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School
Director – Sheri Werner
Sheri Werner has been with Foundations since 1995. She worked with a partner to found and build the school from 14 students and one class to its current size. Sheri founded FSC’s Middle School in 2001, and continues to provide the leadership and vision for the school’s future. “It’s so rewarding to see all the school’s graduates doing so well, whether they’ve chosen an academic school like Harvard-Westlake or LA County High School for the Arts. It confirms what we’ve known all along - our unique approach to education is working.” Sheri holds a B.A. in Liberal Studies, an M.S. in educational psychology and counseling, as well as a PPS Lifetime credential for grades K-12.
Curriculum Director - Scott Miller
Scott has been an integral part of our FSC community since 1994. In FSC’s early years Scott taught in the classrooms while also helping to create FSC’s curriculum and vision. An educator for many years, Scott co-founded a progressive charter school in the valley, has conducted many workshops and seminars on education, and is a powerful advocate for progressive education.
Group 1 - Lori Quinn
Lori’s been at Foundations since 1997, teaching, nurturing and supporting Kindergarten and first graders. She has an M.S. in Counseling and Guidance, and a B.A. in Child Development. Prior to coming to FSC, Lori was a preschool supervisor for five years. In Lori’s words, “I enjoy the personal and professional growth opportunities at Foundations. I love spending my days with the FSC kids.”
Group 1 - Aubrey Kliaman
Aubrey Kliaman is starting her first year at FSC. She will be working in Group 1 with our Kindergarten/1st grade students. She has seventeen years experience guiding, listening to, and communicating with children. Prior to this year she has had a myriad of different experiences. In addition to writing children’s books and owning her own children’s birthday party company, she has also taught gymnastics to children, worked with preschoolers, taught toddler programs and children’s movement exercises, as well as music, cooking, science, theatre, and art classes. Aubrey has a passion for teaching, and the dream of making a difference in the lives of children.
Group 2 - Carole Morrison
Carole came to Foundations in 1999, having previously taught special education for LAUSD for two years, and Pre-K at St. Stevens Preschool in Valencia for four years. Carole says, “Foundations is an amazing place where students come together and truly become an integral part of their own learning. I appreciate that the students are connected to each other and the teachers, and they can be themselves!” Carol has a B. A. in Human Development, as well as a teaching credential from Pacific Oaks College.
Group 2 – Matthew Sevareid
Matthew is starting his first year at FSC. He came from the Maggy Haves School where he taught for the past four years. Matthew also taught at another progressive elementary school for a few years. He is currently completing his BA in Human Development at Pacific Oaks College. Matthew is excited to be working with our 2nd/3rd graders in Group 2.
Group 3 - Heather Ashton
Heather Ashton has been at FSC since 2005, and has greatly enjoyed working with the kids here. “I believe children flourish in an environment that not only respects, but values them and supports them, both academically and socially,” she states. Heather holds a BA in Human Development, an M.A. in clinical psychology and a teaching credential obtained from Pacific Oaks College.
Group 3 - Harold Pleitez
Harold is starting his third year here at FSC. He is bilingual and was born and raised in El Salvador. Harold received his B.A. and M.S. degrees in El Salvador. He will be teaching in Group 3 this year and will also teach our middle school Spanish program.
Group 4 - Cyrilly Bakewell
Cyrilly Bakewell has spent the last eight years teaching a variety of age groups at FSC. Before coming to the school, Cyrilly spent six years teaching in the Long Beach Unified School District. Cyrilly says, “Every day at FSC is exciting and rich with authentic opportunities for learning. I love being a part of the process of growing and self discovery for children.” Cyrilly hold a B.A. in Art and a multiple subject credentials from C.S.U., Long Beach.
Group 4 - Brian Pate
This is Brian Pate’s second year at FSC and he is extremely excited to teach in Group 4 (5th/6th grade)! In Brian’s words, “I enjoy FSC because the staff values children’s thoughts, ideas, and feelings.” Prior to coming to FSC, Brian spent three years teaching Kindergarten and sixth grade at Our Community School. He has a B.A. in Liberal Studies and a teaching credential from CSUN.
Group 5 - Trisha Artessa
This is Trisha’s second year at FSC. She is thrilled to be a part of our school community and especially appreciates the relationships she has established with the students. Her previous experience and credentials include a B.A. in Sociology, as well as multiple certifications and credentials in Elementary Education, Special Education, K-12 Education and K-12 Literacy.
Group 5 - Sylvia Mann
Sylvia is joining the FSC team this year to teach in our middle school. She holds a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. She spent four years teaching at the Archer School for Girls. Sylvia is also a writer as well as a musician. She looks forward to becoming part of our school community.
Teaching Artist/Creative Movement and Drama Programme - Madeleine Dahm
Madeleine has run the movement and drama programme at FSC for the past twelve years. Formally a classical dancer, Madeleine trained under legendary Martha Graham and Nina Fonaroff (The Kirov Ballet), and was a Principle Concert Dancer for over twenty years. She holds a Post-Graduate in Movement Education from The Laban Conservatory in London is on the part-time Theatre Faculty at USC and is a Master Teaching Artist for the Music Centre Education Division.
Music Specialist - Jeri Davis
Jeri Davis has been the music specialist at Foundations for over 10 years. She is responsible for a music program for Grades K-8. This encompasses hundreds of songs related to curriculum, friendship and community; African marimba instrumentals on xylophones and other Orff-Schulwerk instruments; recorder for grades 3-6 with emphasis on reading music; chorus for grades 3-8, including part-singing and solos with a culmination at graduation; an after-school band program for kids who want to play guitar, bass, piano or drums at the community Sings; an after-school swing dance class. The music program focuses on building community and relationships through gatherings every 3 weeks called Sings, where songs, instrumentals and movement/rhythm pieces are shared with the community. Her background includes 2 years of college music theory classes, 2 levels of Orff-Schulwerk training, with ongoing seminars, and being a singer/songwriter for 20 years, including making a CD of her own songs. Her main instrument is guitar, with a little mandolin thrown in. She describes herself as being energetic, open, friendly, spontaneous, willing to take risks, willing to change, and loving to learn.
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