Faculty
Joined Mount Madonna School in 2019
“I’m looking forward to teaching again within a school that emphasizes values-based education. It was important to me to find a community of people who care about each other and strive to be accountable to shared values. In Mount Madonna’s mission statement I was especially drawn to the acknowledgement of the “transformative power of the creative process”. I hope to make the art studio a hive of collaboration, experimentation and critical thinking – a place where students can discover, navigate and harness this power for themselves. I aim to foster an art studio culture that emphasizes growth mindset thinking. I believe art-making should be joyful and sparked by curiosity, and it should also be a place to practice persistence, adaptability and problem-solving. I’m really looking forward to getting started and seeing what the MMS students bring to the art studio and each other.”
Joined Mount Madonna School in 2022
Mount Madonna School Graduate, Class of 2012
Joined Mount Madonna School in 2021
“I am very grateful to be part of a community centered in the ethos of ‘work honesty, meditate everyday, meet people without fear & play.” As a choreographer, I hope to empower each being with the confidence and fearlessness to embrace creative & conscious movement, to fall in love with their beautiful self.”
Joined Mount Madonna School in 2023
“I feel so grateful to join the Mount Madonna School community. I am here to share my love for embodied creativity through movement—specifically yoga and dance,” said Claire Otterness, middle and high school choreographer. “My passion in life is to provide consistent and unconditional support to youths on their journey to becoming the most authentic, creative, and joyful version of themselves.”
Joined Mount Madonna School in 2022
Joined Mount Madonna School in 2021
“I want to work at Mount Madonna School because I share its commitment to teaching the whole person, where the development of the whole person is intellectual, creative, and moral. I also share the School’s commitment to social justice and the values of a democratic society.”
Joined Mount Madonna School in 2002
“I love teaching children because they are so close to the magic of life. At Mount Madonna School children are supported in growing at their own rate and in a positive direction.”
Joined Mount Madonna School in 2002
“I chose to teach at MMS because I was looking for a school where I could teach while pregnant with my first child, that embodied my educational philosophy. I believe that teachers and education act as a mirror and a window. I believe my teaching should help children to see and find themselves and look into others’ perspectives. MMS presents the teacher with an arena to do just that! After my hiatus to raise my family I returned to MMS because I knew after that first year that this was the only school I ever wanted to teach at and the only school for my children to attend. I have never experienced such genuine love, support and care from any other teaching environment!”
Joined Mount Madonna School in 2021
“I love helping students discover the amazing world around us, make connections, and become mature thinkers. I enjoy and teach the processes of ‘finding things out’ and I strive to help students develop their agency, curiosity, and scientific literacy, rather than focusing on collections of facts. I’m excited to teach at Mount Madonna School because the school sees students and staff as whole people and global citizens, and the small class sizes allow for rich educational dialogue. Previous to MMS, I coordinated the physics teaching laboratory at Cabrillo College for 20 years. I have a varied background that includes teaching preschool, welding bells and bike trailers, working at NASA, teaching outdoor skills and natural history, helping build houses with natural materials, playing music, and traveling extensively in Latin America.”
Kami Pacheco, B.A.
Preschool Director, Elementary Health Teacher, MMS Board of Directors, Summer Camp Director
B.A., Psychology, San Diego State Universit; 30 Units in Early Childhood Education, West Valley College; California Commission on Teacher Credentialing: Site Supervisor Permit; ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) Crisis Prevention Certified (working with special needs children)
Nicholas Cabassa, M.A.
Fourth Grade Teacher, Middle School Athletic Director, Cross Country and Basketball Coach
M.A., Education, Specialization in Teaching Best Practices, National University; B.A., Liberal Studies, Minor in American Popular Culture, San Jose State University; A.A., Gavilan College; Cengage Online Teacher Training Program; CBEST and CSET Certified
Nicole Tervalon, Ph.D.
Director of Technology, High School Math Teacher, Math Department Chair, "Ramayana!" Co-Producer
P.h.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), (Joint Program), M.S., Oceanographic Engineering, MIT; B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Summa Cum Laude, Washington State University
Staff
“I feel so fortunate for this wonderful opportunity to work for Mount Madonna School. I am proud to be a part of this community not only as an employee, but as a parent as well. I am so grateful to be working near my children and help contribute to the wonderful school they are blessed to be a part of. Everyone I have encountered in this community has been nothing but welcoming, warm, kind, and generous. I value what the school stands for and teaches, focusing on individuality, creativity and expression, compassion, respecting nature, and a very well rounded academics program. Not to mention the absolutely beautiful scenery and delightful energy that surrounds you when visiting the campus; it is truly breathtaking. I feel honored to be a part of the MMS staff and look forward to growing in this brilliant community.”
B.A., Fashion, Arizona State University, with emphasis in design
“I am so excited to have the opportunity to create and work with intricate costumes for the amazing, enchanting productions like the Ramayana. The magnitude of these performances is something that is not typical to most schools and it is a privilege to be a part of it. I look forward to working with students to put their best selves out there and build their confidence through theater and design.”
