Faculty/Staff Directory

Albert Einstein once said, "I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." Education, to me, is the opportunity to be curious and then have the liberty to roll with that curiosity in order to satisfy it; curiosity alone then becomes the infinite fuel needed to become passionate about learning. My excitement for becoming a PHS member stems not only from the school's strong values committed to diversity, equity, and child-centered learning but from the opportunity, as a teacher, to help guide the curiosity of all the students that walk through the PHS front doors. It is my goal not only to further implement the values of PHS but to help instill a never-ending curiosity in all students that will motivate them to become lifelong learners.

I enjoy the camaraderie of the other teachers at this school, including the openness to sharing advice and ideas, lending a hand to help out each other when necessary, and sharing a few laughs. The environment of the school allows the voices of students to be heard, and the curriculum is creative and in-depth. Parents work with teachers and administrators to support their children at PHS.

I value teaching at Presidio Hill because I am able to tailor my curriculum to fit the needs and interests of my students. When my students’ stories and backgrounds are integrated into the classroom, the curriculum can act as both windows and mirrors for each of my students. This allows students to see themselves and understand their own identity as well as learn about cultures, perspectives, and ideas that are new and often different from their own. . 

I want my students to love thinking, to enjoy toggling with ideas, and to be open to changing their minds. Learning is a messy process and, seemingly, has no end. I came to Presidio Hill so that I would be able to teach more openly and learn from a student body that feels comfortable expressing their ideas and opinions. 

PHS is a magical place steeped in a rich history that embodies the heart of the progressive San Francisco that I deeply love and cherish. Everyday I wake up and say to myself, “I’m working at my dream job!” I am grateful and humbled to be part of a community where teaching and learning, kindness and inquiry, political activism and personal autonomy are inextricably linked.

I love teaching and opening children's minds to the love of learning, the value of culture, and the skills to learning a language. Above all, I love having fun! I am thrilled to work at PHS, a school with a strong sense of community, humor, and cultural awareness.. I feel honored to work in such a motivating environment where faculty and students elevate each other on a daily basis.

I find that an “inquiry based approach” whether it’s science, math or social studies, gives children ownership of their learning.  In my experience this approach ignites curiosity and a “can do” attitude.  By involving my students in building projects and simulations, their learning is fueled with personal passion, imagination and ingenuity.  There are many tools in my teacher toolbox that I draw upon: music, mindfulness, puppets, and theater improvisation to name a few.  I am excited to join the Presidio Hill School community, where my students and I will flourish and grow together.

As a San Francisco native, and as someone with lots of love for her city, to work in an environment representing a mosaic of this city is a dream. PHS is a place where children are given the opportunity of educational value in many forms. Instead of spending their day zoned into a textbook, the students of PHS are out of their seats exploring with hands on material and learning through appropriate discussions and debates; even at the age of 5! I value a school that lets its students know they can ask questions, or make comments without feeling embarrassed. PHS does its best to let all students know that they are welcome to be exactly who they choose, and a that acceptance gives students a greater desire to learn. I am grateful to be a part of a community that shares the same values as I do myself and look forward to the upcoming year!

John Dewey famously asserted that "education is not preparation for life, education is life itself" and the spirit of that maxim is alive and well here at Presidio Hill School, where children and adults embrace and learn from one another as symbiotic members of a distinct community of individuals. As I see it, the humanities classroom should be a place for students to actively explore, investigate, collaborate, and inquire about themselves and the world around them, past and present. I feel grateful to be part of the PHS community, where such exploration extends far beyond my classroom and in fact, is ingrained so deeply in the mission and overall ethos of our school. 

I am ecstatic to join the PHS faculty this year!  I am passionate about cooperative learning - the more talking and interacting students do in school, the better!  I prioritize critical thinking, inquiry, autonomy, and reflection when creating our learning community.

As a teacher, Jen promotes intrinsic motivation by grounding students in a personal connection to the world. She makes content relevant and encourages students to figure out how the world works by getting their hands on it. Beyond teaching skills and concepts, she helps kids take an active role in their own education. They learn to manage time and choices, set goals and evaluate progress, and become effective communicators and team members. At PHS, she sees kids taking action to answer questions they ask themselves.

As a teacher my role is to guide students to create meaning and develop questions about the world around them. I believe that deep learning happens when students are given the opportunity to explore, create, play, experiment, and make mistakes. In my classroom there is equal emphasis on rigorous, engaging academic content and robust social emotional skill development. I prioritize creating a strong, caring community among students and facilitating the development of empathic, self-confident children. With the right balance of joy and perseverance, all students will reach their goals. I look forward to joining them on this journey.

After teaching in multiple grade levels, and learning a second language as an adult, I’ve come to see the value in a truly balanced educational experience – one that embraces experiential and inquiry based learning, outdoor education, as well as developmentally appropriate practice with basic skills. I believe that having experiences with a variety of teaching methods and activities helps children to gain the confidence to move forward and builds a foundation for a lifetime of learning. I feel lucky to work in an environment that makes room for all types of learning experiences.

I was drawn to Presidio Hill School for its mission to provide children with an education that is creative and child-centered, and I am inspired by its community of open, welcoming, and passionate individuals. I believe that education should be ever-changing, where children and adults are working together to develop a lifelong love for learning. At PHS, students are able to develop their creativity, explore their own voice, and learn how we are all active members of our society. I believe learning can and should be fun! Dr. Seuss said it best, “You’ll never be bored when you try something new. There’s really no limit to what you can do!”

I am inspired by a spirit of possibility imparted by my family, an understanding that success results from collective efforts, and a belief that one’s work is potentially limitless in scope. I believe that learners of all ages thrive when they experience ownership over their process, reinforcing an intrinsic motivation for lifelong, life-wide, and life-deep learning that extends beyond school walls. After first becoming acquainted with PHS over 10 years ago, I am thrilled to join a community defined by its warmth, commitment to progressive education, and spirit of collaboration.

Presidio Hill School is an amazing place to work. The dedication of the teachers, administrators and staff that I witness daily is truly inspiring and the exhuberance of the students contagious. The parent community is smart, savvy, fun and diverse. All these factors and a progressive learning model make my job representing PHS an easy one!

I have discovered that learning comes in many formats throughout our lives. It can change day-to-day, month-to-month, or decade-to-decade. Discovering what works for an individual and a group, and finding a way to bringing these two styles together can make a difference to a student’s education and life. In my personal experience it was Literature and Music that made all the difference. Whether it was relating to a character or putting hard material to music, I found a way to not only change how I viewed my education, but my life. It was at PHS where I was able to discover my educational balance and begin to believe that I could be successful in everything that I did. I am ecstatic to be able to assist students and families in finding that same balance.