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.
Dalia Light
Flourishing Learners is delighted to introduce Dalia Light to our team of educators. Dalia has worked for over 10 years in the classroom setting with students with special needs and is currently a volunteer at Mount Diablo Elementary. She is also bilingual, fluent in both Spanish and English, and is grateful for the opportunity to help others become bilingual. Dalia attended and graduated from University of Colima in Mexico for graphic design and incorporates her degree in her teaching by helping kids learn how to break concepts into steps and organization skills to help advance their education.
Dalia exudes love and understanding the moment she walks into a room. Her way of reaching kids is through a very understanding and caring approach, allowing each child to express themselves, guiding them through work, and meeting them on their level. She is hardworking, determined and passionate about helping others succeed.
Jessica McCormick
Flourishing Learners is proud to welcome Jessica McCormick to our team of educators. Jessica is currently working to obtain her California State Teaching Credential, but is no stranger to the classroom. She has worked as a special education assistant and assistant to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for over 15 years in the Mount Diablo School District. Jessica is also specially trained in positive behavior intervention and working with students with autism, ADHD, and special needs. She is extremely knowledgeable in how to make learning accessible to her students and providing structure and positive feedback that learners need to feel successful.
Jessica has a very welcoming and calming presence. She makes people feel comfortable and at ease the moment you meet her. Helping her son navigate his education has been a highlight for Jessica that has provided a different perspective for learning. She understands and recognizes the progression of learning throughout the years. When Jessica isn’t at school or working in the classroom, she enjoys supporting her son’s sports journey and spending time with her family. Jessica is a caring and motivated individual who is proud to help your scholar's education and confidence bloom.
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.
Natasha Exner
It is with great honor to introduce Natasha Exner to Flourishing Learners’ team of educators. Natasha earned her Bachelors in Communication from Cal State East Bay and continued her education at Saint Mary’s where she earned her teaching credential and Masters in Teaching. She has six years teaching experience in the Mount Diablo School District teaching first to eighth grade. Natasha enjoys incorporating artistic elements into her curriculum, creating lasting relationships, and opening up learners minds to new information. Her dedication and creative teaching earned her the accomplishment of being nominated for the 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year award.
Natasha has a gentle and friendly demeanor that makes learners feel comfortable to try new things, know that mistakes are valued and part of the learning process, and that everyone is capable of achieving their goals. She is excited to continue her educational journey by helping our learners gain confidence and the skills required to flourish. When Natasha isn’t teaching, she enjoys spending time with her dogs, traveling, and cooking.
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.