OUR TEAM
Credentialed, dynamic and rigorously-trained teachers. Passionate, seasoned administrators. Really nice people. We can't wait to meet you and your child. Picture (left) In person professional development training with our teachers two weeks prior to start of school year in Fall 2020 (masked and 6 ft apart)
"Intelligence: Not because you know everything without questioning, but rather you question everything you know. " ~ Maya Angelou
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OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL
Wendy Xa
Head of School
Two-time school founder. Neuroscientist. 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 Preschool TEACHERS
Marc Sotello
Preschool Micro-School
B.A. in History. Teacher at elementary school. Field Instructor in overnight camps at Big Bear, CA and Alaska.
Tianxing Yao
TK Mandarin Preschool
M.A. in Education University of San Francisco. Talented poet. Dog lover. Amusement park enthusiast.
Melody Zhao
Mandarin Preschool
M.A. in Education George Fox University in Oregon. Singer and guitarist. Animal lover.
OUR Lower School TEACHERS
Riva Zippin
K Core Onsite Program
BA from UC Berkeley. 15 years teaching. Contagious laughter. Doting aunt. Ms. Frizzle Dress-Alike.
Gabrielle Greenfield
K Micro-school SF
B.A. in English Literature & Plant Science from U. of Maryland. Naturalist, playwright, puppeteer and herbalist originally from Dallas Texas. These pairing of studies truly synthesized my love of creative writing, theatre, and educating children about the magical divine mystery of our beautiful Earth.
Molly Becher
1 and 2 Core Onsite Program
B.A. Liberal Arts from Cal State Chico. Grew up in Marin Count, feels "very blessed to live in such a lovely place."
Enessa Sanchez
3-5 Core Onsite Program
BA in Liberal Arts SF State U. 15 years teaching. Designs curriculum that adapts to the CA and Common Core Standards, which is differentiated to meet each child’s individual needs. Committed to
building strong relationships with children and providing them with the tools and strategies that will assist them with continuous academic/social-emotional growth.
Ivania Portocarrero
English, 5 & Spanish K-8 Core Onsite Program
B.A. Psychology San Francisco State
University, M.A. Education University of Phoenix. Loves to travel and lived in Turkey for a few years.
Andy Trapp
1-3 Micro-School Marin
BA University of Michigan. Multi-subject accredited elementary teacher. Rock band drummer. Skiing addict.
OUR Upper School TEACHERS
John Boyd (and wife)
Math, 7-8 Virtual Core Program
Lover of numbers. Tutor extraodinaire.
Lesley Fisher
Humanities, 7-8 Virtual Core Program
Backpacking enthusiast. Dancing fool.
Mike Burkett
Science, 5-8 Virtual & On-site Core Program
Permaculture gardening enthusiast. Proud owner of Charlie the Science Dog. Renaissance man.
Stephen Riave
English, 6 & Social Studies 5-8 Virtual & On-site Core Program
3-time principal and middle school English teacher. Word nerd. Nature lover.
Michael Field
Math, 5-7 and Advisor Virtual & On-site Core Program
Backpacking enthusiast. Dancing fool.
Shanshan Wu
Mandarin, K-8
5 years of experience as a Mandarin teacher, loves cooking and her daughter, Annie.
OUR TEACHERS who teach All GRades
Chloe Jean Bermudez
Music, Preschool - 4
UC Berkeley athlete, Ford Model, and R&B musician. Nature enthusiast.
Diamond Dahlstrom
Earth Education Site Director
Northern California native. 2nd generation earth educator with 5 years experience. Expert in hands-on wild crafting & survival skills, tracking, mapping, regional hazards, bird language, & local flora and fauna identification.
Ryan Hickey
Music Director
Passionate traveler. Often found on a music stage. Loves learning languages.
Aidan Gavet
Drama & Safety Director
Music video producer. Hairdo freestyler.
Stephanie Romano
Earth Educator 4,5
B.S. in Geology and Earth Science with a physics minor from Portland State University. Nature nerd. Loves a good rock n’ roll show.
OUR ADMINISTRATORS
Niger Woodruff
Admissions
Black. Trustworthy. Natural.
Shauna Sullivan
Assistant Head of School
BA in Education with a focus in mathematics from SFSU. 20+ years classroom experience. Kind-hearted. Lover of all children. Book hound.
Edie Alejandre
Director of Strategic Planning, Operations
Super organized. Mother. Calm under pressure.