What Matters in Education is:
making connections between and within people and communities; learning to see our interconnectedness.
Alberto Palomar
Laurel Creek Head Teacher (1st/2nd Grade)
Alberto Palomar
What Matters in Education is:
making connections between and within people and communities; learning to see our interconnectedness.
What Matters in Education is:
guiding children to connect with their inner wisdom and adjusting the environment to the capacity of every child.
Alice Hsu
Preschool Head Teacher (Cedar)
Alice Hsu
What Matters in Education is:
guiding children to connect with their inner wisdom and adjusting the environment to the capacity of every child.
What Matters in Education is:
that it be constant. “You’re never finished.” -my 3rd grade teacher, c.1974
Amy Coty
Director of Finance & Operations
Amy Coty
What Matters in Education is:
that it be constant. “You’re never finished.” -my 3rd grade teacher, c.1974
What Matters in Education is:
having an inclusive, supportive, and safe environment to learn.
Andie Gaeta
Front Desk & Office Manager
Andie Gaeta
What Matters in Education is:
having an inclusive, supportive, and safe environment to learn.
What Matters in Education is:
using best practices to understand how each learner connects with the materials and lessons.
Andy Keating
Preschool Head Teacher (Magnolia & Live Oak)
Andy Keating
What Matters in Education is:
using best practices to understand how each learner connects with the materials and lessons.
What Matters in Education is:
the personal relationship between teacher and student. Every student should be engaged and have fun!
Ann Levinsohn
Middle School Learning Support Specialist
Ann Levinsohn
What Matters in Education is:
the personal relationship between teacher and student. Every student should be engaged and have fun!
What Matters in Education is:
TENACITY; simultaneously holding kids and learning at the apex of families, teachers and our school.
Araxi Gundelfinger
Director of Advancement
Araxi Gundelfinger
What Matters in Education is:
TENACITY; simultaneously holding kids and learning at the apex of families, teachers and our school.
What Matters in Education is:
capturing the imagination. Lifelong learning is about wonder, and the rewards of persistence.
Bliss Tobin
Elementary Division Head
Bliss Tobin
What Matters in Education is:
capturing the imagination. Lifelong learning is about wonder, and the rewards of persistence.
What Matters in Education is:
access to education. Universal access to a rich and dynamic education is the most important thing we can provide.
Carmen Scott
Director of Marketing & Communications
Carmen Scott
What Matters in Education is:
access to education. Universal access to a rich and dynamic education is the most important thing we can provide.
What Matters in Education is:
the passion and love for learning.
Catherine Guerlac
ECC Extended Day Co-Director & Explorers Head Teacher (Transitional Kindergarten)
Catherine Guerlac
What Matters in Education is:
the passion and love for learning.
What Matters in Education is:
remembering that there is always more to learn.
Christin Weber
Preschool Head Teacher
Christin Weber
What Matters in Education is:
remembering that there is always more to learn.
What Matters in Education is:
innovation, joy and creativity– building a supportive and safe community to create inspired learning.
Claire Patterson
Blackberry Creek Head Teacher (1st/2nd Grade)
Claire Patterson
What Matters in Education is:
innovation, joy and creativity– building a supportive and safe community to create inspired learning.
What Matters in Education is:
fun! When activities are fun, students want to stay engaged which allows for true learning to happen.
Craig Jackson
Middle School, Elementary School PE, Sports Coach
Craig Jackson
What Matters in Education is:
fun! When activities are fun, students want to stay engaged which allows for true learning to happen.
What Matters in Education is:
joy. With joy comes a freedom that allows magical, powerful, important learning experiences to take hold.
Danette Swan
Sweet Briar Creek Head Teacher (Kindergarten)
Danette Swan
What Matters in Education is:
joy. With joy comes a freedom that allows magical, powerful, important learning experiences to take hold.
What Matters in Education is:
nurturing a child’s understanding of the world through exploration and self-expression.
Daniela Hoffmann
K-8 Extended Day
Daniela Hoffmann
What Matters in Education is:
nurturing a child’s understanding of the world through exploration and self-expression.
What Matters in Education is:
helping students develop their curiosity. They need to build their ability to seek the truth.
Derek Payne
Science Teacher (7th & 8th Grade)
Derek Payne
What Matters in Education is:
helping students develop their curiosity. They need to build their ability to seek the truth.
What Matters in Education is:
nurturing a child’s understanding of the world through exploration and self-expression.
Emily Becerra
Preschool Head Teacher (Eugenia)
Emily Becerra
What Matters in Education is:
nurturing a child’s understanding of the world through exploration and self-expression.
What Matters in Education is:
allowing students to find pathways and make connections in an environment that encourages continual self assessment and self reflection to help them actualize growth in their abilities as learners.
Erica Morales
Elementary Spanish
Erica Morales
What Matters in Education is:
allowing students to find pathways and make connections in an environment that encourages continual self assessment and self reflection to help them actualize growth in their abilities as learners.
What Matters in Education is:
curiosity, creativity, and compassion.
Grace Reinhalter
Preschool Assistant Teacher
Grace Reinhalter
What Matters in Education is:
curiosity, creativity, and compassion.
What Matters in Education is:
awakening curiosity beyond your own culture and respecting different beliefs.
Griselda Kondo
Preschool Head Teacher (Acorn)
Griselda Kondo
What Matters in Education is:
awakening curiosity beyond your own culture and respecting different beliefs.
What Matters in Education is:
authentic, transparent, and relevant teaching and learning. Also, find joy in every day with every child!
Hillary Bensky Schwartz
Laurel Creek Head Teacher (1st/2nd Grade)
Hillary Bensky Schwartz
What Matters in Education is:
authentic, transparent, and relevant teaching and learning. Also, find joy in every day with every child!
What Matters in Education is:
Being able to connect with children creatively through music.
Iwalani Venerable
Extended Day Teacher
Iwalani Venerable
What Matters in Education is:
Being able to connect with children creatively through music.
What Matters in Education is:
finding and nurturing passions. Passions foster stewardship so we may become agents for positive change.
Jackie Sa
Temescal Creek Assistant Teacher (3rd Grade)
Jackie Sa
What Matters in Education is:
finding and nurturing passions. Passions foster stewardship so we may become agents for positive change.
What Matters in Education is:
community… a place of learning that feels like a second home filled with inquisitive faces.
Jared Briggs
SEL Coordinator, Middle School Health Teacher, Athletic Director
Jared Briggs
What Matters in Education is:
community… a place of learning that feels like a second home filled with inquisitive faces.
What Matters in Education is:
building relationships that fosters a learning environment where all students participate and take ownership of their education.
Jeff Ravine
Wildcat Creek Head Teacher (6th Grade)
Jeff Ravine
What Matters in Education is:
building relationships that fosters a learning environment where all students participate and take ownership of their education.
What Matters in Education is:
speaking the truth. As educators, we are called to inform and empower our future citizens to take on and, hopefully, resolve the challenges they will face to preserve and expand the benefits of our democracy.
Jennifer Lettieri
Middle School Humanities
Jennifer Lettieri
What Matters in Education is:
speaking the truth. As educators, we are called to inform and empower our future citizens to take on and, hopefully, resolve the challenges they will face to preserve and expand the benefits of our democracy.
What Matters in Education is:
speaking the truth. As educators, we are called to inform and empower our future citizens to take on and, hopefully, resolve the challenges they will face to preserve and expand the benefits of our democracy.
Jono Rich
K-8 Extended Day
Jono Rich
What Matters in Education is:
speaking the truth. As educators, we are called to inform and empower our future citizens to take on and, hopefully, resolve the challenges they will face to preserve and expand the benefits of our democracy.
What Matters in Education is:
that each student’s world and heart is expanded.
Julia Shields
Strawberry Creek Head Teacher (4th/5th Grade)
Julia Shields
What Matters in Education is:
that each student’s world and heart is expanded.
What Matters in Education is:
helping students understand themselves as learners through the process of art making.
Julianne Hughes
ECC, Elementary Teaching Artist
Julianne Hughes
What Matters in Education is:
helping students understand themselves as learners through the process of art making.
What Matters in Education is:
the courage of teachers and students to be dedicated members of a thriving world community.
Kate Klaire
Director of Civic Engagement & Title IX Coordinator
Kate Klaire
What Matters in Education is:
the courage of teachers and students to be dedicated members of a thriving world community.
What Matters in Education is:
that every child can learn, especially when they are seen and supported.
Katherine Campbell
Elementary Academic Learning Specialist
Katherine Campbell
What Matters in Education is:
that every child can learn, especially when they are seen and supported.
What Matters in Education is:
meeting students where they are and helping them discover their academic and personal promise.
Kim Huie
Middle School Math
Kim Huie
What Matters in Education is:
meeting students where they are and helping them discover their academic and personal promise.
What Matters in Education is:
teaching from your heart and constantly reflecting on why you love to teach and what inspires you to learn.
Kimly Touch
Preschool Head Teacher
Kimly Touch
What Matters in Education is:
teaching from your heart and constantly reflecting on why you love to teach and what inspires you to learn.
What Matters in Education is:
the freedom to create, grow, listen, question, make mistakes, wonder, belong, and build in a safe environment that values and challenges you.
Kirstie Mah
Preschool Head Teacher (Acorn)
Kirstie Mah
What Matters in Education is:
the freedom to create, grow, listen, question, make mistakes, wonder, belong, and build in a safe environment that values and challenges you.
What Matters in Education is:
creating an inclusive atmosphere for learning and expression.
Lavinia Sfetcu
ECC Office Manager, Advancement & Admissions Associate
Lavinia Sfetcu
What Matters in Education is:
creating an inclusive atmosphere for learning and expression.
What Matters in Education is:
igniting curious minds. “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” ~Socrates
Lisa Chung-Nguyen
Temescal Creek Head Teacher
Lisa Chung-Nguyen
What Matters in Education is:
igniting curious minds. “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” ~Socrates
What Matters in Education is:
allies and colleagues are critical.
Loa Ortiz
Wildcat Creek Head Teacher (6th Grade)
Loa Ortiz
What Matters in Education is:
allies and colleagues are critical.
What Matters in Education is:
that every student feels empowered to reach their full potential.
Maple Molina
Data Manager
Maple Molina
What Matters in Education is:
that every student feels empowered to reach their full potential.
What Matters in Education is:
fostering a growth mindset.
MaryBeth Ventura
Middle School Division Head
MaryBeth Ventura
What Matters in Education is:
fostering a growth mindset.
What Matters in Education is:
belonging, play, friendship and learning as a lifetime joy.
Missy Barrow
Preschool Head Teacher
Missy Barrow
What Matters in Education is:
belonging, play, friendship and learning as a lifetime joy.
What Matters in Education is:
helping all students feel simultaneously seen and supported in every way: academically, intellectually, socially, and emotionally.
Mitch Bostian
Head of School
Mitch Bostian
What Matters in Education is:
helping all students feel simultaneously seen and supported in every way: academically, intellectually, socially, and emotionally.
Mitra Panbehchi
What Matters in Education is:
empowering students to become caring and engaged members of their communities.
Nic Kaelin
Middle School Humanities Teacher
Nic Kaelin
What Matters in Education is:
empowering students to become caring and engaged members of their communities.
What Matters in Education is:
cooperation. It may sound cheesy, but there really is no “i” in team, and education is a team sport.
Nori Grimes
Elementary PE
Nori Grimes
What Matters in Education is:
cooperation. It may sound cheesy, but there really is no “i” in team, and education is a team sport.
What Matters in Education is:
opportunity and encouragement!
Norman Johnson
Middle School Drama, Extended Day
Norman Johnson
What Matters in Education is:
opportunity and encouragement!
What Matters in Education is:
creating a space where kids feel safe enough to learn, make friends, and build strong social skills.
Noushin Moghaddam
Preschool Assistant Teacher (Eugenia)
Noushin Moghaddam
What Matters in Education is:
creating a space where kids feel safe enough to learn, make friends, and build strong social skills.
What Matters in Education is:
community. TBS is a supportive learning community for children and adults alike.
Paula D. Farmer
Director of Admissions
Paula D. Farmer
What Matters in Education is:
community. TBS is a supportive learning community for children and adults alike.
What Matters in Education is:
students and teachers bringing their authentic selves to the classroom and forming a community based in empathy, empowerment, and activism.
Rachel Forbes
Cerrito Creek Head Teacher (4th/5th Grade)
Rachel Forbes
What Matters in Education is:
students and teachers bringing their authentic selves to the classroom and forming a community based in empathy, empowerment, and activism.
What Matters in Education is:
connecting with the present.
Randy Yee
Controller & Operations Manager
Randy Yee
What Matters in Education is:
connecting with the present.
What Matters in Education is:
relationships. Transformative learning does not occur in isolation. It occurs in relationship.
Rebecca Blythe
Preschool Head Teacher
Rebecca Blythe
What Matters in Education is:
relationships. Transformative learning does not occur in isolation. It occurs in relationship.
What Matters in Education is:
empathy and empowerment. Let’s empower our children to feel deeply and lift up others.
Samantha Snook
Cerrito Creek Assistant Teacher (4th/5th Grade)
Samantha Snook
What Matters in Education is:
empathy and empowerment. Let’s empower our children to feel deeply and lift up others.
What Matters in Education is:
supporting learners with mutually respectful community and thoughtful, meaningful assessment and planning by collaborative teachers.
Sima Misra
Interim Director of the ECC
Sima Misra
What Matters in Education is:
supporting learners with mutually respectful community and thoughtful, meaningful assessment and planning by collaborative teachers.
What Matters in Education is:
embodied learning. Embodied learning not only teaches through hands-on, experiential doing, but also uses moving as a means for learning how to form our actions and our futures.
Sonja Sutherland
Elementary Movement
Sonja Sutherland
What Matters in Education is:
embodied learning. Embodied learning not only teaches through hands-on, experiential doing, but also uses moving as a means for learning how to form our actions and our futures.
What Matters in Education is:
growing to know yourself as a learner and as a community member.
Stephen Cahill
ECC-5 Social Emotional Learning Specialist
Stephen Cahill
What Matters in Education is:
growing to know yourself as a learner and as a community member.
What Matters in Education is:
making connections with students and using those connections to motivate their learning.
Tanya Madrid-Campbell
Middle School Spanish
Tanya Madrid-Campbell
What Matters in Education is:
making connections with students and using those connections to motivate their learning.
What Matters in Education is:
an environment that not only allows, but encourages, free thinking, and personal development.
Tim Thomas
Director of Facilities and Campus Safety
Tim Thomas
What Matters in Education is:
an environment that not only allows, but encourages, free thinking, and personal development.
What Matters in Education is:
creativity. When learners become creative thinkers they approach challenges with empathy, and understand how they can positively impact their communities.
Vanessa DeNino
Middle School Visual Arts
Vanessa DeNino
What Matters in Education is:
creativity. When learners become creative thinkers they approach challenges with empathy, and understand how they can positively impact their communities.
Yu Ren Lin
What Matters in Education is:
furthering the next generation.
The Berkeley School welcomes students of any race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, ability, and national or ethnic origin and accords them all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally made available to students at The Berkeley School. TBS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, ability, and national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, employment policies, scholarship programs, and athletic or other school administered programs. Please contact Kate Klaire, Title IX Coordinator, at for additional information.
Our Mission
Ignite Curious Minds
Awaken Generous Hearts
Engage a Changing World
K – 8 Campus
1310 University Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94702
(510) 665-8800
Early Childhood Campus
2030 Francisco Street
Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 849-8340
Connect
Ignite Curious Minds
Awaken Generous Hearts
Engage a Changing World
K – 8 Campus
1310 University Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94702
(510) 665-8800
Early Childhood Campus
2030 Francisco Street
Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 849-8340