Niku Bolourchi
Integration Instructor and Remediation Specialist
Niku leads My City School in the student’s development of language and literacy, along with integrating curriculum from Science, Technology, Engineering, History, Art, and Math. After completing her B.A. degree in Communicative Disorders, Niku has focused on educating students from preschool to adult ages for over 15 years. Niku, a former Co-Founder of The Literacy and Language Center and previously a Center Director for The Reading Clinic, is trained in a variety of multi-sensory remediation interventions such as the Lindamood Bell LiPS, Seeing Stars, Visualizing and Verbalizing, Readable English and On Cloud 9 programs, and works with families to conduct learning evaluations and assessments. Niku is a member of the International Dyslexia Foundation and Parents Educational Network (PEN), and has her own blog at www.mybrainstation.com.
In addition to sharing her gift as a learning specialist, Niku enjoys ocean nature walks, reading, spending time with family and friends, and listening to spoken word poetry and live music.
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Monica Espinasse
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Monica is the lead instructor of Language Arts and Literature at My City School. She graduated with a B.A. in English (with an emphasis in Creative Writing) and in French Language and Literature. Her teaching career began as an English Language Instructor for high school students while she was living and studying abroad in Paris, France. This early seed as an educator blossomed after graduating from San Francisco State University in 2011, when she joined The Literacy and Language Center. She has also worked in the classroom as a paraprofessional and an instructional aid in public and private elementary schools in San Francisco. She is trained in a variety of multi-sensory programs, such as the Lindamood Bell LiPS, Seeing Stars, as well as the Visualizing and Verbalizing program. Her favorite part of being an educator is finding ways to promote curiosity in learning and using the strengths of her students in order to help develop areas of challenge. Besides her love of education, another one of Monica’s biggest passions are traveling and learning about different cultures, and writing while enjoying a good cup of coffee.
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Beth Powell
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Beth Powell loves working with students who hate math! She is passionate about finding the approach that allows students to understand math and gain confidence as a math student. Beth has worked in math education for 25 years, and continues to explore how people learn mathematics and how to heal and prevent math anxiety. She received her BA in Math at SJSU, where she tutored math in programs that helped first generation college students successfully complete STEM majors. While getting her masters in Transformative Leadership, she focused on math education and the assumptions underlying how we teach math. After this incredible journey, Beth has successfully developed a model used by MCS, which instructs teachers and parents to identify where learning breaks down in math, and understand how to better support students.
As a learning specialist, Beth is trained in a variety of multisensory programs and cognitive therapies such scientifically based reading, writing, and math interventions, integrated into executive functioning coaching and brain training (FastForward and Cogmed). Currently, she teaches graduate courses at UCSC Extension for the Educational Therapy Department, where she speaks internationally training teachers on the best practices in delivering an individualized education. Beth has also worked with Making Waves Empowerment Program and Lindamood-Bell, as well as The Reading Clinic’s Director where she had the opportunity to work with hundreds of students in reading, comprehension, expression, writing, and math.
She attended the Slingerland Institute, studying under Nancy Cushen White and currently updates a math centric blog at https://transformingmathclass.org/
As a learning specialist, Beth is trained in a variety of multisensory programs and cognitive therapies such scientifically based reading, writing, and math interventions, integrated into executive functioning coaching and brain training (FastForward and Cogmed). Currently, she teaches graduate courses at UCSC Extension for the Educational Therapy Department, where she speaks internationally training teachers on the best practices in delivering an individualized education. Beth has also worked with Making Waves Empowerment Program and Lindamood-Bell, as well as The Reading Clinic’s Director where she had the opportunity to work with hundreds of students in reading, comprehension, expression, writing, and math.
She attended the Slingerland Institute, studying under Nancy Cushen White and currently updates a math centric blog at https://transformingmathclass.org/
Jennifer Larson -Simmons
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Jennifer has a passion for effective education. For the past 15 years, she has developed & implemented innovative programs for major global retailers which empower Technical Designers to act independently in product design and manufacturing cycles. She has traveled the world to implement effective programs that use multiple teaching techniques to educate professionals in advanced Technical Design. Jennifer has instructed design at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco where she recognized the power of experiential learning and saw first hand the positive impact of teaching with this approach.
This experience led Jennifer to seek out the most effective teaching methods for her own daughter with LD. Jennifer identified the “Spark” program as an important element of MCS, grounded in the view that “our youth are not vessels to be filled, but fires to be lit.” Jennifer is a member of PEN, and CHADD organizations, is My City School's Program Director and leads Executive Functioning, Wellness and ADD/ADHD support programs at My City School. Jennifer frequently attends training's to lead The Whole Child foundation such as Brain Gym, The Nurtured Heart Approach by Howard Glasser, Dr. Tina Payne Bryson's Brain Based Strategies, PESI trainings on Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia and Dyslexia. She lives in Mill Valley with her husband and daughter.
This experience led Jennifer to seek out the most effective teaching methods for her own daughter with LD. Jennifer identified the “Spark” program as an important element of MCS, grounded in the view that “our youth are not vessels to be filled, but fires to be lit.” Jennifer is a member of PEN, and CHADD organizations, is My City School's Program Director and leads Executive Functioning, Wellness and ADD/ADHD support programs at My City School. Jennifer frequently attends training's to lead The Whole Child foundation such as Brain Gym, The Nurtured Heart Approach by Howard Glasser, Dr. Tina Payne Bryson's Brain Based Strategies, PESI trainings on Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia and Dyslexia. She lives in Mill Valley with her husband and daughter.
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Ann Huber
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Liz Baker
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Liz is a Lead Instructor for Creative Arts and Technology here a MCS, and absolutely loves working with students! She received a B.A in Creative Writing from San Francisco State, and has been working in the Humanities ever since. Liz has experience teaching Audio Engineering with the BAVC Next Gen program, as well as 6 years of Video Production experience, and is so pleased to have had the opportunity to work with so many amazing educators and students in her life. She has designed curriculum for Photography, Videography, Radio Plays, and Drama for MCS students, and hopes to continue to show young learners how they can use their creativity to grow and connect with others. Liz believes that every student learns differently, and that the most effective way to teach is to nurture each students’ individual gifts, which she is thankful to be able to do here at MCS.
In addition to teaching Creative Arts, Liz also works in PR and Tech for MCS, and teaches workshops for students looking to better understand and use their technology. When she is not teaching at MCS, Liz is instructs private music lessons with Village Music, plays accompaniment piano for improv teams, and is a producer/director for theatrical productions with her company, Walnut Productions.
In addition to teaching Creative Arts, Liz also works in PR and Tech for MCS, and teaches workshops for students looking to better understand and use their technology. When she is not teaching at MCS, Liz is instructs private music lessons with Village Music, plays accompaniment piano for improv teams, and is a producer/director for theatrical productions with her company, Walnut Productions.
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Madison Perez
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Madison is a learning specialist in training at My City School. She received a B.A. in Child Development through San Francisco State University, with a focus in Adolescence. Through this program, Madison was introduced to My City School as an intern, where her passion for equity in education was matched with the values practiced at MCS. She believes that education can be vibrant and exciting, as well as challenging and stimulating, and is happy to see all of this practiced at MCS.
This past year, Madison created the first Health program at MCS, and co-taught Wellness and Social Studies for our students. She continues to support classes, such as Language Arts, Math, and Science, where she primarily works one-on-one with students to help keep engagement in the classroom. One of Madison’s favorite aspects of working at MCS is the community built between the teachers, students, and parents, which creates a safe environment where learning and developing can thrive. When Madison is not teaching, she loves to travel, watch movies, and spend time with loved ones.
This past year, Madison created the first Health program at MCS, and co-taught Wellness and Social Studies for our students. She continues to support classes, such as Language Arts, Math, and Science, where she primarily works one-on-one with students to help keep engagement in the classroom. One of Madison’s favorite aspects of working at MCS is the community built between the teachers, students, and parents, which creates a safe environment where learning and developing can thrive. When Madison is not teaching, she loves to travel, watch movies, and spend time with loved ones.
Charlotte Askem-Smith
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Jonathan Bell
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After 2 years with My City School, Jon Bell is pursuing his dream to help bring about change in education through doctoral study in Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis in science education. Jon’s work in education will continue to support and inform My City School in a number of ways, including providing ideas and guidance as an advisor to the hands-on STEAM programs.
Jon's expertise includes facilitating hands-on, scientifically accurate, inquiry based science projects and lessons; the design and deployment of new educational curriculum focused on a wide range of scientific topics (including gardening); and the conception and construction of hands-on, interactive learning environments. Jon graduated from Hampshire College with a dual concentration in analytical environmental chemistry and science education. His thoughtful and strong observation skills made him a huge contributor to the social emotional growth of our students in addition to the academic foundation of design-thinking and science that he brings to the organization.
Jon's expertise includes facilitating hands-on, scientifically accurate, inquiry based science projects and lessons; the design and deployment of new educational curriculum focused on a wide range of scientific topics (including gardening); and the conception and construction of hands-on, interactive learning environments. Jon graduated from Hampshire College with a dual concentration in analytical environmental chemistry and science education. His thoughtful and strong observation skills made him a huge contributor to the social emotional growth of our students in addition to the academic foundation of design-thinking and science that he brings to the organization.
Lainie Barbieri
Educational Therapist
Lainie Barbieri is My City School’s Educational Therapist & expert for individualized learning strategies. Lainie brings over 20 years of K-8 classroom teaching as well as individual tutoring. She has an exceptional understanding of how students can optimize their learning.
Lainie discovered early on in her career that children learn and retain information in many ways based on their different learning styles. She has built a successful private practice over the last three years, where she provides customized individual tutoring, family and parent counseling, and teacher enrichment workshops. Lainie’s professional mission is to educate parents and teachers and support students in developing successful, life long-learning strategies.
Lainie has created multi-sensory phonics card games that teaches the basic phonics skills, and is in the process of publishing an interactive book that teaches letters and sounds. She has published numerous articles, DVD’s and a series of monthly videos, Tips Tricks and Learning Tools, for a variety of subjects including reading, writing, math and social-emotional challenges.
Lainie earned her teaching credentials and obtained her Master’s in Education and Educational Therapy certification in 2007 from the University of Holy Cross in Oakland California. She lives in the East Bay with her three sons.
Lainie discovered early on in her career that children learn and retain information in many ways based on their different learning styles. She has built a successful private practice over the last three years, where she provides customized individual tutoring, family and parent counseling, and teacher enrichment workshops. Lainie’s professional mission is to educate parents and teachers and support students in developing successful, life long-learning strategies.
Lainie has created multi-sensory phonics card games that teaches the basic phonics skills, and is in the process of publishing an interactive book that teaches letters and sounds. She has published numerous articles, DVD’s and a series of monthly videos, Tips Tricks and Learning Tools, for a variety of subjects including reading, writing, math and social-emotional challenges.
Lainie earned her teaching credentials and obtained her Master’s in Education and Educational Therapy certification in 2007 from the University of Holy Cross in Oakland California. She lives in the East Bay with her three sons.
Amory Donohue
Founding Parent
Through Amory’s work as an educational entrepreneur she has demonstrated the effectiveness of early childhood programs in teaching children a second, or third, language. Over a decade ago she founded Language in Action, a multi-site early childhood education program offering Spanish language immersion. MCS is an essential part of her family's experience raising a son with LD, which Amory conceived as a high support, high expectations learning community, led by great teachers and supported by engaged parents. Education and technology first intersected in Amory’s career when she produced award winning educational software for children. She was subsequently an early member of the launch team at CNET, where she was a producer. After starting a family, Amory pursued her interest in creating learning opportunities for children as a board game inventor and designer. Amory completed her Electrical Engineering degree at Georgia Institute of Technology. She lives in San Francisco with her husband and two sons.
Tammy McMillen
Founding Parent and Educator
Tammy has over 20 years experience as an educator, including extensive experience in science curriculum development. Her work as an educator has involved the creation of multi-sensory learning experiences for students, including an Explore-It-All Science Center which complements standards of learning for the Maryland, Virginia and DC school systems, and StarLab, a portable planetarium. She has a son with LD and a deep commitment to creating multi-disciplinary learning opportunities for him and his peer group in exploration of social studies, science and environment issues centered on new California state standards for eco-literacy. She earned her Masters of Education and Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland. She lives in San Francisco with her husband, son and daughter.
Advisors and Board Members
My City School is grateful for the advisory support of local experts, including:
Dr. Sandy Newmark, MD
Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, UCSF
About Doctor Newmark
ADHD Without Drugs
Patricia Henery, M.Ed, Educational Therapist
Mia Elsberg, M.A. ET/P, Educational Therapist
Mindy McHugh, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Dr. Nadine Agosta, SFSU Child and Adolescent Department