Meredy Benson Rice
Head of School

BA Honors, English Literature, University of Sussex
B.Ed. & Teaching Credential, York University, Toronto 
MA Education Leadership, Teacher’s College, Columbia University
Meredy has been with Oak Grove since 1991. Her three children are Lizard Alums: Serra earned her BA in Human Ecology, College of the Atlantic, Maine; MA/Teaching Credential, Antioch University. She currently teaches 3rd grade at Oak Grove. Jason earned his BA/MA in Engineering from CalPoly, SLO and now works as a business analyst/consultant.  Claire graduated with a BA in Psychology from San Diego State University and is marketing manager with a tech company in San Francisco.

"My family continues to be the center of my life and with my husband being a fellow school administrator and two out of five grown children in teaching careers, there are a lot of conversations around education in our household – I never tire of it. I can’t think of anything more joyful than the opportunity to watch children – all children – grow into their unique selves."

"Krishnamurti said that a school should be academically excellent and also much more than that. – I’m excited by both prospects!"

Joy Maguire-Parsons
Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
Residential Life Coordinator

BS Psychology, Mills College
Project Management Program, UCSB
Joy has worked at Oak Grove for over 10 years. She first came to the school in 1996 when searching for the perfect preschool. Her three children have grown up in the Oak Grove community. Jemma, an Oak Grove Alumna, is an undergraduate student at Occidental College. Brewster is a high school senior and Juliene a fourth grader.  Joy also coordinates the Oak Grove Tennis Team and teaches youth tennis in Ojai with her husband.

"I was born in the Philippines and grew up in the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands of Alaska and naturally developed a great appreciation of community and the value of 'It Takes A Village'.  It is an honor and absolute joy to learn and grow with my family at such a unique school with an amazing community made up of inquisitive, educated, international, special, talented, nurturing, giving, progressive and creative students and parents. It feels like home."

Jodi Grass
Director of Development

BA Politics, UCSC
AFP Certification, Association of Fundraising Professionals
Jodi is entering her 5th year as Oak Grove's Development Director. She and her husband, Kevin, have two daughters attending Oak Grove.

"I am honored to share in my daughters' education by being a part of their day-to-day community. As my daughter, Maddy, says every morning as she walks toward her classroom and I toward my office, 'See you 1000 times today."

Andy Gilman
Director of Outreach and High School Communications Teacher

BFA, California Institute of the Arts
MA Liberal Arts, St. John's College
Andy began at Oak Grove in 2010, directing the school's outreach efforts and working closely with admissions and development. A designer and writer for 20 years, and involved with education and non-profit development for 11 years, he finds a great home at Oak Grove, its mission, and its community. He happily has his son, Noah, in the secondary school.

"I'm thrilled to be a part of this community and believe that the education offered here at Oak Grove is truly making the world better."

Posy Smith
Program Assistant

BA French, UC Berkeley
Elementary Teaching Credential, USC
If you have a question about Oak Grove history, Posy is the one to ask for she has been associated with the school since 1981.  Her son, Alex, was the first graduate to go all the way through from Kindergarten through 12th grade in '93 and her daughter Molly graduated in ’98. 

"I’ve been involved with Oak Grove as a parent and staff member for many years.  It is a wonderful place to work filled with caring, supportive people."

Sharon Boley
Office Coordinator

Philosophy & Political Science Studies, UCSD                  
Sharon began working at Oak Grove in 2000 and is one of the first people you meet in the front office.

"My biggest thrill – skydiving. My deepest joy – my son and 2 granddaughters. My passion – the pursuit of happiness. Working at Oak Grove helps keeps me connected to the joy of lifelong learning."

Jason Spelbring
Development Associate

BFA, Webster University
MFA, University of California, Irvine
Jason joined the Development Department at Oak Grove School in 2011 directly from Sage Hill School in Newport Beach, Ca. At Sage Hill School he worked closely with both the Development and Admissions departments.  He has spent years in events planning for private high schools and professional theatre companies and has directed and produced several fundraising events, including Bardway, Baby! a popular one night only concert event at the Tony Award winning Utah Shakespeare Festival. Jason is beyond thrilled to be a part of the Oak Grove School community. In his spare time he enjoys interior design and working in his new garden here in Ojai.

“Do you want to know who you are?  Don’t ask. Act!  Action will delineate and define you.”  -Thomas Jefferson

Sandra Torres
KFA/OGS Business Manager

BA Architecture, Mexico
MBA, Mexico, Ceramics
"I came to Oak Grove School as a prospective parent. Before my daughter was old enough to be a student, I had the opportunity of becoming part of the school team. Now my daughter, Dahlia, is about to start her journey at Oak Grove and I am looking forward to seeing her bloom in such an amazing place!”

Margaret Mistele
KFA Chief Financial Officer

Professional and Business Accounting Certification, UCSB
"My husband and I are both bankers, having worked in the banking industry for over 30 years. We love the outdoors – snow skiing, hiking, riding bikes."

Judie Jensen
Bookkeeper

Judie is entering her seventh year as a bookkeeper with the school, which she describes as "an organization with purpose and dedication." In her spare time Judie enjoys camping.

Eric Williamson
IT Manager

Eric studied Digital Media at the University of Denver and keeps the Oak Grove student and staff computers running at their very best. He has been with the school for six years.

"I like working in a place where cooperation, not ambition, is the driving force."

Tom Heggestad
KFA & OGS Administrative Support

BSc, MIT
Tom began working with the Krishnamurti Foundation of America in 1995. Last year he began sharing his talents with Oak Grove as well. He supports the Development, IT and Communications departments. He has studied Zen, walked across the country and has helped create a database of Krishnamurti's published work. His two daughters are currently attending Oak Grove.

Reinaldo Cartagena
Director of Maintenance

Reinaldo, or Rei, as he is known by all, is a familiar face at Oak Grove. He has kept the campus looking great and running smoothly since 1992. He likes to play soccer and loves camping and traveling.

 "Why Oak Grove? The campus is beautiful and expansive and my colleagues are great to work with."

Jose Luis Lopez
Maintenance

Jose Luis has been a key member of the maintenance team for ten years and is a familiar face about campus. He likes to run and watch sports.

Isidro Zamora
Maintenance

Originally from Mexico, Isidro has worked with Oak Grove for four years.

"My favorite activity is landscaping. I like keeping the earth looking nice and clean. I especially enjoy working as a team member and taking responsibility every day at work--because I like what I do at work."