Specialist Teachers
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- Deanne Burke, Grades K-2 Art Specialist
- Kalen Meyer, Grades 3-5 Art Specialist
- Erica Ryan, Grades K-5 Environmental Science Specialist
- Lydia Mills, Grades K-5 Music Specialist
- Beatriz Rivarola, Grades K-3 Spanish Specialist
- Jason Morte, Grades K-5 Physical Education Specialist
- Kathryn Zdan, Grades 4 and 5, WATER and FIRE Drama Specialist
- Brigette Iarrusso-Soto, Grades 4 and 5 Spanish Teacher
Deanne Burke, Grades K-2 Art Specialist
Deanne graduated from U.C. Berkeley and received a teaching credential from San Francisco State University. In 1966 she began teaching at Berkwood School. Deanne then moved to the Monte Rio Elementary School on the Russian River. She rejoined Berkwood Hedge in 1977 and has been teaching here ever since. Deanne's other teaching experience includes Head Start programs in South Central Los Angeles and Pittsburg, California, Piedmont summer schools and Larkfield School in Sonoma County, CA.
Kalen Meyer, Grades 3-5 Art Specialist
Born and raised in Berkeley, Kalen has an Art degree from San Francisco State University. Kalen enjoys working in a variety of media. She joined Berkwood Hedge in 2004. In addition to creating her own art, since 2001 Kalen has been the director of a summer art camp for students aged 5 to 12.
Erica Ryan, Grades K-5 Environmental Science Specialist
Erica graduated from the College of Natural Resources at U.C. Berkeley in 2002. After graduating, she worked for one year at Berkwood Hedge in the Afterschool program and as a classroom assistant. Erica left Berkwood Hedge to earn her teaching credential at Mills College. She returned in 2005 to teach Environmental Science in kindergarten through fifth grade. In 2006, she began co-teaching the fourth grade class while continuing to work as the Science Specialist. In 2007, she set a personal goal of becoming bilingual and began studying Spanish at Berkeley City College.
Lydia Mills, Grades K-5 Music Specialist
Lydia Mills has been studying the traditional music of Latin America for over 15 years. She has lived in Guatemala, Ecuador, Chile and Peru, sharing and learning music with local musicians. Lydia directs the Latin American Youth Ensemble Los Mapaches, where over 60 children and youth study and learn native and contemporary music from Latin America, and perform in neighboring communities. Lydia has a Master's degree from Holy Names University in Music Education with an emphasis in Kodály, and has been teaching K-5 grade music for 6 years.
Beatriz Rivarola, Grades K-3 Spanish Specialist
Beatriz is a native Spanish speaker. Born and raised in Argentina, she received her credential as a Fine Arts and Elementary School Teacher. Beatriz earned her Master's degree in Painting at Buenos Aires University. She worked for 20 years as a visual arts teacher in elementary schools, and as a full professor teaching Visual Art to teachers in Kindergarten and Elementary credential programs. She moved to The United States in 1995 and has been teaching art at MOCHA, and Spanish in Bay Area schools since 1998. She joined the Berkwood Hedge staff in 2003.
Jason Morte, Grades K-5 Physical Education Specialist
Jason graduated from the University of California at Davis with a degree in Psychology. He has 14 years experience working in youth programs. Jason believes that physical education is a great medium for teaching life skills and feels it is important that children learn to be active, healthy, quick thinkers who value communication & teamwork.