St. Paul's Employees 2022-2023

List of 68 members.

• 

  Asha Abrams 

  Seventh Grade Resident Teacher

  Bio

  Asha Abrams, Seventh Grade Humanities Assistant Resident Teacher, joined St. Paul’s in 2021 with the After School Program after moving here from Portland, Oregon. She holds a B.A. in the Humanities from the University of Oregon. In her free time, she enjoys doing crossword puzzles, hiking, and dancing.
• 

  Wesley Allen 

  Second Grade Teacher

  Bio

  Wesley Allen, second grade lead teacher, joined St. Paul’s in 2016. Mr. Allen holds a Masters Degree in Curriculum Design and Instruction from the Bay Area Teacher Training Institute (BATTI) as well as a California teaching credential. Previously, he worked as a second and third grade teacher at Children’s Day School (CDS) in San Francisco. Prior to CDS, he worked as a naturalist and guide in a variety of outdoor education and wilderness therapy programs throughout the western United States. He enjoys spending time with his daughter Ariela as well as photography, backpacking, hiking and fly fishing.
• 

  Yesenia Arce 

  Assistant Director of Programs

  Bio

  Yesenia Arce, Assistant Director of Programs, joined St. Paul's in 2016. Ms. Arce holds a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development with a focus on Early Childhood Education from San Jose State University.
• 

  Anthony Bald 

  Sixth Grade Science Teacher

  Bio

  Tony Bald, Sixth Grade science teacher, joined St. Paul’s in 2010. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of San Francisco. Previously, Mr. Bald has taught science at Aim High, a summer academic program, and volunteered as a math tutor at the Acorn Projects. Outside of teaching Sixth Grade science, he serves on the board of the Lake Merritt Institute and Rotary Nature Center Friends. In his free time, he enjoys recording, playing and attending live music, as well as traveling and camping.
• 

  Cynthia Barboza 

  After School Program staff

  Bio

  Cynthia Barboza joined our After School Program staff in 2020. She is currently a senior at the University of San Francisco and majoring in International Studies. She enjoys learning about different cultures and exploring new experiences, making St. Paul's a good fit for her!

• Johnetta Bedford-Ware 

  Third Grade Support Teacher

  Bio

  Johnetta Bedford-Ware, Third Grade Resident, joined St. Paul’s in 2020.  She is a native of  Grambling,Louisiana. Prior to joining St. Paul’s, Johnetta was a classroom teacher for second through fourth grade at Beacon Day School for 20 years. She is married and has a son, Delano, who is a student athlete and current senior at Western Michigan University. Johnetta enjoys gardening, reading, and is a huge sports fan, especially basketball and football.
• 

  Joanna Belkin Petti 

  Eighth Grade English

  Bio

  Joanna Belkin Petti came to St. Paul's in 2001 as a Guest Teacher, and ultimately worked as Assistant Director in ASP before becoming a BATTI resident in 2003. She left St. Paul's to teach at Julia Morgan School for Girls and Oakland School for the Arts. After 14 years, she returned to St. Paul's in 2017 as the Eighth Grade English teacher and has been "home" ever since. She earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Northeastern University School of Law, and has a Multiple Subject credential, and a Single Subject credential in English. When she is not grading papers, she loves to swim, and to hike with her friends and her beloved dog, Rocky. 
• 

  Edilson Bessa-Salgado 

  Kindergarten Resident Teacher

  Bio

  Edil Bessa-Salgado joined St. Paul's in 2015 as an After School Program teacher and assistant swimming instructor before joining the Kindergarten team as a Resident Teacher in 2019. Previously, he worked as an Enrichment Teacher at Duck's Nest Preschool for nine years. Mr. Edil holds a BA in Human Development with Minor in Early Childhood Education from California State University, East Bay. He also holds another BA from his home country Brazil in Museum Studies from the Federal University Rio de Janeiro. There, he worked in different Museums for fourteen years as an assistant curator. He holds a teacher permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis, running, and traveling.
• 

  Michael Birkhead 

  Middle School Secretary

  Bio

  Michael Birkhead, Middle School Secretary, joined St. Paul's as staff in 2021. He holds a Bachelors and a Masters degree in teaching from the University of Portland. Previously Mr. Birkhead has taught middle school Science in Salt Lake City, assisted with Aim High, and was a lifer at St. Paul's. In his free time, Mr. Birkhead enjoys knitting, playing Dungeons & Dragons, and archery.

• Javier Bolaños 

  Custodian

  Bio

  Javier Bolanos began working at St. Paul's as a custodian in 2006 when the school opened its newly remodeled Middle School building. When he is not at work, he enjoys spending time with his grandson, who keeps him busy!
• 

  Nayo Brooks 

  Lower School Director

  Bio

  Nayo Brooks, Director of Lower School, joined St. Paul's in 2018. Ms. Brooks received her B.A. in English from UC Davis, an M.Ed. from the University of San Francisco, and is a National Board Certified Teacher. She also works at Stanford's National Board Resource Center offering monthly support to teachers who are pursuing National Board certification. Prior to joining St. Paul's, she taught for 19 years at Katherine Delmar Burke School in San Francisco. Ms. Brooks has a son who attends Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, and a feisty (but lovable) Boston Terrier named Sox.
• 

  Brisa Camacho-Lovell 

  Sixth & Seventh Grade Spanish Teacher

  Bio

  Brisa Camacho-Lovell, Sixth and Seventh Grade Spanish teacher, joined St. Paul's in 2022. She received her Bachelors degree in World Politics and Hispanic Studies at Hamilton College in New York, and has spent the entirety of her career since then teaching middle school Spanish in the Bay Area. Outside of school, Brisa's passions include dancing salsa and Afro Cuban folkloric dance, swimming, and traveling.
• 

  Marcus Chang 

  Middle School Director

  Bio

  Marcus Chang, Director of Middle School, is excited to join the St. Paul's community. He received his Bachelor of Science in Human Movement from San Francisco State and his Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from the Klingenstein Center at Teachers College. He has served in a variety of roles at his six previous schools, which include Athletic Director, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Associate Head of School, and most recently Dean of Students. He and his partner, Meta, are the proud parents of Jordan who recently turned 17 and is starting his junior year! His family also includes two rambunctious dogs who keep them on their toes.

• Hannah Cook 

  Second Grade Resident

  Bio

  Hannah Cook, Second Grade Resident Teacher, joined St. Paul's in 2021. She holds a BA in Comparative Literature, Hispanic Studies, and Literary Translation from Oberlin College in Ohio. Hannah has previously taught throughout the Bay Area, Ohio, and Spain as a teaching and English language assistant, literacy tutor, and program leader. Outside of school, Hannah enjoys spending time with loved ones, cooking new recipes and talking about food, and crafting of all kinds.
• 

  Tracey Cosgrove 

  School Librarian

  Bio

  Tracey Cosgrove joined St. Paul's as Lower School Librarian in 2004. Ms. Cosgrove received her Master of Library and Information Studies degree from the University of California at Berkeley. A life-long lover of books, she has worked in libraries for over 40 years. In her free time, she loves nature walks with her wife Karin and their 15+ year old dog Percy, museum visits and hanging out in bookstores. She especially enjoys time with her children (St. Paul’s Alums Liam ’11 and Emma ’14).
• 

  Simrita Dhanjal 

  Associate Director of Admissions & K-5 Curriculum Coordinator

  Bio

  Simrita Dhanjal, Director of Admissions, joined St. Paul’s in 2016. Ms. Dhanjal (pronounced 'done-juhl') holds a Masters Degree in Curriculum Design and Instruction and taught kindergarten through fifth grade students for 14 years. Ms. Dhanjal also holds a degree in Computer Engineering and prior to stepping into the world of education she worked in the IT industry as a Network Engineer. When not at St. Paul's, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, dance, eat delicious foods, binge watch shows, and travel.
• 

  Heather De Bose 

  Lower School Secretary & COVID Liaison

  Bio

  Heather De Bose, COVID Liaison and Assistant to the Lower School Director, joined St. Paul's in 2005. Ms. De Bose earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from San Francisco State University and was a classroom teacher at Beacon Day School. She enjoys cooking and spending time with her niece.
• 

  Guy de Chalus 

  Music Teacher

  Bio

  Guy de Chalus, Coordinator of Music, joined St. Paul's in 2008 as Music Teacher for grades 4-8. His concentration is in the music of the Diaspora with particular emphases on the choral and instrumental repertoires of the Caribbean, Guyana, Zimbabwe, and Guinea-Conakry. Mr. de Chalus is a graduate of Hunter College, NY, where he studied music theory and literature. Prior to joining SPES, he taught literature at The Benjamin Banneker Academy in Brooklyn, NY, and at Flushing High School in Flushing, NY.
• 

  Jenny Ernst 

  K-5 Math/Science Curriculum Coordinator

  Bio

  Jenny Ernst, K-5 Math/Science Curriculum Coordinator, holds a BA and credential in Teacher Preparation K-8 as well as an MS in Organizational Management. She has taught STEM for 26 years most recently at international schools in Sweden and Malaysia and, before that, at other Bay Area independent schools. She loves frogs, fresh air, and walks with friends.
• 

  Sam Esbin 

  Eighth Grade Science Teacher

  Bio

  Sam originally hails from Las Vegas, Nevada. He has a diverse educational background ranging from music production and audio engineering to astrophysics and atmospheric sciences. After graduating from University of Colorado Boulder, he and his wife moved to the Bay Area. Sam initially started at St. Paul’s in 2017 as a guest teacher as is overjoyed to have had the opportunity to move into the Eighth Grade science position. His interests include playing guitar, Dungeons & Dragons, nerding out over everything science, and reluctantly going outside on hikes when forced to do so by his wife.
• 

  Kate Foley 

  Third Grade Teacher

  Bio

  Kate Foley, third grade teacher, joined the St. Paul’s faculty in 1991 as a teaching intern in kindergarten. She graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a BA in Psychology and holds a MA/multiple subject teaching credential from the University of the Pacific. She is a Responsive Classroom Teacher Leader and recently participated in an educator’s retreat at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to receive training on its Bird Sleuth curriculum. As well as being an alum from when St. Paul’s was K-6, Ms. Foley has previously taught both First and Second Grade at St. Paul’s. 
• 

  Antonio Gallegos 

  Facilities Manager

  Bio

  Antonio joined St. Paul's in 2021, working as a facilities manager. He loves to be working with a great group of people who feel like family. He loves sports, especially soccer, football and spending time with his family.
• 

  Leigh Anne Gray 

  Communications Manager

  Bio

  Leigh Anne Gray, Communications Manager, nurtures connection through storytelling at St. Paul's. Her experience in journalism, covering Rome and the Vatican for the Associated Press and managing editorial research for the National Geographic Channel, lends broad perspective to the student experience in Downtown Oakland.
• 

  Monica Haddad 

  P.E. Teacher

  Bio

  Monica Haddad joined St. Paul’s in 2005 as Swimming Teacher and Physical Education Teacher. A native of Brazil, Ms. Haddad holds a Bachelor of Physical Education degree from Federal University of Sao Carlos. She recently earned an American Swimming Coaches Association certificate for levels 1 and 2. She has been a swim teacher, coach, and summer program teacher in the East Bay. Ms. Haddad enjoys swimming (naturally), hiking, and biking around the city.
• 

  Corbin Harris 

  Resident Teacher, Kindergarten

  Bio

  Corbin Harris, Kindergarten Assistant, joined St. Paul's in 2019. Mr. Harris holds a bachelor's degree in broadcast and electronic communication arts from San Francisco State University. Corbin was also a student at St. Paul's. He enjoys producing music, interviewing creatives, and developing his videography skills in the Bay Area.
• 

  Riana Hensel 

  3-5 Spanish Teacher

  Bio

  Riana Hensel, Spanish teacher for grades 3-5, joined St. Paul’s in 2017. She was born and raised in the Bay and is a St. Paul’s alum! She studied Spanish Literature and Sociology at the University of Puget Sound, and received a teaching credential and Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Mills College. Riana was a classroom teacher for many years before making the leap to Spanish at St. Paul’s. When she’s not at school you can find Riana curled up with a book or exploring the Bay and the world! 

   
• 

  Melissa Hillier 

  Annual Fund Manager

  Bio

  Annual Fund Manager, Advancement Department. Ms. Hillier joined St. Paul’s in 2022. She graduated from Yale College, Yale University, magna cum laude with distinction in the English major and has a masters in English and American Literature from New York University, where she also taught. Ms. Hillier came to St. Paul’s as a parent in 2016. After serving as Parent Association President, among other volunteer roles, she joined the St. Paul’s administrative staff and is thrilled to serve the community she loves.
• 

  Eric Hooper 

  Fifth Grade Teacher

  Bio

  Eric Hooper, fifth grade teacher, flag football coach and girls JV basketball, holds a BS in elementary education from Morgan State University in Baltimore and a California teaching credential. He joined St. Paul’s in 2013. Mr. Hooper arrived in Oakland from New York City where he was a teacher associate before becoming lead teacher at Bronx Lighthouse Charter School. A TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate holder, he also taught English as a second language in Rome and Todi, Italy for two years. Mr. Hooper enjoys being active in some form or another, be it walking his dogs around in Joaquin Miller Park or playing basketball.
• 

  Anthony Hopkins 

  Eighth Grade History Teacher

  Bio

  M. Anthony Hopkins. Eighth Grade Social Studies. Black Student Union Faculty Advisor. Joined in 2019. Holds a Master's Degree in Social Studies Curriculum Design From New York University. Mr. Hopkins has taught sixth grade through college seminars and consulted with state government agencies and education nonprofits training adults to be teachers and community advocates who partner with youth before joining St. Paul's. He is also a professional photographer. In his free time he focuses on nature conservation and gardening, community organizing, and cooking.
• 

  Alexander Huynh 

  ASP Staff

  Bio

  Alexander Huynh has been at St. Pauls for more than three years. Mr. Huynh is currently at Chabot College pursuing a degree in microbiology, so science and math are a joy! In his free time he plays video games on his pc or hangs out with his three reptile buddies, a tegu named Nona, a crested gecko named potato, and a Brazilian rainbow boa named Mini.

• Allison Jones 
• 

  Caroline Jones 

  Development & Database Associate

  Bio

  Caroline Jones, Development Database Manager, joined St. Paul's in 2010. She began as a part of the after school program and as a guest teacher, where she shared her love of math and voice of inspiration. In 2018 she entered her current position in the Advancement Department, where she supports the school’s fundraising efforts and community building projects. Her interests include reading, gaming, crafts, and caring for her two cats. She is a proud Oakland native, who spends her free time having picnics with her fiancé, friends and family at local parks.
• 

  Rolfe Kasling 

  Innovation & Technology Coordinator

  Bio

  Rolfe Kasling, Innovation & Technology Coordinator, has been with the St. Paul's family since 2007. Starting off as a simple middle school librarian, he evolved into the 6th-8th Technology/Maker teacher until this year when he shifted into his current role. Part of the great Western migration of the late 90's, Rolfe hails from Minnesota, but calls Oakland his home with his wife and two teenage children, who also passed through these sacred halls. He holds a Master's in Library Science from San Jose State as well as a B.A. in Anthropology from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN. Arguably, one of the coolest members of the SPES facuty/staff/admin team, he has been known to lead wildly popular skateboarding, DJing (scratching) and outdoor games electives. As a Sagittarius, he loves exploring, playing all manner or sports, chillin' and occasionally jumping out of airplanes.
• 

  Kate Klaire 

  K-8 Community Engaged Learning & Chapel Support

  Bio

  Kate Klaire joined the Saint Paul's community in 2021. She has over 20 years of experience in education, with a particular focus on community engageed learning and civic engagement. Kate's Masters of Education is from Saint Mary's College of California with a focus in social justice and social emotional learning. In her spare time, she is very active in the dog rescue community. Kate enjoys hiking with her partner and their two dogs, with a usual third foster pup tagging along, building projects, and time with family/friends.
• 

  Laura Lance 

  Middle School Coordinator and School Registrar

  Bio

  Laura Lance, Middle School Coordinator and School Registrar, East Bay native, joined St. Paul's in 1997. Ms. Lance's hobbies include her children, Jessica '03 (ICU Nurse) and Michael '10 (Educator), her two perfect grandchildren, Zachary and Annabelle, her kittehs, Olive and Sundae, swimming, collecting demitasses, and writing letters to prospective voters.
• 

  Christopher (C.J.) Lee 

  Fourth Grade Teacher

  Bio

  C. J. Lee joined St. Paul's in 2012 after serving as third grade teacher at Archway from 2004 to 2012. He also served as after school program director from 2004-2005 and basketball coach from 2010-2012 at Archway. Additionally, he has worked as a first, second, and third grade teacher at the Head-Royce Summer Program from 2002 to the present. Previously, he worked at Sarah's Science This Land is Your Land summer camp as a counselor and after care director from 1996 to 2004. Mr. Lee holds a bachelor's of elementary education degree from Kansas State University and a Kansas teaching credential.
• 

  Deborah Lira 

  Eighth Grade Math Teacher, Assistant Director of Admissions Middle School, DEI Leader

  Bio

  Deborah Lira joined the St. Paul’s community in 2017. She attended middle, high school and community college in Hayward. Go cobras, lancers and gladiators! She majored in Mathematics at UC Berkeley and returned to Hayward for the teacher credentialing program at Cal State East Bay. Outside of teaching 8th grade math, she is a co-lead of the St. Paul’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team. She has also participated in the East Bay Teacher’s Math Circle and has taught at Mills Upward Bound Program. Prior to St. Paul’s, Deborah taught in both Albany and Oakland Unified School Districts. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her partner and child in the beautiful Bay Area hills and making memories with family and friends.
• 

  Julianna Lopez 

  ASP Staff
• 

  Ryan Louie 

  Assistant to the Head of School

  Bio

  Ryan Louie joined the St. Paul's administrative staff in 2019. She previously worked as a youth development coordinator and in several after school programs. After living in New York and Los Angeles she is excited to be living and working in Oakland. Ms. Louie was born and raised in the Bay Area. When she's not at school you can find her hiking with her dog, drinking boba at Mr. Green Bubble or attempting to hit golf balls at the driving range.
• 

  Lili Malabed 

  Sixth GradeTeacher

  Bio

  Lili Malabed, sixth grade humanities teacher, joined St. Paul’s in 2006. She graduated summa cum laude from San Francisco State University where she was awarded the Honorary Hood for Liberal Studies majors, and earned her CLAD teaching credential. Lili was a teacher leader at the University of San Francisco where she has led workshops and mentored AmeriCorps teachers in the school’s TEAMS program. She attended the NAIS Diversity Leadership Institute, presented at the NAIS People of Color Conference in 2019, and completed Developmental Designs Middle Level training. In her free time, she strums ukulele, cooks, and loves up her extended family, and loquacious cat.
• 

  Rebecca Malick 

  Seventh Grade Math Teacher

  Bio

  Rebecca Malick, seventh grade math teacher, joined the St. Paul’s community in 2016. Ms. Malick received a BA in Music from Colby College and a multiple subject teaching credential from Mills College. She has experience teaching music at the elementary and high school levels, and directed the Performing Arts Department at the Tilton School in New Hampshire. Most recently, she taught 5th grade general studies and Seventh/Eighth grade math at Oakland Hebrew Day School. When she’s not at school, she enjoys running, sewing, knitting, and spending time with her husband and two daughters.
• 

  Paula McAndrew 

  Fifth Grade Teacher

  Bio

  Paula McAndrew, Fifth Grade teacher, joined St. Paul's in 2014. She received her BA in Liberal Arts from San Francisco State University and earned her multiple subject teaching credential with CLAD from the College of Notre Dame. Previously, Paula taught fifth grade in both Venezuela and Brazil, fourth grade at Cathedral School for Boys in San Francisco, and she was the Science Enrichment Teacher for Sequoia Elementary. She loves writing, running, dancing, and spending time with her family. She is the mother of Daniel ’20 and Lukas ‘24.
• 

  Malik McMillian 

  Seventh Grade English Teacher

  Bio

  Malik is an Oakland native and worked at local non profit after school programs and summer camps like Fairyland. Malik joined the St. Paul's Family at the height of the pandemic in 2020, after living and teaching in Los Angeles for the Los Angeles Unified School District. After seeing the twist and turns of distance learning at St. Pauls to the transition of in person learning, Malik has found St. Pauls to be his home. Malik believes that being a Humanities teacher is a tool to educate students, inspire, motivate, help students explore their many identites, find love within themselves and the community around them.
• 

  Debbie Meyer 

  Director of Athletics/ P.E. Teacher

  Bio

  Debbie Meyer, Athletic Director, Middle School P.E. teacher, and cross country, basketball and volleyball coach, joined St. Paul's in 1997. She received her B.S. in English education from Moorhead State University and her M.A. in Education from United States International University. She loves spending time with her sons, Xan and Chaz, and their dog Ruby. When she has time, her interests include reading, home projects and cooking.
• 

  Marianne Miller 

  7th Math/Science & MS Drama Teacher

  Bio

  Marianne Miller, seventh grade science teacher and Middle School drama teacher, joined St. Paul’s in 1992. Ms. Miller received an Master of Arts in history of science from the University of California at Berkeley and a Bachelor of Science in physics and theater arts from Trinity College. Previously, she taught at Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, CT, including one year in London at Morehouse School as a Fulbright exchange teacher. Ms. Miller likes to hike, go to the theater and cinema, read, create books, play the flute, and knit.
• 

  Sahar Miller 

  Performing Arts/Music Kindergarten-Third

  Bio

  Saxophonist Sahar Miller is excited to be back at St. Paul’s as K-4 Performing Arts/Music teacher.  She is a professional saxophonist and vocalist in her own band, “The GroWiser Band.”  After graduating from Barnard College/Columbia University in 2001, she traveled internationally to the Carribean, Central America and Africa. She then joined St. Paul’s as a music teacher in 2002.  She taught for 5 years at SPES before leaving to pursue a career as a fulltime musician.  Now she performs with her band and teaches saxophone and piano privately at her music studio and at St. Paul’s.  She also studied the Kodaly method of music education at Holy Names University. Ms. Miller aims to make lessons enjoyable for each student while also emphasizing the importance of focus and study.
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  Nicole Mills 

  Sixth Grade Humanities Teacher

  Bio

  Nicole Mills, Sixth Grade humanities teacher, joined St. Paul's in 2011. She holds an M.A. in Education from Hunter College, an M.S. in Education from Pace University, and a B.A. in Education and Latin American Studies from Evergreen State College in Washington. She joined St. Paul's in 2011, previously teaching Fifth Grade in Medellin, Colombia and English as a Second Language to students in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade in Bronx, New York. In her free time she can be found hiking, camping, playing games and having dance parties with her familiy.
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  Lark Moore 

  Third Grade Lead Teacher
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  Danislav Nedevski 

  Custodian

  Bio

  Danislav Nedevski, custodian, joined the St. Paul's community in 2002. He first started working in St. Paul's Epsicopal Church and the following year joined St. Paul's School.
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  Hanna Nguyen 

  First Grade Resident Teacher

  Bio

  Hanna Nguyen, First Grade Resident Teacher, joined St. Paul's in 2021. Hanna graduated from California State University East Bay with a BA in Psychology. She previously worked as an After School Instructor through AmeriCorps for the past two years. Hanna is currently obtaining her Teaching Credential and Masters in Education from the Bay Area Teacher Training Institute at Holy Names. She loves traveling, cooking, gardening, and spending time with her partner and cat. 
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  Loa Ortiz 

  Sixth Grade Math Teacher

  Bio

  Loa, Sixth Grade math teacher, joined the St. Paul's community in 2022. She holds a B.S. in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Cal and an M.Ed. and Ph.D. in Science Education from Teachers College. She's been teaching middle school math and science in independent schools for over 15 years. When she's not teaching kids that everyone is a "math person," she's swimming in the bay, biking or hiking in the hills and cooking and eating delicious food with friends and family.
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  Claire Patterson 

  First Grade Lead Teacher

  Bio

  Claire Patterson, First Grade Teacher, joined the St. Paul's family in 2021 after working in a variety of independent schools. Claire has a Montessori teaching credential from CMTE/NY and a B.A. in Fine Arts from University of California, Santa Cruz. Claire has two children and enjoys spending time with her family being in nature, cooking, anything musical and gardening.
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  Derrick Polk 

  K-2 Art Teacher & ASP Staff

  Bio

  Derrick Polk, Art Teacher K-5 grades, joined St. Paul's in 2017; this year will be his sixth year. He taught at Beacon Day School for 12 years before joining the St. Paul's family. Mr. Polk loves the Arts; he has a background in theater, dance, illustration, and more. He enjoys creating his own artwork, and teaching art to young people. He is involved in community outreach and youth based programs across the Bay Area.
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  Michelle Reyes 

  Lead Kindergarten Teacher

  Bio

  Misha Reyes, Lead Kindergarten Teacher, joined the St. Paul's community last year and could not be happier. She has been a teacher for seven years, teaching every grade except for Second and Third, and has finally landed in her "happy place" - Kindergarten! Ms. Reyes was a research biologist at Cal. State University Northridge for eight years before deciding to hang up her lab coat and pursue her lifelong love of working with children. She loves singing, dancing, and bringing her scientist's sense of curiosity to her classroom.
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  María Rincón 

  Second Grade Teacher

  Bio

  María Rincón, second grade lead teacher, joined St. Paul's in 2005 as a first grade lead teacher. Ms. Rincón previously taught at Oakland Montessori School and in the Oakland, San Francisco, and Houston school districts. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame and her BCLAD multiple subject teaching credential from New College of California. She is the mother of Diego ’14 and Gabriela ’15 and enjoys hiking, reading, and running.
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  Niki Rouda 

  Admissions Associate

  Bio

  Niki Rouda, Admissions Associate, joined St. Paul's in 2021. Niki was born in Terhan, Iran. She has lived in France, the East Coast, and Laguna Beach. Prior to joining St. Paul's, she worked at the Aurora School and Berkwood Hedge. During her spare time, Niki enjoys spending time with her family and golden retriever, Olive. Niki loves to garden, cook middle eastern foods (Iranian), and run the lake. Her daughter, Leila, is also a student at St. Paul's. Niki is looking forward to learning and growing in her role as Admissions Associate.
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  Emily Scroggs 

  Fourth Grade Teacher

  Bio

  Emily Scroggs, Fourth Grade Lead Teacher, joined St. Paul’s in 2017. In her time, she has worn many hats including ASP, Second Grade assisstant, First Grade and now Fourth Grade teacher. She graduated from the Bay Area Teacher Training Institute in May 2021 with a Masters of Arts in Education. She enjoys hiking in Redwood Regional Park and listening to podcasts, doing craft projects with friends, and Zoom game nights.
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  Naila Siddique 

  Learning Specialist Kindergarten-Second

  Bio

  Naila Siddique, K-4 Learning Specialist, has been at St. Paul's since 2017. She is passionate about teaching all kids to read. She has a B.A. and M.A. from DePaul and an M.Ed from UC Berkeley. Naila enjoys hiking, cooking, and attending her daughter's soccer games.
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  Nicole Start 

  Director of Operations & Finance

  Bio

  Nicole Start, Director of Finance & Operations, joined St. Paul’s in 2004 as a teacher and then spent nine years as Director of Admissions before moving into the Business Office. She grew up in Oakland and then went east to Williams College for her B.A. She couldn't stay away from the Bay Area, however, so she returned to get her teaching credential from Holy Names University. Ms. Start speaks French (she enjoyed living in Paris for a year), loves hiking in the regional parks, and enjoys reading, sewing, and eating delicious food with friends and family.
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  Ehete Tequame 

  Assistant Business Manager

  Bio

  Ehete Tequame, Assistant Business Manager, holds an accounting degree from Entoto Accounting College in Ethiopia and has been a general accountant since 1999. She joined St. Paul's in 2010. She previously worked in accounting for the Alameda County Medical Center and the Fremont Marriott Hotel. She is the parent of Faven '13 and Natan '19, goes by the name Tutu, and is your go-to person if you have questions about your tuition payments.
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  Cheryl Ting 

  Head of School

  Bio

  Cheryl Ting joined the St. Paul's community as the Head of School in 2020. With nearly 30 years of experience in education, she has worked in three other Bay Area independent schools where she has held the positions of classroom teacher, department chair, dean, admissions director, and assistant head of school. She currently sits on CATDC's Board of Directors and the Boards of Maybeck High School and The Wesley School, and presents extensive workshops on the topics of equity and inclusion, diversity and leadership. She is the mother of two amazing humans, Maia, a musical artist, and Dylan, an undergraduate in the architecture program at Pratt. Cheryl loves to cook, eat, read, do puzzle games, listen to music, exercise, glamp, and hang out with her partner, Cameron, their two fur babies, and extended family and friends.
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  Nicole Toliver 

  Kindergarten Teacher

  Bio

  Nicole Toliver, Lead Kindergarten Teacher, has been a member of the St. Paul's community for eight years. She has been a classroom teacher for over twenty years and parenting two AMAZING children for 18 years. Daughter Pilar, freshman in college and Braylon a St. Paul's graduate who is now a freshman in high school. Nicole has a Bachelor of Science in English and Master of Science in Education.
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  Jaime Vallar 

  Sixth & Eighth Grade Spanish Teacher

  Bio

  Jaime Vallar, Spanish teacher for Sixth and Eighth Grades, joined St. Paul’s in 1988...(yes I'm old!) Sr.Vallar holds a BFA from California College of the Arts and a California teaching credential. Surprisingly he still likes to ride his motorcycles, bbq and eat as many animals that used to have faces. More importantly, with his newly replaced left knee, chase a little white dimpled ball around golf courses throughout the Bay Area because...it ain't over till it's over.
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  Sanjay Vora 

  Art Teacher

  Bio

  Sanjay Vora, Art Teacher, joined St. Paul's in 2005. He holds an M.F.A. in Painting from San Francisco Art Institute and a B.S. in Architecture from University of Virginia. Mr. Vora is a working artist who shows his paintings throughout the United States. His work can be viewed at www.sanjayvora.com. In addition to Mr. Vora's painting practice, he taught painting at UC Berkeley in the Department of Art Practice.
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  Asha Smith-Ward 

  First Grade Lead Teacher

  Bio

  Asha Ward, Lead First Grade Teacher, received a Bachelors in Science from UC Davis in 2016. In 2022, Asha graduated from the Bay Area Teacher Training Institute (BATTI). Asha loves teaching First Grade to share her love for reading, writing, and song. Outside of school, she uses her love for word and song as an active mentor to teens and young adults. At home, Asha cares for her four year-old daughter, Hosanna, and her one year-old son, King Hezekiah. Mrs. Ward loves being part of the joyful and love-filled St. Paul’s community.
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  Chad Waddell 

  Educational Care Coordinator

  Bio

  Chad E. Waddell, Educational Care Coordinator, Fifth-Eighth grades. Chad has been a member of the St. Paul's family since 2014. He has a B.S. in Psychology from the College of Charleston. He believes that we all have magic inside, and is dedicated to bringing out the magic in our students. He enjoys spending time with his family, outdoor adventures, reading classic literature, listening to lectures and traveling. Chad is currently pursueing his certification to become an Educational Therapist.
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  Shay Williams 

  P.E. Teacher

  Bio

  Shay Williams, Physical Education teacher, joined St. Paul's in 2017. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from California State University, East Bay. She's a former collegiate basketball player, and passionate about exploring different activities to stay active. Ms. Williams enjoys stand up paddle boarding, mountain biking and slacklining.
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  Kenton Young 

  Director of Programs, Health & Safety Coordinator

  Bio

  Kenton Young, Director of Programs and Health & Safety Coordinator, joined St. Paul's in 1998. Mr. Young is a graduate of Holy Names University with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies. He also co-directs St. Paul's summer camp and has co-directed Aim High, a summer academic and cultural program, at St. Paul's.