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Administration |
Marcie Lane - Principal, Executive Director, CEO
Ms. Lane joined the faculty at Courtyard in 2005. She has a Bachelor's of Science from the University of Maryland and a Master's of Science in Education from Western Illinois University. She is a doctoral candidate in University of the Pacific’s Department of Educational Administration. She holds both valid California teaching and administrative credentials. Ms. Lane has served in the United States Army in Military Intelligence as a Russian linguist and has additional degrees in international political science. Ms. Lane has both lived and traveled throughout Europe and Russia.
Ms. Lane began her career in education in 1995. She has over six years of classroom teaching experience in elementary and middle school in both California and Illinois, and she has worked as either teacher or administrator in public, charter, and private school settings. She has given presentations at a variety of professional conferences and has served as an instructor at regional and state teacher development workshops on science teaching methods and middle school program development. Ms. Lane has also helped develop science curriculum with U.C. Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science. She designed and coordinated the Venture Integrated Space and Aeronautic Academy, a school choice for middle school students under the San Joaquin county Office of Education's charter program. This included attracting sponsorships, fundraising through chairing a community hot air balloon festival, and securing classroom facilities on a military base. As a part of this effort, she designed and taught a curriculum providing an integrated, theme orientated program that is standards-based and included real aviation experiences.
Ms. Lane also chairs the Together Project, a community group created by Courtyard parents and staff sharing values of diversity and literacy. (See http://www.togetherproject.org for more information.)
When she’s not in her office, Ms. Lane can be found teaching a science class or working with a group of Courtyard students on a project. If Ms. Lane does manage to find spare time, she enjoys hosting play dates for her daughter’s friends, lake kayaking, and shooting hoops.
Kristi Muraoka- Admissions Director
With a Bachelor's of Arts in English and a Masters of Arts in cross-cultural education, Ms. Kristi is an integral part of the Courtyard team. In addition to her administrative duties, Ms. Kristi also teaches our middle school Leadership courses, where she integrates student community service projects, civics, and literature activities around themes of tolerance, respect, and the skills needed for developing future leaders. She has organized Courtyard’s annual multi-day field trip experience to Los Angeles for our seventh graders. The trip includes participation in the Teens for Tolerance program at the Wiesenthal Center Museum of Tolerance.
In 2007, Ms. Kristi took over the middle school Performing Arts classes, a field very near and dear to her heart! She also volunteers as a girl’s JV basketball coach, stage director and mentor. She can often be found taking part in class discussions or chatting with kids on the playground. Ms. Kristi knows the social and emotional pulse of Courtyard’s student body.
Before joining Courtyard in 2005, Ms. Kristi taught middle school language arts, and directed a touring dance team in Sacramento, as well as directing a private learning center in Elk Grove.
Ms. Kristi loves cats, ballroom dancing, ballet, - and the kids at Courtyard!
Caroline Rosso- Office Manager
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Faculty |
Jennifer Mattson - Transitional Kindergarten
Ms. Mattson received a BA in Liberal Studies, with a concentration in Music, and her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from California State University, Sacramento. While there she received the Academic Achievement Award and toured with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble to LA and NYC. During two of her summer breaks she worked as a summer camp director in Seoul, South Korea. Upon completion of her credential Ms. Mattson joined the Courtyard staff as an EDC Leader and soon after was hired as part of our teaching staff, and has been part of our team since 2004. In her spare time Ms. Mattson plays oboe and English horn with local community orchestras and volunteers at her church. She also loves to spend time with friends and family, particularly her four-year-old nephew and her new niece!
The 2007-08 school year is Ms. Diane’s 11th year at Courtyard School! She began working here in the Extended Day Care program, eventually took over the Kindergarten teaching position, and has been the lead Kindergarten teacher for the last 8 years. Ms. Diane received her BA in English from U.C. Davis and has a Clear/CLAD credential from the same university. She earned a Master’s degree from CSUS in Language and Literacy and is currently enrolled in CSUS’ Reading Specialist Credential program. When not with her Kinders, Ms. Diane enjoys camping, swimming, and spending time with her 2 loveable dogs!
Mrs. Finn joined Courtyard this year as our first grade teacher. Mrs. Finn holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Studies from California State University, Sacramento. She received her Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential with a CLAD (Cross-Cultural Language and Academic Development) emphasis from National University. Before teaching at Courtyard, Mrs. Finn taught first grade for eight years in the Dry Creek School District in Roseville, CA. When she's not at Courtyard, Mrs. Finn enjoys yoga, scrapbooking, and spending time with her son, husband and two dogs.
Natalie Fernández Ararou - Second Grade
Mrs. Ararou, (formally known as Ms. Natalie), has been at Courtyard School since May of 2005. She worked as an Extended Day Care leader and Summer Camp teacher before becoming Courtyard’s K-8 Spanish teacher. Mrs. Ararou graduated from Saint Mary’s College of California with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, and has completed her Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential coursework through Chapman University. Mrs. Ararou coaches Courtyard’s softball team in the spring and leads “Sewing Club” after school throughout the year. She enjoys traveling with her husband and sewing for her nieces and new baby sister.
After working as the K-3 Art and K-8 Performing Arts teacher, as well as aiding for grades 1-3, Ms. Kirsten is enjoying teaching 3rd grade at Courtyard School. She graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a degree in Art for Elementary Children and is currently in the CalState Teach credential program for the Multiple Subject credential. In her time away from school, Ms. Kirsten enjoys reading, shopping, traveling, and spending time with her favorite canine, her brother’s dog, Loah.
Before becoming the Fourth Grade Teacher in 2006, Mrs. Eisner was an Assistant Teacher, Summer Camp Leader, and Third Grade Teacher at Courtyard School. She attended California State University, Sacramento and the University of Paris, Nanterre and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in French and a minor in Communication Studies. Additionally, she received her Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential through the CalState Teach program at California State University, Fresno. Mrs. Eisner is currently working toward her Master of Arts Degree in Curriculum and Instruction at CSUS. In her spare time she enjoys reading, cooking, snowboarding, and spending time with family. Mrs. Eisner really appreciates the “small community feel of Courtyard and the support and enthusiasm of the faculty and staff here.”
Mrs. Mayo comes to Courtyard as an enthusiastic, creative, and pioneering educator with 12 years of experience. Besides a Multiple Subjects teaching credential in California, Mrs. Mayo has an Elementary Education credential in the state of Florida and both an Elementary and Middle Level Education credential in Maryland. She also holds a Masters Degree in Education – Elementary Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction from Jones International University.
Gretchen Johnson- Middle School
Ms. Johnson has earned her Clear Multiple Subject Credential, Supplemental Authorizations for Middle School and CLAD certificates. While teaching for the North Sacramento School District in Title I schools, she earned the unit equivalent of a Master's Degree in graduate studies for reading curriculum and the California Standards for Teaching. Previously, Ms. Johnson was a naturalist and educator with the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the Audubon Center. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Johnson coaches her daughter's soccer team and practices yoga. She loves it when her students say, "Whattya mean it's time to go? I can't believe class went by so fast!"
Dean Christiansen – 8th Grade Math/ U.S. History
Mr. Christiansen, "Mr. C", was born in Chicago and lived there until he was old enough to get on a Greyhound bus and head for the Great State of Texas. He has a BS in Psychology from Texas A&M University and an MS in Management Operations from the University of Arkansas. He spent 20+ years in the United States Air Force as a B-52 Pilot and Staff Officer. Mr. C retired with many distinctions from the U.S.A.F. as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1990 and joined the Courtyard faculty in the same year. He possesses a Clear Multiple Subject Credential and Supplemental Credentials in Math, Science, and Business, and has taught in grades 4 – 8 at Courtyard.
Jerald Baker - Kindergarten through Eighth Grade Physical Education
Mr. Jerald joined Courtyard School 8 years ago, bringing with him vast experience in recreation programs. He is a graduate of California State University, Sacramento with a degree in the field of Sociology. When not at Courtyard Mr. Jerald enjoys spending as much time as he can with his wife, daughter, and son. As far as the Physical Education program at Courtyard, Mr. Jerald just loves to use the new gym!
Rachel Harvey –Third through Eighth Grade Spanish
Molly Lyon - Kindergarten through Eighth Grade Visual Arts
Ms. Lyon is new to Courtyard this year but not to teaching. She is excited about entering her 6th year of teaching. Ms. Lyon earned a Bachelors Degree in Science and Education with a K-12 Single subject in Fine Arts form the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. She has a Clear with CLAD authorization for K-12 single subject in Visual Arts. In addition to teaching she is also entering the last stretch of her Masters of Science in Counseling from Sacramento State University. When she is not studying or doing her own homework in her free time she loves to be outside or enjoying art in as many ways as possible. But as soon as the snow flies in the Sierras she is tearing it up on her snowboard every weekend!
Kilee Cooper – Kindergarten through 5th Grade Performing Arts & Music