Barnhart School Salutes Mothers for Mother’s Day

Gearing up for Mother’s Day, Barnhart School salutes the mothers in its parent community, as well as the ten mothers who are current teachers or who are part of the school’s administrative team who chose Barnhart for their children’s education. The school also pays special tribute to Dr. Ethel Barnhart who founded the school in 1959. Although Dr. Barnhart did not have any children of her own, she is seen as the “mother” of the school.

“Our engaged parent community is unlike any school I have ever had the pleasure to lead and as we near Mother’s Day I would like to send a special shout out to our Barnhart moms,” said Ethan Williamson, Barnhart’s Head of School. He added, “The fact that so many of our staff have selected Barnhart to educate their children is a testament to the integrity of our academic excellence and provides a wonderful tapestry for community.”

Yvette Mena Gilbert, a second grade teacher, attended Barnhart School as a child and enrolled her daughters at Barnhart, Olivia now in fourth grade, and Charlotte in first.

“I love glancing outside and seeing smiles on my girls’ faces as they play with their friends or attend their classes. I can see them thriving every single day.” Gilbert said.

Additionally, kindergarten teacher, Linda Matsumoto, has been teaching at Barnhart for over forty years. Her three children, Scott, Kevin and Kelli all attended Barnhart beginning in the 1990s and Kelli (a 2007 graduate) currently is on staff with Bobcat Adventures, the after-school childcare program at Barnhart.

Associate Head of School and Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Tonya Beilstein, had two children attend Barnhart, Erin (a 2006 graduate) and Cameron (a 2009 graduate). Erin is currently on staff assisting with Information Technology for the school.

Margie Holman has a long “history” with Barnhart, as she is currently teaching that subject to middle school and her four children, Steven, Laura, Scott and Jenny graduated between 1994, 1995, 1999 and 2001, respectively.

Rose Ryland is a Math teacher and the coordinator for the school’s middle school and her daughter, Amanda, graduated in 2004. Anne Hastings who teaches sixth grade Algebra has a son, Matthew, who graduated in 2012.

Lynda La Marr La Rocco is on Barnhart’s Bobcat Adventures staff and her children, Travis and Latasha, attended Barnhart as well. Silvana Moschella is the Director of Development and has Guilia in seventh grade and Filippo in fourth grade. Daniella, daughter of Melissa Gersh, Director of Marketing, graduated as a Barnhart salutatorian last year and Nicholas, Melissa’s son, graduates this year. Nue Yim-Herrera who is Director of Admissions celebrated graduation last year for her son, Makana, who was voted the annual title of “Mr. Barnhart” by classmates and faculty.

Ila, daughter of second grade teacher and Barnhart graduate, Jaime Hawks, will start kindergarten at Barnhart School in the fall.

Barnhart offers a private K-8 education. Distinguishing programs of Barnhart include Spanish and Art at all grade levels, daily physical education, the Virtues Project™ character development program, the creative writing for kids program with the Lucy Calkins’ Writer’s Workshop, a choral group, and an on-site harvest garden. The school has an early literacy emphasis, a 1:1 technology ratio and an average 12:1 student-teacher ratio. Barnhart is accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools and Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Established in 1959 by Dr. Ethel Barnhart, Barnhart is affiliated with the non- denominational Santa Anita Church. Visit barnhartschool.org for further information or to inquire about a tour.