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School
Director – Sheri Werner
Sheri Werner has been with Foundations since 1995. She worked with a partner to found and build the school from 14 students and one class to its current size. Sheri founded FSC’s Middle School in 2001, and continues to provide the leadership and vision for the school’s future. “It’s so rewarding to see all the school’s graduates doing so well, whether they’ve chosen an academic school like Harvard-Westlake or LA County High School for the Arts. It confirms what we’ve known all along - our unique approach to education is working.” Sheri holds a B.A. in Liberal Studies, an M.S. in educational psychology and counseling, as well as a PPS Lifetime credential for grades K-12. She has written various articles on progressive education and is currently developing a curriculum for bullying prevention to be utilized in K-12th grade schools.
Assistant Middle School Director/Assistant Curriculum Director/Group 5 Teacher - Bethy Leonardi
Bethy has been teaching middle school and high school for the past 12 years. She holds a B.A. in English/ Math Education, an M.A. in Educational Foundations, Policy and Practice and a secondary teaching credential in English and Math. Bethy is a strong believer in empowering children to fulfill their academic and personal promise, while also supporting them, through the curriculum, to explore their civic and social responsibility-- both in the community and in the world.
Curriculum Director - Scott Miller
Scott has been an integral part of our FSC community since 1994. In FSC’s early years Scott taught in the classrooms while also helping to create FSC’s curriculum and vision. An educator for many years, Scott co-founded a progressive charter school in the valley, has conducted many workshops and seminars on education, and is a powerful advocate for progressive education.
Group 1 - Carole Morrison
Carole came to Foundations in 1999, having previously taught special education for LAUSD for two years, and Pre-K at St. Stevens Preschool in Valencia for four years. Carole says, “Foundations is an amazing place where students come together and truly become an integral part of their own learning. I appreciate that the students are connected to each other and the teachers, and they can be themselves!” Carol has a B. A. in Human Development, as well as a teaching credential from Pacific Oaks College.
Group 1 - Aubrey Kliaman
Aubrey Kliaman is starting her first year at FSC. She will be working in Group 1 with our Kindergarten/1st grade students. She has seventeen years experience guiding, listening to, and communicating with children. Prior to this year she has had a myriad of different experiences. In addition to writing children’s books and owning her own children’s birthday party company, she has also taught gymnastics to children, worked with preschoolers, taught toddler programs and children’s movement exercises, as well as music, cooking, science, theatre, and art classes. Aubrey has a passion for teaching, and the dream of making a difference in the lives of children.
Group 2 – Matthew Sevareid
Matthew is starting his second year at FSC. He came from the Maggy Haves School where he taught for the past four years. Matthew also taught at another progressive elementary school for a few years. He is currently completing his BA in Human Development at Pacific Oaks College. Matthew is excited to be working with our 2nd/3rd graders in Group 2.
Group 2 - Carolyn Chisholm
Carolyn is new to FSC this year. She has spent the last couple of years at a Creative Arts Magnet School in St. Paul, Minnesota. She enjoys the realtionships that she develops with kids and looks forward to this component of FSC! She holds a B.A. in Applied Science from the Universoty of Minnesota and is certified through the state of Minnesota.
Group 3 - Cyrilly Bakewell
Cyrilly Bakewell has spent the last eight years teaching a variety of age groups at FSC. Before coming to the school, Cyrilly spent six years teaching in the Long Beach Unified School District. Cyrilly says, “Every day at FSC is exciting and rich with authentic opportunities for learning. I love being a part of the process of growing and self discovery for children.” Cyrilly hold a B.A. in Art and a multiple subject credentials from C.S.U., Long Beach.
Group 3 - Cynthia Cina
Cindy comes to FSC having worked, over the past 8 years, with a diverse population of students. She utilizes many creative techniques to guide her students and enjoys a progressive approach. Cindy holds a B.A. in Child Development from Cal. State Northridge and an M.A. in Psychology from the University of Santa Monica.
Group 4 - Brian Pate
This is Brian Pate’s second year at FSC and he is extremely excited to teach in Group 4 (5th/6th grade)! In Brian’s words, “I enjoy FSC because the staff values children’s thoughts, ideas, and feelings.” Prior to coming to FSC, Brian spent three years teaching Kindergarten and sixth grade at Our Community School. He has a B.A. in Liberal Studies and a teaching credential from CSUN.
Group 4 - Susan Shields
Susan's experience as an educator is very diverse. She comes to FSC having worked in enrichment programs, as well as having taught and edited for Insideout, a non-profit organization that teaches creative writing to at-risk and incarcerated youth. She has played an integral role in the publication of several anthologies that highlight the works of her students.
Group 5 - Brian Ulatowski
Brian has a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Cal. State Northridge and a multplie subject Teaching Credential with a concentration in Math. He also has experience in teaching the middle school Humanities. He has a passion and a commitment to student development and to the learning process.
PE - Dean Ortega
Dean is returning for his second year at FSC. Dean has worked with kids for many years, teaching music and coaching. He believes in teaching kids the importance of a healthy lifestyle... while having fun in the process!
Teaching Artist/Creative Movement and Drama Programme - Madeleine Dahm
Madeleine has run the movement and drama programme at FSC for the past twelve years. Formally a classical dancer, Madeleine trained under legendary Martha Graham and Nina Fonaroff (The Kirov Ballet), and was a Principle Concert Dancer for over twenty years. She holds a Post-Graduate in Movement Education from The Laban Conservatory in London is on the part-time Theatre Faculty at USC and is a Master Teaching Artist for the Music Centre Education Division.
Music Specialist - Jeri Davis
Jeri Davis has been the music specialist at Foundations for over 10 years. Her background
includes 2 years of college music theory classes, and 2 levels of Orff-Schulwerk training which she maintains through ongoing seminars. She is also an independent singer/songwriter, with a recently produced CD of her own songs. At FSC, Jeri is responsible for the music program for grades K-8. This program focuses on reading and understanding music, as well as building community and relationships through gatherings called Sings, where songs and instrumentals, along with movement/rythm pieces are shared with the community.
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