Wooden trucks made for disadvantaged children
Faculty and Staff
GMS faculty or staff members can be contacted by:
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Phone: |
(650) 968-8338 and the extension listed with his/her name. |
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E-mail: |
use the first letter of the first name followed by last name @girlsms.org (Jane Doe =jdoe@girlsms.org) |
Valerie Adelsheim | ext.112
Assistant to the Head, Registrar
Valerie brings a wealth of experience in independent school administration to GMS. She has worked in administration in schools from Seattle, WA to Wilmington, DE and Anchorage, AK to Los Angeles, CA. Most recently, Valerie worked at an independent school in Elgin, IL.
Valerie received a BS from the University of Minnesota.
Valerie joined the staff of GMS in 2006. She assists the head of school, and as registrar is responsible for maintaining student records.
William Akey | ext. 129
Technical Support Specialist
William received a Ph.D. in Plant Ecology/Agronomy from Iowa State University. He studied towards an M.S. in Computer Science at the University of Wyoming. William is Apple Certified for Help Desk Support and basic Systems Administration.
In addition to his prior experience as a Webmaster and tech support specialist, William most recently worked as a database designer.
William joined the staff of GMS in 2007. He is primarily responsible for maintaining staff and student laptops and providing technical support to students. Other duties include managing the mailing lists and building and managing GMS databases.
Maria Pérez Arons | ext. 102
Diversity Outreach Coordinator
6th, 7th, 8th Grade Spanish Teacher
Maria was born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico. She received a B.A. in Spanish Studies and History from Santa Clara University. She received a Master’s Degree in Spanish and Portuguese Literature from Stanford University.
Prior to GMS, Maria worked as a Spanish tutor with students from Castilleja, Sacred Heart Prep, Menlo, Corte Madera, and Palo Alto High School. Maria has also taught Spanish Literature courses at Stanford University's Upward Bound program. She worked as an interpreter for the East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutorial program, the Santa Clara Law Services, and the Stanford University Hospital's language bank.
Maria joined the faculty of GMS in 2005. She is responsible for running the diversity program at GMS, providing outreach to elementary schools, and teaching the seventh and eighth grade fluent Spanish classes.
Andi Barlas | ext. 122
Director of Social and Emotional Learning
Guidance Advisor
6th, 7th, 8th grade SEL teacher
Andi is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Board Certified Art Therapist. Andi earned her B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley and her Masters of Art Therapy/Behavioral Science from the College of Notre Dame in Belmont.
Andi's experience includes over 20 years as a counselor in both public and private schools. She maintains a private practice in Palo Alto, and is the parent of two daughters, both who have attended The Girls' Middle School.
Andi joined the faculty at GMS in 2000. Along with designing the curriculum and teaching SEL to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, Andi works to support the girls' academic, social, and emotional growth. She is a support for families as well, and works to provide a positive experience for all students.
Matt Cole | ext. 124
Physical Education
Athletic Director
Matt earned his B.A. in General Psychology at San Francisco State University.
Prior to GMS, Matt founded and ran Elevate Trucks, a skateboard products company. He then worked for Rhythm and Moves, as contacted PE teacher with to numerous schools around the Bay Area. Matt also owns and operates University of Surfing, a surf school in his hometown of Pacifica. Matt is a life-long athlete with special interests in surfing and skateboarding.
Matt joined the faculty at GMS in 2004. He teaches PE to all students and runs the after-school athletic program.
Kimberly Cook
Ceramics
Kimberly completed her undergraduate studies at Texas A&M University. She recently completed the MFA program at San Jose State University.
Kimberly has worked as an artist for eight years. Though her work is primarily based in the clay medium, she also works in textiles, photography, metal, and film, and has shown her work nationally and internationally. Kimberly has received three art scholarships for her work, which include the Sandra Johnstone Memorial Scholarship, the John French Scholarship, and the Elizabeth Heil Scholarship. She also received a full graduate scholarship from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Cook also enjoys working in theatre and has performed professionally with City Lights Theatre, the Saratoga Drama Group, San Jose State University theatre, and MACLA. She is also currently an adjunct professor at Foothill College, Mission College, and West Valley College.
Kimberly joined the staff of GMS in 2004. She teaches ceramics to all students.
Gaby DiMuro | 119
6th Grade Humanities Teacher
Gaby holds a B.A. in English from Stanford University and an M.A. in English Education from Columbia University Teachers' College, where she also earned her New York State English Teaching Certificate.
Prior to GMS, Gaby taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade humanities for three years at M.S. 245 in New York City.
Gaby joined the faculty at GMS in 2002. She teaches two sections of 6th grade humanities.
Kathy Downum| ext. XXX
7th, 8th grade Math Teacher
Renee Fadiman | 109
Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair
Art & Media Teacher
8th Grade Social and Emotional Learning
Renee is an honors graduate of Carleton College with a B.A. in English and Film. She completed a Masters of Fine Arts Degree at the Rhode Island School of Design, with a focus on Photography.
An award-winning artist and photojournalist, Renee also has over twenty years of classroom experience in area schools.
Renee is a founding member of The Girls' Middle School. She is responsible for the philosophy and direction of the Visual and Performing Arts Department. She teaches all art and media classes and co-teaches the eighth grade SEL class.
Daniel Glass | ext. 113
Humanities Department Chair
7th, 8th Grade Humanities
Dan graduated with a B.A. in English from UC Berkeley. In 2010 he will complete his PhD in English at UC Davis, with a focus on contemporary American poetry.
Prior to GMS, Dan taught Composition and Introduction to Literature at UC Davis. He has also taught remedial ninth grade English and has taught in a variety of arts education programs.
Dan joined the staff of GMS in 2008. He is the Humanities department chair.
Paul Grossi | ext. 144
Science Department Chair
8th Grade Science Teacher
Paul graduated cum laude from Carleton College with a BA in physics in 1989.
Prior to coming to GMS, he taught physics, astronomy and integrated science in independent schools for 10 years. He then served as the Director of Education and Director of IT for RAFT, a San Jose-based education non-profit for 7 years, and worked for 1 year at Stanford University as the Associate Director of the Office of Science Outreach.
He joined the GMS staff in 2009. He is also the parent of a GMS student from the class of 2012.
Anna Hannan | ext. 138
6th Grade Lead Teacher
6th Grade Math Teacher
Anna received a B.S. in Education from Bucknell University. She holds two California teaching credentials, a Multiple Subjects credential and a Designated Subjects for Adults credential, which includes parent education.
From her earliest memories, Anna wanted to be a teacher. She has taught a wide variety of ages and has a particular fondness for teaching middle school.
Anna joined the staff of GMS in 2008. She helps support 6th grade students and programs and teaches all three sections of sixth grade math.
Elizabeth (Lisa) Hjelm | ext. 117
6th Grade Science Teacher
Lisa holds an BS in Geology from Bates College and an MS in Geology from UWO. She earned a K-8 teaching credential with General Science Specialty from UVTI.
Prior to coming to GMS, she taught for thirteen years at Crossroads Academy in Lyme, NH. She has experience teaching upper elementary and middle school science, as well as fifth and sixth grade. Lisa is interested in bringing teachers, scientists and students together. She has participated in research experiences for teachers at SIO, NOAA's Teacher at Sea Program, and in 2009 became a teacher/researcher on a long term, NSF funded project to study Sierra Negra volcano, Isabela Island, Galapagos, Ecuador.
Lisa joined the GMS staff in 2009.
Deb Hof | ext. 111
Head of the School
Deb received a B.A. in history from the University of Southern California and a Masters in School Administration from Pepperdine University. She has a teaching credential from the University of California, Berkeley.
Prior to GMS, Deb served as Dean of Students at Castilleja School. Previously, she was Class Dean and teacher at Westlake School for Girls and its successor, Harvard-Westlake School.
Deb joined the staff of GMS in 2005. You can read more about Deb on the from The Head page.
Jennifer Horton | ext. 100
Office Administrator
Jennifer came to GMS as a temp, but liked it here so much she decided to stay! Jennifer was born and raised in Los Altos Hills. She attended San Jose City College.
Prior to GMS, Jennifer worked as an office manager for a construction cleaning company.
Jennifer joined the faculty of GMS in 2006. She greets visitors to the school, helps students with minor medical problems, and manages uniform sales.
Melissa Johns | ext. 107
Director of Development
Melissa received a B.S. in business with an emphasis in agriculture from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.
Prior to joining GMS, Melissa worked in the development office at Eastside College Preparatory School in East Palo Alto.
Melissa joined the GMS staff in 2007. She is responsible for all fundraising activites at GMS which include special events, the annual campaign, and the school's scholarship program.
Barbara Kefentse | ext. 104
Business Officer
Barbara graduated from Loyola University with a B.S. in Accounting and Finance.
Prior to GMS, Barbara worked at the Archdiocese of Atlanta. She has worked in the financial reporting department at Avery Dennison. She has also worked as an auditor in public accounting, at Simpson and Simpson, CPA, in Los Angeles.
Barbara joined the staff of GMS in 2004. She keeps track of the GMS budget, runs the business office, and is the head of human resources.
Tricia Kellison | ext. 106
Educational Technology Project Manager
7th Grade Lead Teacher
Entrepreneurial Program Teacher
Tricia received her B.S. in Cognitive Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and her M.Ed. in Educational Technology from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Prior to GMS, Tricia was a project manager in marketing and multimedia for eight years at Apple, and did technology training for staff and faculty at MIT. She is the mother of a GMS alumna and two sons.
Tricia joined the GMS staff in 2006. She helps teachers integrate technology into their classes, and teaches the Entrepreneurial Studies class, and serves as the 7th grade lead teacher.
Basil Kondos | ext. 120
Business Associate
Basil originally hails from Egypt. Before joining the GMS staff in 2007, he worked as an accounting associate. He keeps track of donations and payments, pays bills, and maintains GMS financial records.
Claire Ledwith | ext. 133
Admission Associate
Claire received her B.S. from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana.
Prior to joining GMS, Claire worked for seven years in the Development Office of The Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. While at Baldwin she raised both capital and annual funds.
Claire joined the staff of GMS in 2008. She is responsible for helping families navigate the admission process and learn more about the terrific education offered at The Girls' Middle School. Claire meets with prospective families, arranges shadow visits and interviews applicants.
Marjorie Lucks | ext. 126
Dean of Students,
6th Grade Learning Lab
7th Grade Social and Emotional Learning
Marjorie received her B.S. in Geological and Environmental Sciences and her M.A. in Curriculum and Teacher Education, both from Stanford University. She earned her Science Composite Teaching Credential from the University of Texas, Pan American.
Prior to GMS, Marjorie was a course coordinator for the Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Core at Stanford. She participated in Teach for America in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and has taught middle school math and science since 1998.
Marjorie joined the faculty at GMS in 2003 as a math and science teacher. She is currently the Dean of Students and is responsible for all aspects of student life, including assemblies, electives, advisory, after school programs, orientation, and discipline.
Walter Mayes
Library Media Specialist
Drama Teacher
Along with managing the GMS Library and working with the faculty to instill good research skills in our students, Walter is a popular performer known as Walter the Giant Storyteller. Walter also travels as a lecturer on the importance of books and stories for children and teens.
Walter is co-author of Valerie and Walter's Best Books for Children and author of Walter the Giant Storyteller's Giant Book of Giant Stories.
Walter joined the faculty at GMS in 2001 when he came to perform at an assembly and liked it so much he stayed!
Sarah C. Metcalfe | ext. 127
8th Grade Humanities Teacher
Sarah received a B.A. in American Studies from Pine Manor College in Boston, MA. She returned to school after working in financial services and received a M.A. in History from Claremont Graduate University.
Before GMS, Sarah taught high school history for two years in San Francisco. Previously she worked at The Westerley School in Long Beach in the middle school English and Humanities department.
Sarah joined the staff of GMS in 2008. She teaches eighth grade humanities.
Veronica Meza | ext. 110
Spanish Department Chair
6th, 7th, 8th grade Spanish Teacher
Veronica earned a bachelors degree in Literature and Drama from the National Autonomous University of Mexico with additional study at The National Institute of Arts in Mexico. She received an M.A in Spanish Education from Bennington College.
In addition to her creative and energetic work with the students at GMS, Veronica is a reporter at Alianza Metropolitan News. She has received an honorable mention from the National Association of Hispanic Publications for her education article about GMS in 2004, and a Gold Award for her education article about GED classes in 2009. In 2003, she created Teatro Nahual, a Spanish language theatre. Veronica is also a Spanish playwright, notably of "Strike Without Sticks."
Prior to GMS, Veronica was manager of the Spanish Literacy program at Harbor College Job Placement Center in Los Angeles. Before that, along with extensive theatre work in Mexico City, Veronica taught Spanish and drama to junior high and high school students.
Veronica joined the faculty at GMS in 2001. She leads the Spanish department and teaches sixth grade fluent Spanish speakers and eighth grade Spanish for those who speak Spanish as a second language.
Megan Miller | ext/ 123
Director of Admission
6th grade Social and Emotional Learning
Megan received her B.S. from the University of Delaware.
Megan joined the admission staff at GMS in 2004. Prior to that she was involved in GMS as a parent of student in the class of 2003 and she has taught art to elementary school age children. She has the wonderful responsibility as the admission director, to meet perspective GMS families and assist them in the admission process. In addition she co-teaches the 6th grade SEL.
Tri Nguyen | ext. xxx
6th Grade Humanities Teacher
Alberto Oseguera | ext. 101
Technology Manager
Alberto received his A.S. in Data Communications from Foothill College and his B.S. in Information Technology / Systems Administrations from the University of Phoenix. Alberto also has certificates in both Apple and PC hardware and software applications.
Prior to joining GMS He spent 12 years in Redwood City School District installing and maintaining network infrastructures along with providing technical support to sixteen schools for student, teachers, and administrators
Alberto joined the staff of GMS in July 2009. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations in technology. This includes system administration, network infrastructure, application support and Macintosh and Windows support.
Laura Reeve | ext. 108
Academic Dean
Laura has a B.S. in Geological Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and a Master's degree in Structural Engineering from Stanford University.
She began her career as an engineer in the aerospace industry. Laura then worked for a decade in her own children's classrooms before joining GMS as a founding faculty member in 1998, teaching science and engineering.
She is currently the Academic Dean, and is responsible for curriculum and teaching.
Additionally, Laura is the proud parent of two GMS alumnae.
Kristyn Rylander
Computer Science Department Chair
6th, 7th, 8th grade Computer Science Teacher
Kristyn attended University of Texas at Austin, receiving a B.S. in mechanical engineering. She then attended Stanford University to receive her M.S. in mechanical engineering.
While at Stanford, Kristyn volunteered in the engineering elective at GMS. Her positive experience with GMS students convinced her to apply.
Kristyn joined the staff of GMS in 2008. She teaches sixth and seventh grade computer science and one section of seventh grade math.
Esther Selk | ext. 105
Math Department Chair
8th grade Math Teacher
Esther graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa with a B.S. degree in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution and an M.S. in Biology from the University of California San Diego. Esther holds both a multiple subject K-12 and a single subject general science and biology California State Teaching Credential.
Prior to GMS, Esther was a Teach for America Corps Member at Edison McNair Academy in East Palo Alto, where she taught math, science, health, and reading. Additionally, she served as both Senior Teacher and Science Curriculum Coordinator.
Esther joined the faculty of GMS in 2000. She leads the math department, coordinates GMS math circles, and teaches eighth grade algebra and a dance elective.
Fred Sotcher
Stained Glass Teacher
Annick Theoret | ext. 103
7th Grade Science Teacher
7th Grade Math Teacher
Annick holds a BS in psychology and a Certificate in Publicity from L'Université de Montréal. She has a Teaching Credential from L'Université du Québec à Montréal. After graduation, Annick worked intensively in various media and managed her own advertising business; she was also a news anchor for a Québec TV station.
Upon moving to California, Annick taught fourth through eighth grade science at Merryhill School. She spent a year teaching eighth grade science at Kennedy Middle School before joining GMS.
Annick joined the staff of GMS in 2008. She teaches all sections of seventh grade science and one section of seventh grade math.
Abby Usher |ext. 125
Development and Alumnae Coordinator
Abby holds a B.A. in political science from New York University.
Prior to GMS, Abby worked in environmental conservation and research for California State Parks. She also worked for the San Mateo chapter of the Surfrider Foundation.
Abby joined the staff of GMS in 2008. She keeps track of donations, edits the weekly newsletter, and facilitates fundraising events.
Amoy Walker | ext. 128
7th Grade Humanities Teacher
Amoy has received a B.A. from Stony Brook University, later going on to earn her M.A. from Columbia University, Teacher's College.
Prior to joining the staff at GMS in 2008, Amoy taught history and economics for 2 years at The High School of Fashion Industries in New York City. She teaches seventh grade humanities, leads the annual trip to Washington, D.C and advises the student council.
Holly Varian Zuklie | ext. 160
Director of Financial Aid
Holly graduated with honors from Bowdoin College with degrees in Art History and Russian Literature and Language.
Holly is a founding staff member of GMS. She works with the Admissions Department to support those families who apply for financial aid during the application process. Holly has spent her entire career in independent school administration. Prior to GMS, she was Director of Admission and later Vice Principal at San Domenico School in San Anselmo. Additionally, she spent her early career as a college admissions officer. She is a past President of the Board of Trustees at Peninsula School in Menlo Park.