Michelle Garcia - Kindergarten Teacher
Jeanette Inness - Kindergarten Teacher
Suzanne Mitchell - 1st Grade Teacher
April Mollison - 1st Grade Associate Teacher
Ashley Lapham- 2nd Grade Teacher
Nicole Roges - 2nd Grade Associate Teacher
Sigal Cohen - 3rd Grade Teacher
Nicole Woolley - 3rd Grade Associate Teacher
Britta Dulac - 4th Grade Teacher
Lori Schoffstall - 4th Grade Associate Teacher
Amy Caldwell - Humanities Teacher
Charlotte Perrine - Math, Science, Economics Teacher
Corey Paulson - Humanities Teacher
Leigh Schmitt - Math, Science, Economics Teacher
Lori Patocchi - Upper School Associate Teacher
Carrie Smith - Upper School Associate Teacher
Deborah Fisch - Spanish Teacher
Shirley Li - Mandarin Teacher
Karen Klimack - Art Teacher
Connie Schlotthauer - 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 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
First Grade Teacher SUZANNE MITCHELL is dedicated and passionate about meeting every child's needs, not only academically, but both socially and emotionally as well. Ms. Mitchell encourages an engaging educational atmosphere wherein all children have a chance to be successful. Ms. Mitchell herself is a life-long learner and creates an environment that fosters the childrens' passion for being life-long learners too.
Ms. Mitchell grew up in Los Angeles and moved to San Francisco to attend San Francisco State University in 1995. From there, she continued her love of learning by taking American Sign Language and Latin at Santa Rosa Junior College. Ms. Mitchell graduated from Hutchins Program at Sonoma State University with a B.A. in Liberal Studies. She is currently in the Multiple Subject Credential Program at SSU.
Ms Mitchell has been working with children for over 15 years. She started as a babysitter, then camp counselor, then a live-in nanny. She was an Associate Teacher at Sonoma Country Day School for three years in grades K-3. She was also the Spanish Teacher for First and Second Grade at SCDS. Ms. Mitchell has been trained in the Lindamood-Bell phoneme sequencing program (LiPs) to help her create a successful reading program.
Ms. Mitchell is a huge advocate of learning by experiencing. She is passionate about traveling and being exposed to different cultures, languages, food and environments. She has been fortunate to have traveled to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, England, Ireland, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Costa Rica. She hopes to continue to enrich her life through more traveling. Return to top
First Grade associate teacher APRIL MOLLISON received her Multiple Subjects teaching credential from California State University, Fresno. Working with children has been a passion and she has over 25 years experience teaching in public and private schools. April has a particular fondness for Kindergarten and First grades which is where the bulk of her experience lies. She feels strongly about engaging children in hands-on learning and creating an atmosphere of excitement and enthusiasm in her students. In 2002 she collaborated with several teachers and received a grant from the Petaluma Education Foundation to further fund technology in the classroom. At her previous school she implemented an annual school wide Science Fair which became a highly anticipated event each school year.
April's hobbies include gardening, wildflower photography, hiking and exploring the deserts of the southwest. Her biggest passion however is baseball. It has been a family affair for over 20 years and she is an enthusiastic fan of the San Francisco Giants!
April has two grown children that have just completed their college educations. Her daughter recently married and resides in Clovis, California and her son lives in Sonoma County and would like to attend law school in the future. Return to top
Second grade teacher ASHLEY LAPHAM holds a B.A. in Interpersonal Communication and a B.S. in Asian Studies from Western Michigan University. In 2003, she and her husband relocated from Michigan to California where she pursued a Montessori Credential at the Elementary Level I. As her first teaching venture, she helped establish a private Montessori elementary school in Sacramento. As founding teacher, she taught a multi-age classroom for three years before leaving to pursue her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential at Bay Area Teacher Training Institute, which works in partnership with San Francisco State University.
From the first moment she stepped into a classroom, the students captured her heart and Ashley knew she had found her calling. She feels that teaching is one of the most challenging and important jobs in the world and enjoys using her creativity and humor to make learning fun. Fundamental to her teaching philosophy is the belief that all children have the innate passion and desire to learn about themselves and their world. Her teaching experience has helped her become skilled in recognizing and meeting the individual needs of learners, while capitalizing on their interests and passions. She strongly believes that students are most successful when they feel pride and take ownership in their work and Ashley's natural talents make it easy for her to build supportive, caring relationships with her students.
While earning her credential as SFSU, she worked at Cathedral School for Boys in San Francisco and then transitioned into public education to teach at River Montessori Charter School in Petaluma. Outside school, Ashley enjoys hiking, gardening, reading, live music, and spending time with her husband and son. She is very excited to join THS and looks forward to getting to know the THS community. Return to top.
Second grade associate teacher NICOLE ROGES has always known what she wanted to do. As a young girl, she aspired to follow in her grandmother's footsteps and become a teacher. Nicole has fond memories of herself as a teenager helping her grandmother implement lessons in the classroom. Nicole graduated from the University of North Texas in 2008 with a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies along with a credential in Elementary Education. She enjoys the hands on experiences that enrich a child's education. After growing up in both Texas and New York, Nicole decided to settle in Healdsburg. She enjoys spending time with her boyfriend, who is a local chef and their little dog. She also likes to ride her bike, garden, travel and eat! Return to top
Third grade teacher SIGAL COHEN has always known she wanted to work with children and families, so when she graduated from San Diego State University with a BS in Psychology, she moved back to the the Bay Area. Sigal truly fell in-love with teaching after a two year internship at the Town School, a private school for boys in San Francisco.
Following her internship, Sigal enrolled in the credential program at Dominican University. After completing the credential program, Sigal returned to the Town School were she has been ever since. Sigal finds herself very lucky to have taught at Town School. She learned a lot about herself as a teacher and an active community member. Sigal continues to grow and learn as a teacher. She is always looking for different ways to teach to ensure that all of her students shine in their own special way. We are all different types of learners and Sigal incorporates that in her lessons and introduces new ways of thinking to her students. Return to top
Third grade associate teacher NICOLE WOOLLEY is from Glendora, California and moved to Rohnert Park after studying abroad in London, England. She has a B.A. in Liberal Studies from Sonoma State University, as well as a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Nicole has worked in schools across Sonoma County in grades first through fifth in various fields. This last school year Ms. Woolley taught fifth grade at The European School in Costa Rica.
Ms. Woolley has always wanted to be a teacher since she was ten years old. She is experienced in integrating curriculum and enjoys showing students how the curriculum relates to the outside world, in order to show its true relevance. Ms. Woolley promotes higher level thinking by having students investigate and form opinions an current events and the class's subject matter.
When she is not in the classroom you can see Nicole cooking, traveling, or playing with her two dogs. She also loves watching movies, especially Turner Classic Films, and helps her family create educational materials and songs for students. Return to top
Fourth Grade Teacher, BRITTA DULAC was born in New Hampshire. Her family moved to Waterloo, Belgium and later to Prague during her middle and high school years. While there, Ms. Dulac attended International Schools where she was able to take part in the I.B. program. She returned to the U.S. to attend Kenyon College in Ohio where she received a B.A. in English, and then moved to San Francisco in 2005. Shortly after moving, Ms. Dulac received her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from the Bay Area Teacher Training Institute as San Francisco State University. She was an associate teacher at Bentley School in Oakland for two years in grades one and three and then began teaching kindergarten. For the past year she has been working in San Francisco teaching fourth grade.
Ms. Dulac has always known that she has a passion for working with children. She is invested in creating an inspiring environment for children to learn, grow and discover as individuals. She encourages a classroom community where students work together to inquire and investigate and where each accommodate multiple learning styles with emphasis on hands-on learning.
When she isn't teaching, Ms. Dulac enjoys cooking, reading, seeing live music, and spending time with her fiancé Zach who is a Sonoma County native. She is very excited to join the THS community. Back to top.
Fourth grade associate teacher, LORI SCHOFFSTALL, received her Bachelor of Arts degree and her Masters of Arts degree in Social Sciences from California State University San Bernardino, graduating with highest honors. She obtained her multiple subject teaching credential from Chapman University. Lori has lived most of her life in Apple Valley, California, where she has been a seventh grade social studies teacher for 21 years. She taught at the middle school in which she attended. Lori has been the peer advisor to students, teaching them mediation skills as well as mentoring peer assistant programs to help her very diverse population. Her passion is teaching and she brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and lots of enthusiasm to her new endeavor. Her experience in student assistance programs has given her the gift of gaining trust from the students who may need academic support. She loves hands-on activities and experiential learning lessons to let the students discover for themselves critical thinking skills. She believes that through this inspiration, students will develop a lifelong curiosity to know more and will become seekers of knowledge. She enjoys engaging in the method of Socratic teaching, whereby the students become the teacher. She has learned many wonderful lessons from her students this way.
Lori has a daughter, a son and a most precious grandson. All of her family is involved in teaching, art, music, science, medicine, and health care; including her five-year-old grandson who is proficient in singing and drawing pictures. Lori is very excited about her wonderful opportunity to work as a fourth grade associate teacher. Return to top.
Upper school 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 upper school 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 daughter. Return to top
LEIGH SCHMITT is delighted to be joining The Healdsburg School as the new upper school mathematics, science and economics teacher. Leigh has been teaching for eleven years, and is in his fifth year of teaching math and science to students in grades 7-12 at The Academy at Charlemont in Charlemont, MA. In addition to teaching, Leigh has extensive experience coaching sports, serving as a student advisor, and "greening" institutions through his tireless passion for the environment. At his current school, Leigh helped to implement an extensive gardening and composting program, served as a faculty representative for a student-generated Sustainability Council, enlisted the institution in a nationwide energy conservation competition (The Green Cup Challenge), and co-created an interdisciplinary seventh grade course entitled "Climate Connections".
Despite his love of travel, Leigh has been a life-long resident of New England, so resettling his family in California will be a true adventure. His two children are true outdoor kids with boundless energy. Leigh is a graduate of Deerfield Academy, Union College, and the University of Massachusetts. For the past three summers, Leigh has been the recipient of three distinct, unique grant research opportunities. In 2007, Leigh snorkeled, restored coral reefs, and learned the values of experiential and place-based education at The Island School in Cape Eluthera, Bahamas. The following year, he collaborated with a colleague to create an environmentally-themed, interdisciplinary seventh grade curriculum. Most recently, he researched agricultural education and farm-to-school programs at high schools and colleges in the Northeast. In his free time, Leigh is a professional runner and serves as an athletic ambassador for the North Face and CLIF Bar Corporations. Leigh is currently ranked seventh in the nation in the sport of ultrarunning. Leigh cannot wait to hit the ground running in the Golden State with his wife and two children. Return to top
Upper school associate teacher, LORI PATOCCHI, a California native, has lived in Healdsburg for over 25 years, where she and her husband built their home and raised their three children.
Lori began working in the classroom when her children entered school, and has enjoyed more than 15 years of experience working with K-8 students in various Healdsburg schools. She is a graduate of Sonoma State University with a B.A. Degree in Liberal Studies. She is currently enrolled in the SSU Multiple Subject Credential Program.
Learning is as much of a passion to Lori as teaching; therefore she believes that instruction should be driven by what students have to contribute to the learning environment. Lori is inspired and motivated by the individuality of her students, and strives to help them achieve success in all areas of learning.
Lori has always loved to read just about anything, work in her garden, and care for the family's numerous pets and farm animals. Her greatest delight is watching her young grandson grow, learn and enjoy life. Return to top.
Upper school associate teacher CARRIE SMITH grew up in San Diego and attended school at the University of California at Davis. After earning her B.S. in Biology and her teaching credential from U.C. Davis she moved back to San Diego where she taught 7th and 8th grade science at Carmel Valley Middle School for five years. During her time at Carmel Valley Middle School, Carrie chaired the science department, coached various sports, and started a lesson study program that is still in place today.
Carrie took some time off of classroom teaching to care for her two children. During this time she began her online teaching career with California Virtual Academics. She began as a teacher of Earth Science and Physics for California Virtual Academics and was quickly promoted to the science department chair before finally assuming the role of vice principal of the high School.
Carrie is passionate about working with students and is excited to leave the online world and be back in the physical classroom working with students face to face at THS. She has a strong background in math and science and is looking forward to bringing the enthusiasm she has for these subjects to the students. Back 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
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
Music Teacher
CONNIE SCHLOTTHAUER holds a Bachelor of Music in Education from the University of Northern Colorado, a second endorsement in Elementary Education, and K-12 teacher's certificate for the states of Colorado and California. She has over 25 years of professional musical experience as a music educator, performer, and teaching in her private flute studio. Her passion for music not only includes performance, but more importantly for teaching children and encouraging them to reach their highest potential.
Mrs. Schlotthauer has been a music teacher at Beebe Christian School in Fort Collins, Colorado, HMS Richards Adventist School, in Loveland, Colorado, and Rio Lindo Adventist Academy in Healdsburg. Her experience includes classroom music, band, choir, bell choir, musical productions, private brass and woodwind lessons, drama and multi-grade elementary classroom teaching. She has had experience teaching in Colorado Charter schools, and in particular with the Core Knowledge curriculum. She enjoys being actively involved in the community and has been the music director for many holiday productions.
Mrs. Schlotthauer enjoys combining her love of music and creatively teaching children by incorporating music appreciation, theory and history through the Orff Schulwerk and Kodaly methods. She is a member of The American Orff-Schulwerk Association, The National Association for Music Education, and the National Flute Association. She also holds a degree in Office Administration from Pacific Union College in Angwin, California.
Mrs. Schlotthauer enjoys spending time with her husband and three daughters. Her interests include hiking, finding new music, new recipes, and shopping with her girls. She was born in South Dakota, and is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. She has lived in California for over 23 years. Return to top
