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Teachers & Staff
Janice Leung, K+1 Lead Teacher, joined Schoolhouse after working eight years as a primary school educator at St. Thomas the Apostle. Janice is a native San Franciscan, and she studied early childhood education at City College of San Francisco where she earned a teaching credential and M.E.D from National University. Prior to following her true vocation, teaching, she worked for several years in banking and financial services where she applied her B.A. in International Business from the University of San Francisco. Janice is delighted to share her passion for project-based learning, her extensive understanding of child development, and her boundless enthusiasm with the students. In her free time, Janice enjoys the great outdoors, so she is thrilled about our regular trips to the park. Additionally, she speaks Cantonese and enjoys sharing the language with the students.
Abbi Nussbaum Cohen, K+1 Lead Teacher, comes from a family of educators and received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a focus in Social Studies from Michigan State University. Post-teaching both primary and upper elementary grades, she earned her teaching credential and Master’s in elementary education from Michigan State University. Abbi returned to the upper primary grades after teaching International Baccalaureate Pre-K for three years in the Aldine Independent School District in Houston, Texas. Abbi describes her educational philosophy as:
"As a teacher, I believe teaching is not just about the educational benefits we give to students, but the social and emotional benefits as well. Teachers should be instilling a life-long love of learning in our students. At this age it is so important for students to love, play, and have fun in the classroom, to positively establish their attitudes towards school for the rest of their lives. I love being outdoors, which is much more comfortable here in SF than it was in Texas! I am also a lover of the performing arts and have a major sweet tooth. I look forward to taking in the best performances and sweet treats San Francisco has to offer over the coming years!"
Beatriz De La Rosa, K+1 Lead Teacher, joined Schoolhouse in 2013. Beatriz was involved in many aspects of the growth of Schoolhouse, from the early days of the Adventure Day program to leading and managing a safe and fun outdoor free-play program. Beatriz moved to San Francisco from Mexico as a toddler. For eight years, Beatriz volunteered at Commodore Sloat Elementary School, organizing Cinco de Mayo assemblies, including choreographing and directing up to 50 children per show. Beatriz studied Child Development at San Francisco City College and has experience as a teaching assistant at Live Oak School and Children’s Day School.
Kailyn Scott, K+1 Lead Teacher, is originally from southern California and moved to the Bay Area in 2021. She earned her B.S. in Structural Engineering with a minor in Public Service from UC San Diego. She has always had a drive for community-based work, especially in education and sustainability. Kailyn has experience working with elementary students in reading and math, and mentoring high school seniors completing their thesis projects. She is excited to be a part of Schoolhouse as she extends her career in education, and enjoys growing alongside the Schoolhouse community. Outside of work, Kailyn enjoys reading, crafting, roller blading, and seeing live music!
Bret Hubacek, 2+3 Lead Teacher, came to Schoolhouse after teaching General and Special Education for six years. He loves to design creative ways for students to learn and show their knowledge. Born and raised in the East Bay, Bret graduated from Sonoma State University with a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies. He then made his way down to Louisiana where he earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of New Orleans. In his spare time, you can find Bret walking his energetic dog, Winston, playing tennis, or eating delicious food. Bret is thrilled to be a part of the Schoolhouse team!
Samantha Levy, 2+3 Lead Teacher, is passionate about her family, the vibrant city of San Francisco, and the rewarding field of teaching. After taking a few years off to focus on family, she is happy to be back in the classroom. She received her teaching credential and Master's in Education from San Francisco State and has taught 3rd grade for the past 5 years at public and charter schools. She is thrilled to begin this exciting new chapter at SF Schoolhouse, a school that aligns perfectly with her beliefs and teaching practices, and can't wait to make a positive impact.
Olivia Jane Morfit, 4+5 Lead Teacher. A native San Franciscan, Olivia has been teaching in Bay Area independent schools since 2019. Olivia is thrilled to teach in a program that speaks to her own Montessori experience and to the powerful, creative hands-on learning that Schoolhouse offers. Olivia previously taught at the Hamlin School. She earned her teaching credential and M.E.D. from Bay Area Teacher Training Institute and holds a Bachelor’s in English Literature from Skidmore College. Olivia is a lover of true experiential learning, Patti Smith, potato-based foods, and making her own clothes. Olivia believes that the answers are inside us.
Lisa Macdonald, 4+5 Lead Teacher, is an educator with a passion for nurturing young minds through creativity. Born and raised in Santa Cruz, she honed her skills at San Francisco State, studying under the esteemed Julia Marshall to earn a BA in Art Education with a focus in studio arts. She went on to earn both multiple subject and single subject teaching credentials. After 14 rewarding years as a classroom teacher, Lisa was ecstatic to return to her roots and be back in the very city where her teaching journey began. In her free time, Lisa finds joy in various artistic pursuits, including reading, vegan cooking, thrifting, and managing her art business, Starling's Originals. Her diverse interests reflect her dedication to creativity both inside and outside the classroom. With warmth, enthusiasm, and a wealth of experience, Lisa continues to inspire and shape the young hearts she encounters and foster a love for learning that extends beyond the boundaries of a traditional classroom.
Ben Yurman-Glaser, 6-8 Lead Teacher, grew up in upstate New York and received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University. After graduating, he joined the New York City Teaching Fellows program where he taught elementary school and received a Master's degree in teaching from Pace University. After moving to California, he spent four years as an education and environmental policy analyst for the Mayor of San Jose. Ben then decided to return to classroom teaching and taught middle school math and science for a decade in Daly City before teaching 8th grade science the past two years in San Francisco. He believes math should be interesting, engaging, and most importantly, relevant. When not teaching, he enjoys music (both playing and listening), being outdoors, and spending time with his wife and three sons.
Marina Hydeman, 6-8 Lead Teacher, was born and raised in San Francisco and is thrilled to be back after a few years of teaching middle schoolers in Seattle independent and outdoor schools. They are a strong believer in learning that is hands-on, joyful, and centers a sense of wonder. A lifelong learner, they hold an M.Ed. from the University of Washington along with certificates in Environmental Education and Game Design. They have a Bachelor's in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Cornell University, and have worked everywhere from makerspaces to zoos to biology labs. When not teaching, Marina loves being outdoors, baking, playing role-playing games, and trying to tire out their puppy, Ziggy.
Trevor McBride, 6-8 Lead Teacher, spreads joy for the Humanities with their students. Trevor studied the Humanities and world literature at San Francisco State University, and brings their passion for writing, history and deep thinking into the classroom. They have worked as a middle school educator for the past three years, helping kids with a diverse set of learning profiles from high behavioral needs to profound giftedness. Trevor is passionate about working with middle schoolers, finding their capacity for profound, earnest critical thinking to be rewarding and motivating. In their personal life they are an amateur mycologist, parent to two cats, avid reader and musician. They are excited to be a part of the SFSH community!
Kathy Pfeiffer, Director of Operations, came to San Francisco Schoolhouse in 2016. Kathy studied Science A-levels in England and earned a General Master of the Arts with Distinction from the University of St Andrews, Scotland. Back in the Bay Area, she worked as a researcher for a museum exhibit design firm and then in academic administration. She has been the STEAM teacher for K-8 since 2017, leading small group science lessons. Kathy leads the annual middle school STEAM fair and teaches science in collaboration with the 6-8 lead teaching team.
Susan Spurlock, K-5 Math Coach and K-5 Music Teacher, moved to the Bay Area from Point Arena, California to join Schoolhouse in 2014. Susan has over 30 years of experience as a lead classroom teacher, with a focus in math. Susan received her Bachelor’s degree from New College in San Francisco, and her California multi-subject CLAD credential from Dominican College in San Rafael. Susan spent 12 years teaching fourth and fifth grade at the Arena Elementary School in Point Arena. While there, Susan led the Living History Experiences at Angel Island and Fort Ross State Parks. Susan is an accomplished musician who regularly shares her love of music with her students. Previous to her time as a lead teacher, Susan was a music teacher at several Point Arena schools where she taught weekly classes, instrumental band and choral programs using the Orff Schulwerk approach. For the past 25 years, Susan has taught drama and music to children at Lark in the Morning Summer Music Camp in Mendocino.
Mariel Paat, 6-8 Art Teacher and Visual Arts Curriculum & Program Specialist, joined Schoolhouse in 2015, and was the school's first K-8 art teacher. Born and raised in Visalia, CA, Mariel moved to SF in 2010 to attend San Francisco State University. During her time there, she spent a year abroad in Florence, Italy studying at La Accademia di Belle Arti. That is where she fell in love with painting and pursued her BA in studio art and art history. This year she is excited to focus on engaging with the middle school artists and growing the school's visual arts program. When she’s not spending time in her home studio, Mariel enjoys taking her senior dog, Jasper, out for walks, thrifting around different neighborhoods, and trying new recipes.
Kevin Arbanil, Physical Education and Flex Teacher, earned a B.A. in Spanish Language, Linguistics and Bilingualism at UC Berkeley. Being creative and having fun are important to him. Prior to joining Schoolhouse, Kevin tutored Spanish and worked as a Soccer Coach for SFVSC for 10 years. He teaches at SFVSC Summer Camp where he helps students discover their potential and learn new subjects. He believes that having fun while learning is the best path to education. He enjoys sharing new and fun activities with the kids at Schoolhouse.
Stacey Isaac, Drama Teacher and Flex Teacher, earned her BA in Theatre Studies at Lancaster University, United Kingdom, and a Post-Certificate in Education (PGCE) at the University of Reading, United Kingdom, in Secondary Drama Teaching. She has six years of experience teaching Drama at the elementary and secondary school levels, directing and producing whole-school musicals and plays, and developing hands-on, creative programs and curricula. The word ‘we’ has always had a fundamental place in her teaching practice. She is deeply committed to creating a collaborative and inclusive classroom environment where every student feels valued and empowered to thrive, build confidence, and develop a strong sense of self through artistic exploration and expression. In her spare time, Stacey enjoys dance classes, watching theater, and hiking in the Marin Headlands.
Elena Curnyn, Flex Teacher, is a passionate educator who recently earned a degree in Child and Adolescent Development - School Age Child and Family from San Francisco State University. Elena believes that the key to building lasting educational partnerships is finding meaningful connections with students. By fostering a supportive, inclusive environment, Elena works to create a space where every child feels valued and motivated to thrive. Dedicated to empowering young minds, Elena is committed to using her knowledge to nurture curiosity, resilience, and a love for learning in every student at Schoolhouse.
Jordyn Byes, Flex Teacher,