Meet the Staff
Experienced Educators. Exceptional Teaching.
Exceptional teaching begins with knowing children deeply. Our faculty brings together experienced, highly qualified educators with degrees, credentials, certifications, and specialized preparation in their fields. They recognize each child’s strengths, understand what they are ready to learn next, and know when to provide greater challenge, depth, acceleration, or support. Our goal is to help every child reach their fullest potential.
Our Elementary teachers hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, with many earning master’s degrees and pursuing advanced training throughout their careers. Our Preschool teachers bring specialized preparation and experience in Early Childhood Education and Child Development, with a deep understanding of how young children learn and grow.
Our Specialist teachers are experts in their fields, bringing knowledge and passion to engineering and our Maker program, fine arts, foreign language, physical education, technology, and more.
Strong qualifications are only the beginning. We seek educators who are curious, motivated, collaborative, and committed to continually growing in their craft. Ongoing professional development is one of WHPS’s greatest investments, with extensive learning and collaboration throughout the year supporting our individualized curriculum and co-teaching model. We believe lifelong learning is something our faculty should not only teach, but model for students every day.
We also take great pride in the many teachers and school leaders who choose WHPS for their own children, reflecting a deeply personal belief in the education and community we are building together.
Get to know our faculty below. Each educator shares a personal mission statement alongside their bio, offering a glimpse into the experience, strengths, and beliefs they bring to their work with children.
Elementary Faculty
-

Melissa Pero
Lower Elementary Division Lead
Details -

Jennifer Foster
Upper Elementary Division Lead
Details -

Jennifer Baker
Elementary Learning Specialist
Details -

Kara Burns
Lower Elementary Teacher
Details -

Jessica Gillis
Lower Elementary Teacher
Details -

Sharon Herslikovitz "Ms. H"
Lower Elementary Teacher
Details -

Genesis Mendez
Lower Elementary Teacher
Details -

Jennifer Moros
Lower Elementary Teacher
Details -

Marcy Ancrum
Upper Elementary Teacher
Details -

Helena Franchi
Upper Elementary Teacher
Details -

Erin Harrigan
Upper Elementary Teacher
Details -

Lexiss Morgan
Upper Elementary Teacher
Details -

Olivia Paysinger
Upper Elementary Teacher
Details -

Sienna Ramsdell
Upper Elementary Teacher
Details -

Sydney Tarnowski
Upper Elementary Teacher
Details
Specialist Teachers & Support Staff
-

Fern Capitti Fenton
Animal & Nature Studies Teacher
-

Mary Ida Williams
Animal Keeper
-

Agustin Molfino
Maker Program Teacher
-

Brie Tompkins
Maker Program Teacher
-

Jill Miller
Technology Teacher
-

Noel Rodriguez
Spanish Teacher
-

Julie Charters
Music Teacher
-

Ms. Rubi
Art Teacher
-

Coach Albert
PE Teacher
-

Coach Jeremy
PE Teacher
-

Coach JC
WHPS Bears Athletics Coach
-

Michelle Pawl
Extended Care Supervisor
-

Maxie Barnett
Teacher Emeritus & Substiute
-

Paula Allen
Homework Club & Substitute
-

Lisa Levy
Substitute
Oxnard Street Preschool & Toddler Program

