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.
Milca Adamczyk
Milca is a 1st/2nd co-lead teacher. Milca has a B.A. in art history with a minor in anthropology, an M.F.A., and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from California State University, Los Angeles. Prior to coming to Waverly, Milca substitute taught in Spanish Dual Immersion classrooms in South Pasadena USD and was on the faculty of the Creative World Art Camp held at our campus during summer. (Email)
Lisa Chung-Nguyen
Lisa Chung-Nguyen is a 3rd/4th grade lead teacher. Originally from Arcadia, Lisa taught at The Berkeley School in the Bay Area for past eleven years as a third-grade teacher. She has extensive experience designing and instructing using differentiated curriculum, as well as creating cross-disciplinary project-based learning opportunities. Lisa is also passionate about helping students navigate social interactions and build community in the classroom, and she is skilled at balancing individual and community needs. Lisa has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, with a minor in education from UCLA, and a Master of Arts in Elementary Education/Teaching Credential from Teachers College, Columbia University. (Email)
Maria Brown
Maria is the kindergarten associate teacher. Maria has worked with children for more than 25 years and has been with Waverly since its days as a preschool. Of her work, Maria says, “It gives me joy to watch the children grow year after year and see how they become passionate artists, confident speakers, talented musicians, and kind young adults who love us all for being part of their journey.” Maria’s two daughters attend Waverly: Aaliyah in 10th grade and Natalie in 12th grade. (Email)
Stina Clinton
Stina is a 5th/6th co-lead teacher. Stina has a B.A. in English and a California Single Subject Teaching Credential in Language Arts from California State University, Los Angeles. Stina is committed to creating emergent, project-based social studies units that emphasize multiple perspectives and critical thinking and to engaging her students in service-learning projects. She is passionate about progressive, student-centered education. (Email)
Katie Cohelan
Katie is the kindergarten lead teacher. Katie has a Bachelor’s in International Studies and Spanish from Pitzer College, a Master’s in Education and a California Teaching Credential from the University of the Pacific/Bay Area Teacher Training Institute. With six years of experience teaching kindergarten and first grade, Katie believes learning should be joyous and student led. Her goal is for every child to develop a positive identity as a learner as they deepen their awareness of themselves and others. (Email)
Gisselle De Anda
Gisselle is a 1st/2nd associate teacher. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Mount Saint Mary’s University. Before starting at Waverly, she interned at Children’s Bureau and helped run the Library and Family Enrichment Program. She started at Waverly as a substitute teacher and worked for the summer camp. Gisselle loves to read, go to concerts, and spend her time watching movies. Her hope is to make sure every student feels seen and heard and to know how important it is for them to be themselves. (Email)
Sahaj Kashyap
Sahaj is a 1st/2nd co-lead teacher. Sahaj has a B.A. in sociology from the University of California, Berkeley and an M.A. in education administration and a teaching credential from California State University, Northridge. He appreciates working at Waverly because “academics can be approached differently to include all learning styles. The classroom is a chemistry experiment in and of itself. We have distinct personalities and diverse mixtures that lead to unique results and experiences every year.” Sahaj enjoys Hatha yoga, playing basketball, and exploring science. (Email)
Dharinne Perera-Myers
Dharinne is a 3rd/4th lead teacher. Dharinne has a B.A. in human development and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Pacific Oaks College. She completed a Certificate in Educational Therapy at University of California, Riverside in 2023. In addition to teaching in elementary classrooms, Dharinne has developed and implemented equestrian programs for Tom Sawyer Camps and has also served as a Behavioral Therapist in the B.L.A.S.T. Program. Dharinne has a background in Visions Inclusivity Training and Responsive Classroom, and she is committed to child-centered education. (Email)
Brittany Reynolds
Brittany is a 1st/2nd lead teacher as well as an Elementary School curriculum specialist. Brittany holds a B.A. in psychology and fine art/art history from Bucknell University, a Multiple Subject Credential from CalState TEACH, an Early Childhood Education Certificate from UCLA Extension, and a Master’s in Teaching with a focus on social justice, multiculturalism, and action research from California State University, Fresno. Brittany believes that all students should be given the space and opportunity to love learning and to realize that there is so much that can be uncovered through the learning process. She says, “The classroom is set up to meet varying student needs in a variety of learning experiences. In this environment, students are given the space and support to take risks, ask questions, and express themselves.” (Email)
Millie Schacher
Millie is a 3rd/4th grade associate teacher. Millie was previously an elementary school music teacher and long-term substitute at Waverly. She also has previous experience working in summer camps and children’s theater workshops. Millie loves to read, write, explore nature, and create murder mystery parties. Her “foremost hope this year is to instill in our students empathy for themselves as well as others.” (Email)
Jason Serrano
Jason is a 5th/6th co-lead teacher. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from California State University, Northridge and has worked in education for over 25 years. Before coming to Waverly, Jason spent six years working as a co-teacher in grades 3 – 5 at Brawerman Elementary. Jason shares that he has “a passion for connecting with students and supporting them socially and emotionally. When their social-emotional needs are met, their academics begin to flourish.” (Email)
Claire Walker
Claire is a 5th/6th associate teacher. Claire graduated from Vassar College in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in English literature, specializing in poetry and creative writing. She is also currently working on her teaching credential through Cal State Teach. She enjoys creative pursuits and loves to sew, collage, and write, as well as spend time reading, hiking, cooking, and being with friends, family, and two cats. (Email)
Kelcey Wallens-Logan
Kelcey is a 3rd/4th associate teacher. Kelcey graduated from Barnard College with a degree in environmental science, chemistry, and education studies. Kelcey is an avid knitter, metalsmith, roller skater, rock climber, and (newly!) scuba diver. She plans to pursue a Master’s in education and multiple subject credential and build her skills as a career educator. (Email)
Karen Yenofsky
Karen is a 5th/6th lead teacher as well as an Elementary School curriculum specialist. Karen graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s in Human and Family Development as well as a Master’s of Education, Educational Administration and Supervision. Karen has been teaching for the last 18 years and, prior to coming to Waverly, was teaching and working as the Director of Educational Initiatives at Brawerman Elementary School since 2016. In this role, she taught in the upper elementary and provided support and coaching for the 1st-6th grade teachers in curriculum and instruction. She has researched curricula, implemented project-based learning, and cultivated a developmentally appropriate program emphasizing whole child experiences. She also brings her experience working with BLAST (a social skills program that works with children with and without diagnoses to build their social-emotional, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution skills). As an educator, “I firmly believe that every student is capable of excellence; academic, behavioral, and emotional excellence.” (Email)