Staff Directory
Barbara's background includes teaching, management, and business administration. She has been involved with the VOC community since before the birth of her children. She began her involvement as a teacher, and after having her first child, she became a specialist giving her more time with her family. When her oldest began as a kindergartner at VOC, Barbara continued her involvement through volunteering in curriculum and in the classroom and eventually as Supervising Teacher before accepting her current position. Having a background in business and first-hand experience with many aspects of public education has helped Barbara to understand, value and support all facets of the VOC program, not just the school’s administration.
Nikki is a long-time resident of Ojai, graduating from Nordhoff High School. She worked as a teacher's assistant at Noah’s Ark Preschool for five years and has been involved in the sports scene in Ojai for many years. She is currently Vice President and League Administrator for the Ojai Valley Girls Softball Association. Nikki and her family enjoy the outdoors, either on horseback or hiking with their dog.
Kara has a background in elementary education, with a specialty in music. She was trained in a music education program that teaches appreciation and theory, as well as important social skills, through a series of singing games. She is an “Artist in Residence” for the children’s music education organization, BRAVO!, offered through the Ojai Music Festival. She teaches singing in the public schools as part of this program. She sings with the Ojai Madrigal Singers.
Helena holds a Masters in Elementary Education from Johns Hopkins, but really found her passion in the alternative pedagogy of Waldorf Steiner through Journey School, a public charter school, where her son was a student from k-4th grade. During that time she went through a year of the teacher training program at the Waldorf School of Orange County and was a substitute teacher grades K-4. Besides being a high school ESL/ELA teacher, she was also a photojournalist for the Ventura County Edition of LA Times for 6 years. Presently, she is expanding her education through The Ojai Foundation’s council training program and is excited about joining the team at Valley Oak Charter School which is only minutes from her home in Meiners Oaks.
Nancy has worked in the field of education for 30 years. She has a B.S. in Biological Science and a Masters of Education in Reading. Having a Single Subject Credential in Science and Math and a Multiple Subject Credential has afforded her the opportunity to teach at the elementary, middle school and high school levels focusing on instruction in the areas of science, math and reading. For 20 years, she was employed by OUSD teaching life science, physical science and pre-algebra at Matilija Junior High. Ojai has been her home since 1990. She enjoys the active outdoor lifestyle it affords her family and has been involved as a leader in 4-H and Boy Scouts. She enjoys sharing the wonders of the natural world with children, helping them develop the skills of careful observation and thoughtful imagination. Her time spent outdoors often involves cycling, hiking, back packing, gardening and ocean sports.
Patrick will be joining us on Fridays, from 9am-1pm to support students with their homeschool lessons.
David received his B.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Oregon in 2012. Since then, he has been committed to deepening his knowledge through his work in permaculture and organic farming. David has also worked in education making him a perfect fit to help us develop our grounds in a way that supports student learning.