I began teaching K-2nd students in 1999. I've always been a champion for change in the way curriculum is designed and taught. The freedom to develop curriculum based on my students and my own interests drew me to Synergy. Over the years I've developed an interest in bringing environmental studies to my students. I've enjoyed teaching my students about the Earth, its landforms, oceans, and life cycles. Those interests have grown into school garden programs and I look forward to teaching these concepts at Synergy. What I love about teaching is encouraging my students to express what they know, challenging them to think critically about new information, and helping them connect the dots along the way. It's amazing to watch how their minds grow and develop when these connections are made.

I’ve been teaching in After School since 1999, but Synergy has always been a part of my life. I am a proud alumnae! It’s great to come to work every day and feel like a rock star. The students always keep me laughing. This is a wonderful community to be a part of.

I’ve worked full time in Synergy’s office since 1990. I did a few years of part time work in the office before that and was an After School teacher as well. I love helping Synergy families and staff take care of their everyday business.

As an alumnus of Synergy School, I was already familiar and comfortable with the philosophy of the school and knew that I wanted to be apart of such a positive environment. I worked at Synergy Summer before being hired as an After School teacher. I love my job! It’s a remarkable feeling and rewarding experience to be a part of shaping so many creative minds. I am delighted to be a member of the Synergy community and I look forward to continuing my passion for teaching.

I’ve been working at Synergy since 2000. Before that I was a parent at Synergy for many years. Originally, I worked part time in the office and was a long-term substitute teacher. As a teacher with an elementary credential and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education, I had lots of classroom experience. But I was ready for a slightly different experience as an educator. Working in the office is a wonderful job. No two days are ever the same. I can help children and families navigate the journey through the school years. There are other advantages, as well. I’ve been able to develop technical skills well beyond my wildest dreams. I am very thankful that I have landed here as a staff person after so many years as a grateful parent. Synergy is truly a unique community and I am honored to be a part of it.

I began working at Synergy in September 1999. I have taught kindergarten with Rita Franklin my entire time at Synergy. I believe kindergarten is a very unique year in school for children. I really enjoy watching children learn, grow, and become responsible and confident during our time together.

Throughout my career in education, as a classroom teacher, parent educator, school administrator and consultant, my most satisfying contributions occur when I work with children, parents and fellow teachers to recognize, understand and address the diverse ways children learn. I joined the Synergy staff in September 2009 because I recognized the school’s deep commitment to children and families. I am delighted to be a member of the Synergy community.

I am a former journalist who became a stay-at-home mom when my oldest son began kindergarten at Synergy in 2002. Since that time, I’ve been a room parent, classroom volunteer, field trip driver, substitute teacher, and a member of the Synergy Board of Trustees. I also serve as board secretary and a member of the board’s Steering Committee. In 2009, I was hired as an assistant to the administrators. I’ve always felt strongly that the teachers here are dedicated professionals who need to be supported in every way. And I feel honored to be able to do that as part of my work.

I started my teaching career in San Francisco public schools in 1998. In 2004, I came to Synergy School to teach 1st and 2nd grade. It was a change from years of 4th and 5th graders, but I soon grew fond of teaching younger grades. I help to lay the foundation and watch how it is built upon as the children grow up around me. It is a remarkable feeling, and a rewarding experience to be there at the beginning and see success at the end.

I began teaching at Synergy in the kindergarten classroom in 1983; for the last 12 years I’ve taught 7th and 8th grade language arts and Middle School humanities half time. I love teaching middle school students. They’re smart, funny, and so interested in social justice and the world. Working in a teacher cooperative has given me myriad opportunities to grow as a teacher and a person. I just retired from many years as Synergy’s Admissions and Curriculum Director and am greatly enjoying my role mentoring Rita Franklin, our new Director of Admissions and Curriculum.

In fall of 1990 I was introduced to Synergy School through my newly made friend, Sandy Barra. I immediately became enamored with this unique, progressive, cooperative school. Throughout the years, I have held the positions of After School Program Director, a myriad of summer school positions, and for the last ten years P.E. and drama teacher. I now teach drama to every grade in the school. (Love that!) To share my passions with these fantastic children, their families, and my co-workers is indeed delightful.

I began teaching at Synergy in the 1989/90 school year. I have taught all the elementary grades, but am currently happy to be teaching half-time in our 4/5 combination classes with a wonderfully cohesive team. I think one of my favorite things about teaching at Synergy is that we can develop our own curriculum based on our interests and passions. For example, we teach about the internment of the Japanese-Americans as part of California History, and about the Civil Rights Movement for our study of U.S. History. It’s wonderful to have that kind of freedom in my teaching.

In the fall of 2010 I changed administrative roles at Synergy and am now the Director of Finance. Since I have been on the Finance Committee and the Financial Aid Committee for over 20 years, I feel ready to take on this new position. I love learning new things and am excited to be challenging myself.

I’ve been teaching at Synergy since 1998. I have been extremely lucky to learn so much about myself as a teacher from the students and my fellow faculty members. Synergy has really allowed me to create curriculum and allow myself to pass on subjects I am passionate about to my students. I love how Synergy helps children become responsible learners and become very thoughtful about themselves and their actions as they move through the world. I enjoy having courageous conversations with children, and my favorite curriculum areas include science, hands-on math, dinosaurs, and city planning and building.

I have been the Development Director at Synergy since 2007. I am an alumni parent and have been involved with Synergy as a parent and volunteer since 1999. I have helped in the classrooms, been a room parent, worked on the auction, and chaired the Parent Involvement Committee in addition to my current job. Synergy is a vibrant community and rewarding work environment. I love the energy and enthusiasm of the students, parents and my co-workers.

At the old Victorian by Alamo Square I fell in love with Synergy’s intimate, homespun atmosphere. I had been teaching for only a few years and was actively looking for a home. The music program was small but had deep roots; the teaching collective was open to expansion; and I knew that it was the place for me to build a program. I have taught at Synergy since the fall of 1997. Synergy’s truly progressive philosophy and institutional respect for the individual student mirror the Orff Schulwerk musical teaching approach. I consider myself lucky to be here. I direct my own curriculum and have the privilege of collaborating with colleagues in integrated arts. Student performances at Synergy are a perfect expression of the kind of communal joy that is special to a well-made school.

I started teaching at Synergy in 2001. I am the Middle School Physical Education teacher for grades 6 through 8. I also assist in coaching the Synergy basketball teams for both girls and boys Junior Varsity and Varsity Teams. I have been able to see many of the youth grow not only athletically but†also as individuals. Another responsibility I have is to assist the middle school math teacher. My time at Synergy has been pretty remarkable. It is not often you get to work at a place that has such a nurturing environment.

I have been the Spanish teacher here at Synergy School since 2007. I am from Chile where I taught English for 3 years. As you can see, languages are part of my life and I really enjoy teaching them. I am a very passionate teacher. I love what I do for a living and I try every day to inspire my students to learn more and to discover new things. I have many interests such as music and magic, which I always try to include in my classes. A simple card trick or a guitar lesson will always have a positive response from the kids. Synergy is a place in which I have discovered new ways to be a better teacher. Here I get support and help from everybody. We are a big family.

I have been teaching since 1991, at Synergy since 2001, and have always had a strong commitment to progressive education. I love teaching 4th and 5th graders, but I also feel lucky to be at a school where I see kids grow from 5 years old to teen years. The time we spend with our buddy class, the kindergarten, is especially wonderful. It’s such a great example of the kind of relationships that make Synergy. I am passionate about designing curriculum and wouldn’t want to teach without the creative freedom, continuous improvement, and teamwork I experience at Synergy.

I began teaching at Synergy School in 1999 and became Director of Admissions in 2010. I am currently teaching half-time in the Kindergarten classroom along with Carolyn Kruse and Tanya Baker. I most enjoy watching my students grow emotionally, socially and academically. I also enjoy teaching the family unit, where the students are able to share their personal experiences in the classroom.

As Director of Admissions, I look forward to introducing Synergy to the wider community and supporting families through the admission process.

Trained in journalism, photography and IT/Web Development I gladly accepted the role of Synergy’s first Technology Coordinator in 2006. My efforts include planning, deployment and supporting the technology needs of the staff and students to help realize their common goals. With the support of the board, the co-op and the parent technology committee the school is evolving its tech uses with thoughtful purpose.

I’ve also been a proud parent here since 2005. The community continues to amaze me with its dedication to providing a loving, supportive and inclusive place where young minds are inspired to grow.

I have found two things for which I am passionate: playing music and teaching kids. After graduating from college I decided that teaching music was something of a dream job for me. As an alumnus of Synergy school, I was already familiar and comfortable with the philosophy of the school, so it seemed like the perfect fit. And now that I work here, I can say for certain that it is.

I have been teaching at Synergy since 1988/1989. I currently am teaching the 4th and 5th graders and taught 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders at our Grove Street site. Working at Synergy has taught me a huge amount about myself and how the wonderful minds of children work. Being able to laugh with children and my colleagues at work is a gift that I don’t think I could have in any other job.

I’ve been teaching Art at Synergy since 2005. Before that, I taught Art and substituted at various schools in the East Bay. My background is in Art Education and Painting, but I love designing projects that incorporate all types of materials. It’s interesting to see which project a particular student shines in! My goal is to make Art class fun, giving students the freedom to experiment while also helping them learn techniques that build confidence in the visual arts.

In 1999, I began teaching at Synergy as an aide in the 4th and 5th grade classroom. After several other jobs working with young people, I was excited to return to Synergy, where I had gone to elementary school. Since 2003 I have been teaching Middle School math. The Middle School grades are often a time when students become discouraged about math. I did, too, at this age, but then I was inspired by teachers who believed in me. In my teaching, I try to bring that same passion, creativity, and commitment. I try to create a classroom that is supportive of every student’s contribution and is fun, but also challenging. In my class, math learning is a journey, and every day is another day to work hard at foundational knowledge and to push forward into new territories. I enjoy watching students grow and overcome their fears about their mathematical abilities.

I walked through the doors of Synergy in 1978 and instantly knew I had found a progressive school that epitomized my teaching philosophy. In over 30 years at Synergy, I have taught all ages and developed curriculum for all subjects. Since 1999, I have been teaching Middle School humanities and 6th grade language arts. I also love taking kids backpacking, to the snow and to Farm School.

The cooperative structure has me taking on new challenges, including becoming Synergy’s first Administrative Director in 1989. I held this half-time position until the Fall of 2010 and continue to be a member of the Development and Finance Committees as well as the Board Steering Committee.

At Synergy, my creativity as a teacher has been nurtured and I have been encouraged to learn and stretch into new territory as a leader and professional educator. I consider it a gift to be a part of such a stimulating, supportive, joyful and socially just educational community.

I started teaching at Synergy in 2001, and became the Director of Administration in 2010. I teach half-time in the kindergarten classroom. I love teaching this age group because the kids are so enthusiastic about life and learning. Each new concept and skill that the kids acquire is like adding a block to his or her foundation. I am also very interested in brain development and how children learn. Teaching at Synergy allows me the opportunity to use multi-sensory instruction to help all kids learn and grow.

As Director of Administration, I look forward to strengthening Synergy’s role as a leader in progressive education. This position also allows me to develop and maintain relationships with all the families from Kindergarten through high school placement.

I first came to Synergy as a parent in the fall of 2003. There was a wonderfully vibrant and positive energy that first attracted me to the school. In the past, I have taught 4th and 5th grade and since 2008, 2nd and 3rd grade here at Synergy. What I like most about teaching is being a part of each student’s learning experience and helping them grow within that.

I have been teaching Middle School science, art/computer electives, and advisory since 2002. I love teaching science because it is exciting to explore how the natural world works through observation, experimentation and self-discovery. Middle School students are eager and curious, and they are not afraid to get their hands dirty. I enjoy hearing the “oohs,” and “aahs,” from seeing science in action. I am inspired by my students and co-workers at Synergy, and I appreciate their enthusiasm, silliness, and insight.