MUSE FACULTY & STAFF

Kate began at MUSE in February of 2024. She holds a degree in Child Development from California State University, Northridge and has over 10 years of teaching experience. She is passionate about brain science and understanding the “why” behind the behavior. She believes that childhood should be a wondrous time of warmth, magic and curiosity. She sees curiosity as the key to understanding most challenges and embraces patience and compassion as necessary components of learning. In a previous life, she was a singer-songwriter and toured the U.S. with her husband. Now, when they get lucky, you might hear one of their songs out there in tv land. Kate and her husband live with their 11 year-old son, 4 year-old Golden-doodle and 3 year-old crayfish.

Hi, I’m Molly and I am so excited to be a part of MUSE’s ECC Program! I am a dedicated preschool teacher with roughly 10 years of experience and hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University, Northridge. I’ve always been passionate about creating a nurturing and engaging environment for children while striving to foster creativity, curiosity and a love for learning. Outside of teaching I love reading, crafting, and spending time with my cats, family and friends.

Blanca has worked in the Early Childhood Education field for over a decade. Earning her Bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development at California State University Northridge, Blanca has developed a strong passion for teaching and an educational philosophy that includes supporting children physically and emotionally while fostering solid foundations for their future education. She enjoys spending time with her family, going on weekend trips, and exploring the outdoors in her free time.

Diqueasha “Di” Bowen completed her Bachelor’s degree in Deaf Education at Cal State Northridge (CSUN). Di has worked with deaf and hard of hearing children as well as children with special needs. She  has been an ECE teacher since 2020 and loves working with students every day, exploring new ideas, and having fun while teaching.

I have had the privilege of working in the ECE field for seven years at the Pierce College Child Development Lab School. Throughout those seven years, I received my Master’s degree in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Early Childhood from CSUN. I am passionate about supporting every child’s individual needs and providing them with developmentally appropriate, quality learning experiences and environments during the most crucial years of brain development. I strongly believe that just as we teach children, children provide us with opportunities to learn from them as well through their curiosities and play. I have lived in Los Angeles my whole life and have enjoyed exploring and spending time in the Santa Monica mountains since I was a child myself. My passions outside of work are playing soccer, spending time in nature, dancing and journaling! I am fluent in both english and spanish and enjoy learning about different cultures both in my professional and personal life.

Sara is a lifelong artist and educator with a mission to empower our youngest members of society. She has a BA in Art History from UCLA and ECE credentials from SMC. As part of the inaugural class of Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School, she has extensive training in Reggio Emilia Pedagogy and Atelier philosophies. Before pursuing a career in ECE, she developed recipes and instructional videos for food brands and commissions. Sara has called Los Angeles home for over 20 years and lives with her husband and their two children. Sara enjoys spending time with family and friends outdoors, and is always ready for a picnic.

Jeneen has been with MUSE since 2014. As an experienced educator, Jeneen brings 16 years of teaching and collaboration experiences across various classroom settings. She holds degrees in Communication, Education, and Theology. During her time at MUSE, she has taught Pre-K, K, 3rd, and 4th grades while also serving as the Elementary Manager. Jeneen loves to learn new things, travel the world, read good books, and consume most things chocolate. She is now teaching in the MUSE Kindergarten classroom and serves as the ECE Manager, where she began her journey at MUSE. Each grade offers something unique to learn and do with your students and, for Jeneen, that journey is one of the best parts of teaching!

Erin has been in the Education field for 10 years. She has primarily taught Pre-K through 2nd grade and has additional experience working with 3rd through 12th grade. She is proud to hold a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education. Erin was particularly drawn to MUSE in 2018 because of her shared values in communication, self-efficacy, and passion-based learning. She is passionate about encouraging social and emotional development in her students as well as instilling a deep love of learning. In her free time, Erin enjoys going to the beach, hiking, practicing aerial arts, and hanging out with close friends and family.

Christina has over a decade of teaching experience in lower elementary. She is passionate about creating a dynamic and engaging learning environment that fosters student growth and success. She holds a Master’s in Teaching and Curriculum Design from the University of San Diego and is trained in a variety of educational protocols. Christina is dedicated to adapting her teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of her students, using educational technology and innovative strategies to enhance learning outcomes. She has two children, loves animals (especially dogs), and enjoys showing her creativity through crafting and building.

Emma Jean graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree focused on the intersectionality of Education and Diversity.  Emma Jean has now worked in the field of education for over six years and has been a member of the MUSE community since 2021. Emma Jean feels lucky to have worked with many wonderful students and families as a teacher, program director, and mentor. Emma Jean has a passion for working with youth and helping others. Emma Jean’s priority is creating a space safe for students to feel comfortable, collaborative, and curious. Her life’s mission is to create an accessible, equitable, and transformative educational experience for students everywhere. In her free time, Emma Jean enjoys traveling to new places, and spending quality time with her loved ones, especially her dog, Milo!

Zoey has over seven years of teaching experience, working both as an EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teacher and teaching English to students of many nationalities in several bilingual programs. During the six years she lived and worked abroad, she had the privilege of traveling the world extensively and encountering many different cultures. Starting in 2020, she used her global experience, aptitude as a teacher, and connections formed with students to create and manage a fully remote teaching schedule.

Zoey is passionate about integrating a passion for exploration and intercultural awareness into her classroom. She is also enthusiastic about transmitting her love for nature to her students, as she believes a deep appreciation for nature increases the desire to implement sustainable practices. She loves studying languages, yoga, traveling, and long-distance hiking in her free time. She is excited for the opportunity to form deep connections with her students and help them explore their passions as well.

Karen’s motto is “Life’s a Journey.” Her journey has taken her to live in ten states and the country of Japan. Karen most recently came from Honolulu, Hawaii where she taught at Punahou School on the island of Oahu.

Her experiences have led her to be a life long learner and instructor. She earned her Bachelors of Science Degree in Education from the University of Nebraska, her Masters of Science in Education with a Specialization in Educational Technology from National University. Most recently obtaining her CLAD certification from the University of California, San Diego. She is a member of Pi Lamda Theta Honor Society for Educators. She further developed her skill set as a teacher then administrator as a School Improvement Specialist keeping the Blue Valley School District in Kansas, in the top 5% of the Western Consortium of schools. Karen is a true progressive teacher incorporating Inquiry Learning, Project Based Learning, Brain Based Research, Open Mind Set and Design Thinking. Karen encourages her students through Giving, supporting Sustainable Actions, promoting their Passions and exploring their Gifts. Karen adores spending time and traveling with her husband, daughter and extended family members. She enjoys motorcycling riding, scuba diving, traveling, jogging and discovering new Journeys and Adventures.

Daniela Garcia is from Oxnard, California. She graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. in Political Science. She later received a law degree from the People’s College of Law in Los Angeles. A daughter and granddaughter of teachers, she is passionate about student-led education and building youth self-efficacy. Daniela has taught history for five years and has worked in the field of education for more than ten years. She joined MUSE in 2024. Daniela enjoys taking weekend trips with her family and going thrift store shopping.

Megan’s passion for sustainability, environmental and social justice, and teaching young people how to listen to their minds and bodies is ever present in her classroom. With degrees in elementary education, a dual master’s in literacy and special education, and certifications in Mindfulness and Forest School Teaching, Megan has been practicing in the field of education for over 12. She has taught in a variety of environments and across all ages, including public schools, private schools, daycare, schools for children with multiple and severe disabilities, a high school for children with emotional disabilities, and even an un-school!

Born and raised in the Hudson Valley, Megan relocated to Southern California in 2018 to pursue opportunities in schools that align with her philosophy on the role education plays in living in harmony with the Earth and each other. When she discovered MUSE in 2018 she knew she was right at home!

Donna’s career in education began over 25 years ago in Division I college athletics when she taught courses to freshmen student-athletes at Penn State University and served on the Big Ten Advisory Commission to help ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion for student-athletes of color. She later led a Division I Tutorial Program for Student-Athletes in achieving certification by the College Reading and Learning Association before transitioning to Elementary and Middle School Education and Curriculum Development in charter and public schools in North Carolina. In addition, Donna participated on a research team at UNC-Chapel Hill where she observed and collected data to help support teachers across North Carolina. Donna came to MUSE in 2021 where she has served as an Advisor and Language Arts and Social Studies teacher in Upper Elementary and Middle School and currently chairs the MUSE Global Schools Curriculum Committee.  Outside of MUSE, Donna is a Notable Contributor to California Educators Together, creating and vetting high-quality lessons for California teachers. Donna holds professional licensure in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, English as a Second Language, and School Counseling, and Master’s degrees in Counselor Education and Sport Management. Donna just made Colorado her permanent home where she enjoys the outdoors with her dogs Gus and Gabby.

Russ was born and raised in the western suburbs of Chicago and spent a good portion of his adult life in that area. After majoring in electrical engineering and minoring in economics at MIT, Russ was a materials scientist specializing in microchips and circuit boards. During the stock market bubble, he put his math and economics education to work trading currencies, stocks, and options at the PHLX, CBOE, and AMEX. Russ changed career paths and went into private tutoring because he saw an opportunity to transform math and science education. He has taught math and science at all levels for over 10 years and joined the MUSE community in 2017 where he was instantly attracted to the unique philosophical approach of the school. Russ is passionate about the integration of Seed to Table and Sustainability in the science program. Russ left Chicago in 2012 to fulfill a dream of living in LA with his wife Annie. Together, he and his wife enjoy dog walks, hiking, and bike riding all over Southern California.

Jeffrey started teaching at MUSE in 2015. He is an experienced educator, having taught in private, parochial, and public charter settings since 1996. Before joining MUSE, Jeffrey was a founding teacher and Dean of Academics at a charter school in Los Angeles. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and English, and he completed a Master’s in the Art of Teaching from the University of Southern California with a focus on teaching History. Jeffrey’s passions include project-based learning, writing, curriculum design, meditation and mindfulness, and fostering community cohesion. In his free time, Jeffrey enjoys road trips, camping, live music and theater, reading, writing, gardening and landscaping, and spending time with friends and family.

Marija has been an educator at private schools in Los Angeles and Seattle for over 18 years. She grew up surrounded by forests, lakes, and hockey in Canada and earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology at the University of Toronto. After moving to the sunshine and mountains of Los Angeles, she completed her Teaching Credential and Master’s in Education. Early in her career, she specialized in Language Arts instruction and reading intervention. She also holds a CA Teaching Credential and preliminary Waldorf Teaching units. Marija has been a Lead Teacher in various elementary grades throughout her career as well as a Middle School Math Specialist for 5 years. She teaches with an emphasis on conceptual understanding through experimentation and problem-solving and uses games to solidify academic skills. She encourages her students to be risk-takers and creative in every aspect of learning. In her free time, Marija is a regular at the beaches in Malibu and on the island of Kauai, swimming, snorkeling, and exploring. She also enjoys live music and dancing, including salsa and country.

Haven has been at MUSE since 2014. Haven graduated from Yale College with a B.A. in Economics and a special concentration in Medieval History. After graduation, Haven transitioned from a career in marketing and analysis into high school math curriculum development. He has since co-authored and taught high school math courses to students in a variety of learning environments. Haven’s expertise includes using mathematics and quantitative social sciences as a means to further one’s understanding of her surroundings and passions. Haven’s outside passions include exploring the Santa Monica Mountains, interactive/collaborative story-telling, and game design.

Jenny is a Southern California local and was raised in the valley. She currently resides on Chumash, Tongva, and Fernandeño Tataviam land. She first began working with children in 2006. With a background in Psychology and a love for helping children flourish, she began providing in-home respite and behavior therapy for children on the autism spectrum. Jenny discovered her love for teaching in an elementary setting while providing behavior therapy inside the classroom. She was thrilled to join MUSE school in 2015 and cultivate her passion for teaching working in the 1st & 2nd-grade classroom. When she began teaching at MUSE she was immediately drawn to the Process Communication Model. Her passion for Psychology aligned with PCM, and she fell in love. As a base harmonizer phase thinker, she enjoys accessing all of her personality traits to help connect and motivate her students. Jenny became a PCM trainer in the summer of 2018 and enjoys developing her craft by providing training to MUSE parents and high school students. Jenny is also passionate about dedicating her time to MUSE’s DEI community. She strives to provide a safe and inclusive community. Outside of teaching she enjoys spending time with her husband and family, taking road trips, working out, reading, and going on adventures with her dog Kona.

Born and raised in Paris, France, Severine has been the French Teacher at MUSE since 2018. She has a master’s degree in marketing that she earned at the Université Paris Dauphine, France. After working a few years in marketing in the food industry in France, she moved to Los Angeles with her French husband and fell in love with California.

Passionate about education, nature, travel, and language, teaching French at MUSE was a perfect fit. After raising her three bilingual and bicultural kids, Severine learned that cultural understanding is as important as language acquisition to better understand the world, and she implements this in her classroom. In her free time, Severine enjoys camping, going to the beach, hiking in the Santa Monica mountains, traveling around the world with her husband and 3 children, and visiting her family and friends in France.

Meet Genesis, a dedicated school counselor with a heartfelt commitment to nurturing students’ academic, social, and emotional well-being. With six years of invaluable experience in school settings, Genesis has honed a profound understanding of the diverse needs of students. Coming from a background in ABA therapy, Genesis brings firsthand knowledge from her time working with children on the autism spectrum and other learning disabilities.

In addition, Genesis also gained practical experience as a substitute teacher while completing her master’s program in School Counseling at the University of Denver. Genesis is passionate about empowering every student to reach their full potential. Believing firmly that every kid deserves an excited adult, Genesis approaches each day with enthusiasm and a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of young learners. With a blend of empathy, insight, and skill, Genesis strives to create a supportive and inclusive environment where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, setting them on a path toward success both in school and in life.

Ash was born and raised in rural Oklahoma and pursued a degree in Biology and Education at Texas A&M before moving to LA. An avid outdoor and sports enthusiast, Ash is excited to take on the role of Outdoor Education Specialist. Ash has been working in education for 15 years as a coach, behaviorist, tutor, and teacher. When out of the classroom, Ash enjoys playing basketball, hiking, camping, boating, swimming, fishing, and exploring National Parks with his niece, Persephone.

After graduating from California State University, Northridge in 2006, Rick traveled to New Zealand to work on organic farms where he discovered his passion for growing food using methods that give back to the Earth. Since then, he has earned two Permaculture Design Certificates, a Master Gardener Certificate, and a Certificate in Global Sustainability from UCLA. Rick came to MUSE in 2014. He believes the garden is an ideal place for students to connect with nature and hopes his students are inspired by what they learn and that they become leaders in the sustainability movement.

Meet Keenan, an enthusiastic educator and environmental advocate. With a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Management, he brings over 25 years of teaching experience from India, Dubai, and internationally. Keenan’s recent role teaching English Language to international students at King’s Young Learners ‚ Pepperdine, Malibu campus highlights his dedication to education. Now a proud member of the MUSE Global School community, he employs innovative teaching methods such as cooperative learning and Mind Maps to inspire young minds.

Beyond the classroom, Keenan’s passion for the environment shines through his involvement as a National Wildlife Federation Volunteer and a Docent-in-training for wildlife conservation initiatives. As a Citizen Scientist with the Globe Program, he’s dedicated to scientific exploration. Keenan’s creativity knows no bounds — he enjoys playing guitar, creating art through drawing and calligraphy, and crafting intricate pop-up cards. An avid bird watcher and outdoor enthusiast, he finds solace in camping and embracing the beauty of the natural world.

Leidy was born and raised in Havana, Cuba, where she graduated from the prestigious Havana University with a bachelor’s degree in Law. Leidy lived in Beijing, China between 2005-2009, where she studied Chinese language at Beijing Language and Culture University. Leidy has also participated in important international meetings sponsored by the United Nations Organization, related to the protection of the environment, among which we can mention the meetings of the Montreal Protocol for the protection of the ozone layer. She joined the MUSE community in 2018 and her passion is not only to teach the Spanish language but also to stimulate her students’ interest in the culture, history, and geography of Spanish-speaking countries. In her free time, she likes to go to the beach, read, paint, travel, visit museums, and visit her family in Cuba.

Ivo Spirov is an exhibiting professional artist whose art has been featured in Japan, Europe, and the US. Originally from Bulgaria, Ivo earned a dual Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Arts and Environmental Science from New Bulgarian University. Ivo loves to share his passion for art with his students and encourages their creative expression. Whenever possible he likes to bring students to behind-the-scenes set-ups of galleries and art fairs and introduce them to various artists. Ivo joined MUSE in 2018.

Robin has been cooking plant-based food for over 30 years and has been at MUSE since 2018. In 1995, she and her husband bought Manna Restaurant, one of Europe’s oldest vegetarian and now vegan restaurants. When she returned to California in 2014, she was asked to become Follow Your Heart’s Executive Chef and develop plant-based recipes to help them transition into becoming a vegan restaurant. She loves helping people get excited about vegan meals and showing them how easy and tasty it is to enjoy plant-based meals. Robin also hosts monthly virtual cooking classes for our MUSE parent community!

Maria was born and raised in Michoacan, Mexico. She moved to California in 1984 and pursued her career as a nanny and chef. After doing work on many farms and learning about growing food, she became a sous chef in the kitchen at Apricot Lane Farms she worked on recipe development and cooking for all of the farm’s employees as well as visitors from around the world.

She is a published chef with recipes in the Apricot Lane Farm Cookbook.

Maria came to MUSE in April 2023 with all of her magic and has been creating wonderful meals for us all.  She also shares her many special gifts of keeping our campus looking beautiful. From taking care of our plants to making our campus clean and beautiful. She adores the children and has been such a wonderful addition to our MUSE Family.

Hailing from the San Fernando Valley, Connor describes himself as a true foodie. His love for all things food developed as a child, helping out however he could in his Italian grandparents’ home kitchen. Connor has gained extensive knowledge of different cuisines and cooking techniques through the variety of kitchen positions he has held over the years. Recently, he has adopted the mindset of becoming 1% better every single day. Connor holds a BA in Sociology from Washington State University with an emphasis on sustainability and environmental justice. In his free time you may find him developing mock restaurant menus, playing with his dog Beau, or enjoying all of the activities offered by the outdoors.

Taylor is excited to join the MUSE Global Schools team this year. As a Los Angeles native, Taylor has always admired MUSE for its collaborative, nurturing, and creative community. She is delighted to play a part in fostering this vibrant culture. With an educational background, Taylor spent her early career as an Instructional Aide and Enrichment Teacher at elementary schools in Pacific Palisades and Topanga. She holds a degree from UCLA’s Department of Theatre, Film, and Television with a focus on their Teaching Artist Program. Beyond her professional life, Taylor finds joy in building connections with friends and family, as well as tending to the ever-changing interests of her 4-year-old daughter.

Stephanie double majored in political science and international studies at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. After completing her undergraduate studies, she immediately worked toward obtaining a Master of Arts in Teaching and subsequently taught Kindergarten and 3rd grade for six years. She spent some time working in adult education where she supported teachers in implementing curriculum and pedagogical skills.

Stephanie considers herself from Hawaii, Tokyo, and Texas, having spent significant parts of her life in each place. She enjoys traveling, cooking (and eating), crafting, and spending time with friends outdoors. Stephanie joined MUSE in 2022 and is excited to be working with a passionate community of educators!

​​Nivia has dual citizenship allowing her to grow up in Mexico and complete her studies in the U.S., getting a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology. She has a vast array of work experience which is all focused around children.She knows the benefits of exposing kids to diverse activities, experiences, and knowledge at an early age. Physical activities and sports have been part of her daily routine since she was five years old. She loves dancing, flag football, and field hockey. She has also had the opportunity to visit a few countries on three different continents. Exploring and learning from new cultures is something she is passionate about. She is enthusiastic about showing that there is a whole world to explore with many greats and positive things to offer.

Coral was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, CA. As the youngest of three, Coral followed in her brother and sister’s footsteps by continuing her passion for sports as a dual-sport athlete at Birmingham HS in Van Nuys, CA. In high school, Coral also developed a love for coaching youth basketball in her spare time and it was then that she realized how much she enjoys working with children. After high school, Coral continued her education at California State University, Northridge, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies.

Shortly after graduating, Coral worked as the Apprenticeship Coordinator at Local Union #761 with over 1,000 apprentices. Working for the Local Union made her feel a part of a team again and she was grateful to be given the freedom to establish more efficient ways of tracking and managing apprentice data while implementing her own organizational practices.

In early 2018 Coral was offered a part-time office position at MUSE School, and in July 2018 Coral began working as the Global Task Coordinator for MUSE Global. It has been a blessing for Coral to work for and be a part of a community where the core values align with her own. Coral’s current role is as the Office Manager and After-School Enrichment Coordinator and she is committed to supporting all faculty, staff, students, and families with any administrative needs and beyond. Coral also takes a special interest in coordinating and implementing new after-school programs for in-person and remote students.

Outside of MUSE Coral loves spending time with her loved ones, husband, daughter, and fur baby Great Danes, going to the beach, bike riding, and reading.

A first generation Angeleno, Giovanna was first drawn to plant based cooking by the abundance of local farmers markets in Los Angeles. Her entire professional cooking career has been dedicated to her love of seasonality and vegetables. Gia has worked in some of the best vegan restaurants in Los Angeles, and has developed two online plant based cooking courses. Gia studied culinary arts at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College and holds a BA in art history from UCLA. She is a firm believer in hands-on learning and is honored to share her passion for plant based cooking and sustainability with students at MUSE.

Ayo was raised in Maryland and received a full football scholarship to attend the University of Connecticut. He graduated with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies. Over a decade ago, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting but eventually became a full-time personal trainer. Ayo has always been fascinated by technology and recently decided to transition to a career in I.T. He is thrilled to be part of a school community and is particularly excited to be part of MUSE!