Candice Arth

I truly enjoy teaching at Coyote Creek and being part of this school’s community.  This is my 13th year of teaching, and I began teaching here at Coyote Creek 6 years ago. I did not pursue my teaching career until my children were much older.  It was being a parent volunteer in their kindergarten classes that motivated me to become a teacher.  Before moving to Coyote Creek, I taught school in Pleasant Hill where I raised my two sons.  We still reside in the Pleasant Hill area, but now my sons have grown and they are on their own.  I have always taught kindergarten or first grade because I love seeing all the growth and development that goes on in these first few years of school.  I look forward to being a part of the Coyote Creek Community again, seeing familiar faces and meeting new children and their families.  

Lori Holbrook Banks

I have been teaching for over 21 years. Before Coyote Creek, I spent 15 at the Mt. Diablo School District. I worked in Pleasant Hill and taught first and second grade. I got my Bachelor's Degree at Sacramento State college in Child Development. I got my credential at Saint Mary's in Moraga. I have grown up in the area and taught at the school I attended as a child.

Tracy Crawford

I have been teaching for 13 years. I taught 3rd grade for 8 years and this is my 5th year teaching first grade. I feel lucky to have been a part of the Coyote Creek family since its doors opened in 2000. I received my BA from Fresno State and my credential from Chapman University.

My husband and I are the proud parents of our 3 year old daughter Addison. She will be a big sister soon as we are expecting a bouncing boy in October. Spending time with family takes up most of my free time and we love to travel when we can, go to the park and spend time with friends. If I do get a chance I love to read and scrapbook.

Kathleen McGrath

I have been a teacher at Coyote Creek for the last 8 years. I have taught 2^nd, Kindergarten and have now landed in 1st grade. In my spare time, I teach yoga in San Ramon. I live in Oakland and have been in the bay area for ten years. I am originally from Southern California; I graduated from UCSB and moved up here to get my credential from San Francisco State. 

Kathy Sanders

I love being a part of the Coyote Creek School community. This is my fifth year at CK after teaching in Oklahoma, West Virginia and Florida. Teaching is a very important part of my life and I have found much satisfaction in teaching at Coyote Creek. The parents and students are the best ever! I feel as if the staff is a part of my extended family. 

I grew up in Oklahoma and received my teaching credential when I graduated from Oklahoma State University. After teaching in Oklahoma for twelve years, my family moved to Florida. We lived in Tampa and Fort Myers. We were there for the “Year of the Hurricanes” and lived through Hurricane Charlie and the three other hurricanes, which followed that year. It was quite an experience.

My mother lives in Oklahoma and I often make trips there to visit her and my son.   My son lives in Stillwater: home of the OSU Cowboys!   I have one sister, Joyce, who lives in Florida.

My husband and I moved to California five years ago. We have two dogs which are a very important part of our family. Jake is our six-year-old Brittany spaniel and Cody is the four-year-old Golden Retriever we were so excited to get from Homeward Bound Rescue Association. If you ask, I will show you pictures!

Kirsty Betts

I am excited to be joining the Coyote Creek Pack this year! I was originally born in England and moved to California with my family when I was 9 years old. I went to Greenbrook Elementary School, Charlotte Wood Middle School, and San Ramon Valley High School. I received my Bachelor’s Degree and Teaching Credential from Sonoma State University. I previously was teaching with the Mt. Diablo School district. I look forward to an exciting and wonderful year in 1^st grade! 

Mariann Stephens

Hello! I am a first grade teacher here at Coyote Creek. Ever since I was in elementary school, one of my goals in life was to become a teacher. I had some amazing teachers growing up and I felt the longing to follow in their footsteps. To achieve my goal, I received my teaching credential and Masters Degree in the Art of Teaching from the University of San Francisco back in 1999. This is my eighth year teaching at Coyote Creek. Previously I taught Kindergarten in the San Mateo/Foster City School District. I truly love what I do and I feel so fortunate to be teaching in such a great community.

My husband, Bill, and I have two sons, Michael, 4 years old, and Nicholas, 1 year old. Both of our boys continue to amaze us each and every day. It's an extraordinary experience seeing how quickly children change and how grown up they become. You just don't want to blink!

When I am not in the classroom, I enjoy being with my family, exploring new places, taking walks with our Labrador, Mollie, reading, swimming, and spending time at our family cabin up in Lake Tahoe.

Looking forward to a fun and fabulous year learning!