Faculty/Staff Directory

At Presidio Hill School I feel that all ideas and creations are possible. I love the excitement students show when we start a new project and also how they come to me with suggestions about what we should do next. I have a lot of fun with the students!

I love making math friendly and accessible for students and creating an environment that allows for discussion to deepen understanding and problem solving skills. As a student who learned best when engaged, I feel that exploring and discovering is essential to learning. My first experience teaching was teaching martial arts in high school, so a hands-on approach that emphasizes practice and determination are important to me. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy reading and traveling even if it’s simply an adventure to the closest park. I am so excited to begin this year at PHS and see what adventures await.

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 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.

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 am passionate about guiding students to learn how to take pride in their academic experience and how to be a part of a classroom community that is not only diverse but promotes equity for all students. I am committed to helping our youth become empowered learners, stewards for the environment and effective changemakers. I’m a proud Oaklander (Go A’s!) and live in the Temescal area with my educator husband and our small terrier. When not in the classroom, you’ll find me hiking in the redwoods above Oakland, riding my bike on the winding roads to Pt. Reyes, or sitting among flowers reading historical fiction. I look forward to meeting everyone in the fall!

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.

I am thrilled to be here as a new member of PHS!  Oprah Winfrey once said, "Education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom."  I love the idea that books can transport you to wondrous places! My proudest moments as a teacher took place when everyone in the room worked to lift each other up, and help each other through, I am proud to join a community of learners who commit to investing in each other, and in our shared journey.

I deeply believe in the importance of human connection. As someone who loves to travel, I have learned the value of positively engaging with the people I encounter. These experiences translate into my educational values, as I deeply believe in the importance of forming positive teacher-student relationships. These relationships are principal as they have the ability to enhance student engagement and create a welcoming and diverse classroom community. These beliefs are what have drawn me to PHS, as the school prioritizes fostering positive relationships. I am eager to be a part of this progressive community and look forward to forming relationships as a 2nd grade Teaching Apprentice!

My favorite thing about working with kids is how bright they can be on a cloudy day. A child's love and honesty is priceless; I'm so blessed to have a job that I believe in. I am so fortunate for the opportunity to teach, learn & grow with the children at PHS. I'm excited to work in the Kindergarten classroom & I can't wait to learn and grow with all the children, families, staff and faculty at Presidio Hill School!

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!

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. 

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!”

As a graduate of a K-8 progressive school myself, I was immediately drawn to the warmth, creativity, and community evident at Presidio Hill School. After working in the legal sector for the past few years, I am excited to return to the world of education. I’m thrilled that in my position I am able to interact with just about every member of the PHS community, from current students, faculty, and parents to alumni and friends!

Presidio Hill values students' abilities as original thinkers and encourages them to take an active role in their community. I appreciate that the school culture encourages engagement with topics pertinent to our students' lives, building curriculum around what interests, inspires and motivates, rather than simply preparing them for their next academic steps.

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!