Staff Maria Chew, Director Maria has been an educator and advocate for children and families for nearly 20 years. Starting her career as an elementary school teacher, reading specialist and public school advocate, Maria's educational philosophy came full circle when her son started at Laurel Hill in 2001. Discovering the impact that a strong, supportive community had on her own family, Maria quickly recognized that a co-op provides a strong foundation for child development and growth; not only for a child's future education but for that child's entire life. She began teaching at Laurel Hill in 2001, served as the Interim Pre K teacher in 2003, and most recently worked as the school's Lead Teacher. Maria is also a parent educator, working closely with Hand in Hand Parenting, a non-profit organization helping parents to nurture their connection with their children. As a parent at Laurel Hill, she has served as a Board Committee Chair for both the Parent Education and Fundraising Committees, and subsequently served as the Board President from 2008-2009. When Maria isn't attending a Tuesday night meeting at Laurel Hill, you can usually find her spending time with her husband, Brian, sons, Dexter and Oliver, as well as her very large extended family. Kaile Allen, Teacher Born and raised in San Francisco, Kaile and her sister both attended cooperative nursery schools: Miraloma and Glenridge. While at Lowell High School, she volunteered in a third grade class room at Lakeshore for three years, inspiring her to become a teacher. She began her studies at Boston University, but missed San Francisco. Currently, she's taking classes at the City College of San Francisco and plans to attend San Francisco State University in the fall of 2010. She is pursuing a BA in Child and Adolescent Development, a K-12 Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential, and a Masters in Education. She loves spending time with family and friends, going to the beach, and trying out new cookie recipes. Tim Birchall, Teacher Tim was born and raised in Connecticut and moved to California in 1992. Growing up, Tim helped care for his younger brother and babysat other relatives. Tim considers himself a "jack of all trades" type guy. He worked in retail, office and sales management. In all those years of working "normal jobs," Tim has always loved working with children. He has worked as Santa Claus and as a Clown. Tim says "The children are my teachers, as I am theirs." He has a deep respect and love for their individual development and processing of their own way of being in this life. "They always make me laugh and I am always moved by their wisdom and natural truth of their words." When Tim is not at Laurel Hill, he is found hiking, listening to music, talking with friends, or helping give counsel to clients as a psychic and medium. Molly Boyll, Office Manager Molly Boyll was born and raised in New York City but has been living in San Francisco for almost 20 years. She has a degree in Theater Production and still loves to act and sing. She is an alumni parent and was the Enrollment chair for three years, even though Caroline only attended LH for two! When not at Laurel Hill she devotes her time to her family, trying out new recipes, and reading. Inga Larsen, Teacher Inga Larsen was born in Santa Cruz, CA, but has lived in San Francisco since she was 5. She is married and has two kids, a son in second grade and a daughter in first. She enjoyed three wonderful years with her kids at Glenridge Nursery School and from there took classes in Early Childhood Education at San Francisco City College. Before having her children Inga was a ballroom dance teacher. Anne Randall, Teacher Born and raised in Michigan, Anne came to San Francisco in 1981. After years of working in the restaurant industry, she decided to make a career change and started her studies in Early Childhood Education. Anne loves the children's innate sense of wonder and the thrill of their discoveries. In her spare time she loves music, art, and nature - oh, and the chance to sit down and have a great cup of Peet's coffee and a good conversation with anyone who is willing to listen! Sally Silva, Teacher Sally studied Early Childhood Education at Cabrillo College and taught preschool for four years before earning her B.A. in American Studies at U.C. Santa Cruz. She moved to San Francisco two year ago to study Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State and is currently working towards completing her Masters degree. In her spare time, Sally enjoys making clothes, going to rock shows, and singing karaoke. Jim Stamoulis, Teacher Hailing from West Roxbury, Massachusetts, Jim was educated at Tufts University, majoring in Literature and Philosophy. Since then he has accumulated 27 units in Early Childhood Education. Jim enjoys working with children in the Pre-K, sparking their creativity and innate love of learning through the discovery curriculum, and working on each child's personal and social growth. In 2003, Jim was nominated for Co-op Nursery School Teacher of the Year by the parents of the Pre-K. Jim went beyond the call of duty last year, serving as the administrator/staff representative at board and business meetings. Jim has been at Laurel Hill since 1979 - 28 years!! Arisa Takahashi, Business Manager Originally from Southern California, Arisa started her career with one of the "Big 5" accounting firms. She has worked in Tokyo, Japan and New York City. Experiencing motherhood changed her perspective on the corporate financial world of long hours away from her young child. So she left the high-gloss New York working woman's life for the role of stay-at-home mom for a number of years. Arisa is delighted to be back in the out-of-home work world once again. Outside of Laurel Hill, you can find her working on various home or volunteer projects, trying to squeeze in some reading time, helping out at her child's school, singing in a choir or sharing her love of nature and everything else with her child. Liz Wade, Teacher A native San Franciscan, Liz is a mom of three Laurel Hill graduates: Lily (now at Sacred Heart), Rose and Violet (both currently attending Rooftop). In fact, when Lily was a Laurel Hill student, Judith Kushner was the director. Before teaching at Laurel Hill, she studied nursing. Her teaching this year was inspired by attending a Bev Boz workshop last fall. This is her fourth official year as a LH teacher. Liz enjoys soccer (plays a great game!) and loves to do art with kids. Recently while in Tahoe, she was chased by a mama and baby bear.