TigerCamp Team

Rose Tafoya - Founder and Director of TigerCamp. Her work experience includes twenty years as a co-owner of a medical device manufacturing company where she contributed her skills in Human Resources, Marketing, and Public Relations. She has experience in assessment and career workshop facilitation, lecturing for an art design college, coordinating fundraisers and community events, including Road To Success Career Faire, and Day on the Fern. She has been trained and certified to facilitate the Tongue Fu® communication program. Rose is a mother, author, and published journalist, and is committed to teaching life skills that will help our youth of today become more aware and empowered to make a difference.

Edward Primasing - Vice President of Business Operations. Edward has extensive experience with operations management and new project conversions at multiple Fortune 250 companies. These companies include but not limited to, United Parcel Service, Honeywell International, and DST International.  The ability to participate in a program that will teach children how to use their own personal creativity to succeed in school and life is what drives Edward to succeed in supporting and managing TigerCamp to it’s fullest potential.

David Becker - Committed to encouraging children to determine and reach their goals. A lawyer for 25 years, a pilot, a musician, gourmet cook, world traveler and Navy veteran, Mr. Becker demonstrates how full and multi-faceted a life can be. Career selection and preparation, passions into work, and confidence are part of the curriculum he teaches at TigerCamp.

Heather Locher - Mother of two wonderful boys ages seven and nine, and a schoolteacher at Silva Valley Elementary School in El Dorado Hills, CA.
She has been teaching for 13 years and states that making a difference in the lives of children is definitely a passion of hers. Inspired and influenced by her fifth grade teacher's style of respecting young views and teaching how to believe in yourself is what Heather implements in her own teaching style. She believes children are amazing, resilient, open, curious, and full of hope. Her hope is that all children find and live their passion in life. She quotes the Crocodile Hunter, "You can do anything in life as long as you have passion."

Michelle Arriaga - is a teacher at Dixon Montessori Charter School in Dixon, CA.
Michelle brings her years of experience from Camp Pendola, where she worked as a camp counselor. Her college degree in education and extensive training with the Montessori philosophy allows her to understand that each child is unique and when given the opportunity, can be responsible to reach their potential. Michelle has always worked with kids and is very passionate with wanting to help them learn and make a difference.

Morgan Becker - Morgan brings a young, fresh face to the highly regarded TigerCamp. Growing up in Northern California, she has competed with a National Championship Cheer leading squad and has been ranked among top athletes as part of the Northern California Volleyball Association. She has spent years coaching children in various activities, including volleyball, dance, physical fitness, nutrition, and cheer leading as well as participated in the production of sports camp all around the area. Morgan places physical activity and knowledge of it's compliments, as one of the top priorities needed in the lives of youths of today. She greatly looks forward to sharing time during this life changing camp with you.

Patrick Nelle - Patrick's experiences include a dynamic background in sports, ranging from a successful youth soccer career with the River City Rush runner up National Champs 2001, then went on to play four years at Sacramento State University, and currently is playing on the Sacramento Knights. Patrick graduated with a degree in Business Finance at Sacramento State in 2005, which then led him into a career at Northwestern Mutual as a financial Representative. Patrick also faced the challenges of growing up with type 1 diabetes and continues to overcome the challenge as a young working adult. Patrick has also worked closely with the juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation by sharing his experiences with young kids who have type 1 diabetes and helping them overcome the challenge.

Natalie O’Rourke -

Matthew Settle - An actor who stars in television and film. On the small screen he is currently playing the character, Rufus Humphrey, in the new fall series, “Gossip Girl.” Last season he played the character, Jonathan, on “Brothers and Sisters”. He also was one of the lead characters in Steven Spielberg’s epic production, “Into The West.” On the big screen he has starred in many films including, Celestine Prophecy, Divine Secrets of the YAYA Sisterhood, Band of Brothers, U-571, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, and many more. TigerCamp is excited to have Matthew inspire our campers to excel in drama and communication. He will share his experiences and how he continues to achieve his personal and professional goals. His energy is infectious and is very excited to contribute and be part of the TigerCamp Team. 

Michele Day - is a Credentialed Art Specialist for the San Juan School District. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art and a Masters of Arts Degree in Teaching with Specialization in Educational Technology. For twelve years, she has been motivating young children in the classroom. She believes that motivation is the key to keeping children interested in education and that art is a great tool to motivate young people in any subject. She is dedicated to creating lessons that will integrate all subject areas with the arts and expose children to art history though hands on activities and discussion. She is a firm believer that art must be a part of children's education. It has been proven that the arts enable young people to learn better and enhance social skills, as well as better develop their language, reading and writing skills. Art is the universal language and enables children to communicate with others and express themselves. She feels privileged to be able to share something that she is so passionate about with young people in the classroom every day!

Kyle Welling - Kyle is a college student currently attending Folsom Lake double majoring in Psychology and Theater Arts. He has performed in many musicals during High School, many of the roles being leads. Some of his favorite shows include Scarecrow-Wizard of Oz, Beast-Beauty and The Beast, Jafar-Aladdin. He attended the New York Film Academy in Universal Studios for a month and starred in a few independent films. He is looking forward to sharing his knowledge and help with personal growth.

Kevin Hernandez - Kevin is a third year college student majoring in Communications and Broadcasting. He is currently employed with the city of Roseville as an after school teacher. He has participated in extensive training on how to motivate and communicate with children in ways that can be used for their future success. He is looking forward to sharing his energy, and communication skills with the students attending TigerCamp.

Group Team Leaders:
They provide leadership, enthusiasm, fun energy, support in team building and personal growth, and assist the facilitators with activities and group direction.

Brianna Benson - She participated and completed the Quantum Learning Network's academic and life skills program and is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and experience with TigerCamp.

Aimee Wallace - She participated and completed the Quantum Learning Network's academic and life skills program and is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and experience with TigerCamp.

Bridget O’Brien - Creative Consultant with international acclaim for more than two decades. She is a high level brand and product development consultant who works across the entertainment industry guiding programming throughout television and film. As an image consultant, she has worked with many notable fashion designers and artists throughout the music industry. In the publishing industry, she has been involved in the acquisition; development and publicity/marketing strategies that have helped numerous titles achieve New York bestseller status. Her expertise and desire to help children believe in their creativity and to follow their dreams is why she is willing to help with the development and success of TigerCamp.

Kathleen Hernandez - TigerCamp Nurse. Kathleen’s twenty-four years of nursing includes seven years of working in a hospital environment where her various duties included being part of the Code Blue Team. This assigned team dealt with hospital floor and emergency room emergencies. She also spent years working in a family practice clinic setting. The last fourteen years she has worked in an OB/GYN clinic, which focuses on both women and children’s health. Kathleen loves being a nurse and continues her education and training on a regular basis, focusing on women and children’s health. Kathleen states that providing the best care for her patients is her passion. She is thrilled to be part of the TigerCamp Team and will give excellent care to our campers

Monica Rivas - Food & Facility Service Manager.