Faculty Leadership
Faculty
About Us
Executive Administration
Alexis Sheridan-Rucker - Principal
Mrs. Sheridan-Rucker was born and raised in Southern California and earned her Bachelor’s Degree with a double major in Psychology and Criminology, Law, and Society from UC Irvine. Upon graduation, she began working for the Boys and Girls Clubs and learned that she wanted to further her work with children. After relocating to the Bay Area, she earned her Education Specialist credential and Master’s in Special Education & Education Administration from San Francisco State University. Mrs. Sheridan-Rucker has worked in different educational settings around the bay, including public and nonpublic schools since 2007.
Under the tutelage of the founding directors, Mrs. Sheridan-Rucker grew into her position of Principal, where she has flourished and revitalized the program. Having worked for six years as an Education Specialist for Springstone, she has a strong framework for understanding the needs of the students and faculty. Working in partnership with Mrs. Wong and the Board of Directors, Mrs. Sheridan-Rucker has established herself as an executive with excellent leadership skills and a strong commitment to the unique and vital role that Springstone plays in our community.
Kristine Wong - Founder & Director
Mrs. Wong is one of the founding Director’s and visionary of the Springstone School. She is a licensed occupational therapist (OTR-L) and a credentialed Education Specialist, holding a Masters in Education. Mrs. Wong brings a wide breadth of knowledge to the Springstone community with her extensive experience in special education. She demonstrates the seamless blending of occupational therapy into the classroom setting, thus being the gold standard of the Springstone program. Mrs. Wong’s commitment to the Springstone School mission is inspiring and unwavering as she invests her energy into training the next generation of Springstone faculty and ensuring Springstone’s future is bright years to come.
Mei Costello - Board Member
Kathleen McNutly – Board Member & Parent of Alumnus
Inez Wondeh – Board Member
Ms. Wondeh made her way from the small village of New Georgia, Liberia to the Bay Area in the late 1980’s when she and her family immigrated to the United States. Ms. Wondeh has a deep appreciation for education and the doors it opens for people. Ms. Wondeh is the Chief Executive Officer of the Bass Medical Group (BMG) and holds her Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Health Services Administration from University of San Francisco. She earned her Executive Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of San Francisco. She is an experienced healthcare executive with more than 20 years in the industry, has previously held several key positions in various healthcare organizations, including four years as the COO of BMG where she helped execute many of the company’s growth strategy shifts. Ms. Wondeh has provided visionary leadership that has continued to inspire the highest levels of performance in the financial and operational administration. She leads strategic vision in the development and expansion of one of the largest independent physician-led groups in the Bay Area, which currently includes more than 42 specialties and 200 locations. Ms. Wondeh’s outstanding leadership, integrity, and background in the healthcare space have been instrumental in the growth and transformation of BMG. Ms. Wondeh believes in lifting others up in order for them to reach their full potential in life.
Marian Kidder – Dean of Operations
Ms. Kidder is a proud Bay Area native with a deep love and appreciation for the history and cultural diversity of her community. Raised by three generations of teachers, administrators, and educators, her keen eye for detail and enthusiasm for learning and teaching have been life-long. While studying at City College of Alameda and San Francisco City College, Ms. Kidder began her work in education as a teacher’s assistant in Hayward, and honed her professional skills first in her family business, then later in running a boutique real estate office. Having grown up in a family floral and event production business, creativity is a way of life for Ms. Kidder. She has had the honor of supporting numerous Bay Area non-profits with her professional event planning and event design skills, helping to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for education-related organizations. In her most recent position, she handled business administration and human resources as Operations Director at a non-profit, non-public school in Alameda. Ms. Kidder is pleased to have joined Springstone in the summer of 2019, bringing over 10 years of experience in the Special Education administration field. Ms. Kidder is honored to work with the dedicated families, and faculty to help build bright futures for Springstone students.
Faculty
Eli Chan
Eli Chan
Ms. Chan joined the Faculty of Business at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia after receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Calgary in Canada. She also spent a number of years in Hong Kong and in Beijing where she had the opportunity to teach students from preschool through adulthood. In 2009, she returned to North America to raise her family and sought to provide the best educational experiences for her own children. She has since worked in the Lafayette School District serving special student populations. Ms. Chan has earned her Master’s of Education from Saint Mary’s College of California and holds a Mild/Moderate Education Specialist credential. Ms. Chan enjoys sharing her passion for lifelong learning with the students at Springstone each school day.
Eli Chan
Ms. Chan joined the Faculty of Business at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia after receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Calgary in Canada. She also spent a number of years in Hong Kong and in Beijing where she had the opportunity to teach students from preschool through adulthood. In 2009, she returned to North America to raise her family and sought to provide the best educational experiences for her own children. She has since worked in the Lafayette School District serving special student populations. Ms. Chan has earned her Master’s of Education from Saint Mary’s College of California and holds a Mild/Moderate Education Specialist credential. Ms. Chan enjoys sharing her passion for lifelong learning with the students at Springstone each school day.
Weasley Creasman
Wesley Creasman
Mr. Creasman hails from San Francisco and currently resides in Walnut Creek. He has been committed to working in education since he was picked to join the Teachers Academy program and participated throughout his high school career. The Teachers Academy was designed to foster a love for teaching while training as an aid to teachers in classrooms with students ranging from kindergarten to 5th grade with various learning challenges. This experience allowed him to establish a professional understanding of working with children while job shadowing and working with industry professionals. From there he continued his work with the youth through summer programs for special education students. Mr. Creasman graduated from Saint Mary’s University of California with a degree in Psychology. In his free time Mr. Creasman enjoys running, cycling, and reading. Mr. Creasman loves volunteering and contributing his time to beach clean ups, food banks, and collecting and donating items for housing-insecure families. Mr. Creasman is elated to join the Springstone community and to further develop the physical education program as Athletics Lead.
Wesley Creasman
Mr. Creasman hails from San Francisco and currently resides in Walnut Creek. He has been committed to working in education since he was picked to join the Teachers Academy program and participated throughout his high school career. The Teachers Academy was designed to foster a love for teaching while training as an aid to teachers in classrooms with students ranging from kindergarten to 5th grade with various learning challenges. This experience allowed him to establish a professional understanding of working with children while job shadowing and working with industry professionals. From there he continued his work with the youth through summer programs for special education students. Mr. Creasman graduated from Saint Mary’s University of California with a degree in Psychology. In his free time Mr. Creasman enjoys running, cycling, and reading. Mr. Creasman loves volunteering and contributing his time to beach clean ups, food banks, and collecting and donating items for housing-insecure families. Mr. Creasman is elated to join the Springstone community and to further develop the physical education program as Athletics Lead.
Ria Damian
Ria Damian
Ms. Damian holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Special Education. Ms. Damian joins the Springstone community with 17 years of experience in the education field. Most of which were spent teaching children with Autism and other exceptionalities at the elementary level, particularly in the early intervention program, both inclusive and self-contained classes. Ms. Damian taught in Louisiana until 2019 and her teaching career there was extraordinary as she was handpicked and trained to run a pilot program focused on working with Autistic students district wide. As a result, Ms.Damian gained invaluable knowledge and experiences that further honed her skills using different modalities and strategies, specifically the applied behavior analysis. As a special education teacher, the challenges she has encountered proved an impetus to pursue professional growth. Ms. Damian is thrilled to further develop her skills working with older students at Springstone.
Ria Damian
Ms. Damian holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Special Education. Ms. Damian joins the Springstone community with 17 years of experience in the education field. Most of which were spent teaching children with Autism and other exceptionalities at the elementary level, particularly in the early intervention program, both inclusive and self-contained classes. Ms. Damian taught in Louisiana until 2019 and her teaching career there was extraordinary as she was handpicked and trained to run a pilot program focused on working with Autistic students district wide. As a result, Ms.Damian gained invaluable knowledge and experiences that further honed her skills using different modalities and strategies, specifically the applied behavior analysis. As a special education teacher, the challenges she has encountered proved an impetus to pursue professional growth. Ms. Damian is thrilled to further develop her skills working with older students at Springstone.
Andrew Fosburgh
Andrew Fosburgh
Mr. Fosburgh attended Laney College in Oakland and then received his Liberal Arts Associate Degree at Sacramento City College before transferring to California State University of Sacramento where he received his Bachelor’s in English Literature. While studying at CSU Sacramento, Mr. Fosburgh worked in the TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) program with other teachers on and off campus and completed his TESOL certificate. After graduating from CSU Sacramento, Mr. Fosburgh taught beginner guitar classes before making the decision to pursue Teaching as a career. He is currently enrolled in his second year of a teaching program working towards earning his Master’s of Education. Mr. Fosburgh is excited to be at Springstone where he can work directly with students in order to make a positive impact and help them accomplish their educational goals.
Andrew Fosburgh
Mr. Fosburgh attended Laney College in Oakland and then received his Liberal Arts Associate Degree at Sacramento City College before transferring to California State University of Sacramento where he received his Bachelor’s in English Literature. While studying at CSU Sacramento, Mr. Fosburgh worked in the TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) program with other teachers on and off campus and completed his TESOL certificate. After graduating from CSU Sacramento, Mr. Fosburgh taught beginner guitar classes before making the decision to pursue Teaching as a career. He is currently enrolled in his second year of a teaching program working towards earning his Master’s of Education. Mr. Fosburgh is excited to be at Springstone where he can work directly with students in order to make a positive impact and help them accomplish their educational goals.
Mirella Lima
Mirella Lima
Mrs. Lima is originally from Brazil and has been living in the United States since 2004. She earned her Mild/Moderate Credential in Special Education in 2015. Mrs. Lima initiated her career as an Elementary School Resource teacher, and then she kept building her professional skills at both High School and Middle School settings. In 2021, she completed her Master’s degree in Special Education from St. Mary’s College of California and decided to further her education in the area of Executive Functioning Skills (EF) by teaching students strategies to help them overcome challenges due to EF skill deficits. She loves education and believes that is the best way to transform society. In her free time, Mrs. Lima is a volunteer at a non-profit organization focusing on charitable activities and enjoys hiking, cooking, reading and being close to her family and friends.
Mirella Lima
Mrs. Lima is originally from Brazil and has been living in the United States since 2004. She earned her Mild/Moderate Credential in Special Education in 2015. Mrs. Lima initiated her career as an Elementary School Resource teacher, and then she kept building her professional skills at both High School and Middle School settings. In 2021, she completed her Master’s degree in Special Education from St. Mary’s College of California and decided to further her education in the area of Executive Functioning Skills (EF) by teaching students strategies to help them overcome challenges due to EF skill deficits. She loves education and believes that is the best way to transform society. In her free time, Mrs. Lima is a volunteer at a non-profit organization focusing on charitable activities and enjoys hiking, cooking, reading and being close to her family and friends.
Christine Mendoza
Christine Mendoza
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Ms. Mendoza came to The Springstone School as our guidance counselor after her experience working with students and families in both the hospital and classroom setting. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology with an emphasis in Linguistics at the University of California, Los Angeles where she also gained the opportunity to study Language and Culture in Florence, Italy and taught English to Italian-Speaking third grade students. Ms. Mendoza continued her academic experience back in the Bay Area at Mills College in Oakland where she received her Masters of Art in Education. Ms. Mendoza spent time in the pediatric hospital setting working with Child Life professionals, music therapists, and art therapists as she studied for her Masters in Education. She is passionate about creating environments that are both therapeutic and inviting for children and adolescents to learn and grow in. Ms. Mendoza conducted and published her own research on hospital interior and environmental design on the healing and well-being of pediatric patients. With her devotedness to establishing therapeutic relationships with the students she works with, Ms. Mendoza is pleased to be joining Springstone as our guidance counselor.
Christine Mendoza
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Ms. Mendoza came to The Springstone School as our guidance counselor after her experience working with students and families in both the hospital and classroom setting. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology with an emphasis in Linguistics at the University of California, Los Angeles where she also gained the opportunity to study Language and Culture in Florence, Italy and taught English to Italian-Speaking third grade students. Ms. Mendoza continued her academic experience back in the Bay Area at Mills College in Oakland where she received her Masters of Art in Education. Ms. Mendoza spent time in the pediatric hospital setting working with Child Life professionals, music therapists, and art therapists as she studied for her Masters in Education. She is passionate about creating environments that are both therapeutic and inviting for children and adolescents to learn and grow in. Ms. Mendoza conducted and published her own research on hospital interior and environmental design on the healing and well-being of pediatric patients. With her devotedness to establishing therapeutic relationships with the students she works with, Ms. Mendoza is pleased to be joining Springstone as our guidance counselor.
Zack Miller
Zack Miller
Mr. Miller is a Bay Area native with roots in Lafayette. His main hobby growing up was working in video production, acting on stage and in front of the camera. However, Mr. Miller has always had a passion and a drive to work in the special education field. He attended college at San Francisco State University, receiving his Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies, and later attended St. Mary’s College of California earning his Master’s degree in Education. Mr. Miller holds a Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Credential. Mr. Miller has worked alongside and with adults and students with special needs in Alameda, Piedmont, and Lafayette. His goal is to help individuals with special needs to reach their highest potential and gain as much independence as possible.
Zack Miller
Mr. Miller is a Bay Area native with roots in Lafayette. His main hobby growing up was working in video production, acting on stage and in front of the camera. However, Mr. Miller has always had a passion and a drive to work in the special education field. He attended college at San Francisco State University, receiving his Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies, and later attended St. Mary’s College of California earning his Master’s degree in Education. Mr. Miller holds a Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Credential. Mr. Miller has worked alongside and with adults and students with special needs in Alameda, Piedmont, and Lafayette. His goal is to help individuals with special needs to reach their highest potential and gain as much independence as possible.
Stephen Moore
Stephen Moore
Mr. Moore is a Bay Area native with deep connections to the Lafayette community. He attended Diablo Valley College then earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State East Bay. Mr. Moore began teaching in 2015 and has since gained experience teaching in both the general education setting as a 7th grade History and Science teacher as well as a Mild Moderate Special Education teacher for 7th and 8th graders. Mr. Moore has been working with youth throughout the Bay Area community for over twenty years as a mentor, coach, and big brother. Mr. Moore is attune to the honor and responsibility it is to support students as they reach their highest potential both academically and socially.
Stephen Moore
Mr. Moore is a Bay Area native with deep connections to the Lafayette community. He attended Diablo Valley College then earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State East Bay. Mr. Moore began teaching in 2015 and has since gained experience teaching in both the general education setting as a 7th grade History and Science teacher as well as a Mild Moderate Special Education teacher for 7th and 8th graders. Mr. Moore has been working with youth throughout the Bay Area community for over twenty years as a mentor, coach, and big brother. Mr. Moore is attune to the honor and responsibility it is to support students as they reach their highest potential both academically and socially.
Corbin O’Connor
Corbin O'Connor
After completing his high school education in Belgium, Mr. O’Connor moved to California and attended Saint Mary’s College where he earned his Bachelor’s of Liberal Arts. As a graduate of The Integral Program, his specialties are history, political science, and economics. In respect to his teaching method, Mr. O’Connor seeks to have students understand the nature of cause and effect, rather than the memorization of arbitrary dates and events. Mr. O’Connor earned a Master’s of Education degree from Saint Mary’s College of California Mr. O’Connor holds a Mild/Moderate Educational Specialist Credential. In his free time, he enjoys backpacking and experiencing the great outdoors.
Corbin O'Connor
After completing his high school education in Belgium, Mr. O’Connor moved to California and attended Saint Mary’s College where he earned his Bachelor’s of Liberal Arts. As a graduate of The Integral Program, his specialties are history, political science, and economics. In respect to his teaching method, Mr. O’Connor seeks to have students understand the nature of cause and effect, rather than the memorization of arbitrary dates and events. Mr. O’Connor earned a Master’s of Education degree from Saint Mary’s College of California Mr. O’Connor holds a Mild/Moderate Educational Specialist Credential. In his free time, he enjoys backpacking and experiencing the great outdoors.
Bronwyn Turney
Bronwyn Turney
Miss Turney started teaching in the 2004-2005 school year in the general education setting, teaching 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. While teaching, she received her Master’s of Art in Cross-Cultural Education. After teaching general education, she went to Japan and taught for a year at four different high schools. When she returned to the US from Japan, she attended San Francisco State University to receive her Mild/Moderate Special Education Credential. She began working at The Springstone School in the 2011-2012 school year. In addition to academics, she is certified to teach yoga to children. Miss Turney is a Springstone leader bringing fresh ideas and new ways for our students to embrace their community including monthly “Yoga for Causes” classes, the Pajama Program, and most recently a canned food drive.
Bronwyn Turney
Miss Turney started teaching in the 2004-2005 school year in the general education setting, teaching 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. While teaching, she received her Master’s of Art in Cross-Cultural Education. After teaching general education, she went to Japan and taught for a year at four different high schools. When she returned to the US from Japan, she attended San Francisco State University to receive her Mild/Moderate Special Education Credential. She began working at The Springstone School in the 2011-2012 school year. In addition to academics, she is certified to teach yoga to children. Miss Turney is a Springstone leader bringing fresh ideas and new ways for our students to embrace their community including monthly “Yoga for Causes” classes, the Pajama Program, and most recently a canned food drive.