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Faculty & Staff
Our school has one main teacher per grade in Kindergarten through 5th grade and a team of four teachers in 6th - 8th grade. Elementary classes in Grades 1 through 4 loop with the same classroom teacher for two years. We also have part-time specials teachers for music, art, PE/movement, technology, and languages (Japanese, Hawaiian, Spanish) with subject-specific education and experience. We have two special education teachers, a school counselor, an Educational Resources Manager/Student Services Coordinator, an academic tutor, and five part-time classroom aides of whom have direct instructional contact with students.
Faculty
Erica Jensen, Kindergarten Teacher
Erica Jensen feels honored to be the first teacher many students encounter on their learning journey at Volcano School of Arts & Sciences. Erica has taught in both California and Hawai'i and holds a Highly Qualified Teacher status. Her goal is to create a caring classroom environment with developmentally appropriate, standards-based curriculum... and a lot of glitter! Erica has been a fan of Volcano School for quite a while. She liked Volcano School's commitment to active, creative, and connected learning so much that she put her infant daughter on the waitlist for Kindergarten years ago. Now Erica's daugher is her own student in the Kindergarten class of 2011-2012. An ideal day for Erica involves spending time with her family, practicing yoga, enjoying a good book, strong coffee, and dark chocolate.
Heather Hand, 1st and 2nd Grade Teacher
Mrs. Hand has been teaching in Hawai’i since 2005 and formerly taught in Mexico and California as a general education teacher and a watershed educator. Mrs. Hand strives to teach all students to be caring individuals who love to learn. She delights in reading, running, cooking, dancing, plant identifying, travel, art, and exploring her naturalist desires. An ideal day for Mrs. Hand is a day spent with her husband, three dogs, cat and pig enjoying their beautiful land. In addition to teaching, Mrs. Hand has been busy creating a human being. She is expecting the arrival of her first baby in October 2010.
Elizabeth Ramsey, 1st and 2nd Grade Teacher
Ms. Elizabeth was born and raised in southern Indiana on the farmlands of her German ancestors. She holds BS and MS degrees in elementary education with special education endorsement from Indiana State University. She has taught in California, Colorado, Florida and Hawai’i, guiding the academic and social growth of students of all ages. She cares deeply about her students and our shared world, and weaves that passion into the daily lessons, projects and experiences that are drawn from the Hawai’i state standards and Volcano School curriculum documents.
Sharon Marshall, 1st and 2nd Grade Teacher
Sher Marshall is thrilled to be a new transplant to the Big Island. She discovered her love of teaching young children while still in high school, and has spent a career fostering a love of learning and a strong sense of community in her classrooms. She has a B.A.in Philosophy from Loyola Marymount and earned a teaching credential through an internship program in Los Angeles where she grew up. Sher has always been dedicated to equal access for all students in public schools, and was one of the founders of her daughter's middle school. When her daughter was ready to move away to college, Sher knew it was time for a new adventure and moved to Hilo. She loves traveling, gardening, hiking and curling up with a good book.
Laura Warner, 3rd and 4th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Warner was born in upstate New York and moved to Hilo in 1982. She graduated from UH Hilo with a BA in Health and Fitness. She worked as a PE teacher at Mt.View Elementary School and E.B. DeSilva Elementary in Hilo. After completing graduate work in education, Mrs. Warner became a teacher at VSAS in 2007. She loves taking her class on many field trips, swimming, and keeps active by keeping up with her four children.
Natalia Chambers, 4th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Chambers is a lover of all things Polynesian. She has spent much of her childhood with her Tahitian "family" that her father connected with when he first sailed to Tahiti in 1956 to deliver a boat. She first moved to Hawai'i in 2002, left in 2006, only to return with her complete family a few weeks ago. She is now ready to raise her little boy Lorenzo and live simply and happily with her husband Ben on their beautiful property. She enjoys creative problem solving, progressive education, (she has been working at a charter school in San Francisco for the past 4 years), communicating compassionately, and living yogically.
Star Mullins, 5th Grade Teacher
Ms. Star moved to the Big Island from Northern California in 1999 and before long she heard about the plans for a school in Volcano. She was excited to be one of the teachers entrusted with the task of bringing the school vision to life. Ms. Star endeavors to make the process of learning challenging, intriguing and enjoyable for students. She especially enjoys teaching Language Arts and Science. Ms. Star has two grown sons. She enjoys singing and playing music, as well as dancing, hiking and gardening.
Devorah Kaplan, 5th Grade Teacher
Ms. Devorah has lived on the Island of Hawaii since 1986 and has taught at VSAS since 2005. She holds a graduate degree in Education from the University of Phoenix. Inspiring students through active learning, inviting exploration and engaging passion, and nurturing students' development are essential parts of her approach to education. Prior to classroom teaching, Devorah facilitated leadership development and diversity trainings with youth and adults in our community. She enjoys time with her son and the peace and inspiration of nature. She has traveled in over 20 countries. Hiking, biking, reading, expressive movement, movies, and deep reflection are other ways in which she feeds her soul.
Tamara Wong-Morrison, Middle School Language Arts Teacher
Mrs. Morrison taught poetry in the Poets-in-the-Schools program from 1985-2004. “I’ve made metaphors with millions it seems.” One of her philosophies comes from Aristotle: “All art, all education can merely be a supplement to nature.” Mrs. Morrison did her Masters in Education research on the effects of identifying, creating, and using metaphors on reading comprehension. She's from Kaua'i and has lived in Volcano since 1984 when Mauna Loa erupted. She loves gardening and her dogs.
Tim Fitzpatrick, Middle School Science Teacher
Don Lawrence, Middle School Social Studies and Theatre Teacher
Mr. Lawrence has been at VSAS since 2004 and currently holds highly qualified status. He was honored as an “Ambassador of Cultural Exchange” by the Russian Government and is a certified instructor in Getty Institute Discipline-Based Art Education.
Lisa Barnard, Middle School Math Teacher
Originally from the Northeast, Ms. Lisa holds a BA in Literature from UMASS Amherst where she also studied education and taught children with learning disabilities. She studied Linguistics and Special Education at UH Manoa while earning her Hawaii certification. Ms. Lisa is a founder, dedicated to the vision of VSAS. She has worked at VSAS as a 6th grade teacher and Title I teacher for math and reading. She is an advocate for literacy, numeracy, children with learning differences, and teacher training to support these concerns. Her passion is enabling all students to learn and to see themselves as capable learners.
Kim Miller, School Counselor
Ms. Kim joined VSAS in 2006. She has a Bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Master's degree in Social Work from Hunter College in New York City. She worked as a school counselor in NYC before moving to Volcano in 2001. In Hawai’i, Ms. Kim worked as a school counselor at DeSilva Elementary, as a social worker for the Department of Education and as program supervisor for youth in long-term foster care before coming on board at VSAS. She is an avid reader and hiker, loves to travel (most recently to South Africa), enjoys dabbling in basket weaving, writing and cooking, and is deeply appreciative of the diverse beauty and cultures of Hawaii.
Jim Highfill, Special Education Teacher
Mr. Jim has been at Volcano School since January 2002. Previously he taught high school math in Ramseur, North Carolina and elementary P.E. in Auburn, Alabama. Other work includes the YMCA in Beaverton, Oregon; Health Force in Greensboro, North Carolina; and summer school in Mt. View, Hawaii. He is a graduate of Auburn University and attended graduate school at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro, North Carolina. He is married to Leayne and has a beautiful daughter, Harper, who was born in 2009.
Christopher Kealoha King-Gates, Special Education and Spanish Teacher
Mr. King-Gates grew up on the Big Island of Hawai’i in Mountain View and Volcano. He graduated from Goucher College in Towson, Maryland in 2003 with a BA in International and Intercultural Studies and Spanish. He has done graduate work in Education at Towson University, College of Notre Dame and North Georgia College and University. From 2003 to 2008, Mr. King-Gates taught Spanish at Randallstown High School in Randallstown, Maryland.
Kalima Cayir, Education Resources Manager, Movement and Spanish Teacher
Before coming to VSAS in 2003, Kalima worked as a cultural dance performer and bilingual/immersion instructor for artists-in-the-schools programs for 7 years, and since moving to Hawai'i, performed with a cirque corporate entertainment troupe for 4 years. Alongside her experience as a performing artist, she worked for too many years in the corporate world, in support and management roles. Since 2005, Kalima has worked with her husband as a therapeutic foster parent for high needs youth. Kalima discovered her passion for education at VSAS and is currently pursuing licensure in Special Education.
Xanthe Serafin, Japanese Teacher
Raised in Berkeley, California, Xanthe-sensei began her world language study in 2nd grade through the multicultural program offered by the Berkeley public schools. After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley with a BA in semiotics, she moved to Japan in 1987 to work as a voiceover artist, translator and interpreter. She relocated to Volcano in 1996, and helped to found the Volcano School of Arts & Sciences in 2001. She currently directs the Volcano School Japanese Language and Culture Program, is a writer of educational materials, and coaches swimming at the Warrior Aquatic Club.
Dina Kageler, Elementary Art Teacher
Ms. Dina has been an artist and arts educator in the Volcano community since 1977. She specializes in visual media (photography, textiles, ceramics) and the performing arts (music and theatre). She annually directs the VSAS elementary school Earth Science Spring Musical. She is a founder of VSAS and formerly worked as a biological research associate in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Kiliona “Moku” Young, Music and Hawaiian Teacher
John Bush, Middle School Technology Teacher, Technology Coordinator
Mr. Bush has been with the School since 2004. He is third generation local and is a graduate of Punahou School. Mr. Bush has a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a master’s in Business Administration from California State University at Chico. In addition to VSAS, Mr. Bush has taught Technology at Connections PCS, Kua O Ka La PCS, Waiola PCS, and Forest Ranch PCS. Previously, Mr. Bush taught Accounting at the University level and coached high school football and track both locally and on the mainland. Mr. Bush has been a licensed ham radio operator since 7th grade and is a licensed aircraft pilot. When he manages to find free time, he enjoys hiking and backpacking.
Administration & Staff
Dr. Ardith Renteria, Educational Director
Dr. Renteria was born and raised in Hawaii and is a graduate of Kamehameha School on Oahu. She has been an educator for the public school system in Hawai’i for the past 20 years and has experience in both the DOE and charter school systems. She served on the Charter School Review Panel when it was first formed and has worked with the Charter School Administrative Office in Honolulu. She has also served as a Vice Principal of one charter school and one DOE school, and worked for many years in Special Education as a Regional Resource Teacher, District Education Specialist, Special Education teacher, and Student Services Coordinator. Ardith was drawn to the school after having worked with VSAS graduates, who she found to be articulate, thoughtful, creative, diligent, and positive contributors.
Tammy Ka’aukai, SASA and Administrative Assistant
Tammy is from the west side of Oahu where she graduated from Waianae High School. She achieved a data-entry certificate from Hawaii Computer Training center and then attended Hawaii Business College. She later found a different field of passion and started working in the educational field where she has been since 1997. Tammy moved to the Big Island at the end of 1999 and made Puna her home. Tammy has worked at VSAS since 2003 as the Administrative Assistant and was promoted to SASA in 2008. Tammy likes to spend her weekends with her husband and their seven-year-old son and new baby going to the beach or to the movies. She also enjoys canoe paddling, volleyball, football, and basketball.
Peggy Heisman, Nurse and Office Clerk
Ms. Peggy was a registered nurse before coming to Volcano School. She was born in Ohio, spent 20 years in California and moved to the Big Island in 1981. At first, she was a photographer and maintenance person for a small hotel, but eventually went back to nursing. Her most recent position was Clinic Coordinator for Bay Clinic and she retired from there in 2001. Shortly after, she was asked to assist the School Board by taking minutes as they were preparing to open the school in September. This became a full time position as SASA for the school and she has been here ever since.
Lauris Aragon-Mata, Facilities Coordinator and Payroll Clerk
Ms. Lauris was born in Washington, D.C.; raised in Hawai’i, Texas, Okinawa and New Jersey (“I was an Army Brat”); and returned home to the islands in 1996 with experience in the construction industry. In 2005, she followed her daughter and son, Quinlan and Nowell, to VSAS as a classroom volunteer then oversaw completion of the Middle School Building from Spring to Fall 2006. Since joining VSAS Staff in January 2007, she addresses facilities issues ranging from bid procurement to an occasional stopped-up toilet and processes payroll. She enjoys beading, tennis, hula and, most of all, time with her children.
Lydia Meneses, Special Education Educational Assistant
Ms. Lydia was born and raised in northern California and has a Degree in Library Technology from Sacramento City College. She qualified and participated in California State University Stanislaus’ Title VII Teaching Credential Program and majored in Liberal Arts with a focus on a Multi-Subject Credential. Ms. Lydia was employed 25 years with Sacramento City Unified School District as a Title I Teacher Associate K-12. For seven years, Ms. Lydia worked for Sacramento City’s after school literacy program, START, as Site Program Director, Literacy Coach and Special Program Leader Trainer. She joined VSAS staff in 2005 and has served on the local school board for two years.