Faculty/Staff Directory

I feel honored to be part of a community dedicated to instilling a passion for not only learning, but global stewardship as well. PHS strives to recognize and celebrate the many facets that our students bring to the table and it is refreshing to be surrounded by faculty and staff that truly work as a team to address the needs of those they serve. I am thrilled to be able to work with PHS students on self-advocacy and resiliency - two skills that are critical for the future.

Cale is thrilled to be joining the Presidio Hill School community as the 3rd Grade Assistant Teacher. Cale believes in treating each student as an individual. By meeting children at their present level we can best foster their interests, meet their learning needs, and encourage creativity, which is paramount to nurturing not only academic, but also social-emotional growth. He has recently been studying in CCSF’s Child Development Program and is excited to see progressive education in practice at PHS. Prior to moving to San Francisco, Cale spent close to a decade as a working actor in New York City, even appearing in the Book of Mormon on Broadway. Outside the classroom, he enjoys reading, hiking, board games, watching his favorite Philadelphia sports teams lose, and seeing old movies at the Balboa Theater.

I feel honored to be joining Presidio Hill and to be a part of incorporating a progressive curriculum! I believe that education is the key to creating a more equitable and just society. Changing the world starts with educating the next generation. I hope to inspire and expand the minds of my students. I am excited to be a part of the Presidio Hill community and to help carry out its mission.

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 believe everybody has the potential to be a successful artist when guided through a mindful process. Mastering tools and techniques leads to confidence in ability and facilitates a growth mindset that can continue to be developed throughout life. When value is placed on curiosity and personal growth, our students are motivated to stretch themselves -- they become engaged in authentic learning.

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.

We look to create a culture of keeping sports and physical education fun and to provide a platform for learning life lessons through sports. In PE classes, we promote sportsmanship, teamwork, and personal growth over a "must win" attitude. We also embrace the vital role that students play in helping design the curriculum in a supportive, caring and encouraging setting.

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 an adult I have always had the mindset that all students deserve the same opportunities, no matter what their background or demographic may be.  Students, as well as adults, should be able to accomplish their goals and dreams without societal limitations. I always strive to be a role model for young minds through honesty, consistency and understanding.  Although that may be difficult at times, I believe it is important to be transparent with students as much as possible.  I also think that risk is an experience that should not be terrifying for children.  Taking a risk means that there are opportunities to change for the better or to reevaluate and learn from our situation.  Personally, it rings true in life that there are no such thing as mistakes.  

Presidio Hill intentionally celebrates individual learning styles and unique viewpoints. This engenders an inclusive and caring community for all. I enjoy that students are provided the opportunity to reflect on their own learning and encouraged to become a part of the learning process. As a science teacher, the curriculum allows me to teach to my passions, this flexibility creates a program where I can respond to the needs and curiosities of the students. This approach allows students to build personal connections with the natural world, thus providing students with inspiration, skills and desire to become global of the world around them. 

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!”

Presidio Hill School is an incredibly vibrant community of learners and I am proud and happy to be a member of such an amazing group of people. I came to PHS looking for a community that embodied all the aspects of administration and a progressive education that I love. At PHS there is engaged learning between teachers, students, families and administration, a commitment to be a social, global citizen, and an emphasis on people, rather than product. 

My interest and focus has always been the social well being of children and their interactions outside the traditional classroom.  I have combined my love for filmmaking, art, photography, and being active to create courses and programs that get kids working together in positive, enriching and healthy ways. I am  excited to continue with these ideas at Presidio Hill School. I am also an avid skateboarder, surfer, snowboarder and cyclist.

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!