Meet the team

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.

Abby earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education with a focus on Biology, earned a supplement in Mathematics, and earned her Multiple Subject credential from California State University Northridge. She is entering her 6th year of teaching middle school Mathematics and Science and has previously worked at a charter school in Los Angeles before moving to the Bay Area. She is excited to be part of a team that emphasizes rigorous curriculum based on the new Common Core Standards, a curriculum that focuses on learning and exploration through project based tasks, and a team that emphasizes the importance of community and social-emotional growth.  

On her free time Abby enjoys testing her creativity as well as exploring and interacting with the different cultures, people, and traditions the world has to offer. Some of her favorite hobbies include: designing and sewing her own clothing, painting and crafts, attending festivals and concerts, hiking and camping, taking what some would say is an unreasonable amount of pictures of her very handsome and charismatic cat Oliver, and backpacking to new and exciting places with great friends.

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!).

Maddy McGuire holds a B.A. in Art History, and earned her teaching credential and Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from the Bay Area Teacher Training Institute (BATTI). Before coming to CACS, Maddy taught 5th grade at Peralta Elementary, a small, arts-integrated public school in Oakland, and the 3rd and 4th grades at Town School for Boys in San Francisco. She brings a love of stories, both real and imagined, and a constant stream of questions and curiosities to her teaching practice. Before finding her home in the classroom, Maddy worked at the Bay Area Discovery Museum, where she developed an interest in child-directed, play-based education. Maddy studied the arts in college, and while she still has a visual arts practice outside of the classroom, her passion for the arts lies in the learning experiences they facilitate for children, and is thrilled to be joining the community at Creative Arts.

Ron earned a BA and MA in English literature and later a teaching credential at San Francisco State University. In 2000, after numerous years teaching in early childhood, he joined the staff of Creative Arts, where he has taught Kindergarten and 1st grade ever since. Ron is committed to fostering a learning environment that grows the whole child, taking into account social, emotional, physical and academic needs. Ron and his wife have two teenage children who attended Creative Arts. In his spare time, Ron enjoys traveling, reading, listening to music and playing basketball.

Katie is a San Francisco native who earned her BA in child and Adolescent Development at SFSU. She’s taught Kindergarten through Fourth grade in Oakland, San Francisco, and San Mateo as well as summer science and math classes and an after school technology course. Katie is passionate about reading instruction and the benefits of being a life long learner. She integrates her prior knowledge as a child development major with extensive experience and ongoing professional development to create and maintain an effective and warm learning environment where all students can succeed.  She has a background in the arts as a poet, actress, theater technician, musician, painter, and all around crafty person. In her free time she likes to play music, make art, swim, surf, hike, rock climb, read, and spend time with her daughter.

Malcolm earned his teaching credential through the Bay Area Teachers Training Institute (BATTI), and brings with him a variety of teaching experiences, both in and out of the classroom. Prior to working at CACS, he worked as an assistant teacher at The Hamlin School in San Francisco, tutored students in Minneapolis through an Americorps program, and taught environmental education in varied locales, including coastal Maine and Livermore, CA. Malcolm enjoys creating new and engaging curriculum that requires students to challenge themselves and collaborate with each other. Outside of teaching, Malcolm is a dedicated marathon runner.

Dylan earned his BA in History from San Francisco State University, his Teaching Credential and MA through the Bay Area Teachers Training Institute (BATTI). He is beginning his second year working at Creative Arts. Prior to working at CACS he was a substitute teacher for Chinese American International School, Live Oak School, and Children’s Day School. Previously, Dylan worked as an assistant teacher at The San Francisco Friends School. As a professional musician Dylan spent numerous years performing, recording and touring throughout America. He enjoys hiking, traveling, looking at art, trying the many restaurants in San Francisco, shopping at thrift stores for that perfect cardigan sweater, playing various stringed instruments and collecting vinyl.

Coco earned her BA from University of California, Santa Barbara double majoring in History and Sociology.  She received her teaching credential from the University of San Francisco and is currently finishing her Masters in Education there this Fall.  She is more than thrilled at the opportunity to be teaching at Creative Arts Charter, as she is a huge proponent of project based learning, and believes art and creativity are an imperative part to learning and creating and should be an integral part of all aspects of life.  When not at school, she loves being outdoors, getting lost in music, creating visual art pieces and experimenting in the kitchen.

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.