- Montalvin K-8
- Our Team
Katherine Acosta-Verpraskus | |
Principal | |
Born and raised in Lima, Peru and moved to Kansas when she was 10 years old. Katherine is a first-generation college student and earned her master's and undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas. She is dedicated to serving youth and supporting them to reach their goals and dream. In the past she has served as a vice principal in a K-8th school in East Oakland and as a special education teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in WCCUSD. Ms. Acosta-Verprauskus values working in partnership |
Michael Small | |
Vice Principal | |
I was born and raised in Maryland and came to the Bay Area as a professional musician in 2006. I play many instruments! I got into education while giving lessons at a school and fell in love with the art of teaching. I have taught Middle School Math and Science for ten years prior to coming to Montalvin. I have a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Mills College and am currently finishing up a Doctorate degree. I am very excited to be the new Vice Principal of a great school in a great |
Kim Kays | |
Dean of Climate & Culture Unconditional Education Coach | |
Born and raised in the Midwest, Ms. Kays brings nearly 15 years of experience as an educator, school leader, and nonprofit founder and director. Her experience in education spans from Kindergarten to Twelfth Grade general music, theater, dance, and technology. Most recently, she was the Interim Assistant Principal at Erie Elementary Charter School in Chicago where she coached teachers in classroom culture, student engagement, and effective teaching strategies. She attended Greenville College, ea |
Office Staff
Donnell Bonini | |
Office Manager | |
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Nelda R. Welten | |
Typist Clerk Bil./ Translator | |
Ms. Neldas worked for the NASA Space Center Houston and met very interesting people and Astronauts. She is married to Dr. Kees Welten of UC Berkeley and has three daughters and one grandson, Nolan. She was born and raised in Brownsville, Texas. She has 5 sisters and 2 brothers. She attended Porter High School in TX and is a big Dallas Cowboys fan. Her interests are meeting new people, getting to know them, and learning about their culture. Her hobbies are shopping, gambling and wine tasting. |
Stephanie Lucero | |
Transitional Kindergarten | |
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Los Angeles.
Where did you go to college? I attended California State University at Los Angeles where I received my BA and MA in sociology.
Why do you like teaching or why did you become a teacher? I have always enjoyed expanding peoples horizons.
What do you like about Montalvin Manor K-8? We have an amazing population.
What are your hobbies? I enjoy swimming and quilting.
Do you speak any other languages? Yiddish |
Carmen Flores | |
Transitional Kindergarten Aide | |
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Ana Maria Libunao | |
Kindergarten | |
Where did you grow up? I was born and raised in the Philippines. I moved to Los Angeles, California in 2004 then moved to the Bay Area in 2015.
Where did you attend college? I graduated from De La Salle University in the Philippines. I took my Masters in Education in National University last 2012 .
Why did you become a teacher? I wanted to be a teacher because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of as many students as I can. |
Erika Hix | |
Kindergarten | |
Where did you grow up? I grew up here in West Contra Costa.
What do you like about Montalvin? I love teaching kinder her at Montalvin. Kindergarten in my opinion is the most important grade there is.
What are your hobbies? When I am not teaching I enjoy cooking and eating good food with friends and dancing. |
Maria Gonzalez | |
Kindergarten | |
Where did you grow up? I was born and raised in the Bay Area and I have one brother and one sister, both younger than me. I was the first person in my family to go to college and I got my BA from San Francisco State University. I enjoy reading, spending time with my family and traveling to new places. |
Martinique Perry | |
1st Grade | |
Where did you grow up? I grew up all around California. I grew up mainly in Sacramento and Salinas/Monterey area.
Where did you go to college? I attended Dominican University of California.
What are your hobbies? I love to travel. I go visit my parents in Louisiana twice a year. I like creating things for other teachers and for my classroom. I love reading new books and working out. I really love staying home and catching up on my T.V. shows on the weekend. |
Laura Terry | |
1st Grade | |
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Mesa, Arizona
Where did you go to college? I graduated from Arizona State University. Go Devils!
Why did you become a teacher? I am a proud Teach for America teacher and am passionate about teaching.
What are your hobbies? Outside of school, I enjoy hot yoga and singing. I have a little dog named Tucker who lives with me in Oakland. I also love to cook. |
Kelly Becker | |
1st Grade | |
Where did you grow up? Lancaster CA and Pacific Grove CA
Where did you attend college/university? University of California Santa Barbara Graduated with Master of Education
What are your hobbies? Spending time with my family |
Susan King | |
2nd Grade | |
Where did you grow up? I was raised in Seattle, Washington.
Where did you go to college? I attended Washington State Univ. and Cal State East Bay.
Why did you become a teacher? I love to teach and enjoy seeing and exploring the world with my students.
What do you like about Montalvin? The students and my colleagues!!
What are your hobbies? I love gardening, cooking, and book sales!!! And, my youngest daughter is teaching English in Japan. |
Zsarleen Posadas | |
2nd Grade | |
Where did you grow up? San Francisco
Where did you go to college? I went to Diablo Valley College & Hayward State “Cal State Eastbay” and graduated with a degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis of Early Childhood Development.
Why did you become a teacher? I've taught Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade. This is my 18th year of teaching with the WCCUSD. |
Aaron Leonard | |
2nd Grade | |
Where did you grow up? Martinez, CA
Where did you attend college/university? San Francisco State University and currently at Mills College working towards a Masters in Education
What are your hobbies? Soccer and I’m a comic book writer |
Renae Kekauala | |
3rd Grade | |
Where did you grow up? Idaho
Where did you go to college? University of Arizona
Why did you become a teacher? I enjoy being around kids way more than adults!
What do you like about Montalvin? I love the students and families at Montalvin. They are so respectful and hardworking!
What are your hobbies? I like to sew and quilt, be with family, and eat delicious food! |
Ronald Serranzana | |
3rd Grade | |
Where did you grow up? I grew up in the Bay Area.
Where did you go to college? I attended UC Berkeley.
What are your hobbies? My hobbies are lifting weights, self-improvement, building electric skateboards and riding them fast. My favorite sport is MMA. |
Gary Collins | |
3rd Grade | |
Where did you grow up? I was born and raised in Oakland California.
Where did you go to college? I attended Saint Mary’s College High School in Berkeley Class of 2008. I graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta Georgia in 2012 where I studied business administration with a concentration in marketing. I am currently enrolled as a graduate student at San Francisco State University where I am studying elementary education. |
Beth Levine | |
4th Grade, Literacy | |
Where did you grow up? I grew up in California in San Mateo.
Where did you go to college? I went to school at University of California at Santa Cruz for two years. I decided to study civil and environmental engineering, so I attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
Why did you become a teacher? I like helping students succeed. |
Erica Fisher | |
4th Grade, Math | |
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Where did you go to college? I attended College/Grad. School at The Evergreen State College, University of San Francisco.
Why do you like teaching or why did you become a teacher? I like teaching to help students who are struggling in math like I did as a kid. |
Ethan Sorscher | |
5th Grade, Math & Science | |
Where did you grow up? I grew up in the East Bay of California.
Where did you attend college? I went to UC Davis and CSU Sacramento. |
Jessie Welcomer | |
5th Grade Literacy | |
Where did you grow up? I was born in Alabama ut grew up here in the Bay Area.
Where did you go to college? Pomona College in Southern California. I have a Master's Degree through Loyola Marymount University.
Why did you become a teacher? One of my favorite things about teaching is helping students discover great books. I also love teaching writing and encouraging students to find their voice. |
Shaundra Miller-Washington | |
6/7 Grade, Science & Visual Performing Arts | |
Where did you grow up? Richmond, CA
Where did you go to college? UC Santa Cruz & UCLA with a Master Degree in Public Policy.
Why did you become a teacher? To work with kids in the same community where I grew up and be a positive influence like teachers were for me. I have taught fifth and sixth grade in this district for 12 years. |
Shelly Moore | |
6/7 Grade, Math & History | |
Where did you grow up? Louisville, Kentucky
Where did you go to college? University of North Carolina
Why did you become a teacher? Teaching is a second career for me. I have a degree in textiles from the University of North Carolina, and I spent many years in retail management. Teaching, however, is the most rewarding job anyone could have. |
Sandra Holloway | |
6/7 Grade, Middle School, Literacy | |
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Central America & Sacramento CA.
Where did you go to college? I graduated from the Universidad de Montemorelos in Nuevo Leon, Mexico with my degree in education.
What are your hobbies? I enjoy spending time with my family. I love to see orchids in bloom & play words with friends. |
Mr. Castro | |
zSharp Music Teacher, Grade TK-8 | |
Where did you grow up? Concord, CA
Where did you attend college/university? Cal State East Bay
What are your hobbies? Singing, hiking, and trips to Lake Tahoe
Why do you like teaching or why did you become a teacher? I believe that everyone has something to share with the world. |