ELEMENTARY FACULTY & STAFF
Administration
Meaghan A. Carr
Head of School
Mandy Rizvi
Director of Admissions and Outreach
Cecilia Mitchell
Financial Coordinator
Taylor Carr
Director of Public Relations and Art
Sasha Mills
Director of Staff and Curriculum; 4th and 5th Grade Math and Science Teacher
Janet Day
Project Manager
Natalie Ortega
Office Coordinator
Meaghan A. Carr
meaghan@serendipityschool.com
Education
B.S. in Business Administration — Notre Dame de Namur University
Minor in Sports & Leisure Management — Notre Dame de Namur University
E.C.E (Early Childhood Education) — 12 units
Relevant Experience
Head of School — Serendipity School: 2002 to Present
Assistant Preschool Administrator — Serendipity School – 1999 to 2002
Preschool Teacher — Serendipity School – 1997 to 1999
Mandy Rizvi
Years with Serendipity: 9
mandy@serendipityschool.com
Education
M.A. in Drama – San Francisco State University
B.F.A. in Theatre – The Hartt School of Performing Arts PTTP
Relevant Experience
Director of Admissions and Outreach – Serendipity School – 2014 to Present
Office Coordinator – Serendipity School – 2011 to 2014
Office Manager – The Hilldale School – 2007 to 2011
Executive Assistant – Steve Padis Jewelry – 2003 to 2007
Teaching Experience – Various Schools – 1995 to Present
Cecilia Mitchell
Years with Serendipity: 9
cecilia@serendipityschool.com
Education
Ed.D in Education – University of San Francisco
M.A. in Education – San Francisco State University
B.A. in Social Science – University of California, Berkeley
Relevant Experience
Business Manager – Facial Plastic Surgery Center, Los Altos
Program Coordinator/Assistant Professor, Medical Assisting Program – College Of San Mateo
Administrative Assistant – California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco
Taylor Carr
Years with Serendipity: 5
taylor@serendipityschool.com
Education
B.S. in Fine Arts, Fashion Design – Academy of Art University
Relevant Experience
Director of Public Relations—Serendipity School—2020 to present
Summer Camp Coordinator—Serendipity School—2020 to present
Director of Art—Serendipity School—2019 to present
Fine Art Teacher—Serendipity School—2017 to 2019
Campus Coordinator—Serendipity School—2015 to Present
Design Assistant – BCBG Max Azria 2014-2015
Sasha Mills
Years with Serendipity: 6
sasha@serendipityschool.com
Education
California Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
Florida Teaching Certification – University of Florida
M.A. in Elementary Education – University of Florida
B.A. in Business Administration – Florida International University
Relevant Experience
Director of Staff and Curriculum – Serendipity School – 2018 to Present
4th Grade Teacher – Serendipity School – 2014 to Present
5th Grade Teacher – Littlewood Elementary School – 2011 to 2014
3rd Grade Teacher (Magnet/Gifted program) – Joseph Williams Elementary School – 2010 to 2011
Substitute Teacher (grades K-6) – Miami Dade County – 2009 to 2010
Janet Day
Education
B.S. in Speech Pathology — San Francisco State University, California
Relevant Experience
Project Manager — Serendipity School — 2019 to Present
Human Resource and Payroll Manager — Matterport, Inc— 2011 to 2018
Director of Admissions and Operations — Serendipity School — 2007 to 2011
Office Manager — Serendipity School — 2004 to 2007
Parent Volunteer — Serendipity School — 2002 to 2004
Raising three beautiful children who are Serendipity School Alumni
Natalie Ortega
Education
B.A. in Humanities — San Jose State University
Relevant Experience
Office Coordinator — Serendipity School — 2020 to Present
Front Desk Associate — Central YMCA of Silicon Valley — 2019 to 2020
Family Services Coordinator— Midpen Housing — 2014 to 2019
Front Counter Manager — La Patisserie — 2011 to 2014
Classroom Teachers
Kim George
Kindergarten Teacher
Lisa Ratcliffe
1st Grade Teacher
Audra Kelley
2nd Grade Teacher
Kristen Kennedy
3rd Grade Teacher
Sasha Mills
Director of Staff and Curriculum; 4th and 5th Grade Math and Science Teacher
Michelle Atno-Hall
4th and 5th Grade Humanities Teacher
Annie Russell Zinzuvadia
Transitional Kindergarten Teacher
Monica Molina
Kindergarten Teacher
Jessie Mills
1st Grade Remote Teacher
Kim George
Years with Serendipity: 20
Education
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential — St. Mary’s College
B.A. in Sociology — California State University Hayward
E.C.E. (Early Childhood Education) — 15 units
Relevant Experience
Kindergarten Teacher — Serendipity School — 2000 to Present
Kindergarten Teacher — St. Gregory School — 1998 to 2000
Preschool Teacher — Mills Montessori Child Day School — 1991 to 1997
Lisa Ratcliffe
Education
B.A. in Liberal Studies — California State University, Hayward
California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential — San Francisco State University
Relevant Experience
1st Grade Teacher — Serendipity School — 2020 to Present
1st Grade Teacher — Laurel Elementary School — 2019 to 2020
Elementary School Teacher (K, 1st, 4th, and 5th) — White Oaks Elementary School, San Carlos — 1998 to 2019
1st and 2nd Grade Teacher — Parkside Elementary School, San Mateo — 1997 to 1998
Audra Kelley
Years with Serendipity: 1
Education
California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential – BATTI (Bay Area Teacher Training Institute), University of the Pacific, Stockton
M.A. in Education – BATTI (Bay Area Teacher Training Institute), University of the Pacific, Stockton
B.A. in English Education – San Francisco State University
Relevant Experience
2nd Grade Teacher – Serendipity School – 2019 to Present
1st and 2nd Grade Teacher – Convent of the Sacred Heart Elementary School, San Francisco – 2016 to 2019
6th Grade Humanities Teacher – AIM High Summer Enrichment Program – 2017 to 2018
Middle School and High School Volunteer Classroom Aide – 826 Valencia, San Francisco – 2014 to 2016
Kristen Kennedy
Years with Serendipity: 11
Education
M.S. in Elementary Education — St. Joseph’s Universtiy
K-6 Teaching Credential — St. Joseph’s University
B.A. in Sociology with a Minor in Gender Studies — St. Joseph’s University
Relevant Experience
2nd, 3rd Grade Teacher — Serendipity School — 2009 to Present
5th Grade Teacher — Nueva School — 2009
2nd Grade Teacher — Mission Dolores Elementary School — 2004 to 2008
1st Grade Teacher — Marin Country Day School — 2003 to 2004
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher — The Children’s School at St. John’s — 2001 to 2003
Special Education Inclusion Aide — Summit Board of Education — 2000 to 2001
Sasha Mills
Years with Serendipity: 6
sasha@serendipityschool.com
Education
California Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
Florida Teaching Certification – University of Florida
M.A. in Elementary Education – University of Florida
B.A. in Business Administration – Florida International University
Relevant Experience
Director of Staff and Curriculum – Serendipity School – 2018 to Present
4th Grade Teacher – Serendipity School – 2014 to Present
5th Grade Teacher – Littlewood Elementary School – 2011 to 2014
3rd Grade Teacher (Magnet/Gifted program) – Joseph Williams Elementary School – 2010 to 2011
Substitute Teacher (grades K-6) – Miami Dade County – 2009 to 2010
Michelle Atno-Hall
Years with Serendipity: 13
Education
M.A. in English — Notre Dame de Namur University
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential — Notre Dame de Namur University
B.A. in English — Whitman College
Relevant Experience
5th Grade Teacher — Serendipity School — 2007 to Present
8th Grade Teacher — Crocker Middle School — 2002 to 2004
5th Grade Teacher — St. Andrew’s Episcopal School — 1998 to 2002
6th, 7th, 8th Grade Teacher — Krouzian Zekarian Vasbouragan Armenian School — 1995 to 1998
6th, 7th, 8th Grade Teacher — St. Gregory Catholic School — 1994 to 1995
Annie Russell Zinzuvadia
Years with Serendipity: 9
Education
Education
B.A. in Marketing Communications and Business Management—Notre Dame de Namur
University
Art History Courses—American University of Paris
ECE Certificate—Cañada College
Relevant Experience
Preschool Teacher—Serendipity School: 2007-2009 & 2011-present
Substitute Teacher—Bunker Hill Nursery School: 2009-2010
Preschool Teacher—Peninsula Temple Shalom Preschool: 2002-2005
Nanny Experience—various families: 1999-2006
Monica Molina
Education
B.A. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education — Linfield College, Oregon
M.A. in Human Rights Education — University of San Francisco
E.C.E. (Early Childhood Education) — 15 units
Relevant Experience
Kindergarten Teacher — Serendipity School — 2020 to Present
Dual Language Kindergarten Teacher— Echo Shaw Elementary School, Forest Grove, Oregon— 2016 to 2018
Dual Language Pre-Kindergarten Teacher — Mission Education Center, San Francisco — 1991 to 1997
Jessie Mills
Education
Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Elementary) — University of Auckland, New Zealand
Bachelor of Sport and Leisure Studies; Bachelor in Marketing — University of Waikato, New Zealand
Relevant Experience
First Grade Remote Teacher — Serendipity School — 2020 to Present
Private Elementary Tutor — San Francisco — 2020
First Grade Teacher — St Thomas’s School, New Zealand — 2017 to 2019
Teaching Associates and Teacher’s Aides
Alvin Joya-Campos
Teaching Associate
Amanda Ryan
Teaching Associate
Dana Michaels
Teaching Associate
Alex Chen
Classroom Assistant
Alvin Joya-Campos
Years with Serendipity: 8
Education
B.A. in Global Studies – San Jose State University, San Jose
Relevant Experience
Teaching Associate, After School Teacher & Summer Program Head Counselor – Serendipity School – 2012 to Present
Coach – Skyhawks Sports Camps – 2012
Amanda Ryan
Years with Serendipity: 2
Education
Multiple Subject Preliminary Teaching Credential – San Francisco State University
B.A. in Studio Art – University of Hawaii
Relevant Experience
Teaching Associate– Serendipity School – 2018 to Present
After School Teacher – Various Schools – 2016 to 2018
First Grade Teacher– George Washington Elementary– 2015 to 2016
First Grade Teacher– Grant Elementary School– 2014 to 2015
After School Program Director—Glen park Montessori—2012 to 2013
Dana Michaels
Years with Serendipity: 1
Education
B.A. in Liberal Studies — San Francisco State University
Teaching Credential — Cal State Teach — Fresno State University
Relevant Experience
Teacher Associate — Serendipity School — 2017 to Present
After School/Summer Camp Coordinator — Serendipity School
Camp Counselor/PE Teacher — Legarza Basketball Camp — San Carlos School District
Pre-school Teacher — Hillsborough School District
Alex Chen
Education
Attending Cañada College, Redwood City, California
Relevant Experience
Classroom Assistant — Serendipity School — 2018 to Present
After School Classroom Assistant — Serendipity School — 2016 to 2018
Summer Camp Junior Counselor— Serendipity School — 2016 to 2018
Specialist Teachers
Qimin Zhou
Mandarin Teacher
Paula Lucia
Fine Art Teacher
Jesse Torre
Music Teacher
William Potter
Physical Education and Technology Integration Teacher
Eve Nagler
Literacy Specialist
Estela Roldan
Spanish Teacher
Syd Hoffman
Mathematics Specialist
Kerry Krolicki
Literacy Specialist
Cheryl Pohl PhD
Mindfulness Instructor
Alisson Martinez
Onsite Custodian
Qimin Zhou
Education
Master of Science in Logistics – University of Wollongong, Australia
Bachelor of Management in Accounting – Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, China
15 Child Development Units – City College of San Francisco
Relevant Experience
Mandarin Teacher – Serendipity School – 2019 to Present
Madarin Lead Teacher – Francis Scott Key Elementary, San Francisco – 2017 to 2019
Center Coordinator – Zhong Bei Afterschool Center: Guilin, China – 2011 to 2015
Paula Lucia
Years with Serendipity: 1
Education
Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) in Art & Design – Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Relevant Experience
Art Teacher—Serendipity School—2019 to Present
Studio Manager and Teacher – Marvegos Fine Art School – 2013 to 2020
Studio Artist – Root Division – 2016 to 2028
Guest Artist for four elementary schools- Art Docents of Los Gatos – 2018
Studio Artist, Sewing 101 for adults – Root Division – 2016 to 2018
Volunteer Art Teacher for children in Oncology waiting room – Kids & Art Foundation – 2018
Children’s Art Teacher since 2013
Jesse Torre
Education
B.A. in Music (Classical Guitar) — Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester
Relevant Experience
Music Teacher—Serendipity School—2020 to Present
Flamenco Guitar Transcriber — Eliteguitarist.com—2020 to Present
Music Teacher — Artis School of Music—2020 to Present
Music Teacher — Notes Music Academy—2020 to Present
Resident Advisor, Office of Residential Life — Eastman School of Music—2018 to 2020
Private Music Teacher — Guitar, Theory, Composition, Ukulele, Bass—2016 to Present
I have been teaching music privately to students of all ages for the past 5 years. During my time as a Resident Advisor at Eastman, I held monthly educational programs for my residents and peers.
William Potter
Years with Serendipity: 15
Education
Single Subject Teaching Credential — In Progress
B.S. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Physical Education — San Francisco State University
Relevant Experience
Physical Education Teacher — Serendipity School — 2005 to Present
Presenter CAHPERD State Conference — 2015
Presenter CAHPERD Bay Area District Physical Education Workshop — 2014, 2015
Director 40th Annual Elementary Physical Education Workshop — 2013
Committee Member Elementary Physical Education Workshop — 2007 to 2015
Physical Education Teacher — the Nueva School — 2002 to 2005
Summer Day Camp Director — “Up and At’em” Summer Program — 2003, 2005
Eve Nagler
Education
P.D. in Reading— St. John’s University
M.S. in Journalism — Boston University
B.S. in Elementary Education — Emerson College
Relevant Experience
Literacy Specialist — Serendipity School — 2018 to Present
Reading Specialist — Forest Brook Elementary School — 2002 to 2018
Reading Specialist — New Vision School — 2000 to 2002
Reading Specialist — I.S. 252, Brooklyn, NY; P.S. 143, Queens, NY — 1998 to 2000
Contributing Writer— New York Times, Current Biography, US Kids, Archie Comics— 1990 to 2009
Freelance ELA item/passage writer — Key Data Systems— 2013-2013
Estela Roldan
Years with Serendipity: 2
Education
A.S. Degree – Institute
B.A. Degree – University
Relevant Experience
Spanish – Serendipity School – 2018 to Present
Grade School Teacher – Beixing Chinese School, New Jersey – 2007 to 2010
Technical Designer – Gerson and Gerson Inc. New York – 2007 to 2012
Technical Designer – LT Apparel Group – 2000 to 2007
Syd Hoffman
Education
B.A. Mathematics — Queens College, NYC New York
M.A. Math Education — Arizona State University, Tempe AZ
Relevant Experience
Mathematics Specialist — Serendipity School — 2020 to Present
12 years experience as K-8 Math specialist, taught K-12 math for over 30 years
Kerry Krolicki
Education
M.A. in Teaching — James Madison University
B.A. in Elementary Education — James Madison University
Relevant Experience
Literacy Specialist — Serendipity School — 2020 to Present
ESOL Specialist and Elementary Teacher — Carline Springs Elementary — 2018 to 2020
Senior Instructional Specialist — International Rescue Committee — 2015 to 2017
3rd Grade Teacher — Annandale Terrace Elementary — 2014 to 2015
4th/5th Grade Teacher — Las Terrenas International School — 2013 to 2014
Cheryl Pohl PhD
Education
Certified Mindfulness Instructor — Mindful Schools
Ph.D in Psychology — Pacific Graduate School of Psychology — Licensed Psychologist, 2003 – present
M.S. Water Resources Engineering — Stanford University
B.S. Civil Engineering — Stanford University
B.A. Anthropology — Stanford University
Relevant Experience
Mindfulness Instructor — Serendipity School — 2018 to Present
Clinical Psychologist with focus on child and adolescent psychotherapy — Private Practice — 2003 to Present
Proud Parent of Serendipity School Alum
Alisson Martinez
We are grateful for Alisson’s dedicated hard work to keeping our campus clean and sanitized in order to proactively minimize virus transmission within our learning spaces. We could not operate in-person instructions without Alisson’s work and we are humbled to have an onsite and full time custodian.
