Bios
OLIVIA FLINT
OLIVIA FLINT![]()
OLIVIA FLINT
Olivia is excited to be the School Psychologist at Joaquin Moraga. This is her 16th year of working in schools and with children. She taught in Osaka, Japan, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Mill Valley. She has experience doing counseling and psych-educational assessment in schools in Berkeley, San Leandro, and San Ramon. Olivia has worked with children between the ages of two and twenty, and most recently, was a Transitions Counselor at Orion Academy in Moraga. She is passionate about disability rights and making sure that all children are supported and welcomed at school. She loves collaborating with teachers and parents to this end.
Olivia has a BA in English Literature and Psychology from Smith College, an MS Ed in Elementary Education from the University of Pennsylvania, and is currently completing her PhD in School Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley.
Olivia lives in Berkeley with her husband and son. She loves reading mysteries and adventure novels, watching comedies, and singing silly songs with her toddler (and anyone else, really).
JERRY GRUEN
JERRY GRUEN![]()
JERRY GRUEN
Jerry Gruen teaches Physical Education at JM, and has led the eighth graders of Joaquin Moraga to Washington D.C. since 1996. Before coming to Moraga, he taught in the West Contra Costa Unified School District and at Fairmont Private School in Anaheim. Mr. Gruen received both his Bachelor’s Degree, in Kinesiology, and his Master’s Degree, in Applied Physiology, from Long Beach State University. His teaching credential was earned at Chapman University.He enjoys working with his wife, Lisa Gruen, who is a sixth grade Core teacher at JM. In his free time, Mr. Gruen enjoys coaching, reading, running, and exploring with his family.
AARON JORGENSEN
AARON JORGENSEN![]()
AARON JORGENSEN
Aaron Jorgensen is the Assistant Principal at Joaquin Moraga. Prior to JM, Aaron was an educational leader and district administrator in the Berkeley Unified School District. He also served as a middle school math lead teacher in Berkeley. He attended UC Berkeley for his undergraduate degree in Economics and graduate degree in Educational Leadership. Go Bears!
He began his teaching career in Oregon prior to returning to the Bay Area. He loves working with intermediate school students and being a part of this critical time in their life and looks forward to working with the Joaquin Moraga staff, students, and families. In his spare time he enjoys running, baking, cooking, and experiencing new outdoor activities with his family. He lives in El Sobrante with his wife, Lindsey, and their two sons.
HARVEY KAMIAN
HARVEY KAMIAN![]()
HARVEY KAMIAN
Mr. Kamian absolutely loves teaching math at JM! He has been teaching math at JM since the year 2000. Mr. Kamian loves the fun fact that he and JM were both born in 1967. Passionate about student learning, he firmly believes that every student can be successful in math with patience, effort, persistence, and organization. Mr. Kamian employs a wide variety of teaching methods to meet the educational needs of a vast array of learning styles and abilities. In their spare time, Mr. Kamian and his wife enjoy travel, sports, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. LESLIE MULDOON
LESLIE MULDOON![]()
LESLIE MULDOON
Mrs. Muldoon is a Canadian who has made her way to California and loves the weather. Mrs. Muldoon has a goal to create meaningful connections with all of the students she interacts with. She has worked at both Rheem and JM in the Moraga School District. In her spare time, you can find Mrs. Muldoon and her husband cheering on their children at various sporting events and theater performances. You may also spot her walking around town with her dog Moose. Mrs. Muldoon is also an avid reader who loves discussing all things books.
LEANN NIXDORFF
LEANN NIXDORFF![]()
LEANN NIXDORFF
Leann Nixdorff has enjoyed teaching in Moraga for many years. After spending 21 years at Camino Pablo in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades, this will be her 5th year teaching 6th grade core at JM. Helping students develop and cultivate a love of learning is a passion for Leann. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family including her twin 8th graders, rooting for the Oakland As, and taking advantage of living in the beautiful bay area.
DEBBIE STANDRING
DEBBIE STANDRING![]()
DEBBIE STANDRING
Mrs. Standring teaches 6th grade and 7th grade Science at JM. Mrs. Standring attended the University of California, Davis and majored in Biological Sciences. She grew up in Walnut Creek and went to high school in Oregon. Mrs. Standring lives in Moraga with her husband, Eric. They have three children. In her spare time, Mrs. Standring watches lots of volleyball, as well as other sports, she enjoys her garden and traveling. She loves all her great JM studentsMichaela Tondi
Michaela Tondi![]()
Michaela Tondi
Michaela Tondi has been a science teacher at JM for three years. After completing her undergraduate degree in Marine Biology from UC Santa Cruz, she continued there for another year to earn her Masters in Science Education. She enjoys learning and teaching about marine ecosystems and conservation biology. Ms.Tondi lives in Berkeley and loves swimming, yoga, hiking and visiting her family in San Diego.Kerry Warmboe
Kerry Warmboe![]()
Kerry Warmboe
Kerry Warmboe has always had a passion for history; she is delighted to be able to teach both 7th grade World History and 8th grade US History at JM. Kerry grew up on the Central Coast. She received her BA from UC Santa Cruz. Go banana slugs! Then earned her teaching credential at Sonoma State University. In her free time she enjoys traveling, reading, working on sewing projects, and of course watching Giants games.
MICHAEL BENTON
MICHAEL BENTON![]()
MICHAEL BENTON
Mr. Benton has enjoyed learning about history since he was in the fourth grade. He has traveled throughout the United States and to different countries in Asia, Africa, and South America to research historical sites and learn more about different cultures. Mr. Benton has a B.A. in Communications and three credentials in History, English, and Multiple Subjects. He is proud and honored to be a member of the JM community. Mr. Benton is passionate about sharing his love of history with his students in an informative and entertaining way that meets the needs of 21st century learners. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, writing, exercising, and watching historical documentaries.
JASON BLALOCK
JASON BLALOCK![]()
JASON BLALOCK
Mr. Blalock has been teaching at JMIS since 2011. He currently teaches Earth Science, Computer Science, and Drama. After attending Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University and receiving his BA in Anthropology from San Francisco State University in 2005, he went on to get his teaching credential in science with a focus on the geosciences from SFSU in 2010.
Teaching our young ones the ability to think critically in an increasingly technological world is an imperative of Mr. Blalock’s approach to teaching science. Only by having an educated and discerning citizenry will we be able to choose the right applications of scientific knowledge and ultimately create a more sustainable and just society.
He is proud to have a ten year old son at Cragmont Elementary in Berkeley. His interests include: reading, music, hiking, camping, and nature.
CAT CESPEDES
CAT CESPEDES![]()
CAT CESPEDES
Catherine Cespedes is a New Yorker who has found her way from the city to sunny California! This is her 4th year of teaching, and 2nd year joining us at JM. Catherine received her Bachelor’s Degree in History from Baruch College and Masters in Special Education from Brooklyn College; both located in New York City. Catherine has co-taught 7th grade English, 8th grade Math, and is an 8th Grade Learning Center Teacher. In her free time Catherine enjoys playing volleyball, watching history documentaries, attempting puzzles that are way too hard, and camping.
HEATHER GLICKMAN
HEATHER GLICKMAN![]()
HEATHER GLICKMAN
Heather was born and raised in Oakland and currently resides in Concord with her husband and two children Ellie and Luke, ages 9 and 10. She worked at an elementary school in Oakland through her college years at San Francisco State University, then took a long hiatus from education to utilize her Broadcast and Electronic Communication degree as a television director for KTVU news for nine years. As a new mom, she opened a preschool from 2012-2016, thoroughly enjoying her work with kids, but missing her daily interactions with the outside and adult world. She returned for her Master’s degree in School Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy so that she can continue meaningful work with children here in the Bay Area, graduating in 2020 at the heart of the pandemic. Heather worked the past two years at a performing arts middle and high school, and is now thrilled to join MSD. Outside of school, she loves running around to her kids' many sporting events, reading, eating all things Italian, Mexican and Indian, watching her favorite TV shows (some too junkie to admit) and traveling!
JILL HUDSON
JILL HUDSON![]()
JILL HUDSON
BRETT LORIE
BRETT LORIE![]()
BRETT LORIE
Entering my 16th year of teaching (all at JM), my excitement levels are just as high as they were on my first day of teaching. In those days, I had just completed my Master's degree and Teaching Credential at U.C. Berkeley. Since that time I have worked hard to make math fun, engaging, and challenging. I have also made a point to give students the opportunity to see other important aspects of life by coordinating field trips to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a variety of theater shows in San Francisco, and multiple volunteer opportunities, from Glide Memorial Church to programs at Cambridge Elementary School. I believe that a lot of learning can take place in a wide variety of places. I look forward to another wonderful year!
DAWN LEZAK
DAWN LEZAK![]()
DAWN LEZAK
Dawn Lezak has been teaching in the Moraga School District since 1991. She earned her B.A. at Mills College in Economics and German Studies, her Teaching Credential and Masters in Teacher Leadership at Saint Mary's College. She began her career teaching elementary school at Rheem, then moved to Joaquin Moraga to teach 6th grade Core and 6th grade Science. She currently is teaching 6th grade Science and the EARTH class. Her hobbies include gardening, hiking, swimming, skiing, traveling, and most of all learning from each day.
CHRISTINA MARIN
CHRISTINA MARIN![]()
CHRISTINA MARIN
Christina Marin loves teaching math. She majored in math at the University of Oregon (Go Ducks!) and received her Masters in Teaching and Teaching Credential at the University of California, Santa Cruz. This is her second year teaching at JM, but her ninth year teaching math. She encourages students to take risks in math and work together to solve problems. She believes in a student centered classroom with discussion and students helping students. In her free time, she enjoys running, exercising, watching baseball and playing outside and going on walks with her two sons, her dog, Archie and her husband.
STACEY NAVARRO
STACEY NAVARRO![]()
STACEY NAVARRO
This is Stacey Navarro’s fourth year teaching Physical Education. Prior to teaching at JM, Stacey taught in Oakland Unified. She has coached countless kids and young adults for over 20 years in many sports, with positions ranging from the Saint Mary's College Division I Volleyball team to youth camps in Europe and Southern California. Stacey was a professional athlete for 7 years, playing volleyball for teams throughout Europe and the Great Britain National Team. She played volleyball collegiately at Saint Mary’s College where her senior year team advanced to the Sweet 16. Stacey is passionate about living a healthy lifestyle and loves being home in the Bay Area where she can hike, run, cycle in boundless beautiful places. Stacey married Bryan Navarro, a fellow Gael, in March 2018. They love taking road trips, visiting Yosemite, and spending time with friends and family.
LINDA O'BRIEN
LINDA O'BRIEN![]()
LINDA O'BRIEN
Ben Wayne
Ben Wayne![]()
Ben Wayne
Ben Wayne has been teaching 7th and 8th grade English since 2000. He started his career with San Francisco Unified School District and has recently made the move to the East Bay. He has a degree in literature from UC Santa Cruz and received his teaching credential from SFSU. He enjoys the vitality of students in middle school--they are eager to learn and full of energy. He loves teaching writing and encouraging students to become lifelong learners. When he's not teaching, Ben enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. In addition to being a teacher, Ben is a drummer and an avid fisherman.
