We are pleased to introduce the following new faculty and staff members for the 2017-2018 school year:
Chrislaine Pamphile Miller is joining MMS to teach English 6 and social studies for grades six to eight. She began teaching in Oakland middle schools before going back to school to complete her graduate studies. She has more recently taught at Santa Clara University and California State University, Monterey Bay as an adjunct lecturer. Chrislaine is also a professional development facilitator with the University of California, Berkeley History-Social Science Project. She has 15-years of teaching experience and is excited for the opportunity to return to the classroom and to work with MMS students. Chrislaine has a Ph.D. and an M.A. in history, and a B.A. in American studies, from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Following a 10-year hiatus, Gitanjali Lori Rivera is rejoining MMS to teach music for grades one through eight. She will work closely with Anand Brian Darsie, upper school music director. Gitanjali is a teaching artist who has performed with The Bobs, SoVoSo, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Cabrillo Stage, and the Cabrillo Music Festival. In addition to teaching at MMS for several years (previously), she has also taught at WEST Performing Arts, and has a private voice studio. When not teaching or performing, she loves to weave, cook, spend time with her Bernese Mountain dog Coco, and her husband, David.
Jane Rue will be assisting in the preschool/kindergarten program. Jane obtained her degree in early childhood education along with her teacher’s certificate, and is now working on a B.A. in family and human relationships. She has done a great deal of traveling, working in Romania and moving with her family to Holland. She has experience working with children ages three to nine, and with big classes. She is committed to teaching children a love of learning, focusing on three C’s: creativity, curiosity and confidence. She believes that if children develop these skills, there is no limit to what they can achieve.
Mercedes Johnson is joining us to be the upper school dance teacher and choreographer. Mercedes Johnson hails from the island of Kauai, where she began a lifelong passion in dance, gymnastics, music and theater. After receiving a dance scholarship and teaching dance in Oahu, Mercedes went on to earn a B.A. in dance from the University of Hawaii. After graduation she spent a year in New York to work-study at the Broadway Dance Center and study with Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Finding California to be more hospitable, she was accepted to teach at the Tannery World Dance Cultural Center and created a small dance troupe, Modern Collective Dance Company. Professionally she has had the privilege of working with Iona Contemporary Dance Theater, Keiko Fuji Dance Company, Divino Ritmo Dance Company, Micha Scott, Saki Tamao, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and Tandy Beal and Company. “It’s been an honor to serve as a dance teacher for over six years and to see students transition into artists,” said Mercedes.