Explore Knowledge Academy
BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Ben Childs, President
Ben Childs is a Nevada attorney and is a parent of three EKA students. He has practiced law since 1990 with a general practice in business, bankruptcy and real estate, estates and trusts, criminal defense, personal injury and civil litigation. He holds a BSBA and MBA from the University of Denver and a JD from the University of Maryland.
 
 

Ron Pipkins, Vice President
Ron Pipkins has worked in the Sales and Marketing Industry for nearly 20 years. Currently he is a Professional Network Marketer going on 12 years with organizations in Texas, Florida and Nevada, promoting new and innovative online products for the general public and non-profit organizations. He also was a Licensed Real Estate Agent and Mortgage Loan Officer for over 5 years in the state of Texas. Currently he is a senior at UNLV completing a Marketing Degree.
 

Debbie Jackson, Secretary
Debbie Jackson is a Highly Qualified Teacher at Lois Craig Elementary School in the Clark County School District. Besides teaching grades 1-2 since 2001, she has served the school on many committees, including Student Council, Literacy, School Climate, and Club Z. She is anxious to learn more about specialized schools like EKA and feels that her experience from working with the community of an at-risk school will be beneficial to
our school.

Cindy DellaValle, Finance Representative
Mrs. Cindy DellaValle holds a BS degree from CalPoly with studies in Aviation Aerospace. Cindy is also a graduate of The Institute of Residential Marketing and a MIRM candidate. She has been honored with many awards including the coveted, Million Dollar Platinum Award NSMC with over $80 million dollars in sales in 1996. Cindy is also a member of the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors, where she is currently a Broker "A" member. Cindy and her husband Thomas have lived in Southern Nevada for more than 25 years and have four children; two girls and two boys.

Constance T. Ewing, Member
Constance Ewing is a former employee of Explore Knowledge Academy, having served as a grade 1-5 advisor, Director of Educational Services and the Interim Executive Director from 2005-2009. Mrs. Ewing hails from Michigan and retired from the Pontiac School District as a middle school principal in 2001. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in Elementary Education, a Master’s in Education from Wayne State University in Educational Leadership, and 57 additional graduate units from Wayne State University and Walden University in Supervision, Curriculum and Instruction. With teaching and administrative licenses in both Michigan and Nevada, Mrs. Ewing currently has over 35 years of experience teaching all grade levels (except kindergarten) and as a K-12 administrator. This winter, Mrs. Ewing will continue her education by working toward the completion of her doctorate degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Her desire to serve on EKA’s board comes from a love of teaching and learning and a passion to continue the vision manifested in EKA’s charter: Creating leaders one project at a time.

Terri Keener, Member

 
 
 
 

Sheri Tapani-DeBartolo, Member
Sheri is originally from Minnesota. She graduated from Minot State University in North Dakota with a degree in Elementary Education. She completed her Masters of Science in 1997. Sheri taught for the Clark County School district for nine years. She developed and implemented a multi-aged curriculum that provided students the Least Restrictive Environment for students with disabilities while working with non-disabled peers. In 1996 Sheri received the Distinguished Educator award and in 1999 Teacher of the Year from the council of Exceptional Children.