Teachers & Staff
Tierra Pacifica is extremely fortunate to have excellent teachers and staff. They are the foundation of our school.
Val brings 25 years of experience in education and school leadership to TP, with a background that includes teaching high school Spanish, serving as a Director of Student Services and Managing Director of Academics, and working in a variety of K-12 leadership roles. As a member of the Live Oak community herself, Val feels especially grateful to be part of a school that is also part of her neighborhood.
She is inspired by the many things that make TP special: the school’s thoughtful approach to learning, deep connection to nature, close-knit community, and commitment to inclusion. Val is passionate about creating learning environments where every student, family, and staff member can feel a sense of belonging and possibility. She cares deeply about decolonizing curriculum and pedagogy, supporting the complex and joyful work of teaching and learning, and removing barriers so that all students can grow, thrive, and discover their own strengths. She is excited to listen, learn, collaborate, and contribute to the vibrant community that makes TP home.
Sofie has been in the role of Office Manager at TP since 2016. A Santa Cruz native (born and raised), Sofie attended Soquel High School. She earned a Criminal Justice degree and after years managing small nonprofits in Santa Cruz, found herself as first, a TP parent, and ultimately the one who keeps the school moving.
She loves spending weekends with her children. When she’s not at school, you can find Sofie keeping up with her 5 kids.
Kim supports Tierra Pacifica in Payroll, Human Resources, and Accounts Payable. Kim’s connection to Tierra Pacifica began when her children attended the school, and she was inspired to continue working here because she believes deeply in the school’s vision and the strength of its community.
Originally from San Francisco, Kim has enjoyed building her career in school business, where her love of learning and community come together in meaningful ways. In her spare time, she loves roaming the beaches after a big storm in search of seaglass treasures.
Peggy has been in the role of Director of Finance at Tierra Pacifica since the fall of 2025. She has 11 years of experience in charter school finance locally at Pacific Collegiate School and has a degree in Geological Engineering and previously worked for NASA.
Peggy is a believer in learning on the job no matter what capacity. She has one child currently in college, loves rocks, and is excited to rediscover past interests and passion projects.
TBD
Sean is a fixture in the Tierra Pacifica community and his impact is felt all over campus. He began his TP journey as a parent and volunteer and is now the Office Assistant.
Sean served in the US Navy as a Boatswain’s Mate for 21 years and has a wide range of job experience from body jewelry machinist to wastewater plant mechanic making him the perfect TP problem solver. He has a college age daughter with whom he’s shared his passion for Ham Radio and serves as a Coast Guard volunteer. When he’s not at TP, you might find him in Napa Valley exploring all it has to offer.
Teachers
Shannon is not only Tierra Pacifica’s TK teacher, she also provides reading intervention for grades 1-8. She has reading and multiple subject credentials. Shannon joined the TP community as a parent first and quickly realized she’d love to teach at a school that mirrors her strong beliefs in parent participation and positive discipline.
Shannon has a passion for the outdoors as well as hiking, traveling, working out, and crafting.
Elana has been a member of the Tierra Pacifica community for over 21 years. Currently she teaches Kindergarten and provides reading intervention support for grades 1-8, but has held a variety of roles in year’s past including ELA and math instruction and administrative support. Elana earned her teaching credential from UCSC and has a passion for reading, science, and sustainability.
When she’s not at school you can find her dancing all around Oakland and Santa Cruz, out in nature, or spending time with her two amazing children.
Lauren has been teaching the 1st/2nd grade class at Tierra Pacifica since 2020. She’s our resident camping expert and thrives on sharing her love of reading and nature with students. She’s dedicated to teaching students the importance of connecting with the natural world, not only for social emotional development, but also as inspiration to become thoughtful stewards of the earth.
When she’s not teaching, she’s camping, or hiking, or doing yoga, or jumping in the ocean. She’s also the busy parent of three TP students.
Juliet’s been teaching the second and third grade class at Tierra Pacifica since 2010. She attended UCSC and has a B.A. in performing arts with a Masters of Education. Juliet loves being able to incorporate her passions for the arts with her dedication to working with children.
Before coming to work at Tierra Pacifica she worked with preschool age children and was also a math intervention teacher for 4th and 5th graders. Juliet credits Tierra Pacifica for its intimate setting, as well as its environment for encouraging students, teachers and parents to share their passions in the classroom.
Siggi Bengston is excited to join Tierra Pacifica as the Redwoods teacher! With a BFA from the University of Oregon and an MA in Teaching from Western Governors University, Siggi brings a diverse background in education, including classroom support, outdoor education, behavioral work, and Youth Corps leadership.
As a neurodivergent lifelong learner, Siggi is drawn to TP’s joyful, creative approach and its emphasis on art, critical thinking, and community. Her own experience attending a progressive elementary school inspired her path as an educator.
Outside of school, Siggi loves hiking, biking, surfing, exploring the coast, photography, and printmaking—especially when she can combine creativity, movement, and time by the ocean.
Courtney joined Tierra Pacifica in 2005. With an educational background from UC Berkeley in geology, math, education and biology, she started her professional career at the UC Berkeley Herbarium working on the first online database of botanical collections. While there she volunteered at a local middle school and fell in love with teaching and went back to Berkeley for her graduate degree.
Courtney’s classroom is supportive, rigorous, open to big ideas, and fun. With lots of additional training such as attending The Exploratorium Teacher Institute in San Francisco, CPM’s Ideas and Inspirations Math Program, and Jo Boaler’s Growth Mindset Class, she brings hands’ on experiential lessons to the classroom everyday. Students are encouraged to take academic risks and to not be afraid to try new things…… and make mistakes.
When not at TP, she enjoys spending time with her family (husband, Erik and children, Elan, Jesse, and Mia – all former TP students!) hiking, going to the beach, playing games, traveling, and working at the UCSC Cal-Teach program.
Jacob returns to TP as a math and science teacher in the Middle School. He has a degree in engineering, with a concentration in mechatronics, which lends a different perspective to his teaching.
Jacob started at TP as a long term substitute and fell in love with teaching and especially what TP’s community stands for. When Jacob isn’t at school he’s playing board and card games, dabbling in 3D printing, or running.
Trevor is the Middle School and 4th and 5th grade English teacher. Originally a coach, he discovered his real talent was in the classroom.
Trevor enjoys hiking, biking, and reading. He collects music and does “Grandma things” to the amusement of his middle school students. He has two boys here at Tierra Pacifica.
Sarah continues at TP this year teaching 1st and 4th grade math and kindergarten reading intervention.
After a 5 year hiatus from teaching, she was thrilled to find this opportunity at TP as she really missed being in the classroom. When not at school, Sarah’s invested in spending time with her family and raising good humans.
Sarah joins TP as the art teacher after having most recently taught ceramics at Santa Cruz High School. She has a masters in education with a credential in art from San Jose State and studied art and art history at New York University and Parsons School of Design in Paris.
A mom of three, Sarah loves spending time with her family taking road trips and camping. As a professional artist herself, Sarah’s been painting a lot of dogs, keep your eye out for an upcoming Santa Cruz area Open Studio where you can view her work.
This is Stacy’s second year at Tierra Pacifica and her 14th in the teaching profession. She received her BA in human communication with an emphasis in pre-law from CSUMB and her masters in education and teaching credential from UCSC. She was a youth gymnast and later a collegiate diver for American River College in Sacramento.
Stacy has also coached gymnastics in Sacramento and at Santa Cruz Gymnastics. More recently, she taught adult fitness classes in the x-tend barre method. She loves to get out for runs, bike rides, yoga classes, surf and swim sessions, and hikes with her friends and her husband and three kids. She also loves animals, listening to and playing music, and working in the garden.
Classroom Support
Joanie has been in the role of instructional aide in the TK class since 2021. After the school day is over, she switches roles working in the finance office focusing on fundraising.
Joanie’s overjoyed to be at the starting point of a child’s educational journey watching them learn and grow. She’s worked as a Director of Product Sales and at NPO Girl Scouts, but found her sweet spot supporting TP’s youngest learners.
A mom of three current and former TP students, Joanie enjoys hiking, camping, crafting, sewing, and reading.
Lorena has served as the Kindergarten Teacher’s Aide and ELPAC Coordinator at Tierra Pacifica since 2014. A former TP student herself, she attended from 4th through 8th grade and is grateful to now support students in the same community that shaped her.
Outside of school, Lorena enjoys reading, painting, and spending time outdoors with her husband and their son, Luca, whom they welcomed in April 2024.
River is thrilled to be at TP as an instructional aide in the 1st and 2nd grade classroom. She spent 11 years in higher education and is excited about working in a front-facing role with students.
River is a jack of all trades with specific interest in gardening, interior design, and fixing things.
Tiger started at TP in 2004 and has watched this school’s evolution over the years. She serves as an instructional aide in the 3rd grade classroom as well as handles all of the school’s technology needs.
If the school needs it, Tiger finds it putting her thrifting skills to good use. From the most coveted recess ball to the most used office supply, you can bet it was procured by Tiger. She’s a mom to two former TP students, and loves her additional role as grandmother.
Ayla is excited to continue growing her connection with the Tierra Pacifica community. After three years as a parent volunteer and supporting many classrooms as a substitute TA, she deeply appreciates the strong sense of community among TP families and staff.
Ayla brings years of experience working with children in nannying and special education settings, where she has learned to meet each child where they are with patience, flexibility, and care. Outside of school, she enjoys beach days with her family, painting, running 5Ks, and Disneyland adventures.
This is Ally’s second year at TP and her fifth year as an instructional aide. She continues to support the 4th and 5th grade classroom, with a focus on special education support.
Outside of school, Ally is actively involved with her church and enjoys exploring her creativity through art, jewelry making, creative writing, and music.
Elizabeth continues in the role of Middle School instructional aide while also pursuing a single subject credential in History.
She has a special knack for connecting with middle school aged students and loves sharing her passion for Indigeonous Mythology, American history, bugs, and poetry. She started the school’s after school clubs program connecting students with outside interests and providing a leadership opportunity before they head off to high school.
Student Support
Stephanie is in her third year as Education Specialist at TP. She has a background in non-profit organizations and enjoys building community, working with people of all ages and backgrounds, and supporting each other. She loves seeing all the class time shared outdoors and the connection that the TP staff develops with its students in a small school setting.
In her free time, Stephanie enjoys hiking, jumping in the ocean and river, and mountain biking at Wilder Ranch with her kids.
Lindsey loves spending time swimming in the ocean, working on her Spanish fluency, and playing the French Horn, an instrument she started in middle school and continues to play to this day!
Vince is in his first year with TP, but his 25th year as a Speech and Language Pathologist. He’s excited about TP’s small learning environment and the opportunity to work with multi-age students.
Look for Vince surfing in the ocean or at the hardware store as he and his wife continually work on their home in Aptos.
