Meet Our Instructors
Teachers for the Adult School are professional educators. All state-funded courses and many community interest classes are taught by credentialed teachers. In addition, some of our instructors bring to the classroom their expertise from other professions or occupations.
Maria Abilock
Maria Abilock teaches a 2s class, Toddler Parent Observation class, and serves as our new teacher mentor. PreSchool Family has been an important part of her family since 2004. “I love working with children and parents at PreSchool Family and helping everyone learn about and manage their feelings. I also love game nights with my […]
Katherine S. Barg Ed.D
Kay has taught at the Palo Alto Adult School since fall of 2011. She teaches a variety of courses: Writing Academy from beginning to advanced, American Business Communication, Presenting with Confidence, US Citizenship, Speaking Fluently and Intermediate Low ESL. Kay has two masters in Education and Administration as well as a Doctorate in Curriculum and […]
Mary Bazigos
Mary Bazigos is a Palo Alto Adult School credentialed teacher with a Master’s degree in English as a Second Language from San Francisco State University. Her Bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley is in Spanish literature. She has been teaching at the Palo Alto Adult School since 2003. As a first generation American with parents who immigrated […]
Margaret Bdzil
ESL Transitions Instructor Margaret Bdzil brings to her class a wealth of knowledge about career and higher education opportunities. For over 20 years, she has worked at De Anza College administering career education and workforce development programs. Margaret holds a Master’s degrees in Slavic and East European Studies from Ohio State University and a Certificate […]
Mireille Belloni
Mireille Belloni, a native of France, has taught and directed French Language Programs in the United States for many years. An alumn of the Ecole Normale Supérieure, she also studied at the Sorbonne and at the University of Kent (U.K.). In the U.S., she has been on the faculty of the University of Michigan, Middlebury […]
Karla Berry
Karla Berry teaches the 4s Stay & Play Class. Karla has been teaching at PSF since 2011 after being a parent in the program for seven years with her two daughters. Karla loves to eat dark chocolate, bake, run, read fiction, practice yoga, and teach at PreSchool Family. “I love teaching at PSF because it […]
Ferenc Besze
Ferenc Besze was born and raised in Budapest, Hungary. His love for art surfaced early on in his childhood when Ferenc filled all his textbooks with drawings to the frustration of his teachers and parents. He started his career decisively influenced by the internationally known Ernő Zórád’s comics. They were an inspiration to him when […]
Carol Boclin
Born in 1963, I built a multidisciplinary career, with more than 25 years of experience in Image Narrative, Curation and Coordination of Art and Photography Exhibitions. In 1986, I completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and in 1988 the Postgraduate Degree in Gestalt Therapy, which made me understand the power of images and their psychological […]Sherri Bohan
Sherri Bohan is a State Board credentialed instructor and has a degree in Ornamental Horticulture. In 2021, she will celebrate 25 years as a Palo Alto Adult School instructor! She has been a local landscaper, garden instructor, designer, consultant, licensed contractor and professional horticulturist for over 40 years. A small business owner doing residential landscape […]
Jonake Bose
Jonake has been cooking since the age of 8 and loves to cook using fresh ingredients and shortcuts and teach cooking. She has taught numerous cooking classes in India, Germany and the US. She learned to cook from her grandmother, aunt and other family members. In her classes, she takes traditional recipes from her mother’s […]
Mary Ann Carmack
I have loved woodworking since childhood when my dad built a workbench for me when I was just 6 years old! When I retired from a career in pediatrics, I was thrilled to rekindle that interest, taking all of the woodworking courses offered at Palo Alto Adult School. Since 2015, I have had the honor […]
Amy Chan
I have been licensed to teach Zumba and Zumba toning since 2016. I love teaching! It is so satisfying to see your students take the time to take good care of their health while having fun. In the past 4 years I have taught at FUHSD adult school, Total Women Gym & Spa, West Coast […]
Francisco Chavarria
I am a Culinary Instructor and Executive Chef who started my career as a dishwasher. My passion for cooking began at an early age, as I was born into a family with a strong tradition of cooking. During my childhood, I learned about the cultivation and preparation of food, farming animals, and the significance of […]
Susan Cole
Susan Cole has been teaching ESL at Palo Alto Adult School since 2002, at levels from beginning to advanced. Susan’s goal is to help her students become more confident, effective and enthusiastic communicators in English. She seeks to structure her classes and materials so that students develop and improve in the directions that are most […]
Mackenzie Cooper
Mackenzie Cooper teaches the Friday 4s class. She is passionate about helping children develop the social-emotional skills they need to successfully navigate the world around them. “I love reading, playing with my daughters, cooking, travel, and long walks with friends, many of whom I met during our time as parents of preschoolers.”
Darryl Dieckman
Furniture maker Darryl Dieckman is interested in reinterpreting iconic designs from the past in beautiful woods and adapting their function for everyday use. He is a graduate of the Fine Woodworking program at The Krenov School (2018) and The College of The Redwoods (2017). He is currently a resident of the Cubberley Artist Studio Program […]
Elizabeth Eaton
Elizabeth Eaton teaches the Infant Class. “I love babies and I love getting to watch parents blossom in their roles. Finding a supportive community of families was so important to me when my own children were small, and I feel so lucky to have an opportunity to help provide that space for others.”
Chana Feinstein
Chana has been inventing stories and songs since before she could hold a pencil. She has enjoyed working as a teacher and coach to undergraduates and other adults in a variety of fields for many years, and has a special passion for teaching about writing. Before and since her writer’s block, she won a half-dozen […]Stefania Filigheddu
Stefania Filigheddu – Born in Civitavecchia (Rome) and raised in Sardegna, obtained her Masters Degree in Political Science at the University of Pavia with a special focus on Economics and then attended a Master Course on European Economics Programs. She worked 7 years in Milano as a Human Resource Specialist and Human Resources Consulting, then […]
Lisa Foster
Lisa Foster has over 2 decades of broadcasting and voice over experience, and has one of the most versatile voices in the industry. She has written and voiced live and recorded commercials for dozens of businesses and corporations including Crest Toothpaste, Olay, Café Appassionato, LA Weight Loss, Advanced Laser Clinics and Sleep Train. Foster has […]
Fiona Gersh
Fiona Gersh is our campus lead administrative assistant who has anchored PreSchool Family and the Greendell campus for years. Fiona loves helping families and their children navigate their first experiences at school. She is also known as our campus guru who pretty much knows everything! “As a believer in the relationships of parent-child-teacher, I love […]
Sharon Eshel Gloster
I am an English language coach who, after working as a Human Resources Manager for various organizations, decided to follow my passion for helping others improve communication and productivity through improved language skills. Although I had been tutoring part-time for several years while working in HR, in 2013, I decided to fully focus my time […]
Claude Godcharles
Claude has been involved in woodworking for over 12 years, with interests in furniture design and production, woodturning, marquetry, and almost anything involving wood. A big motivation for teaching woodworking is that teaching is learning: it forces an instructor to dig deeper and figure out how to transmit skills and techniques by interacting with students.
Sharon Hampel, Ph.D.
Sharon Hampel has enjoyed teaching writing at Palo Alto Adult School for the past several years. Prior to moving to San Francisco, she taught literature and writing at the University of Colorado and the University of Denver. Sharon has a Masters in Literature with an emphasis on ESL teaching and a Ph.D. in Literature with […]
Terri Hilton
Terri Hilton teaches a Toddler Parent Observation Class. Her own family treasured their time at PSF so she is thrilled to now support other PSF families in becoming their best selves and building community. With a background in teaching theatre, Terri loves creative play, reading aloud, and singing with children. Terri also loves family games […]
Yvonne Ip
Yvonne was introduced to Ikebana while attending the Retail Floristry Certificate Program at Mission College in Santa Clara. Soon after completion, she became immersed in the study and practice of this ancient Japanese art of flower arranging, taking formal lessons and attending a variety of workshops. She received her teaching credentials from The Sogetsu School […]
Katy Jelley
Katy Jelley began working with preschool children in the UK at 18 and fell in love with the baby babble, messy play, and cheeky grins, not to mention the story time snuggles. After a break to reaise her own children and move to the USA, Katy has joined the PSF team with new experiences leading […]
Sam Kauffman
Sam Kauffman has spent over twenty years writing in various literary genres along with teaching junior high, leading workshops all over the US, presenting for the Literary Stage, CWC and the San Mateo Library. She has been an Artist in Residence at a school in New Mexico. Born and raised in Seattle Sam has a […]
Rachel Kellerman
Rachel Kellerman, MA, MLS is a teacher and librarian with over 30 years of teaching experience. Genealogy work involves research and storytelling, two of her of her favorite things to practice and to teach. Rachel has a teaching credential and MA in Education from UC Berkeley and a Masters in Library Science from San Jose […]
Lolita Kimble
Lolita Kimble teaches the 3s Stay and Play children’s class. She was a parent in the program with her youngest son and is a firm believer in PSF’s learn through play model. She previously worked with high school students and now loves being in early childhood education where a love of learning is so fundamental. […]
Becca King
Becca King teaches a 2s class. She joined the PreSchool Family community as a parent in 2002 and went through the program for seven years with her two daughters. She began teaching in the program in 2008 and is passionate about supporting families with young children. Before coming to PSF Becca taught as a first […]Roberta Lamanda
Roberta was born and raised in Rome where she earned her Bachelor Degree in Political Science at La Sapienza, University of Rome. She worked in Milan for many years before moving to New York where she worked as a contributor for a major Italian TV network. When she moved to Palo Alto, California with her […]
Dr. Chag-Hee Lee
Dr. Chag-Hee Lee, Violinist A native of Seoul, Korea, Chag-Hee Lee graduated from YeWon School and Seoul Arts High School. After completing her degree at the Korean National University of Arts and Music, she received her Master of Music degree from Indiana University and Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Maryland. Her […]
Kathilynn Lehmer
I have lived and worked in the Bay Area for many years as an educator, employment counselor, program and training coordinator and transition specialist. I have helped hundreds of youth and adults to get jobs and explore careers. I have a BA from the University of California at Berkeley and a MS in Education and […]
Brenda Lowen
Brenda Lowen has taught Literacy at PAAS since 1995. Brenda received her B.A. from Antioch College, Ohio 1961 and M.A. from Stanford University in 1966.Leonardo McCord Salazar
Leonardo McCord Salazar has taught the Spanish language for 38 years. He holds a B.A. in Spanish and French from U.C. Berkeley and an M.A. in Spanish from UCLA. He is a UC Regents’ Scholar, a Peace Corps Volunteer, and a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Delta Pi (the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society), and Alpha Mu […]
Dana Miller
Dana Miller is the founder and owner of Coastside Quilt Studio in Pacifica. She has been sewing since childhood, learning around age 9 or 10, inspired by her mother and grandmother. She began quilting in 2009 and her business continued to grow. Her involvement with the San Francisco Quilters Guild and Pacifica Quilter’s Club helped […]Marcus Miller
Marcus enjoys teaching woodworking at all levels and has been teaching through Palo Alto Adult School for over a decade. He blends a power tool and hand tool approach to fine furniture building with an emphasis on safety and enjoyment of the craft.
Michael Osborne
Michael Osborne is retired President and Creative Director of the Palo Alto based Michael Osborne Design. Established in 1981, the firm’s work in private label and brand package design has garnered awards from all major competitions, and has been recognized by many industry publications including a feature article in Communication Arts, 2011. Michael’s work is […]
Linda Papanicolaou
Linda Papanicolaou has been an art historian, a museum and arts administrator, and a certificated Visual Art teacher, with more than more than 30 years’ experience in children’s and adult Arts classes classes from pre-school to college level—including twenty-five years’ service in the Palo Alto school system. Linda especially loves working with students who didn’t […]
Jenn Pierson
Jenn Pierson teaches a 3s class, the Dinner Class, and is the lead teacher at PreSchool Family. Jenn is a passionate believer in parent participation programs and was a parent at PSF as well! “Snuggling kids and singing songs, giggling and being creative with my children, crafting to music, using my label maker and laminator, […]
David Ramadanoff
MASTER SINFONIA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA David Ramadanoff, Music Director and Conductor David Ramadanoff trained at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Temple University, and the Juilliard School. He began his career at the podium serving as Music Director of the Olney Symphony of Philadelphia and Assistant Conductor of the Syracuse Symphony, and leading the New York premiere […]
John Rinehart
John Rinehart is a Bay Area furniture maker who aspires to design and make elegant, functional, and thoughtful furniture in a sustainable way. Coming from a career in tech, John discovered his true passion for “living through making” while taking evening adult education woodworking classes in Palo Alto, CA. From there he continued to learn […]
Sumit Roy
Sumit Roy has been involved with the Woodworking program since 2016, initially as a student, then as a class volunteer, and since 2020, as an instructor. He spends his free time on projects in his own woodshop, with an emphasis on using locally sourced or reclaimed lumber. He has a PhD in Computer Engineering from […]
Sally-Ann Rudd
Sally-Ann has sewn all her life. She completed the Certificate in Custom Dressmaking from Canada College in 2020. Apart from making garments of all kinds including gymnastics costumes and lingerie she is also experienced with repairs and alterations.
Anjani Sarma
Anjani Sarma is a credentialed ESL instructor with a graduate certificate in TESOL. Having learned French as an adult and as a Spanish language learner now, she understands the cultural and linguistic challenges and stress adult ESL learners experience. She firmly believes that with exposure to rich and meaningful language in a low stress, fun […]Pary Sarraf
Pary Sarraf has pursued her passion for the French language by teaching it to those who share her enthusiasm and passion. She has been teaching French for the past twenty years. Her students appreciate her knowledge and diligence in an interesting, stimulating and inducing ambiance. Pary has a M.A. degree in French Language and Literature. […]
Julie Shanson
Julie Shanson has a passion for tasty whole foods. She’s been teaching middle school cooking classes since the fall of 2013 with titles like Food Glorious Food and Soup, Salad, Bread and Blogs. She holds a degree from Cornell University, has worked at several tech companies in mentoring and training roles, and has had an […]
Basil Shen
Basil Shen teaches a 2s class and supports the 4s Stay and Play children’s class. His involvement with PSF began in 2013 as a parent and continues to this day as both a parent and now a teacher. In addition to helping parents and children grow and develop, Basil enjoys hiking, gardening, sports, eating, and […]
Jim Sherman
Jim Sherman is the principal of the Palo Alto Adult School. With a Bachelors degree in Business Administration & Marketing, Jim continued his education with a Masters in Education Administration. Jim was a teacher for 15 years before moving into administration for an additional 15 years or so. Jim has two children, Kylie, 24, and […]
Nilou Shokrani
Nilou Shokrani has been teaching ESL for ten years and loves it.The feedback she receives from her students makes her feel excited and pleased to teach. She loves to introduce new methods, books and materials to make her classes more exciting and fun. Nilou has a BA in English and a clear credential in teaching English […]
Scott Smithson
Scott Smithson brings over 40 years of Bay Area birding experience to the classroom. He began identifying birds in hometown Pacifica, after receiving a little blue Golden Guide from his kindergarten teacher. At the age of 9, he met field trip leader Gil West on a Sequoia Audubon outing, and thus began a birder-mentor-friendship that […]
Judy Lee-Squire
I have been practicing pilates for the past nine years, primarily mat. I came to pilates because I needed to find an exercise program that I could do on my own and stick with it. I enjoyed it so much, I decided to become certified in mat so that I could improve my practice. I […]
Dana St. George
Dana St. George has taught Low Intermediate ESL at Greendell School since 1998 Students learn listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and have lots of conversation practice. She uses use a variety of teaching modalities, with a strong emphasis on practical communication, listening and speaking. Dana has a B.A. in English from the University of Minnesota, […]
Sue Stevick
B.A. Univ. of Calif. at Berkeley; Master of Arts in Teaching, specializing in English; Calif. Community College Teaching Credential; Calif Standard Secondary Teaching Credential. Over 25 years’ experience teaching ESL. Lecturer, English for Foreign Students, Stanford University; Instructor, Workplace English, Stanford University Hospital; Instructor, Studies in American Language, San Jose State University; Instructor, Canada and […]
Carine Vanslembrouck Schultz
Carine Schultz is a dedicated professional with a rich background in the chocolate and confectionery industry. She started her career in Chocolate studying Chocolate and Confectionery technology in Belgium and Germany after which she helped start a chocolate production in Denmark. She also held the position of Development and Production Manager at Arriba Chocolates in […]Kamal Vilms
Kamal Vilms has been studying and practicing yoga since1977, first in London with Dr. Martin Underwood, whose style of yoga derived from study in Madras with TKV Desikachar. (For those interested in yoga history, both Desikachar and Iyengar learned yoga from Desikachar’s father T Krishnamacharia, who is credited with rekindling interest in hatha yoga in India […]
Environmental Volunteers
Environmental Volunteers — The “EV” — is a non-profit organization and national leader in environmental education reaching more than 450,000 kids since 1972. Through our programs we reach thousands of kids and families each year, with the vision that all people will learn about and be inspired by the natural world so that they become […]
Marjan Wilkes
Marjan Wilkes co-teaches a 4s class with French Yarbrough. She was a parent in the program with her two children and has been teaching at PSF since 1995. “I could not ask for a better job! Teaching four year olds is a wonderful excuse to be silly and messy; supporting and teaching their parents a […]
Meg Wilkins
Meg Wilkins teaches a Toddler Parent Observation Class. Meg is passionate about families finding support, connection, and JOY in their parenting journey. As a teacher, Meg specializes in creating enriching play spaces and following the child’s interests. Meg is also a current parent. You can find Meg biking around Palo Alto visiting parks, restaurants, and […]
Derek Witte
After 27 years as a lawyer, I decided I liked my hobbies more than my job and I retired in 2008. I took a woodworking class at the Palo Alto Adult school later that year and several more after that. In 2010, one of the instructors asked me to assist in a woodworking class and […]
Simone Wojtowicz
Simone Wojtowicz has enjoyed teaching ESL at the Palo Alto Adult School since 2014. She teaches intermediate to advanced level English Enrichment and Writing Academy classes. She has created new courses such as American Idioms, Current Affairs, US Presidents, and Book Club to meet her students’ needs. In addition, she teaches US History and Culture, […]Kathy Woveris
Kathy Woveris was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Kathy studied classical piano lessons at The Eggert Academy of Music where she received her Master’s Degree in piano beginning at the age of 10 years old and continued thru high school. Kathy not only loved the piano but also studied French Horn and participated in […]Wing Hung Wu (Lucia)
I was born and raised speaking and reading both Chinese and English. I was exposed to both Chinese and the Western cultures in a variety of ways. I also traveled extensively throughout China every year. I chose to teach my own language as I have always appreciated and truly loved its beauty. I started to […]
Fushan Yuan
Fushan Yuan has a passion for martial arts. He has been training Aikido since the Spring of 2012 with Shiohira Shihan at the Mountain View Aikido Center. Fushan is a member of the Pacific Aikido Federation and holds a black belt in Aikido. (https://www.pacific-aikido.org/) Fushan holds an engineering masters degree from Syracuse University, and has […]
Sara Ziogas
Sara teaches in the Adult School ESL and English Enrichment Programs. She is also Tech Mentor for Adult School teachers.
