Meet the Teachers and Staff

Conoce las Maestras y el Personal

Program Director/ Nuestra Directora del Programa:

Pauahi Mcginn

Aloha

My name is Pauahi McGin, I am the Director of Child Development for San Bruno Park School District.This year is my 4th year of working The Big Lift Inspiring Summer (BLIS) program as the Program Partnership Lead. I’m the behind the scene organizer.I have worked in San Bruno Park School District for 27 years and lived in San Bruno for 48 years.We have 4 children who all attended: Allen Elementary, Parkside Intermediate and Capuchino High School in San Bruno.For Seven years I also was a Professor Educating for the San Mateo Community College District, working in the Early Childhood Education Department.I look forward to our adventures this summer working together to help our early learners be all that they can be.

Stay positive and safe

Mahalo

Pauahi



Program Manager/ Nuestra Directora de la escuela:

Sara-Maria Menendez

Hello/ Hola,

My Name is Sara-Maria Menendez, I have the privilege of being the program director for BLIS this summer! I am a San Bruno native, I attended El Crystal, Parkside and Capuchino High School! I have worked in the Big Lift program as a teacher for 3 years. I have been a Kindergarten teacher at Belle Air for 7 years, I recently obtained my Administrative Services Credential and I am also an adjunct professor at Notre Dame de Namur University, my Alma Mater. I am honored to serve my San Bruno Community, the scholars, and the families!

Mi Nombre es Sara-Maria Menendez, tengo el privilegio de ser la directora del programa de Big Lift este verano! So nativa de San Bruno, fui a El Crystal, Parkside y Capuchino High School. Anteriormente e trabajado en Big Lift como maestra 3 años. Tengo 7 años de ser maestra de Kinder en la escuela Belle Air, recientemente adquiri mi credenencial administrativa, tambien soy profesora adjunta de la Universidad de Notre Dame de Namur mi Alma Mater. Estoy honrada en servir a mi communidad de San Bruno, los alumnos y la familias.

Office Manager/ Nuestra secretaria: Lisa Starobin

Hi,

I'm Lisa Starobin, the office manager for BLIS 2020! My favorite color is purple and I love butterflies. I was born in Florida. I've been a vegetarian my whole life. My husband and I bought our house in San Bruno in 1998. I have 2 children - a daughter in college and a son at Capuchino. I am excited to work with the scholars and families this summer!

onsite Nurse / Nuestro enfermero: Greg regan

Hello, my name is Greg Regan. I have been a school nurse for seven years, and currently work for the San Mateo County Office of Education in their P-22 Special Education Program. I enjoy the unique personalities of my students, working with them, and witnessing their achievements, however great or small. Personally, when I’m not working, my favorite place to be is outdoors. Mountain biking, swimming and gardening are my top three favorite activities. I’m looking forward to a fun and safe experience this summer at the BLIS Program at Belle Air Elementary.

Instructional Coach

Nuestra Lider de INSTRUCCIÓN : Lisa Gemma



Hi I'm Lisa Gemma! I have been Elementary teacher for 20 years. 18 years at Belle Air teaching 3rd grade. 2 years in San Rafael at San Pedro Elementary teaching kindergarten and second grade. I am excited to start my 3rd year with BLIS! I am excited to work with the teachers, staff and students!

San Mateo County Library Coach/ Nuestra lider de la libreria del condando de San Mateo:

Kelly Reinaker

Kelly regularly works as a Librarian at the East Palo Alto Library and is excited to support the Big Lift program this summer. Kelly enjoys riding her bicycle, gardening, and sewing. She also speaks Spanish!

Rising K Teachers/Nuestras maestras de Kinder:

Ms. Sonnenburg & Ms. Dito

Hi I am Christine Sonnenburg, I am a San Bruno native that went to school in The SBPSD (Carl Sandburg, Rollingwood, & Parkside). I have been teaching Kindergarten for 24 years at Rollingwood Elementary School. I enjoy swimming and spending time with my family. This will be my third year teaching in the Big Lift program, and look forward to a great summer with the scholars!


My name is Megan Dito (rhymes with Cheeto). During this past school year, I was a teacher on special assignment (TOSA), coaching TK-3rd grade teachers in strategies for increasing students' academic language proficiency. I've been a Kindergarten teacher for most of my career, so I am thrilled to be working with my favorite age group as a classroom teacher this summer. I have only lived in the area for 4 years, and I am looking forward to meeting more of the children and families in my new community of San Bruno. Together, we're going to have a great summer!


Rising 1st grade Teachers/ Nuestras maestras de primer GRADO:

Miss Ikeda & Ms. Tudury

Hi Everyone!

My name is Miss Ikeda and I am so excited to meet you this summer. Here's a few fun things about me! 1. I have a little Chihuahua named Chichan. 2. I love travelling, especially anywhere with a beach. 3. I speak Japanese at home! I can't wait to learn more about you this summer! See you soon!

Hi there, my name is Gabby Tudury and I'm a 2nd grade teacher at Belle Air Elementary. I enjoy hiking and being out in nature, and especially love learning new things and hope to pass that passion on to my students. I'm excited to be teaching in the BLIS program this summer!

Rising 2nd grade Teachers/Nuestras Maestras de segundo grado: Ms.Giovacchini & Ms. Nguyen

Greetings,

My name is Ms. G. My full last name is Giovacchini which is tricky, so try it like this Joe-Va-Key-Knee. I’ve taught elementary education for 12 years, the past 3 years here in San Bruno. Before coming to San Bruno, I taught 7 years in Oakland and 2 years in Alameda. My family is originally from San Jose. I love Bay Area sports, going on adventures, reading, and my cat Deja. Recently I’ve expanded my interests with hiking and gardening. This is my third summer teaching BLIS Rising Second and I really appreciate the opportunity to work with the San Bruno community.

Hello,

My name is Ms. Nguyen and I will be teaching 2nd grade for Big Lift this summer. I was born and raised in Stockton, CA. I graduated from Stagg High School and attended UC Davis soon after to study Sociology, Education and Economics. I earned my teaching credential from California State University, Long Beach. On my spare time, I enjoy hiking, playing badminton, trying new foods, and hanging out with my dog. I am excited to have your child in my classroom this summer and I can't wait to get the wheels rolling! Let's have an inquisitive, fun and safe summer!

Rising 3rd grade Teachers/Nuestras maestras de tercer grado:

Ms.Arena & Ms. Cheung

Aloha Parents and Students!

Yes, we have an island theme as we work together across the next few weeks! We will have so much fun learning while we follow guidelines to keep safe from the very contagious Covid-19 virus. As a teacher I’ve had much success in lifting student achievement and competence. If I look familiar, you may know me from teaching English learners at Parkside across the past 2 years and from teaching ESY summer school last summer. I welcome parent communication and am eager to work with you.

Aloha Padres y Estudiantes!

¡Sí, tenemos un tema de isla mientras trabajamos juntos durante las próximas semanas! Nos divertiremos mucho aprendiendo mientras seguimos las pautas para mantenernos a salvo del muy contagioso virus Covid19. Como maestra, he tenido mucho éxito en elevar el rendimiento y la competencia de los estudiantes. Si me parece familiar, es posible que me conozca por enseñar a los estudiantes de inglés en Parkside durante los últimos 2 años y por enseñar la escuela de verano ESY el verano pasado. Agradezco la comunicación con los padres y estoy ansioso por trabajar con ustedes.

- Ms. Arena


My name is Betty Cheung. I am currently a 2nd grade teacher at Visitacion Valley Elementary School (VVES) in the Visitacion Valley/Sunnydale community in San Francisco. I have taught and started my teaching career at VVES for 4 years as a 2nd grade teacher. During my time at VVES, I have graduated from the SFSU's Elementary Education graduate program with a Masters in Education, concentration: Elementary Education, Mathematics.


Teaching and learning are two passions that I have, but when I'm not in the classroom, you can find me hanging out with my family and close friends. My other hobbies include doing yoga, going hiking, going on a foodie adventure, going to the beach, and traveling.





Our San Mateo County Facilitators / nuestro(a)s ayudantes de maestros del condado de san mateo:


Hi! I'm Lynette Caballerois, a sophomore at UCLA. I am a San Bruno native and look forward to my second year with the BLIS program!

Hi, I'm Raul Gomez. I am currently a college student at the University of San Francisco. At the moment I am majoring in nursing. In my spare time I enjoy being outdoors like going on hikes with friends and/or family however I am very much a homebody. I enjoy being at home watching a movie or staying in to play some video games especially Madden! I am happy to be a facilitator for the Big Lift for a 3rd year!

My name is Laura Fovinci. I grew up in the Bay Area and I am a recent college graduate having received a degree in elementary education. I worked with BLIS last summer and enjoyed seeing kids grow through the four weeks. One of my favorite parts of school as a kid was reading, so I look forward to helping the kids this summer with their reading skills!


Great to meet you! I’m Preston Sturtevant and I look forward to meeting you and the team! Some fun facts about me is that I am the oldest of 5 siblings and I am a devout Foodie! I am excited to work with the scholars this summer for the BLIS program.

Hi! My name is Alexa Lopez, and I am super excited to be working with the BLIS program for a fourth year, and second year at Belle Air. I recently graduated from UCSB as a Music major with a minor in Education. I have a dog named Spot. I love all animals, but frogs are my absolute favorite. I enjoy baking, cooking, anything food related really, and going on hikes.

Hello, my name is Alejandra! This is my fourth summer as a facilitator with Big Lift. I am currently in college working on obtaining my bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies to become an educator

Hi, My name is Shiela! It’s a great experience to be a part of Big Lift Lift. This will be my fourth year and third in Belle Air. During the school I work with special needs and I was a pre school teacher for a number of years. I hope to see some of same students and staff last year.

Hello everyone my name is Ms. Ana this is my 4th year at Big Lift. I am super excited to be here again and see all familiar and new faces. Can’t wait to see what this summer has in store for us.