BPC Faculty and Staff 2007-08

Lower School Teaching Staff - Head Teachers:

Sue Bechtel moves from Fifth Grade Head teacher to Second Grade Head teacher this year. Ms. Bechtel also serves as Deputy Head of Lower School. She graduated cum laude with a B.S. in Elementary Education from Miami University of Ohio. She later received a Master's Degree with honors from San Francisco State University, where, for her thesis, she created and directed an Early Childhood Education Program for a parent co-operative in El Cerrito. Her teaching career includes two years in Melbourne, Australia, three years in a rural New Hampshire town, where she was a researcher for a federal grant, vice-president of the local chapter of the National Education Association, school representative to the regional staff development committee, and served on the school committee to revise the language arts curriculum. After moving to San Francisco, she taught for one year at the Kittredge School and for three years at the Katherine Delmar Burke School, where she chaired the lower school math curriculum committee. She is the mother of two boys in college, both graduates of BPC. Mrs. Bechtel joined the BPC staff in September 1990.

Yolanda Ferguson is the First Grade Head teacher. She received her BA in Liberal Studies and California Professional Multiple Subject Credential from Cal State at Chico. She began her teaching career in 1987, teaching both 1st and 2nd grade as a bilingual teacher in both the Oakland and the Los Angeles Unified School Districts over a period of six years. She was also an Itinerant Aide for Special Education students at Chico for five years, during which time she also taught English as a Foreign Language in the Adult International Students program at Cal State University in Chico. Before working at BPC, she worked as Program Assistant for the Jewish Coalition for Literacy, helping to organize and facilitate their tutoring programs all over the Bay Area. She is fluent in Spanish and provides enrichment for her students in the Spanish language as well as aspects of Latino culture. Ms. Ferguson joined BPC in 2001.

Nicole Fitzhugh is the Fourth Grade Head teacher. A graduate of U.C. Berkeley with a B.A. in English, Nicole earned her Basic Multiple Subject Credential from the University of San Francisco. Prior to coming to BPC, she taught for five years in classrooms ranging from 1st-4th grade at Stuart Hall for Boys, Live Oak School, Notre Dame des Victoires, Convent of the Sacred Heart in San Francisco, and at Osaka International School in Japan. Among her other accomplishments, Nicole has a diploma in Anglo-Irish Literature, which she received at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. Ms. Fitzhugh joined BPC in 1998. She will be on maternity leave until January 2007.

Romina Hurst, our former Third Grade Head teacher moves to Kindergarten this year. Mrs. Hurst served as a full-time aide in first grade at BPC for four years before receiving her Multi-Subject Credential from Holy Names University. She received her B.A. in Liberal Studies with a minor in children's theater and dance from Cal State Hayward. She was a teacher's assistant for three years at Calvary Christian School in Alameda in K, first, fourth and fifth grades and also taught at the Treehouse Preschool & Kindergarten in Oakland for two years. She has had training in both early childhood development and in theater and creative dance for children. Besides teaching, dancing is her passion in life and she's an active performer in various East Bay community theaters. She's also a choreographer for children's musical theater. Mrs. Hurst and her husband welcomed thier first child, Ezra, into the world. He will be a year old this fall. Ms. Hurst joined the BPC faculty in 2000.

Tim Ogburn joins us as the Fifth Grade Head Teacher this year. Tim graduated from the University of Colorado with a B.A. in English and History. Mr. Ogburn received his M.A. in Education from the University of Colorado. In 2006-2007 Tim Taught Advanced Placement History at Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco. Prior to that, Tim served as BPC's Upper School Head and Upper School History Teacher, beginning his BPC tenure in 1999. Tim has also taught 7th-8th grade at St. Leo the Great School in Oakland and spent 6 years at Bridgemont High School, where he also served as Director of Student Relations and Athletic Director. In one of his more adventurous periods, Mr. Ogburn spent the summer of 1996 in Nebaj, Guatemala, where he worked with the Ixil Indians. We are delighted to have Tim, Mr. O, joining the Lower School staff this year as our Fifth Grade Teacher.

Gretchen Treuting: joins us this year as the K-8 Math Specialist. Ms. Treuting earned her B.A. and Teaching Credential in Mathematics at Mills College in Oakland. She has taught math to elementary, middle and high school students. In addition, Gretchen spent two years as a math specialist for Project SEED, a math enrichment program based on the Socratic method, which allows students to discover math concepts for themselves. Before entering education, she was a graphic designer. She is currently in the educational therapy program at Holy Names University.

Talia Smith moves from Fourth Grade to Third Grade Head teacher this year. Ms. Smith grew up in Philadelphia. In 2002, she earned a B.A. in International Politics and Spanish from Emory University in Atlanta and, shortly after, she moved to the Bay Area. In 2003, she earned her Multiple Subject Credential from St. Mary's College in Moraga. For the past two years, Talia has taught at Brookfield Elementary in Oakland in both second and third grade. She currently lives in San Francisco, enjoys reading and traveling, and loves spending the weekends running, skiing, and hiking. Ms. Smith joined the BPC faculty in 2006.

Lower School Specialist Teachers and Teacher Assistants

Kim Buckingham is in her fourth year at BPC and second year as a full-time teacher's assistant in Kindergarten. Ms. Buckingham graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.A. in Fine Art. Her interests in early childhood education and the arts have taken her on a number of exciting adventures. She taught arts and crafts in an English day camp in Queretaro, Mexico, assisted a Waldorf first grade classroom in Christchurch, New Zealand, and taught clowning in a summer program for talented and gifted children in Eugene, Oregon. She brings her interests in art, dancing, singing, and cooking to the Kindergarten class.

Barbara Banez is our 3rd and 4th grade Assistant. Ms. Banez, parent of a recently graduated BPC student, has been an assistant teacher as well as art teacher in grades K-4 at St. Theresa School in Oakland for the past 5 years. She will split her time between 3rd & 4th grades as the assistant teacher.

Michael Feferman is the Lower School physical education teacher. Mr. Feferman received his B.A. in Physical Education from the Belorussian University of Sports Education. In Belarus, he worked as a camp supervisor and coach for the Belorussian Sports Camp and served as Senior Wrestling Coach for the Belorussian Olympic School for Youth. Since coming to America, he worked for the YMCA in Oakland as a soccer coach and was an assistant coach at the Golden Gate Wrestling Club. He served for 4 years as P.E. teacher and Head Soccer Coach (K-12) in the Poplar Bluff Public School District, Missouri. Mr. Feferman joined BPC in 2000.

Madeleine King teaches Music for grades K-3 and presently serves as Music Coordinator for BPC's music program. Ms. King has 18 years of teaching experience, having taught Music and Art for Berkeley Montessori Pre- and Elementary Schools and Music for Garden Day, Hearts Leap and Heart of a Child preschools. Ms. King received her B.A. in fine arts and education from University of Indiana, where she gained a teaching certificate in K-12 art education. In addition to teaching music, Ms. King is also a performing singer/songwriter and released her first CD. Playing both guitar and mandolin, she has performed at numerous venues in the Bay Area. Madeleine joined the BPC music staff in 1997.

Catalina Lacy teaches Spanish for grades 5-8. She is originally from Mexico, where she acquired her elementary teaching credential and taught in several language schools. She is co-founder of a Spanish Language School in Cuernavaca, where she helped to develop the school's language program and instructor's manual. There she taught Spanish to students from American colleges as well as to groups of diplomats from embassies based in Mexico. Once a year, she leads a group from BPC's Upper School on a two-week language immersion trip to Mexico. She has taught Spanish to children of all ages at several schools in the Bay Area. Señora Lacy joined the BPC faculty in 1990.

Maria Palmer is the Art teacher for the Lower School, and co-coordinator of BPC's Annual Spring Art Fair. Ms. Palmer received her B.A. in English Literature and her Elementary Teaching Credential at U.C. Berkeley, completed all coursework for the MA in Design at U.C. Berkeley, and has studied painting at the California College of Arts and Crafts and Ceramics at Mills College. Prior to coming to BPC, Ms. Palmer taught 6th grade at Franklin Elementary and Altadena School. An artist in her own right, Ms. Palmer's accomplishments include designing invitations for the 1973 Grammy Awards! Ms. Palmer joined the BPC faculty in 1994.

Menna Stern is technology coordinator for BPC and tech teacher K-5. Ms. Stern received her B.A. in Liberal Studies from Holy Names College, after doing undergraduate studies at both Michigan State and U.C., Berkeley. She has taught extensively in computers, communications technologies and multimedia development. She served as Technology Mentor for BASTEC, was On Site Technology Coach for the Oakland Unified School District for 10 years and undergraduate computer science Instructor at Holy Names University. Most recently she served for 6 years as Site Technologist and teacher for grades K-8 at Arts Magnet in Oakland and as teacher and technology coordinator for 9 years for grades K-8 at Hillcrest School. Menna is an avid gardner and amateur bird watcher. She enjoys writing poetry, designing web pages, and relaxing with her husband and two grown sons. Menna joined the BPC faculty in 2000.

Megan Luahu Wood Megan Lehua Wood joined BPC this year as the 4th Grade Assistant and Lower School Science Specialist. Megan completed her undergraduate work at Brown in Geophysics in 2003 and is currently completing her teaching credential through San Francisco State. She has worked as a field biologist and naturalist for the Headlands Institute in Marin and most recently as a Second Grade assistant at the Hamlin School in San Francisco. Megan grew up in the East Bay and is elated to be joining the BPC family!

Cheryl Zoerheide returned to BPC in 2005 as a Lower and Upper School Spanish Teacher. Before rejoining the BPC staff, Ms. Zoerheide taught middle school Spanish in Maine. She honed her language skills while living in Peru. In her previous three-year career at BPC, she served as librarian, Upper School Athletic Director, a classroom aide, Girl's Basketball Coach and Coach of the Volley Ball Team. Ms. Zoerheide, received her BS in Communication Disorders, with a minor in Spanish and Linguistics from the University of New Hampshire. Before coming to BPC she worked as a volunteer Literacy Advocate with the Seacoast Reads Literacy Program and as a Best of America participant, directing discussions on social issues with students in junior-high classrooms. She also gave presentations on Spain's history and language to first-graders and intensively studied child development and language acquisition throughout college.

Lower School Teacher Assistants

Christopher Medeiros joined the BPC staff in 2003 as a daycare provider. This year he will also be an assistant in the Lower School. He has been a children's program aide and recreation leader for summer programs and before and after school programs for nine years. He is also the playground supervisor and a teacher's aide in the West Contra Costa Unified School District. He is pursuing his Bachelor's degree.

Mary Ann Opet is serving as the temporary Head Teacher for third grade while the permanent head teacher (Romina Hurst) is on maternity leave. Mary Ann is a fully qualified teacher with more than 20 years of teaching experience in the classroom. Thirteen of these years have been with BPC as an assistant in Kindergarten. Her teaching career has spanned Kindergarten through third grade having taught in Maryland, Hawaii, and California. She received her BS degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Social Studies from College Misericordia in Dallas, Pennsylvania.

Rebekah Werth is the full-time first grade Teacher's Aide. She received her B.A. in Literature with a Creative Writing Concentration from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her studies included a year abroad at the University of Cordoba and the University of Juan Carlos III in Madrid, Spain. Her experience includes serving as a Counselor for the Mills College Summer Arts Program for elementary and middle school children, and the After School Activity Leader at Redwood Day School. Ms. Werth joined the BPC staff in 2004.

BPC Upper School Teaching Staff:

Christine Chun is the Upper School English teacher for the seventh and eighth grades. She is the coordinator for the literary magazine and a sponsor for the Multicultural Student Association. After receiving her B.A. in English and certification in secondary education at the University of Maryland, Ms. Chun entered the doctorate program of the English department at U.C. Berkeley and received her M.A. in 2004. She has spent summers teaching writing for the Academic Talent and Development Program (a summer enrichment program for dedicated students) through U.C. Berkeley's Education department. She has also enjoyed instructing young people in arts, crafts, and ceramics. One of Ms. Chun's favorite hobbies includes watching films. Ms. Chun joined the BPC staff in 2004.

Kieren Dutcher teaches Art to grades 5-8. She has taught art at the Bentley School, East Bay School of the Arts, and Berkeley Arts Magnet School. She has a BFA in Design from the California College of Arts and Crafts and a teaching credential from San Francisco State University. Ms. Dutcher joined the BPC staff in 1997.

Rebecca Greco Head of Upper School and History Teacher (Please see the "BPC Administration & Support Staff" Page.)

Anatoliy Gulimovskiy teaches Math and Physics at the Upper School and coaches BPC's championship Math Club. Mr. Gulimovskiy was Senior Math Teacher for 10 years at Vinnitsa University and Vice Principal for nine years at Vinnitsa High School in the Ukraine. Overall, Mr. Gulimovskiy has 27 years experience teaching Junior High Math in the U.S., the Ukraine, and in Zambia, where he was Head of Kambule Secondary School's Math Department. He has an M.S. in Mathematics with a minor in Physics from Vinnitsa State Pedagogical University and has completed his requirements for a doctorate. He is assisted by his wife, Zina, who also holds a degree in Math. Mr. Gulimovskiy joined the BPC faculty in 1996.

Catalina Lacy teaches Spanish to grades 5-8. She is originally from Mexico, where she acquired her elementary teaching credential and taught in several language schools. She is co-founder of a Spanish Language School in Cuernavaca, where she helped to develop the school's language program and instructor's manual. There she taught Spanish to students from American colleges as well as to groups of diplomats from embassies based in Mexico. Once a year, she leads a group from BPC's Upper School on a two- week language immersion trip to Mexico. She has taught Spanish to children of all ages at several schools in the Bay Area. Señora Lacy joined the BPC faculty in 1990.

Andra Marziano is the Upper School Drama teacher. Until 1999, when she became head of the Upper School drama program, Ms. Marziano had been with BPC for seven years as Extended Day Director and after-school Drama teacher for grades 2-5. She received her B.A. in Political Science from U.C., Berkeley, and while attending the University she worked with several youth theater organizations for children of ages 5-17. She is a nationally certified personal trainer and worked at U.C. with intercollegiate athletic teams and individual clients. Ms. Marziano joined the BPC faculty in 1994.

Kathleen McNulty joins us this year as the Upper School Librarian. A native of Toronto, Canada, Kathleen received her B.A. in English and History from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. She received both her M.A. in English and her M.L.S. from the University of Toronto. SheÕs worked in Book Publishing for many years and is a librarian at Chabot Elementary School in Oakland. We are excited to have her joining Sharon Taylor as an additional librarian. Kathleen has a daughter entering her 8th grade at BPC this year.

Alyson Mitchell joins us this year as the seventh grade world history teacher and advisor. After receiving her Multiple Subject teaching credential from California State University at Chico, Alyson worked for eight years as a teacher in the Cambrian School District in San Jose. During her last two years at Cambrian, she served on special assignment as a literacy and math coach and mentor teacher. Alyson joins us after a four year hiatus living in Tokyo. During her time in Japan, Alyson earned a Peace Education Certificate from Columbia University. Alyson received her BS in Human Development from the University of California at Davis.

Christine Mytko joins us this year as both the 6 - 8 technology teacher and the K - 4 science specialist. Christine has a B.S. in the Teaching of Biology from the University of Illinois, and a M.S. in Advanced Education with a focus in science and technology from Northwestern University. After a year of teaching High School science, she moved to Middle School, where she happily taught science and dabbled in technology projects for 8 more years. During that time, she spent summers as a site director at an arts day camp for grades K - 5. In her free time, she enjoys music and performing improvisational comedy, which she often finds to be rather similar to teaching adolescents.

Nico Pemantle Communications Teacher and Upper School Counselor (Please see the "BPC Administration & Support Staff" Page.)

Rebecca Schaferkotter is the Upper School Physical Education teacher. Ms. Schaferkotter has a balanced background in athletics, movement, and dance. She graduated from California State University, Chico, with a BA in Dance Education. She has also studied Movement at CSU, San Francisco, specializing in Feldenkrais and Pilates. Prior to joining the BPC staff, Ms. Schaferkotter taught dance classes at CSU and to home-schooled students in Butte County School District in Chico. Rebecca joined BPC in 2004 as an after-school teacher and guest PE teacher with a focus on Dance.

Barbara Stebbins began teaching science at BPC in 1996. She received her B.A. in humanities from U.C. Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology, also from U.C. Berkeley with graduate work in the area of developmental biology. She has held postdoctoral positions at U.C.S.F. where she investigated the interaction of a cell protein with an HIV protein, and at U.C. Berkeley working on the mechanisms of a caterpillar virus. Before entering research science, Ms. Stebbins taught at Magic Mountain Middle School in Berkeley for six years.

Cheryl Sumsion is the full-time music teacher for 4th - 8th grade. She also conducts Cantiamo (the middle school chorus) and the Lower School Chorus. Ms. Sumsion received her Bachelor of Education from the University of Western Ontario in Junior/Intermediate Vocal Music and her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Waterloo in Honors Music/Personality and Religious Studies. Her graduate work includes baroque vocal technique and performance practice as well as work in vocal pedagogy and the science of voice production. For seven years she taught many 6-8th grade subjects in Toronto with a special emphasis on Vocal Music and Drama. While there, she conducted an award-winning Chamber Choir and directed three musicals with over 100 students performing in each. As a soprano, Cheryl has sung on eleven commercial CD releases of choral and children's music, and has performed in 15 musicals. She has also performed throughout England during three Cathedral Choir Tours, performed and recorded with the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir in Toronto, and has sung with other professional choirs in Canada. Since she moved to California in 2002, she has been thrilled to be the soprano soloist in the Redwood Empire Sing-a-long Messiah and is excited to now be performing frequently with the American Bach Soloists. Ms. Sumsion joined the BPC faculty in 2003.

Megan Lehua Wood who joined us as the Lower School science specialist moves to Upper School as the 6th Grade Science teacher. In addition, Megan will teach science to the Fifth Grade. Megan completed her undergraduate work at Brown in Geophysics in 2003 and is currently completing her teaching credential through San Francisco State. She has worked as a field biologist and naturalist for the Headlands Institute in Marin and most recently as a Second Grade assistant at the Hamlin School in San Francisco. Megan, who grew up in the East Bay, joined BPC in 2006.

Cheryl Zoerheide returned to BPC in 2005 as a Lower and Upper School Spanish Teacher. Before rejoining the BPC staff, Ms. Zoerheide taught middle school Spanish in Maine. She honed her language skills while living in Peru. In her previous three-year career at BPC, she served as librarian, Upper School Athletic Director, a classroom aide, Girl's Basketball Coach and Coach of the Volley Ball Team. Ms. Zoerheide, received her BS in Communication Disorders, with a minor in Spanish and Linguistics from the University of New Hampshire. Before coming to BPC she worked as a volunteer Literacy Advocate with the Seacoast Reads Literacy Program and as a Best of America participant, directing discussions on social issues with students in junior-high classrooms. She also gave presentations on Spain's history and language to first-graders and intensively studied child development and language acquisition throughout college.

BPC Administrative and Support Staff:

John Carlstroem is the Director of BPC. Mr. Carlstroem has more than twenty years of experience in a variety of education environments, most recently as the Assistant Head of School and Middle School Head of the Hamlin School in San Francisco. Mr. Carlstroem has consulted with the National Park Service, East Bay Regional Parks, The San Francisco Education Fund, The Moore Foundation, and others on the subjects of teacher training, curricular design, and management in the environmental and education sectors. He served as Director of Education and Outreach, and later Executive Director for the Headlands Institute, as well as Executive Vice President for Yosemite National Institute, and Chair of the Board for Save the Bay. He remains deeply committed to environmental causes. Mr. Carlstroem's educational background includes a BA in Marine Biology from the University of California at Santa Cruz, and a Masters of Non-profit Administration from the University of San Francisco. He lives with his wife, Natasha, and daughter, Marina, in El Cerrito. Mr. Carlstroem joined BPC in 2005.

Frances Kandl, co-founder of the school in 1967, is presently Director of the Black Pine Curriculum Institute and administrative consultant to the School. Creator of BPC's Music Program, Ms. Kandl received a B.A. in English and, later, in Music from U.C. Berkeley. She studied music in Los Angeles, Berekely and Paris, where she attended the Sorbonne. She did her graduate work in Music Education in the Masters program at Holy Names College in Oakland. She created the Music Arts Workshops in Berkeley and was co-founder of the Arts & Sciences Workshops for children. Ms. Kandl taught music at all grade levels at BPC, created the special instrumental and choral program, and later became Director of Music for BPC. She served for 22 years as Assistant Director for the school until 1995 when she served for several years as Director. Ms. Kandl is author of Cantabile, a theory and sight-singing book based on the Kodaly method. She has also written a full-length musical, Myoptika, which made its debut in Berkeley in 1996. Her compositions also include a collection of rounds and canons based on English and American proverbs called Musical Maxims, and a series of 4-part choral works based on Hungarian Gypsy songs. She has recently produced a CD, 7 Songs of WomenÕs Lives, performed by the Crones Kwartet, which is included in the book Aging Artfully by Amy Gorman and used in the documentary Still Kicking directed by Greg Young.

Laura Wolff is the Assistant Director and Head of Lower School. Before becoming the Head of Lower School, she taught second and third grade at BPC. Her 25-year career in education includes five years as third grade teacher at Bentley and five years at The Academy, where she was also Dean of the Lower School. She also served as Principal of Camelot School (K-6) in Castro Valley. Ms. Wolff graduated from U.C. Berkeley in English Literature, with a minor in History, and received her teaching credential after working at the preschool level as Head of the Oakland branch of the Claremont Day Nursery. She completed her Masters of Education at Holy Names University in Oakland. Ms. Wolff also organizes and often teaches in BPC's Summer Day Camp. A fourth generation Californian, she lives in Oakland with her husband, Steve, who is a partner at Pacific Coast Brewing Company. Ms. Wolff joined the BPC staff in 1990.

Rebecca Greco is the Upper School Head and History Teacher. Rebecca Greco grew up in Wisconsin and has a BA in English from Bryn Mawr College and a Master's degree in Secondary Education from the University of Pennsylvania. She worked as an Outward Bound instructor and a public High School teacher before moving to the Bay Area and teaching Humanities for seven years at The San Francisco Day School, where she also served as the Dean of Students. She reads, gardens, and goes backpacking whenever she can. Ms. Greco joins BPC this year.

Vera Houdek-Benes is the Business Manager. She grew up in Berkeley where she received her B.A., and went on to do graduate work in History. Her extensive background in Finance and Business Administration began with her position as staff accountant at the original Berkeley Repertory Theater. Her long stint there ended when she took a position as Public Accountant at a firm in San Francisco where her clients ranged from diverse art organizations to schools, as well as individual artists. Her experience in Academic Business Administration began with Sierra School (now Prospect-Sierra School), where she served as Business Manager, after which she went on to become Accountant for the East Bay Waldorf School. Both of her sons graduated from BPC, where she has worked as Business Manager since 1996.

Menna Stern is the BPC technology coordinator, Webmaster and tech teacher for K-5. Ms. Stern received her B.A. in Liberal Studies from Holy Names College, after doing undergraduate studies at both Michigan State and U.C., Berkeley. She has taught extensively in computers, communications technologies and multimedia development. She served as Technology Mentor for The Bay Area Science and Technology Education Collaboration, (BASTEC), was On-Site Technology Coach for the Oakland Unified School District for 10 years and undergraduate computer science Instructor at Holy Names University. Most recently she served for 6 years as Site Technologist and teacher for grades K-8 at Arts Magnet in Oakland and as teacher and technology coordinator for 9 years for grades K-8 at Hillcrest School. Menna joined the BPC faculty in 2000.

Faye-Lynn Wu is Administrative Head and Admissions Coordinator for the Upper School. Ms. Wu has a B.A. in Mass Communications from Fu Jen University in Taiwan and an M.S. in Education, Curriculum, and Instruction from Southern Illinois University. She taught ESL in Taiwan and trained ESL teachers at various language schools in Taiwan. After completing her graduate work, she worked for a couple of non-profit organizations: Art, Research & Curriculum in Oakland and the Educational Guidance Center in Berkeley where she worked as an administrative assistant and college advisor to assist low-income and second generation students in gaining admission to college. Ms Wu joined the BPC staff in 1993.

Paula Eidson joined the BPC administrative support staff in January 2000. This year, Paula will begin working more specifically on our publications, fundraising and communications. She's also doing course work in education, and will be team teaching in the Upper School History Program. Paula has two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Environmental Studies and Economics from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Prior to coming to BPC, she taught English as a Foreign Language in Taiwan and worked in Washington, D.C., for a public interest group promoting renewable energy alternatives to utilities and Congress members. In her spare time she plays flute and practices her photography.

Lucy Morris joined BPC as the Office Manager for the Lower School in October 2000. She has a B.A. in English and a minor in dance from the University of New Hampshire. Upon graduation she studied African dance in Boston and developed a private practice in Shiatsu. She moved to California in 1993 and worked in a homeopathic pharmacy in Marin. She has continued her studies in alternative healing, movement and music.

Sonam Gonsar joined BPC in 2001 as the Upper School Receptionist. Born and raised in the foothills of the Himalayas in India, Ms. Gonsar moved to California in 1992 as part of the 1,000 Tibetans Resettlement Project. She completed her BA in English with Honors in India and taught ESL for a year. Before coming to BPC, she worked as an Instructional Aid at Hillcrest School. Ms. Gonsar is a sports fan enjoying field hockey, soccer, volleyball, and badminton. She also enjoys reading, collecting stamps, knitting, and reading to children.

Nico Pemantle, M.A., P.P.S., begins his 12th year of teaching at BPC, and his 3rd year as the school's Counselor. Nico received his Master's Degree in Counseling, and his K-12 School Counseling credential, at St. Mary's College, where he currently teaches one class in the teacher credential program and conducts "continuing education" workshops for teachers. Nico's outside experience as a school Counselor includes individual and group counseling support for students at Cornell Elementary School in Albany, and individual counseling support for students at King Middle School in Berkeley. Prior to teaching, Nico's career was in radio broadcasting. He trained high school students in broadcast journalism as Producer for Youth News, a nationally syndicated teen news magazine, and for nine years he was the play-by-play voice for professional baseball games within the Oakland A's organization.

Meg Jay joins BPC's staff this year as a part-time consultant whose psychotherapy experience includes seven years of clinical work with children and families in U.C. Berkeley's Psychology Clinic and Institute of Human Development. Meg's primary role at BPC is to consult with Lower School teachers, administrators, and families as an additional support system when needs arise.

Greta B. Wong Greta B. Wong is the Executive Assistant to Head of School. She has a BA in Economics and French from Hartwick College. Prior to BPC, Greta was employed in the advertising and retail industries. She was a Senior Account Executive for a pharmaceutical advertising company in San Francisco, and she was an Account Executive at a direct mail advertising agency in Boston. In addition, she worked in the merchandising departments at Smith & Hawkin and Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Greta is the mother of two children, one of whom is a student at BPC.

Valerie Fuller joins the BPC staff this year as the Lower School Receptionist and Administrative Support. Ms. Fuller moved to the Bay Area from New York City around 21 years ago. She received her Bachelors Degree from San Francisco State University in Speech and Communications Studies and has a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. She is happily married to Michael Fuller, a High School English teacher and the step-mother to three wonderful children who are attending various colleges. Most of her work career has been in the non-profit world and has in some way involved children. She coached her youngest daughter's soccer team for several years and was an active volunteer participant in other sports and many school activities. She loves children and being part of a community and is excited to be joining us here at Black Pine Circle School.

Michael Bannister is the Director of BPC's Extended Day Program. He received his B.S. in Education and Teaching Credential from Southeast Missouri State University, and an M.A. in Education from Webster University in St. Louis. His teaching experience has included instruction in literature and writing at both the junior and senior high school levels. He moved to California in 1999 and joined the Extended Day staff of BPC that fall. He has been enjoying the beaches of the west coast, is an aficionado of museums, film, and the many varieties of cuisine that the Bay Area has to offer.

John Herbert has been BPC's Facility Manager since 1995. He is a graduate of U.C. Berkeley. He is an avid collector of Baudelaire first editions, an expert on Turkoman rugs, a talented guitar player and avant guard composer. He is also the proud father of Robin, a BPC graduate.

Liza Malm joined the BPC staff in 1997 as BPC's Gardener. Through a grant she developed and directed the "Trashology" program (recycling and waste management). She also leads lessons in ecology and botany for both Upper and Lower Schools. She was born and raised in Sweden, received a degree in Business at Olofstrom, Sweden, then moved to London to study for her Cambridge Proficiency. After coming to America in 1970 she attended City College and later received a BFA in Photography from the California College of Arts & Crafts. She has volunteered as Docent for the U.C. Botanical Garden since 1996 and teaches a class in photography at Studio One in Oakland. Among her many hobbies and careers, one more must be noted: that of raising a daughter.

Sharon Taylor, our Head Librarian, joined BPC in 2006. She is currently studying for her Master of Library and Information Science degree at San Jose State University and has many years of experience working in the Library at Hillcrest School, Oakland. After completing her Bachelors degree in Economics and Philosophy from U.C. Davis, Sharon worked for two years as a contracts and grants administrator, then ten years as a computer system administrator in the EECS Department at U.C. Berkeley. Sharon loves reading (of course!), walking, having tea, listening to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and spending time with her family and friends.

BPC Vocal and Instrumental Music Staff:

Rem Djemilev leads the BPC advanced orchestra at BPC. Originally from Russia, Mr. Djemilev has had a distinguished professional career in the Bay Area as well as his native country. He received his BA at the Music College of Moscow Conservatory and his Master's at the Conservatory of Music, also in Moscow. Before moving to the Bay Area, Mr. Djemilev performed for 12 years with the Moscow Symphony Orchestra and 17 years with the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra. He currently performs with the California Symphony Orchestra and The Arlekin String Quartet. Mr. Djemilev also teaches at The Crowden School and The Marin Academy. Mr. Djemilev joined the BPC staff in 2002

John Schott leads the mixed ensemble/band.

Rachel Durling teaches beginning and intermediate violin and is the conductor for our Lower School orchestra. Ms. Durling grew up in Berkeley and studied violin with Anne Crowden. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from Mannes College of Music in New York City and her M.A. from Stanford University. Since returning to the Bay Area in 1985 she has played professionally with many groups, including the Santa Rosa Symphony, California Symphony, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, the Bay Area Jazz Composers Orchestra, and the Cuban Danzon group "Orguesta La Moderna Tradicion". In addition to her work at BPC, she teaches at the Crowden School, gives private lessons and enjoys a successful concert schedule with her group "Baguette Quartette." Ms. Durling joined the BPC Music staff in 1992.

Pauline Metzgar teaches violin and cello at BPC. Ms. Metzgar was a music major at UC Berkeley before accepting a full scholarship to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She received her Bachelor of Music from the Conservatory and studied viola with Paul Hersh and Isadore Tinkleman. She has played in numerous professional orchestras and toured Europe with Leonard Bernstein and Christoph Eshenbach. She frequently plays with the California Symphony, Santa Rosa Symphony, the Napa Valley Symphony, and the Garden String Quartet. She has a full studio of violin and viola students. Ms. Metzgar joined the BPC music staff in 2003.

Dina Weinshelbaum received her B.A. in Music from U.C. Berkeley, where she also teaches cello in the Young Musicians Program. She has taught at the Crowden School and worked with beginning cellists at Malcolm X School. Besides teaching cello, she has performed with local orchestras and ensembles, among which are the California Symphony, Oakland Chamber Orchestra, Modesto Symphony and the Samaria String Quartet, a group she helped form and has continued to play with for the past 12 years. This group has given concerts and played for special events such as the California Shakespeare Festival, KKHI promotions and various social and festive occasions. Ms. Weinshelbaum joined the BPC music staff in 1996.