COW HOLLOW SCHOOL - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Plover Classroom Support Teacher
Abby joined Cow Hollow School in 2023. She is originally from Denver, Colorado, and graduated in May from the University of Colorado Boulder with a dual BA in Sociology and Leadership & Community Engagement and a minor in Education. Throughout her 4 years, she volunteered in elementary schools, was an assistant teacher at her local preschool, and focused her efforts on social work and mental health in the realm of education. Abby is passionate about socio-emotional learning and ensuring all children feel included in the world around them! In her free time, Abby enjoys practicing yoga, baking, and exploring her new city!
Job Titles:
- Steller Jay Support Teacher
Carly joined Cow Hollow School in 2024. She graduated from CSU, Chico with a Bachelor's in Child Development and minor in Family Relations. She has always known she wanted to work with young children and her studies in college affirmed that belief. Her favorite part of working with children is getting to see the world through the most pure and curious eyes, which she says makes every day brighter and more fulfilling. While in college, she worked at an inclusive preschool which gave her the chance to care for and learn more about children with special needs. Through this program, she promoted peer acceptance and respect to help all children feel competent, no matter their abilities or needs. She has also been a nanny for many years helping children grow up to be confident, compassionate, and curious learners. In her free time, Carly loves painting, watching sunsets, and thrifting all her clothes.
Cassie joined Cow Hollow School in 2022. She began working with children when she was a teenager and her passion for working with the early childhood age group has only grown! Cassie has always been interested in how the mind of a young child works and how to enhance their curiosity of the world. Cassie's education has focused on early childhood education with an emphasis on social and behavioral psychology. She graduated from CSU Long Beach with a BA in Human Development and a minor in Child and Family Studies. While in college she worked at a Reggio Emilia inspired school where she was able to practice her naturalistic and learner-centered teaching style. Cassie has also worked as a Registered Behavioral Technician supporting children with behavioral challenges to reach their goals. In the ABA field she taught children to use effective coping skills and mindfulness to benefit their everyday life. She believes the best teaching approach comes from love, understanding, and patience.
Cece began working at Cow Hollow in 2022. She is so grateful to be a member of the Cow Hollow community! Her love for teaching began when she started volunteering at a Child Care Center in 2016 and she has been a preschool teacher ever since. Cece grew up in San Diego and moved to San Francisco for college. She loved the city so much she decided to stay after getting her degree. Cece has a B.A in Psychology with a minor in Counseling and an A.A in Child Development as well as a Early Childhood Education Site Supervisor Permit. Cece is passionate about children's social and emotional development and supports an environment that is welcoming and inclusive for all. Cece is fluent in English and Spanish. During her free time, she loves to dance, roller skate and spend time with her family and cat! She loves working on messy projects and being out in nature.
Job Titles:
- Sandpiper Support Teacher
Cecilia began at Cow Hollow School in 2023. Cecilia is originally from Ecuador, and has been on a remarkable journey over the past two years here in San Francisco. Her educational background includes an MBA and a Master's degree in Sustainable Development from Regis University. She has a deep passion for teaching languages, which was her undergraduate degree in applied linguistics. With this unique combination of expertise, she launched Mamaestra de Español, a program that empowers caregivers to teach Spanish to newborns to three-year-olds. She has also authored and published materials like music, didactic toys, and a collection of engaging books. Cecilia is currently furthering her education in Early Childhood Education and Graphic Design. She is an advocate for teaching, art, nature, and mental health.
Charlotte joined Cow Hollow School in 2023. From a young age, Charlotte was drawn to caring for young children. She was interested in discovering how they learned from the world around them, and communicated with their caregivers. Charlotte is originally from San Diego and moved to San Francisco in 2016 and received her BA in Child Development at San Francisco State University In 2020. Charlotte has worked as a substitute teacher for children ages 3 months to 5 years, was a Lead teacher for infants and was an Infant/Toddler Instructional coach. Charlotte is also a leadership member of WestEd's Teaching team focusing on social-emotional learning and development. Charlotte values supporting families in understanding their children's unique needs and interests, while fostering a foundation for positive learning experiences. She is passionate about advocating for children's access to high-quality childcare, being a loving educator, creating engaging learning environments, and allowing children the agency to discover themselves naturally.
Cheyenne originally joined the Cow Hollow team in 2017 for 4 years and is excited to be back in 2023! She received her BA and MA from San Francisco State University in Child and Adolescent Development and Early Childhood Education. She has worked in the preschool setting for 7 years along with volunteer work with children outside the classroom. Cheyenne and her husband and two cats they adore! In her free time she loves spending time with family and friends while enjoying delicious food and the beauty of San Francisco!
Christina joined Cow Hollow School in July 2021. Christina is a San Francisco native. She received her Bachelors from San Francisco State University in Child and Adolescent Development with a minor in Asian American Studies. After many years of teaching, Christina decided to go back to school and recently earned her Masters in Early Childhood Education from the University of Colorado, Denver through a two year online program. As an early childhood educator, Christina sees the importance of supporting the children in developing their social-emotional skills and confidence to know they are capable and competent. She really enjoys listening to the children and asking them questions to provoke their thoughts to see where their ideas lead to support them in loving to learn. She looks forward to another exciting year.
Cindy began teaching at Cow Hollow School in May 2021 and moved from Dallas to the Bay Area in Spring 2021. Cindy is an auntie to three little ones in Dallas. She earned her B.S. in Elementary Education with a concentration in Middle School Mathematics from the University of Delaware. Cindy has worked with children from ages 1-13 for eight years. Cindy looks forward to continuing to deepen her relationships within the CHS community. Cindy is particularly excited to build children's confidence through love, guidance, and play!
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Member of the Board
Darcy has been directing at Cow Hollow School since 2002. Darcy has over 30 years of experience working with teachers, families and children in the Bay Area. She has more than 25 years of Site Administration experience and has taught and learned from children three months to twelve years old. She teaches early childhood and elementary education courses at San Francisco State University and conducts early childhood training and consultations with families, schools, and educational organizations throughout the Bay Area. She is a strong advocate for children and specializes in reflective, responsive, collaborative teaching and parenting practices. Darcy is the founder of The COLLABORATORY, a parent and teacher workshop series and the co-founder of REAL PARENTING, a workshop and coaching practice for parents. Darcy holds a graduate degree in early childhood development.
Dayan Crutcher is new to San Francisco and joined Cow Hollow School in 2023. Dayan is excited to be living and working in the Presidio. A transplant from the Midwest, Dayan made the long journey here to explore everything the West Coast offers, including the beautiful food, arts, and nature. Curiosity about the world and questioning how things work are drivers for what has been a winding path through constructivist education and teaching, with stops along the way in Montessori Education, work with Rice University in Science Education, Writer's Workshop, dance education and Teach For America. A love for books in general, but especially children's literature is a life-long passion for Dayan, who once was a book buyer for a large bookstore. Reading with children, and being able to experience the moment when reading "happens" are pinnacle experiences in a teaching career. Helping guide children to find out where to learn more and where to find resources is an approach that empowers us all. Dayan has a Master's in Education and studied the Reggio Emilia documentation as her thesis project, trained in Montessori Education in San Diego, and has her Bachelor's in Psychology, History and Women Studies. She has raised three children who have all launched and is enjoying a new chapter in life! A love of travel and culture led Dayan to Russia on a Fulbright Education Exchange, to Havana to study salsa dancing, to Italy to see vintage fashion textiles, and to the South of France to see where Julia Child was inspired to learn to cook. The respect and appreciation for beauty and Nature that children inherently possess can be nurtured and preserved with patience and encouragement, and time. Dayan hopes to continue her journey in Education at Cow Hollow School with her colleagues and the Community.
Job Titles:
- Afternoon Support Teacher
Elisia joined Cow Hollow School in 2023. Elisia is from Chico, California and just recently moved here to San Francisco. Elisia holds a bachelor's degree in Child Development from Chico State University and has always had a passion for working with young children. Her favorite part about working with young children is getting to experience life through their curious lenses and help foster their imaginations. Elisia has an interest in outdoor education, and believes that nature can be one of our greatest teachers. She is excited to be a part of a school that embodies and supports both the individual child and their relationship with the natural world around them. Elisia speaks both English and Japanese and in her free time she enjoys being in the park, hiking, cooking, and exploring her new and exciting city.
Emily joined Cow Hollow School in 2022. She earned a BA in Early Childhood Studies with a concentration in Education from Sonoma State University. Emily's career in the field of early education brought her from Sonoma to the city of San Francisco. Her intention is to work alongside the children, connect to their relationship with natural materials while integrating concepts of mindfulness in teaching. Emily looks forward to making connections with the children, their interests, and families.
Izabela began at Cow Hollow School in 2023. Izabela was born and raised in the small town of Brumadinho, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. She moved to the United States in 2015, and has lived in Mississippi and California. Izabela recently graduated from Sonoma State University with a major in Psychology. For the last 5 years, she has been working at an award winning after school and summer camp program located in Marin County where she now lives. In her free time, Izabela enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, and doing anything active. Izabela loves taking her passion off outdoors into the classroom, teaching kids of young age love and appreciation for the world around them.
Jamie has been with Cow Hollow School since 2012 and has enjoyed the privilege of sharing art experiences with children since 1992. She works also as an assemblage/collage painter with a variety of mediums which translates well into exploring a multitude of materials with children. She received her B.F.A. in painting and her K-12 art teaching certificate from Fort Hays State University in Kansas. Jamie taught art in schools in Kansas, Missouri, and New York City. She worked at the The Children's Museum of the Arts in New York teaching in public programs and in schools, creating programming, and managing the Fine Arts Studio teaching artists. Jamie regularly presents studio workshops for parents and educators through The COLLABORATORY at Cow Hollow School and The Innovative Teacher Project in San Francisco.
Jennifer joined Cow Hollow School in 2023. Jennifer grew up in Los Angeles loving school and with hopes of becoming a teacher someday. She has a BA in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in public health education at the University of California, Berkeley. After some time in the public health field, she was rerouted to working with children again. This solidified her decision to go back to school to get her MA in Teaching at University of Southern California where she completed her student teaching placements in a TK and 4th grade classroom. Time in the TK classroom inspired her to further her experience in early childhood education. Jennifer is excited to be at Cow Hollow working with people who value and respect a child's learning experience. She is excited to build meaningful relationships and connections with the children. She knows how much their minds have to offer the world and enjoys their fresh, bright perspectives.
Jess joined Cow Hollow School in 2023. After growing up in Sacramento, CA, Jess headed off to Cal Poly SLO where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development and minors in Psychology and Ethnic Studies. After working at the Children's Center on Cal Poly's campus for five years, she moved to Denver where she received her Master's Degree in Learning, Developmental and Family Sciences, with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. After spending two years in Colorado, she just recently made the move to San Francisco. Jess is so excited about joining the Cow Hollow community with a group of like-minded learners dedicated to upholding a strong image of children as competent and capable global citizens. One of Jess' favorite things about early childhood is discovering more about the world alongside children and finding inevitable joy in each day. In her free time, Jess loves running, trying new foods, and cheering on the San Francisco Giants.
Job Titles:
- Afternoon Support Teacher
Joelle joined Cow Hollow School in 2023. Joelle is a proud native of San Francisco. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Child and Adolescent Development with a concentration in Youth and Family Services from San Francisco State. Joelle is also the current athletic director at the same grammar school that I attended in the Richmond District. She has over 20 years of experience working with children aged 2-14. She has taught preschool aged children in many different capacities as lead teacher, director and most recently teaching transitional kindergarten. JoelleI has a passion for teaching and prides herself on building positive relationships with young children and their families. She loves watching children learn and grow through play and discovery. Joelle has been married for over 20 years and is a proud mother to 3 wonderful children. She enjoys spending time outside in the park, the beach or traveling and is an avid sports fan! She played college basketball and loved every second of it. She is a music enthusiast and enjoys going to live concerts, spending time with her family and dog, and exploring this wonderful city we live in.
Katie joined Cow Hollow School in 2023. She moved from Minneapolis, Minnesota to San Francisco in June 2022. She has a B.S. in Child Psychology and Masters in Social Work from the University of Minnesota. Her career in early childhood education began in her undergraduate work where she worked with infants and toddlers at a local childcare center and family homeless shelter. Katie also has experience working with children and families in elementary schools and in child protection services. After exploring social work for a few years, her heart brought her back to early childhood education. She is passionate about and inspired by working alongside young learners. In her free time, she enjoys being outside, doing yoga, and spending time with friends.
Job Titles:
- Director of Admissions
- Office Administrator
Leslie joined the Cow Hollow School community in 2004 as a parent. As a parent, Leslie served on the Parent Association and Cow Hollow School Board as Director of Community Enrichment and Visibility. Leslie began working as the school as Admissions Director and Office Administrator in 2009. She particularly enjoys working with parents through the admissions process and helping them integrate into the Cow Hollow School community. Leslie received her Masters in Early Childhood Education and California Teaching credential from Mills College.
Lucy joined the Cow Hollow School in 2022. She is originally from San Diego, and moved to San Francisco after receiving her Bachelor of Science in Child Development from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. At Cal Poly, she also earned a minor in Psychology and spent 4 years teaching at the on-campus preschool. Lucy has 8 years of experience working with children ages 6 months to 6 years, implementing a play and inquiry-based philosophy. She is an advocate for self-development, self-identity and self-love, believing there is nothing more magical than a child realizing "they can". She strives to empower every child with the confidence to grow and learn, and help them develop the tools they need to embrace all of life's moments with empathy. Outside of the classroom, Lucy spends her time designing children's clothing, supporting her San Francisco Giants, baking cookies, and traveling.
Cow Hollow School is a community of families and teachers from a broad range of cultures, nationalities, family structures, languages, and economic backgrounds. We strive to be a community where each child and family is included, valued, and represented, and where each participant is actively invited to voice and contribute ideas, opinions, questions, and values.
Melissa has been teaching at Cow Hollow School since 2008. She has been an early childhood educator for over 17 years. Melissa has worked with children ranging in ages from 6 months to 6 years old as well as with intern teachers and alongside parents in the classroom. She received her BA in Child Development from Sacramento State University and her MA in Education with a focus on Early Childhood Education from San Francisco State University. Melissa has experience conducting workshops for educators and parents with organizations including CAEYC and The Innovative Teacher Project. Melissa is a dedicated advocate for forming strong partnerships with parents and families of young children. In 2022, she moved out of the classroom and became the Curriculum Coordinator for the school. She works closely with all the teachers and supports them in developing and implementing high quality inquiry based curriculum that integrates our school values and guiding principles.
Job Titles:
- Red Tailed Hawk Support Teacher
Natalie joined the community here at the Cow Hollow School in the beginning of 2024. As a child, she found a passion working with kids, especially those with special needs. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Mills College at Northeastern University with a degree in Psychology. Specifically, she specialized in abnormal childhood development. In addition, she has been working in childcare for over a decade. As an educator, Natalie strives to meet every child at their level. Her ultimate goal is to help students with disabilities and their families thrive. Natalie feels that having a psychology based education gives her a perspective which enables her to relate to a wide spectrum of children. In her freetime, Natalie can be found reading, baking, or playing with her pets.
Job Titles:
- Hummingbird Classroom Support Teacher
Nichole began teaching at Cow Hollow School in February 2023. She has been an early childhood educator for the past six years, caring for children as young as three months old and as old as six years of age. She is passionate about creating a space where children feel like they belong and watching their development and confidence blossom. She is especially intrigued by the explosion of language that begins around age two. She also holds a special place in her heart for parents and cherishes the relationships she builds with them. Nichole holds a bachelor's degree from Westmont College and has obtained early childhood units at Saddleback College. In her free time, Nichole makes jewelry, bakes, practices various forms of art, and spends time snuggling at home with her two mischievous cats.
Sam joined Cow Hollow in October 2020. She graduated from San Francisco State University in 2019 with a Bachelor's in Child and Adolescent Development. In the midst of her studies two recurring questions would pop up: "Why do I want to work with children? What draws me to this field?" It was these key questions that required her to reflect on her time in the field, studies, and deep within. Sam's answers rarely varied. They were always embedded with love and understanding- the two driving forces that push her to work with youth . Sam is interested in children's self-development, self-awareness, and self-identity. In every situation, lesson, or moment that she finds herself engaged with children, she strives to support them through love and understanding, the two pillars that guide her work with youth. Sam is currently pursuing a degree in Psychology and next year hopes to obtain a MA in School Counseling. She has worked with children of all ages through employment and various volunteer programs, such as the San Francisco Education Fund's mentor program and Mission Graduates.
Sienna began teaching at Cow Hollow School in October 2020. She earned her BA in Child and Adolescent Development and her MA in Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education, both from San Francisco State University. She has been an early childhood educator for the past 7 years working with children from four months to five years old. Sienna is eager to build strong relationships with children and their families, connect and dish with colleagues, and is motivated to grow in her passion for this field. She is an advocate for social-emotional learning, honors the curiosity of young children, and strives to promote inclusivity wherever and whenever she can. Sienna enjoys witnessing children making their own discoveries and is grateful to be a guide to them in their ever changing environment. When she is not at CHS, Sienna enjoys sharing meals with friends and recently got certified as a personal trainer and nutritional coach!
Simone began working at Cow Hollow School in 2021. Simone is honored to be a member of the Cow Hollow community. She comes from a family of educators and spent her childhood "playing school." This childhood obsession quickly turned into a lifelong passion when she came to the Bay Area to study Political Science at San Francisco State University. There she worked on various research projects in conjunction with the Early Childhood Education Department and Head Start Program that motivated Simone to become an educator and advocate for young children. She strives to create a warm and inspiring environment where all children are empowered to create their own learning, form lasting friendships, and have an impact on their world. Simone has continued her education at City College of San Francisco and enjoys attending various professional development workshops and conferences where she learns about topics ranging from arts and activism to supporting children's play. She now has a Site Supervisor Permit from the California Department of Teacher Credentialing and plans to receive her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Educational Leadership at Mills College.
Job Titles:
- Receptionist and Classroom Support Teacher (
Sophia joined the Cow Hollow School team in 2023. She was born and raised in San Francisco. She earned a B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development at San Jose State University in 2005. She has over 17 years experience in early childhood education with positions ranging from an assistant teacher to a teacher in team-taught settings as well as an administrative assistant. Sophia enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 daughters. They enjoy doing arts and crafts together and going on fun adventures with friends. She continues learning about the different stages of child development through firsthand experience with her own children. What she loves most about young children is their curiosity, creativity and seeing them gain new skills and reach milestones.
Job Titles:
- Morning School Support Teacher
Tommy obtained his bachelor's degree from San Francisco State University focusing on Finance, and has experience working in the finance field. However, a conversation pivoted his view on Early Childhood Education and motivated him to shift his major to Early Childhood Education. Tommy obtained a masters degree in Early Childhood Education from San Francisco State University. Tommy has one year of experience working with children ranging from 1 year old to 12 years old. Tommy believes the best learning moment sparks from children's interest. He is fluent in English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Fujianese. Tommy is also a proud parent of two little girls.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Member of the Board
Trevor started teaching at Cow Hollow School since 2007 and moved into an administrative role in 2017. Trevor received his B.A. in African American Studies and English at the University of California, Berkeley. He later received an M.A. in early child education from San Francisco State University where he wrote about his collaborative experience with teachers in Kenya. He comes from a strong constructivist perspective which endorses an emergent curriculum, child-centered approach to education. He is interested in inclusive early childhood programs and the effects such programs have on children's social consciousness development. Trevor is also the Summer Program Coordinator which he has helped run for the last several years.