Meet Our Faculty and Staff

Name: Bev Boorman
Preferred Pronouns: She
Title: Director of Community Engagement

What year did you start working at Marin Horizon? 2000 and 2022
What school(s) did you attend? Ryerson Polytechnical Institute Toronto

Why did you want to work in a school? 
If you can make a difference in one child's life that is amazing—that is what we do at Marin Horizon!
What continues to inspire and drive you to work in a school? 
Students, parents, faculty and staff—it's a place where kids love to learn, and that inspires me.
What’s your favorite thing about working in a school? 
The community. 
How have you adapted during COVID-19? 
We have had to find ways to build and support our communities.

Why Marin Horizon? 
It's home. 
What has been your experience at Marin Horizon so far?

It has been a great welcome back and I am thrilled to be here.
Which of our Pillars resonates with you the most and why? (We are insatiably curious, We are complex thinkers, We embrace challenge, We are active community members, We have a voice) 
Active community members that have a voice.
Do you have any hobbies? 
Cooking, gardening, and knitting. 

Where did you grow up? Where do you live now? 
I was born in Canada and grew up in Toronto. I live in San Rafael. 

Name: Natalie Silman
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Title: Toddler Garden Associate Teacher
What year did you start working at Marin Horizon? 2022
What school(s) did you attend? I am currently in my last year at San Francisco State University, pursuing a BA in Child and Adolescent Development.
Why did you want to work in a school? 
I have always had a passion for working with kids.
What continues to inspire and drive you to work in a school? 
I am pursuing a career as a child psychologist because of how important I feel mental health is during development and throughout life.
What’s your favorite thing about working in a school? 
Getting to watch the students grow each year.
Why Marin Horizon? 
Marin Horizon is a friendly, close-knit community which I think is an amazing atmosphere for a school.

Name: Brittley Tringali
Preferred Pronouns: He/Him/His
Title: 5th Grade Advisor and 5th/6th Social Studies
What year did you start working at Marin Horizon? 2022
What school(s) did you attend? Chico State: BA in Social Sciences and Social Studies Single Subject Teaching Credential
Why did you want to work in a school? 
I wanted to become a teacher because I enjoy working with and inspiring young people to be their best selves. I also enjoy seeing the process of student growth, both inside and outside the classroom. 
What continues to inspire and drive you to work in a school? 
I am inspired by the "ah-hah" moment of a student. I also love introducing the history of our world to students.
What’s your favorite thing about working in a school? 
My favorite thing is that each day is different, and I get to interact with our wonderful students.
How have you adapted during COVID-19? 
I believe I have more empathy for the student and family who might need extra time or support. I think I have become more patient and try to understand why students act and behave the way they do.

Name: Simon Kingsley
Preferred Pronouns: He/him
Title: Upper School Math Teacher 
What year did you start working at Marin Horizon? 2022
What school(s) did you attend? Rutgers University: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Master's in Education, Elementary Education with a Middle School Math Certification
Why did you want to work in a school? 
I really enjoyed tutoring middle school students while in high school, and I decided to consider pursuing teaching as a full-time job. Once I became a college student, I loved my student teaching. It was so exciting to hear students talk about the skills they once struggled with and now were able to complete. It was so fun to hear about the connections they would make about the math they were learning with the activities they enjoyed doing in their lives. I knew I had found a lifelong field for myself!
What continues to inspire and drive you to work in a school? 
As someone who has a passion for math, I want to share this passion with young students who may or may not feel the same connection. It's such an important subject to understand in day-to-day life and in so many careers, so if my efforts are able to help students foster or grow their passion for and ability in math, I'll be content in knowing I've been able to use my ability for good. The students inspire me, too. I'm always amazed at their creativity, effort, and energy, and it makes me want to put in my own best effort, and provide them with the best math class experience where they're learning and engaged.
What’s your favorite thing about working in a school? 
Easy—the students! They make every day unique. Some create fun "math songs," some show their incredible artistic work, some talk about their success in their daily sports, etc. It's very fun to learn about their lives, and they all come together to combine their talents to create some great connections with the math they're learning. 

Name: Kelly Kaufman
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her
Title: Second Grade Teacher 
What year did you start working at Marin Horizon? 2022
What school(s) did you attend? Colorado Mountain College: Fine Arts, Dominican University: BA Humanities and Cultural Studies and Sustainable Practice Certificate, Dominican University: CA Multiple Subject Credential 
Why did you want to work in a school? 
I began my teaching career by volunteering in classrooms because I saw a need for teachers to be supported. I then began teaching cooking, garden, and nutrition in K-8 after college. After a few years of working in classrooms with students of all ages, I felt the need to be in the classroom full-time. I thought that if I became a teacher I could share my expertise and the importance of growing and cooking healthy food with my class every day. 
What continues to inspire and drive you to work in a school? 
I continue to be inspired by students and their enthusiasm for learning. 

What’s your favorite thing about working in a school? 
Getting to know students and their families and staff are my favorite things about working in a school. Connecting with the school community and families helps me get outside of my own little world. I also really enjoy teachers and staff at schools because they are kind people who want to make a difference in the lives of the students. 

For this week's edition of faculty spotlight, we have two ways for you to learn more about our amazing Stevie Lee: read his spotlight below AND listen to Stevie's recent podcast interview with Anne Roche, life leadership coach and wife of Bill Perrine!

 

Name: Stevie Lee
Preferred Pronouns: He/Him
Title: Executive Director, Horizon Community School, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Marin Horizon School
Grade(s) taught currently at Marin Horizon? 7th grade Race and Culture Class
What year did you start working at Marin Horizon? Fall 1997
What school(s) did you attend? San Francisco State and Dominican College
Why did you want to become a teacher? 
I started coaching youth sports teams and then I fell into teaching through coaching.
What continues to inspire and drive you to teach? 
Helping to provide a foundation for educational success for children and families. HCS is the inspiration that keeps me going.
What’s your favorite thing about being a teacher? 
The sharing of stories through historical timelines.
Why Marin Horizon? 
As a founder of Horizon Community School, being able to bring my two worlds together–Marin City and Marin Horizon–is a dream come true. Partnering with Marin City families, organizations, and folks in the philanthropic communities has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my life.

This partnering allows us to foster and share resources including curriculum planning, staff development, and parent engagement. HCS is essential in the continued growth and positive educational experiences for Marin City families.

Name: Natalie How
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her
Title: Co-Teacher, 4th Grade
What year did you start working at Marin Horizon? 2021
What school(s) did you attend? Northern Arizona University, Double-major in Elementary and Special Education

Why did you want to become a teacher? 
From a very early age I realized how important passionate educators are. I had a very successful and positive relationship with school and with learning. I owe that to my teachers. I, too, felt the draw to give back that same connection that was so important to me as a child.

What continues to inspire and drive you to teach? 
There is really no occupation like teaching. It is an opportunity to connect with the most present of us all: KIDS. I never feel like I am the teacher, merely a facilitator. It is the kids who teach me.

What’s your favorite thing about being a teacher? 
Every day is a fresh start. Children have the most magnificent way of seeing the world through a clear and curious lens. If I take even a fraction of their enthusiasm and apply it to my life, I have moved forward in a positive way.

Name: Lauren Brody-Clarke

Preferred Pronouns: She/her

Title: Director of Performing Arts/Arts Coordinator

Grade(s) Taught: 4th-8th, after school musical 1st-5th

What year did you start working at Marin Horizon/HCS? 2016

What school(s) did you attend? UCLA Theater/Film & Television major, minor Musical Theater; NYU Business Management for Non-profit Organizations and Theater Education.

Why did you want to become a teacher? The future rests in the hands of the youth.  Education is the key to progress and enlightenment for this world, and I want to help be a part of that. It's very fulfilling to be able to make change for the positive and teach something that brings such joy to so many. Kids are awesome and hilarious and full of such complex emotions, great for performing on stage!