Teaching Staff
Our teachers are like family to us. We have the best and the brightest teachers dedicated to excellence in education.
Penny Appleford, Room 2, Grade K
pappleford@matescharter.org
Penny Appleford graduated from California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks with a B.A. in Marketing and Advertising. Following her graduation she worked as a fragrance buyer and financial planner for the South West Region for Nordstrom. After realizing her dream of being a buyer she wanted to fulfill her second dream of being a teacher. She continued her education at CSUN receiving her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. After receiving her credential she was the Reading and Math Specialist at Meadows Elementary for two years. Then she moved on to Pinecrest School in Thousand Oaks and taught fifth grade for the next two years. Currently she is at MATES teaching her second year of kindergarten. Penny is married and lives with her family in Thousand Oaks. She has three children ages 14, 12 and 8. They have all attended Meadows Elementary and now MATES. Her passions are her family, art, children and exercise. She is currently working on her Masters in Education.
Kristi Castellano, Room 16, Grade 3
kcastellano@matescharter.org
Ms. Kristi Castellano graduated from California State University, Chico with a BA in Journalism and Public Relations. After college she realized she really wanted to work with children. Ms. Castellano began her teaching career as a substitute teacher while she earned her Teaching Credential from Cal State Northridge. Upon completion of her credential, she spent the next 11 years teaching 2nd through 5th grade for the Hueneme School District. In 2005, Ms. Castellano earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from CSUN.
In between her teaching career Ms. Castellano took a few years off from teaching to have her children. She has two boys; Jacob is in 1st grade and Lucas is 3 years old. They are her pride and joy, and they love spending time at MATES. Ms. Castellano is thrilled to be a part of the MATES staff and looks forward to another great year!
Julie Stephens Day, Room 4, Grade 1
jday@matescharter.org
Julie Ann Stephens Day graduated from California State University, Northridge, with a degree in Business Administration and Economics. She joined a product management team at First Interstate Bancorp and became a Vice President and Lead Product Manager for cash management and technology products for ten years. As a Girl Scout Leader for both of her daughters’ troops, she realized that her calling was teaching. Julie participated in the Teacher Credentialing program at California Lutheran University. She started at Flory Academy of Sciences and Technology in Moorpark by teaching a semester of fourth grade. For the past three years she has been teaching first grade. This last year she was the grade level team leader and the elementary liaison to the school district’s Curriculum Council. Julie lives in Thousand Oaks with Dan and her daughters Lauren, 16, and Lindsey, 12.
Kristen Fiss, Room 14, Grade 4
kfiss@matescharter.org
Kristen Fiss graduated with a Liberal Studies degree in Psychology, Sociology and Kinesiology from USCB. She continued on to receive her Multiple Subject credential from UCSB as well. After graduating Kristen taught for 6 years, until she took time off to start her family. She has two sons, Jacob 22 and Jordan 19. She also has a daughter, Jacquelyn 21 who will be graduating from ASU in June with her teaching credential. Kristen was one of the founding teachers and taught for 12 years at Meadows before it became MATES. She has taught K-5th in her 19 years of teaching, but has found her “ true love” in the 4th grade. Kristen is one of the Lead Teachers and is helping to head up the curriculum committees. She is very proud of the success that MATES had in its first year and is looking forward to another fantastic year!
Alison Linklater, Room 3, Grade 2
alinklater@matescharter.org
Alison Linklater graduated with a B.A. in Sociology from UCSB in 2003 and obtained her California Teaching Credentials from CLU where she was Student Teacher of the Year. She began her teaching career in Moorpark Unified and has taught grades 1st, 2nd and 4th. She currently lives in Moorpark with her husband Scott of 4 years and 7 month old son Noah. When Alison isn’t in the classroom, she enjoys hiking, biking, attempting to play golf, going to the beach, reading and spending time with her family and friends. Alison is excited to have another wonderful year with her 2nd graders here at MATES.
Lauren Lux, Room 11, Grade 5
llux@matescharter.org
Lauren Lux graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Theatre and Performance Studies. She received her credential from the CalStateTeach program and has taught 5th grade for 3 years. Prior to becoming a credentialed teacher, Lauren worked as a professional actress performing in long running musicals, national tours, and voice over campaigns. She has an extensive children’s theatre background – conducting assemblies for elementary students teaching life skills and storytelling. When Lauren is not in the classroom she loves spending time with her husband, Derek, and miniature dachshund Rockie. She enjoys reading, art, and going to the movies. Lauren is very excited to be joining the MATES teaching staff and is looking forward to a magnificent year with her 5th grade students.
Sarah Meager, Room 6, Grade 1
smeager@matescharter.org
Sarah Meager graduated Magna Cum Laude from Pepperdine University with her Masters in Education. Prior to earning her Masters, she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Pepperdine University, where she also studied in Florence, Italy for a semester. She comes from a family of educators dating back to her great grandparents. Sarah began her career in the Conejo Valley Unified School District teaching first and second grade for 3 years. Sarah is thrilled to begin her 2nd year teaching first grade at MATES, where she also serves as a Teacher Advisory Council member as well as a member of the Technology Committee. Throughout her career she has taken graduate level classes in teaching writing and art in the classroom.
Suzanne Shaffer, Room 9, Grade 3
sshaffer@matescharter.org
Suzanne Shaffer received her B.A. and California Multiple Subject Credential from California Lutheran University and her Masters in Science Education from USC. Mrs. Shaffer student taught at Meadows Elementary School in third grade and taught kindergarten at Meadows for five years and a K/1 combo class for one year. She has spent the last four years at home with her children and is very excited to be returning to the classroom. As part of the MATES staff, Mrs. Shaffer brings not only her experience but also a strong passion for teaching, curriculum development and working with students and parents. Mrs. Shaffer will be job sharing with Mrs. Shen in third grade.
Amy Sharp, Room 15, Grade 3
asharp@matescharter.org
Amy graduated from California State University, Chico with a BA degree in Information and Communication studies. After realizing that she wanted to make a difference in children’s lives, she set off to receive her CA Teaching Credential from National University. Amy is coming up on her 12th year as an educator. She has taught Kindergarten, 2nd and 3rd grade. For the last 6 years, she was a teacher for a virtual school. She enjoyed subbing at MATES last year and getting to know the kids. Amy lives in Thousand Oaks has been married to Chris for 11 years and has 2 children, Kyle age 8 and Emily, age 41/2. Kyle is a student at MATES and Emily will be a student there in 2011. Amy likes to travel with her family, read, camp, go to the beach and swim in her backyard with her kids! She is thrilled to join the wonderful MATES family and looks forward to an exciting year!
Kim Shen, Room 9, Grade 3
kshen@matescharter.org
Kim Shen earned a B.A. in Sociology from Sonoma State University and her teaching credential from CSUN. She taught at Meadows Elementary for the past 9 years, in 5th grade, 4th grade, and 3rd grade for the past 4 years. She is thrilled to be working with such a dynamic group of teachers at MATES. and loves to collaborate and share ideas. She especially enjoys teaching Math and Art. Mrs. Shen is excited to be job sharing with her friend and former colleague, Suzanne Shaffer. This flexible schedule allows her to spend more time with her two young daughters, Avery and Kori.
Julie Stevens, Room 7, Grade 2
jcstevens@matescharter.org
Courtney Takahashi, Room 18, Grade K
ctakahashi@matescharter.org
Courtney Takahashi graduated from Concordia University, Irvine with her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies: Elementary Education. She continued on to earn her Masters Degree in Reading Education from California State University, Fullerton. Her ongoing education includes finishing a Credential as a Reading Specialist from Cal State Fullerton.
Ms. Takahashi loves teaching Kindergarten and working with the students as they develop throughout the year. She also enjoys the outdoors, Food Network television, frozen yogurt, and spending time with her family and friends. This will be her third year teaching Kindergarten and she is looking forward to another fantastic year at MATES!
Gavin Taylor, Room 5 Grade 1
gtaylor@matescharter.org
Gavin Taylor is a first grade teacher at MATES. For his undergraduate degree, he attended the University of California at Davis and graduated with a B.S. in Managerial and Agricultural Economics. Upon completion of his undergraduate degree, and studying abroad at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia, Gavin obtained a Masters of Arts in Education and Teaching Credential from Pepperdine University. He began his teaching career at Meadows Elementary School teaching 4th and 5th grade; he spent his first four years of teaching at Meadows Elementary. In addition to teaching, he enjoys travelling, music, cooking, and spending time with friends and his two dogs, Louie and Dakota. He is excited and honored to be working at MATES and is thrilled with the collaboration between students, parents, and staff. He is looking forward to another wonderful year as a first grade teacher at MATES!
Sally Tuchman, Room 12, Grade 5
stuchman@matescharter.org
Ms. Tuchman earned a BA in Theater Arts from George Washington University and her teaching credential from CSUN. She began her teaching career in the Las Virgenes Unified School District teaching 5th grade there for three years at Chaparral, Willow and Sumac. Ms. Tuchman is thrilled to begin her second year at MATES and loves working with all her MATES colleagues. She brings her love of the arts and technology to life in her classroom with unique experiences that include class movies, a musical, a class dance, World Math Day and blogging. When Ms. Tuchman is not busy teaching, planning lessons, or grading, she loves to spend time with her three children, Alex, Zach & Grace and her Westies, Riley and Winston.
Jennifer Waldman, Room 1, Grade K
jwaldman@matescharter.org
Jennifer Waldman is a Kindergarten teacher at MATES. Ms. Waldman graduated Magna Cum Laude from California Lutheran University with a BA in Marketing Communications. She then went on to further her education at CSU Channel Islands and here she received her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Ms. Waldman grew up in Thousand Oaks and is an alumnus of Meadows Elementary. For the past few years, she has been teaching in Moorpark and she is excited to be teaching in Thousand Oaks at the school she once attended.
Kristen Walker, Room 13 Grade 4
kwalker@matescharter.org
Kristen Walker graduated Summa Cum Laude from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA, where she earned her B.A. and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. She later earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and an Administrative Services Credential from Azusa Pacific University. Mrs. Walker has taught 2nd, 4th, and 5th grades in both Orange and Ventura Counties. She is excited to be teaching 4th grade this year and is thrilled to be part of the MATES team!
Jessica Warner, Room 8, Grade 2
jwarner@matescharter.org
Jessica Warner is a Second grade teacher at MATES. Miss Warner graduated from California State University Northridge with a BA in Liberal Studies. She then went on to further her education at CSUN and received her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Miss Warner has been teaching for 6 years. She has taught 5th, 4th, and 2nd grade. She loves teaching and working with such fantastic colleagues at MATES.
School Support Staff
Renee Dake, Librarian
rdake@matescharter.org