Faculty and Staff

List of 26 members.

• 

  Alix Anthony 

  Art & STEAM Teacher

  510-632-6000 x130

  Bio

  Alix has taught middle school math, science, and art in Oakland since 2004. After two years in Ireland studying art, Alix received her BA from Mills College. She later returned to school and earned her California teaching credential and MA in Education from Alliant International University. Alix enjoys intertwining art practice with other content areas in the classroom. Outside of teaching, Alix is a professional artist and loves to work creatively. She enjoys the outdoors and hiking with her family.
• 

  Marcia Bedford 

  Director of Student Life

  510-632-6000 x101

  Bio

  As a graduate of Simmons College with a MA in Educational Administration from Wheelock College, Marcia brings a wealth of experience to her position. Before coming to JMSG, she was the Director of Admission at Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco for five years. Prior to this, she was the Director of Admissions and Public Relations at St. Mary's College High School in Berkeley. Earlier in her career, Marcia served as the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid for Simmons College School of Social Work in Boston. She also worked in San Francisco at Public Affairs Management, an environmental and public relations consulting firm from 1990 to 1994 and has been a longstanding board member at Pact, An Adoption Alliance. Marcia served on the JMSG Board of Trustees in the founding days and has been committed to the mission even before the school opened by helping create admission and financial aid practices. From 2001 to 2019, she served as the Assistant Head of School and Director of Admission at JMSG. This is her nineteenth year working at JMSG.
• 

  Erika Bookman 

  School Counselor

  510-632-6000 x149

  Bio

  Born and raised in the Bay Area, Erika is a JMSG alum (2003), mother, and licensed clinical psychologist (PSY34200). After graduating from the University of Arizona in 2011, she gained experience working with systems-involved children and adolescents within community mental health clinics. Erika obtained a strong foundation in trauma-informed adolescent mental health during her doctoral training at The Wright Institute, and also completed a predoctoral internship at Howard University Counseling Service. She completed her postdoc fellowship at UCSF where she served graduate and professional students. As an alum, Erika is extremely excited to return to JMSG to provide support and guidance.
• 

  Diali Bose-Roy 

  Director of Curriculum and Teaching

  510-632-6000 x111

  Bio

  Diali Bose-Roy spent over twenty years in the classroom empowering students to critically think, collaboratively solve problems, and strongly advocate for their passions. Most recently, Diali served as a faculty leader at the San Francisco Friends School.  She joins JMSG to support teacher development in all of the same ways and more! She grew up in the Los Angeles area with Indian, immigrant parents and an older brother, all proud engineers. She earned a BA in Biology from Scripps College. Soon after, she taught 5th grade at Charles River School near Boston, a place where she focused on thematic units which integrate multiple disciplines in meaningful and authentic ways. After completing her MA in Organization and Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University, she jumped at the chance to return to the classroom as a math and science teacher for the very first 6th grade, and to collaborate with other devoted educators to build out the middle school at San Francisco Friends School. There, she concentrated on ways to integrate character education, social-emotional learning, and supportive relationships into math and science education, advisory, and service programs. She reflected upon her curriculum regularly to align with the school’s values, often loving the purposeful messiness that can come with dynamic and innovative teaching. When Diali is not studying or teaching, she goes underwater- scuba diving in the warm waters of the Caribbean, exploring lava tubes of Hawaii, shark diving in Belize, or exploring the biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef. 
• 

  Suzanne C. Morris 

  Science Teacher

  510-632-6000 x134

  Bio

  Suzanne is an Oakland native and has been teaching middle school science for fourteen years. She received her BS in Biology with minors in English and Art History from UC Davis. Suzanne then lived and worked in France for a year, before returning to earn a Biology credential from St. Mary's College. She began her teaching career at JMSG in 2005, but left four years later to pursue other adventures. During her time away from teaching, Suzanne became a river-rafting guide on the Rogue River in Oregon, biked through northern Europe, and spent four months in Central America. Suzanne returned to JMSG in 2016 after teaching sixth, seventh, and eighth grade science for five years at Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley. She loves being back in the JMSG community.
• 

  Monika Chin 

  Communications & Marketing Associate

  510-632-6000

  Bio

  Monika, a Bay Area native, has a BA in Architecture from UC Berkeley. She worked as a floral designer for several years before joining JMSG as a founding staff member. At JMSG, Monika has taken on multiple roles such as administrative assistant, registrar, communications director, and even unofficial garden coordinator. She strongly believes that middle school is a crucial time in a student's life and is drawn to JMSG's mission of fostering critical thinking, curiosity, and social-emotional growth. Each year, she takes pride in seeing JMSG alums become influential changemakers.
• 

  Deborah Coffin 

  Scholars Studio Program Leader

  510-632-6000 x114

  Bio

  Deborah received her M.A. in English from U.C. Berkeley, where she worked for many years grading undergraduate essays. She developed an interest in historic preservation and has spent the last 20 summers restoring a 19th-century house in the Champlain Valley of upstate New York. She also enjoys hiking and biking and snuggling with her mini poodle.
• 

  Amy Coty 

  Director of Finance

  510-632-6000 x104

  Bio

  Amy Coty is a dedicated and passionate financial and operational leader committed to developing organizational effectiveness through strategic management and informed decision-making.
  
  

  Amy began her financial career on Refco, Inc.’s global financial futures trading desk in New York and eventually became a Vice President on its Institutional Sales team. Just prior to transitioning to the nonprofit sector, Amy served as Managing Director at Bank of New York Mellon, specializing in derivatives fund management.
  
  

  As the Director of Finance and Operations at The Berkeley School, she introduced an Individual Family Tuition model, refinanced debt to improve financial sustainability, and managed health and safety operations to ensure a safe return for students of frontline workers in the summer of 2020.
  
  

  Amy is a trustee and Treasurer of Springboard HealthLab in Berkeley and a member of the East Bay JCC’s Audit Committee. She was also a trustee and Treasurer of the Green Science Policy Institute in Berkeley and Vice-Chair of the City of El Cerrito Planning Commission.
  
  

  Amy holds an MBA from North Park University in Chicago and a BA in Music from Brandeis University.
• 

  Philip Gorman 

  Music Teacher

  510-632-6000 x108

  Bio

  Phil is a Berkeley native, composer, performer, studio musician, and music teacher. He received his BA in music composition from Yale University and has since composed and musically directed shows for the Young Actor’s Workshop, Berkeley High School, and the Berkeley Playhouse. Outside the orchestra pit, he is equally comfortable in a funk or jazz band, and plays regularly with his own rock band for kids, The Bug Family Band. Starting at Park Day and moving to JMSG, he has now been a middle school music teacher for over fifteen years and continues to love sharing his passion for the performing arts with his students! At JMSG, he gets to share other passions too, like those for games, sports, and the outdoors in his PE class. Away from school, Phil might be found with his wife and 3 children at the A’s game, on the frisbee field, camping in the mountains, or maybe in the kitchen cooking some vegetarian delights.
• 

  Anna Kennedy 

  Director of Operations

  510-632-6000 x135

  Bio

  Anna grew up in a small town in Northern California, surrounded by a strong circle of women and a wild backyard full of endless possibilities. Whether hiking along the coast, camping in the redwoods, or building tree-forts with her sisters, she has always found tranquility, inspiration, and strength in the great outdoors. This connection to nature led her to pursue a BS from UC Davis in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, as well as a MS in Environmental Education from Southern Oregon University. With over 10 years of experience teaching, developing programs, designing tours, leading outdoor trips, coordinating events, and directing summer camps, Anna brings with her a diversity of skills and interests. Anna is thrilled to be joining the JMSG community and to fulfill a lifelong dream of contributing to the education and development of confident and compassionate young women. When not at school Anna can usually be found hiking with her dog, gardening, or in the kitchen baking tasty seasonal treats!
• 

  Ashley Mallari 

  Front Office Manager & Community Liaison

  510-632-6000

  Bio

  Ashley grew up in Salinas, California, and currently lives in San Francisco. She attended the University of San Francisco where she received her BA in Political Science and Fine Arts. Since then she has worked with youth ranging from pre-k to early 20's in many different ways. Most recently she was at the San Francisco Friends School transitioning through many roles-- an extended day lead teacher, a teaching assistant in middle school, and a development associate. Throughout her time working with youth she has appreciated all that she's taught them and all that they have taught her. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, watching sports, and collecting art and ephemera. 
• 

  Katie Martin Selcraig 

  Math Teacher

  510-632-6000 x150

  Bio

  Katie is excited to join the faculty at Julia Morgan School for Girls after teaching high school math in Castro Valley and Albany public schools. She approaches mathematics as a practice of solving problems, communicating and testing ideas, working in teams, and finding multiple pathways to a solution. With experience as a community organizer, policy analyst, and artist, Katie is passionate about pedagogy and the development of young people; she aspires to facilitate a classroom climate of creativity, social justice, and joy.
• 

  Lupe Martinez 

  Assistant Business Manager

  510-632-6000 x137

  Bio

  A native from Mexico, Lupe has lived almost her entire life in Oakland, California. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a BS in Business Administration. After many years of working in the financial services field, she returned to school to pursue an MBA from UC Davis. She joined JMSG in 2012 as the Finance and Development Associate. Aside from her many job responsibilities, she engages actively with the students here by supporting them in their extracurricular activities. She especially enjoys it when the students converse with her in Spanish. Her interests include international travel, running, bicycling, volunteering, and supporting Latinx-led organizations that serve the Latinx community.
• 

  Avani Mody 

  School Counselor

  510-632-6000 x149

  Bio

  Born and raised in the Bay Area, Avani has a background in working with youth and supporting non-profit organizations with social justice missions. She completed her undergraduate degree at UC Davis and her MSW at UC Berkeley. She has had a passion for supporting youth in schools since her first job after college, teaching English, at a middle school in South Korea. She has worked with students in Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco public schools and also currently works as a therapist in a group private practice. Outside of work, she enjoys dancing, spending time in nature, and learning how to draw. She is very excited to support the scholars at Julia Morgan School for Girls this spring semester! 
• 

  Maryann Molinari 

  Learning Specialist

  510-632-6000 x140

  Bio

  Maryann began her teaching career at Pacific Oaks College with a BA degree in Human Development, specializing in Child Development. This is her ninth year at JMSG where she serves as the Learning Specialist, supporting students in developing skills to help them to be successful in their academic lives and supporting their families. Her professional background includes having a private practice working with individuals and corporations after attending the Coaches Training Institute in San Rafael, CA. She attended Holy Names University in Oakland, CA, where she received her MA and certification in Educational Therapy. Outside of school, she enjoys being near the water, kayaking, biking, and travel adventures.
• 

  Sravan Nemani 

  Technology Teacher and Innovator

  510-632-6000 x147

  Bio

  Sravan Nemani is from Hyderabad, India and is excited to join JMSG as our new Technology and Innovation Teacher.  He received his Bachelors in Electronics and Communications and later moved to Santa Clara, CA to pursue his Masters. During his Masters he started tutoring and realized his profound interest towards teaching and education. Sravan brings a strong background in IT, coding, programming, research and technology to our middle school students. He also enjoys filmmaking, photography, and digital arts. During his free time, he likes to travel around with his dog Rio.
• 

  Ella Okoli 

  Humanities & English Teacher

  510-632-6000 x116

  Bio

  Ella has a Bachelors of Arts in Liberal Studies from Bard College and studied the Written Arts with connections to theater, film, and music. After graduating, she worked at Woodside Priory as an 11th and 12th grade writing tutor and as a resident dorm parent. Ella taught seminars on storytelling and medicinal plants. She enjoys working with students, serving as a liaison between students and faculty, and coordinating campus events. In her spare time, she enjoys writing, yoga, and crafting tea blends. She hopes to inspire students to follow their curiosity and become skillful tellers of their own stories.
• 

  Raymundo Ramirez 

  Facilities

  Bio

  Raymundo, a Mexican native, moved to California when he was sixteen years old. In 2006, Raymundo joined JMSG as an integral member of our facilities team. He enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife Maria and four wonderful daughters–Giselle, Tania, Daymi, and Alany.
• 

  Juliana Romano 

  Spanish Teacher

  510-632-6000 x123

  Bio

  Juliana teaches our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Spanish program. Prior to joining JMSG, Juliana taught Spanish 1 at the high school level at the Oakland School for the Arts, and before that taught Spanish 1 and 2 at the Balboa High School in San Francisco. She has a BS in Community and Regional Development from UC Davis. She is fluent in both Spanish and French.
• 

  Caroline Sarnoff 

  Director of Enrollment and Marketing

  510-632-6000 x110

  Bio

  With a passion for storytelling and a deep commitment to developing meaningful, authentic relationships, Caroline is delighted to join JMSG as Director of Enrollment and Marketing.
  
  Caroline brings 14 years of experience in private school enrollment management. Prior to joining JMSG, Caroline served as Director of Admissions at an independent college preparatory middle and high school, as well as a private art and design college, both in Houston, Texas. Her successes over the past decade include improving efficiency in admissions, increasing affordability initiatives, designing marketing strategies, and growing student enrollment by nearly 50%.
  
  Caroline’s passion for storytelling developed as an undergraduate student in Boston. Caroline received her Bachelor of Science degree from Emerson College and then began her first career as a broadcast journalist, reporting, producing, and anchoring in various news markets around the country while pursuing postgraduate studies in business and history. In her spare time, she enjoys music, hiking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
• 

  Elizabeth Scotten 

  Humanities Teacher

  510-632-6000 x107

  Bio

  Elizabeth is passionate about empowering students to think critically, express themselves powerfully, and become active global citizens. She has taught humanities at the middle school level for seven years and has been teaching for over a decade. She has expertise in project-based learning and strives to engage every student’s innate desire to learn. She speaks Spanish as a second language and has traveled extensively in Central and South America. Elizabeth holds a BA in Community Studies from UC Santa Cruz, and a teaching credential and MA in Educational Leadership from Mills College. Born and raised in Oakland, she now lives by Lake Merritt with her husband and young daughter. They love spending time together outdoors and cooking elaborate meals. After school, Elizabeth is an aerial dancer with Upswing Aerial Dance, specializing in low-flying trapeze and rope and harness.
• 

  Lorraine Smith 

  Humanities & History Teacher, Diversity Curriculum Coordinator

  510-632-6000 x117

  Bio

  Lorraine has over twenty-five years teaching experience, including fifteen years at Julia Morgan School for Girls.  She received her BA in History followed by graduate school in African Studies from UCLA. In graduate school, Lorraine traveled to France in an intensive language study to perfect her French-speaking skills in order to work in archeological and historical research in Togo, West Africa. She also earned a secondary Social Studies teaching credential from the University of Hawai’i at Hilo. Lorraine taught US history, world history, geography, and psychology at the high school level on the Big Island in Hawai’i for eight years before continuing her teaching career in California.
• 

  Michele Spitulnik 

  Head of School

  510-632-6000 x120

  Bio

  Michele is a passionate educator who strives to build authentic learning environments that support inquiry, investigation, and building a better world, both for students and teachers. Michele was a high school science teacher in the 1990’s, and soon became curious about the decline of middle school girls’ interest in math and science, as this research was just published. She pursued a PhD in science education to create meaningful and accessible science programs that would interest and encourage girls to dig into science and find connection between science concepts and real world issues. Michele created tools for students to build and analyze models of global climate change. This model building process engaged students in science in new ways, and provided opportunities to ask meaningful questions, make predictions, and build awareness of a looming global problem and it was especially motivating for girls. Since then, Michele conducted research and taught in the Schools of Education at both University of Michigan and UC Berkeley. When a new independent school, The Contra Costa Jewish Day School (CCJDS), opened in 2001, the opportunity to create a k-8th grade science program was intriguing! Michele jumped onboard, to first lead the school’s science program and next to lead the whole school’s curriculum and faculty development. Michele held many positions at the school including middle school science teacher, Director of Science, Director of Professional Learning, Interim Head of School and Dean of Faculty. Michele is a lifelong learner and continues to seek opportunities for growth and improvement. During her tenure at CCJDS, she pursued a Masters in Counseling and had a private therapy practice focusing on middle and high school girls and their families. Michele is thrilled and inspired to bring all of her experience to JMSG, to support both the students and the faculty to create the best learning environment possible for girls to thrive academically and socially, and to open the doors to new opportunities. 
• 

  Brandon Steele 

  Athletic Director & PE Teacher

  510-632-6000 x148

  Bio

  Brandon served as the Assistant Athletic Director and Head Girls Varsity Volleyball Coach for the AIMS College Prep High School. He also served as the Athletic Director for the Hubbard Media Arts Academy, a K-8th grade school. While working on his BA at UC Davis, Brandon was a Sports Producer for Aggie TV, the UC Davis student-run media production studio. After college he worked in the Hollywood film industry for Nickelodeon, Days of our Lives, and various independent productions. Brandon used the 2020 pandemic as a life reset and he moved to the Bay Area to pursue a career in sports coaching. Brandon is a new dad and loving boyfriend. He was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles and is a proud alumni of Crenshaw High School. He is happy to call Julia Morgan School for Girls his new home.
• 

  Lily Angelica Storm 

  Math Teacher

  510-632-6000 x146

  Bio

  An experienced teacher of both math and music, Lily Angelica loves to inspire in her students a sense of joyful wonder and discovery, ultimately leading to confidence and skillful application. After many years of teaching in the Bay Area (Canyon Elementary, The School of the Madeleine, and The Renaissance School), she is thrilled to join the faculty at the Julia Morgan School. 

   

  Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she obtained a BA in mathematics from Bryn Mawr College, and a Masters in music and music pedagogy from Holy Names University. She has taught K-8 music and various levels of elementary and middle school math (through geometry and algebra II) for over eight years, and has tutored high school and community college classes before that. She also loves sprinkling the regular curriculum with enrichment exercises exposing her students to undergraduate and graduate level topics such as topology, graph theory, and fractal geometry.

   

  Lily Angelica is also a musician; a long-time member of the Oakland-based women’s group Kitka, she has also recorded several solo albums (Eastern European love songs and laments, and European lullabies). During the pandemic, she started a YouTube channel of ballads and old-timey children’s songs, and also began singing in a 80’s/90’s pop cover band (SO FUN). She also loves nature and hiking, drawing, studying linguistics, psychology, and physics (to name a few), animals of every kind, and the color indigo.
• 

  Leslie Volk 

  STEAM Teacher

  510-632-6000 x138

  Bio

  Leslie Volk is joining Julia Morgan from Wagner Ranch Elementary School in Orinda, where she was the founding educator of a dynamic Innovation Lab. In this role, she drove the design, curriculum creation, and delivery of engaging project-based science experiences. She was also the lead organizer of their annual Maker Faire event, which featured hands-on projects for hundreds of students and their families. 

   

  Prior to finding her passion as a dedicated STEAM educator, Leslie had a successful initial career in the biopharmaceutical industry with Merck and Genentech. She received her Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Pennsylvania and has a certificate in Innovative Manufacturing from Stanford University. Outside of the classroom, Leslie serves as an Odyssey of the Mind coach, working with students to enhance their teamwork, problem-solving skills, and creativity. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor adventures, running, swimming, and spending time with her husband and two sons (ages 11 and 13).