Meet the Specialists MP&MS Fall 2022
Preschool-3rd
Ellen Abrams ~ Library
Some of my fondest early memories as a young child were my weekly visits to the public library with my mom, and bringing home piles of books to read. I loved the smell of the library, the feel of the card catalog (yes, I’m getting old), the magic of getting lost in a good book, and the fact that the books were free for anyone. It’s no wonder that I became a librarian. I adore this school, and started my journey at MP&MS 23 years ago as a classroom teacher in both sixth and third grade before transitioning into the library. Early literacy is exciting for me and I enjoy incorporating my theatrical background and passion for mindfulness into my storytimes and library lessons. When I’m not at school or buried in a good book, you can find me hiking the beautiful trails in Marin County, trying out new recipes, and traveling to new places whenever I can.
4th-6th
Nora Bailetti ~ Spanish
I was born and raised in Argentina surrounded by a family of teachers. As a child, I often played being an educator, teaching my imaginary students a very complicated, pretend foreign language. Although I first became a Physical Education teacher, my passion for languages, especially my native Spanish, and the opportunity to teach in a classroom, changed my life forever.
I love being around kids and finding ways to make learning Spanish fun and engaging. This is my nineteenth year at MP&MS, and In my classes, students are reached at their own capacity and I really try to utilize methods that best accommodate their individualities. The openness to express my creativity here at school, and the warmth the community demonstrates, has made a life-changing impact.
7th-8th
Sara Bender ~ Spanish
¡Saludos! I was born in Mexico City and raised by American parents who had a passion for Mexico and all its beauty. Even though we came to the United States when I was five years old, the culture and language were always a huge part of my life. I remember laying in bed, trying to remember the colorful homes, the delicious meals, and the kindness of the people, marking every day off on the calendar that led me to going back. I travelled to Mexico every summer and accompanied my mom to many events at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington DC, where she worked. When it was time to go to college, I opted to study in Mexico and lived there for almost three years, soaking up every bit of life as possible. Those were the most exciting and educational years of my life, so it was a tough decision to return to the US to complete my studies.
As I continued my education, I knew I loved Spanish and the culture, and also loved working with kids, so becoming a Spanish teacher was the perfect career choice for me. For me, teaching Spanish is not just about showing my students the rules of the language, but also instilling in them the beauty of travel and appreciation for people who are different from us. I want my students to understand how unbelievably cool it is to speak another language and have the ability to communicate with people around the world.
All School
Kate Brubaker ~ School Counselor
I am a graduate of MP&MS! Then, after a decade of living on the east coast for college, and a career in marketing and advertising in Los Angeles, I moved back to San Francisco and finally, returned to Marin. My husband Sean, our children, Jack (3rd grade) and Zoe (preschool), can typically be found at the beach, on a hike, discussing the ins and outs of Pokemon, or dancing to the Frozen soundtrack for the 375th time.
This is my fifth year as school counselor at MP&MS. I love working with kids because they are authentic, hopeful, and oh so unique. My goal is to help create and support resilient, compassionate, well-rounded students/humans. At MP&MS, I lean on collaboration with parents, teachers and staff. Using a “whole child” lens, I provide every student that walks through my door with an individualized plan tailored to that child. I work with students one on one, in small groups, and love doing whole class work. I look forward to partnering with you and your family.
Preschool-4th
John Cunningham ~ Music
I’ve performed live on stage from the time I could stand, having been born into a large musical family who performed live musical variety shows annually at the Russian River for over 20 years. I sing and play guitar, ukulele, and bass, as well as a bit of piano and drums. My passion for music is as strong today as when my journey began.
From the time I was young, I wanted to teach music to children, to help inspire young students and to help children reach their full musical and creative potential. In my music classroom, I strive to create a fun, safe and creative environment where students can explore music through song, dance, music games, percussion instruments, xylophones, and more. Every child’s music journey is unique and I’m thrilled for the opportunity to be a part of each one.
K-6th
Ferenc Dobronyi ~ Projects Lab
When I was growing up, there was a man in my neighborhood named Jack Kasper. Jack was a truck mechanic in the desert, and a humble veteran of World War II. He was a handyman who could fix anything and the father of two daughters, a few years older than me, who could also fix anything. He let me use real tools when I showed curiosity about the noisy goings-on in his garage and yard. When I was a kid, Jack taught me carpentry, and when I was a teenager we rebuilt engines and I built a dune buggy. The one thing I never learned from Jack was patience, but when I became a patient man, I realized that was his lesson all along - the patience to understand the mysterious workings of machines, and the patience to fix them; the patience to dream and design my ideas, and the patience to follow through with the build.
As I work with your children, I think of Jack Kasper everyday. The Projects Lab isn't about every kid building an identical birdhouse. It's about the students gaining confidence with the tools, and learning to choose the right one to solve a problem. It's about developing fine motor skills and recognizing quality craftsmanship. Projects Lab is about nurturing creativity, designing ideas and making them real, and fixing the “failures”, a word we don't shy away from.
We'd like your children to grow into confident, capable innovators who can solve their own problems, help others with empathy, and understand and help solve the world's problems. I'd also like their experience to be so much fun, they don't even know they are getting an education.
Middle School
Lindsey Dwyer ~ Physical Education
Growing up I was naturally a very high energy kid who preferred to always be moving. As an elementary student, I enjoyed leading activities including an after school sports club and backyard summer camp. In middle school, I became my own coach and trained for a (secret) half marathon. I initially didn't tell my parents in fear they wouldn't want me to run that far but soon came to the realization I was not old enough to drive myself to the startline. As I advanced in age, the adventures continued with multi-day backpacking trips, white water kayaking trips in different states, and summiting glacier covered mountains. Hiking, climbing, paddling, and caving are a few of the many different ways I get outside and have fun with my family. I love it all and have realized that being active includes much more than just traditional sports and exercise..
I provide my students the opportunity to experience the joy of movement through sports and games. Whether students want to play sports, do martial arts, or go for a bike ride, I encourage them to embrace a positive mindset around being active. I also aim to motivate and inspire them to live a healthy lifestyle through various daily activities and adventures just like my parents were able to teach me.
Preschool, 7th-8th
Joey Higuera ~ Spanish
¡Hola! As a first-generation immigrant, with parents from South and Central America, sharing the love I have for language and my culture has become one of my many passions. I was born and raised in Southern California but have lived in the Bay Area long enough to call it home. I have been in education for sixteen years. I am going on my third year teaching Spanish and on my fifth year teaching at MP&MS.
New this year, I am serving as DEIJ Coordinator and look forward to incorporating this work into my day to day life at school.
I love teaching Spanish and I try to bring my culture into the classroom as much as possible. I love to learn about cultural differences and traditions, and strive to weave those elements into my teaching. Learning a new language is intimidating and I do my best to make students feel safe while encouraging them to take risks and believe in themselves. I consider myself an advocate for all children. When not on campus you can find me playing soccer, pokemon or video games with my 8 year old son Ozzy or shooting hoops and talking about music with my 14 year old daughter
Navah. Gracias y ¡Hasta luego!
4th-8th
Margot Holtzman ~ Library
I will never forget the feeling of being in the school library as a young girl. My librarian, Mrs. Noguchi, would patiently show me how to fold origami and tell me stories of her childhood in Japan. It was like being enveloped in a warm hug. The books were my connection to other worlds and opened up a world of possibilities for me.
It doesn’t surprise me that I ended up as a librarian at Marin Primary & Middle School. I started here 23 years ago as a parent. My three children attended MP&MS, classes of '07, '10, '13, and while they were here, I was involved in the Friends of the Library Committee reigniting my passion for reading and books. As a former teacher of English as a Second Language, I knew that books had the power to change people’s lives through literacy and offered them hope and a place that they could see themselves. Being a librarian gives me the opportunity to share stories and offer the children of MP&MS that warm hug.
All School
Paul Maes ~ Art
I've been teaching art here at MP&MS for over 25 years. I've been an artist for a lot longer than that, since I was in primary school at least. When I was young, I drew all kinds of weird monsters and things that made me laugh. Now that I am grown, I mostly draw weird monsters and things that make me laugh. I love collaborating with other artists, and lucky for me, every single one of my students is an artist. I am always inspired by the amazing things they make in the studio. One of my class mottos is, "IF YOU MAKE ART YOU ARE AN ARTIST."
It's as simple as that! You don't have to make a certain kind of art, in any particular way, or to please anyone but yourself; you just have to keep creating things. The more art you make, the more you find out how you, as a singular individual, experience the world. Wow! That's deep. But wait, there's more! Looking at each other's art allows us to start to understand how similar and how unique we all are — and how beautiful that is. It's a complex web of a universe and we are all essential pieces of the design. Art lets you see that in yourself and in everyone around you. That kind of understanding is what our world needs more of now and in the future. To quote Bay Area art teacher and artist Wendy MacNaughton, "Everything is better when we draw together!"
3rd-8th
Katie McGee ~ Drama
I enjoy sharing stories and inspiring students to tell their own. My direction and teaching encourages students to strengthen their awareness, communication skills, creative initiative, and sense of community. My project based curriculum is guided by student interest and founded in a belief that students deserve space to express themselves and take risks. I have taught a wide variety of theatre based courses such as acting technique, playwriting, costuming, film, and improvisation. Outside of MP&MS, I enjoy making commissioned puppets, hiking around Marin, and spending time with family.
K-2nd
Tarryn McGregor ~ Drama
Living in Singapore, I discovered an affinity for drama through the theatre company 'Evolve Arts'. I was originally an exhibiting Fine Artist, but soon discovered a flair for the dramatic. My colleagues at Evolve Arts helped shape me into the thespian I am today. After cutting my teeth in their yearly, traditional, budget-theatre rendition of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show', I realised I found a calling. I am bold, loud, expressive, kind, and compassionate. I have a deep sense of responsibility to look after our environment and help all creatures thrive. I like to view our world from the perspective of an intergalactic explorer, with constant fascination and appreciation for the beauty of our planet and the humans that inhabit it.
I hope to help students tap into their creativity and personal form of expression. I want to help them discover methods to understand their world, each other and themselves, to communicate effectively and connect with empathy.
Barn/Zoo - 4th
Matt Penwell ~ Physical Education
I grew up in Fairfax at a time when everyone knew one another, the town only had a couple of stop signs, and Sir Francis Drake Blvd. was a two lane road. I was afforded a fair amount of freedom early on, and I used my Red Schwinn cruiser bike to explore the far reaches of town. My mother, keenly aware of her six-year-old’s desire to be active and outdoors, registered me for youth soccer on a team called “Pezan’s Flower Gallery”.
Arriving at my first practice, I received a bright green uniform with a picture of a flower bouquet on the front. I remember putting on my uniform, walking onto the field, and chasing after my first ball. I was hooked, and from that moment on, I began to live and breathe soccer. Even after becoming a multi-sport athlete, and also discovering mountain biking, surfing and distance running, soccer remains my number one. I played soccer at the collegiate level, and continue playing and coaching soccer to this day.
I’ve been a part of the MP&MS community since the mid 1990’s. I love helping young people learn about the benefits of exercise - building strong bodies, having fun, and working together! Children receive great satisfaction discovering and participating in a physical activity they enjoy. I work with passion, and take pride in teaching and modeling the philosophy of “Life-Long Fitness”, positively supporting my students through their journey of finding an enjoyable physical activity, so they are more likely to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout their lifetime.
Primary School
Jesse Swagerty ~ Exploration Lab
My name is Jesse Swagerty. This is my 12th year at Marin Primary and Middle School, and my second year as the Exploration Lab teacher. I’m a parent at MP&MS with daughters in 4th grade and 1st grades. I come from a family of educators, and ever since I started working in schools, a position like this has always felt like an inevitability to me. I have always been an early adopter and quick to use technology effectively in my classrooms and with my students. Novel and different excites and motivates me. I find learning to be exciting, thrilling. I enjoy taking on innovative projects and trying new things. The position of Exploration Lab teacher is the job of a perpetual learner. I love to seek out new ideas, think of meaningful projects to integrate into existing programs, and put technology into the hands of kids to learn.
Exploration Lab will focus on making, design engineering, coding, and robotics. I develop and lead hands-on integrated projects for classes throughout the school to give students a chance to construct their learning and be exposed to the opportunities technology can provide. Kids need opportunities to build their learning through experience, reflection, probing questions, and peer collaboration. Exploration Lab is also a place to be creative, have fun, and try new things! I can’t wait to expand this program and see where the learning takes us!
K-3rd, 5th
Silvia Vasquez ~ Spanish
Hola. I’m Silvia Flores-Vasquez, aka Sisi. I was born in El Salvador and migrated to the United States of America at age 15. I discovered my passion for teaching when I was in first grade. I loved my first grade teacher so much that I wanted to be her helper all the time. I helped by sweeping and mopping the classroom, organizing the teacher book shelf, wiping the desks, and the most special job for me was to erase the chalkboard. As a reward, Srita. Carmencita would let me take home the little bits of chalk leftovers from the day. Those tiny little pieces of chalk would help me go home and imitate her lesson for all the little children in my “Barrio” neighborhood. I would have at least 5 kids at my house every afternoon teaching them what I had learned on that day. Those kids (adults now) to this day still call me “Profe” - teacher.
I have a passion for teaching children, and have been at MP&MS since 2012. Children learn Spanish by exploring the culture, food, and music of the many different Spanish- speaking countries. I'm excited for this school year with my students. We'll have lots of fun!
Middle School
Michael Wray ~ Music + 5th PE
When I was 9 years old, my grandmother took me to see a Big Band performing in a park where many folks were swing dancing. I saw the piano player and asked if I could learn to do that. Now several decades later I am happy to still sit down at the piano and enjoy the expression of music. I thought I wanted to be a rock star, but after witnessing some of the circumstances that come with it, I decided it would be much more enjoyable to work with young people and hopefully inspire them in a musical way.
I have been teaching music at MP&MS for 30 years. I have had the unique opportunity of creating a program from the ground up. I know that every single one of us has the potential to make music with a group and this is what drives me to teach. Seeing a young person discover for the first time the joy of singing or playing an instrument is truly a magical moment. I continue to enjoy my own performances in a Big Band, jazz & rock groups and community musical theater.
Preschool-4th
Rebecca Wunderlich ~ Garden
I grew up in Mill Valley, playing in Old Mill Creek, beneath the redwoods. I feel most at home and attuned with nature when I’m in the garden and the ocean. Some of my most inspiring and lasting memories as an early child were spent with Mrs. Terwilliger, aka Mrs. T, the beloved Marin County naturalist and pioneer environmental educator. My first job from age 12-18 was working in a garden in Mill Valley, extracting natural dye from native wildflowers. Before becoming a classroom teacher, I taught outdoor education for the Outward Bound School; where stepping out of my comfort zone and exploring perceived limits would become strengths in my personality.
For the past 28 years, I have devoted myself and my heart to education, environmental science, and our beautiful planet. Raising awareness about plastic pollution and better alternatives, and learning how to live sustainably guide my teaching. The Outdoor Education Center - “The Garden” - is a living lab where students connect to the natural world just steps away from their classroom. Our learning garden aims to deepen students’ understanding of natural systems, while honoring imagination, exploration, and play. By growing our own food from seed to harvest, having hands-on experiences preparing ingredients and dishes for the Harvest Festival, students gain insight in the value of whole foods, the great amount of energy required to make food, and develop a relationship, and deep appreciation for our precious natural resources.
Learning Resource Program
K,
1st, 3rd
Alli Yamasaki ~ Learning Specialist
I am in my 5th year as a Primary School Learning Specialist. An Educational Therapist by training and a passionate supporter of dyslexic learners, I get to work with students in grades K-4 in a variety of different learning environments. I can be found pushing into a classroom during Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop, leading whole class Fundations lessons, working with small groups of students who need targeted reading or spelling practice, and occasionally I'll work with students oneon-one. Learning to read is a journey that doesn’t happen overnight. I recognize that I am often working with students in a subject matter they may not love...yet.
My number one goal is to create strong relationships with students that are rooted in mutual trust and understanding. I've found that “connection” is essential in building confidence and helping students reach their reading goals.
I am a Marin native, and I grew up attending neighboring schools and playing sports in parks and gyms nearby. When I'm not at school, you can usually find me in Mill Valley with my two young children, husband, and our Australian Shepherd, Yoshi. In my free time I love to travel, read, and work in the yard.
Darinee Hoonsuwan ~ Learning Specialist
When I was in second grade, my teacher would pass out a list of spelling words at the start of each week. We would sit in a circle and one by one, read a word off the list. I would mentally count off students and words to figure out which word I would have to read. I always felt a ton of pride and relief when my turn came and I read it correctly. One week, I was really stuck on the word "Pacific." I remember feeling nervous that I'd make a mistake and worried that I'd disappoint my teacher and embarrass myself. When it was my turn, I quickly blurted something out and everyone just stared at me in confusion. Not only did I read the word incorrectly, but apparently, I miscounted and was on the wrong word! I was mortified and for a long time shied away from reading out loud or volunteering answers for fear of making a public mistake again. I started teaching in 2005 and memories like this one really stuck with me and helped form my teaching philosophy. I understood how a student's ability to feel safe, secure, and comfortable impacted their readiness to learn and their ability to succeed. I was drawn to MP&MS' mission to reach each child and have been teaching here since 2010. I'm passionate about building connections with my students so that I know how to meet their needs while challenging them in ways that feel just right. I'm currently working in the Learning Resource Program to support 2nd and 4th grades. I am also a proud MP&MS parent to a lively and confident preschooler!
2nd, 4th
Middle School
Kristine Munro ~ Learning Specialist
Hi, I’m Kristine and this is my fifth year teaching at MP&MS. For the past four years I taught fourth grade and this year I am thrilled to be working in the Middle School as a Learning Specialist. When I’m not teaching or working with kids, you can find me exploring my local trails in Fairfax or tossing the baseball with my son, who is in first grade at MP&MS.
I grew up in northern San Diego where my life consisted of outdoor adventures, a big family with lots of sisters (I’m the youngest of 5 girls!), a love of academics, and passion for sports! I was an avid golfer, tennis, and softball player in my youth and I’m happy to see my son embrace a love for sports as well.
I love making learning fun and accessible to all types of learners. I feel especially proud of my students when they embrace a growth mindset and learn from their mistakes while persevering through challenges.
Middle School
Mike Knapp ~ Learning Specialist
I am embarking on my 3rd year as a learning specialist at Marin Primary & Middle School. A Fairfax native, I have worked across Marin County as a tutor and served as a math substitute for MP&MS for several years before officially joining the LRP. I love the natural escapes from the City that Marin has to offer, like hiking and biking in protected open space. I enjoy traveling and there are only 12 states I haven't visited yet!
Preschool
Dylan Turner ~ Tree School
I am a reformed academic, mostly quite grateful that I let go of the dream of becoming a big-shot university professor a good decade ago. I found my love for early childhood education working as a “co-op dad” at my daughter Eva’s preschool in San Francisco. Eva is now 17, and my wife Nicole and I live (cohabit for a teen?) with her and her sister Sabine (11) in San Rafael. We have pets (dog/cat/lizard) that I am fond of, and, at the same time, resent having to care for.
I helped to start the Tree School program at MP&MS in 2020, after having worked in the classroom with 2 ½ to 3 ½ year-olds for the better part of the 2010s. (They are still my favourite small people!) With tremendous support from the community, I get to spend virtually every weekday morning leading children aged 2 to 6 into Marin’s natural playscapes.
Only after having started the program did I realize that the Tree School journey is a return of sorts to my own childhood. As a kid in Ontario, Canada, I was lucky enough to spend multiple summers exploring lakeside wilderness with my sister and our cousins. I also spent countless hours as a boy in an eroded area known as the Dongas across from my family’s house during the two years we spent in the southern African country of Lesotho. I was often alone (or with my sister) back then, following trails to climb, lifting rocks, and entering caves nearly every day until dusk. When the children are in a groove at Tree School, I have a strong sense of familiarity with the magic trick that occurs: getting hands-on learning about a place, and getting lost in wonder, all at once.
Preschool
Shanga Juckas ~ Tree School
I grew up in Marin. But come summer, my whole family would fly back East to spend two months on my grandma’s ranch in the Hudson Valley of New York. During the week my sister and I were “wranglers in training”. This meant we got the honor of scooping manure, saddling horses, and taking out “pony rides”. But once the work day was over, we’d all drive into the lower Catskill range and hike to our favorite swimming spots. My sister and I would hang back, stuffing ourselves full of wild blueberries and singing loudly to scare the bears away. We’d create leaf boats to race down mini waterfalls. We’d slide down those waterfalls ourselves, pretending we were at a water park. We climbed trees and boulders while our mom taught us about wild edibles. It was magic. This is the same magic I felt when I accepted my first invitation out to Tree School.
While there is magic in the outdoors, I think there can also be frustration for a young person. Particularly at this really early preschool age, when you want to go slower but maybe the grown-ups are hoping for exercise. Each student brings to Tree School their own curiosity; whether it is finding cool rocks, climbing trees, building forts or anything else, Dylan and I are ready to follow that curiosity and let them lean into it. Every Tree School day is filled with bursts of excitement like spotting newts after a rainy night or climbing to the top of turtle rock. Tree School days are also full of challenges like learning (the hard way) how sharp thistle plants are or maybe not yet being ready to climb turtle rock. Growth is happening in both the exciting moments and challenging ones. I am thrilled to be continuing Tree School this year; working with Dylan and the entire MPMS community as we watch the students readily face evolving challenges.