The Wilkinson School: Faculty and staff

Come to this lovely school by the sea to experience our hand crafted education for the 21st Century. Find out how we go about equipping students for lives well lived as accomplished, creative, caring individuals.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania December 30th, 1942 and raised in Maryland (9 years), Washington State (1 year) and Roslyn, Pennsylvania (8 years). Then off to Villanova University in Philadelphia (BA in English 1964), Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California (MA in British and America Literature 1966), and the Peace Corps in Korea, 1966-1968. Two years as a social worker PA Department of Public Welfare and Philadelphia Department of Services to the Aging were followed by two years in Zen Buddhist monasteries in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Suddenly, on his own personal gold rush, it was off to California in 1973 where he struck it rich meeting Linda Wilkinson. The rest is happily ever after stuff as they have raised two beautiful children with 4 beautiful grandchildren, and have helped shape the destiny of hundreds and hundreds of coastside children at the Wilkinson School. What a privileged life! Some highlights:

1. Captain of the Villanova University Rugby team.
2. A summer in South Carolina in 1965 as a teacher at the Harmony School, preparing black children to integrate white schools for the first time.
4. A summer on the Mississippi River, building a raft in Hannibal, Missouri and floating to New Orleans.
5. Two years living in a village in Korea in the Peace Corps.
6. Every Intensive Studies trip at Wilkinson School
7. 31 years at the Woo School – unbelievable!

Principal, Room 2 Teacher, Drama specialist: Timothy Miller

Before moving to the Bay Area, Tim worked in Los Angeles for over ten years as a both a drama and classroom teacher. In 1998, The La Canada School District presented him with the Founder's Day Award for outstanding service to the community. During eight years in La Canada, Tim was the elementary drama teacher, a second and third grade teacher, and ran several after school drama programs. He has also taught drama in Burbank and Eagle Rock, California, Indiana, and Osaka, Japan.

Several years ago, Tim took a break from teaching to work for Nickelodeon, MTV and two independent films as a properties master and set decorator. Many years before, Tim acted in commercials and voice-overs, participated in regional theater in the Midwest and on the West coast and wote, produced and acted in a one man show.

Currently Tim leads the school as our principal while teaching core subjects in Room 2 and Drama to the entire school. He is attending SFSU and is a candidate for a Master of Arts in Education and School Administration. His time at Wilkinson School has been a rich learning experience filled with unforgettable moments with the students, staff and families here. These experiences have reaffirmed his passion for teaching and making each and every child feel seen and special.

Middle School Teacher: Mike Benson

Mr. Benson moved to the bay area in early 2004 from his home and lifetime residence in the rural town of Belle Plaine, Minnesota. Mr. Benson grew up in this town of 3,000, where he experienced success in arts, academics, and athletics. After spending a few years at a small public university in Minnesota, where he earned a teaching license for Communication Arts and Literature: 5-12, Mr. Benson was finally able to leave the state for an extended period of time, completing his student teaching experience at an English immersion school near Madrid, Spain, working with Spanish kids while experiencing their culture.

One year after his return from Spain, Mr. Benson moved to the East Bay and began teaching at Seneca Center, a day treatment school for at-risk youths of all ages and ability levels. Mr. Benson enjoyed his time at Seneca Center, working with a variety of young people from the Bay Area, while taking his free time to appreciate the beauty of northern California, from the coastline to the Capitol to the crests of the Sierras. Mr. Benson has now been teaching at the Wilkinson School since August of 2006, and he has enjoyed every second. He loves having the opportunity to teach (nearly) all subjects, making every day different, and he's thankful to be working with such a small, delightful group of students, acting as both a teacher and a mentor.

Kindergarten and 1st Grade Teacher, Science: Stephanie Hendrickson

Ms. Hendrickson ("Ms. H") has been teaching in the Bay Area since 2000. Her first four years were at James Flood School in Menlo Park. She began her fifth year here at the Wilkinson School where she teaches Kindergarten and First Grade in Room 1 and is also the School Site Science teacher.

Before teaching, Stephanie attended Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Psychology. After graduation she stayed in Hawaii and worked as a Kindergarten and computer teacher for three years and later attended National Hispanic University for her Teaching Credential. Stephanie originally hails from Southern California but attended high school in Connecticut, where her family still resides.

Teacher--Spanish Teacher, Art Teacher, Room 3 Aide: Maria Villegas-Hoppe

Maria came to Half Moon Bay from Guadalajara, Mexico, in 1980. She lived in Half Moon Bay for 20 years. Maria worked in the legal field from 1994-2001 as a paralegal and Spanish interpreter for different firms. She attended Skyline College from 1993-1996, took a course in paralegal studies at Canada College, and attended UC Berkeley Extension for a certificate in business administration. Maria was a member of the National Notary Association for 6 years. As a notary she translated legal documents relating to INS, agricultural and property sales and management. Maria has been teaching Spanish at Wilkinson School for the last four years.

Maria's children have attended Wilkinson School. Richie attended Wilkinson Early Childhood Center and is now in second grade at Wilkinson School. Maggie attended Wilkinson School for 8 years and is now a high school student.

After School Director, Rm.2 Aide: Kathleen "Katie" Marquis

Katie moved to Half Moon Bay a year ago in search of more adventures. She is beginning her second year at Wilkinson School as the Extended Enrichment Program Head Teacher & Room 1 aide. Katie is a certified ocean and water front lifeguard. She is also certified through Red Cross in CPR and First Aid Safety. Katie worked at the Westchester Presbyterian Preschool for two years. She has worked at the YMCA as a lifeguard and swim instructor for six years. Katie is currently working towards a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education at Canada College.

Preschool Site Supervisor: Julia Orlicky

Office Manager: Veronica San Chirico Miller

Room 1 Aide/Co-Teacher: Tiffany Ishihara

Tiffany was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. She came to the Bay Area to attend Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont. During her years there she played with the women's golf team. She majored in liberal studies and minored in English and Psychology. Currently she is taking time off from school to further her experiences in the teaching field. She plans to go back to school to study education. In her spare time, she likes to hang out with her friends and explore the Bay Area and is trying to overcome her fear of the frigid water here so she can go surfing.

Alicia Villa-Sarabia

Teacher Alicia has been working with children for ten years. A long-time local of the coast, she attended Cunha Milddle School and graduated from Half Moon Bay High. Alicia studied early childhood education at Cañada College and puts those skills to work in the Wilkinson Early Childhood Center and in the Extended Enrichment Program. Alicia is the mother of a young son, Michael and enjoys spending her free time with him and her husband Miguel.

Music Teacher: Marilyn Wells

Marilyn Wells has a degree in Music Education from Arizona State University. She taught high school music in Tempe, Arizona for many years. In 1984, she and her husband Christian moved to the Bay Area, settling in Pacifica, where they still live. Mrs. Wells was a judge for the archery competition for the LA Olympics. She was the supervisor for 3 targets and had the women's gold and silver medals on her target. She is the mother of 3 sons, all of whom love to sing and were part of the Ragazzi Boys Chorus. They have sung with Ragazzi Boys Chorus whith Marilyn as the accompanist. While Ms. Wells leads all of our students (preschool through 8th grade) in song she also teaches music at Ocean Shore School in Pacifica where her sons attended school.

Dance Teacher: Michelle MacDonald

Michelle has been teaching children (ages 3 to 18) on the coast for 12 years. Her studio teaches tap, ballet and jazz dance. Her students performances have been Cats, Peter Pan, Seussical, Wizard of Oz geared to theater dance to teach a love for the theater arts. Michelle is married with a grown daughter. Teaching for the love of dance is her motto. She is excited to teach your children!

Norma Angelica Acosta (Teacher Norma)

Norma came to California from Mexico more than 15 years ago. She is happily married and has two beautiful kids, Angie and Diego. She calls them her sun and moon.

Norma has been working with kids for more than 11 years, 4 years in her home daycare and here at Wilkinson School. She has been a part of this community for many years and has grown through her experiences here. Norma says that she loves working with kids because she can see how they play and grow at the same time. Her favorite things to do are cook with her kids and listen to instrumental music.

Noemi Navarete (Teacher Noemi)

Noemi was born in the Yucatan and has always liked working with children.She comes from a big family with 3 sisters, 5 brothers, and many, many nieces and nephews. For three years Noemi worked in Mexico in a program called "Conafe" which focused on low-income communities and helping children learn to read, write and prosper. When she married, Noemi and her husband decided to move to El Granada where she began working at the Wilkinson Early Childhood Center. Noemi is the proud new mother a little girl.

Computer Teacher: Ian O'Malley