As mentioned in an earlier newsletter, Francesca Fifis is stepping down as our Program Director in order to follow a personal career dream. Though she will certainly be missed, we are pleased to welcome Casey Richter who is taking over that role.

 

Casey is excited to work with teens again after a decade of classroom teaching in Bay Area public schools, progressive charters, and Montessori programs. Her non-traditional path to teaching began at The Evergreen State College with studies that ranged from ecology to Buddhism to quantum physics to organic farming and which included travel to ten different countries. After graduation, she became a natural foods chef, taught scuba diving and English in Thailand, earned a Masters in teaching at NYU, received two Montessori certifications, and spent five years leading high school and college students on service-focused experiential education programs spanning six continents. She is thrilled to be part of an organization that recognizes and supports the needs of teens to contribute, to belong, and to be valued for their efforts as participating members of our community.