Spotlight on Village Staff
It’s a brand new school year and there are several new faces on campus. Actually, several of them are not new, but they are “official” this year. Take a moment to learn about our three new staff members this year. And if you see them on campus, give them a “Welcome” shout-out!
Administrative Assistant Veronica, Parent of two Village Alumni
Tell us a little about yourself. For example, where are you from originally and how long have you lived in the Bay Area?
I moved from Oregon when I was 4, so I have lived in this area for most of my life.
What are your interests outside of Village? What are some things you and your family like to do for fun?
I love spending time with my brothers and going to the movies.
What are some of your favorite and most rewarding moments in a day at school?
The first hug of the day and smiles from kids! Becky always said it is
the best job in the world and it is true. I also like when there is a lost tooth, it¹s very exciting!
Do the students teach you things? If so, what do you learn from them?
Yes, their logic is the best — things they state so very matter of factly, often just stating the fact that I am not Becky. One 1st grader told me to get her on the first day after he discovered it’s now my desk.
Is there anything you¹d like to add?
I am so happy being here at Village. Becky knew it would be a good fit and
she was totally right. I do miss her everyday.
Yard Duty Staff Member Amanda, Parent of Two Village Students
We moved to the Bay Area 5 years ago from the East Coast (Boston) with a 2.5 year old and a 6 month old. My husband was running a research lab out of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and teaching immunology, microbiology and pathology at Harvard. I had left a 15 year dental career to stay home with my kids. Jim got an amazing offer at a medical research company in Mountain View, and he was excited to explore the industrial side of research after many great years on the academic side.
We learned about Village while researching schools, and I loved the parent participation aspect of it. I’ve always loved kids and I was (and am) so excited to continue to be hands on with children even while my own kids are at school. Our whole extended family is back East, so the village aspect of Village is crucial to me. Raising 3 kids with no family around is tough, and even as a stay at home mom I’d really be in trouble without the close network of Village friends I’ve made over the years. I’m blessed with many fellow Village parents who will help with my kids if I ask, and there is usually a Village kid or two kicking around my backyard on a weekly basis!
Our family loves to hike and explore, bike and kayak…doing something outside is pretty much where you will find us on any given weekend. Adding #3 to our family in 2016 has slowed us down a bit (while simultaneously accelerating my aging process) but we are starting to get back into the groove of getting out and about again.
I’m excited to be on board at Village and look forward to spending more time and effort here as my little guy gets bigger and easier to manage!
Music teacher, Diana W., known to our kids as “Ms. D”
I’m a true local! I was born in Mountain View, grew up in Campbell, and have traveled plenty but never moved out of the Bay Area. I went to Forest Hill Elementary School, Rolling Hills Middle School, Westmont High School, and Santa Clara University. When I had my two kids and became a stay at home mom, I started performing in various musical groups as a way of fulfilling myself outside of full-time motherhood. I began teaching private music lessons as well as in school music classrooms because it allows me to continue working professionally with what and who I’m most passionate and knowledgeable about: music, education, and kids.
I started playing piano when I was four years old…my mom was cleaning the kitchen and heard piano playing along with the Sesame Street record Sesame Jamboree. She didn’t remember there being a piano part in that particular song so she came in to investigate and found me playing along to the song on our family piano as though I was part of the band. She signed me up for piano lessons right away and I’ve been playing and performing music ever since.
I am a hard core music geek and I love to talk music with other fellow music appreciators. I don’t have a favorite type of music because I love listening to and enjoy playing every genre! But I would not be who I am today without the Beatles, 80’s music, classic rock, No Doubt, The Sound of Music Soundtrack, and Queen. My primary instruments are piano, bass guitar, and voice, but I’ve also played flute, clarinet, ukulele, guitar, saxophone, and drums as well. I’ve performed in a church bands and choirs, a garage band (when I was in high school), a Top 40 cover band, a blues band, a southern rock band, a rockabilly band, a barbershop chorus and quartet, and a Queen tribute band.
The company I work for, Rhythm & Moves, placed me at Village. I enjoy the warm and welcoming environment, the bright/creative students and staff, the smaller class sizes, and the family atmosphere (I get a hug from at least one student every time I’m on campus).
In my free time, I like to spend time with my family (I have an 11 year old daughter and an 8 year old son who both love to sing and play the piano), spend time with friends, write/record/practice/jam/perform music, read, swim, skateboard, laugh, ride roller coasters, boogie board, bake, and garden.
I love my job!!!! Fun fact: I am part native Hawaiian and I so love the culture and huge ohana that I grew up in, which gave me great appreciation for family, community, art, different kinds of foods, and listening to people’s stories. I do private music lessons for children and currently teach music in 4 public schools in Campbell and San Jose. Come say hi and find me online! www.dianareymusic.com