Larchmont Teacher Information

Kimberly Kline, K-1 Teacher

Ms. Kline has taught kindergarten at LCS since its inception in 2005. Before LCS, Ms. Kline obtained her B.A. from the University of Arizona, where she majored in Musical Theatre. After leaving Arizona, Kimberly moved to New York City to pursue a career in musical theater, before determining that teaching was her true passion. She returned to Los Angeles where she obtained a Masters in Education from National University. With her combined talents in music and education, Ms Kline integrates song and learning in her classroom. It is Kimberly's mission to empower students to become life long learners and instill within them a belief that they can reach any goal.

KATE ROBERTSON, K-1 TEACHER

Kate Robertson is excited to join the K-1 team this year. She comes to LCS from Westwood Charter where she taught a 1-2 multiage class. Kate studied Psychology at UCLA and received her teaching credential from Antioch University. Before teaching Kate was a Teaching Assistant in a 1st grade classroom at Westwood Charter for 2 years

KARLA MERINO, K-1 TEACHER

Karla Merino has really enjoyed teaching K/1 this year at LCS. Having attended and graduated UCLA, she realized that she could make an impact in our community by teaching the youth. She holds a BA in Linguistics (UCLA) and obtained her teaching credential from Cal State, Northridge. She began working at Larchmont as a TA, while working here she realized there was so much more to teaching than textbooks and tests. She found that children could be themselves and learn in many different ways and it ultimately inspired her to become a teacher.

SANDRA ALAMO, 5TH GRADE TEACHER

Sandra Alamo is a teacher who has been with us since our doors opened in 2005. She holds a Masters of Education in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Culture, Language, and Diversity from the University of California, Los Angeles. Her experience at LCS includes 3 years in a 1-2 multiage class, 1 year in a K-1 multiage age class, and currently teaching English Language Arts and Mathematics in 5th grade. She has served on the Board of Directors for LCS, School Management Team, School Site Council, and as Lead Teacher. She previously taught at MacArthur Park Primary Center in Waiver-to-Basic Kindergarten and 1st grade classes for 3 years. She holds a bilingual credential in Spanish as well. Her areas of interest include early literacy, English Language Development, bilingual education, mathematics, and social justice as it relates to the educational system. During her free time, she enjoys reading anything from novels to children’s books or educational articles, ballroom dancing, and spending time with family and friends.

BETSY CAVALIER, 2-3 GRADE TEACHER

Betsy Cavalier is excited for her fourth year at LCS. In the past three years at Larchmont, Betsy has taught kindergarten, first/second, and second/third grades. Prior to joining LCS, Betsy taught for four years at PS 40 in New York City and for two years in San Francisco’s public schools. Betsy’s interest in literacy and the reading/writing connection was sparked in New York where she attended literacy workshops at Columbia Teachers’ College. She continues to research the best practices in literacy instruction. Betsy holds a B.A in Political Science and an M.A. in International and Comparative Education from Stanford University. She received her elementary teaching credential with a Culture, Language and Diversity (CLAD) emphasis from the John Muir Alternative Teacher Education (MATE) Program at Cal State San Francisco.

SARAH EUN, 2-3 GRADE TEACHER

Sarah E. graduated from U.C. Davis with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Asian American Studies. After graduation, she decided to go abroad and teach English in Japan through the JET Program. Upon her return, she went back to school and got her teaching credential as well as a M. Ed. in Cross Cultural Studies. She started her teaching career in the Brea-Olinda School District, working as a teacher and an interpreter, before moving to Los Angeles. She is one of the founding teachers at Larchmont Charter School and has taught 1/2 grades as well as 2/3 grade combination classes. She is a classically trained pianist who enjoys reading, playing sports and traveling. But above all, she enjoys creating, interacting and learning with her students.

SARAH HOWELL, 2-3 GRADE TEACHER

Sarah Howell is delighted to be a new member of the Larchmont family. Sarah earned her B.A. in History from U.C. Berkeley, where she also played water polo and enjoyed living in northern California. She worked as a reading tutor and substitute teacher before moving to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she taught English and traveled throughout much of the country. She earned her multiple subject teaching credential with BCLAD emphasis and Master of Education from UCLA's Teacher Education Program. Sarah's interests include travel, yoga, and cooking.

ANDI VARON, 2-3 GRADE TEACHER

Andi Varon came to the first/second grade at LCS with 30 years prior experience in the education field. She worked in day care and day care administration for 7 years and was then a teacher at the Sequoyah School in Pasadena for 23 years. While at Sequoyah, she taught a kindergarten/first grade class and a third/fourth grade class. She also mentored many teachers, sat on the Board of Trustees for several terms, led the school through a successful WASC accreditation, and taught math and science workshops to teachers for several summers. She developed a workshop titled "Empowering Children to Become Learners". After leaving Sequoyah, Andi moved to Tokyo, Japan where she taught second grade in an international school for 2 years.

IAN JEWETT, 4TH GRADE TEACHER

Ian Jewett was born and raised in New York City and has a B.A. in English literature and Chinese language from the University of Colorado/Boulder. Before coming to LCS, Ian taught ESL in both Brazil and China. He recently finished his master’s degree in education at Loyola Marymount University. When he’s not in the classroom, he enjoys dancing and participating in Brazilian cultural events. Ian currently teaches 4th grade math and is passionate about project based learning.

AMANDA KONIECZNY, 4TH GRADE TEACHER

Amanda Konieczny received both her degree in Liberal Studies, and credential, from Biola University. She began with LCS in 2007 as a substitute teacher. The following year, Amanda was brought onto the LCS team as both a 4th grade assistant and resource assistant. In 2009, Amanda gladly joined Larchmont Charter’s 4th grade teaching team. When she is not is the classroom, Amanda is furthering her education by pursing a Reading Specialist certification through the University of Southern California. Also, she takes yoga classes, reads books, tours museums, paints, and draws. Above all, Amanda looks forward to another wonderful year working with the amazing students at LCS.

SARAH MOLFESE, 4TH GRADE TEACHER

Sarah Molfese is happy to be part of the 4th grade teaching team. She received her education in New York State. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Spanish from St. Bonaventure University and obtained her Masters in Elementary Education from Niagara University, NCATE accredited eight years ago. She has taught in both public and private schools in New York, North Carolina, and now California.

LORENA ORLOSKY, 5TH GRADE TEACHER

Lorena graduated with a degree in Soviet Culture and Art History from the State University of New York at Albany. She has a teaching credential from Cal. State L.A. and has worked extensively as a substitute teacher in a multitude of private and public schools. She worked for several years as a pre-school teacher, with an emphasis on art education. In addition, she has worked at length in Special Education settings with a variety of students as well as with at-risk teens as a tutor in an early gang intervention program.

RACHEL GREEN, 5TH GRADE TEACHER

Rachel Green is an educator dedicated to improving education for all children by valuing the assets that they each bring to the classroom. Rachel, a graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, brings music and theatre into the classroom to increase academic achievement. Areas of interest include: effective teacher training programs, how brains learn (especially in the context of music), integrated curricular models, equity and access for all students, and reforming education to value the cultural capital of all students.Rachel holds a Master's of Education from UCLA with a focus in Culture, Language, and Diversity, and another in administration. She teaches a class at UCLA in elementary science instruction for undergraduate science majors thinking about becoming teachers.

TIRA SIMS, 2/3 TEACHER

Tira is in her fourth year at LCS. She previously worked as a teaching assistant and an intern. Before coming to LCS, Tira attended Boston College but found she is a true California girl at heart, and finished her B.A. in Communications at Santa Clara University where she played Women's Lacrosse. After two years of substitute teaching in various private schools in Monterey, CA, and training at Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes, Tira decided to get her teaching credential at CSU Los Angeles.

EVA OROZCO, 2/3 TEACHER

Eva is excited to be a part the 2/3 team at LCS. Eva received her B.A in Environmental Studies and Anthropology and her M.A. in Education from UC Santa Cruz. She joins us from working at a Los Angeles non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of inner city youth. Eva's interests include gardening, bird watching, science, and craft projects. She looks forward to spending a wonderful year with our community.

TRACY CARNESS, MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER

Born in Los Angeles and educated in its public schools, Tracy Carness has been a classroom teacher for 8 years in various capacities in Los Angeles. From working in conjunction with the PEN foundation at Hamilton High School/Humanities Magnet to teaching in a multi-grade, multi-aged Elementary Special Education class, Tracy’s experiences as an educator are various and diverse. Tracy’s first year as the 6th, grade Mathematics/Science teacher, has been one of growth and discovery. As a member of the Larchmont faculty, she looks forward to the many adventures that lie ahead.

TIRA SIMS, 2-3 TEACHER

Tira is in her third year at LCS. She previously worked as a teaching assistant and an intern. Before coming to LCS, Tira attended Boston College but found she is a true California girl at heart, and finished her B.A. in Communications at Santa Clara University where she played Women's Lacrosse. After two years of substitute teaching in various private schools in Monterey, CA, and training at Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes, Tira decided to get her teaching credential at CSU Los Angeles.

MARJORIE WILBURN, K-1 TEACHER

Marjorie grew up in New Jersey and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from New York University. She worked for the Board of Social Services in New Jersey for a short time before switching gears completely to spend many years in retail management. Her love of and appreciation for children led her to study education at Pepperdine University where she earned a Master of Arts in Education and a Professional CLAD Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. She is the mother of two little girls, Flynn, and Gardner, both students at LCS. They live in the neighborhood with their cats Henry and Maddy (and the occasional fish) and can usually be found playing at the park.

STACEY HAWK, PHYSICAL EDUACTION TEACHER

Stacey Hawk is a former classroom teacher (grades K, 3rd and 5th) & youth athletic coach who decided several years ago to make the transition into physical education after seeing the benefits of how her own students test scores & overall attitude greatly improve when provided with daily physical activity. Now on a mission to spread the word, she shares her love of fitness & dance with the community at LCS. For the past three years since she has continued to evolve the program with school wide events promoting "lifelong fitness" outside of the children's P.E. classes. She practices what she teaches! You can find her at a local gym 4 times a week dancing, practicing yoga, swimming laps, & lifting weights. She is currently getting certified to teach adult group exercise classes. When not at work or at the gym she stays in shape by chasing after her son. During the summer months when school is not in session she is a student herself attending workshops for physical educators learning from the very best in the field. She is both a member of AAPHERD & CAPHERD. She holds a teaching credential with C.L.A.D. emphasis & a masters degree in education.

JOHNNA HAMPTON WALKER, GARDEN TEACHER

Having grown up in a rural community in Georgia within a family whose traditions were rooted in the soil, Johnna learned early on about the joys and surprises of the garden. She has brought her passion and enthusiasm for gardening to LCS, with a program that integrates science curriculum into the planting and tending of our school garden. Johnna has over 15 years of experience as an educator, including teaching Kindergarten, serving as director of a Montessori Preschool, serving as a reading specialist, working as an admissions administrator at Crossroads School in Santa Monica and currently as a free lance writer for educational publisher, Young Minds Inspired. Johnna received a B.A. in Early Childhood Education at Mercer University and received her M.Ed from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University.

RESOURCE SPECIALISTS

Diane Pullano is a passionate convert to teaching after a 15-year career in the arts. She received a B.A. in Italian from the University of Connecticut and studied Art Conservation for two years in Florence, Italy. She comes from a long line of teachers dating back many generations, so she feels she is finally home. She began her teaching career in LAUSD working with children with Autism and discovering how all children can learn, and that all behavior is a form of communication. She's thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate on a daily basis with the great teachers, staff and parent body of Larchmont Charter School who, along with the students, enrich her practice in countless ways. Diane has her Education Specialist credential and is working toward a Masters Degree in Special Education and a General Ed. credential from National University. Her son Jacob, a student at LCS, is one of her favorite teachers!

Danika Stoutt grew up on the island of Tortola, the largest in the British Virgin Islands, a tiny island chain in the Caribbean. After graduating with her B.S. in Elementary Education and receiving her elementary teaching credential in the state of Maryland, Danika returned home where she taught for 3 years. She received her Master's degree from Loyola Marymount University in the area of Special Education and holds an Education Specialist Credential.

Michelle Spadier was born and raised in Southern California where she grew up with her parents, two younger brothers and a large extended family. Michelle later attended the University of California at Santa Barbara where she earned her B.A. in Psychology. Michelle continued her education at Loyola Marymount University where she completed her Master's Degree in School Psychology and earned a Pupil Personnel Services credential. Michelle currently resides in the Los Angeles area with her husband and new puppy; she has been a proud member of the LCS community since January of 2009.