SEBASTOPOL CHARTER SCHOOL - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Chaz Mathias is a Sebastopol Charter School Alumni and a member of the first graduating class in 2005. While working full time in the renewable energy field, he earned a BS Degree in Corporate Management from California State University, East Bay. Chaz is a licensed contractor and owns First Response Solar with his brother. They offer residential solar and battery installations here in Sonoma County. Chaz has given back to the community as a volunteer firefighter at the Graton Fire Protection District since 2009. Chaz serves as Vice Chair of the Board.
Chris joined Sebastopol Charter in 2013. Prior to arriving, Chris served as the Lower School Coordinator at Summerfield Waldorf School, an administrative role that he stepped into after 15 years of teaching which included teaching a class grades 6-8 and another class grades 1-8. He began his teaching career as a Waldorf class teacher at Novato Charter School when the school was founded in 1996 and where he taught a class 4th to 8th grade.
Chris has a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Pepperdine University, Master of Arts in Education Leadership from Sonoma State University, a California Public School Teaching Credential from Dominican University, Waldorf Education Teaching Credential from Rudolf Steiner College and an Education Administration Services Credential from Sonoma State University.
Job Titles:
- School Secretary
- Secretary
Emily joined us at Sebastopol Charter in Fall of 2020 after receiving her Bachelor's in Psychology from Sonoma State University. Emily has always had a love for children and has worked in multiple school settings from her early days as a teacher's aide to her previous position supporting students with intellectual disabilities. The direct opportunity to make children feel special while also seen and heard is a value that she holds dear in her heart. While Emily is new to Waldorf, she appreciates the vast potential it holds in educating students beyond curriculum. In her free time, Emily enjoys reading, spending time in nature and laughing.
Essie has worked with multiple local charter schools and businesses in fundraising and various administrative work for over 20 years. She has been with the CF and Sebastopol Charter School for 7 years, during which time she has established successful events, systems and relationships among the two organizations and the greater school community. She is passionate about working in positions that have direct impacts in the betterment of humanity, a goal which is happily fulfilled at the CF and SCS. Essie is a Sonoma County native, as is her husband and, of course, her two children. Her family finds great joy in hiking, traveling and exploring the wonders of the natural world.
Job Titles:
- Community Engagement and Development Manager
Jeanna is the Community Engagement and Development Manager for the Sebastopol Charter Foundation. She co-develops and implements a strategic annual fundraising, engagement, and development plan with collaboration, input, and approval from the Foundation Board, Administrative Director, and school leadership.
Jeanna leads and supports various fundraising events, ranging from auctions to galas, each of which are benefited greatly by our robust parent and community volunteers. She is the main point of contact between each of the donors in the annual pledge program and is there to assist with set up, maintenance, and any adjustments that may arise throughout the year. Jeanna is passionate about the success of our school and ways to to keep the vision and mission of Sebastopol Charter alive and thriving.
Additionally, Jeanna is a proud parent at the school with two kids, Obi in Ms. Autumn Rose's class and Eli in Ms. Stock's class. In her free time, she is out on the trail exploring with her family!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Jennifer Klein is the parent of two Sebastopol Charter alumni and one current SCS student. Prior to her current position as Marketing Director at Osmosis Day Spa, she founded a Waldorf inspired children's store called Earth Child located in the downtown Charter School building. She is an active participant in the community serving on various committees in Sonoma County including the Marketing Program Committee for Sonoma County Tourism as well as their Community Liaisons Committee.
Jennifer joined Sebastopol Charter School in December of 2021, following her return to her hometown of Sebastopol. She has her A.A. Degree in Business Management and her B.S. Degree in Human Resources Management. Jennifer has held various diverse leadership roles in both public and non-profit sectors, including the Town of Windsor and Hospice Services of Lake County. With over 20 years of experience, her diverse background includes Human Resources Management, Administrative Management, facilities and accounting oversight, and Risk Management.
John arrived at Sebastopol Charter in 2013 after serving in finance and operations leadership roles in the nonprofit sector for several years. Prior to pursuing graduate studies in education, psychology, and philosophy, he was an international business executive with General Electric leading and serving in various management capacities.
John is a certified Waldorf teacher having completed his training at Rudolf Steiner College in their San Francisco program where he received his MA in Waldorf Education. He also holds a BA in Economics from Yale University, an MA in Philosophy and Religion from the California Institute of Integral Studies, and a certificate from the Universidad de Sevilla where he studied abroad. John has lived and worked in Spain, Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong and traveled widely before settling down in northern California. John also provides finance services and support for Live Oak and Novato Charter Schools.
Job Titles:
- Director of Special Education at Credo High School
- Vice Principal and Director of Student Support Services
Karen Erdman is formerly the Director of Special Education at Credo High School. Prior to that she was the special education teacher at Live Oak Charter School. Throughout her career, Karen has developed project based middle school programs, has been a Waldorf class teacher, public school teacher and an education specialist in both public and charter schools. Some of her teaching posts have included remote Alaska, inner city Oakland, and Richmond, Mt. Shasta, and Japan. She is passionate about supporting student needs with best practices from many sources, including Waldorf remedial education. Karen holds a Masters of Arts in Teaching and credentials in Life Coaching, and Blomberg's Rhythmic Movement Training.
Karen enjoys gardening, knitting, swimming, hiking and camping, week-long bike trips with her husband, watching a good documentary, sharing precious time with her mom, and traveling to Europe to see her family. She has a nephew, two adult step-children, and two grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Office Manager and Enrollment Director
Lori was born, raised and educated in San Francisco and has two adult children who attended San Francisco Waldorf School - KG-12th grade. She and her husband are now happy to be Sonoma County residents!
With over 19 years in Waldorf School Administration - including Registrar, Enrollment Director & Preschool Director - and credentials in Early Childhood Education, Lori is excited to join the team at Sebastopol Charter School. She is a dedicated baker/cake decorator and volunteer for Cake4Kids - an organization that provides birthday cakes for foster children and/or children in transitional housing or shelters. She also loves traveling, books, sewing/quilting, gardening & hiking in nature.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Matt Langley is the parent of two Sebastopol Charter alumni and one current SCS student. After earning a degree in English from Stanford University, Matt acquired a multiple subjects teaching credential at Sonoma State. He has been teaching elementary school in Santa Rosa for 22 years. Matt coaches his school's basketball teams and spends a lot of time on the microphone announcing local high school sporting events. Matt serves as Chair of the Board.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Ryan Hole is a parent of three students at SICS and his 20 month old daughter is likely to attend one day as well. He currently works as a Special Education teacher at Windsor High School where he helps students develop and use life skills out in the community. Ryan holds a bachelor's degree in anthropology because he loves humans and a multiple subjects teaching credential because he loves working with kids. Before entering the world of education, he spent time in construction, I.T. music and art. An extended family helps to keep him connected to the local community.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Sara Margulis has been a parent at Sebastopol Charter School since 2011. Sara grew up in the Sebastopol Union School District and graduated from Analy in 1992. Her children are third generation Sebastopudlians. Sara holds a BA in Music from UC Davis and an MBA in Marketing from Golden Gate University. Sara is the co-founder and CEO of the popular honeymoon registry service, Honeyfund. She is a champion of women in leadership and is sought as an expert on a variety of topics including weddings and honeymoons, crowdfunding, personal finance, and entrepreneurship.