Katie Costa

As a fourth generation teacher, education has always been held high in my family. I am proud to have the chance to be an educator here at Coyote Creek. I grew up in the east bay and currently live in San Ramon. I graduated and earned my credentials from Cal State East Bay. Prior to teaching at Coyote Creek I taught first grade at Walt Disney and second grade at Jensen Ranch in Castro Valley School district. In my free time I enjoy traveling, cooking and spending time with friends and family. I look forward to another great year being a part of the coyote pack!!

Patricia Evans

I grew up in Canada where I earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen’s University. I worked in business for many large companies marketing a variety of products. My last two assignments were working on children’s products. This, along with five years as a Girl Scout leader, convinced me that teaching was my real passion.

My husband, two daughters, and I moved to California in the mid-90s. I obtained my teaching credential at San Jose State. I taught second grade for three years in San Jose. We moved to the East Bay and I discovered Coyote Creek-truly an extraordinary place for learning. The amazing students, creative and dedicated staff, and outstanding parent community makes this a wonderful place for everyone to learn and grow. It is a joy to watch as the children discover more about the world every day.

Jeri Korte

Nancy Malcolm

Simply put, I love teaching at Coyote Creek School. A love of learning is what I hope to instill in each of my students every year. The world is full of opportunities to learn, and I hope to give the children in my class the desire to become enthusiastic learners for a lifetime. To reach that goal I try to provide an environment that is not only caring, but respectful and safe as well.

Jane Ware

My “New York state of mind” was shaped in the years I spent growing up on Long Island. I received my BS degree at Russell Sage College, in Troy, New York, my MS in education at Buffalo State and my reading credential at Nazareth College in Rochester, New York. My first teaching assignments were in Buffalo and Rochester. My husband’s transfer moved us to Danville.
 
I joined SRVUSD in 1986, teaching GATE, then first and fourth grades at Neil Armstrong School. In 1992, I joined the new staff at Sycamore Valley as a third grade teacher. Change is inevitable. The opportunity to become a BTSA teacher on special assignment (1999-2000) was a chance to grow as an educator and to help beginning and second year teachers improve their practice. Coyote Creek became my home the year it opened. I spent my first three years in second and graduated to third grade where I hung out for three more. Opportunity knocked again and in 2006 I became a teacher on special assignment working on staff development/coaching for the SRVUSD Reading and Writing Project.

In 2009 I happily returned to Coyote Creek to teach third grade three days a week, sharing an incredible partnership with Joanne O’Neill. I also enjoyed two years as the literacy coach on site. It is a privilege to be part of a staff who believes in a shared philosophy that embraces children. Educationally, we share the best in educational literature, challenge each other and demand excellence of our students and ourselves. Perhaps most importantly, we are a community of educators, parents and students, which feels safe and supportive, emotionally and academically. Could there be anything better?
 
Going home is like coming to school. It’s a special place to enjoy my family. I’m delighted that the San Ramon Valley Unified School District has three Mrs. Ware’s. Marissa is teaching kindergarten at Baldwin and Megan teaches seventh grade core at Iron Horse Middle School. My boys, Bryan and Scott live with their families in Pleasanton and Alamo. If you ask me about my four grandchildren, the stories and pictures will keep you occupied for hours! My husband, mentor and best friend, Gary, works as a consultant and broker in the field of eyecare.

Joanne O'Neill

I have been a member of the dedicated parent and teacher community at Coyote Creek School since its inception in the 2000 school year. I have taught kindergarten, second and third grade students throughout my teaching experiences, now in my 22^nd year in the profession. I earned my degrees and teaching credentials at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. In 1997, I became an employee of the San Ramon Valley Unified School District and taught at Baldwin Elementary before becoming a coyote.

Since the 2005-06 school year I have been given the opportunity to work as a TSA (Teacher on Special Assignment). This role has included supporting our staff with reading, writing and math intervention programs, coaching and mentoring teachers, staff development, and directing our Leadership and Peacemaker students. This year I am teaching a third grade class for two days a week, and supporting students in small groups three days a week.

Outside of my passion for teaching, I love gardening and have become a true SF Giants fan! I also spend time during the summer, teaching writing classes with Mrs. Ware, a veteran in the field of writing. My children and grandchildren reside in Florida and most of my vacation time is spent traveling there. Thanks to email, Facebook, and text messaging, they are only a click away!

Robin Smart

I am thrilled to be teaching third grade at Coyote Creek and to be part of such a warm and dynamic community. Coyote Creek is a wonderful place to teach and learn, and I feel lucky to be in this profession doing what I love. I strive to create a caring, safe, and engaging learning environment, which encourages students to believe in themselves and to do their personal best.

I grew up in Sacramento and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from California State University, Sacramento. After graduating, I moved to the Bay Area and earned my teaching credential from Cal State Hayward. I have previously taught grades two through four in Hayward and Dublin.

Outside of teaching, I enjoy traveling, hiking, reading, and spending time with my husband and our three children.

Erin Johns