Middle School


Sixth Grade Humanities

I value the ‘backward design’ approach to creating curriculum and benchmarks. The significance of the hands-on and project-based experiences that we create is evident in the depth of our students’ learning.
Education:
BA, Education, Plymouth State University
MA, Education, Boston University (in process)
Prior Experience:
Head of Lower School, Aspen Country Day School
Assistant Director of Lower School, Alexander Dawson School
Sixth Grade Humanities & Grade Life Skills, Alexander Dawson School
Fifth Grade Humanities
Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Grade Sexuality Education, Shore Country Day School
Sixth Grade Math & English, Hamden Hall Country Day School
David is also the Dean of the Middle School.

Sixth Grade Mathematics & Science

Having the freedom and encouragement to explore our world "outside the box" is truly unique to Blue Oak. It is not difficult to see the difference it makes in the students' hearts and minds. This is an ideal place to grow both personally and academically.
 Education:
BS, Marine Science, Richard Stockton College, NJ
Prior Experience:
Science Instructor, Catalina Island Marine Institute at Cherry Cove
Underwater Explorers Instructor, Monterey Bay Aquarium
Biologist, Aquatic Discoveries

Seventh & Eighth Grade Mathematics


 I am thrilled that Blue Oak is a school that encourages an experiential and inquiry based approach to learning, and celebrates the unique background, experience, and needs of each individual.
 Education:
B.S. Cal Poly Pomona
Credential, College of Santa Fe
Prior Experience:
Math Chair, Sixth & Seventh Grade Science, Sixth through Eighth Grade Math, and Summer Camp Academic Coordinator, Ojai Valley School, Ojai, California
Seventh Grade Life Science, High School Biology, Middle School Math, St. Michaels High School, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Middle School Math, Desert Academy, Santa Fe New Mexico
High School Biology & Earth Science, Palm Valley School, Rancho Mirage, California
Horticulturist, The Living Desert Bio-Park, Palm Desert, California

 Seventh & Eighth Grade Science

It is refreshing to work in a school where faculty and students are focused on the joy of learning without the stress of standardized testing. Blue Oak's small classes and block scheduling allow me to conduct student-centered, hands-on learning experiences in science.
Education:
BA, Geography, environmental conservation emphasis, University of Colorado Boulder
MA, Experiential Education, University of Colorado Boulder
Prior Experience:
Outward Bound Program, University of Colorado
Alpine Mountaineering Course Instructor, Colorado Outward Bound School
Athletic Director, North Jakarta International School, Indonesia
Upper School Environmental Science, Elgin Academy, Elgin, IL
Seventh & Eighth Grade Science, Town School for Boys, San Francisco, CA
Sixth, Eighth, Ninth & Tenth Grade Sciences, Warren Walker School, Las Vegas, NV
Eighth Grade Science, National Cathedral School, Washington, D.C.

Eighth Grade Humanities

Blue Oak School nurtures and cares about every individual, and appreciates the unique qualities that each of us brings into this community.
Education:
BA, East Asian Studies, Columbia University
Shotokan Karate of America, Board of Trustees
Prior Experience:
Eleventh & Twelth Grade, Oxbow School, Napa, CA
Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelth Grade, San Francisco University High School, CA
Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelth Grade, Cate School, Carpinteria, CA
Eleventh & Twelth Grade, School Year Abroad, Beijing, China

Middle School Spanish

Diane Grieman

More info to come.

Middle School Learning Specialist

During my time at Blue Oak School, I have been consistently pleased and excited to see the most enthusiastic teachers using best practices in the classroom every day.
Education:
BA, University of Colorado
MA, University of San Francisco
Credential:
Multiple Subjects
Learning Disabled, Mild to Moderate
Culture &
Language Acquisition &
Diversity (CLAD)
Prior Experience:
Porter-Gaud School, Charleston, NC
Stuart Hall for Boys, San Francisco, CA
Elmhurst Middle School, Oakland, CA
Mission Hill Junior High School, Santa Cruz, CA
Megan is also the Lower School Learning Specialist.

Middle School Librarian

Mary Smartt  

Education:
BA, UC Berkeley
Master of Library and Information Science, San Jose State University (in progress)
Credentials: 
Elementary Teaching, California State University, Hayward
Primary Teaching, Somerset Education Authority (England)
Prior Experience:
Children's Services Napa City-County Library - Library Associate
Sleepy Hollow School, Orinda, CA - Literacy Specialist
Elementary Teacher Grades 108 (CA and England)
Mary is also the Lower School Librarian.

Middle School Art & Seventh Grade Humanities

Moving from the art studio to the classroom gives me the chance to integrate an interdisciplinary unit seamlessly. It often feels like the same class; the intense study of a time in history is brought to life with the infusion of the arts.
Education:
BFA, Textile Design, California College of Art
BA, Education, California College of Art
MA, Education-Curriculum Design, California State University Hayward
Credentials:
Multi-subject (K-8), California College of Art
Art (K-12), California College of Art
Prior Experience:
Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade, Prospect Sierra School
First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grade, Soesterberg Elementary, The Netherlands
Fifth Grade, Park Day School
Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grade, Oakland Public Schools

Middle School Drama

In working with children, I strive to create an atmosphere of collaboration and creativity. Although performance is the natural result, the process of getting to that point is the focus as we work on building confidence, cooperative learning, reading comprehension with a script and public speaking skills, which all establish a foundation for manifesting a child’s highest potential.
Education:
BA, Literature, SUNY Purchase
MFA, Acting, UC San Diego
 Prior Teaching Experience:
Berkeley Rep Theatre
TheatreWorks
Resident Teaching Artist for TheatreWorks’ Children’s Healing Project at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Palo Alto, CA
 Other Experience:
Actor in television, film and theatre in New York, Chicago, San Francisco
Aimée also teaches Drama in the Lower School.

Middle School Music

It is rewarding to see how music has become ingrained in my students; how it is a natural part of their everyday lives and how they think of themselves as musicians.
Education:
BME, University of Northern Colorado
MM, West Virginia University
Prior Experience:
Kindergarten, First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grade Phillips-Edison Charter School, Napa, CA
Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelth Grade, Ygnacio Valley High School, Concord, CA
Napa Valley College
Kim also teaches Music in the Lower School.

Middle School Physical Education

Education:
BS in Physical Education, University of Arizona
Prior Experience: 
Canyon View Elementary School, Tucson, AZ
Esperero Canyon Middle School, Tucson, AZ
Other Experience: 
Head Freshman / Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach, Tucson High School, Tucson, AZ
Kali is also the Middle School Athletic Director.