MEET YOUR TEACHERS

Ms. Cusenza

Teaching Philosophy:

I believe in teaching the whole child and creating a classroom where students feel safe, supported and inspired to learn. Guided by my Catholic faith, I am to nurture not only academic growth but also the spiritual, social and emotional development of my students. My goal is to help children build confidence in their strengths, grow through challenges and develop a lifelong love of learning. I want my students to feel curious about the world, enjoy the process of discovery, and understand the importance of kindness, service and community as they grow.

Interests:

Outside of teaching, I enjoy spending time outdoors by hiking, exploring the Bay Area and paddle boarding. I also love volunteering at the Marine Mammal Center, cooking meals and traveling whenever I can. Family is very important to me, and I spend much of my free time with my loved ones.

Background:

After graduating college, I joined Teach For America and began my career teaching elementary school. Since then, I've gained nine years of experience working with students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Education:

BA in Anthropology from UCLA
Multiple Subject Credential from LMU

Mrs. Peelle

Teaching Philosophy:

I fully believe in teaching the whole child and working to create passionate, lifelong learners. I want to create opportunities for each child to show their strengths and understanding, have fun while learning, and be curious about the world around them. Especially with young students, I think it's incredibly important to create opportunities for students to explore and take risks.

Interests:

I love hiking, trail running, and exploring the beautiful Bay Area. I am also passionate about health and wellness. I love to cook and create new healthy recipes for myself, my family, and friends. I also have two young children, Emery and Luke, and I spend most of my time when I'm not in the classroom with them!

Background:

After college, I taught for 8 years (grades K-4). From there, I got my health coaching certification and was a health coach at Fitbit and through my own practice. It's been wonderful teaching again, and I couldn't ask for a better place to be back in the classroom than Saint Hilary's!

Education:

BA in Pyschology from Williams College (2010)
MA from Manhattanville College in Childhood Education (2012)

Mrs. Zeidler

Teaching Philosophy:

A favorite proverb of mine: "A teacher can open the door to learning but the student must walk through" sums up a lot of my philosophy of education. I, myself, am passionate about learning, giving students the tools they need, and wanting them to feel inspired to take the steps necessary to be life long true learners.

Interests:

Music, Gardening, Cooking (and tasting!) Cats, and my family

Background:

I was born in San Francisco and have lived here my whole life.I went to Catholic elementary and high schools and graduated from SFSU.I have wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. I moved to Marin when I got married and have five wonderful children.They are all grown now. Miss Zeidler is teaching at SHS too !

Education:

BA in Liberal Studies (San Francisco State)
Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential (San Francisco State)

Mrs. Bedford

Teaching Philosophy:

My teaching philosophy is my own learning philosophy: be curious every day! I hope to encourage children to be curious, creative, critical thinkers who delight in the world around them.

Interests:

I have three wonderful children, Fletcher (21), Gracie (16), and Harriet (13). My interests include reading, travel, hiking, running, yoga, skiing, playing the piano, and spending time with my three dogs. I write fiction and have a background in art history.

Background:

I taught art history at Ohio State University, preschool at Good Shepherd Preschool in Baltimore, and was a substitute teacher in the lower school at Gilman School, a boys' school in Baltimore. Fun fact about me: I've lived in California, Ohio, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Virginia and I got married in Scotland.

Education:

I went to school at UC Berkeley (B.A.) and George Washington University (M.A.).

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