About Our Staff
2007-2008
Adam Brown
Dean of Academics
Email: abrown@kippbridge.org
I am excited to join the KIPP Bridge College Preparatory family as the Dean of Academics. I have been an educator for over nine years and love working with middle school students. Before coming to KIPP Bridge, I taught middle school math and science in North Carolina and San Francisco, and was Assistant Head of School at a K-5 Charter school in Oakland. I grew up in North Carolina where I graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Middle School education. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Instructional Leadership at California State University, East Bay. I enjoy spending time with my family and love to be in and around the water.
Melanie Chan
Art Teacher
Email: mchan@kippbridge.org
I am thrilled to be a new member of the KIPP Bridge community. I was born and raised in Vallejo, California and since I was a young child, art has always been a strong interest. I work in a variety of art media such as textile art, painting, drawing, sculpture, though my two favorites are print- and bookmaking. I earned my Bachelor's degree in American Studies from the University of California at Santa Cruz and my teaching credential from San Francisco State University. I have worked in education for ten years in a variety of positions in Oakland, San Francisco and Vallejo Unified School Districts. In my free time outside of school, I also enjoy dancing, cooking, spending time with friends and family, listening to and collecting music, going to the beach and traveling to warmer climates!
Sandra Coughlin
Office Manager
Email: scoughlin@kippbridge.org
I am the Office Manager for KIPP Bridge College Prep. Although I have many years of experience as an Office Manager, this is the first time I have had the privilege of working in such an incredible institution as KIPP. My duties are as varied as the people I am in contact with (students, parents, companies), since each day is different from the one before. I began working at KIPP in April of 2007 after many years as an Office Manager in the corporate environment. I am originally from Massachusetts, moving to California in September 1999 with a semi-conductor company that had an office in Waltham, MA when they closed their MA office, and moved to the office in Santa Clara, CA. A couple of my passions are traveling, reading and photography.
Darren Curry
Resource Specialist
Email: dcurry@kippbridge.org
Catherine Dobroff
5th/6th Grade Science Teacher
Email: cdobroff@kippbridge.org
I am very excited to be a member of the KIPP Bridge community. I taught both 2nd and 3rd grade in the South Bronx while pursuing my Masters in Education at Hunter College. I have also received a Bachelor of Arts in Ethnic Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of California, San Diego. During my free time I love, love, love watching sports and spending time with my friends and family.
Cassie
Duprey
5th Grade Math Teacher
E-mail: cduprey@kippbridge.org
Originally from Snohomish, Washington, this is my third year at KIPP Bridge College Preparatory as the 5th grade math teacher. Before moving to the Bay Area in the summer of 2004, I graduated from Whitman College with a B.A. in politics and spent three years teaching in the Mississippi Delta through Teach For America. When not at school, I enjoy reading, cooking, listening to country music. I also spend as much time as possible playing my DS and Wii.
Victoria Folayan
7th Grade Math
E-mail: vfolayan@kippbridge.org
I am incredibly excited to be beginning another year of teaching; and what better place than KBCP?! I was born and raised in Boston MA., and recently graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts in Drama and Psychology. Originally part of the Oakland Teaching Fellows, I begin another year of teaching as a new member of KIPP. I love Math and science, and hope to instill joy and enthusiasm for math in my students.
also enjoy athletics, arts, puzzles, and travelling.
Lauren Hamilton
6th Grade Reading
E-mail: lhamilton@kippbridge.org
This will be my first year teaching at KIPP Bridge College Prep, and my fourth year teaching. I taught 9th grade English in south Texas for three years, and I’m excited to be back in California teaching 6th grade Reading this fall. While I was born and raised in Northern California, I received my bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California in 2004 before moving to Texas. When I’m not at KBCP, I enjoy exploring the Bay Area, listening to live music, and reading.
Christine
Handte
Physical Education Teacher
E-mail: chandte@kippbridge.org
This is my third year at KIPP Bridge College Prep. I am the Physical Education teacher. In my position, I teach outdoor adventure, teamwork, cooperation, life skills and team sports. Prior to moving to California, I was teaching PE and Health and coaching soccer in a high school in Dover, Delaware for 2 years. Before Delaware, I taught right outside of New York at an all girls school, where I was the soccer, basketball and track and field coach. My past soccer teams have made it to States or Finals and have won or come in second every year that I have coached. Prior to teaching, I tried out for the Women’s Professional Soccer League. I attended college at Youngstown State University on a soccer scholarship. During my college career, I was named Number One in the Nation as a Goal Keeper and I hold all of YSU goal keeper stats and most of the Horizon League stats. I was able to travel all over the United States and throughout England playing soccer. When I am not at school, I enjoy puzzles, outdoor activities, sports and playing frisbee on the beach with my little partner Boozer. This summer, I enjoyed traveling to six states in five days with my family.
Sherrye
Hubbard
Dean of Culture
E-mail: shubbard@kippbridge.org
This is my third year at KIPP Bridge College Preparatory. I am the Dean of Culture. Prior to coming to KIPP, I was living in Houston, Texas teaching fourth grade Language Arts. I am a veteran teacher with six years of experience under my belt and I earned my experience in Oakland teaching sixth grade at Verdese R. Carter Middle School. I am a graduate of San Francisco State University and I earned a Masters in Second Language Acquisition from Patten University in Oakland. Outside of teaching, I enjoy spending quality time with my three-year-old daughter, while she observes, adapts, and conquers the world around her. I am a devout Christian and an avid reader. I love to travel, sing, and cook.
Elizabeth Jameyson
7th Grade English-Language Arts Teacher
Email: ejameyson@kippbridge.org
I am excited work at KIPP Bridge College Prep and be part of the KIPP national movement that is making real strides in student achievement. I received my undergraduate degree from Mills College in Oakland and my master's degree in education from UC Berkeley as part of the MUSE (Multicultural Urban Secondary English) program. For two years I worked for the Oakland Unified School District at Leadership Prep, one of the small schools on the Castlemont Campus. Now, I am looking forward to working with dedicated KIPP students and teachers to focus on continued growth and achievement for the students and the school. In my free time, I love to read, hike, and travel.
Rawley
Johnson
Math Specialist
Email: rjohnson@kippbridge.org
David Ling
Principal
Email: dling@kippbridge.org
This is my fifth year as the principal at KIPP Bridge College Prep. I am a resident of Oakland and an East Bay native. Prior to working at KIPP, I taught 7th and 8th grade Social Studies in Baltimore, Maryland through the Teach for America program. I received my bachelor’s degree is sociology from the University of California, Berkeley and my Masters of Arts in Teaching degree from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. When I am not at school, I enjoy spending time with my wife, playing soccer, and running.
Maricar Montano
6th Grade Math Teacher
Email: mmontano@kippbridge.org
My goal as an incoming 6th grade math teacher at KIPP Bridge College Prep is to show how math is a meaningful part of our lives. Before moving to the Bay Area, I taught 5th and 6th grade math in the Bronx for two years, during which I also received my Masters of Science in Teaching at Pace University in NYC. I earned my Bachelor's Degree at UCLA, where I majored in economics and minored in anthropology. Outside of the classroom, I do my best to be with my family, especially so that I can have some of my mom's cooking. Aside from family and food, I also make time to travel and dance hip-hop. I look forward to a great school year. "Dare to struggle, don't be afraid."
Kerri Muse
8th Grade Math Teacher
Email: kmuse@kippbridge.org
I am the 8th grade Algebra teacher and this will be my second year at KIPP Bridge College Prep. I am a native Texan who attended the University of Texas at Austin (Hook ‘Em!) and then taught for three years in Killeen, TX and Austin, TX. Although I am a math teacher, while attending the University of Texas I received my BFA in Studio Art. I try to incorporate elements of the fine arts into my curriculum whenever possible in order to make connections between art and math. In my spare time I enjoy playing the violin and guitar, making relief prints/lithographs, drawing, kayaking, cooking and traveling. I am excited about the upcoming school year at KBCP and helping our students to learn that Math is Life!
Chad Naberhaus
7th/8th Grade Science Teacher
Email: cnaberhaus@kippbridge.org
I am a new resident to California and the Bay Area. I have recently moved to this part of the world after spending the last 6 years in Denver, Colorado teaching 6th grade science and social studies in the International Baccalaureate program at Aurora Hills Middle School. It is very exciting to be here and I am eager to learn about the area and meet new people. I spent my first 23 years living in Michigan where I was born. My college years were spent at Michigan State University. I really enjoy traveling and I am always trying to plan a new adventure in the future. Playing sports is another pastime of mine; soccer and discgolf being my favorites. I also enjoy cooking, walking my dog, playing arcade games, hiking, reading and watching/listening to live music.
Anne Pauwels
8th Grade Language Arts Teacher
Email: apauwels@kippbridge.org
I’m very excited to begin my second year at KIPP Bridge College Prep. For the past five years, I’ve taught High School English and Drama in Chicago, Los Angeles and Oakland. Prior to receiving my Master’s Degree, I worked as a casting director, stage manager and did Improv Comedy(comes in handy!). In my free time, I do fashion design and am attempting some cooking classes.
Jennifer Rikkers
5th Grade Writing Teacher
Email: jrikkers@kippbridge.org
I am really happy to become a part of the fifth grade team at KIPP Bridge College Preparatory as the Writing Teacher in my first year at KIPP. Before coming to KIPP, I taught for five years, three in downtown Oakland and have taught second, third, fourth and fifth grade. Before that, I received my BA degree in Art and after some time went back to pursue and receive my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Outside of teaching I enjoy spending time with friends and family, hiking, running, swimming, reading, writing, traveling and pretty much anything in the outdoors.
Kimberly Roman
6th Grade Writing Teacher
Email: kroman@kippbridge.org
I was born and raised on the island of Hawaii, the largest island in the Hawaiian chain. After high school, I moved to Oahu to attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa where I obtained my Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. This will be my 2nd year at KIPP Bridge College Prep. The changes in lifestyle, climate, and culture have been overwhelming at times, but after living here for a year, I feel like Oakland has become a 2nd home to me. I'm honored to have the position of 6th grade writing teacher here at KIPP Bridge. I recently read a quote by Maya Angelou that said, "Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with shades of deeper meaning." The ultimate goal for me as a teacher of writing is to challenge my students to dig deep where our work is genuine, poignant, and charged with the power of our voices.
Cameron
Stephenson
Dean of Academics
Email: cstephenson@kippbridge.org
As a founding teacher, this will be my sixth year at KIPP Bridge College Prep. I have taught 5th and 7th Grade Science as well as Math, Reading and Writing tutorials for all grade levels. As the Dean of Academics, I focused on instruction, scheduling, student support and fundraising. This year, I will be cutting back my role and focusing on building the KIPP to College Program, supervising social work interns, subbing for teachers, and supporting the new Dean of Academics. Before coming to KIPP, I taught 4th grade in both Los Angeles and East Palo Alto. I attended Stanford University as an undergrad and received my Masters in Social Work and my Masters in Business Administration from the University of Michigan. When I am not at KIPP, I enjoy spending time with my husband, exercising and traveling to warm, sunny beaches!
Erika
Strand
Director of High School Placement & Alumni Support
Email: estrand@kippbridge.org
I’m looking forward to beginning my fourth year at KIPP Bridge College Prep and working with the FABULOUS classes of 2012 and 2013! Before coming to KIPP, I taught virtually every elementary and middle school grade level at schools in Oakland, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Mexico. I received my B.A. from Bryn Mawr College and my Master’s in Education from UC-Santa Barbara. When I’m not at KIPP, I love spending time with my family, reading, and traveling to warm places where I can eat good food, get a tan, and swim.
Cristina
Tapia
Program Assistant
Email: ctapia@kippbridge.org
This is my fourth year working at KIPP Bridge College Prep. I was born and raised in the South Bronx, in New York City. I’ve been living in California for the past four and a half years. When I’m not working or attending classes, I like to read, write, speak with my family as much as possible, buy comic books, ride my bike, and travel to places I’ve never been.
Melissa Williams
5th Grade Reading
E-mail: mwilliams@kippbridge.org
I am very excited about beginning my first year at KIPP Bridge College Prep!! I am a native "Oaklander" and love the Bay Area. As a little girl I attended Oakland Schools and got the amazing opportunity, due to my commitment to academic excellence, to join A Better Chance, Inc. (ABC). Through ABC I was able to attend The Athenian School in Danville, CA. After graduation, I attended the University of Virginia and majored in Religious Studies. Once I graduated from UVA, I attended a year and a half of Law School, before realizing that my previous teaching experience, with an amazing 4th grade Oakland class, was my true calling. I completed my Multiple Subject and Special Education (mild/moderate) credential programs at California State University East Bay, and later decided to return there to get my Masters in Education with an emphasis on Elementary Education. I love education, learning and especially reading!! (I am just finishing the Harry Potter series). I look forward to the arrival of the class of 2015 and making their reading experiences amazing!!