Meet the People of Aurora
We have an incredible team of committed educators and administrators who step up every day to extend the wonder of childhood for our students. They model what real leadership looks like while at the same time create opportunities for students to practice the many ways to lead.
Transitional Kindergarten (TK)
TK Lead Teacher
Rebecca Keller
rkeller@auroraschool.org | Extension 302
Rebecca comes to Aurora from Mills College Children's School, where she taught K/1 for over five years. Before coming to Mills for her Masters degree, she worked with children in a variety of settings and has taught environmental and garden education in Maryland, Brazil, and New Mexico. She is fluent in Portuguese. Ms. Becca grew up in the Washington, DC, area and is an avid traveler and SCUBA diver. She lives in Oakland with her husband Joe, dog Kasai, ball python, and two parakeets.
TK Teaching Assistant
Milena Ghebrewold
mghebrewold@auroraschool.org | Extension 302
Milena brought eight years of teaching experience to Mills College Children's School's elementary and early childhood programs. She served as a lead teacher in their TK and Younger Preschool classrooms there. Milena holds a teaching certificate in special education. She loves baking, cooking, swimming, and singing.
Lower School (K-5)
Grades K/1 Lead Teacher
Marcella Sadlowski
Curriculum Overview
msadlowski@auroraschool.org | Extension 303
Marcella brings more than a decade of experience in education, with a background in interdisciplinary curriculum design, restorative practices, and community-centered learning. Before joining Aurora, she served as a Head Teacher at Mills College Children’s School. Marcella is also a co-founder of Sol Root Farmers Collective and is completing her multiple-subject teaching credential. She is committed to creating connected classroom communities where children learn through inquiry, collaboration, and meaningful engagement with the world around them.
K/1 Teaching Assistant
Dana Culpepper
Dana is a San Luis Obispo native who relocated to Oakland to attend Mills College, where she studied English and education. She has previously worked in many educational settings, including preschools, summer school programs, and camps. She has been with Aurora since 2020 and is dedicated to providing an equitable experience for all students that recognizes their full social, emotional, and academic potential. When not in the classroom, she can be found discovering new restaurants, at a board game or trivia night, on the pickleball court, or out exploring the greater Bay Area.
Grades 2/3 Lead Teacher
Isaac Pasternack
Curriculum Overview
ipasternack@auroraschool.org | Extension 303
Isaac is excited to be part of the Aurora community. He has taught for the last three years at a public school in Oakland, serving a diverse community of learners. Before that he worked as a teaching assistant for many years at an East Bay independent school, and looks forward to returning to a small community of families at Aurora. He holds a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Washington, and obtained his master’s degree in Education through the BATTI (Bay Area Teacher Training Institute) program at the University of the Pacific. Isaac is committed to infusing joy, social justice, and social emotional learning into all subject areas he teaches. When he’s not at work he can be found listening to music, sewing, or riding his bike through the many parks in the East Bay hills.
Video: Isaac teaches math
Grades 2/3 Teaching Assistant
Bryn Lewin-Ofell
Curriculum Overview
blewinofell@auroraschool.org | Extension 303
Bryn has supported children in educational, camp, and community-based settings, developing curriculum and helping young people build skills in collaboration and conflict resolution. Their background in farming, gardening, and environmental education has shaped their interest in hands-on learning, sustainability, and caring for the natural world. Bryn is beginning the Bay Area Teacher Training Institute (BATTI) program this year, where they will continue developing their teaching practice.
Grades 4/5 Lead Teacher & Fourth-Grade Math Teacher
Emily Roelofs
Curriculum Overview
eroelofs@auroraschool.org | Extension 301
Emily brings more than a decade of experience as an educator and instructional leader, teaching math, humanities, and inquiry-based science across upper elementary and middle school. She has also worked as a special education math teacher, supporting students with diverse learning needs. Emily earned her bachelor’s degree from Princeton University, a master’s degree in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education, and an MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. Her recent experience in educational innovation and technology informs her commitment to creating rigorous, accessible, and engaging learning experiences that prepare students to think critically, collaborate, and thrive in a changing world.
4/5 & Middle School Teaching Assistant
Emma Wanon
Emma is a Bay Area native who earned her BFA from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2023. She has served in several roles at Aurora, including 2/3 Teaching Assistant, Middle School Teaching Assistant, Extended Care staff member, and summer camp educator. Her experience across programs and age groups gives Emma a strong understanding of Aurora’s students, families, and learning community. This year, she supports both the 4/5 and Middle School teaching teams. When not at Aurora, Emma enjoys going to concerts, reading, and baking.
Middle School (grades 6-8)
Middle School Humanities Guide
Timo Hoffelder
Curriculum Overview
thoffelder@auroraschool.org | Extension 306
Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Timo's origin as a teacher was in language acquisition. He pursued a BA in Linguistics at Indiana University, and received his Master's in TESOL from Saint Michael's College. As a humanities guide with extensive background in language, Timo especially enjoys guiding students through rhetorical analysis and helping them to understand speakers' historical situations through their chosen words and actions. Timo has worked with learners of all ages and backgrounds, from rural Namibia and Rwanda to urban Chicago and Oakland. He finds the most rewarding classroom experiences are the ones in which students feel self-motivated and get to explore their curiosity in a safe environment, which is why he is a big believer in the project-based learning at Aurora.
Middle School STEM Guide
Jasper Olsaki-Lounds
Curriculum Overview
jolsaki@auroraschool.org | Extension 306
Jasper is an Aurora alum who first returned as a Middle School Teaching Assistant during the 2022–23 school year. Since then, they have taught STEM, coding, video game design, and theater at Aurora summer camps. Most recently, Jasper served as Head of the Math and Science Department at Besant Hill School, where they taught math and designed engaging, real-world learning experiences across a range of subjects. Jasper holds a bachelor’s degree from UC Davis and has experience supporting middle school students with diverse learning needs. They are passionate about creating rigorous, inclusive learning experiences that connect STEM with creativity and students’ lives.
Middle School Math Guide
Dr. Tom Howard
Curriculum Overview
thoward@auroraschool.orgl | Extension 306
Dr. Tom received his Ph.D. in mathematics at the University of California Santa Barbara and a BS in physics from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Tom has taught math and physics for over 14 years, working with students from elementary school through university. He is passionate about sharing the beauty and power of these fields of study, understanding how they shape the world around us, and discussing the cutting-edge research being done by the mathematicians and physicists of today.
Learning Resources
Ann Levinsohn
alevinsohn@auroraschool.org | Extension 206
Ann earned her MS in early childhood education from Bank Street College of Education in New York. While raising her two kids in Chicago and then East Bay, she held teaching positions in pre-K through first grade. In 2002 Ann made the jump to working with kids with learning challenges, acquiring her Educational Therapist certification from UC-Berkeley Extension. She has been working with these amazing and diverse students for the last 19 years, in private practice and at The Berkeley School. Ann enjoys hanging out with her grown children and her two dogs (Bea and Esty).
Woodshop
Casey Nutt
Casey grew up fishing and sailing at the Berkeley Marina. He developed an affinity for carpentry in high school while building sets for plays. He graduated from the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding in 2002. Since then he has worked as a marine and residential carpenter. In 2008 he began teaching classes and summer camps around the Bay Area with Kids’ Carpentry. He enjoys exploring hands-on education with his students and is passionate about primitive survival skills, permaculture, and martial arts.
Librarian
Grace Deaton
Grace grew up in Grass Valley, a small town in Northern California. She has a BA in Creative Writing and Economics from Mills College and a Master's in Library Science from San Jose State University. Grace has loved reading her entire life, but in recent years she has found a passion for instilling that same love of reading in the younger generation. Her goal in working as a youth librarian is to teach kids that reading is a great resource for learning or purely for enjoyment. She believes reading should bring joy first and foremost, and that joy pushes kids to want to learn. When Grace isn’t teaching or in the library she can be found playing tennis, playing board games with friends, or, of course, reading!
Grace manages Aurora's expansive school library.
Art
Julie Pollack
julie@auroraschool.org | Extension 210
Julie received a BFA (Bachelors of Fine Arts) from the University of Michigan in Photography and Graphic design. Since graduation, she has worked as a freelance designer, stylist, and consultant for home interiors, events, print, and textile design. Julie started her teaching career as a volunteer in the art room at Tehiyah Day School in El Cerrito. This position eventually led to assisting and substitute teaching roles with the school. Since 2012, Julie has been the Art Director at Mr. D’s Music Camp, teaching thematic, integrated art classes to children ages 7 to 13. A mother of young adults, Julie emphasizes process over product, and follows the Aurora motto, “Take Risks, Make Mistakes!”
Middle School Learning Resources
Kaitlin Higuera
khiguera@auroraschool.org | Extension 210
Katie is an Oakland native who obtained her bachelors degree at the University of California Santa Barbara. From 2003-2019 she worked at Aurora schools summer camp as a counselor and CIT director. She is passionate about supporting the diverse needs of students. Katie obtained her mild/moderate teaching credential and a masters degree in special education at Holy Names University. She taught for 14 years as a 4/5 classroom teacher and 6-8 learning specialist at a school for students with learning challenges.
Outside of school Katie enjoys spending time with her husband and two young boys whether it be bubbles on the balcony or a trip to the beach. She will take any opportunity to travel and tries to explore a new state or country every year.
Spanish, Music & Band
Moisés Osorio
A native of El Salvador, Moisés has over ten years of experience teaching elementary school students music and Spanish. Moisés received his B.A. in Music Education from CSU East Bay. As a music teacher in El Salvador, Moisés planned and implemented special events and activities, including seasonal concerts, holiday celebrations, and ceremonies. Moisés is also a professional musician, and in his spare time, he enjoys playing jazz and Latin piano at gigs and events throughout the Bay Area. Moisés taught Spanish with Viva el Español for four years and is excited to be part of the Aurora community.
TK–2 Physical Education, Aftercare & Enrichment Teacher
Otillia Hoops
Otillia was born in South Africa and moved to the United States in 2004. While completing her bachelor’s degree in San Francisco, she discovered a love of hula hooping and began performing and teaching throughout the Bay Area. Otillia holds a teaching credential and approaches physical education as a joyful way for children to build confidence, coordination, body awareness, and lifelong healthy habits. At Aurora, she teaches Physical Education and Mindful Movement to students in grades TK–2 and supports students through Aftercare and enrichment classes.
PE Teacher (Grades 3–8); Athletics & Character Coordinator
Gyasi Coles
Gyasi brings more than 20 years of experience in youth development, physical education, and after-school programming, including many years at Mills College Children’s School. He holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Mills College. At Aurora, Gyasi teaches physical education to students in grades 3–8, leads the school’s athletics program, and works across grades TK–8 to support character development, leadership, and belonging.
Head of School
Lynsey Kamine
lkamine@auroraschool.org | Extension 202
Lynsey thrives given opportunities to be authentic and creative, and to empower students to be their most dynamic selves.
Since graduating from The Ohio State University with a BA in English and Creative Writing, Lynsey has worked as a teacher and administrator in Memphis, TN and San Jose, CA, specializing in approaches for diverse learners, writing workshops, and restorative practices. Lynsey helped launch Aurora Middle School in 2021, and was previously Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction at Aurora. Outside of school, Lynsey is either attempting to teach her cat to enjoy camping and hiking with her and her dog, trying out a new craft, kayaking, or reading.
Assistant Head of School
Jenny Bond
jbond@auroraschool.org | Extension 202
Jenny brings more than 20 years of experience in public and independent elementary education. She spent 14 years at Mills College Children’s School, where she served as both Assistant Head of School and Head of School. Jenny holds a master’s degree in Education from San Francisco State University and is deeply committed to progressive, child-centered learning. At Aurora, she supports the development of the TK program, strengthens alignment in educational culture and philosophy across grades TK–8, and partners with students, families, and educators throughout the school.
Director of Admissions and High School Placement
Summer Lee
slee@auroraschool.org | Extension 204
Before joining Aurora, Summer served as the Associate Director of Admission at The Athenian School, where she collaborated with faculty, staff, and families to design meaningful admissions events, support prospective students through the application process, and build lasting community relationships. Prior to that, she was the Director of Admission at The Academy School, where she worked across departments to strengthen enrollment efforts, enhance outreach, and foster strong connections with new and returning families. Her background also
includes school operations, event planning, and ambassador programs, all of which have deepened her commitment to creating inclusive and welcoming school environments. Summer holds a Juris Doctorate from Albany Law School and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Seattle University. She looks forward to engaging with the Aurora community and building relationships with current and prospective families.
3rd & 5th Grade Math Teacher; Lab School & Curriculum Coordinator.
Lyndsay Schaeffer
Curriculum Overview
lschaeffer@auroraschool.org | Extension 303
Lyndsay is an educator, curriculum designer, and teacher coach with more than a decade of experience. During her years at Mills College Children’s School, her work focused on inquiry-based learning, student voice, interdisciplinary curriculum, and thoughtful uses of technology and AI in education. Lyndsay brings extensive experience in educational research and professional presentations. In addition to leading the development of Aurora’s Lab School, she teaches math to Aurora’s third- and fifth-grade students.
Extended Care & Camps Director and Facilities Manager
Josh Johnson
joshj@auroraschool.org | Extension 208
Josh has over 20 years of experience in the recreation field, both in school and camp settings. Josh grew up in San Francisco, moved to Alameda in 2004, and started working at Aurora in 2009. When not at Aurora, Josh enjoys spending quality time with his wife and daughter enjoying the many family attractions in the East Bay, from the Oakland Zoo to the Alameda Beach.
Assistant to the Head of School and HR Coordinator
Katheryn Negrosa
knegrosa@auroraschool.org | Extension 201
Katheryn manages the Front Office and Human Resources. An Oakland native, she is happy to work with the community she was born and raised in. Katheryn studied Early Childhood Education and Psychology in college, and comes to Aurora with an extensive background as a former preschool teacher, banker, and most recently, school administrator. Katheryn “lives in the details” and enjoys helping people, thanks to her patient, understanding demeanor. A passionate mother of two boys, she believes that any time with her kids is time well spent! Her favorite pastimes are indulging in delicious cuisine, traveling near or far to explore different cultures and events, exploring nature, and exercising.
Finance Manager
Aimee Moss
accounting@auroraschool.org | (925) 482-2620
Aimee works for our accounting firm, Moss CPA, in Walnut Creek. She has been assisting Aurora’s Business Office since 2021, helping to manage all aspects of Aurora’s finances. Aimee has over 20 years’ experience working with public and independent schools in a variety of capacities. She finds it gratifying to support the work of such an inclusive and welcoming community.
Aimee is a native of the Bay Area and graduated from Smith College with a degree in Education. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, baking, puttering in the garden, and finding new places to explore around the bay.
Our Board of Directors is a supportive and forward-thinking group comprised of Aurora parents and friends who care deeply about the school. They volunteer their time and expertise to ensure that Aurora stays fiscally strong and that the Aurora mission continues to thrive for years to come.
President
Shaharazad Hamidi
Shaharazad is Head of School Emeritus at The Spring Hill School in Petaluma, where she served as Head of School for 15 years. A credentialed Montessori educator and trainer with over three decades of global experience, she led Spring Hill through transformational growth expanding enrollment and philanthropy, strengthening community partnerships, and overseeing the creation of a state-of-the-art campus.
She holds degrees in French Literature and Business Administration, as well as a master’s in Nonprofit Leadership. Today, she brings her combined experience as an independent school leader and executive coach to supporting leaders and boards in building inclusive, mission-driven, and thriving educational communities.
Beyond her professional work, Shaharazad is an avid reader, painter, and traveler who cherishes time spent with family and friends.
Vice President
Jaime Bartlett
Jaime is a litigation partner with the international law firm, Sidley Austin LLP, where she has worked since 2008. Her practice focuses on defense of public companies and their officers and directors in state and federal courts. Jaime lives in Alameda, CA, with her husband, Matt, and their two daughters, Abby and Edie. They became an Aurora family in 2023.
Arjun Saroya
Arjun is an LA native, a New Yorker at heart, and an East Bay resident since 2013. He’s a proud father to Kailash and aspiring partner to his better half (Deepali), who both seem to have an eye rolling condition.
With a degree in mechanical engineering and a lifelong dedication to the environment, he co-founded an energy efficiency company in 2009. Its helped hundreds of thousands of small businesses reduce their carbon emissions while improving their buildings.
Today, he is an advisor to startups, a consultant on product and corporate development, and an investor focused on India. His latest professional interests are at the intersection of blockchains and global public goods.
In his down time he likes tinkering on DIY projects, trying to kite board, and playing tennis and pickle ball with friends.
Treasurer
David Hinton
A native of Cleveland, OH, David arrived in the Bay Area in 2007, by way of Boston, and has lived in Oakland since 2010. He has over 20 years of institutional money management experience at Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc., and currently serves as a member of the 3-person team responsible for managing the firm’s Small Cap Value strategy, which has $5B of assets under management. He is the proud parent of Daniel and Nora (an Aurora 4th grader), and lucky to call Chinwe his wife and better half.
In his spare time, he enjoys staying physically active, spending time with family, traveling, cooking and learning new things.
Secretary
Marley Degner
Marley is a former big law litigator who transitioned to being an in-house counsel with broad experience. She is now a Director at The Clorox Company, where she leads the insurance team and is a member of the litigation and cyberlaw teams. Marley arrived in the Bay Area in 2007 by way of New York, but she grew up in Portland, Oregon. She has a B.A. from Wellesley College and a J.D. from New York University School of Law. Marley and her husband Dan live in Oakland and have two kids at Aurora (Winter and Ethan). In her down time she reads, runs, hikes, camps, and takes care of the family pets. She also recently started learning to rock climb.
Brian Gleeson
Since 2006, Brian has worked as a consultant for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan where he currently leads a regulatory affairs team addressing clinical and legal matters. He conducts ethnographic and historical research with California Indians and serves as Editor in Chief and Co-founder of the digital journal, California Cultures: a Monograph Series. Since 2015, Brian has taught Cultural Anthropology courses at CSU East Bay with an emphasis on the Indigenous Peoples of North America and California. Brian currently serves as President of the East Bay Council where he leads seven schools in the California Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools. Brian has lived in Oakland since 2001, enjoys coffee, Futures studies, playing drums and guitar, and is the proud parent of Aurora students Theo and Camila.
Doug Sovern
Doug is the Political Reporter at KCBS Radio in San Francisco. The winner of more than 250 journalism awards, including the duPont-Columbia, Edward R. Murrow and National Headliner Awards, he began his career at The New York Times and later worked for the Associated Press. He has covered every U.S. presidential election since 1988 and reported from every continent except Antarctica, and in 2017 was elected to the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame. Doug is also an award-winning fiction writer. In 2011, he wrote the first novel-in-tweets on Twitter, and since then his short stories have appeared in a wide range of literary magazines. Now he is polishing his first conventional novel. He is also a professional bass player and songwriter and veteran of too many bands to count. Doug was born in New York City, is a graduate of Brown University, and has lived in the East Bay since 1985. He and his wife Sara have twins, Maya (Aurora Class of '28) and Jacob. They live in Oakland with their very cute dog, Obi.
Paul Sytsma
Paul is a seasoned leader with executive experience at both early-stage and multi-billion dollar high-growth companies across healthcare, food, and technology. Most recently, he spent seven years at Virta Health, leading corporate marketing and communications from company launch through Series E, contributing to a $2B valuation and $365M in funding. Paul also served as a trustee at Escuela Bilingüe Internacional for six years, including two as treasurer. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University and an MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.
Paul is a proud parent of an Aurora 6th grader, and has been an East Bay resident for nearly 20 years. In his free time you’ll find him outdoors with his family, or at his home slowly but surely learning jazz piano.