited to be a part of this program where teachers and students work together to make their life and academic goals happen.
Jake Hestbech
Options Academy Social Studies Teacher
I am incredibly grateful to be able to work at Options—the students and staff here are truly amazing. The students are resilient, the staff is compassionate, and both are incredibly dedicated to helping each other succeed.
Cheyenne Holliday
Options Academy English Teacher
I love helping students realize that a non-traditional path is still a path that leads to success.
Jon Knapp McAlister
Options Academy Social Studies Teacher
For myself, I love the intellectual and emotional puzzle of finding ways to reach students. More importantly, I love being present when students feel success.
It gives me joy to serve my community on a daily basis. I’m thankful to work in such a rewarding profession and at a place like Options Academy.
I am truly honored to be part of a team that makes it possible for students to achieve academic success and earn their high school diploma.
I enjoy working with students and guiding them to be successful in life.
I have been working with Alternative Students for 26 years. I love watching them grow into better versions of themselves and Options is a great place to do that. Graduation is the best day of the year. Our students have so much to offer the world.
Travis Pierce
Options Academy Special Education Instructional Strategist Teacher
Relationships. I have always been a people first kind of guy.
I love being able to build relationships with my students and watching them grow as a person and in the educational setting.
Molly Tanke
Options Academy Nurse
Benjamin (BJ) VanVleet
Options Academy Social Studies Teacher
Alyssa Zimmerman
Options Academy SUCCESS Case Manager
Options Academy is a brilliant program for so many of our students that have fallen behind academically because of various life obstacles. We are adaptable and flexible to meet students exactly where they are. Despite whatever barriers, Options provides a safe and supportive learning space to those that have felt defeated and hopeless about their future.