Diane Ventura
Diane was born and educated in upstate New York. She began her education career as an arts-in-education specialist for several school districts. While teaching a gifted and talented class for one of those districts she hired Skye McKenzie for a six-week history project. They ended up working together for another 9 years before they decided to get hitched. After a move to LA, Diane worked as a Research and Development Manager for a ceramic company before joining Mount Saint Mary’s College as an Education Director. In 2002, she was hired at Teachers On Reserve as the Coordinator/Operations Manager. When Diane and Skye purchased TOR, Diane took on the role of Operations Manager and supervisor of our wonderful school support team.
Skye McKenzie
Skye began his career in education as a teaching artist and went on to found Shakespearefest in upstate New York, introducing thousands of students to the works of Shakespeare. He also developed and facilitated professional development workshops that empowered hundreds of teachers to bring Shakespeare to life through performance. In addition, Skye founded Live History Productions, a company dedicated to enhancing K–12 curriculum through interactive, historically based programming. In 2006, he became TOR’s Recruitment Manager and improved and modernized the hiring process for TOR Teachers.
In 2019, Skye and his wife and partner Diane Ventura became the new owners of TOR. Since then, he has served as Co-Director and Billing Coordinator, continuing his commitment to educational excellence and organizational growth.
Hyro Hayrapetyan
Hyro has been fascinated by computers since the age of 13, when he began taking them apart and putting them back together just to understand how they work. By the time he finished high school, his interest in programming had grown into a clear career path. He went on to earn a degree in Computer Information Systems from CSUN and joined TOR in 2008.
Since then, Hyro has been instrumental in enhancing our internal systems and has led the development of a new, more advanced platform designed to better support our client schools. His dedication to innovation and efficiency continues to shape the way we serve our educational community. He is, by all accounts, an excellent dancer.
Blair Dawson
Blair joined Teachers On Reserve in 2011 as a member of the Support Team and quickly distinguished herself through her strong attention to detail and commitment to excellence. In 2013, she was promoted to Support Team Supervisor, and in 2019, she stepped into the role of Hiring Manager.
With a deep understanding of client school needs and teacher support, Blair is uniquely equipped to identify and interview outstanding educators. She currently oversees all aspects of hiring and onboarding for TOR teachers and remains a key member of our teacher support team, ensuring every educator we place is set up for success.
Shawn McDonald
A proud California native, Shawn grew up in the High Desert and began her professional journey at the San Bernardino Office of the Public Defender. She later transitioned to the education sector at Loyola Law School, where she coordinated the Criminal Justice Internship Program and facilitated correctional facility visitations for the Social Justice Law Clinic.
Shawn joined TOR in 2019 as Support Team Manager and was promoted to Co-Director and HR Manager in 2025. Her leadership is grounded in a deep dedication to serving our partner schools and supporting the talented educators who make our mission possible.
Patty Galvez
Born and raised in California, Patty holds a teaching credential from CSUN and brings a wealth of experience from various educational settings throughout the state. She joined TOR in 2014 and has served in multiple roles, gaining extensive insight into both school operations and educator needs.
In 2024, Patty was promoted to Support Team Manager, where her background as an educator continues to inform and strengthen her leadership. Her commitment to excellence makes her a valued advocate and mentor for both schools and teachers.
Rob Murray
Rob brings over 14 years of experience in independent school education to his role at TOR. Originally from the East Coast, he is a graduate of Ithaca College and a former collegiate and minor league baseball player—experiences that have shaped his leadership style and collaborative approach.
In Massachusetts, Rob held a range of roles at Belmont Hill School and Noble and Greenough School, including teaching, admissions, and athletic administration. In 2024, he moved west to join TOR as Communications Director. Rob now leads our Communications Department and serves as the primary liaison to school partners, ensuring that our messaging is clear, consistent, and responsive to our community’s needs.