Specialist Biographies
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- Tania Figueroa, Spanish Specialist
- Mark Hall, Computer Specialist
- Kerry Higuera, Art Specialist and Specialists Coordinator
- Josh Johnson, Extended Care Coordinator
- Joyce Kelley, M.Ed Learning Resources Specialist
- Holly Schneider, Music and Movement Specialist
- Kathryn Shepler, Librarian
- Nikki Truax, Physical Education Specialist
- Alex Vittum, Woodshop Specialist
Tania Figueroa, Spanish Specialist
Tania Figueroa is a native of Chile and has been living in the U.S. for seven years. Educated at Universidad Católica de Chile, she has a background in art, performance and design, which she enjoys putting to work with her Spanish students. She previously worked as a lead teacher and camp director for five years at the Lango Kids Spanish program. Currently, and in addition to Aurora, she works at the Berkwood Hedge School and at Hillcrest in the Spanish Language Program. She is a creative, passionate instructor and loves to include music, movements, physical challenges, videos, and performance during her classes in order to teach Spanish. In her free time, she enjoys making social art, practicing yoga, rock climbing, and traveling. Tania is pursuing in a Masters Degree at J.F.K. University.
Mark Hall, Computer Lab Specialist
Mark comes to Aurora with over 20 years experience in the technology field. He has had positions as a software engineer, manager and executive at local software firms. His desire to make a difference has led him to a career in education. Mark has always been involved with children; as an art teacher for an after school drawing program, as a counselor for at risk youth in Oakland, as an actively involved parent in his children's education. Mark brings to the computer lab a deep understanding of technology's capabilities and limitations, as well as a creative flair that gives students the opportunity to explore technology in interesting and interactive ways. Mark loves to travel the world, play and listen to music, ride his bicycle and sea kayak on the Bay with his family. This is Mark's fourth year teaching computer lab. He also has two children that attend Aurora School.
Kerry Higuera, Art Specialist
Kerry has run the art program here at Aurora School since 1992 and is also the coordinator of all of Aurora's specialists. Kerry has also been a lead teacher in Aurora's K-1 program. She earned her BFA degree in Visual Arts from Northern Illinois University. She holds both a multiple subject credential and a single subject credential in art from Holy Names University. She is active in the National Art Education Association and teaches workshops to classroom teachers, parents and children. Kerry is a Japanese Fulbright Memorial scholar who traveled to Japan in October 2007 doing research. She loves to spend time with her family, travel, garden and work on her own art.
Josh Johnson, Extended Care Coordinator
Josh worked within the St. Paul's after school program before coming to Aurora. Josh has also spent 6 years as the Assistant Camp Director at Adventure Day Camp, a traditional summer camp in Walnut Creek. All together, Josh has over 15 years of experience in the recreation field, both in school and camp settings. Josh grew up in San Francisco, and moved to the Alameda in 2004. When he is not as Aurora, Josh enjoys spending quality time with his wife and daughter and enjoys the many family attractions of the East Bay, from the Oakland Zoo to the Alameda Beach.
Joyce Kelley, M.Ed Learning Resources Specialist
As the Director of the Learning Resource Department, Joyce is part of Aurora's educational team. Joyce offers support to students, faculty and parents in order to enhance student success. She has a B.S. in Psychology from San Francisco State University and an M.A. in Education with a certificate in Educational Therapy, from Holy Names University. Joyce has lived in the Bay Area for all of her adult life and has a 21-year-old daughter who attends a local college. Mindfulness, environmental sustainability, and equality are some of her passions. Joyce leads "mindful moments" Aurora's Tuesday morning assemblies. In her free time, Joyce likes to garden, write, read, and spend time with family and friends. This will be Joyce's 14th year at Aurora.
Holly Schneider, Music and Movement Specialist
Holly Schneider is a music and movement educator bringing over ten years of experience to Aurora. She believes that every child is inherently musical and music education exists to awaken and develop this potential. During the summers, Holly co-directs Aurora's musical theater camp and teaches youth Shadow Puppet Theater. In addition, Holly is also a percussionist, vocalist and dancer performing with multiple bay area ensembles. She is certified in Orff Schulwerk, which she combines with Kodaly and Dalcroze in her classroom.
Kathryn Shepler, Librarian
Kathy attended UC Berkeley where she majored in Fine Arts History. She started her second career at Aurora with a long-held interest in the study of children's literature. Kathy is active in many national, state and local librarian organizations. She was elected and served on the American Library Association 2011 Newbery Award Committee. She is the Co-Chair of the Distinguished Books Committee for the Association of Children's Librarians of Northern/Central California. She is a member of the USBBY Committee of Outstanding Books for Youth With Disabilities. She is also very active in the Northern California independent Children's Booksellers organization, where she is Treasurer and committee chair for community Literacy Grants. Kathy runs a long established and successful Mock Newbery book club for adult reviewers of children's literature. Kathy teaches workshops to librarians, parents and teachers about the book arts and library curriculum she developed here at Aurora, and has taught at many venues, including other local schools, the San Francisco Center for the Book, the University of Utah and many state conventions. Kathy is the proud mother of three Aurora graduates. She is a native to the Bay Area and has been the part of the school library crew since its conception.
Nikki Truax, Communications Coordinator / Physical Education Specialist
Nikki grew up as the youngest of five children in a family of sports enthusiasts. She brings to Aurora's playground nearly 16 years of experience as a youth coach in a variety of sports. Nikki received her B.S.B.A in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and Management from the University of West Florida. Before joining Aurora, she enjoyed multiple careers within a Commodity Trading Firm, the Ritz Carlton as well as the University of California, Berkeley Women's Basketball team where she assisted with the teams' operations. But her love of children combined with her love of sports is what determined her career decision. Aside from teaching, Nikki enjoys traveling the world, last minute weekend getaways, catching live music shows throughout the Bay Area, and reading a book from the comfort of her own couch.
Alex Vittum, Woodshop Specialist
Alex Vittum is a percussionist, composer and educator based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He combines the disciplines of percussion, instrument building and electronic music. Alex has performed and recorded with a diverse group of musicians, composers and choreographers including Roswell Rudd, Kitty Brazleton, Ben Goldberg, Daniel Carter, Stuart Dempster, Gina Gibney Dance and Loop 2.4.3. He has a BA from Bennington College and an MFA from Mills College and has studied percussion with Milford Graves and William Winant. He is a recording engineer/producer and has taught percussion and woodworking at Aurora School, The Berkeley School, Oakwood School, Cal State Monterey and Elmhurst Community Prep. Alex is an associate instrument builder and designer with the Paul Dresher Ensemble and a technician for synthesizer pioneer Don Buchla.