Administration and Staff Biographies
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- Abigayil Koss, Executive Director
- Darlene Richard, Office Manager
- Heidi Brevet, Director of School Operations & Extended Care Programs
- Lisa Piccione, Admissions Director
Abigayil Koss, Executive Director
Abbie has over 17 years of experience in education, including staff development, curriculum development, coaching and teaching. Abbie began her career in education in 1990, while working at the Capital Children's museum in Washington, DC. She went on from there to earn her Masters Degree in Education from Bank Street College of Education in New York City. She lived and taught in New York City for ten years before moving to the Bay area, where she taught in the Mill Valley public school district for three years.
In 2003, Abbie moved over to the East Bay, where she worked as an educational consultant with several EBISA schools, including Aurora School. In 2007, she returned to Aurora as the school's Curriculum Coordinator and worked with staff to further the school's teaching and learning practices in keeping with Aurora's mission and core values. In 2008, Abbie was promoted to Assistant to the Executive Director and accepted her appointment to Executive Director in May 2009. When not working she can usually be found spending time with her family, dancing, hiking or reading.
Darlene Richard, Office Manager
Darlene came to Aurora with 18 years of telecommunications experience in various department areas. This is the beginning of her sixth year at Aurora. Darlene has lived in the Bay Area for over 25 years, is married and has two sons. Her major interest is singing and songwriting and she has recorded a gospel CD. She is also intimately involved in the "Women of Vision and Virtue Network", an organization that provides empowerment training and support for women and girls of all ages, which she founded in February of 2000. Darlene also loves cooking and reading.
Heidi Brevet, Director of School Operations & Extended Care Programs
Heidi graduated from Skyline High School here in Oakland and completed her B.S. Degree from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. Prior to coming to Aurora School, Heidi worked at the Oakland YMCA for over 18 years. At the YMCA Heidi was involved in aquatics, fitness programs, camps and youth sport leagues. Her hobbies include traveling (visiting all of the seven continents) and watching sports (Go A's!). In addition to managing the operation of the school's facility, Heidi runs the "Hot Lunch" program, summer and vacation camps and Aurora's after school enrichment classes.
Lisa Piccione, Admissions Director
Lisa is responsible for managing the school's admissions process, financial aid, re-enrollment, school events and fifth grade outplacement. Lisa went to Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts and studied Midwifery. She is originally from New York, but has lived in Oakland for the last 25 years. She has been an active member of the Aurora parent body for 17 years, where her 3 children attended school. This is Lisa's eleventh year as the Admissions Director at Aurora. Lisa enjoys yoga, gardening, cooking, the beach and taking long walks with her partner Kate and little dog, Bella.