Featured Teachers
Melody Esquer-GilKindergarten Co-Lead Teacher
B.A. San Jose State University
This is my seventh year teaching kindergarten at Prospect Sierra School, but my desire to teach began as a college student in environmental studies. Having always had a love of nature, I was inspired by an incredible professor to do that most important job to help create a more sustainable future: teach. It is with great joy that I have come to kindergarten at Prospect Sierra, because a desire to make the world a better place starts with a simple sense of wonder of the natural world around us. Who better than a kindergarten student can express that sense of brand new discovery in nature?
When I’m not teaching, I’m hiking, visiting family in San Jose, or playing with my 9-month-old son, Geronimo.
Anton McGreadyAthletic Director
B.Ed. Nonington College, London
I like that teaching is life-changing, for student and teacher alike. “Aha” moments are rewards enjoyed by both student, for their work and effort in learning a new skill, and teacher, for their guidance of students along the learning path. Teaching at Prospect Sierra for 20+ years has allowed me to develop the Physical Education program with equal opportunity to our core belief of “Fitness for Life.” I like to introduce new ideas I learn through summer professional development programs like BayPEHP, where I’ve been participant and Teacher Leader for more than ten years.
When not teaching, I like to be active in the outdoors: alpine skiing (still hold a PSIA Level 2 credential), cross country skiing, cycling, DIY projects, gardening, golf (I always carry my clubs), hiking, and kayaking. Photography and listening to music are my quiet time hobbies.
Faculty and Administration, 2011-12
Kindergarten
Kindergarten Co-Lead Teacher
B.A. Willamette University
Melody Esquer
Kindergarten Co-Lead Teacher
B.A. San Jose State University
Kindergarten Co-Lead Teacher
B.A. Vassar College
M.A. California State University, East Bay
Madeleine Rogin
Kindergarten Co-Lead Teacher
B.A. New School University, New York
M.A. University of New Mexico
First Grade
1st Grade Lead Teacher
B.A. Barnard College
M.S. Bank Street College
Piper Tracy
1st Grade Assistant Teacher
B.S. University of California, Berkeley
1st Grade Lead Teacher
B.A. Brown University
Mary Lindsley
1st Grade Assistant Teacher
B.A. University of California, Santa Barbara
Second Grade
2nd Grade Lead Teacher
B.A. University of California, Berkeley
Cindy Pfost
2nd Grade Assistant Teacher
B.A. Ruckhurst College
2nd Grade Lead Teacher
B.A. University of California, Berkeley
M.A. Teachers College, Columbia Univ.
Katie Lieberman
2nd Grade Assistant Teacher
B.A. University of California, Davis
M.S. Hunter College
Third Grade
3rd Grade Lead Teacher
B.A. Lewis and Clark College
Caroline Piper
3rd Grade Assistant Teacher
B.A. Bates College
3rd Grade Lead Teacher
B.S. St. Lawrence University
Daniel Chanin
3rd Grade Assistant Teacher
B.A. Boston University
Fourth Grade
4th Grade Co-Lead Teacher
B.A. Stanford University
J.D. University of California School of Law, Berkeley
Kelly Smith
4th Grade Co-Lead Teacher
B.A. University of Mary Washington
4th Grade Lead Teacher
B.A. California State University, Los Angeles
Annie Goodsill
4th Grade Assistant Teacher
B.A. Lewis and Clark College
Elementary Specialists
Genie Barry
Elementary School Learning Specialist
B.A. Goddard College
M.Ed. Holy Names University
Fennis Brown
K-1 Art Teacher/2-4 Asst. Art Teacher
B.A. Bennington College
Jennifer Burke
2-4 Art Teacher
City College of San Francisco
Jacqueline Byrne
Physical Education Teacher
B.A. Lafayette College
M.A. Teachers College, Columbia Univ.
Keith Davis
ES and MS Drama Teacher
B.A. University of Northern Colorado
Phil Gilsenan
Science Teacher
B.A. State University College at Cortland, NY
M.A. San Francisco State University
Maddie Hogan
Music Teacher
B.A. De Paul University
Marion Marshall
Learning Specialist
B.A. University of California, Berkeley
M.S. California State University, Hayward
L.H.&S.H. Credentials, Holy Names Univ.
Isabelle Ostreicher
Elementary School Learning Specialist
B.A. Northwestern University
M.S. University of Pacific
Deborah Roosevelt
Technology/Math Resource
B.A. Oberlin College,
M.A.T. George Washington University
Ed.D. Teachers College, Columbia University
Diane Simoneau
Librarian
B.A. San Francisco State University
M.A. San Jose State University
Fifth Grade
Rosalyn Art
5th Grade Lead Teacher
B.A. Leeds University, England
B.Ed. St. Martin’s, Lancaster University
Bree Chamberlain
5th Grade Math/Science Assistant
B.A. Murdoch University
B.S. University of Southern Queensland
Jonah Klein
5th Grade Lead Teacher
B.A. Northwestern University
M.A. University of California, Davis
Math/Science Teacher
B.A. University of Virginia
M.Ed. California State University, East Bay
Matthew Williams
5th Grade Assistant Teacher
B.A. University of Pennsylvania
MS.Ed. University of Pennsylvania
Sixth Grade
Suzette Duncan
6th Grade Lead Teacher
B.A. Amherst College
M.A. University of California, Los Angeles
Jesse Feldman
Science Teacher
B.A. Vassar College
Hannah Grimm
Science Teacher
B.A. Princeton University
Elaine Peterson
6th Grade Math Assistant
B.A. University of California, Berkeley
M.A. Holy Names University
Math Teacher
B.A. Sarah Lawrence College
Brie Regis
6th Grade Lead Teacher
B.Ed. University College, Limerick, Ireland
M.Ed. Antioch/New England Graduate School
Kristin Stringfield
6th Grade Lead Teacher
B.A. University of California, San Diego
M.A. University of California, Berkeley
Seventh Grade
Beth Alsberg
Math Teacher
B.A. Grinnell College
Doug Garfinkel
Math Teacher
B.A. University of California, Los Angeles
M.B.A. Yale University
Hannah Grimm
Science Teacher
B.A. Princeton University
Reva Kidd
Spanish Teacher
B.A. Amherst College
Life Skills Teacher
B.S. Cornell University
M.S.W. University of California, Berkeley
Elizabeth Noreña
7th Grade Humanities
B.A. Dartmouth College
M.A. University of Pennsylvania
Matthew Williams
7th Grade Humanities Teacher
B.A. University of Pennsylvania
MS.Ed. University of Pennsylvania
Eighth Grade
Math Teacher
B.A. Grinnell College
Bree Chamberlain
8th Grade Math Assistant
B.A. Murdoch University
B.S. University of Southern Queensland
Jesse Feldman
Science Teacher
B.A. Vassar College
Doug Garfinkel
Math Teacher
B.A. University of California, Los Angeles
M.B.A. Yale University
Reva Kidd
Spanish Teacher/Life Skills
B.A. Amherst College
8th Grade Humanities Teacher
B.A. University of California, Berkeley
M.A. Georgetown University
Lalin St. Juste
MS AfterSchool Director/Life Skills
B.A. University of California, Santa Cruz
M.S.W. San Francisco State University
Jonah Weaver
8th Grade Humanities/MS Dean of Students
B.S. Northwestern University
M.A. Portland State University
Matthew Williams
Life Skills
B.A. University of Pennsylvania
MS.Ed. University of Pennsylvania
Middle School Specialists
Librarian, Director of Diversity and Inclusion
B.A. University of Pennsylvania
MLIS San Jose State University
Fatima Barberan
Spanish Teacher
M.A. Universidad de Madrid
Mark Basnage
Interim Director of Academic and Institutional Technology
B.A. University of Pennsylvania
M.A. Stanford University
Karen Baughman
Learning Specialist
B.A. University of Michigan
M.Ed. Holy Names University
Lalia BenMohamed
French/M.S. High School Placement
B.A. University of Oran, Algeria
Danielle Bouchard-Bihr
French Teacher
B.A. Université de Quebec à Montreal
Melissa Casado
Learning Specialist
B.A. Pomona College
M.A. University of California, San Diego
Jeff Chang
Librarian
B.S. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
MLIS University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Keith Davis
ES and MS Drama Teacher
B.A. University of Northern Colorado
Physical Education Teacher
B.S. California State University, Bakersfield
Maddie Hogan
Music Teacher
B.A. De Paul University
Reva Kidd
Spanish Teacher
B.A. Amherst College
Anton McGready
Athletic Director/Interscholastic Sports
B.Ed. Nonington College, London, England
Gabriela Nuñez
Middle School Art Assistant
Laney College
Julie Ouellette
Art Teacher
B.F.A. California College of Arts,
M.Ed. California College of Arts
Karine Reed
5th/6th French Teacher
Jay Rhodes
Spanish Teacher
B.A. Syracuse University,
M.A. University of Salamanca
Marty Wehner
Middle School Music Teacher
Berklee School of Music
AfterSchool
Kirk Cooper
Elementary AfterSchool Director
B.F.A. California State University, Long Beach
Lalin St. Juste
Middle School AfterSchool Co-Director
B.A. University of California, Santa Cruz
M.S.W. San Francisco State University
Marcus Chapple
MS AfterSchool Co-Director
Laney College
Administration
Head of School
Katherine Dinh
B.A. University of Virginia
M.Ed. Harvard University
Elementary School Division Head
Sheila Puckett
B.S. University of Oregon
M.A. San Francisco State University
Middle School Division Head
Heather Rogers
B.A. Dartmouth College
Middle School Dean of Students
Jonah Weaver
B.S. Northwestern University
M.A. Portland State University
High School Placement
Lalia BenMohamed
B.A. University of Oran, Algeria
School Psychologist
Rick Ferm
B.S. University of California, Berkeley
Ph.D. Northwestern University
Admissions Team
Director of Admissions & Outreach
Lily Shih
B.A. University of California, Berkeley
Director of MS Admissions
Amy Sullivan
B.A. University of California, San Diego
M.A. Indiana University
M.Ed. Columbia University
Associate Director of ES Admissions
Bridget O’Connor
B.A. Union College, New York
M.Ed. Boston College
Admissions Assistant
Beth Lewis
B.S. Binghamton University
M.A. University of Colorado, Denver
Advancement
Director of Advancement
Wendy Horng Brawer
B.A. University of Michigan
M.P.A. Columbia University
Director of Alumni Relations
Liz Clark
Syracuse University
Director of Annual Giving
Claudia Spain
B.A. San Francisco State University
Director of Events and Special Projects
Sara Webber
B.A. University of California, Berkeley
M.A./M.P.P. University of California, Berkeley
Director of Communications
Stephanie Alvelda
B.A. University of California, San Diego
M.A. Sonoma State University
Business Office
Business Officer
Peggy Snyder
Clark College
Accountant
Karen Welch
Business Office Associate
Alexandria Daley
B.S. & M.B.A., Golden Gate University
Facilities and Technology
Facilities Manager
Steve Harrington
B.A. University of California, Berkeley
Director of Academic and Institutional Technology
Mark Basnage
B.A. University of Pennsylvania
M.S. Stanford University
Technology Support
Heather Vitale
B.F.A. Syracuse University
Technology Support
Mary Lyman
B.F.A. Florida State University
M.A. Rutgers University
Innovation, Partnerships, and Diversity
Director of Innovation, Partnerships, and Service
Kathryn Lee
B.A. University of the Pacific
M.A. Mills College
Director of Diversity and Inclusion
Britt Anderson
B.A. University of Pennsylvania
MLIS San Jose State University
Office Staff
Elementary School Office Manager
Cathy Weindel
Elementary School Administrative Assistant
Judy Ortman
Middle School Administrative Assistant
Sharon Ishida
B.A. California State University, Fullerton
Middle School Office Assistant
Mary Beth Wilson
B.A. Central State University, Ohio
Middle School Office Manager /
Assistant to the Head of School
Tamara Matuschka
B.A. San Francisco State University