Mrs. Holstein is the First Grade teacher.  This is Mrs. Holstein's first year teaching at The Principled Academy.  Mrs. Holstein has over 20 years of teaching experience.

Liisa Burns teaches K-4 Physical Education and 2nd grade mathematics. She has served on The Principled Academy staff since 1993.

Carol Clive teaches K-4 Art. She has served on The Principled Academy staff since 1993.

Mose Durst, Ph.D., is Chairman of The Principled Academy Board and teaches literature and history to middle school students. After completing his Master's and Doctor's degrees in English Literature from the University of Oregon, Dr. Durst Durst has published six books including Principled Education, Shakespeare’s Plays, and Oakland, California: Towards A Sustainable City, and two children’s books.

Please read The Crisis in our Schools and Principled Character Education both published by Dr. Durst, outlining our basic concepts of education.

"My job is teaching Middle School students, which I think is so important. The time I have been given with students is the period of life when their characters are changed most. I can make a great influence on the lives of young people. Of all the things I could do, helping young people understand what is valuable and how to become valuable is the most important to me. Thus teaching gives me a great deal of joy, and I hope I too can offer not only joy but understanding in reading, writing, and history."

Seung Hae Durst is the Accounting Manager.  Mrs. Durst has served on the Principled Academy staff since 2005.

Richard Eisenman teaches Algebra 1 and Computers. He holds a B.A. in Physics from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and has served on The Principled Academy staff since 2003.

Ms. Davies is a teacher's aide in the Preschool.  Ms. Davies has worked at the Principled Academy since 2007.

Regina Freeman teaches in the Preschool.  Ms. Freeman has worked in the Principled Academy preschool since 2004.  She has an extensive background in preschool having previously had her own in-home daycare.

Mrs. Cotter works with the 7th and 8th grade classes.  Mrs. Cotter is in her first year teaching at the Principled Academy (since 2007).  She comes to the school with experience teaching elementary school in Alabama and in Connecticut.

Brenna Iredale is an Assistant Principal and teaches a combination 5th/6th grade class this year. She holds an Associate degree in Ecology from Paul Smith College, a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts with a minor in Biological Science from Cal State University, Hayward (CSUH), and a California K-12 Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with supplementary authorization in Science from CSUH. She studied Early Childhood Education at Pacific Oaks and Chabot Colleges. She has worked with The Principled Academy since 1991.

Raquel Ivanenko is lead teacher for the 3rd/4th grade class. She holds a B.A. in Ethnic Studies from California State University East Bay and a multiple subject teaching credential from the same institution. Mrs. Ivanenko has been on The Principled Academy staff since 2005.

Myrna Lapres is an Assistant Principal and also teaches kindergarten. She holds a Bachelor's degree from the State University of New York, New Paltz, and a Master's in Religious Education from the Unification Theological Seminary in Barrytown, New York. Mrs. Lapres studied Early Childhood Education at Chabot College and Pacific Oaks Extension College. She has served on The Principled Academy staff since 1993.

Margareta Mori teaches in the Preschool.  Mrs. Mori has a Diploma in Pediatric Nursing from Central Children's Hospital in Bremen, Germany.  She has worked in Pediatric Intensive Care at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Hospital in Frankfurt, Germany.  Mrs. Mori has received a Certificate in Careers with Children from the Regional Occupational Program in Cerritos, CA.  She completed a Teacher Aide Program with Harcourt Learning Direct/Education Direct in Scranton, PA.  In addition, Mrs. Mori has completed 18 units in Early Childhood Education from Chabot Community College.  Mrs. Mori has taught at the Principled Academy Preschool since 2002.

Poppy Richie is the first grade teacher. She holds a Bachelor's degree from St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. She completed her training in Early Childhood Education at the University of California, Berkeley Extension College and at Chabot College. She has served on The Principled Academy staff since 1992.

"Teaching is really a lot of fun because children dramatically grow during the course of just one year. Children come into my class (First Grade) not really knowing how to read and they come out of the class as confident readers on their way to a successful school career."

Robin Schwyter assists full-time in the Kindergarten classroom.  Mrs. Schwyter has worked at the Principled Academy since 2002.

Kristina Seher is the Head of School. She has a Bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and holds Master's degrees in Developmental Psychology and in Educational Administration from the University of California at Berkeley. In addition, Mrs. Seher holds a California K - 12th Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from the University of California, Berkeley, and an early childhood education Program Director Credential. Mrs. Seher teaches science to 7th and 8th grade students. Mrs. Seher has been with the school since its inception.

Ann Steinbronn is the Preschool Director, teaches science to 1st & 2nd grades, and teaches art to 5th -8th grades. She holds an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from Chabot College. She has completed the Every Director Counts program. Mrs. Steinbronn has taught at The Principled Academy since 1994.

Alina Thompson is a Teachers Aide in the Preschool.  This is Ms. Thompson's first year as an aide in the Preschool (since 2007).

Kimie Watanabe is a Teachers Aide in the Preschool.  Mrs. Watanabe has worked at the Principled Academy since 2005.