Head of School

Jesse founded Pacific Preparatory in 2002 with a vision to provide exceptional individualized education to students of all ages and learning styles. His passion for combining  innovative and academically rigorous  learning environments can be traced back to his own diverse educational journey:  Studying independently in India during 9th grade, engaging with the Oxford tutorial model while studying abroad in college, and his formative experience as an 8th grade classroom teacher through Teach For America. Drawing from an educational background that  blends Waldorf, Montessori, independent study, world schooling, and college preparatory methodologies, Jesse brings a distinctive perspective to his leadership role. He is a strategic problem solver who helps struggling, bored or  frustrated students develop passion for school again. Jesse believes that high academic standards and individualized learning can make learning fun and help students achieve their personal best. Throughout his 23-year tenure as Head of School, Jesse has served on a variety of non-profit and school boards. Jesse currently serves on the Engelmann Education Foundation board,  the Inclusive Schools Group board, the Cognia Advisory Council of California, and the Marin Academy Alumni Board. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Stanford University with a multiple subject teaching credential, Jesse currently resides in Mill Valley, California, with his wife, three children, and a spirited one-and-a-half-year-old golden retriever.

Chief Operating Officer

Mel is an experienced educator with a strong passion for individualized instruction. Since 2015, she has served as Chief Operating Officer, successfully overseeing the leadership team and managing the organization. Additionally, she supports the school’s curriculum development. Mel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary English Education from Western Michigan University, a Single Subject 6-12 Teaching Credential in English Language Arts, and a minor in Political Science. She is additionally a Teach For America (TFA) alumna. Before joining Pacific Prep, Mel was a founding English Language Arts teacher at Oak Park Preparatory in Sacramento, where she taught middle school. She also taught for the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) in San Francisco and served as an Instructional Coach with Breakthrough Collaborative’s summer program at San Francisco University High School, mentoring aspiring teachers. Mel’s passion for personalized education extends beyond her professional life, as she enjoys Pacific Preparatory programming for her own school-aged children. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family including her husband, two daughters, and an old lady rescue dachshund (and fish, and a hermit crab…), reading, traveling, taking in various forms of art and theater, and dabbling in design and real estate investing. Mel also serves on the Engelmann Education Foundation 501(c)3 non-profit board.

Assistant Head of School

Staci is a dedicated and detail-oriented Assistant Head of School who supports the daily operations and processes of the school. She is also proud to lead our school partnerships program as well as the Engelmann Education Foundation, helping to bring the gift of 1:1 education to students in need. Staci graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Western Michigan University before completing her Ph.D. in English from Syracuse University. At Syracuse, she taught college-level writing classes and trained new graduate teaching assistants. Before becoming the Assistant Head of School at Pacific Preparatory, Staci taught English and humanities courses with our school. Her experience as a teacher has given her a unique perspective on the needs of both teachers and students in the 1:1 education space. In her free time, Staci loves spending time with her family and her dogs, reading fiction, cooking, and going for hikes around Portland.

Director of Admissions

Molly is a vital part of our team, bringing extensive experience in supporting individuals of all ages and abilities to her role in admissions and enrollment. She ensures a seamless process for families, managing logistics with precision and care. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work with a minor in Sociology from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. With over six years as a case manager and additional experience in both the nonprofit and county sectors, Molly is passionate about finding the right support for each person at the right time. At Pacific Preparatory, she deeply values the heartfelt conversations she shares with prospective families looking for thoughtful 1:1 academic instruction and holistic support. Molly loves to travel, try new foods, get tattoos, and play sports. Family is incredibly important to her—she cherishes time with her husband, two kids, and rescue dog.

Dean of Students

Erika works with students, families, and teachers, specializing in supporting unique goals across our classes. She uses her expertise with engagement strategies, learning differences, and customization to make the 1:1 experience come to life for each individual learner. Erika holds a Masters in Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis on Teacher Leadership. As a former classroom teacher, she is dedicated to ensuring instruction is rigorous and engaging, as well as curating meaningful opportunities for students and teachers to feel a part of the Pacific Preparatory community. You can catch her in our weekly Advisory classes, meeting with teachers during Collab Lab, or in family curriculum meetings or conferences.

Director of Community Relations

Cory has been an advocate for families for many years, and her role as Director of Community Services at Pacific Preparatory allows her to expand on her work experience by fostering meaningful collaborations with community partners. With a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Philosophy from Emory University and a Master's in Social Work from The University of Texas at Austin, Cory brings a unique perspective to her work. Her background in child protection and as a supervisor for a mentoring program for at-risk youth has given her a deep understanding of the challenges families face. Prior to joining Pacific Preparatory, Cory founded a successful sleep consulting business to help families navigate sleep and parenting challenges. In her current role, she enjoys building relationships with professionals and organizations to expand access to 1:1 education, as well as seeking and vetting resources to ensure holistic support for Pacific Preparatory families. Cory lives in Houston, Texas, with her three school-age children and a pandemic rescue dog named Dwight.

Director of Tutoring Services

Alyssa is dedicated to supporting our families and students by understanding their unique needs and learning styles, and ensuring each student is paired with the ideal tutor. She is a strong advocate for our 1:1 education model and the power of personalized learning. Alyssa earned her B.S. in Meteorology from Plymouth State University and her M.S. in Organizational Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University. Before joining the Pacific Preparatory team, she spent several years working in undergraduate admissions at a private liberal arts college. Her background and experience bring a unique perspective to our team and the families we work with. Alyssa lives in southern Maine with her husband, twins, and rescue dog. She enjoys exploring her home state, discovering new local restaurants, and crocheting.

Administrative Services Manager

Maddi is an important member of Pacific Preparatory, working behind the scenes to support the team with daily administrative tasks and projects. With her Bachelor of Science degree in Imaging and minor in Communications from Western Michigan University, Maddi brings a strong background in design and communication to her role. Maddi worked as a graphic designer in Los Angeles for the wine and food industries for over a decade, sharpening her creative and organizational abilities before transitioning into administrative support. In her free time, Maddi enjoys cooking new foods, exploring the outdoors, and spending quality time with her husband and son.

Faculty Manager

Karen manages our teaching team and hand selects the best instructor for each student. In collaboration with our teachers, she ensures that lessons are engaging, valuable, and individualized for the best learning experience possible. Karen holds a B.S. in Cognitive Science from UC Santa Cruz and M.A. in Legal and Forensic Psychology from UC Irvine. Prior to joining the leadership team, she worked as a teacher for Pacific Preparatory, supporting students in math, science, and coding. She has also spent time working in the technology field as a Senior User Experience Researcher at Sony Electronics and Google. In her spare time, Karen enjoys dog training, working with The Animal Pad 501(c)3 non-profit, as well as hiking, reading, and gardening.