The Director serves as the primary steward of the educational mission and philosophy of One Fifty Parker Avenue School. Our current director, Matt Linden, is an experienced preschool educator with a rich background in play-based education settings. He received his BA in Child Development from Stanford University and his MA in Elementary Education from UC Berkeley. Recently, Matt led numerous teaching teams as a Head Teacher at Stanford University's Bing Nursery School, as well as establishing his own parent coaching business. Matt also developed parent education programs at both Stanford and the Peninsula Parents Place, with topics ranging in subject matter from literacy to limit setting.

While Matt began his role as Director at Parker School at the beginning of the 2009/10 school year, he was not new to the Parker School family, as he taught in Parker School's Transitional Kindergarten program for several years at the beginning of his teaching career. Matt spends his time away from Parker School with his wife, Amanda, trying to keep up with his 3-year-old son, Oliver.

One Fifty Parker School has a team of dedicated, experienced, creative professionals who are committed to the developmental philosophy of the school. All of our teachers hold Teacher Permits, Site Supervisor Certificates or Advanced Degrees in Education. With a ratio of 1:6, teachers at Parker School are committed to the safety and well-being of every child. We are proud of the longevity of our teaching staff. On average, the teachers have been at the school 5 years or more.

Ellie, Transitional Kindergarten Head Teacher

Ellie was born and raised in the Bay Area and spent her high school years in Connecticut. She graduated from Pitzer College with a BA in Psychology, and has continued to take additional Child Development courses at San Francisco State University's College of Extended Learning and at San Francisco City College. Ellie first began teaching at Parker School in 1996 and is very excited to be here this year as a teacher in the TK program. In her free time Ellie enjoys yoga, reading, and napping.

Emily, Little Red School Bus Teacher

Born and raised in the Bay Area, Emily has spent the better part of the last 15 years working with Bay Area children in one capacity or another - as a nanny, a piano teacher, and the past few summers, as a substitute teacher at Parker School. She graduated from UC Berkeley in 2001 with a degree in music and plays and sings in several bands in the area. She brings her ukulele and her love of music to her work at Parker School and is very excited to help launch the Little Red School Bus program.

Jackie, Transitional Kindergarten Teacher

This is Jackie's 2nd year at Parker. She has taught in the PM program and will be joining the Transitional Kindergarten this fall. Jackie has been working with young children at play-based preschools around the Bay Area since 2000. In 2007, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Child and Adolescent Development from San Jose State University, and in 2011, she earned her Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education Teaching Credential from Mills College. Additionally, Jackie has teaching experience in early intervention programs and preschool special education day classes. She loves teaching young children for their constant energy, positive spirit, and genuine curiosity about the world around them!

Jee, AM Nursery Teacher

Jee grew up in Seoul, Korea and came to the United States in 1991. She graduated from Towson University in Maryland with a BS in Early Childhood Education and currently holds an ECE Site Supervisor Permit. Jee is currently pursuing her MA in Early childhood Education at San Francisco State University. She has been teaching children of various age groups for 15 years. During her past 8 years of teaching at Parker, Jee worked in both AM and PM Nurseries.

Julie, Childcare Head Teacher

This is Julie's 17th year at Parker in the Childcare program. She holds a BA in Child Development from San Francisco State University. A native San Franciscan before moving to Fremont after getting married a few years ago, Julie enjoys teaching children of many ages and continues to look forward to each year at Parker School.

Kristin, AM Nursery Teacher

Kristin grew up in western Massachusetts and has been living in San Francisco for more than 20 years. She became interested in Early Childhood Education when she became a parent-teacher at her sons cooperative preschool and started attending classes at City College of San Francisco. In addition to attaining her Site Supervisor permit, she has a BA in Studio Art from The College of Wooster. Kristin is currently pursuing her MA at San Francisco State University. She loves spending time with her family, traveling and seeing live music. Kristin is starting her 6th year teaching in the AM program.

Michele, AM Nursery Head Teacher

Michele grew up in Southern California and moved to San Francisco in 1987. She has been teaching preschool for the last 24 years at various schools in San Francisco. This is her 9th year at Parker School, and her 5th as Head Teacher in the AM Nursery. Michele has an AA in Early Childhood Education and has certificates of achievement in Early Childhood Education and Administration.

Michele is a published writer of poetry, fiction and editorials, and a self-taught artist in various media. She loves to travel and enjoys sharing her adventure stories with the children she teaches. She has been a Court Appointed Special Advocate for a child in foster care, who was later adopted. Michele is also a workshop leader for Kids' Turn, a non-profit organization that serves divorced families. In addition, she has a pet sitting business to help supplement her summer wanderlust.

Michelle, PM Nursery Teacher

Michelle grew up in Whittier, California and has lived in San Francisco for the past 6 years. She earned her BA in Fine Arts at San Francisco State University and holds an ECE Teaching Permit. She has worked with children in San Francisco in various settings, from teaching preschool and art classes, to supervising a community-based playspace. This is Michelle's 3rd year at the Parker School and she is thrilled to have the opportunity to teach here. During her free time, she loves making art, going to shows, and experiencing everything the city has to offer.

Natalie, PM Nursery Teacher

Natalie grew up in Pismo Beach and moved to San Francisco in 2005 to go to San Francisco State University. She finished the Child and Adolescent Development program in May with a concentration on Young Child and Family. Through the program she spent many hours observing and working in classrooms around the city, growing her appreciation for early education.

Natalie had exceptionally inspirational teachers when she was younger, which inspired her to go to college to be a teacher. Her preschool teachers were very influential and she stayed in contact with them throughout childhood, which led her to want to follow in their footsteps. Natalie never had a doubt that one day she would be a teacher, as it is the only career path she has ever wanted to follow. In her free time she loves to camp, travel, visit family in Pismo Beach and spend time with friends adventuring in the city.

Quinn, Little Red School Bus Head Teacher

Quinn was born and raised in New Jersey before going to college at the University of Vermont. She then lived in Burlington, Vermont for four years while going to school and graduated from UVM with a BS in Elementary Education. After a year living and working in Boston, Quinn's love for traveling and living in new cities brought her to San Francisco. Quinn taught the Transitional Kindergarten for 9 years and now, in her 10th year, is heading the new Little Red School Bus program.

In other news, Quinn's love for wine, working with people and her entrepreneurial spirit led her to opening Internos Wine Cafe, around the corner from Parker School at 3240 Geary Blvd., almost 3 years ago. Partnered with her husband Adnan, they have worked hard to create a warm, rustic, down to earth wine bar in the Inner Richmond neighborhood.

Samantha, PM Nursery Teacher

One of Parker's newest faces, Samantha has over 12 years of childcare experience and is well-loved by the Parker parent community. She believes in respecting each child's individuality, valuing their differences, and encouraging their overall development through play and social interaction. Sam is excited to bring her energy and love for children to our community this year.

Tabachae, AM Nursery Teacher

Tabachae is starting her 8th year at Parker School. She has been teaching preschool for over 10 years, working at Head Start and other play-based programs. A native San Franciscan, she even taught at the preschool she attended many years ago as a child. Tabachae holds an AA from City College in Child Development, a BA in Child & Adolescent Development from San Francisco State University, and has received her MA in Early Childhood Education as well as her ECE Program Director Permit. Tabachae enjoys working with young children and their families, and also counsels peers as a Professional Growth Advisor. In her spare time, Tabachae provides childcare services to families in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Tara, PM Nursery Head Teacher

Tara was born in New York, bounced around the country as an Air Force kid, and landed in California 25 years ago. She went to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where she earned a BS in Human Development. Tara has been with Parker School for 9 years and is very excited and grateful to be the PM Head Teacher. She relishes time with her family, enjoys a long run in the hills, and celebrates the live music movement.