OUR TEAM
Our faculty and staff combine passion, dedication, and flexibility with the wisdom of many years spent teaching children to achieve their potential.
Pictured above: Our in-person professional development training with our teachers, two weeks prior to the start of the 2023-24 school year (come meet us as we are ready to inspire).
Our School Leadership
Wendy Xa
Founding Head of School
Neuroscientist. Nature Enthusiast. Quadrilingual. Mom.
Wendy envisioned a model that blends language immersion, nature-based learning, and social-emotional growth.
At Terra, this vision thrives through a trilingual (Spanish and Mandarin immersion), project-based, nonprofit forest school rooted in the IB framework. With a focus on rigorous academics, global awareness, and flexible band scheduling by skill level, Wendy’s approach ensures every student is challenged, supported, and prepared to become a compassionate global citizen.
Shauna Sullivan, M.Ed.
Preschool Director
Cat & child whisperer. Math wiz, Avid reader and book collector. Proud grandmother.
M.A. and B.A. in Education with a focus in mathematics from SFSU. Multiple Subject Clear Teaching Credential. 25+ years of classroom experience. Cat and children whisperer. Grandmother of three adorable preschoolers.
Teachers
are at the heart of our program
Teachers are at the heart of our program. With a <1% acceptance rate, we hire only teachers who can create magical learning experiences in the classroom. Our teachers have previous experience teaching in Forest, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Language Immersion schools. And small student-teacher ratios (5:1 in preschool through transitional kindergarten, 8:1 in kindergarten through 8th grade) allow our teachers to provide the personalized attention your child needs to thrive.
nuestros PROFESORES de Primaria
Tianxing Yao, M.Ed.
Mandarin TK/Kindergarten
Talented poet. Amusement park enthusiast.
M.A. in Education from the University of San Francisco. B.A. in Electrical Engineering from Xi’ an Shiyou University in China. 9 years of teaching experience.
Sandra Aranda, M.S.
Spanish
Poetess, musicophile and star observer.
Master of Science in Neuropsychology and Education and B.S. in Speech Pathology and in Mexico City. My love for children started from being raised in a big Mexican family. I am excited to make connections with the incredible the people and California nature.
Josephine Mong, M.A.
K-4 Literacy Specialist
Avid Hiker. Owned a theater company for 20 years, working with at-risk teenagers.
MA in Interdisciplinary Education-Reading Emphasis and BA in multisubject from Santa Clara University, CA. Has K-8 Multiple Subject Clear Teaching Credential. 20+ years teaching experience.
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Lily Panyacosit, M.S.
English 1-2nd grade
Clinical Herbalist, Healer, Life Coach.
M.S. in Environmental Health Science at UC Berkeley and B.A. in International Environmental Studies University of Southern California. Multigeneration Educator, Avid Student of Nature and Mindfulness, Mother of 3 daughters.
Ke Ding, M.A.
1-4th Grade Mandarin & Homeroom Teacher
Positive & Energetic, Cinephile, Dancer.
BA and MA in language education at Coventry University, UK. CDA(Child Development Associate) credential issued by The University of Pennsylvania. 8 years of teaching experience.
Pippa Whelan
2do Grado
expositor de arte. Escritor. Entusiasta de la risa.
Licenciatura en Estudios Liberales de la Universidad Estatal de Sonoma. Originaria de Irlanda, le encanta viajar. Recientemente publicĆ³ una memoria. Voluntario de hospicio. Ćvido pintor y nadador, aprendiendo piano. Siete aƱos de experiencia docente.
NUESTROS PROFESORES de idiomas para la programaciĆ³n de bandas
Clases de mandarĆn y espaƱol de kĆnder a octavo grado, preescolar y TK mandarĆn e inmersiĆ³n en espaƱol
Tianxing Yao, M.Ed.
conocimientos tradicionales de mandarĆn
Poeta talentoso. Aficionado a los parques de atracciones.
MaestrĆa en EducaciĆ³n de la Universidad de San Francisco. Licenciatura en IngenierĆa ElĆ©ctrica de la Universidad Xi' an Shiyou en China. 7 aƱos de experiencia docente.
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MarĆa Herrera
preescolar espaƱol
Madre de dos, amante de los perros.
27 aƱos de experiencia con niƱos.
Yan Zhang, M.A.
Mandarin Preschool
Chinese Painter, Artist and Epicure
Bachelor's degree in Hospitality and Business Adminstration at San Diego State University, and a Master's degree in Education at San Francisco State U. Previous a Preschool Assistant Director.
emili herrera
preescolar espaƱol
Trabajo duro. Audaz. Entusiasta.
Docente con 6 aƱos de experiencia. Loving daughter, and friend. _cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b- 136bad5cf58d_ _cc781905-5cde- 3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_ _cc781905-5cde-3194 -bb3b-136bad5cf58d_ _cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58 d_ _cc781905-5cde- 3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_
Xuan Luo, MD
SF Mandarin Preschool
Healer, Organizer, Mother of a Preschooler
Bachelor degree in Medicine from Changsha Medical university and have spend 10+ years as an acupuncturist and pediatrician. "After having my baby girl five years ago, I realized that moving into Early Childhood Education was the best decision I ever made. Never underestimate the importance of early childhood education — it takes tremendous effort to thoughtfully build a curriculum that supports each child's ability to comprehend, process, plan, and grow. It is deeply rewarding to see how naturally and quickly children adapt and learn when given the right environment."
Shan Shan Wu
mandarĆn de kĆnder a octavo grado
Cocinero apasionado. Sibarita. Voluntario Ɣvido. Madre.
BA de la Universidad de Shenyang, China. 6 aƱos de experiencia enseƱando mandarĆn a todas las edades. Voluntario en orfanatos y residencias de ancianos.
ARTS, EARTH EDUCATION,
Aftercare & PE Teachers
Aurora Mora
Aftercare
Epicure. Nature Hikes and Love spending time with family
Currently at City College of SF. 3 years of experience with children. "Children are truly wonderful — they are genuine, open-minded, and naturally find the positive in every situation. Their forgiving nature reminds us of the important lessons we can all learn: to stay open, optimistic, and compassionate."
Dylan Turner, M.A., Ph.D
PK Earth Educator
Avid Hiker. Preschool Teacher, Equity Advocate
Accredited Early Childhood Educator, Ph.D. in Anthropology at City University of New York. M.A. in Sociology and Social Anthropology at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada. B.A. in Anthropology and Philosophy (Joint Honors) at McGill University, Montreal, Canada. 15 Years early childcare experience and Member of Marin Primary chapter of SEED, a peer-led professional development program that creates conversational communities to drive personal, organizational and societal change toward greater equity and diversity.
Alek Cordeiro
Physical Education (rejoining Terra Marin in August)
Growth Mindset, Goal-Oriented.
B.A in Psychology at Sonoma State University. 7 years experience with ages 18 months to 18 years. Will coach skills in soccer, basketball, football, volleyball, and track and field. Fluent in Portugese.
Nuestros ADMINISTRADORES y Personal
Chloe Lechuga, MA SEL
Consultor SEL, 7-8 InglƩs/Humanidades
Amante del ocƩano. Epicuro y culinario.
Licenciatura en Desarrollo Humano y EducaciĆ³n Infantil de la Universidad Estatal de Sonoma. 8 aƱos de experiencia docente con jĆ³venes en riesgo. MaestrĆa en Aprendizaje Social y Emocional.
Melvin Watson
Conductor de autobĆŗs - San Francisco
Ama las bicicletas, padre de cuatro hijos adultos.
Nacido en Galveston, TX. Anteriormente operaba una tienda de bicicletas, pasĆ³ 22 aƱos como administrador de edificios en Presidio y trabajĆ³ algunos aƱos en otra escuela K8 en SF .
claire laurenz
Educador de la Tierra, Director de Campamento
Le encanta comer helado de limĆ³n. Esquiador acuĆ”tico. EmpollĆ³n organizador.
Licenciatura en EducaciĆ³n en Agricultura, Alimentos y Recursos Naturales de la Universidad Estatal de Michigan. Recorrido en bicicleta por todo el paĆs para estudiantes de secundaria y siempre alienta a las personas a salir de sus zonas de confort. "Trabajo para inspirar asombro y aprendizaje de por vida".
Xavier Seguin, M.M.
Marketing
Traveler, Polyglot
B.A. (candidate) in International Business Management at Haute Ecole de Gestion, Geneva, Switzerland. Experience in marketing and business administration
Enhui Luo
Custodian
Loves seafood and being a grandfather.
B.A. in Mechanical Engineering at Yingkou University and worked 16 years as a mechanical engineer, designing products that help clear water pollution. Grew up in Yingkou, China, which is near North Korea and is known for its fresh seafood.
Melvin Watson
Bus Driver - San Francisco
Loves bikes, father of four grown children.
Born in Galveston, TX. Previously owned and operated a bike shop, spent 22 years as a building manager in the Presidio, and worked a few years at another K8 school in SF.