Program Director and Founding Parent

Jennifer has a passion for effective education. For over 20 years, she has developed and implemented innovative programs for major global retailers that empower technical designers to act independently throughout the product design and manufacturing cycles. Jennifer taught design at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in San Francisco, where she recognized the power of experiential learning and witnessed firsthand the positive impact of this approach.

This experience led Jennifer to seek out the most effective teaching methods for her own daughter with learning disabilities. 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 Founder and Program Director, and has spent the last 17 years developing programs for visual processing, writing, executive functioning, and critical thinking interventions that can be applied in the classroom setting. You may find her leading a math or class wellness unit or an engineering design challenge while sharing her contagious enthusiasm for learning with students and other teachers. Jennifer offers professional development and trainings to educators and parents whose children struggle with learning. 

Jennifer frequently attends trainings 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 training on Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, and Dyslexia. She lives in the East Bay with her daughter and loves riding her bike, hiking, the outdoors, and the ocean. 

SPED Teacher, Social Studies Lead

Jennifer joined MCS in 2019 as a support instructor for Math, Science, Literature, and Social Studies. Since 2022, she has been the lead teacher for Social Studies, and she continues to support in other classes. Jennifer has been working as a multiple subject tutor and learning specialist for over 10 years. She obtained a master’s degree and teaching credential in Special Education at SF State. She has received training in the Lindamood-Bell On Cloud Nine math program, Making Math Real, Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), and Social Communication Emotional Regulation Transactional Supports (SCERTS). She is also a certified yoga teacher. Jennifer believes in individualizing curriculum, finding the approach that works best for each student, and making learning meaningful and fun. When she isn't teaching, Jennifer can be found reading, camping, doing yoga, or playing board games with friends.

Ed Therapist, Writing and Reading Learning Specialist

Victoria Piontek is an educational therapist and an author. She began her teaching career as a Teach for America Corps member in New York City, working with middle school students as an English and Social Studies teacher. After her children were born, Victoria stepped back from classroom teaching but never lost her zeal for education. She worked as an adjunct professor of Education at Pace University in New York City. When her children were diagnosed with learning differences, she embarked on a journey to learn everything she could about advocating and supporting students and parents struggling to navigate learning differences and the education system.

Victoria is also a middle-grade author. Her novels have been chosen as Bank Street College Best Books of the Year and landed on several state reading lists, including the Iowa Reader’s Choice Award and the Sunshine State Young Readers Award. Writing is one of Victoria’s passions, and she is always working on a novel.

She holds an MFA in Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hollins University and an MST in Education from Pace University. She is completing coursework for a Certificate in Educational Therapy from the University of California Santa Cruz. Victoria is a member of the Association of Educational Therapists (AET) and The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

Math, Reading, and Writing Learning Specialist 

Jeremy has studied at Universitat Pompeu Fabra and the University of British Columbia where he graduated with a B.A. in Spanish & Hispano-European Studies. Prior to MCS, his experience working in education includes mentoring and tutoring students in middle and high school at Lydian Academy, SFUSD, and private tutoring as a language specialist. He also taught autobiographical writing with adults in the prison system. Currently teaching Spanish, English, Social Studies, and Math, he loves nothing more than having conversations in which all parties learn something new, no matter the subject.  Avoid bringing up the topics of soccer, vintage clothing, and public transportation with Jeremy if you’re in a hurry to be somewhere.

Writing Specialist

Arielle is currently pursuing her Masters of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education at the University of San Francisco. In 2018, she received a BA in English Literature from Dartmouth College. She has experience working with many grade levels in both traditional and non-traditional educational settings, including a Montessori school and a Dual Immersion Public Charter school. Prior to teaching, Arielle worked in copywriting, where she developed her skillset and love for writing and editing. She is passionate about helping students progress as writers and instilling confidence and comfort around the writing process. When she’s not teaching or in class, she loves to rollerskate, make jewelry, and spend time with her dog.

Martial Arts Master & Instructor

Grandmaster DeLonzo Pope is the founder of Firehorse Taekwondo and a 7th degree black belt with over three decades of experience in the martial arts. A San Francisco native, he began training in 1984 with the American Taekwondo Association and quickly stood out in competition, earning his first trophy as a green belt. He left the school in 1988 after receiving his red belt.

In 2007, Grandmaster Pope re-connected to his advanced studies of Taekwondo at San Francisco State University and the Academy of Taekwondo, winning several gold medals in San Francisco, Sacramento and Las Vegas before achieving the rank of black belt in 2008.

Since then, Grandmaster Pope has won multiple gold medals in regional tournaments and earned seven California and Nevada State Championship titles across forms, sparring, board breaking, and weapons. He holds deep knowledge in three major Taekwondo systems—Songahm, Jidokwan, and Kukkiwon—and has also studied Karate, Capoeira, Kung Fu, Tai Chi Chuan, and Judo.

He began teaching in 2009, developing after-school martial arts programs and leading university clubs. His teaching style blends tradition, discipline, and creativity, with an emphasis on personal growth and character development.  Grandmaster Pope is dedicated to guiding students on a lifelong journey of martial arts excellence.

Gardening & Science Lead

Maya is currently supporting science and gardening. She is passionate about both teaching and ecology, and is excited to be able to merge the two through engaging, hands-on activities at MCS. With a background in environmental science, Maya worked for years in conservation and restoration, and is currently finishing up a master’s degree at USF, where her project looks at adaptation to environmental variability across California plant communities. Maya’s teaching experience is varied and includes tutoring 3rd through 8th grade students in reading, summer camp counselor roles, and ski instructing. Outside of school you can find her roller skating, looking at plants, or being bad at a new hobby.