Elementary Faculty & Staff

List of 29 members.

• 

  Milca Adamczyk 

  ES Art Teacher

  (626) 792-5940

  Bio

  Milca is the Elementary School art teacher. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in art history with a minor in anthropology, a Master of Fine Arts and a multiple subject teaching credential from California State University, Los Angeles.
  
  

  Before joining The Waverly School, Milca was a substitute teacher in Spanish dual-language immersion classrooms in the South Pasadena Unified School District. She also taught at Creative World Art Camp, held on The Waverly School campus during the summer.
• 

  Armaan Biviji 

  ES Music Teacher

  Bio

  Armaan is the Elementary School music teacher. A multi-instrumentalist and film and media composer, he earned a Bachelor of Music from Berklee College of Music.
  
  

  Passionate about helping students discover the meaning and emotion behind music, Armaan encourages curiosity, critical thinking and exploration through music theory and instrumental instruction. Proficient in guitar, piano, bass, drums and vocals, he strives to help students experience music as a meaningful and enriching part of their everyday lives.

• Thomas Blunt 

  ES PE Teacher

  Bio

  Thomas Blunt is the physical education teacher. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in kinesiology from Concordia University and is pursuing a master's degree in athletic administration at Ohio University.
  
  

  Thomas brings more than 11 years of experience as a physical education teacher and more than 20 years of coaching and youth development experience. He is passionate about creating joyful, inclusive learning environments that foster teamwork, confidence, and a lifelong love of movement.
• 

  Stephanie Brito 

  Preschool Associate Teacher

  Bio

  Stephanie is the preschool associate teacher. She earned a bachelor's degree in child development from Cal Poly Humboldt.
  
  

  Before joining The Waverly School, Stephanie worked with toddlers at Altadena Children's Center. She brings experience in early childhood education and a passion for supporting young learners as they grow and develop.
• 

  Maria Brown 

  ES Spanish Teacher

  6267925940

  Bio

  Maria is Elemen­tary School Spanish teacher. Maria has worked with chil­dren for more than 25 years and has been with Waverly since its days as a preschool. Of her work, Maria says, ​“It gives me joy to watch the chil­dren grow year after year and see how they become passion­ate artists, confi­dent speak­ers, talented musi­cians, and kind young adults who love us all for being part of their journey.” Maria’s two daugh­ters attended Waverly: Aaliyah in the class of 2026 and Natalie class of 2024. (Email)
• 

  Lisa Chung-Nguyen 

  ES Teacher - 3/4

  Bio

  Lisa Chung-Nguyen is a Third/Fourth Grade lead teacher. Originally from Arcadia, she spent 11 years teaching third grade at The Berkeley School in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has extensive experience designing differentiated curriculum, creating cross-disciplinary project-based learning opportunities, and fostering strong classroom communities.
  
  

  Chung-Nguyen is passionate about helping students navigate social interactions while balancing individual and community needs. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English literature with a minor in education from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Master of Arts in elementary education, along with a teaching credential, from Teachers College, Columbia University.
• 

  Kristina Clinton 

  ES Teacher - 5/6 & Elementary School Dean

  Bio

  Stina is a Fifth/Sixth Grade co-lead teacher and Elementary School dean. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and a California single-subject teaching credential in language arts from California State University, Los Angeles.
  
  

  Stina is committed to designing project-based social studies units that emphasize multiple perspectives, critical thinking, and meaningful service learning. Passionate about progressive, student-centered education, she encourages students to engage deeply with their learning and the world around them.
• 

  Karen Dauer 

  1/2 Teacher

  Bio

  Karen is a First/Second Grade lead teacher with 20 years of experience in progressive education. She creates engaging project-based learning experiences and uses research-based instructional practices to help every student grow and thrive.
  
  

  Passionate about helping students discover their strengths and interests, Karen believes in fostering a caring community where every child feels valued. As she says, "Honoring the thinking and perspectives of young children is the most important and most fulfilling work."
  
  

  Karen earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Dartmouth College and a Master of Education in reading instruction, along with a teaching credential, from the University of San Francisco.
• 

  Gisselle De Anda 

  ES Associate Teacher - K

  Bio

  Gisselle is the kindergarten associate teacher. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Mount Saint Mary's University.
  
  

  Before joining The Waverly School, Gisselle interned at Children's Bureau, where she helped lead the Library and Family Enrichment Program. She later joined Waverly as a substitute teacher and worked with the summer camp program.
  
  

  Outside the classroom, Gisselle enjoys reading, attending concerts and watching movies. She is committed to creating a classroom where every student feels seen, heard and empowered to be themselves.

• Auriane Desombre 

  ES Teacher 5/6

  Bio

  Auriane is a fifth/sixth-grade teacher with seven years of teaching experience. She is passionate about progressive, student-centered education and creating engaging learning experiences for her students.

  She earned a Master of Arts in English literature from New York University and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing for children and young adults from The New School. Outside the classroom, Auriane writes books for young adults and enjoys spending time with her family and reading.
• 

  Emilyn Giddings 

  Afterschool Program Counselor
• 

  Susie Gutierrez 

  ES Program Coordinator
• 

  Luke Heller 

  ES Teacher - 5/6

  Bio

  Luke is a Fifth/Sixth Grade co-lead teacher. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from New York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study with a concentration in literature, philosophy and psychology.
  
  

  Before joining The Waverly School, Luke spent nine years teaching fifth and sixth grades at Brawerman Elementary School in Los Angeles.
  
  Outside the classroom, he enjoys reading and writing, watching and playing sports, and spending time in nature.
  
  

  Luke is passionate about inspiring students to develop a lifelong love of learning, the natural world, and the communities around them.
• 

  Jennifer Johnson 

  Learning Specialist - ES

  Bio

  Jennifer "Jen" Johnson is the learning specialist for the Elementary School. She holds a California teaching credential and a master's degree in teaching and certification as an educational therapist. With more than 30 years of experience, she partners with students, families and faculty to support diverse learning needs and provides on-site professional development for teachers and staff.
  
  

  Inspired by a lifelong fascination with the many ways people think and learn, Johnson believes children are naturally curious and eager to embrace new challenges. A passionate advocate for neurodiversity, she founded and leads The Waverly School's Neurodiversity Parent/Guardian Group.
• 

  Sahaj Kashyap 

  ES Classroom Support

  Bio

  Sahaj is a classroom support teacher. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Arts in education administration, along with a teaching credential, from California State University, Northridge.
  
  

  Sahaj values Waverly's inclusive approach to learning, believing that every classroom brings together diverse learning styles and perspectives to create unique opportunities for growth. Outside the classroom, he enjoys Hatha yoga, playing basketball, and exploring science.
• 

  Elizabeth Lopez 

  ES Library Teacher

  Bio

  Liz is the Elementary School library specialist. She earned a bachelor's degree in public health from Brown University and a master's degree in education from California State University, Los Angeles.
  
  

  Before joining The Waverly School, Liz worked as a behavioral specialist at the Center for Behavioral, Educational, and Social Therapies. She also served as a teaching assistant at East Los Angeles Renaissance Academy.
• 

  Malcolm Miller 

  ES School Counselor

  Bio

  Malcolm is the Elementary School counselor. He earned a bachelor's degree from Pitzer College and a master's degree in social work from Smith College. He is a licensed clinical social worker who partners with students, families and faculty to provide mental health support, facilitate student wellness groups and offer on-site professional development for teachers and staff.
  
  

  Before joining The Waverly School, Malcolm served as a school-based mental health therapist at Para Los Niños Charter School in Los Angeles. Fluent in English and Spanish, he brings a broad range of experience and expertise to the Waverly community.
• 

  Lucia Miranda 

  Afterschool Program Counselor
• 

  Kevin Murawski 

  ES Farm Education Coordinator

  Bio

  Kevin is The Waverly School's farm education coordinator. He earned a degree in fine arts from Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design and worked as a professional artist for more than 20 years. During that time, he illustrated 14 books for young readers and worked as a designer on children's programs, discovering a passion for connecting with students.
  
  

  A lifelong learner and self-described naturalist, Kevin is passionate about helping students build meaningful connections with the natural world. After more than 10 years as a classroom teacher, he now leads Waverly's farm program, where students learn through observation, exploration, reflection, and hands-on experiences in nature. His years of leading field studies and overnight camping trips bring depth and expertise to the program.
• 

  Dharinne Perera-Myers 

  ES Teacher - 3/4

  Bio

  Dharinne is a Third/Fourth Grade lead teacher. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in human development and a multiple-subject teaching credential from Pacific Oaks College. In 2023, she completed a certificate in educational therapy at the University of California, Riverside.
  
  

  In addition to teaching in Elementary School classrooms, Dharinne has developed and led equestrian programs for Tom Sawyer Camps and served as a behavioral therapist in the B.L.A.S.T. Program. She has training in Visions inclusivity and Responsive Classroom and is committed to child-centered education.

• Tovi Portnow 

  ES Associate Teacher

  Bio

  Tovi Portnow is a First/Second Grade associate teacher. They graduated with honors from Brown University, earning a Bachelor of Science in cognitive science.
  
  

  Tovi brings experience working with children through classroom teaching, summer camps, educational research, and youth programming. Most recently, they taught science and outdoor education at Camp Galileo and served as a senior research assistant studying cognitive development in young children. Outside the classroom, Tovi enjoys improv and spent two years leading weekly workshops for fellow college students.
• 

  Alexia Ramirez 

  Preschool Teacher

  Bio

  Alexia is a preschool lead teacher. She earned a Bachelor of Science in child and adolescent studies from California State University, Fullerton and has experience working with children from birth through transitional kindergarten.
  
  

  Before joining The Waverly School, Alexia was a lead preschool teacher at Discovery Days Preschool. She is passionate about supporting young learners as they explore, grow and develop a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
• 

  Brittany Reynolds 

  ES Teacher - K and Preschool-2nd Grade Curriculum Coordinator

  Bio

  Brittany is the kindergarten teacher and the Elementary School curriculum specialist for kindergarten through second grade. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and fine art/art history from Bucknell University, a multiple-subject teaching credential from CalStateTEACH, an early childhood education certificate from UCLA Extension, and a Master of Arts in teaching from California State University, Fresno, with an emphasis in social justice, multiculturalism and action research.
  
  

  Brittany believes every student should have the opportunity to develop a love of learning through curiosity, exploration and discovery. She creates classroom environments that support diverse learning needs while encouraging students to take risks, ask questions and express themselves with confidence.

• Nicole Roady 

  ES Teacher 1/2

  Bio

  Nicole Roady is a first/second grade lead teacher with more than 10 years of elementary teaching experience. She has taught kindergarten, first and third grades and is passionate about building strong classroom communities where students are valued for who they are and recognize the important role they play in the world around them.
  
  

  Nicole earned a bachelor's degree in liberal studies and a multiple subject teaching credential from California State University, Long Beach, a Master of Arts in reading instruction from Loyola Marymount University and a doctorate in education with an emphasis in cultural and curricular studies from Chapman University.
• 

  Connie Rodarte 

  Preschool Director & Teacher

  Bio

  Connie is the preschool director. She earned a bachelor's degree in Spanish and human development from the University of California, Davis.
  
  

  Before joining The Waverly School, Connie worked as a preschool teacher and summer program director at The Little Preschool. She believes every day offers a new opportunity to learn alongside children and is passionate about creating nurturing environments that support each child's growth and development.
• 

  Mika Weston 

  Afterschool Program Counselor

• Harry Wilcox 

  ES Associate Teacher 1/2
• 

  Karen Yenofsky 

  ES Teacher - 5/6, ES Teacher - K and 3rd-6th Grade Curriculum Coordinator

  Bio

  Karen Yenofsky is a Fifth/Sixth Grade lead teacher and the Elementary School curriculum specialist for third through sixth grade. She earned a bachelor's degree in human and family development and a Master of Education in educational administration and supervision from Arizona State University.
  
  

  With 18 years of teaching experience, Karen previously served as director of educational initiatives at Brawerman Elementary School, where she taught Upper Elementary School students and coached First through Sixth Grade teachers in curriculum and instruction. She has extensive experience implementing project-based learning, researching curriculum and developing whole child educational programs. She also brings expertise from her work with the B.L.A.S.T. social skills program, supporting students' social-emotional, interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills.
  
  

  Karen believes every student is capable of academic, behavioral and emotional excellence.
• 

  Sophie Zanders 

  MS/HS School Counselor, Human Development Teacher

  Bio

  Sophie teaches human development to Upper Elementary, Middle, and High School students. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, a master's degree in dispute resolution from Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law and a master's degree in school counseling from the University of Southern California.
  
  

  Before joining The Waverly School, Sophie served as dean of students and human development chair at Tree Academy. She also worked as a dispute resolution consultant and learning specialist.