Staff
Staff
The Orchard Team
All of our teachers meet the highest academic and personal standards, and are dedicated to the ideals and principles under which Orchard School was founded. Our teaching style incorporates the main principles of the 21st Century thinking skills as outlined in the National Education Association: Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Communication.
Manila Bol
Principal
Manila has been teaching at Orchard School for over 25 years, primarily in the field of mathematics. She was also the vice-principal and co-director from 1998 to 2014 and took over the principalship in 2015. Before coming to Orchard, she taught at Capitola Elementary School for six years. She holds a B.A. in Photojournalism and a California State Teaching Credential from San Jose State University, where she graduated with distinction. She completed the Marilyn Burns Math Institute, and is a member of both the California Mathematics Council and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. In her free time, Manila likes to read, bike, play sports, and spend time with family and friends.
Rosy Weiser
Assistant Principal, Kindergarten
Rosy has been teaching at Orchard School since 2012, and administrating since 2016. She has a B.A. in English Literature, with a minor in French, from Mills College where she graduated with honors, Phi Beta Kappa, and an M.A. in Communication from Stanford University. She fell in love with Orchard School initially as a parent, eventually leaving her career as an award-winning freelance reporter for National Public Radio and the Santa Cruz Sentinel to take the helm of the kindergarten program. She had worked with children her whole adult life, as a nanny, a teacher’s assistant, an elective teacher, and as an active parent in various classrooms for almost 15 years, but it did not become her primary focus until she found Orchard. Her interests lie in spending time with her family and her animals, as well as cooking, eating and traveling.
Jody Johnson
Humanities 3rd-6th Grade
Jody began teaching at Orchard in 1989, first as the humanities teacher and later as the science teacher. In 1998, she became the principal, while also continuing to teach, until 2015. During her tenure, she expanded the garden and animal programs, developed the elective and parent participation programs, and strengthened the financial stability of the school, among other achievements. After a six year hiatus pursuing other interests, she is happy to be back teaching on the idyllic Orchard campus, presenting academics in ways that are interactive and meaningful to students. Jody has a teaching credential in secondary science and a B.A. in Biology from UC Santa Cruz. She’s a fourth generation Santa Cruzan with strong family values who enjoys swimming, hiking, gardening and fiber arts.
valerie Cameron
Humanities 1st-2nd Grade, Science/Gardening 1st Grade
Valerie was new to Orchard in 2019. She had spent the previous six years teaching language arts and creative movement at local schools, and has over 20 years experience in various educational roles integrating performing arts into academics. Before becoming a classroom teacher, she taught and performed in San Francisco with Earth Circus, an environmental performing arts company. Valerie has a B.A. in Dance and Choreography from San Francisco State and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. She is a self-described environmental enthusiast who enjoys going to the beach, playing board games, reading, music, dance, the theatre, and hanging out with her husband, her three children and her two cats.
Kenza Temsamani
Math 1st-4th Grade
Kenza joined the Orchard faculty in 2011, first as a kindergarten teacher, later moving on to teach math and be part of the administration team. In 2020, she left to run a learning pod, returning in 2023 to fill her old position as math teacher. Kenza has a B.A. in History from Wellesley College and has completed her teacher credentialing program. She’s experienced in adult education and preschool, is a certified yoga instructor and a Positive Discipline educator. She is fluent in Arabic and French, and can also speak Spanish. She says her main goal as a teacher “is to support a child’s innate curiosity and create an atmosphere in which all of us experience belonging and significance.” She likes exploring nature, cooking and permaculture.
Ty Weiser-Podlech
Math 5th-6th Grade, Teacher’s Aide, Electives
Ty is an Orchard alumni who attended in the 5th and 6th grades. While here, he learned firsthand how important the Orchard experience can be for kids after struggling to fit in at his public elementary school. He has a B.A. from St. John’s College where he studied the liberal arts with a discussion-based format and small class sizes. The curriculum focus included the history of mathematics and science, philosophy, the classics, comparative literature and political theory. Ty joined Orchard’s teaching staff in 2020, initially as an aide and an aftercare teacher. He looks forward to sharing his passion for mathematics as he takes the helm with the 5th/6th graders, as well as continuing to teach elective classes. In his free time he enjoys reading, strategy games like chess and poker, and watching sports.
Erica Fiechter
Science 2nd-6th Grade
Erica joined the Orchard team in 2018 with nine years of classroom teaching experience in the Cupertino Union School District, and over 10 years experience in outdoor education working as a naturalist and program coordinator. Her teaching has taken her all over the world, from South America to Australia and Europe, as a volunteer elementary school teacher and a wilderness adventure leader. Erica has a B.A. in Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism, Parks and Protected Area Management from Colorado State University, a Single Subject Science Teaching Credential, and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. As well as teaching, Erica loves to crochet, work with clay, and go on outdoor adventures with her husband and daughter.
ROCK LERUM
Circus Arts, Drama, Gardening 2nd-6th Grade
Rock has been teaching at Orchard School for 25 years. He has performed locally and internationally for over three decades with artists including Tandy Beal, SoVoSo, The New Pickle Circus, Linda Arnold, and the Golden State Warriors. He received a Gail Rich award in 2003 honoring his artistic work in the community. He is an avid gardener and bicyclist, and a lover of healthy food.
VALERIE PHIPPS
Art, Leadership, Electives
Valerie has been part of the Orchard community since 2010 when her daughter joined the kindergarten class. She began teaching sewing and movement electives in 2013, and in 2016, she took charge of the fine arts program. She has trained as an artist in various mediums, from watercolor to quilting, around the world from Japan to Paris for over 25 years. She is a certified holistic chef, a certified mentor for young girls coming of age and she recently completed yoga teacher training. Valerie is passionate about African dance, practicing yoga, and traveling, and is an independent artist and business owner who specializes in creating upcycled, wearable art.
KATHLEEN AVALON
Kindergarten
Kathleen began as the kindergarten co-teacher in 2016. She had also been the art teacher in 1998 and the drama teacher in 1999. Her educational background includes training at the Waldorf institute of Southern California and the London School of Eurythmy, as well as certifications in storytelling and puppetry, and many classes in early childhood education. Kathleen has worked with families in Santa Cruz in many capacities for over 40 years, including as a kindergarten teacher at the Santa Cruz Waldorf School, and as the founder and teacher of the Magic Garden, a home-based preschool that has since closed. She performs personalized puppet shows in the community using dolls and props that she handcrafts, and also hosts nature-based craft and storytelling workshops for children and adults.
LINDA ELLIS
Ceramics
Linda has been teaching at Orchard School since 2009, although she had worked as the school’s substitute ceramics teacher for 18 years prior to this. She has a B.A. in Fine Arts from Chico State and began her art career as a watercolorist in Seattle. Her experience includes 10 years teaching ceramics classes to kids and adults through the Capitola Parks and Recreation program. She also designed the ceramics program for Scotts Valley’s parks and recreation program, and taught there for 5 years. Linda studied horticulture and floral design in college and ran her own floral business for a number of years. She also enjoys drawing, painting, photography, weaving and other fiber arts.
Jane Joel
Teacher’s Aide, Lunch Hut Cook, Electives
Jane came to Orchard as an employee in 2019 but is very familiar with the school as she was an elementary student here in the nineties, and is also the parent of a current student. She has spent most of her career working in the food industry. She graduated from the Culinary Institute of America Greystone with an A.O.S degree in Hospitality Management. Jane enjoys reading, cooking, gardening, and spending time with loved ones.
Cambria Fast
Music -- Kindergarten, First Grade
Cambria came to Orchard in 2015 as a parent when she enrolled her oldest son in the kindergarten program. This will be her first year teaching music. She has a B.A. in English from Santa Clara University and a nursing degree from John Hopkins. She spent 12 years working as an ER nurse in Santa Cruz. Her own 3 year health crisis forced her to re-evaluate her life, and playing and sharing music emerged as a passion. She plays the piano, the guitar, sings and has studied music theory. She has training with the Orff Approach and loves to build community and shared experience through singing, movement, stories and the creative use of instruments. In her free time, she like to garden, write poetry, cook, hike, play guitar and spend time with family, friends and her animals.
Amber Wallin
Lunch Hut Cook, Aftercare, Electives
Amber came to Orchard in 2022 when an attending family recommended her for the aftercare position. She is an artist who loves working with both children and adults. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the College of Visual Arts and 10 years experience teaching children in after school programs and as an arts facilitator. She has also worked extensively with adults with disabilities. Her interests include being outside, admiring the creativity of others, giggling with her friends, meditation and loving life as much as possible.
tovia Anderson
Office Assistant, Teacher’s Aide, Electives
Tovia is an alumni parent (2006 and 2010 graduates) who began teaching the photography elective in 2003. She has an A.A. degree from Cabrillo College in Early Childhood Education and a B.A. in Psychology, with an emphasis in child psychology from the University of Santa Cruz, California. She also works for a national non-profit that teaches self empowerment, meditation, communication, and leadership around the world. She is passionate about her family, reading and writing, art, picnics in nature, and children.
MICHELLE GEBBIA
Lunch Hut Cook
Michelle has been an Orchard parent since 2017 when her daughter started kindergarten. Her son still attends. She is a certified natural chef and a nutrition educator. She graduated from Bauman College here in Santa Cruz. She runs her own cooking business called Summit Lady Food. She loves yoga, riding horses, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Orchard School Board Members
Walt Allen and Jan Raffety -- Alumni parents (2001-2007), joined board 2014
Walter Allen and Jan Raffety have been involved with Orchard School since 2001 when their son attended kindergarten. Now their grandchildren are also students. As board members, Walt and Jan have provided assistance with project management, financial planning, and long-term goal setting. Jan is a semi-retired marriage and family therapist with 30 years of experience. Walt is a semi-retired transportation planner with more than 30 years experience working with local, state, and regional governmental agencies.
Manila Bol -- Current principal, joined board 1999
See bio under staff
Liza Morell -- Alumni parent (1999-2006), joined board 1998
Liza Morell grew up in New York before moving to Santa Cruz where she graduated with honors from the University of California, Santa Cruz, with a B.A. in psychology and community studies. She spent time in New Zealand before moving back to Santa Cruz to start a family, build a contracting business and later start a middle school collective and become a realtor at Bailey Properties with a specific focus on ecological stewardship. Liza’s daughter attended Orchard from kindergarten through the 6th grade. Liza said she is “honored to serve on the board as an alumni parent representing the greater community’s support of Orchard.”
Colleen Murphy — Former Orchard teacher, parent and early childhood educator, joined board 2023
Colleen Murphy is a certified Positive Discipline educator and trainer who holds an Adult Education Teaching Credential and a B.A. in Child Development from Chico State University. She was a kindergarten co-teacher at Orchard School in 2020 and an aide in the program until the end of the 2022 school year. She has been a parent and early childhood educator at Soquel and Santa Cruz Parent Education Nursery Schools since 2006. She says she has always admired Orchard School and looks forward to contributing to the board to “keep it heathy and strong by setting sound policies.”
Shana Sisti — Current parent (since 2017), joined board 2023
Shana Sisti is a licensed marriage and family therapist who has worked at Planned Parenthood since 2015. Before this she worked with a variety of non-profits that serve families. Both her sons attend Orchard and have done so since kindergarten, her eldest will graduate this year. She says, “Orchard is a unique, educational oasis where children are respected and educated as whole humans. It’s the only place we considered sending our children.”
Rosy Weiser — Assistant principal, kindergarten teacher, alumni parent (2007-2008, 2011-2017), joined board 2022
See bio under staff
All About Orchard
All About Orchard
A day in the life
We begin each day with an all-school morning circle under the trees. This is our chance to share news and talk about the day ahead, as well as about upcoming events. Students take turns leading the circle. Often, we will sing a song together.
Students (grades 1 to 6) then move through a four-period day, with each class separated by recess time. Kids move to different classrooms for each subject where they are instructed by specialty teachers in math, humanities, science or gardening, and the arts (circus arts, drama, leadership and art). Once a week, each grade is in charge of animal care, and on Fridays, students have electives, choice classes in 8-week sessions.
On a typical day at Orchard, you might see children dropping marshmallows into various liquids as they learn about chemical reactions, visiting the school’s willow forest to practice survival skills after reading in language arts class about what it would be like to be stranded on an island, eating freshly-made waffles divided into different portions while learning about fractions in math class, walking on stilts across the meadow as they practice for a school play, or harvesting, then pounding and grinding acorns, as they learn about local Native American forbears.
At recess, the school grounds are abuzz -- children run barefooted across the grassy fields, they climb the enormous redwood tree with it’s ladder of limbs towering up into the sky, they fly paper airplanes, build stick forts beneath the willow trees, make nature mandalas with flowers and stones, dig trenches in the dirt, build mountains of sand, visit the chickens to collect eggs and truly have their fill of movement, freedom, and play so they are ready and eager to move back to deep focus when the bell rings for class time.
Kindergartners stay with their dedicated teacher in the kinder cottage for most of the day, exploring all of their subjects there (math, language arts, science, cooking, gardening, rest time, and handwork). Kindergartners do not have electives but they do go to the arts teachers for one period each day.