Meet the Staff!

Jenni Allen-San Giovanni
Director
Email: aldergrove@sbcglobal.net
INTRODUCTION: I started homeschooling as a mom in 1991 and as a charter school teacher in 1998. I attended colleges in Delaware and Florida before settling in Humboldt County and earning my BA and teaching credential from Humboldt State. I have a Masters degree in Educational Leadership with an emphasis on Charter Schools from the University of Central Michigan and a Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning from CSU east Bay. I live in Eureka with my youngest child and my husband. In my spare time, I like to read and travel. I believe in the importance of personalized learning as an option for students and families. I am honored and privileged to be given the opportunity to lead such an awesome group of teachers, students and parents.
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Sarah Garrett
Inventory Account Clerk/Library Aide

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Jenifer Doane
Administrative Assistant/Registrar

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Lorraine Parnell
Teacher

CLASSES: Sewing
INTRODUCTION: I'm one of the signers of the charter to create Alder Grove. Several years ago a group of interested parents and teachers joined together to complete the lengthy task that the State of California requires to start a charter school.
All the work was well worth
it because we have a unique school that serves the
needs of our diverse school population.
I earned my undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley many years ago. I attended the HSU teacher credential program when I was 47 years old and have been teaching in Eureka since then.
I love the students, parents and staff at Alder Grove.
I live in Eureka with my husband. We have two grown sons. In my spare time I like to garden, read, walk with my dog Lucky and work on rehab projects on my 104-year-old house.
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picture Tiffany

Tiffany Maher
Teacher

CLASSES: Physical Science, Pre-Algebra, 9-12 College Preparatory Biology, Tennis
INTRODUCTION: Tiffany is a credentialed secondary education science teacher. She earned her bachelor of science degree from Brigham Young University in conservation biology and zoology. This is her fourth year teaching and her third year with Alder Grove.
Tiffany and her husband Justin are the parents of four children, one dog, one cat, one goat, and one rabbit. Tiffany and Justin are both Humboldt county natives. In fact, their children are the fifth generation to have lived in the same house. Tiffany's hobbies include driving children to various lessons, cooking, doing laundry, scrubbing the kitchen floor, and changing diapers. When not engaged in these enriching activities, Tiffany can be found preparing lessons, grading papers, and doing learning records, but only at night while normal people are sleeping.
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picture of Terri

Terri Tripp
Teacher

CLASSES: Music and Movement, Local History, Drama, Math Skills and Games, Exit Exam Prep, High School Writing, Theater
INTRODUCTION: I have been teaching in Humboldt County since 1995.
I have taught all grades and subjects. My specialty is drama, but I enjoy teaching all subjects and new challenges. I really like my job at Alder Grove, because I get the opportunity to work with a variety of students (K-12) and parents. There is never a dull moment! Our on-site classes are a great addition to our program, and they give teachers like me the chance to teach and design creative curriculum again. Feel free to check out my classes or introduce yourself to me, if we haven't already met.
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Sunshine Lee
Teacher, Title One Language Arts Workshop,
Math Instruction for Grades K-3, & Fieldtrip Coordinator

CLASSES: Language Arts (group A ), Social Studies (groups B & C),
Art (group B)
INTRODUCTION: An Alumni from Humboldt State University, I have been teaching in Humboldt County since 2000. I have been teaching at Alder Grove Charter School since 2006. I am often impressed by the individuality and richness of Alder Grove students. I appreciate the educational freedom that our school allows
both the students and the staff.

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Patty Marsh
Teacher

INTRODUCTION: Having been a Wildlife major in College, I love to teach life science. I enjoy teaching K-4 and high school students the most and have been with Alder Grove since January 2007. I am also an arborist (tree specialist) and worked for PGE as a Utility Forester for years. In the past, I have traveled to many places, including Africa and Mexico, and have enjoyed scuba diving in the Pemba Spice Islands off the coast of Mombasa, Africa. I have lived in Hawaii and love the "Big Island." I enjoy horseback riding, water sports, snow skiing, and motorcycles. I garden, can my own foods, and live organically as much as possible. I also spend my summers, at horse camps, and camping at Ruth Lake. Mostly, though, I enjoy working at Alder Grove and being with my family.

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Marian Baker
Teacher

CLASSES: Beginning Orchestra and Choir
INTRODUCTION: I have lived in Eureka since I was three and am a graduate of EHS and HSU. Being a mother has been my inspiration for being involved in the homeschooling world. Along with teaching, I also homeschool my two daughters. Music and language are two of my favorite interests and I am glad to share what I love with the students at Alder Grove. If I wasn't a teacher, I might have been an author of children's books, an artist, a composer, a rock star, a missionary, or maybe the head of an orphanage. But as it is, I get to be almost all of those things in this job. Teaching and parenting are very fulfilling.
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Tim Warner
Teacher

CLASSES: Technology
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Jennifer DeSwarte
Teacher

CLASSES: Language Arts and Curriculum Development

INTRODUCTION: I have lived in several different areas of Humboldt County for the last 15 years, since migrating from Southern California. Go Lakers! During this time, I obtained my K-8 teaching credential and supplementary English credential at Humboldt State University.

I am a dedicated, resourceful, innovative, and energetic teacher. I work hard to provide each of my students with guidance, opportunity and support to help reach his and her goals. As a teacher at AGCS since 2008, I have the pleasure of working closely with parents and students in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade.

Randi Helfman
Teacher

CLASSES: Math, P.E. and Flute
INTRODUCTION: I am originally from Wisconsin and Minnesota. I moved to CA 10 years ago and attended Humboldt State where I graduated with a degree in Liberal Studies Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology. I then went on to receive my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Humboldt State as well. I have worked with children for many years before coming to Alder Grove; I have been a tutor, a yard duty, a teacher's aide, an after school enrichment teacher, and a summer school Math teacher. One of my favorite things about Alder Grove is working with students of all ages. I have a 12 year old daughter that is in the 6th grade at Jacoby Creek. When I am not teaching, I enjoy playing basketball with my daughter, going for walks, cooking, reading, sewing, crafting, hanging out with friends and family, and laughing at a funny movie.
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Julie Hochfeld
Teacher

CLASSES: Social Studies/Art (Group A), Language Arts (Group B),
Social Studies (Group C), Poetry (Grades 7-12), Art (Grades 7-12)
INTRODUCTION: I was born and raised in Chicago, received a B.A. in Anthropology and Women's Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, then came to Humboldt County in 1988 and never turned back. I love the close-knit community and natural beauty here (though not always the fog). I received a Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential from HSU and also completed several years of Extended Education in Creative Writing and Children's Literature. I have taught at Alder Grove for four years and feel grateful to work with such a wonderful group of people - the staff, students, and parents. I love being able to teach students of all ages and support families in making their own educational choices. In addition, I work as a California Poet in the Schools in the community and bring this experience to my on-site classes at Alder Grove. I have a 15-year old daughter who attended charter schools from kindergarten through 8th grade and two well-loved cats. When not writing comments on kids' poems, planning lessons, ordering curriculum, or cooking dinner, I enjoy reading novels, writing, taking long walks, swimming in rivers,
dancing, and time with family and friends.
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INTRODUCTION: When I was a kid growing up, I was really fascinated by all forms of life around me, especially bugs. I could always be found sloshing through streams or turning over rocks. As I got older, people began to call this a love of "Science", so I ended up
pursuing a Biology degree when I went to college.
I'd have to say that I have really loved studying this field.

However, one of the things that I love about teaching at Alder Grove
is that I get to enjoy all subjects with my students. I have been working at Alder Grove since 2009, and I feel so lucky
to be working in a school where students and their families
have such a big part in shaping their education.

INTRODUCTION: I have been a teacher for over 30 years. I've taught at an all-boys private school, an all-girls school, two continuation high schools, a middle school, Pelican Bay State Prison and for Eureka Community Schools. I have three children all in their late 20's. I love it up here in Humboldt County (especially Arcata) where I have been happily living for just under two years with my lovely wife. I went from being a golf addict to being a disc golf addict since moving here.

INTRODUCTION: I was born and raised in Eureka and received my teaching credential in English and ESL from Humboldt State. Over a span of 15 years, I taught in Eureka, at Winship Jr. High, and in San Diego and Bay Area schools. Two of these years were spent teaching at the Intl. School of Tanganyika (IST) in Tanzania, East Africa. At IST, my colleagues and students represented over 40 countries It was a joyous and life-changing experience to spend each day with such a diverse group of students!

After the birth of my daughter and son, now ages 11 and 8, I embarked on another amazing journey: home schooling. As one of the newest members of the Alder Grove family, I am enjoying the creative process of assisting other home schooling parents in creating a life learning experience that supports each unique child and meets the mission of Alder Grove.

I am frequently asked if there will be future trips to Tanzania. The answer: Yes! Humboldt, however, is my home base and it is wonderful to be working with our young people, again.

Tara Redner
Resource Teacher

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Celeste Dubose
School Pychologist
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Wendy Schulze
Reading Therapist

INTRODUCTION: Wendy Schulze is a trainer/PG2 master reading therapist with Read America. She has trained extensively with Carmen and Geoffrey McGuinnes to learn how to overcome the underlying reasons why children struggle with learning. To augment her studies, Wendy is also working on becoming a handwriting specialist with Handwriting Without Tears and is furthering her understanding of movement in learning.
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Theresa Montoya
Speech Therapist