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."

Jennifer Thompson
Secondary School Director and High School Math Teacher

BS Applied Mathematics, UCLA
M.Ed, UCLA
Jennifer is also the College Counselor. She has been with Oak Grove since 2006.

"My daughter, Grace, has attended Oak Grove since Kindergarten, and that was our introduction to the school. I believe in the school, its intent and the way the school values the development of the whole student. I love being a learner right alongside the students, parents and staff here."

Paul Herder
High School English Teacher

BA, Philosophy, Connecticut College
MA International Education, School for International Training Advanced Certificate in TESL
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” –Robert Frost
Why Oak Grove? To ask impossible questions…

Addie Deupree
High School Science Teacher

BA in Human Ecology, College of the Atlantic
M.Ed, Secondary Science Teaching Certificate, UCSB

This is Addie's first year at Oak Grove School. She loves being active in the outdoors and investigating the interconnectedness of relationships in nature. She is very excited to be working at Oak Grove!

Will Hornblower
High School History and Religion, Culture, and Ethics Teacher

BA in Latin American Studies, University of Chicago
M.Ed, UCSB
Will joined the Oak Grove community in 2011, coming from Mountain View High School in the Bay Area. Before making the transition to formal classroom teaching, Will worked in outdoor education for many years, having the opportunity to teach kids in nature's classroom. In his free time, you will find Will sailing the world, rafting the great western rivers, exploring the wide open spaces, and surfing the waves of the Central Coast. Why Oak Grove? Oak Grove's emphasis on inquiry based learning and Oak Grove's emphasis on sustainability and appreciation for nature.

“We shall never achieve harmony with the land, anymore than we shall achieve absolute justice or liberty for people. In these higher aspirations the important thing is not to achieve but to strive.”  
- Aldo Leopold

Nick Blake
Physics Teacher

BA, Chemistry, University of East Angla (UEA)
Natural Sciences/Education, Homeston College
PhD Quantum Electrodynamics, UEA
Nick has worked with Oak Grove High School students teaching Physics and Computing for the past three years. He has also conducted 15 years Post Doctorate Research at UCSB in Physics and Chemistry.

"I am learning to overcome my English conditioning and to become a healthy, happy, presence."

Russ Bowen
High School Spanish Teacher

BA International Management, Florida Southern College
MA Spanish, Middlebury College
Russ lived in Spain for two years completing his master’s degree and working for a leadership training organization.  Since then, he has taught, translated, interpreted, and tutored Spanish periodically and traveled extensively throughout Mexico, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Argentina, and Uruguay.  One of his goals is to complete professional development in at least half of the 21 Spanish-speaking countries. 

“If you don’t make a difference with your life, what difference does your life make?”

Mia Bortolussi
High School Registrar and Art Teacher

BFA, California Institute of the Arts
I graduated Oak Grove in 1998 before attending Cal Arts as a Photography major. I have been a graphic designer and professional photographer for 7 years now, first with a Ventura based firm and now for my own business. I began teaching at Moorpark Community College in 2006 and at Cal State Northridge in 2007.

"I'm so excited to be coming back to Oak Grove after all these years. To share an art building with Christy Sylvester, who was my art teacher from 2nd through 12th grades, is amazing."

Ron Schindel
8th Grade Homeroom Teacher & Junior High Math/Science Teacher

BA, Liberal Studies, CSUN
Teaching Credential, CSUCI
Ron began teaching at Oak Grove in 2007.  He has two children attending Oak Grove. When he is not teaching or playing sports with his students he enjoys playing soccer with the big kids and spending time outdoors.

Faith Reynado
7th Grade Homeroom Teacher & Junior High Humanities and PE Teacher

Camille Carlson-Holly
Junior High 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.”

Karen Hesli
Junior High Advisory Teacher

BS, Education, University of Minnesota
Karen has played many key roles at Oak Grove for the past 31 years, as a homeroom teacher and most notably the Elementary/Junior High School Director. In her present role she supports junior high students as they transition from children to young adults.

"I’ve been trying to live off the grid in Matilija Canyon since 1985, loving the Los Padres as my backyard. I also do wreath-making and massage at home. At Oak Grove I love to participate in learning together about varieties of things, but mostly about how to live together peacefully."

Debra Rose
Library Teacher

BA Zoology, UC Berkeley
MA Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UC Irvine MA Counseling Psychology, Pacifica Graduate Institute
Debra has been the Library Teacher since 2006.  Her background includes lots of pottery and drawing classes as well as computer modeling and geography Information Systems classes. Debra and her husband have one daughter who is currently enrolled in our junior high program.

"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."

Rory Stalwick
High School Music Teacher

AA, Early Childhood Education, Ventura College; Degree in Guitar, Musician’s Institute
UCLA Recording Engineering Program
Rory runs the popular Rock Academy at Oak Grove School, teaches High School music classes and manages the Oak Grove Recording Studio. He has been with the school in various capacities since 1999.

"I have my own recording studio and record label – Yellow Magic Studio and Pure fun Records. I love the ocean – surfing, sailing and diving. My car runs on vegetable oil. . . In a world where societies are developed with greed and war and corporate blindness, Oak Grove offers a chance to change that outcome."

Aron Van Alstine
Junior High Music and Spanish Teacher

BA Education, University of Wisconsin Certification in Music and Movement Education, American Orff Schulwek Association
Aron began teaching music to our elementary and junior high students in 2003.

"I 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."

Christy Sylvester
Junior High Art and High School Ceramics Teacher

Brooks Institute of Photography
Ventura College
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Christy has taught art and ceramics at Oak Grove since 1981, 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!"

Kristy Lee
ESL Teacher and International Admissions Associate

BA Liberal Studies/History, New University
Eugene Lang College, TESOL certified, University of California Santa Barbara
Kristy is a graduate of Oak Grove High School. In addition to managing the High School office, she is teaching ESL.

"I have a keen interest in bookbinding. In the actual creating of and sharing of this skill. The style I usually like to use is known as Japanese stab-binding. I am glad to be back at Oak Grove so I can contribute to a place that is very special to me."

Bo Ainsworth
Athletic Director

BA History, UCSB
Bo graduated from Oak Grove in 1998 and began working here in 2006.  He comes from an Oak Grove familiy. His first born son attends Oak Grove Kindergarten and his father, Jake, teaches Physical Education at the Elementary School. Bo is also the Boys' Soccer Coach.

"I love traveling, backpacking and all sports. My wife, Kamala, is a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering at UCSB and we have two young sons. I think OGS creates well rounded, educated, confident kids."

Jake Ainsworth
Volleyball Coach

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 his grandson attends the Early Childhood Program. While not teaching, Jake enjoys spending time alone in the wilderness.

Jason Spelbring
Junior High and High School Theatre Arts Teacher 

AA, Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts
BFA, Webster University, Theatre
MFA, University of California, Irvine, Theatre
Jason joined the Oak Grove School community in 2011 from Sage Hill School in Newport Beach, Ca. where he taught in the theatre department and directed several main stage productions, including Cinderella, The Game of Love and Chance and Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. He has had the pleasure of teaching theatre at Pine Grove School, Harwinton Consolidated School and Bugbee School all in Connecticut.  Jason holds his BFA in Theatre from Webster University Conservatory of Theatre Arts and his MFA in Theatre from the University of California, Irvine.

“You pile up enough tomorrows, and you’ll find that you are left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays. I don’t know about you, but I’d like to make today worth remembering.” -The Music Man by Meredith Wilson

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."

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."

Adrienne Hoskins
Director of Early Childhood Programs and Lead Preschool Teacher

BA Film Studies, UC Santa Barbara; MA Film/Television, UCLA; MA Human Development: Early Childhood Education, Pacific Oaks College
Adrienne went to Quaker schools as a child – one where her mother was the librarian and one on a farm in Iowa, where she loved milking cows, baking bread and raising a litter of pigs. She loves to walk and talk and sing with her family and friends. Adrienne has three children who have graduated from Oak Grove: Casey Muller '98, Laila Muller '02, Juna Muller '06.

"I love coming to school every day to be with kids and teachers and parents at Oak Grove."

Darinka Postal
Kindergarten Teacher

Montessori Training encompassing 3-9 year-olds.
Darinka grew up in Serbia and experienced a variety of educational approaches. She has extensive training with 18 months-6 year-olds. In her seventh year at Oak Grove, she continues her training in child development, educational research and academic philosophies specific to early childhood. Darinka's daughter has been attending Oak Grove for seven years.

"I am able to be part of a learning community where children and their families can grow intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally."

Bettina Hohner
Kindergarten Associate Teacher

BA Equivalents in Social Studies of Education, University of Technology, Germany;
General Counseling, University of Technology, Germany
Mediation and Dispute Resolution Program, UCSB;
Intercultural Counseling and Conflict Management, Albert-Ludwig University, Germany;
10 years work as a counselor in an International NGO (mainly with refugees), Germany
Bettina is originally from Germany. She loves California; especially when it rains. Her favorite things are to be with her daughter, who attends the elementary school, her family and friends.

"Since I worked almost my whole life with people from different cultures and now live within a different culture, tolerance, appreciation of diversity, conflict resolution and nonviolent communications is what I am looking for and what I found at Oak Grove for my daughter and myself as a teacher."

Laila Muller
Preschool Teacher

BA Psychology, Swarthmore College
Laila attended Oak Grove as a student from the 3rd -12th grades. Her high school senior trip to India was a profound experience. It inspired her to take a year off college and teach at the Valley School, one of Oak Grove’s sister schools located just outside of Bangalore, India.

"I have returned to Oak Grove because I wanted to contribute to this wonderful, caring community."

Jaymie Arquilevich
Preschool Teacher

Early Childhood Education, Ventura College
Jaymie is currently in her sixth year as an early Childhood educator. She has co-facilitated infant and toddler groups at the Nan Tolbert Nurturing Center and taught Toddler Group, Preschool, and Kindergarten at Oak Grove. She recently earned an Associate Teacher's Permit through the California Department of Education, and is working toward a B.A. in Early Childhood Studies form CSUCI.

"Jaymie is a parent of three children who have all attended Oak Grove. Her goal as an educator is to share the holistic learning approach that so deeply impacted her own family."

Siobhan McDevitt
Preschool Teacher

A.B. Art History, University of Chicago
Siobhan joined the ECP staff last year.  She fell in love with the school while attending the Toddler-Parent Program and the Infant-Parent Program with her own daughters who are growing their way through Oak Grove.  Siobhan loves to cook, especially with kids.  She also loves to garden and travel.

"I feel very fortunate to have found a school community that treasures our youngest children and values the unique gifts that each family offers."