Meet the team

Grace Wilson earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Special Education from American University in Washington, D.C. While at American, Grace was a Division I field hockey player and earned distinction as an All-American, Patriot League Scholar Athlete and Defensive Player of the Year. Grace taught first and second grade at a District of Columbia Public School, and for a year in Redwood City before starting at Creative Arts. Grace’s teaching approach maintains the values that are close to her own heart: the growth mindset, Responsive Classroom, and scholar ownership. When she is not teaching, Grace loves taking her niece and nephew on adventures in the Bay Area, running, hiking, and trying out the newest fitness classes and coffee shops.

Alexis graduated from the University of Southern California in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art and Graphic Design. In 2014, after leading an after school program at a Title 1 elementary school, she decided to switch gears to become a teacher. She received her 2042 Multiple Subject Credential from Dominican University of California and is currently in the process of obtaining her MA in Education from Dominican. She has always been interested in problem solving through the creative lens of a designer. She believes that, like graphic design, teaching requires critical thinking, trial and error, and creativity. She enjoys helping students reach their creative potential and use design-thinking to solve everyday problems. On the side, she practices illustration, inspired by the artwork of her students.

Before becoming a teacher, Angela spent 10 years in the adoption field as an Adoption Caseworker after growing her family through International Adoption in 2002. She earned her BA in Psychology from Bates College in Maine and went on the acquire a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Boston College. She is currently both a certified teacher and a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist. As her daughter transitioned to middle school, Angela decided to change careers and become a teacher. Prior to coming to CACS last year, she worked at Argonne Elementary in several different grades.

She feels strongly that CACS is a perfect match for her skills and interests and has discovered a real joy in teaching middle school students.  When she is not at work, Angela likes to read, spend quality time with her daughter and other family members in the Bay Area, and keep her two cats from ransacking her apartment.

Bonnie comes to CACS with years of unique and diverse teaching experience, including 11 years of teaching 3rd through 8th grade within Montessori environments.  She grew the middle school at Golden Oak Montessori Charter School and is a founding member of Silver Oak Montessori Charter High School, both in Hayward, CA.  Bonnie is a long time advocate of charter schools, her learning environment of choice for the majority of her teaching experience.  She has been a fan of Creative Arts for many years since her younger son, Slade, attended and graduated from CACS in 2011 under Maria and Fernando's tutelage.  As a lifelong learner, Bonnie is also currently a doctoral student at Northeastern University.  In her small amount of free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband (Rich) and sons (Slade and Okeefe), as well as her three rescue dogs.  She also enjoys going to music festivals and shows, as well as spending time in nature (especially the beach!).

Born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, Mizuho came to San Francisco in 2007 to attend the University of San Francisco where she received her bachelor's degree, Master's degree, and teaching credential. She is passionate about using creativity as a differentiation tool in the classroom. Mizuho grew up playing ice hockey, soccer, and volleyball; and she recently started playing golf. In her free time she likes to read and play sports.

Laura holds a BS in Environmental Science from Santa Clara University and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction through the Bay Area Teacher Training Institute (BATTI). Before joining CACS, she worked as an Associate Teacher at Katherine Delmar Burke School. Other past work experiences include directing the after school program at Presidio Hill School and teaching as a naturalist for San Joaquin Outdoor School in the Santa Cruz mountains. Laura enjoys designing and implementing creative curriculum that engages multiple learning styles. Outside of school, she enjoys hiking, camping and traveling, as well as spending time with friends and family.

Ali earned her Bachelor’s of Science Degree from the University of Oregon double majoring in Human Physiology and General Science and Minored in Chemistry. She received her teaching credential and is currently pursuing an MA in Arts of Teaching from the University of San Francisco. Growing up in Lake Tahoe, California, Ali loves the outdoors and enjoys skiing, hiking and camping. Ali is passionate about teaching, and is driven to help students succeed and enjoy science and math while also helping to nurture social and emotional learning. Ali loves teaching 6 th grade and integrating arts and project-based learning into rigorous academic curriculum at CACS.

Before joining the CACS community, Eileen earned her degree in horticulture and became the owner of the first chemical-free gardening business in San Francisco. She came to CACS with her older son, who graduated in 2007, and spent several years volunteering in classrooms and collaborating with teachers on garden science curriculum. In 2001, Eileen joined the CACS staff, working as a substitute teacher, classroom aide, and educator in the Breakfast Club, summer camp, and aftercare. Her hobbies include gardening, jewelry design, hiking, hanging out at the beach with her family, and reading.