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Learning Resource Program (LRP)

This year we have dramatically expanded the Learning Resource Program from two staff members to eight-and-a-half. Learning specialists are now embedded in the grade level classrooms where they will be integrated into the day-to-day classroom program. Every student who needs supplemental instruction will have a learning specialist who is his/her contact person.

The Learning Specialists will provide supplemental instruction to students in small groups, coordinate supplemental instruction with the classroom curriculum, and assist classroom teachers in the design and implementation of differentiated classroom instruction, task analysis, and other teaching accommodations to enable the students to succeed academically. The Learning Specialists will also be the key contact with parents and insure that the recommendations of the Student Study Teams are implemented.

Following are the Learning Resource Program staff:

LRP Director & Resource Teacher for 8th Grade
Melissa Brown is beginning her 6th year at the Day School. She holds an MS in Special Education from San Francisco State University and a Educational Therapy Degree from UC Berkeley Extension. She is also trained in Orton-Gillingham Language Instruction and Making Math Real programs. Melissa’s professional experience includes 6 years of working as a Learning Specialist in public schools in the midwest and for the past 16 years in the Bay Area, teaching and consulting in independent schools at the Middle School and High School level.  Before coming to SFDS she was the Assistant Director of Educational Services at Edgewood Center for Children.

Resource Teachers for 6th & 7th Grades

Jessica Boyles holds an MA in Moderate Special Needs (PreK-9) from Wheelock College, a BA in Religious Studies and Art History from Colby College, and has a Massachusetts Certification in Elementary Education (K-6) and Special Needs (PreK-9). Her previous teaching experience includes working as a sixth grade Language Arts Teacher at The Caroll School and a fifth grade Assistant Teacher for the Neighborhood House Charter School, both in Massachusetts. She has also worked extensively for The Writers Express, including piloting their summer program at Willie Brown Academy in San Francisco.

David Wildkress holds a BA in Studio Art from Whitman College. He is currently attending Holy Names University working towards his MA in Education/ Certificate in Educational Therapy. David’s previous experience includes working as a one-to-one aide for an autistic boy at the Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy, private tutoring in math and reading for grades 1 through 5, as well as working as a classroom aide for the Milk and Cookies After School Program at Harvey Milk. David also worked at the Edgewood Center for Children and Families, implementing the Primary Intervention Program in two schools in the San Francisco School District. His hobbies include hiking, gardening, backpacking, biking, writing, and drawing.

Resource Teachers for 4th and 5th Grades

Nicholas Anton holds an MA in Special Education from New York University and a BM in Cello Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He has previously worked as a Learning Specialist at The Dalton School, teaching reading, writing, study skills, and organizational skills to fourth, fifth and sixth grade students with learning differences. Nicholas has also worked as a co-teacher at The Gateway School and has extensive tutoring experience. His interests include music, athletics, poetry, and cooking.

Alison Ruff holds a Masters in Teaching in Special Education from University of Virginia. She has experience as a Special Educator at Avoca West Elementary School in Illinois and The Dwight School in New York City. Additionally, Alison has worked as an ESL Teacher and private tutor in Tokyo, Japan. Alison has also been involved with San Francisco as a parent volunteer, serving as the Admission Co-Chair since 2006.

Resource Teacher for Third Grade
Hope Rosenberg has been working in the field of learning differences for the past 16 years in both New York City and the Bay Area. In addition to working as an evaluator at Mel Levine's All Kinds of Minds organization, she has worked in several independent schools in New York.  Her extensive experience includes running a private practice, a parent support group, and a social language group for children. Hope was also a Learning Specialist at Brandeis Hillel Day School and Katherine Delmar Burke School in San Francisco. She continues to have a private practice working with individual families and consulting for schools. She holds an MS in Special Education from the Bank Street College Graduate School of Education and a BS in Journalism from the University of Maryland at College Park. Hope is also trained in several multi-sensory approaches to learning including Slingerland, Lindamood-Bell, Handwriting without Tears, Applied Behavioral Analysis, and Making Math Real. 

LRP Assistant Director & Resource Teacher for 2nd grade
Andrea Shuel is beginning her 16th year at the Day School. She is looking forward to her new role as the Assistant Director of the new LRP. Andrea taught first, second, and third grades here before moving into the learning resource department and also taught for 15 years in the public schools in Indiana. Andrea received her BS and MS degree in Education from Indiana University. She has an Ed. Therapist's degree from UC Berkeley Extension and three years training in the Slingerland Approach. Andrea has been a member of the Northern California Branch of the International Dyslexia Association for ten years and continues to serve on the Advisory Board of that branch

Resource Teacher for 1st Grade
Nicole Sachar graduated from SFDS in 1995. She is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder where she played Division 1 soccer, and now loves coaching in her spare time. Nicole has two years of SLingerland training and is fluent in Spanish.

Resource Teacher for Kindergarten
Naomi Rudolph holds a BA in Community Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her teaching experience includes working as a Kindergarten Teacher at Jewish Primary Day School of the Nation’s Capital in Washington DC, a Teaching Assistant at Live Oak Elementary School in Santa Cruz, and a Hebrew school teacher at Temple Beth El in Santa Cruz and Temple Micah in Washington, DC.

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