Meet the Faculty + Staff « Faculty + Staff

Roz is new to Live Oak as the Assistant Head of School this year, 2011. She has worked at several schools in the Bay Area and Phoenix, including Crystal Springs Uplands School, where she is an alum. She received her undergraduate degree in International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania and a Masters in Secondary Education from San Francisco State University. When she is not at Live Oak, she is busy with her ten-year-old daughter and four-year-old son. She enjoys photography and scrapbooking, watching baseball and listening to music.   

Scott MacBean received an undergraduate degree in History from Princeton University, and an MBA in Corporate Finance from the Wharton School. He has been the CFO of several small companies and has managed both commercial and residential real estate. Scott and his wife, Janet, have three children and two grandchildren. They are avid golfers and fitness advocates.   

Tracey Gersten earned her BA in Political Philosophy at the James Madison College of Michigan State University, immediately followed by a law degree at rival school the University of Michigan. After practicing law in San Francisco for several years, she earned a MA in Counseling Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies and received her MFT license. Tracey has worked as a counselor in public and private schools for 12 years prior to coming to Live Oak. When not at work, she tries to keep up with her son (a lower schooler at Live Oak). Tracey is a big fan of surfing, music of the 60s and 70s, and cooking shows.    

Sam joined Live Oak as the Dean of Student Life in 2007. Sam is drawn to the school's deep commitment to guiding students in their development of lifelong interpersonal skills, and the concept of what it means to be a citizen of modern society. Before joining Live Oak, Sam worked at Prospect Sierra School in El Cerrito as the middle school Admissions Coordinator and Dean of Students. Sam received his BA in Public Policy from Syracuse University and an MA in School Leadership from the Klingenstein Center at Columbia. In his free time he enjoys riding his bike, hiking, camping, listening to reggae and bluegrass, and enjoying just about anything else outdoors.    

Terry comes to Live Oak School via Raphael House, a family shelter in San Francisco, where she was the Director of Development. Prior to Raphael House, Terry worked for a decade at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation as their Associate Director of Development. She has many years of independent school fundraising having chaired oodles of campaigns for her daughter's school. She lives in the North Bay with her husband, Chris. and two young children, Taylor and Glenn. Terry swims for the Marin Pirates Masters, enjoys knitting, cooking and eating, hanging with her friends and listening to music quite loudly during her commute into the city.  

John Berliner studied Computer Science and Literature at Columbia University, and received a Master's degree in English Literature from Yale University in 1988. He played in many unsuccessful avant-punk rock bands, often opening for other artists who would go on to become rich and famous, while working as an independent software developer and IT consultant for 16 years. John joined the Live Oak staff in 2004. His two children, Cole and Sasha, are graduates of Live Oak. John enjoys yoga, surfing, the whole tone scale, and existential horror films.    

Elena Valencia started her journey at Live Oak in 1994 and has worked in many capacities: as Extended Care teacher, First and Second Grade Assistant, and as the Director of the Summer Oaks, Roots & Branches, and Extended Care programs since 2003. Elena holds an Associate Degree in photography from San Francisco City College and a certificate in Early Childhood Education. She has been a guest speaker at City College, sharing her expertise on after-school programs. Her daughter Sierra is a Live Oak graduate.   

Nitza Agam earned her Bachelor's Degree in English Literature from Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She also holds two Master's degrees from San Francisco State: an MA in English Literature, and an MA in Comparative Literature (Holocaust Poetry).

Nitza has over 20 years of teaching experience. Most recently, she taught Eighth Grade English at St. Joseph’s of the Sacred Heart School in Atherton. She is a published writer and poet.  

Holly Berg earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Early Childhood and Family Relations from East Carolina University, and completed her Masters of Education in Literacy at Cambridge College. Holly has been teaching since 1997 in Maryland and San Francisco and has been a member of the Live Oak community since 2002. She has also participated in numerous workshops to support the work in her classroom, some of which include several intensive Differentiated Instruction Workshops, the annual National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference and the White Privilege Conference.    

Liz Caffrey earned her bachelor's degree in physics from the University of Pennsylvania. Liz began teaching in 2000 and taught at two Bay Area high schools for five years. In 2003, she received a fellowship to participate in the Klingenstein Summer Institute for Early Career Teachers. Liz has also attended the summer institute of Project Zero: Teaching for Understanding through Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is committed to teaching mathematics in a classroom of heterogeneous learners and creating a curriculum in which each child connects with mathematics through real-life, hands-on experiences. Liz coaches the Live Oak Cross Country team in the fall season. In her free time, Liz enjoys yoga, running, backpacking, puzzles, and knitting. She also loves to travel; she spent a year in Asia in 2004.    

Damian Canny grew up in Connecticut, where he was an all-state high school athlete. He discovered what would become a lifelong passion for surfing while completing his master's degree at Humboldt State University in Northern California. Damian has been instrumental in growing Live Oak's physical education and athletics programs over the past six years. Prior to joining Live Oak, Damian taught physical education at schools in Connecticut, Palos Verdes and Oakland.   

Malika Carter graduated from Carleton College in Minnesota in 1996 with a B.A. in Political Science. She spent her twenties teaching in independent schools in California and Arizona, staffing President Clinton and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and working for high tech in Colorado. Malika received her California credential in 2003 from Mills College. She spent three years teaching fourth grade in San Leandro before joining the Live Oak faculty in 2005. After teaching fourth grade for 4 years, Malika has moved to the position of seventh grade humanities teacher. In her spare time Malika enjoys running, swimming, yoga, snowboarding, camping, reading and writing. Malika has participated in professional development opportunities such as Project Zero, Lucy Calkins Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University, the GDS Collaborative, Write Traits, Project Motivate and Family Math training.   

Mary Ann Chin Ng earned her bachelor's degree from San Francisco State University where she went on to further her understanding of the learning needs of children by completing her master's degree in Special Education. She holds credentials in Elementary and Special Education and holds a Certificate in Educational Therapy from San Francisco State. She is a regular attendee at Association of Educational Therapy and International Dyslexia Association conferences and workshops. Mary Ann has also attended Mel Levine's "School's Attuned" teacher training program and is a participant in the Bay Area Teacher Development Collaborative's Teacher-Leader Program. Away from school, Mary Ann enjoys traveling knitting, beading, and working on arts and crafts projects. Mary Ann started working at Live Oak School in 1978 as the Third and Fourth Grade teacher. She has been the school's full-time learning specialist since it moved to the Mariposa campus in 2001.   

Pierre Clark is from Oakland, California, and earned his Bachelor's degree in psychology from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. While at Morehouse, Pierre had the opportunity to study abroad at Oxford University, where he studied philosophy and child development. During his time in undergraduate studies, he also had the opportunity to TA in a 5th grade class at Fickett Elementary for two years. In his free time, Pierre enjoys spending time with family, traveling, reading, and being outdoors.   

Camilo Coelho was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He obtained a bachelor's degree in Spanish from the University of Buenos Aires and an ESL teaching diploma from Instituto Lenguas Vivas. He has lived in the Bay Area for the past eight years, where he has taught Spanish, and coordinated sports and academic intervention programs for bilingual elementary school students. He has travel extensively throughout South and Central America, the western United States, French Polynesia and Spain. Camilo's passion for learning and appreciation for native languages and cultures has allowed him to make many friends, play countless soccer games and surf some beautiful breaks. Camilo is currently coaching a competitive U10 boys soccer team at Mill Valley Soccer Club.   

Beth Foote received her Bachelor of Science in Education as a Fine Arts major at Kent State University. She has undertaken continuing coursework in the fine arts including illustration, portraiture, printmaking and ceramics. She has taught summer programs at the Randall Junior Museum, Museum of Children's Art in Oakland, and at the Town School for Boys. She has taught art at Strawberry Point School in Mill Valley and at Woodside International High School in San Francisco. She has been teaching at Live Oak since 1995.   

Max's approach to science and math instruction is hands on with an emphasis on building conceptual understanding and problem solving abilities. He is adept at using his students' individual development as a compass to guide his lesson planning. Max is passionate about social and environmental responsibility, academic rigor, equity and social justice. He is furthering his pursuit of this educational philosophy via a Master of Arts program in Equity and Social Justice in Education at San Francisco State University. Aside from being a teacher, Max enjoys hiking with his dog, traveling, skateboarding, spending time with friends and family, and Giants baseball.   

Johnny received a BA in East Asian Studies from Haverford College, and completed an MA in Curriculum and Teacher Education at Stanford University. He began teaching in San Jose as a Teach for America Corps Member in 2000, and has also taught in San Francisco and Santa Clara. Though Johnny has taught at many different grade levels, his greatest joy comes from teaching first graders to read. When he is not teaching or entertaining his 2-year-old son, Tristan, Johnny enjoys reading (of course), baking, traveling, knitting, crocheting, quilting, and the occasional video game.    

Rachel received her BA from Harvard University before becoming a credentialed teacher and professional musician. She has held teaching posts in Phoenix, Berkeley, New York, and San Francisco, and conducted music workshops nationwide while touring around the country as a performing singer-songwriter. During the five years before joining the faculty at Live Oak, Rachel was based in Manhattan where she enjoyed the adventures of a resident artist and traveling troubadour. Now as the K-8 music teacher, Rachel gets to lead students on their own adventures in active music-making, while incorporating songcraft and performance skills into the curriculum. Rachel has completed Levels 1 and 2 of at the San Francisco Orff Institute and Level I at the Kodaly Summer Institute at HNU in Oakland. When she is not playing music, she is playing house with her partner and their bouncing baby boy.    

Arleigh began working with children when she volunteered as a reading tutor in college. Since then she has taught English language learners in Rabat, Morocco, and has worked with students in grades k-6 at public, charter and independent schools. She has taught in the Mississippi Delta (as a Teach For America Corps Member), southern Vermont, and the Caribbean Island of Dominica. Just before arriving at Live Oak she taught first and second grade at an independent school in New York City. She has a BA from the University of Chicago in Political Science, an MA from the School for International Training in Sustainable Development and an MS from the Bank Street College of Education in Childhood Education and Teaching Literacy. Arleigh is originally from western Massachusetts and, when not teaching, she enjoys weaving, reading, traveling and spending time outdoors.   

Liza always wanted to be a teacher and pursued her dreams by earning her credential and Masters degree from Mills College. Twelve years later, Liza continues to appreciate the thoughtful and relevant education she received at Mills. For many years Liza was a lower school teacher, teaching second grade in SFUSD followed by a five-year stint as a third grade teacher at Redwood Day School in Oakland. Liza came to Live Oak in 2007 and made the leap into middle school. Time away from school is spent with her two-year old son Devin and 95-pound mutt, Elsie.   

Naomi earned a Bachelor of Science degree in International Agricultural Development and a Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential from UC Davis where she pursued field studies in Panama and guided young scholars at the university’s Children’s Garden. Naomi taught for five years on the Peninsula before joining Live Oak in 2009. Professional development has included Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Project Zero, Math Workshops at Dana Hall, and a variety of courses on literacy instruction. Naomi enjoys biking, reading, and having picnics with family and friends.   

Jessica earned both her BS in Foods and Nutrition and BEd with a Specialization in International Education from the University of Prince Edward Island in Atlantic Canada. Upon graduating, she pursued her dream of traveling and taught in the public schools in London, England as well as international private schools in both Kenya and Kuwait. Jessica moved to San Francisco in the fall of 2010 and spent the year as a substitute teacher at Live Oak School and other Independent schools in San Francisco. When she is not teaching, Jessica loves traveling, the outdoors, reading and learning new things.   

Kendall Jones grew up in Texas before coming to California to become a teacher. She studied Psychology and Art at Pitzer College in Claremont before getting her Teaching Credential at USF. She spent 10 years teaching Kindergarten and Middle School in Daly City public schools, received a Master's of Arts in Teaching from the College of Notre Dame and then took some time off to have 3 kids (who all attend Live Oak). She enjoys anything artsy, reading, music, yoga and going on adventures with her boys. If she had any free time she would spend it on a beach doing as little as possible.   

Phil grew up in New Mexico and earned his bachelor's degree in biology from New Mexico Tech. He then moved to the Midwest and spent just under 5 years working at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago developing curriculum for elementary, middle, and high school groups as well as working on exhibit development. In 2007, Phil began teaching high school biology and chemistry at a private boarding school in Northwest Indiana. While there, he coached a general physical fitness program as well as the school's Science Olympiad team. In his free time, he likes to build sailboats, sail sailboats, hike, mountain bike, and play guitar.   

Marnie Kislinger earned her BA from Colgate University in Spanish and in Latin American Studies. She taught Spanish and Physical Education at Blue Oak School, an independent school in Napa, CA, as well as serving as the Administrative Coordinator there. A deep-rooted curiosity about science and medicine led her back to school to complete a post-baccalaureate pre-medical program at Scripps College and then head off to medical school at Northwestern University. But it was her passion for teaching and education that led her to cut her medical school tenure short and return to the classroom, and she is thrilled to be teaching Science and Math at Live Oak School this year.    

Joe likes rock climbing, dirt bike camping, and crocheting god's eyes from recycled yarn. He has an awesome Ouija Board collection that he hopes to put on Ebay someday. He also dreams of one day adopting a pet dog, which he plans to name Fritzi. Joe is a lifelong marathon runner and once got work as an extra on the set of the film "Matrix Reloaded."   

Nick's first forays into the world of education were as two years on the JET Program where he taught English classes in Uchita, Japan for all the children from first to ninth grade in the town's public schools. After returning to the U.S. and his hometown of Denver, CO, he earned his teaching credential and a Masters' Degree in Educational Psychology. Since then, Nick has taught kindergarten, first, second and third grade in independent schools in Denver and Boulder, CO. This summer, Nick relocated to San Francisco and is extremely excited to be continuing his teaching career at Live Oak. Outside of school, you can find Nick zipping around the city on his bicycle, sampling obscure fruit at the mercados in the Mission or buying cacti for yet another succulent garden.   

John first came to Live Oak as an aftercare teacher in 1978. He completed his B.A. in History at University of San Francisco and received his California Teaching Credential from San Francisco State University. He taught preschool at Pacific Primary for three years before moving back to Live Oak. He taught 5th grade for a year and has been the kindergarten teacher since 1985. John has given workshops on Diversity and Families at the California Association of Independent Schools Northern California Conference. He has also given workshops at the California Kindergarten Conference on Thematic Units and Diversity. Since 1995 he has been a member of the faculty of the Retreat for Beginning Teachers. This group, through CAIS, mentors new teachers in a two-day workshop focusing on the unique experience of teaching in independent schools.   

Robyn Miyagawa-Sue earned her bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley in English, with a minor in Education. She worked for several years in a San Francisco public school developing and managing a year-round enrichment program with the YMCA for under privileged children. Robyn later returned to school to earn her MA in Community-Based Programming from San Francisco State University, followed by her teaching credential through the BATTI program. She spent a year in Los Angeles teaching fourth grade at a progressive independent school, but is excited to return to Live Oak in the fall. Robyn enjoys exploring dog parks and beaches with her cute, but naughty dog Abbey, reading on her Kindle, and cooking with her husband.    

Though she always knew she'd one day become a teacher, Carla took a circuitous route getting there. She earned her B.A. in Art at U.C. Santa Barbara, studied for a year in Wales, worked in Creative Services at Williams-Sonoma, and eventually developed a great first career – for the past 15 years, she's been a freelance Art Director for such retailers as Pottery Barn, West Elm and Restoration Hardware. But it was her love for children which has finally put her on the path to teaching; this is her second year in BATTI's credential program. Outside of school, she loves thrift-store and flea-market shopping; sets a mean table [but doesn't cook]; and is passionate about old radio programs from the 40's.    

Bree Murray earned her bachelors degree from Scripps College with a double major in Mathematics and Classical Studies. Later, she obtained her teaching certificate from Seattle Pacific University. She taught middle school in Washington State before moving to the Bay Area. For the past three years Bree has taught high school math at both public and independent schools in and around San Francisco. In both 2007 and 2008 Bree attended the Park City Math Institute, and she continues to seek out new ways to learn from fellow math teachers from around the world. Bree enjoys reading great books, creative writing, and travelling both near to home and to far off places, such as Thailand and New Zealand.    

Karen Olson graduated from UC Davis in 1999 with a B.S in Human Development. She graduated from San Francisco State in 2001 with a M.A. and credentials in Early Childhood and Mild/Moderate Special Education. Karen's first full year teaching was a preschool Special Day Class in the East Bay for 3-5 year olds on the Autistic Spectrum. She then taught for 6 years as a Resource Specialist in San Bruno working with students K-6th grade. She came to Live Oak last fall as the 6th grade learning specialist, and this year her role has expanded to serve the whole middle school. When she's away from school Karen enjoys spending time with family and friends, pilates, volleyball, reading, exploring new places, and being outdoors.    

Daniel grew up in sunny San Diego before moving to the Bay Area to study music. He holds a B.A. in music from Sonoma State University and also studied at the Jazz school of William Paterson University in New Jersey. In 2008, he received his teaching credential at San Francisco State University. Daniel is also a singer/songwriter who loves to record and perform his own music. In his spare time, he loves to ride his bike, compose some tunes, and get creative in the kitchen with some close friends who are courageous enough to try his finished products.   

Emma Peat graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in Ethnic Studies. After living in Washington, DC for a few years, she returned to UC Berkeley and earned a MA in education, along with a teaching credential. She has worked at Live Oak since 2003, and is committed to bringing diverse perspectives to the curriculum. She is involved in supporting and implementing school-wide diversity initiatives, working with both the staff and the board. Outside of school, Emma enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and traveling.   

Leah joined the Live Oak community in 2009 after teaching middle school Spanish for five years at Town School for Boys in San Francisco and Princeton Day School in Princeton, New Jersey. In the two years she spent as a Teaching Assistant in the Lower School at Live Oak, she learned more about teaching at the elementary level and grew immensely as an educator. In addition to teaching, Leah serves on the board of trustees. Leah lived in the Bay Area until she was nine, but spent formative years in the Northeast before moving back here in 2006. The way she sees it, that makes her both a transplant and a native San Franciscan! In her spare time, Leah works on her novel, practices qi gong, bakes loaves of whole wheat bread, and just hangs out at home with her partner, Noelle.   

Kathy Taylor earned her bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and Health Sciences at York University, Canada before moving to England to earn her classroom teaching credential at the University of Oxford with a specialization in physical education. Kathy began her teaching career in Kuwait in 1998 and lived in France for a year before moving to the Bay Area. She has worked as a teacher ever since. During high school and college, Kathy competed as a figure skater at the regional and national levels with her ice dance partner. She enjoys music, photography, cycling, hiking, travel and speaking French.   

Stephanie Temple has run the drama department at Live Oak for almost ten years.

Ms. Temple is a director, choreographer, and playwright, having created over twenty original children’s plays and adaptations, including The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, The Princess and the Pea and Aladdin. She has taught theatre and dance at CSU Stanislaus, Merced College, Young Artists Conservatory, PCPA Theatrefest and currently runs the teen drama program at the New Conservatory Theatre Center. Her favorite lessons with the kids are paper bag costume-making, anything involving theatre history and the annual Halloween make-up sessions.   

Emily grew up on the Peninsula and received her BA in Anthropology from UC Santa Cruz. After college she decided to pursue an educator's path through an internship with 826 Valencia in the Mission, three years of assistant teaching at Menlo Park's Peninsula School, and countless hours of after-school drum lessons. She is currently in her first year of BATTI's credential program. When she's not working or going to school, Emily waters her extensive collection of plants, finds any way possible to bike not drive, travels to exciting lands both near and far, and has been known to play drums in surf bands.   

Jennie is in the process of earning her teaching credential through the BATTI program at San Francisco State University. She has loved working with children throughout her life and knew her path to becoming a teacher was sure after working as a teaching assistant at Park Day School for two years. She has a lovely two-legged cat named Michael and loves the outdoors, libraries and reading, travel and friends..   

Scott Wilber has been the Middle School Visual Arts teacher at Live Oak School since 1996. Scott has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in Visual Communications from the University of Oklahoma. Scott's professional development includes SF School-Art Conference, Palo Alto - Mosaic Instruction, Bentley School - For Art Teachers, and Project Zero San Francisco. In addition to his work at Live Oak, Scott is a professional freelance illustrator working for such clients as Target, Disney and Town Square Graphics. He also does set design for New Conservatory Theatre, and is a professional muralist and furniture designer. Scott's canvas paintings have been shown in various San Francisco galleries and shows. In his "spare" time, Scott enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, and frequenting flea markets and dumpsters in search of materials for his artwork and school projects.   

Prior to joining Live Oak as a Spanish teacher, Ellison taught French and Spanish at SMEDS (San Mateo) for ten years. He is a veteran language teacher who has taught in five different countries: Cameroon, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Mexico, and the USA. He is fluent in several languages and was a communications trainer for the US Peace Corps in West Africa where he taught four languages. He has a Diploma in Andragogy and a MA in Teaching from the School for International Training. He is a certified ACTFL tester, freelance translator and has presented at CLTA and CAIS conferences. Ellison served as a linguist in the Military Intelligence Unit of the US Army for five years. His interestes include research in Second Language Acquisition and mixed martial arts.   

Jenny Andrus returned to Live Oak as the school librarian in 2007. Both of her children graduated from Live Oak (Nick in 2002 and Sasha in 1997), and she was a member of the Live Oak Board when the school purchased the Mariposa site. Before attending library school, Jenny worked as a freelance editor/writer. In her spare time, Jenny enjoys reading (of course!), taking walks, and spending time with her family.   

Hayley decided to become a librarian in 2005 and is now working in three libraries: Live Oak School, the Naturalist Center in the California Academy of Sciences, and Mill Valley Public Library. She moved from London to San Francisco in 1997 with her Welsh husband and they now have two American children who can also speak like Mary Poppins when required. In her spare time, Hayley enjoys reading children’s books, hanging out with her family and being outside.   

A parent of two Live Oak students, Stace brings a lifelong passion for computing and technology to his duties as Tech Manager and Web Developer. Born and raised in San Francisco, Stace graduated from SF State University with a degree in Journalism. He spent the next 13 years in TV news, covering local issues as well as national and international events like the Tiananmen Square uprising, the Loma Prieta Earthquake, and presidential primaries. He then jumped to the dot-com world, producing a number of programs about computing and the then-fledgling internet (text ONLY web pages!). After volunteering at the school for a number of years, Stace was hired in 2006.   

Nancy grew up in Saint Louis, Missouri and moved to the Bay Area in 1967. She attended Mills College. She has been at Live Oak for fourteen years, where she has worked in administration. Her daughter graduated from Live Oak in 1998.   

Keith Hodge hails from Fresno, California, and is an alumnus of San Francisco State University. Keith has worked in property management for ten years. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and young daughter and listening to music. His iTunes library numbers more than 40,000 songs.   

Ruby, a San Francisco native, holds an Associate Degree from City College. She worked at Esprit for many years, and most recently was employed as Student Advisor and Site Coordinator of the after-school program at Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy. She has two children, enjoys movies, good food and movies, and has a pet tarantula.   

Mikayla Marquis is a happy San Francisco transplant from Brooklyn, New York. She received her BA from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY in Critical Writing and Film Studies. She is beginning her fifth school year at Live Oak, where she helps to facilitate On Common Ground, Live Oak's Students-of-Color group. She loves to cook and travel. She is happily married to her husband, Oliver, with no children. mikayla_marquis@liveoaksf.org.   

Kendra joined Live Oak in August of this year as Assistant to the Head of School. She was a freelance photographer for 17 years before coming to Live Oak, also working for the San Francisco Unified School District as a special needs paraprofessional. Kendra earned her BA degree from Chico State University in 1983. She lives in a very loud house with her two teenage children, a dog and a cat.   

Alla worked for over 25 years at Brandeis Hillel School in San Francisco as a Substitute Coordinator and office staff member. She has also worked in the school library and accounting departments, and has taken many accounting courses. Her favorite hobbies include reading mysteries and crime novels, and watching Master Chef. She has two grown sons.   

Akima received a bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Community Design from the University of San Francisco and had the opportunity to study in both San Francisco and Budapest, Hungary. She is an architectural designer, photographer, visual artist and educator based out of Oakland, CA. In the past, she has taught both math and architecture classes to middle school students and has coached boys' basketball. She believes that she has a nostalgic feeling for film photography and architectural drawings and prefers using her film camera, drafting by hand, creating her own stencils and learning old methods of painting and printmaking. Her most recent works, made solely from recycled materials, aim to explore various art mediums such as mixed media, painting, stenciling, and printmaking techniques.

Wil Dionisio is from Daly City, California, and earned his Bachelor's degree in liberal studies from San Francisco State University. While at SFSU, Wil volunteered at B.O.R.P in the adaptive cycling program, leading youth cycle rides along Aquatic Park. He also volunteered at the Boys and Girls club. Then he realized how important and rewarding working with youths could be. Sometime in the near future Wil hopes to earn his teaching credential. In his free time, Wil enjoys rooting for all the Bay Area sports teams, attending live concerts, and traveling.

Growing up in San Juan Bautista, Dorothy says, "enrichment was fed to me like menudo in our household." While most kids were absorbed with video games and hip-hop fads, Dorothy had a steady diet of politics, current events and activist theater with a Latino slant. Dorothy is part of a four-generation family of actors, poets and musicians in a bilingual theater troupe. She continues to stay active in theater as a costume designer, scene and production coordinator and manages a political performing collective. Dorothy moved to San Francisco to finish a degree in Fashion design and to work with various theater groups. She has worked with extended study programs in SFUSD in addition to working with organizations such as the Mission YMCA of SF as program director for ExCEL ASP, and the Randall Museum summer camps. In her spare time she likes to go on family trips, listen to music, see live theater, and play tennis.

Sharon has worked in education for many years, starting as a first grade and third grade teacher in Atlanta, GA. After moving to San Francisco in the early 90's she began working at The San Francisco Day School as an assistant in first grade. From there she went on to direct the extended care program at Live Oak, back when it was on Diamond Street in the Castro. Sharon also has a Cosmetology license and works as a part-time hairstylist. Sharon returned to Live Oak in 2008, teaching bookmaking and sewing classes in Roots and Branches. She is thrilled to be working with kids and getting to know the families at Live Oak once again. In her spare time she likes to travel and be creative.

Thy Phan moved up to San Francisco from Orange County in fall 2010. She is now starting her second year at San Francisco State University. She is the first of her family to move out of Southern California for college. Thy is majoring in Child & Adolescent Development with a concentration in Early Childhood Education and School Aged Children. Thy has known since she was seven years old that she wanted to work with children as a career. In her free time she enjoys working out and spending time with her family. This is Thy’s first year working at Live Oak School and she is very excited to be a part of the Live Oak community as an Extended Care staff member.

Born and raised in San Francisco, Robbie Smiley has come to appreciate how lucky he is to have grown up in such a wonderful city. He recently graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Kinesiology and plans to become a Physical Education teacher someday. He has been teaching tennis privately and for the Summer Oaks program for the last three years, and thoroughly enjoys it. He has a real estate license and works with his sister Maya, who has been a strong positive influence throughout his life. He is also currently teaching exercise class twice a week at the Richmond Senior Center.