Danielle attended a results-focused school as a child, that taught for the test and not for mastery or to discover passions. As an imaginative artistic person, this experience made her seek alternative education models. Danielle is an advocate for creative exploration. Her passion is to help students develop a love of learning and find their best vehicle to learn. Striving to always celebrate each student's uniqueness and individual passions, she is always a champion for self-expression.

Danielle joined Acton Academy because its methodology is deeply aligned with her own. She fully believes that every child should be able to discover and learn how to use their talents to solve difficult problems to change the world and that every child should develop a deep respect for the political, economic and religious freedoms. She is well known for her mindset that each person should always be their most authentic self. She has tutored 4-11-year-olds in writing, reading, and mathematics and received her BA from Mills College in English Literature. She is also a mentor and member of the National CARES Mentorship Movement. In her spare time, Danielle enjoys pilates, hiking, geology, cooking, art, and literature. You can find her exploring her interests in various museums and theaters, fiddling about in her garden or searching for rocks to add to her rock collection!

Kaylee graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. She is currently working toward obtaining her Master's Degree in Instructional Design. Her continuous excitement for learning motivated her to focus her future on helping students discover the same passions in education. Kaylee is an advocate for the individual student; she understands that students may learn differently. She holds communication as a top priority when helping students achieve their goals.

In her free time, you can find Kaylee exploring local backpacking trails, completing DIY projects, and cooking large meals in her kitchen. Kaylee often spends her weekends playing with her two dogs and enjoying time with her family.

Jessie believes that everyone is capable of achieving their dreams and finding their passions. She also strongly believes that learning doesn't have an age limit, and as curious humans, we owe it to ourselves to be lifelong learners. Jessie has previous experience working with middle school students in underserved communities by helping them find their voice in writing. She believes that the art of storytelling is a powerful form of expression that can connect words, destroy barriers and transcend time.

Jessie graduated from the University of San Francisco with her Bachelor's degree in English Literature. She has many hobbies from camping, photography, writing, reading, and more recently antiquing. She often spends her free time with her family and pets, indulging in podcasts or audiobooks.

I graduated with a bachelor's degree in Accounting. My love for children and my passion for teaching motivated me to change careers and earn my Montessori credential to become a part of the American Montessori Society (AMS). I am a firm believer in children's potential. I believe that the healthy development of children is crucial to the future well-being of any society. It is vital that children be offered meaningful opportunities to individually develop their potential, enabling them to step out into the world as responsible, engaged, competent, and respectful citizens with an understanding and appreciation that learning is for life.

Guiding children, playing with them and getting into their world have always been a source of joy to me. Over my 8 years of teaching different ages, I've learned that children are great teachers and amazing problem solvers.

I enjoy being with my family and friends, meeting new people, cooking, reading, traveling, learning something new, and enjoying all forms of arts.

Children are one of the greatest sources of inspiration for Afsaneh. She believes that their sense of wonder and curious absorption with the world are sacred and need to be kept active. Acton Academy philosophy creates a framework to do just that and Afsaneh has enthusiastically found her way to our team.

She has a Bachelor's degree in English and a Master's in Education and she has spent most of her professional life in classrooms. Her purpose in the field of education is to be open to new ways of harnessing that sense of natural curiosity in children and directing it towards a lifelong passion for learning and development. Her focus will be mostly on our learners' writing skills at Acton Academy East Bay.

Amongst many things, Afsaneh particularly enjoys movies and arts, outdoor living, and socializing.