Staff & Board
Star Academy leadership is comprised of a community of visionary, experienced, professional staff and dedicated governance.
Head of School
Annie Crowder, Head of School
Annie Crowder has been Head of School at Star Academy since July 1, 2009. Annie has over 23 years of experience in the fields of education and counseling. She holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from San Francisco State University, has worked as a therapist in numerous clinical and educational settings, and was Director of Sand Paths Academy in San Francisco for 11 years prior to joining Star Academy.
Annie's primary goal as an educational administrator is to create a school environment in which all students, staff and parents feel comfortable, safe and empowered, and where all students with learning differences can strive to develop their full potential. Annie believes wholeheartedly that it takes a team of caring individuals -- teachers, specialists, parents and administrators - to assist the student in enhancing his or her strengths, understanding and advocating for his or her needs, and developing coping strategies to overcome and move through educational challenges.
Annie is a long standing and highly regarded member of the Bay Area educational community. She is a member of the California Association of Private Schools (CAPSES), the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), and has spent years working closely with Bay Area school districts and SELPAs to provide an appropriate private, nonpublic school program for students with learning differences as well as other special needs.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of the foundation includes current and former Star Academy parents, as well as professional experts in various fields. The school greatly benefits from the volunteer services of our board members, and the long-standing services of its core membership.
Officers
Holly Seerley, President
Background: marriage and family therapist
Contact Holly >
Caron Stapleton, Vice President
Background: attorney, co-founder special ed. PTA
Dorothy Khosrovi, Secretary/Treasurer
Background: school office administration, co-founder Star Academy
Directors
Sopia Abramovitz
Backgroud:
Program management, high tech industry
Leslie Barry
Background: former business executive in the toy/game industry
Mary Sheehan
Background: Small business owner, former Star board president
Mary Ann Sinkkonen
Background: education
Marcie Stephens
Background: bookkeeper, professional organizer
Honorary Members
Sabrina Kahn, Business Manager
Background: financial/accounting management
Contact Sabrina >
Annie Crowder, Head of School
Background: school director, therapist
Contact Annie >
Susan MacKay Sweeney, Director of Marketing, Development & Community Education
Background: management consulting, former Star board president
Contact Susan >
Consultants and Advisors
H. Spencer Bloch, M.D., Psychiatric
Consultant
A board-certified psychiatrist of
children, adolescents and adults, Dr. Bloch is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric
Association. He has practiced in Marin County since 1970.
Michael Curry, Associate Director of Making Math Real Institute
Michael Curry is a California credentialed elementary
classroom teacher and educational therapist. He is Associate Director of the Making
Math Real Institute and an expert Making Math Real (MMR) practitioner. Michael
provides ongoing on-site support at Star Academy for the highly successful MMR
program, consults on MMR curriculum, provides training and support for our
teachers and assists with students.
