Amy Pult - B4

APult@srvusd.net

Ms. Pult's Website

I continue to be excited to be a part of the fantastic fifth grade team here at Live Oak!  I grew up in the San Ramon Valley and went to high school in this district. I graduated from University of California Santa Cruz with a degree in History and got my credential from the Cal State Teach program. I also have a  Masters in Education Curriculum.  Previous to my years at Live Oak, I taught fifth grade at Highlands Elementary in Concord, and 4th and 5th grades for at a private school in Antioch. I am grateful everyday that I get the opportunity to be a teacher!

Outside of school I enjoy reading, spending time with my friends and family, traveling, hiking, and photography. I am also an avid sports fan, and love to go to games!

My educational philosophy is that I believe that every child can succeed, but children learn in many different ways, so my job is to find the best way for them to do so. I like to challenge students, and I encourage students to put out their best effort and be a supportive part of the classroom community. I also love to have fun and be creative while trying to find new and exciting ways to learn!

Amy Pult

Kasey Wright - B1

Kwright@srvusd.net

My name is Miss Kasey Wright and I am delighted to be part of the Live Oak Elementary School for a 6th year.

I attended Saint Mary’s College in Moraga where I received my degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in music. I then went on to earn my teaching credential at the Saint Mary’s School of Education.  Most recently, I earned my Master’s Degree in Education, specializing in Arts Integrated Curriculum through Lesley University.

I love traveling! I was an exchange student to Japan, backpacked through Europe twice, spent a summer in Hong Kong and China, visited the beautiful island nation of Bali and spent Christmas in Australia. Last spring, I went to the Dominican Republic.  I also enjoy watching movies, singing, spending time with my friends, doing anything that involves animals and nature, and snuggling with my cat, Charlie. After teaching in Oakland for six years, I moved across the ocean to live and work in Sapporo, Japan. I taught English to middle and high school students for a year. I spent my free time eating a lot of sushi, playing in the snow and learning to speak Japanese, while experiencing some of the most beautiful cultural traditions I have ever known.

Now, I’m happy to bring my experiences in both teaching and traveling to my classroom at Live Oak, where I hope everyone can find their own success. I hope to teach my students about different cultures and help them open their eyes to the HUGE world they can explore.

Miss Kasey Wright

B-1, Fifth Grade

(925) 803-3123

http://www.loes.schoolloop.com/kwright

B2

Nicholas Zefeldt

nzefeldt@srvusd.net

Heather Croel - Clay

hcroel-clay@srvusd.net

Mr.Zefeldt and Mrs. Clay's Website

It is an honor to return to Live Oak Elementary school. It has been a
wonderful experience watching our community come together since we
opened our doors in 2007. I can't wait to get to know all of the
students and families of room B-02! I feel so excited to prepare my
fifth graders for their big trip to middle school next year! As a
teacher, I strive to create a life-long love of learning in each of my
students.

Outside of the classroom, I am passionate about learning, traveling, and
living a healthy, happy life.  I earned my bachelor's degree in
sociology from the University of California, at Santa Cruz. These
studies made my travels throughout Central America, Argentina, and Peru
all the more interesting and exciting! I earned my teaching credential
and Master's of Education, with a focus on Curriculum Development, from
CSU East Bay. I am an avid swimmer, bicyclist, and runner, and, when
there is time, I love to race in local triathlons on the weekends.

I can't wait to be part of the adventurous learning that takes place at
Live Oak Elementary this year!

Nicholas Zefeldt

I am thrilled to be a part of the Live Oak family this year!  I’ve been working for the San Ramon Valley School District since 2005, when I was first hired as a 5^th grade classroom paraeducator and substitute while earning my teaching credential at St. Mary’s College. 

Outside of the classroom, I love to hike the east bay hills, work out, read and spend time with my family around the fire pit in our backyard. Other passions include writing, aviation, and family travel (think theme parks). 

As a teacher and a mother of three who attend schools in our district --  I have a 5^th grader, an 8^th grader and a 10^th grader -- I appreciate the high expectations set by our staff and parent community, and will work toward meeting the needs of all of my students to make them successful.  Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about your child.  I am looking forward to a fantastic school year. 

Heather Croel-Clay

Erin Halonen  - B5               Ms.Halonen's Website

ehalonen@srvusd.net

My desire to teach began in junior high school (middle school nowadays).  After having many inspirational teachers and coaches, both related to me and not, I knew that education was the profession for me. So, I enter my 12th year of teaching (third year at Live Oak) with all of you and I am full of excitement for the year. Outside of teaching, I love the San Francisco Giants and used to keep score at all of the games, a skill I learned from my mom. I also participated in a lot of sports growing up (softball and soccer) and even played softball in college at the University of the Pacific. As a lifelong learner, I've realized the importance (and still do) of balancing academics, athletics, and other extracurricular activities. It's extremely imperative to me for my students to be well-rounded as nine, ten and eleven year olds. Academics always take priority, however many life lessons can be learned at anytime, anywhere. Getting along with peers and treating each other responsibly and respectfully is of utmost importance. Saying please and thank you daily will definitely pay off. I look forward to helping you meet all of the fifth grade standards you need to master to prepare for middle school and life. Additionally, I am excited to get to know each of you as individuals in your last year of elementary school. Team B-5 rocks!

I am excited to be returning to Live Oak and joining the fifth grade team.  This is my second year at Live Oak but I have been a teacher for 10 years.  My teaching career started after completing my BA degree from U.C. Berkeley. From there I worked as a teaching intern at The Hamlin School in San Francisco, CA and then a head teacher at Redwood Day School in Oakland, CA. During this time I received my teaching credential and MA from San Francisco State.

When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband, three children and dog, Buddy.  I also enjoy reading, cooking, dancing and listening to music.  We are San Ramon locals so don’t be surprised if you see me at Safeway or Peet’s Coffee.

Charlotte Vaughns