FACULTY

Debbie Bolton: Mrs. Bolton joined our staff in the fall of 2005 and will be a Pre-K teacher in Room 5 this year. She has been an early childhood educator for ten years. She also has a background in dance and theatre arts and loves to share that passion with her students. She is a collector of sea shells, carousels and children’s pop-up books. She loves working with young children. She is the proud mother of a teenage daughter.

Jamie Christman: Mrs. Christman joined our staff in November 2009 as a third teacher in Room 4. She comes to us with an impressive educational background, five years teaching experience and an engaging personality. She has a Master of Science in Education from Cal State Fullerton, and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Bachelor of Arts from San Diego State University. She spent the last year planning her wedding and when she's not writing thank you notes, she enjoys reading and photography.

Patti Claybourne: After many years of being associated with elementary school admission, Mrs. Claybourne joined the TSONS staff in September, 2005. An over-active volunteer at the elementary, middle & high schools her two children attended, Patti brings a seasoned voice to the TSONS Parent and Me program and to Room 2 in the afternoon. She loves spending time with children and nurturing their parents!

Cynthia Contreras: Miss Contreras started with us as a brand new teacher in 2007 when she translated her love of working with children into a career. Her kind and gentle ways have endeared her to children and staff alike. She works in the Cottage in the morning and with our Pre-K children in the afternoon. She loves to read, hike and is very interested in ecology and the environment.

Tacie Cook: Ms. Cook joined our staff in the summer of 2004. She taught Parent & Me classes and floated throughout the Nursery School program until the fall of 2005 when she became a co-lead teacher in Room 2. She has endeared herself to staff, parents and children alike. She is fun-loving, energetic, wonderful with children and animals, and has been a tremendous asset to our program.

Michal Harris: Mrs. Harris began her career here as a parent. She is the mother of two TSONS alumni, as well as, an older married son who has also made her the grandmother of two. Her expertise is in early childhood development, and she teaches all our Parent and Me and Transition classes. She is knowledgeable and shares her wisdom with warmth and humor. Mrs. Harris wears many hats around the school, and aside from classroom teaching, she works in the office and runs the Summer Swim Program. She also served on the school’s Board of Directors for 7 years and as President for one.

Kathy Hilton, Director: Mrs. Hilton has been with The Sherman Oaks Nursery School program for over 30 years. She started as a student teacher, and then became a lead teacher, at the school’s former site on the campus of The Sherman Oaks Presbyterian Church. She has two sons who attended the nursery school, one who got married and recently made her a grandmother! She was instrumental in the formation of TSONS on its current site and has held the positions of Co-Director and Director. Her vast experience and warm, loving manner make her a valuable resource and friend to the TSONS community.

Vicki Itskovich: Ms. Itskovich joined our staff in the Fall of 2005 as a co-lead teacher in Room 4. She has been an early childhood educator for 11 years.. Her parents emigrated from Hungary and even though they came to Los Angeles when she was just six months old, she is fluent in the Hungarian language. Her hobbies include reading, dancing and spending time with the people closest to her. She has delighted her co-teachers and students alike with her fabulously creative project ideas!

Janice Lang, Assistant Director: Mrs. Lang began her relationship with TSONS at its former site in 1983 as a parent. She was an active volunteer, and after her two children went on to elementary school, she remained for another two years as a part-time teacher. After volunteering at their elementary school, she initiated their Admissions department and worked in that capacity for 8 years. She did not work at her children’s high schools or colleges! In 2000, she returned to TSONS to work in the office and now holds the position of Assistant Director. She has an enthusiastic passion for early childhood education, as well as young children and their families.

Bobbi Lehman: Mrs. Lehman began teaching at our school in the fall of 1998, but has been teaching or directing early childhood programs since 1972. Her wealth of experience makes her invaluable in the pre-K classroom. She is enthusiastic, dynamic and creative with an abundance of energy to share. She has been extremely instrumental as well in the evolution of the TSONS Summer Session. She is the mother of two grown children, and along with Kathy, shares a love of lighthouses.

Jose Lopez, Maintenance: Jose has been our “Mr. Everything” since 1993. He can fix anything and keeps the school in great working order. As well, he directs traffic, keeps an eye on the neighborhood, cleans the rooms, rakes the sand, transports class pets to and from cars, building anything we might need and sets up for every school function. He is the proud father of three children, all alumni of TSONS.

Sherry Luchette, Music Teacher: We are excited about bringing a music teacher back on a regular basis to TSONS. Sherry will start with us in the Fall of 2008. She has been actively involved in music performance and instruction since she graduated with a degree in music in 1993. She especially loves jazz and working with young children. She also gives private lessons on bass and piano. We are pleased to welcome her and her young daugher who will be joining our Parent and Me program!

Jennifer Mayberry: Another former parent joins our staff! Jennifer started subbing for us while her youngest son was attending our school.. Now that he has joined his older brother at elementary school, she is able to join us full time. She taught for many years before becoming a parent while in North Carolina and is thrilled to be back working with young children. She is a huge Dodger fan - Think Blue! Jennifer will be working with Lois Shepes in the Cottage.

Naira Minasyan: Mrs. Minasyan has been at TSONS since the fall of 2000. She has been a Floater teacher in all grade levels and is currently teaching pre-K in Room 5. She is the mother of two and brings experience and energy to her work. She also teaches many of our Enrichment classes and shows her versatility and creativity in weekly projects and activities.

Esperanza "Hope" Rivera: Hope has been a wonerful addition to our staff since the summer of 2009. She immediately impressed students, parents and staff with her warmth, expertise, humor and great work ethic. She is currently teaching full time in Room 2. She is engaged to be married in 2010 and is currently in escrow on their first home. Her hobbies include baking, reading, writing and camping.

April Schulte, Office: April became a wonderful addition to TSONS in 2001. She is a favorite with children and parents alike and is the only one the children may call by her first name. She has a sparkling personality and conscientious work habits. She is often your first contact with the school as she sits at the front desk and holds the position of Office Manager.

Lois Shepes: Mrs. Shepes has been with the school for over thirty years. She began her teaching career when the school was located on the premises of The Sherman Oaks Presbyterian Church, its original site. Her expertise is with the very young nursery school age child and her enthusiasm for each and every class remains high. She has incredible patience and a soft, but firm way that allows children to know what is expected of them and makes them want to do it. She is the proud mother of one grown son, who also attended the Nursery School.

Penny Tennison: Mrs. Tennison has over 20 years of early childhood teaching and administrative experience and starts her seventh year with us this year. She became an Assistant Director in addition to her other responsibilities in 2005 and has been a wonderful resource in providing individual attention to children in the classroom. She has two sons and is quite an active mom. She has a calm, playful spirit and you will often see her engaged in wild storytelling with her class. Although she loves working with pre-K children, she also does a wonderful job teaching the younger children in the afternoon transition classes.

Pam Windette: Mrs. Windette is the mother of a TSONS alumna. She is warm and friendly and has an easy way with children. She has been on staff for six and a half years in various capacities and this year will bring her sense of fun and vitality to Room 2 and her Enrichment classes! She is our on-staff hippie and don't be surprised if you hear her say "groovy"!