Faculty

2011-2012 Elementary School Faculty

At Waverly, students are led by knowledgeable, caring teachers deeply committed to a developmental approach. With their wide range of influences and belief in integrated learning, Waverly’s elementary teachers create engaging and dynamic classrooms. See the biographies below for specific information about education and credentials.

Marina Dahlen teaches young kindergarten. She has an A.A. degree from the College of the Redwoods with an emphasis in early childhood education. Marina is a professional pet-sitter, spends a good deal of her spare time working with dog rescue groups, and helps local “street dogs” find loving homes. Marina’s son Emmett is a graduate of Waverly’s class of 2008.

Richard Cervantes is one of two head teachers in kindergarten. He has a B.A. in Fine Arts/Graphic Design from California State University, Los Angeles. Richard has an Early Childhood Development Credential from the State of California. Richard enjoys using puppetry, magic, storytelling, visual arts, and music in the classroom, and believes that play is the stepping stone to personal growth and development in young children.

Liz Emery is one of two head teachers in kindergarten. She has a B.A. in English and a B.Ed. from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and an E.C.E. from York University in Toronto, Canada. Liz has credentials in senior elementary/middle school (History and English), and kindergarten/junior elementary, from the Ministry of Education (Quebec, Canada). Liz’s daughter Emily is a graduate of Waverly’s second graduating class.

Molly Geller teaches third/fourth grades.

Tina Landesman teaches first/second grades. She has a B.S. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and Dance, and an elementary teaching credential from New York University. She is a member of the National Association of Montessori Teachers, a dance teacher at Dance West, and a private ballet and jazz teacher. Tina has been teaching for more than 25 years.

Susan Roco teaches first/second grades. In her first ten years of teaching, Susan worked with pre-k children. Susan is in her ninth year teaching at the elementary level. Susan attended Pacific Oaks College where she received a B.A. in Human Development and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. ___________

Hypatia Luna teaches third/fourth grades. Hypatia has a B.A. in Art History and the Visual Arts from Occidental College. In addition to being an assistant teacher for several years at Waverly, Hypatia was also the elementary school art specialist for two years. ________________________________________

Erin Palfrey teaches fifth/sixth grades. Erin has a B.F.A in Fine Arts from the Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design, and a multiple subject teaching credential. Erin has taught for eight years at various grade levels, ranging from preschool to twelfth grade. Erin is an artist as well as an educator.
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Cheri Siddons teaches fifth/sixth grades. Cheri has a B.A. in Art History from University of California, Los Angeles, and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix. She has taught in private elementary schools for more than 10 years. __________________________________________

Elementary Associate Teachers:
Cheenu Kashyap (young kindergarten)
Brittany Reynolds (first/second grades)
Maria Brown (first/second grades)
Sahaj Kashyap (third/fourth grades)
Kristin Lee (third/fourth grades)
Kerry Marhefka(fifth/sixth grades)

Elementary Specialists:
Wendy Cross: librarian
Karen Leahy: elementary Spanish teacher
Ken Riddle: elementary art teacher
Josie Olson: vocal music and instrumental music
Michael Olson: vocal music
Eddie Thomas: physical education