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Details: Parent Category: About Us; Published on Saturday, 29 August 2009 18:38

	Alanna Pecchi Group C Associate Teacher BA Psychology Cross-cultural Education and K-12 Multiple Subject CLAD Credential, UCSB Alanna worked with the Santa Barbara Wilderness Youth Project prior to coming to Oak Grove. "I have an amazing husband and 2 beautiful children! I love to surf and play outside as much as I can. Being a teacher is the coolest job in the whole world. I believe that children need to be given the guidance to construct their own meaning and share their individual and innate gifts… while also keeping learning joyful and alive."
	Carole Sylvester Gray Group C Lead Teacher and Lower Elementary POD Coordinator BA, Anthropology and ESL Certificate, UCSB MA, Movement Therapy/Counseling, Antioch New England California Elementary Credential, CSUN Carole was born in Germany and has always loved to travel. Akin to that love of the international, she has hosted Japanese and Korean high school students at her home. Carol has taught at Oak Grove for 24 years and her daughter attended the school "many years ago." "My hobby is dancing and I have worked with the elderly and special needs children. I appreciate Krishnamurti’s intent to educate the whole child."
	Serra Benson 3rd Grade Teacher BA Human Ecology, College of the Atlantic Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, Antioch Santa Barbara, BCLAD certification Serra was a student at Oak Grove in junior high and high school. After graduating she spent four months visiting Oak Grove's sister schools in India. During college she studied abroad in Mexico and Central America where she learned to speak Spanish. She taught high school Spanish for two years at Besant Hill School. For the past six years she has been teaching Kindergarten and first grade at Blanchard School in Santa Paula. In her free time Serra studies trapeze and silks with La Petite Chouette Aerial Dance Company in Santa Barbara. "Oak Grove brings out the best in students as well as teachers. It's such a blessing to be back in this wonderful community."
	Krista Swanner 4th Grade Teacher and Upper Elementary POD Coordinator BA, Kinesiology/Biology, Westmont College K-8 Teaching Credential, Westmont College Pursuing Masters degree Krista discovered Oak Grove when searching for just the right kindergarten for her daughter. That daughter is now in high school, her two brothers are following her footsteps and Krista has been teaching at the school for seven years. "My favorite part of the day in my classroom is reading workshop. Each day following lunch the fourth graders lose themselves in great stories. One of the aspects I find most rewarding about teaching is connecting a great book with a great kid. At Oak Grove I get to combine my love of learning with my passion for teaching. Learning right along with the students is such fun and really keeps me motivated in the classroom."
	Deborah Calzini 5th Grade Teacher BA Psychology, Pitzer College MA Education, Claremont Graduate University Special Education Specialist, Loyola Marymount University Deborah has been dedicated to the field of education for over 20 years. Last year she joined the Oak Grove School community as a parent because she knew this beautiful school embraced the educational environment she wanted her daughter to grow in. This year she is excited to be the new 5th grade teacher and expand her OGS learning circle. “I value Krishnamurti’s founding principles that still exist on Oak Grove’s campus today. As a teacher I love the process of helping students reach educational freedom. Understanding the depth and beauty of our relationships with nature, self and each other allows us to awaken profound intelligence. For me, this mutual education is where learning comes alive, where both students and educators continually learn from one another."
	Jim Bailey 6th Grade and 5/6 PE Teacher BA Liberal Studies, Physical Science emphasis, English Minor, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Multiple Subject Teaching Credential-CLAD While still in college Jim began working with youth as a science summer camp staff member in San Luis Obispo. After graduating in 2001, he took his first full-time teaching job in Ojai working at Matilija as the eighth grade science teacher. Jim has spent the last four years as an elementary science specialist for OUSD sharing the wonders of science with over 400 students a week. "I love that Oak Grove is so much more than just a beautiful setting. It is a community that shares a common vision of education as inquiry, and students who are supported in their growth as "whole, mindful, and intelligent" human beings. My kind of place for sure! If I have a spare afternoon I can usually be found surfing, reading, hanging out with my daughter Emma, or cooking up some good eats."
	Camille Carlson-Holly Elementary Spanish Teacher BA Spanish, UCSB; TESOL certificate UCSB Extension Before joining the OGS faculty in 2010, Camille, taught Spanish for five years at Monica Ros School, in Ojai. Her passion for world languages and cultures has led her to travels around the globe and a six month study abroad in Santiago, Chile. “I believe that learning and speaking a new language can be one of life’s most enriching experiences. Having grown up in Ojai, I am excited to finally join the OGS community and learn from children while sharing an important aspect of my personal heritage: the Spanish language.”
	Debra Rose Library Teacher BA Zoology, UC Berkeley MA Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UC Irvine MA Counseling Psycology, Pacifica Graduate Institute Debra has been the Library Teacher at Oak Grove since 2006. Her diverse education includes a BA Zoology, UC Berkeley; MA Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UC Irvine and MA Counseling Psychology, Pacifica Graduate Institute; lots of pottery and drawing classes; Computer Modeling class; Geography Information Systems Class. Debra and her husband have one daughter currently attending Oak Grove Junior High. "I’ve been lucky and/or foolish enough to have many careers: zoology, computer programming, accounting, psychological counseling and a lot of teaching. Teaching is the best with my favorite moments doing HS ceramics and teaching poetry in our Owl's Nest Library. Oak Grove is my dream school because the teachers are so dedicated to excellence and community that working with them is a joy."
	Christy Sylvester Art Teacher Brooks Art Institute Ventura College San Miguel de Allende Christy has taught Art and Ceramics at Oak Grove for 20 years and her two sons each attended the school. In addition to her role as the much-loved Elementary Art Teacher, Christy teaches Junior High Art and High School Ceramics. "My whole family usually hangs out in the kitchen creating delicious colorful food, each one an artist. I am a granny to 3 boys and I love the fact that my students become my dear friends as they grow with me and often they end up in the kitchen too. Oak Grove is like a family, everyone is special and dear to my heart!"
	Aron Van Alstine Music Teacher BA, Music and Movement Education, University of Wisconsin American Orff Schulwerk Association Studies Aron has been with Oak Grove 2003 teaching music to Elementary and Junior High Students. Before coming to Oak Grove, Aron worked with the Peace Corps in Bolivia on community development and health education. "I am at Oak Grove because of the relationships I’ve developed with teachers, students, parents and administrators."
	Jake Ainsworth Elementary P.E. Teacher BA Psychology, UCLA, ESL Certificate, UCSB A 26-year Oak Grove staff member, Jake is the Elementary P.E. Teacher, All-School Camping Coordinator and High School Girls' Volleyball Coach. He is the oldest of three Oak Grove generations. His son, Bo, an Oak Grove alumnus is the High School Athletic Director, and grandson, Jitari, attends the Early Childhood Program. While not teaching, Jake enjoys spending time alone in the wilderness.
	Jeanette Stampfli Berkovitz After School Program Director General Psychology, Alcohol and Drug Studies, University of Fribourg, Switzerland A six year Oak Grove staffer, Jeanette has two children currently attending the school. In her spare time, Jeanette caters events, cooks for fun and teaches cooking. "I love food – everything about it; cooking, growing, eating, sharing... At Oak Grove I am honored to help create an environment that fosters exploration, confidence and friendship."
	Marga Kasper Aftercare Aide and Substitute BA and MA German and Catholic Theology, Eberhard Karl's University, Germany MA Religion, Temple University, PA Marga is originally from Germany and currently has a son attending OGS. She believes that kids naturally enjoy learning and exploring, and works to facilitate that here at Oak Grove. Marga is also a Shiatsu-Anma massage therapist. "My favorite books can be found in the Young Adult category (with a detour into Jane Austin novels and Klutz craft books). Besides that I can make some Japanese social noises. It’s great when one gets to do what one enjoys doing; and that's what working at Oak Grove is for me."