Teachers

List of 27 members.

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  Clariss Ajanel 

  High School Assistant Teacher

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  Clariss is a recent graduate from Biola University, where she earned her degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Intercultural Studies. Passionate about immersing in various cultures, as well as pursuing her love for travel and new adventure, she has always dreamed of becoming a teacher.  When she’s not preparing for her next journey, Clariss enjoys hiking, swimming, surfing, and cheering on her favorite basketball and baseball teams. She thrives in community and cherishes quality time with friends and family, always seeking to grow through connection and experience.
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  Martin Angwin 

  High School Lead Teacher

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  Martin has five years previous experience working as a Mild-Moderate case manager for high school students. Prior to that, he worked in various support and long-term substitute positions mainly in Special Education. Martin graduated from UC Santa Cruz and National University based in San Diego. Martin has worked with students ages 3-22, and has a special passion for working with high school students. When not lesson planning, Martin enjoys listening to music, playing with his lizard named Pancake, and cooking.
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  Steve Baker, M.A. 

  Middle School Lead Teacher

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  Steve joined Star Academy in the spring of 2015. He has been working in the field of education for over 35 years, first as a teacher, then as an administrator, and most recently, back in the classroom as a teacher. Steve lives in Oakland, with his wife, two dogs and two cats. His two youngest daughters are finishing up college and his oldest daughter just welcomed her first child to the family. Outside of Star Academy, Steve likes to mountain bike, hike and ski and spend time with his family.
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  Athena Benevento 

  Middle School Teacher

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  Athena is thrilled to be part of the Star community. She brings with her two decades of teaching experience in elementary school classrooms and holds a Masters’ degree from Bank Street Graduate School of Education in New York City. Athena loves teaching children and watching them thrive by taking risks in their learning. When Athena isn’t in the classroom, she volunteers as a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind, travels and practices yoga.
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  Claire Buckholz 

  Living/Transitions Skills Teacher

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  Claire is originally from Burke, Virginia and attended the University of Virginia where she double majored in Psychology and Youth & Social Innovation. She recently completed her Education Specialist credential and M.A. in Education at National University. Prior to working at Star, she was a Special Day Class (SDC) teacher in San Jose. In her free time, Claire enjoys yoga, exploring new trail runs in Marin, going to concerts, and spending time outdoors with friends.
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  Susie Corvi 

  Classroom Aide
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  Ariella Davis 

  Middle School Lead Teacher
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  Molly Delaney 

  Middle School Teacher

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  Molly holds a Single Subject English teaching credential and has ten years of experience working in SPED, most recently at Tam Valley Elementary. Molly has also volunteered with the Canal Alliance University Prep (UP!) program tutoring students in the program to help them graduate from high school and prepare for college. She regularly takes teachers’ courses with the Bay Area Writing Project, and spent a summer supporting the Bay Area Writing Project Summer Young Writers’ Camp. In her free time she loves to spend time with family and friends, hike, write and garden.
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  Hilary DeNunzio 

  Classroom Aide

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  Hilary DeNunzio has a degree in Elementary Education and experience spanning from working with executive teams, as a sales associate in retail and as an all-around do everything school volunteer. Hilary has two children, a son Luca and a daughter Reese. Traveling, shopping, dinning out are some of her favorite hobbies.
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  Donnell Dowell 

  Music & LIving Skills

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  Bio coming soon.
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  Akasha Fryman 

  Lead Teacher - Math

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  Over the summer Akasha was the Lead Teacher for a 6-8th grade Special Day class in Marin. Prior to that, she spent two years as an assistant teacher in special education classrooms at Miller Creek Middle School. Akasha is an adventurer who taught English for 2 ½ years in Germany, West Africa, and China. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, loves Math and Science, and looks forward to pursuing her Education Specialist credential in the next school year. 
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  Patrick Giambalvo 

  High School Transition Living Skills

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  Patrick is a by-product of the Gulf Coast of Florida, born and raised. He spent most of his childhood frolicking in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. He went out west in 2001 to San Francisco and haven’t looked back since. He graduated from Dominican University of California with a BA degree in Humanities & Cross Cultural Studies and holds a Multiple Teaching Credential. He’s known only one line of work in his career, a career dedicated to community service- education! He has been teaching in many different facets for over 15 years. When he’s not teaching, he can be found surfing (when time permits), shooting landscape photos, cycling both on and off the road, tending to his gardening, and traveling with his son & wife. He loves a good motivation quote from time to time; ”Our ability to handle life’s challenges is a measures of our strength of character.” Les Brown
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  Lian Goo 

  High School Lead Teacher

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  Lian lives with her family in San Rafael. She's a credentialed general education teacher and is working toward her special education credential. She enjoys hikes in open space and beaches with her family and dogs. Lian can also be found gardening or knitting.
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  Alexis Grant 

  Art Teacher

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  Alexis is originally from outside of Philadelphia, PA and holds a B.S. in Art Education and a B.A. in Drawing and Painting from the Pennsylvania State University. She also holds minors in Spanish and Art History. Alexis received her M. F. A. in Drawing and Painting from the California College of the Arts in 2006. She started teaching in 2003 and has been teaching at Star since 2009. Alexis has exhibited her paintings in the Bay Area as well as Michigan and Pennsylvania.  Aside from her painting practice, Alexis enjoys traveling, cooking and reading. 
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  David Mangle 

  Assistant Teacher & PHS
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  Juan Carlos Martinez 

  Physical Education
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  Michelle Mina 

  Middle School Lead Teacher

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  A Marin County native, Michelle earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Sonoma State University. She went on to continue her studies at Mills College and received her Master of Arts degree in English Literature. Michelle spent more than 5 years working at Lindamood-Bell as a Consultant, Mentor, and IT Liaison. During her time there, Michelle provided instructional plans for her students’ teams, conducted diagnostic assessments, and mentored fellow staff members. She is experienced in all of Lindamood-Bell’s methodologies. Michelle spent some time working for a local nonprofit and as a freelance UX designer, but missed interacting with and supporting students. She is looking forward to returning to the classroom. In her free time, Michelle enjoys reading, writing poetry, and learning new things on a daily basis.
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  Belinda O'Neil 

  MIddle School Assistant Teacher
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  Gemma Plocki 

  High School Assistant Teacher

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  Gemma earned her BA degree in Sociology from Sacramento State University. She worked in the financial sector for 8 years before taking time off to raise her children. Gemma reentered the work force as a caregiver for an elderly woman in Marin. Gemma started at Star Academy as an Aide, she soon realized she had found a wonderful work home, she loves interacting with each and every student, and is happily assisting in the High School. Gemma likes to spend her time hiking with her dog Willow, reading a good book, and can be found at the local pickleball courts most evenings.
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  Lisa Poehlmann 

  High School Teacher

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  Lisa has been teaching at Star Academy since 2021, and has been delighted to be part of this vital, supportive community. She holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in English literature, along with a single-subject credential. After being home with her two daughters as they were growing up, she segued into teaching, first as a piano teacher and then as an ELA teacher (with a few years in academic administration and non-profit fundraising as well). Lisa loves hiking, reading, traveling, attending theater, live music and movies, and spending time with family and friends.
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  Sheila Reilly 

  Math Teacher

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  Sheila has been immensely enjoying her work as the Head of School at Star since January of 2016. She holds a M.A. in Education and an Education Specialist credential, in addition to being an R.N. Prior to her time at Star, Sheila spent 9 years as an administrator of a K-8 school, overseeing all aspects of school operations and directing the Special Education program at her site. Sheila’s background includes over 20 years of business, education, and healthcare management. Teaching and working with neurodiverse students from ages 8 through 22 is the culmination of her professional and educational goals and one of her greatest joys. A long-time resident of Sonoma County, Sheila enjoys the rugged beauty, hiking trails and the cooler temperatures in Marin!
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  Danielle Schindler 

  Elementary/Middle Assistant Teacher
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  Jeffrey Sullivan 

  High School Lead Teacher

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  Jeff Sullivan is a son, father, friend, husband, teacher, student of life, and a host of many other nouns, roles, and responsibilities. He grew up in Arcadia, California, a suburb in Los Angeles County, and attended Loyola Marymount University where he double majored in English Literature and Philosophy. His love of education compelled him to earn a single subject teaching credential in Language Arts (Azusa Pacific University), a Masters in Education (APU), and an Education Specialist credential (Dominican University). He is in his second year at STAR Academy and first as a head high school teacher; Jeff is honored to work in such a supportive and positive school community!
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  Alexa Tangalos 

  Elementary/Middle Lead Teacher

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  Alexa teaches passionately at Star with nine years of lead teaching experience in both private and non-public schools serving students with a range of learning differences. She has taught all subjects in grades 4-7th grade and has worked as a behavior specialist in the home, school, and community settings. Her teaching specialty includes math and reading intervention. Alexa currently holds two master's degrees in education, including a Master's in Education: Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis in Applied Behavioral Analysis and a Master's in Special Education / Education Specialist credential. She also has training in several literacy programs including Visualizing Verbalizing™, On Cloud 9™ as well as Orton-Gillingham based reading programs including Wilson™ Reading.
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  Joseph Trum 

  Math & Digital Arts

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  Joseph Trum has been a Special Education Teacher since 2005 - a journey that has taken him through a wide variety of roles and tasks. At Star, he teaches Math, runs the Digital Arts Program, and teaches after school Martial Arts. Outside of teaching, he is a musician, filmmaker, black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a 1500 rated Chess Player, and a devoted father.
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  Irene Van Riper 

  Asst. Teacher & Literacy Specialist

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  Irene earned her Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology from UC Santa Cruz before graduating with her Master of Arts in interdisciplinary social sciences from the University of Mississippi. For seven years, Irene taught at Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes in San Rafael. In her most recent role of Consultant at Lindamood-Bell, Irene oversaw student instruction while implementing individualized multi-sensory learning strategies, a passion she carries into her new role at Star. Outside of teaching, Irene enjoys spending time with her family, including her beloved tuxedo cat, Sterling, in northern Marin and western Sonoma Counties.
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  Erika Wetzell 

  High School Assistant Teacher