OUR TEAM
Teachers are the heart of our community. As mentors they mirror and model the core values of our school by showing curiosity, critical thinking, intentionality, open dialogue and good humor. Our teachers seek to recognize and honor the gifts each student brings to the table, as they strive to challenge them to new levels of mastery, and guide them in their journey to be engaged learners, self-advocates, and stewards of their natural environment.
OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL
Wendy Xa
Founding Head of School
Neuroscientist. Nature Enthusiast. Quadrilingual. Mom.
After founding Presidio Knolls, the award-winning private Mandarin-immersion school in San Francisco, Wendy had a vision for a pioneering school that could combine language immersion, nature-based education, and social-emotional learning into a unified program. With three years of operation under its belt, Terra Marin is the exemplification of this vision.
“I created my first school, Presidio Knolls, to be the school I wanted for my own two children. It was incredible to watch it become everything I dreamed of. Then, over ten years working with hundreds of students and teachers, I learned how to create something even better. That’s what Terra Marin is.”
OUR Preschool TEACHERS
Tianxing Yao
TK Mandarin Preschool
Talented poet. Amusement park enthusiast.
M.A. in Education from University of San Francisco. B.A. in electric engineering from Xi’ an Shiyou University in China. 7 years of teaching experience.
Patricia Etchekan
Mandarin Preschool
Quadrilingual. Singer.
B.S. in Preschool Education at Inner Mongolia Normal University and M.A. in Chinese Language & Literature at Inner Mongolia University, China. 4 years of preschool teaching experience. Fluent in Mandarin, French, and English. Proficient in Spanish.
Emili Herrera
Spanish Teacher K-8/Earth Educator Preschool
Hardworking. Fearless. Enthusiastic.
Accredited preschool teacher with 5 years experience.
Shiying Phoebe Sun
Mandarin Preschool
Creative. Friendly.Traveler.
M.A. in Education from the University of San Francisco. B.A. in both English and Business Administration. 7 years of teaching experience.
OUR MUSIC, DRAMA, EARTH eDUCATION, world language & ART teachers
(in alphabetical order)
Chloe Jean Bermudez
Music On-Site PK-8
R&B musician and composer. Nature enthusiast. Mother of 2.
UC Berkeley graduate & accomplished musician. 5+ years teaching experience in music and the arts.
Jake Chamberlain
Art Teacher PK-8 & Earth Education
Filmmaker. Artist. Outdoors enthusiast.
M.F.A. in Documentary Filmmaking from Stanford University. Grew up in Eagle River, Alaska exploring the great outdoors and shooting films with friends.
Aidan Gavet
Drama & Safety Director
Actor. Playwright. Director. Music video producer. Hairdo freestyler.
Over 10 years of teaching experience in drama and the arts.
Alex Michel
Earth Education Director
Tuba player. Fire fighter. Trilingual.
Double Major with B.S. in Environment Science/Society and B.A. in Slavic Languages and Literature from UC Berkeley with a minor in Education.
Our ADMINISTRATORS & Staff
Shauna Sullivan
Assistant Head of School
Cat & child whisperer. Math wiz, Avid reader and book collector. Proud grandmother.
B.A. and M.A. in Education with a focus in mathematics from SFSU. 20+ years classroom experience. Cat and children whisperer. Just became a grandmother for the 2nd time.
Johanna Cervantes
Director of Operations & Admissions Manager
Marathon runner. Stand up comedian. Super organized.
BA in Environmental Studies and Theology & Religious Studies from USF. Fluent in English and Spanish.
Juan Rebuffo
Marketing Manager
Pop Culture Enthusiast. Designer. East-Coaster turned West Coast.
B.S. in Marketing & Business Entertainment, Music, and Technology from NYU Stern. Jack of all trades, master of some. Fluent in English & Spanish.
Shruti Dajani
Finance Manager
Financier. Mother of two. Epicure.
Creative, innovative, and a visionary. Born in Africa, lived in Australia, and married in America.
Rebecca Lewis
Front Desk
Lover of her dog, Hermione.Tough Mudderer.
B.S. in Early Child Development from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Previously, 4 years as an administrator at a Veterinary hospital and 13 years as a preschool teacher.