Teachers
Thereza Almeida | Grades 1 / 2
talmeida@djusd.k12.ca.us
I was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. I moved to the United States over 30 years ago. I first came to the US with my parents and siblings, attending grade school in Menlo Park. I returned to the US to complete my undergraduate degree in English at the University ofWashington. Later I received my Master's Degree in Education from the University of Portland. I have been teaching for over twenty years in various educational settings. My last two years of teaching have been exclusively focused on the Montessori program at Birch Lane. It has been very enjoyable working with a dedicated staff and supportive parents. I have three adult children who live in California and Washington. I enjoy reading, music, and most of all, being with my five year old granddaughter.
Lakshmi Aradhya | Grades 1 / 2 / 3
laradhya@djusd.k12.ca.us
I came to teaching because of my own children. I am very thankful for them. I did not know anything about Montessori education until I visited a Montessori classroom for an observation for the very first time in Hawaii in 1987. I was fascinated with the students, environment and the teacher. A few weeks later, I was offered a job as an assistant teacher. Later, I completed my 3-6 Montessori training in Hawaii and completed my teaching credential, 6-9 Montessori Elementary Credential, and my Master’s in Educational Technology here in California.
This is my sixth year of teaching at Birch Lane. I have had the privilege of working with a wonderful Principal, great teachers, staff, students and parents. I thank everyone for helping me to enjoy my time here and to be part of Birch Lane. I learn something new from everyone I come across.
I live here in Davis with my husband and two children. My daughter, Shruthi is doing her MBA at USC and works at JPL. My son Siddharth is a junior at UCDavis and is majoring in Economics and Community Development. My husband, Mallikarjun works for USDA and also works here in Davis. Malli dedicates his free time to our cat ‘Kutey’ and our tortoise ‘Max’.
Sarah Grabar | Grades K / 1
(530)757-5395 ext.153
sgrabar@djusd.k12.ca.us
I was born and raised in Monterey, CA. After high school, I moved to Sacramento to attend Sac State. It was very difficult to leave my loving parents and hilarious younger brother but I was on my way to pursue my degree and teaching credential. As part of completing my credential, I was assigned to student teach for a year at a fabulous little school in Davis called Birch Lane! My experience at Birch Lane inspired me to pursue an AMS credential, which I am currently completing. This is my first official year of teaching and I'm loving every minute of it. My kinders and first graders make me smile, laugh, think and grow each and everyday. When I'm not busy being "Ms. Grabar" I enjoy watching the Oakland A's, kickboxing, painting, and watching stand up comedy.
Jessica Markley | Grades k / 1
Contact info arriving soon
Greetings! My name is Jessica Markley. I am teaching a kindergarten/ first grade Montessori class this year. I grew up in Orinda, CA in the San Francisco Bay Area. I attended UC Davis for my undergraduate degree and Sacramento State for my teaching credential. I then worked in a Montessori preschool here in Davis for several years, during which time I earned my 3-6 Montessori certificate. For the last three years, I had the wonderful opportunity of working at a Montessori charter school in Elk Grove, CA where I taught in a K/1 classroom. Currently, I am pursuing a Masters of Education degree with a specialization in autism. I am very excited to be coming back to Davis this year and joining such an amazing team of educators and parents!
Sally Palow | Grades 4 / 5 /6
spalow@djusd.k12.ca.us
http://www.djusd.k12.ca.us/birchlane/chughes/
I was born and raised in Kankakee, Illinois. I have two grown children, Abby and Adam. Abby, her husband Arthur and my granddaughter Maggie (8), all live in Folsom. My son Adam lives in Florida. Abby is a kindergarten teacher in Folsom and Adam is at the helm of a business in Florida.
My late husband and I attended Illinois State University and Olivet University, where I earned my B.S. in education. The minute I stepped out of university I began teaching. My first job was teaching forty second graders, all by myself! I taught at that school for twelve years as a traditional classroom teacher in various elementary grade-levels 1-8. My two children attended a public school Montessori magnet program, much like Birch Lane’s Montessori. My children’s’ principal asked if I would like to take the Montessori training, earn my Montessori credential and join his staff. I jumped at the opportunity.
My Montessori training and credentialing took place at DePaul University/Midwest Montessori Teacher Training. I taught four years at the public school Montessori Center in Kankakee. I taught grades 3, 4, and 5. Moving to CA in 1988, I taught 6th grade at 99th Street School in South-Central LA. After one year at 99th Street School, I had the opportunity to join the educational product development team at Educational Insights. What a fun job…developing educational products for the school, toy and instructional products industries. While at Educational Insights, I moved to the position of special products (electronics) manager and senior staff writer/editor.
In 1994, my family and I moved to Folsom. I started my own business developing educational products for the instructional materials industries. In 2005, I learned of the Montessori program at Birch Lane and I got myself to Davis, ASAP! I have been at Birch Lane for the past five years. I love teaching the Montessori philosophy and methods, interacting daily with my young learners and partnering with my parents.
Eliza Sater | Grades K / 1
esater@djusd.k12.ca.us
I decided to become a teacher when my girls were preschoolers and I realized how much I enjoyed being with children. Though I was working as an environmental scientist at the time, I launched headlong into my credential program and never looked back. While finishing up my credential, I was lucky enough to student teach at my neighborhood school, Birch Lane! Even then, it felt like home. After teaching 6th grade at Montgomery for a year, I returned to Birch, where I taught 2nd grade for two fantastic years. I also spent a year teaching 3rd grade at Korematsu, which I thoroughly enjoyed, as well. I am delighted to be returning to the Birch Lane community this fall and joining the Montessori team!
My daughters, Zoë and Maddie, have been in Birch Lane’s Montessori program for the past two years and love it. They come home from school every day full of excitement and ideas. Their enthusiasm for the student-centered, hands-on work in their classrooms inspired me as a parent and teacher. I am currently pursuing my AMS credential through Saint Mary’s College, and loving every minute of it. I can’t wait to meet my kinders and first graders!
Before becoming a teacher, I completed a Masters in English literature from University of Wisconsin Madison, and a Masters in Ecology from UC Davis. I worked for 10 years as an environmental scientist at the Department of Water Resources in Sacramento, where I met my wonderful husband, Eric. We’ve lived in Davis for the past nine years. Eric is an avid cyclist, and keeps our family pedaling year round. Our girls are nutty for plays and musicals, so we also spend a lot of time singing old favorites and watching silly skits. Along with teaching and playing with my girls, I also love to run, read and bake cookies.
Peggy Seidel, Birch Lane Montessori teacher since the start of the program in 2001, retired from teaching in June 2010. Those of us in the Montessori program at Birch Lane would like to say a huge "THANK YOU!!" for all that she has given our students over the last 9 years in our program. She will be greatly missed by students, parents & teachers alike. Don't be a stranger, Peggy!
Bonnie Walther | Grades 2 / 3
bwalther@djusd.k12.ca.us
My first Montessori experience began in 1982 in Evanston, Illinois. I taught at a large, well established Montessori school beginning with pre-school and kindergarten, then after my second certification, taught 1st through 3rd grade. In 1995, I moved back to my native state of California. I received my third Montessori credential and taught 4th through 6th grade at the Berkeley Montessori School before coming here to Birch Lane. I've been at Birch Lane since 2002.
I have always enjoyed traveling both abroad and at home including living in Europe for a year, trips to Mexico, and Central America. A love for the out of doors lead me on many backpacking trips in the Sierras and canoeing trips in Canada, the Mid-West, and Northern California.
I live on a ranch in rural Dixon, where I have a small horse boarding facility. At the ranch there are 14 horses, chickens, goats, dogs, cats, and I can't forget my tractor. We end the school year with a class overnight at the ranch. It's a great way to wrap-up a year of fun and hard work for the students.
Birch Lane Elementary ~ 1600 Birch Lane ~ Davis, CA 95618
Phone (530) 757-5395
Principal: Kathy Tyzzer
MPAC email: BirchLaneMPAC@gmail.com
MPAC Facebook page
Stay in touch: Sign up for the MPAC listserv
