Meet Our Team of Educators
Stephanie Jones
Having been raised in the charming town of Clayton, it has always been my dream to give back to the community that has given so much to me throughout the years. I attended Saint Mary’s College of California during my undergraduate studies and graduated with a B.A. in Liberal and Civic Studies with an education focus and a Minor in Montessori Education. I then continued my education at Saint Mary’s where I attended the Kalmanovitz School of Education Graduate Program and earned my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential as well as a Masters in the Arts of Teaching.
Over my teaching career, I have taught in the Mount Diablo and Antioch Unified School Districts. I have had the opportunity to teach kindergarten, first, and fifth grade, as well as tutor students preschool to eighth grade. I strive to make and maintain deep connections with my students and families, value collaboration and teamwork with families and peers, execute positive behavior management strategies, implement hands-on learning for students to manipulate, build, and reinforce their understanding of learning standards, use assessment to drive instruction and focus on making curriculum fun and accessible to my scholars.
Having taught multiple grade levels, my overarching goal is always to help my students become strong, independent, responsible, life-long learners. I want to make sure each learner moves on from their year with the knowledge needed to continue to the next grade, but more importantly knowing it is ok to make mistakes, their choices have an impact, and they are capable of anything they put their mind to. Much of this social learning comes organically for my students due to well thought out structures and lessons, boundaries and freedom while learning, logical consequences for positive and negative actions, and an open, loving environment. Providing my leaners with multiple means of engagement and learning opportunities enables my learners to reach the goals I have set of creating a love for learning as well as foster responsible and independent young people.
When I work with your family, my intention is to make your family life less stressful, have open and honest communication with one another, create deep and meaningful connections, work together to establish what is best for your scholar, and watch your learner flourish.
Nicole Lovos
It is with a lot of excitement that Flourishing Learners would like to introduce you to our wonderful educator, Nicole Lovos. Nicole is incredibly bright, creative, hardworking, and determined. She graduated from Clayton Valley Charter with honors and received scholarships for her accolades. Nicole then began attending DVC where she earned her Associates in Psychology. She is currently attending Cal State to gain her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Teaching and Teaching Credential.
Nicole has a very kind and approachable demeanor. She has been part of our wonderful team of educators for 3 years now and has experience working with kids age preschool to sixth grade. Nicole has always enjoyed working with kids and believes teaching is the best way you can make a difference in children’s lives. When Nicole works with your learner, she promises to make a positive impact, inspire kids to love learning, and help learners flourish.
Rohnda Datzman
Flourishing Learners is privileged to have Rohnda Datzman joining our team of educators. Rohnda holds a Multiple Subjects and Science teaching credentials. She has 33 years of teaching experience and recently retired from Walnut Acres Elementary. She spent most of her time teaching lower elementary, but has experience teaching children up to 7th grade in science and writing. Most recently Rohnda has worked as a writing tutor for a group of Liberian students who are members of SHE-CAN, a wonderful organization that brings education to women of impoverished countries.
Rohnda has a very calm and grounding presence. Her demeanor allows children to feel comfortable to express themselves openly and honestly. She enjoys listening to learners demonstrate their understanding of information by asking questions to advance learning, check for understanding, and to help solidify information. Rohnda loves helping others to succeed, learn, and feel confident in their education as she has done with her students, children, and grandchildren. When she’s not educating young minds, you’ll find her engrossed in nature, wild flowers, fall leaves, and everything science.
Morgan Williams
Flourishing Learners is honored to have Morgan Williams join our team of educators. Morgan graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a bachelors in the Art of Psychology and continued her education at Cal State East Bay where she earned her Masters of Science in Education: Reading and Literacy. She has 3 years of teaching experience; tutoring and teaching in the Antioch Unified School District. Morgan’s well-rounded teaching experience has given her the opportunity and ability to teach students from Kindergarten to middle school.
Morgan has a loving, calm demeanor that makes you feel comfortable instantly. She skillfully meets each learner where they are to help build confidence and advance knowledge quickly. Morgan loves being with kids and helping them flourish. When she isn’t educating growing minds, she loves painting, doing arts and crafts, and spending time with her two dogs.
Maria Bulanova
Flourishing Learners is excited to introduce Maria Bulanova to our team of educators. Maria is a sophomore at UC Berkeley studying Comparative Literature. She has 2 years of experience teaching and tutoring learners ranging from Kindergarten to 12th grade. She has helped learners flourish in essay writing, math, science, history and grammar. Her range of experience and knowledge of subjects allows her to help learners build up their skills so they feel successful and confident in their abilities.
Maria has a very bubbly and loving personality that makes you feel comfortable and at ease. She absolutely loves learning and is always working to build confidence and spark a love of learning in others.
Patricia Gutierrez
Flourishing Learners is excited to introduce Patricia Gutierrez to our team of educators, specifically as our Spanish and art teacher. She has worked with kids for the majority of her life, from being a mom, nanny, grandmother and school volunteer. Her original creative passion came from her time as a pastry chef. As she transitioned out of the culinary world, she continued to develop her creative passion by taking art classes at DVC. Patricia knows a large variety of art techniques, from sculpture making to still life painting. Not only is Patricia an exceptionally talented artist, but she is also bilingual, originally from Peru, and enjoys teaching classes in Spanish and English. Patricia is passionate about sharing her love for the arts with learners of all ages.
Sue Dunning
Flourishing Learners is honored to introduce Sue Dunning to our team of educators. She comes to us with 30 years experience teaching primary grades in the San Juan Unified School District in Carmichael, CA. She followed her passion of reading and spent fifteen of those years as a reading specialist. The most rewarding part of her job has always been watching students grow in their reading skills and gain a new level of confidence in their abilities and skills.
Sue recently moved to Clayton to be close to her daughter and grandchildren. She is excited to help our community flourish and continue her passion of teaching reading to young learners.
Ilene Schwartz
Flourishing Learners is grateful to have the opportunity of welcoming Ilene Schwartz to our team of educators. Ilene graduated from San Francisco State with her BA in Sociology and continued to gain her teaching credential and Masters in Education. She comes to us with over 10 years of teaching and tutoring experience pre-K to sixth grade; working in the Livermore School District and in private schools. Ilene’s main goal as an educator is to help instill a deep love of learning.
Ilene has a very gentle and friendly demeanor that is palpable the moment you meet her. Outside of teaching, she loves to travel, be outside, and go hiking whenever she can. She also takes pride in being her daughter’s biggest cheerleader each and every day. She is passionate about helping others feel confident in their abilities, cheering them on just as she does for her daughter. Ilene considers herself a lifelong learner and is always looking for new styles and techniques to make learning fun and enjoyable for her students.
Taylor Rustrum
Flourishing Learners is excited to introduce Taylor Rustrum to our team of educators. Taylor graduated from Clayton Valley Charter High School with honors and is currently attending Cal State to acquire her bachelors in Human Development. She plans to continue her educational journey and also get her Education Specialist Credential and Masters of Science in Special Education. Taylor has always had a passion for working with kids and using her education to help influence others’ confidence and learning.
Taylor has a warm and bubbly personality that makes people feel at ease. She recognizes the importance of creating an environment where children can feel empowered to grow in their learning, but also feel comfortable to ask for guidance when in need. When she’s not helping her students flourish, you will find her reading, cooking, and spending time with her friends and family.
Paula Rossi
Flourishing Learners is privileged to have Paula Rossi joining our team of educators. Paula holds a Multiple Subjects and Special Education teaching credentials. She began her 16 years of teaching in the Mount Diablo and Antioch Unified School Districts before she moved to Monterey and worked in the Monterey County and Salinas School District. Paula’s experience ranges from kindergarten to 6th with a primary focus on kindergarten and special education.
Paula has a very gentle presence. Her goal is to help students reach their academic goals and to become independent learners, just as she has for her three boys and the many children she has taught over the years.
Jake Chow
Flourishing Learners is excited to introduce Jake Chow to our team of educators. Jake recently graduated from UC Irvine with a bachelors in Business Economics and Criminal Justice. During his undergrad, he held a position as a field assistant, designed and led workshops for his fellow classmates, and worked as a teacher assistant at Turtle Rock Elementary in Irvine. Most recently, he has been coaching kids in soccer, helping them excel and teaching the importance of focus to improve on challenging skills.
Jake has a very calm personality that makes others immediately feel comfortable. During his teaching, he continues to highlights the importance of focus to help master concepts and grow confidence, just as he does on the field. When Jake isn’t helping kids flourish, he enjoys playing soccer and hiking in his free time.