Learn what school our staff hail from as well as why they teach at EPACS.
Elizabeth Jordan is a kindergarten grade teacher, and has taught at EPACS since 2004. Originally from the Bay Area, she grew up in Los Altos and currently lives in San Francisco. Ms. Jordan received a BA in Psychology and English from UC Santa Barbara and earned her teaching credential from the San Francisco State Clinical Schools Program. She enjoys the friendly and supportive staff, students and families at EPACS and is committed to Aspire's goal of providing quality education and opportunities for all children.
Mary Mitchell is a first grade teacher at EPACS. She is from Oceanside, Calfornia. Ms. Mitchell received her B.A. in Liberal Studies with a minor in Visual and Performing Arts, and her Multiple Subject teaching credential, from California State University, San Marcos. She joined the EPACS team in 2008. Ms. Mitchell came to EPACS because she admires the dedication and enthusiasm of the EPACS staff and families. She enjoys collaborating with highly motivated professionals, and working with the families to provide these amazing students with a wonderful educational experience.
Kelly Sorbera is a second grade teacher. She has been at EPACS since 2008.
Ivy Valant is a 3rd grade teacher at EPACS. She earned her bachelor of arts degree in elementary education from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!!). Prior to coming to EPACS, she taught first grade in New York City and preschool in Boston. Mrs. Valant loves teaching and loves children, and she is so proud to be part of the EPACS community.
Sarah Milo is a 4th grade teacher at EPACS. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Vassar College and her Master in Teaching degree from Seattle University. Prior to teaching at EPACS, Ms. Milo lived in Santiago, Chile for two years where she was a 5th grade teacher. Before that, Ms. Milo taught preschool in her hometown, Seattle. Ms. Milo is thrilled to be a part of a community where the students are so excited to learn and succeed!
Katie Kling teaches 5th grade at EPACS. Originally from Rochester, New York she has a BA in History from SUNY Brockport and a Teaching Credential from National University. Prior to joining the EPACS community in 2003, Katie worked in Financial Services focusing on Sales & Training. Her favorite things about EPACS is its mission to provide opportunities to a hardworking population of students. She is continually impressed with EPACS families and staff, and the level of dedication to students.
Meg Barrager is the sixth grade humanities teacher at EPACS. She was born and raised in Palo Alto where, as an eight year old, she handed her palm to a fortune teller who predicted she would be a teacher. She received her Bachelor's degree in French Studies at Lewis and Clark College in Oregon, and a Master's in clinical social work from Smith College in Massachusetts. Prior to coming to EPACS, she taught high school in France, worked as an individual and family therapist, and designed decision-making curriculum for K-12 schools across the U.S. Meg loves to see her EPACS students writing, and discovering new books.
Brett Baker (no relation) is the the 7th and 8th grade math teacher at EPACS. He is originally from the East Bay and went to school at Occidental College in Los Angeles. After college, he taught 8th grade math in Avondale Arizona before moving back to the Bay Area. The part Mr. Baker appreciates most about EPACS is the sense of community at the school amongst the staff, students and administration.
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Hillary Mills is a 7th and 8th grade Science teacher at EPACS. She graduated from the University of California San Diego (UCSD) with a bachelor of science in Environmental Systems-Earth Science. With a passion for the outdoors she previously worked as a kayaking and backpacking instructor as well as a middle school and high school naturalist all through out California. She transitioned from a role of teaching middle school Math and Art and is very excited about getting back to her scientific roots at EPACS. She continues to be impressed by the curiosity and interest of students at EPACS and feels honored to be part of such a passionate staff as well as to be welcomed into such a dedicated and committed community.
Veronica Woodard is our first Middle School Math Fellow at EPACS, position that is funded with the generous support of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.. She earned her bachelor of arts in kinesiology from Occidental College in Los Angeles. Before she came into the EPACS family she was teaching English to high school students in Japan. Veronica loves teaching and is currently in her credentialing program at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, CA. Ms. Woodard is excited to get her teaching career going!
Erin Boothe graduated from Fresno State University with a bachelors of science in Health Science. After college Ms. Boothe earned her teaching credential and taught at a high school in Madera, Califonira for five years. Since moving to the Bay Area two years ago, Ms. Boothe has worked as the librarian at EPACS and earned her Masters in Library and Information Science from San Jose State University.
Ilda Riojas joined EPACS in 2006 to work with both new and native Spanish speakers in grades K-8 to improve their language skills. She earned a B.A. in Modern Languages in her home country of Columbia, where she taught Spanish Literature and English before coming to the United States. Since then, Ms. Riojas has earned a BCLAD credential from San Jose State, and taught in San Jose and Palo Alto. She has strengthened our Spanish program dramatically over the years, and really enjoys focusing on helping students become proficient in both languages (Spanish & English) in reading, writing, and speaking.
With this goal in mind, she works with students in a class called Young Interpreters to try and instill an understanding of the advantages of being bilingual, and how they can use that skill to serve their communities. Young Interpreters go on a field trip to the County Court to watch professional interpreters in the judicial system, and to imagine the skills they need to develop. They also take a trip to the Stanford Hospital to see how interpreters work with patients to help break down barriers. Ms. Riojas looks forward to continuing to develop the Spanish program at EPACS, and is excited to be part of such a dynamic community of teachers and learners.
Eron Sandler is the Middle School Elective Teacher for Garden Class and she manages Garden Work Days at EPACS. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Hampshire College and her Masters of Science at Antioch New England Graduate School. Eron works with Collective Roots to keep the EPACS garden growing and loves seeing EPACS students and families learning from and enjoying the garden!
Katie Gadsby is the Nutrition and Garden Education Coordinator at Collective Roots providing garden classes and after school programs to K-5 students weekly at EPACS. She received her B.A. degree in Biology from UC Santa Cruz and an M.S. in Nutrition and Public Health from Teachers College, Columbia University. Katie enjoys teaching garden based lessons to the students at EPACS because of their excitement and desire to learn in the beautiful 1 acre garden setting provided by EPACS and Collective Roots. To see students snacking on carrots and radishes with a big smile while learning about science and nutrition is such a joy.Marie White is the middle school math coach. She is from Austin Texas, and came to Stanford where she earned her B.S. in Symbolic Systems. Prior to beginning her tenure at EPACS, she volunteered for two years with the after school program on a regular basis. In 2005, Marie came to EPACS full-time, first in the library and then in the classroom as the 7th and 8th grade math teacher. In the summer of 2009, Marie began her work as an instructional coach, a position that is supported by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Marie is most excited about the collective mission and dream of students, parents, and staff working to achieve together.
» Meet our Advisory Board
