Meet the team

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.

Gina Famiano grew up in Michigan and received her B.S. in Education at Central Michigan University with a major in English & Language Arts and a minor in Earth Science.  During Gina’s early teaching years, she was drawn to traveling and learning through first-hand experiences. This ultimately landed her in California via Colorado. Gina also attended the University of Northern Colorado to earn her endorsement in Linguistically Diverse Education.

Besides education and working with youth, Gina absolutely loves snowboarding and being outdoors! Some other favorite activities include reading/writing, attending challenging yoga classes, camping and backpacking, exploring new restaurants and events, and traveling out of the country.

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.

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.