OUR TEAM
Credentialed, dynamic and rigorously-trained teachers. Passionate, seasoned administrators. Really nice people. We can't wait to meet you and your child.
“There’s no exclusion, everyone’s included, everybody works together. We're a close-knit family. We help each other out and support each other.”
- “Coach” Wiggins
OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL
Wendy Xa
Head of School
Two-time school founder. Neuroscientist. Former Goldman Sachs VP. Mom.
Terra Marin is Wendy’s “encore project” after founding Presidio Knolls, the award-winning private Mandarin-immersion school in San Francisco.
“I created my first school, Presidio Knolls, to be the school I wanted for my own two children. It was incredible to watch it become everything I dreamed of. Then, over ten years working with hundreds of students and teachers, I learned how to create something even better. That’s what Terra Marin is.”
OUR TEACHERS
Jessica Yang
Preschool
Boxer. Concert Pianist. Master educator.
Riva Zippin
K-1
Contagious laugher. Doting aunt. Ms. Frizzle Dress-Alike.
Mike Burkett
Science, 5-8
Permaculture gardening enthusiast. Proud owner of Charlie the Science Dog. Renaissance man.
Connor Hawkins
Math, 7-8 & Aftercare Manager
Patience of a saint. Math wiz.
Edith Szendrey
Music, Preschool - 4
Water spirit. Nature enthusiast. Secretly aspiring to be a star.
Diamond Dahlstrom
Earth Education Director
NOLS alumni. Jokester. REI junkie.
Tianxing Yao
Preschool
Talented poet. Dog lover. Amusement park enthusiast.
Malia Laurelin
2-3
Nutritional Microscopist. Lover of crafting. World traveler.
Leslie Roberts
English, 5-6 & Social Studies 5-8
Word nerd. Animal lover. Happiest exploring off the beaten path.
John Serena
Math, 7-8
Lover of numbers. Tutor extraodinaire.
Ryan Hickey
Music Director
Passionate traveler. Often found on a music stage. Loves learning languages.
Haku Asaki
PE & Earth Education, K - 8
Playful. Honorable. Yūgen.
Melody Zhao
TK
Easy-going. Musical. Animal lover.
Andy Trapp
4
Rock band drummer. Skiing addict. Does a killer impersonation of a baby.
Heng-i "Vicky" Lu
Math, 5-6, Mandarin, K-8
Lover of people, animals & nature.
Lesley Fisher
Humanities, 7-8
Backpacking enthusiast. Dancing fool.
Aidan Gavet
Creative Arts & Drama
Music video producer. Hairdo freestyler.
OUR ADMINISTRATORS
Bruna Strapazzon
Admissions
Queen of multi-tasking. Always cheerful. Multilingual.
Shauna Sullivan
Assistant Head of School
Kind-hearted. Lover of all children. Book hound.
Kim Hawks
Director of Strategic Planning, Operations
Uber-organized. Hill runner.
David Huey
IT
Fix It Felix.