Our Faculty
Michelle Garcia - Kindergarten Teacher
Jeanette Inness - Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
Jodi Buckles - 1st Grade Teacher
Suzanne Mitchell - 1st Grade Assistant Teacher
Tina Chase - 2nd Grade Teacher
Nora Patterson - 3rd Grade Teacher
Cristin Talley - 4th Grade Teacher
Amy Caldwell - 5th/6th Humanities Teacher
Charlotte Perrine - 5th/6th Math, Science, Economics Teacher
Corey Paulson - 7th/8th Humanities Teacher
Ann Scheder-Bieschin - 7th/8th Math, Science, Economics Teacher
Deborah Fisch - Spanish Teacher
Shirley Li - Mandarin Teacher
Dan Harting - P.E. Teacher
Karen Klimack - Art Teacher
Adam Lieb - Music Teacher
Kindergarten Teacher MICHELLE GARCIA holds a BS in Early Childhood Education (ECE) from Angwin College and a Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential from Dominican University. She has had several years of elementary education teaching experience, including kindergarten. Michelle started working with children in 1994. She worked as an assistant at Santa Rosa Junior College Children's Center for two years, Swain Center, Healdsburg Junior High, Geyserville Kindergarten and she also taught at Healdsburg Elementary School and Windsor Christian for three years.
Michelle is skilled at identifying and addressing the needs of different children with varying backgrounds. She has been successful at problem solving and integrating curriculum. Michelle is an insightful teacher with a nurturing personality which will make her a natural in her role as THS's kindergarten teacher.
In her spare time, Michelle likes to scrapbook, watch a good movie, hike, swim, zumba dance and watch her three children play soccer. Michelle lives in Windsor with her husband and children. Return to top
THS's new kindergarten teacher's associate JEANETTE INNESS holds a BA in Liberal Arts with an Emphasis in Education from Sonoma State University along with a multiple teaching credential. Ms. Inness maintained an orderly, positive learning environment during her years as a substitute teacher for grades K-12. Jeanette also had the meaningful experience of teaching math, language arts, and social studies to multi-cultural students in primary and middle school grades. She helped identify, select and modify instructional resources to meet the needs of students with varying backgrounds, learning styles and special needs. Jeanette has had wonderful opportunities teaching diverse groups of students diagnosed with Auditory Processing Disorder and Autism. Jeanette likes to use technology, art, theater and physical education in the classroom.
Jeanette knew from a very young age that she wanted to be an elementary school teacher and feels she was born to teach. While other girls in her kindergarten class wanted to be ballerinas, Jeanette longed to make bulletin boards and correct papers with red pens. Her goal is to change the world, one student at a time. As a part of the THS team Jeanette will play an important role in giving our students a wonderful, diverse educational experience that will expand beyond the classroom.
In her free time Jeanette likes being adventurous in the kitchen and cooks for friends and family, she enjoys traveling with her husband, and seeing musicals in San Francisco. She also loves the outdoors and enjoys hiking and camping. Return to top
THS's new First Grade Teacher, JODI BUCKLES, is passionate about teaching primary children and puts a large emphasis in differentiating curriculum to meet every child's needs. She is thrilled to bring the International Baccalaureate's inquiry-based PYP program into her classroom. Ms. Buckles fosters a loving First Grade academic environment that creates skilled readers, critical listeners, accomplished speakers, spellers and writers, and inspires life-long learners.
A native to Sonoma County, Ms. Buckles is thrilled to be joining the THS community. She has a BA in Journalism from Chico State's Honors College and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with CLAD emphasis from Dominican University. Most recently, Ms. Buckles taught both Kindergarten and First Grade at Sonoma Country Day School for three years. Prior to that, she implemented an ELL program while teaching Kindergarten at Geyserville Elementary School. She also served as a Support Teacher at Marin Country Day School.
Jodi has extensive training in the Lindamood-Bell auditory phoneme sequencing program (LiPs) and uses that program to compliment phonics instruction with a tactile, multi-sensory approach. She considers student centered Writer's Workshop to be an integral creative component of the First Grade Language Arts curriculum. Ms. Buckles plans to begin classes towards her Master's of Education in Reading at Sonoma State in the Fall of 2010.
While in college, Ms. Buckles studied at the Universidad de San Sebastian in Spain and is eager to use her Spanish language experience to compliment THS's Spanish program.
When she's not teaching, Ms. Buckles loves to spend time with her two young sons, one who will be a Kindergartner at THS this coming year! She enjoys spending time outside with her family, gardening, walking, travelling, reading and camping. Return to top
First Grade Teacher’s Associate SUZANNE MITCHELL holds a BA from the Hutchins School of Liberal Arts at Sonoma State University. She has been working with children for over 15 years. Ms. Mitchell has been an Associate Teacher for grades K-3 for the past three years, as well as the first and second Grade Spanish teacher for the past year at Sonoma Country Day School. Ms. Mitchell is currently pursuing a multiple subject credential at Sonoma State University.
Ms. Mitchell loves photography, travelling, and scrapbooking. She is a newlywed, and enjoys her three cats. Return to top
Second grade teacher TINA CHASE is an award winning, high energy educator whose classroom bursts with creativity. In 2007 Tina was selected as a Teacher of the Year at Merryhill Elementary School in Santa Rosa, a Nobel Learning Communities school. She also won Nobel's Teacher of the Year honors for the Northern California District and the West Coast Region, finishing among the top three nationally.
Tina holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Illinois State University and has continued her professional development through course work at Western Oregon State University and Sonoma State University. Tina has more than two decades of teaching elementary students in Illinois, Oregon and California. Her special love is second grade, where she creates a classroom environment so energizing that children cannot wait to get to school each morning. Tina loves to integrate poetry, song and drama into her lessons culminating in performances for parents, family members and friends of the students.
Tina's hobbies include photography, scrap booking, travel, and movies with her husband. She has three grown children, all of whom recently finished their college educations and still live in Santa Rosa. Return to top
Third grade teacher NORA PATTERSON brings a unique blend of innovative and traditional methods to THS. She has a comprehensive background in Montessori Education, a teaching method that recognizes and nurtures the innate passion children have for learning while providing them with a solid foundation in essential academic skills. She is well versed in the current research on best practices in teaching and enjoys regularly attending a wide variety of enrichment workshops. She is always open to new ideas.
Nora values the importance of a healthy connection between families and their children’s school, and open communication is a high priority for her. Above all, she strives to create a learning environment where children are happy to be at school and excited about challenging their minds.
Nora’s educational background includes a B.A. in Humanities from San Francisco State University, the American Montessori Society Primary Course Certification from the San Francisco Bay Area Montessori Center, the Association Montessori Internationale Elementary Teacher Certification from the Montessori Training Centre of British Colombia, and a California Multiple Subject Teaching credential from CalStateTEACH.
She has taught children in kindergarten through fifth grade in both public and private schools.
Nora is deeply interested in organic gardening, sustainable living and environmental conservation. She attended the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center’s School Garden Teacher Training and Support Program and is eager to share what she learned with the community at THS.
African and Middle Eastern dancing and drumming, listening to world folk music, walking in nature, and lots of reading keep Nora busy and connected to the world. Return to top
New to The Healdsburg School, CRISTIN TALLEY is excited to be returning to both fourth grade and California. Ms. Talley was born in Long Beach and lived in Ventura during her childhood years. While her life’s path has taken her from Salt Lake City, Boston, and Baltimore to Israel, Haiti, and Costa Rica, she says there is something about moving to California that feels like coming home.
Ms. Talley received her formal education training at Tufts University in Boston and upon graduating entered the United States Peace Corps, serving in Haiti and Costa Rica. Following completion of her service, Ms. Talley taught third grade at The European School in San Pablo, Costa Rica. Like THS, this was a school in its early years, driven by the vision of its founder/director. Over the years, Ms. Talley maintained ties with The European School, and she returned there in 2006 to be the first principal for grades 3-6.
From 1996 to 2006, Ms. Talley taught fourth grade at The Bryn Mawr School, a K-12 independent girls’ school in Baltimore, Maryland. Drawing upon her Peace Corps experience and resources, Ms. Talley transformed the fourth grade curriculum into a year-long investigation of culture and countries. She received national recognition in 2001, winning a Global Educator Award. Ms. Talley is excited to return to the classroom setting and to infuse her students’ experiences with global mindedness.
Ms. Talley brings a broad perspective to education having been a teacher, administrator, and parent. She knows that a child’s school experience has the potential to greatly mold the person they become, beyond academics. She feels that as educators, it is paramount that we help form well-balanced, independent, and resilient students. She strives for a positive educational setting where students can ask: Who am I? What do I enjoy? What frustrates me? How do I share my voice? Beyond the classroom, Cristin enjoys baking, traveling, the ocean, yoga, and spending time with her son, Jesse. Return to top
Fifth and sixth grades humanities teacher AMY CALDWELL is an incredible educator with an abundance of energy and dedication. Amy has received numerous awards of recognition as an outstanding educator. She was honored as Scottsdale Teacher of the Year and nominated for Arizona Teacher of the Year by two different school districts. Amy brings many talents and years of experience to THS.
Amy has a B.S. in Elementary Education from Florida Southern College, and an M.A. from Northern Arizona University. She has pursued her professional development throughout the years receiving additional special training in Differentiated Instruction, Curriculum Mapping, Technology, Multi-Age Classrooms, Multiple Intelligences, Learning Differences, Accelerated Reader, Special Education Inclusion, Hands-On Science, and Drama/Acting.
In addition to her long-term teaching experiences in Arizona, Amy taught for two years as a 4th grade teacher with the Leipzig International School, Leipzig, Germany.
Living in Germany allowed Amy to combine her passions and interests, namely teaching and world travel. She enjoys European history, exploring old cathedrals and castles, hiking and biking. Her stay abroad also gave her the opportunity to support her belief in "green-living." Amy sold her car when she moved to Germany and travels everywhere by foot, bike, or public transportation.
Amy hopes to become involved with community theater in Healdsburg. She loves directing children and acting in plays herself. Return to top
CHARLOTTE PERRINE is THS' new sixth grade homeroom teacher and 5th/6th grade Math, Science, and Economics teacher. A native of New Haven Connecticut, Charlotte comes from a long line of educators, and has spent the past 21 years teaching math and science from grades 5-7 in the Potomac School, Mc Lean, VA., St. Stephens and St. Agnes School, Alexandria, VA, and the past 8 years at Beaver Country Day School in Boston.
Charlotte is a graduate of Westover School in Middlebury, CT, Smith College in Northampton, MA, where she received her BA, and Harvard University, where she received her MEd. She is a huge Red Sox fan, an avid outdoor enthusiast who loves hiking and running, a lover of Broadway musicals, and is passionate about children and teaching. Charlotte is a believer in bringing the real world into the learning experience. Walking the talk, she has helped create a whale curriculum for Montgomery County Schools, studied humpback whales with the Pacific Whale Foundation in Australia, received a summer grant to research and observe orcas with Earthwatch in San Juan Islands, traveled in New Zealand, Europe, Alaska, the U.S. and sailed for a month in Tahiti. She is very interested in helping to create outdoor experiential learning connected to Math and Science at THS. Return to top
Humanities teacher COREY PAULSON was born in the Pacific Northwest and is excited to have returned to the Pacific Coast to teach at The Healdsburg School. After attending independent schools for most of her life, Corey received her bachelor degree in History at the University of Washington. A Dean's List scholar, Corey focused her studies on American history and the relationships between history and the literature of the period.
After graduation, Corey realized that she wanted to use her education to foster the love of learning in others. She began teaching middle and upper school history at an independent school, The Overlake School, in Redmond Washington. She left the school to obtain her master's degree in Religious Studies at the University of Colorado. When she is not working, Corey enjoys cooking, hiking, and playing with her 18-month-old daughter. Return to top
ANN SCHEDER-BIESCHIN comes to THS as the new math, science and economics teacher for the 7th and 8th grade. Ann holds a BS in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University, an MBA in International Business and an MS in Industrial Engineering from Columbia University. Pursuing her passion for learning, Ann has obtained her teaching credential in math from Sonoma State University and is in pursuit of her credential in science with an emphasis on teaching math and science.
Ann has taught math locally at Laguna High School in Sebastopol, conducted her student teaching in geometry at Analy High School and has substitute taught at Analy High School and Mountain Shadows Middle School for three years. Additionally, as a volunteer, Ann facilitated a games club and a journalism club at Mountain Shadows Middle School and was very involved with the Expeditionary Learning Program at this middle school in Rohnert Park.
Although a native of California, Ann lived in Koenigstein, Germany where she taught an enrichment class in American History at the International Schule Frankfort. After seven years in Germany, Ann and her family decided to continue on their world travels and ventured for a year exploring Australia and New Zealand. During that time, she successfully homeschooled her three children.
Ann received the award for the Promotion of International Education from the European Council of International Schools and has been honored for her eleven years of work with youth from the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. She is an avid outdoors woman, enjoys running marathons and trains a team of high school triathletes.
Ann is joined at THS by Jane, a Canine Companions for Independance puppy. Ann is raising Jane to be an assistance dog. Jane enjoys sleeping under desks, being rewarded for good behavior and bringing joy to people. Return to top
Spanish teacher DEBORAH FISCH (Doña Deborah) has been teaching Spanish to children in grades Pre-K through eighth, as well as adults, through her own business, "Mobile Maestra" for the past decade. She employs the Total Physical Response (TPR), as well as the Language Experience Approach (LEA) which results in a lively, engaging classroom atmosphere full of music, movement and games. Doña Deborah draws from an eclectic background of theater, children's educational television performance (Mrs. Twizzleton's Magic Garden), creator/performer of Sonoma Song Service - Singing Telegram Delivery, and Dixieland jazz band singer.
Ms. Fisch worked as the Director of Graduate Events for Summit Inc. - an experiential motivational, self-development organization. She earned a BA in Spanish Literature and Culture, studied at a Translator's University in Spain, and has attended sessions at The Monterey Institute of International Studies. She has been happily married for 20 years to Ed, President of Fisch Bros. Drilling in Sebastopol. Return to top
SHIRLEY LI was born and raised in the Shandong Province of Mainland China. She received a B.A. in English from Yantai University and is completing her teaching certificate in Chinese Mandarin from California State University. She is a journalist and a freelance writer, and she continues to work as a columnist with the “Chinese World Journal", an international publication.
Shirley immigrated to the United States 20 years ago and is the mother of two daughters, Rena and Taylor.
Ms. Li has taught extensively in grades K-8 and employs engaging and interactive teaching methods, using the Total Physical Response (TPR) method.
The TPR method of teaching language fosters an active, vibrant and positive classroom atmosphere that encourages consistent learning and inquiry, and it believes that each student makes a unique contribution, benefitting the group as a whole. Ms. Li’s methods include the interaction of students, using Mandarin in a relevant way. In addition to speaking and writing, students will be led to making connections to the history and culture of China, giving deeper understanding and appreciation of both the language and people. Return to top
Physical Education teacher DAN HARTING was raised in rural Mendocino County. Growing up, he spent most of his time running and exploring in the woods, playing in local streams and rivers. Since his youth, Mr. Harting has had an inherent passion for athletics, playing every sport possible. In 1984, he moved to Santa Rosa, where he attended Montgomery High School and became interested in alternative sports such as surfing, skateboarding, and mountain biking. Mr. Harting’s passion for athletics and the outdoors led him to a program in Exercise Physiology at Sonoma State University.
Mr. Harting has been a teacher at Riebli Elementary in Santa Rosa and most recently, at Sonoma Academy. While teaching at Sonoma Academy, Mr. Harting pursued a graduate degree in Sports Psychology. He is responsible for the creation and management of Sonoma Academy’s cross country team, which he has coached for the past three years. Mr. Harting also started and coaches the track and field team at Sonoma Academy.
His philosophy is simple: Mr. Harting feels that children and adults need to be exposed to many different types of athletic activities. Eventually, a passion will be developed for one of those activities, and when there is passion, there is drive. One does not need to be contrived about exercise. Mr. Harting believes that exercise should come naturally, and as such, a life long commitment to physical fitness and outdoor activity will develop.
In his spare time, Mr. Harting is on his bike or at the coast surfing the crispy cold waves of Sonoma County. He has also developed a huge passion for food and cooking, and he constantly finds himself following the scent of food wafting from the many great restaurants of Healdsburg. Return to top
Art teacher KAREN KLIMAK graduated from Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio in 1970 with a B.A. in Art Education and has been teaching for over 30 years. Her experience includes teaching art classes at schools throughout San Francisco and the North Bay. In addition, Ms. Klimak owned and directed a summer camp in Mendocino. She also created and developed the art program at The San Francisco School where she taught for 23 years. Her own work has been exhibited in venues throughout the Bay Area, and she received an award in conjunction with the Oakland Museum Show "Hello Again." When she's not teaching, Ms. Klimak creates window displays for several storefronts in Healdsburg, works in her barn on her own junk metal sculpture, and takes art classes to enrich her teaching. Return to top
ADAM LIEB is a musician, teacher, singer-songwriter, guitarist, and most recently, music teacher at The Healdsburg School. Born and raised in New York, he graduated from the University of South Florida with degrees in Music and Sociology/Psychology. After graduating, he traveled to England to study further and perform music with world-renowned guitarist Robert Fripp. This relationship led to tours and performances in England, Holland and Israel, with the pinnacle of this work culminating in a recording session at Abbey Road Studios in London—the recording studio for the Beatles.
After returning to America, Mr. Lieb began performing in the New York area and started a teaching practice of his own. Working in studios in New York, he played on recordings made for radio and television and has three original CD’s to his credit. His work has appeared on national radio and television programs, including National Geographic Explorer and VH1.
Relocating to San Francisco in 1998, Mr. Lieb began making “West Coast” music and headed north, eventually settling in Sonoma County. Beginning in January 2002, Mr. Lieb began teaching music classes in Healdsburg at the elementary and middle school level. Experienced in private and group teaching Mr. Lieb has worked with many teaching traditions and continues to have students of various back grounds and instruments.
Mr. Lieb’s recent travels brought him back to Europe to tour and perform in Italy. In 2007, he spent a year in Rome, writing songs for his upcoming album. Return to top
