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Linda Halkias - Kindergarten (Since 1994)
Mrs. Halkias started her teaching career as a teacher in the Diocese of Oakland in 1973. She also taught in the Archdiocese of San Francisco and then returned to the Diocese of Oakland in 1994. She is one of the fortunate few who knew her desired profession at an early age since the sixth grade. “I loved school. When I was in high school, I was in the Future Teachers of America Club! When I went to college, I still wanted to be a teacher, and when I taught my first year, I knew it was for me.” Mrs. Halkias graduated from Hofstra University in New York with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. She earned her Masters degree and Reading Specialist credential at California State University, East Bay. Of teaching kindergarten, Mrs. Halkias says, “I have loved it from day one!” And, while today’s students may seem very worldly, she notes that they still need caring teachers and parents, structure and love. She finds plenty of that love and commitment at Corpus Christi.
Mrs. Halkias loves going out to dinner, dancing, traveling and reading. She fondly remembers her own kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Bacon because “she let us call her Mrs. Bacon and Eggs!”
Dorothy Lee - First Grade (Since 1974)
Miss Lee started her teaching career at Corpus Christi School in 1974. She attended Junipero Serra Elementary School, Lowell High School, Holy Names University, and San Francisco State University. The daughter of a school teacher herself, Miss Lee could not imagine doing anything else but to spend time in a learning environment and considers the learning process to be reciprocal. “I continue to learn from each of my students and they are MY classroom! ” She finds that the Corpus Christi School philosophy remains rooted in the same core values as when she first started here. “The basics of learning to communicate, think, and pray have never changed.”
A day without art or music would be a sad day for Miss Lee. She plays both violin and viola, loves performing chamber music and stays busy teaching in a private studio and at Holy Names. Miss Lee is a charter member of the Lillian Black Children’s Arts Council, promoting the arts in diocesan schools. Additionally, she enjoys traveling, both domestic (museums, concert halls, baseball stadiums) and foreign (museums, concert halls, “old things”). She loved grammar school herself. “I can’t remember one single day I didn’t love going to school as a student or teacher!”
Marea Palmer-Loh - Second Grade (Since 2003)
Mrs. Palmer-Loh attended Pomona College, where she majored in Fine Art and minored in Spanish. She started her career teaching computer graphic and web-design at Silicon Valley College. Although she enjoyed educating adults, she decided to switch to elementary school in order to focus on educating the whole child. While teaching reading and art in K - 3rd grade in the East Palo Alto School District, Mrs. Palmer-Loh earned her credential from California State Teach program designed for teachers already in the classroom.
Mrs. Palmer-Loh is a former professional rock climber, speaks Spanish fluently, loves to practice her art (functional ceramics), traveling, and reading. She has lived in or visited dozens of countries, both for pleasure and to volunteer. She particularly enjoys bringing tales of her own experiences into the classroom. "Children learn by example, so when I show I am motivated to learn and take risks by making a new work of art, or teaching orphans in Peru, they are more engaged and eager to learn themselves."
Jessica Murray - Third Grade (Since 2002)
Mrs. Murray went to college at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she earned a BA degree in Economics. She received her MBA in International Management from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. After working as an international trade consultant and having her own family, Mrs. Murray felt strongly about teaching in a faith-based school, working with younger children. She earned her Teaching Credential degree at the University of California, Berkeley. “After meeting some of the staff at Corpus Christi and speaking with Miss Murphy, I was not only impressed with the school’s academic standing, but also with the community and dedication of the people involved in the school,” Mrs. Murray said.
Outside of work, Mrs. Murray likes to spend time with her family, travel, hike, ski, cook, and read. Her favorite grammar school memories include walking to school and playing a part in The Tempest.
Maria Isaeff – Fourth Grade (Since 2006)
Mrs. Isaeff is definitely a pro when it comes to 4th graders. Prior to teaching 4th grade at Corpus Christi, Mrs. Isaeff taught 4th grade at St. Barnabas School in Alameda for 12 years. (Her own favorite 4th grade memories include studying California history, cooking, playing soccer, and bike riding into town with her friends.) The strong academic program and its emphasis on family is what Mrs. Isaeff likes most about Corpus Christi.
Mrs. Isaeff received her BA in Sociology at Sacramento State University and her teaching credential at St. Mary’s College in Moraga. In addition to teaching, she loves spending time with her family. “Together we enjoy camping, traveling, and visiting friends and family.”
Cormac McCarthy - Fifth Grade (Since Jan. 2008)
Mr. McCarthy was born in Ireland in 1981. He attended Catholic grammar school and Hibernia College in Tipperary, Ireland. He has been teaching in America since 2008. Mr. McCarthy received his first Graduate Degree in Communication in Advertising in 2002 from Limerick Institute of Technology and a further Masters Degree in Education from the Irish Department of Education and Science in 2005.
Mr. McCarthy has been teaching full time since 2004 in many grades and as a special needs teacher and music teacher. He received his first teaching position in America as a music teacher where he was shared among four local Catholic schools including Corpus Christi. “ I never thought that my first experience in an American school would be at a school like Corpus Christi. I am very blessed to have found a such loving faculty, staff, parents and students to call my American family”. Mr. McCarthy plays several Irish instruments, is fluent in Gaelic Irish, paints and loves to cook.
Jessica Stewart - Sixth Grade (Since 2008)
Mrs. Stewart began her teaching career in the most unlikely of places. As a personal trainer she taught clients the benefits of weight resistance training, as well as the benefits of a good nutrition-based routine. Although selling her personal training services was never her forte, her desire to instruct others never wavered. Certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, Mrs. Stewart wanted to finish her bachelor’s degree. She graduated with Honors from U.C. Berkeley’s Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies program in 2007, and attended St. Mary’s College for her teaching credential that following spring.
While attending St. Mary’s, Mrs. Stewart began simultaneously working at Corpus Christi School. There has been nothing more challenging, and rewarding, to her than teaching by day, and learning by night; except, of course, starting a family while in the midst of this hectic schedule. Pregnant, teaching, and learning, Mrs. Stewart threw herself into her new career, finding challenges in everyday life. She found the students and families of Corpus Christi to be a warm, caring, and welcoming community. She finds herself fortunate to belong to this wonderful family of students and friends who have supported her through life’s greatest moments.
Diane Twomey – Seventh Grade (Since 1997)
Mrs. Twomey attended Our Lady of Grace elementary school, Bishop O’Dowd High School, and Holy Names College where she majored in mathematics. Her credential is from California State University, East Bay. Mrs. Twomey was on the Math Committee to determine curriculum for the Diocese. Of teaching, Mrs. Twomey says, “I feel blessed to be a part of the Corpus Christi community. I knew that I belonged teaching here the first time that I met Miss Murphy. The children enrich me everyday.”
Mrs. Twomey is a talented guitar player and loves music (especially country). Her spare time is spent with her family, leading a 4-H swine group, weekly music ministry at Our Lady of Grace, traveling, reading and raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Her grammar school memories are of being the shortest one in class, winning a math contest, and Irish Dancing (“not much has changed!”).
Colleen Wahl - Eighth Grade (Since 2010)
Mrs. Wahl received her BA in Political Theory from Marymount/Fordham in New York, her Masters in Public Administration from Golden Gate University in San Francisco and her Multiple Subjects Credential with CLAD Certificate from Holy Names University in Oakland. She grew up in a big family where lively conversation on politics and social issues was common and was able to combine her own interest in social justice issues and traveling through service in the Peace Corps. “My time in Korea, in Peace Corps, left me with experiences and friendships that shaped my life, forever.”
Mrs. Wahl began her teaching career in a French school in Quebec, went on to teach in Korea, and taught high school equivalency classes for awhile to the U.S, Infantry in the DMZ. She eventually landed in the elementary schools of the Diocese of Oakland where she has been blessed to serve as aide, teacher and administrator. Along the way she married, settled in Oakland, and raised her family. She still loves those lively political conversations and is thankful that she ended up in the Bay Area, where just about anytime you can find anyone to converse with you on just about any topic.
Raewyn Cummings – Vice Principal, Literature 7th and Language Arts 8th (Since 1988)
Mrs. Cummings was born and received her early education in New Zealand. Having not particularly enjoyed the high school experience and having the ambition to travel, she went to work straight out of high school, saved for three years, and promptly left the country for almost four years! The most exotic part of her travels was probably the overland leg from Australia to Europe, through Asia. Mrs. Cummings did finally go back to school and earned a BA in Liberal Studies at California State University, East Bay. Her credential program was at Chapman University College.
Mrs. Cummings’ first experience with Corpus Christi School was as a parent, and began with her oldest son's enrollment in Kindergarten - her other two sons followed along. She says, “I was immediately drawn to the warmth of the community, and I loved the volunteer experience. Parents here are a wonderful, welcoming group of people. I have had the great good fortune of working at Corpus Christi School during the years of Katie Murphy's administration, and I love it. This is a vibrant, hugely talented community of faculty, staff, parents and parish, and I feel privileged to be part of it.”
David Malone – Technology Coordinator (Since 2006)
While growing up in Southern California, Mr. Malone attended University Park Elementary School and University High School in Irvine. He was a Mass Communications major at University of California at Berkeley and then headed to Hollywood! -- and to a career in motion picture advertising. After ten years, Mr. Malone started his second career; he went to culinary school and cooked in Manhattan kitchens for a year.
Now, we are happy to report, Mr. Malone is in his third career – teaching Technology at Corpus Christi. Mr. Malone received his credential and an MS in Educational Technology from California State University, East Bay. He chose to teach at Corpus Christi because of the strong sense of community created between student families and staff.
In his spare time, Mr. Malone enjoys reading, travel, running marathons, hiking, skiing, ice hockey, playing with computers, and spending time with his wife and two young daughters.
Candice Houghton – Resource Specialist (Since 2008)
Ms. Houghton attended elementary and middle school in Bakersfield, California and went to high school in New Mexico and Colorado. She moved back to California for college and graduated from UC Davis with a BA in English. She received her MA in English from California State University, East Bay where she focused on teaching a freshman writing class. “I always wanted to be a teacher, since elementary school, and regularly played “school” with my younger sister”.
Ms. Houghton had planned on being a classroom teacher until she began working 1:1 with struggling readers. It was then she realized how much she loved working with students who have yet to reach their learning potential. Before coming to Corpus Christi, she worked as the director of a local learning center helping students develop reading, writing, comprehension, and math skills. She chose to continue her career at Corpus Christi where she would have the opportunity to work more directly with students, parents, and faculty.
When she is not working with students, Ms. Houghton enjoys reading, writing, cooking, and playing outside. Ms. Houghton can’t wait to have children of her own, but for now she takes joy in helping her Corpus Christi kids.
Amy Sakaue – Extended Care Director (Since 2007)
Ms. Sakaue grew up in Southern California and attended Allen Avenue Elementary, Ramona Middle School and Bonita High School in La Verne. She was an English major at University of California, Berkeley and a music minor.
Ms. Sakaue wanted to become a teacher when she took Education 190, a course at her last semester at UC Berkeley, where she was given the opportunity to explore the educational issues she was most passionate about. She chose to focus on the difficulty the fine arts programs face in the public schools. Her favorite memory from grammar school was the two hours of band practice everyday and how fun it was competing in jazz competitions. Once she realized that not every school was able to provide as much music education as she had been given, she knew it was important to share the fine arts that had been such an integral part in shaping her life. Being at Corpus Christi has allowed her to encourage children through the fine arts and other activities provided in Extended Care.
In her free time, Ms. Sakaue enjoys performing jazz saxophone, traveling, attending Cal football and basketball games and watching films.
Alex Walton – Librarian (Since 2008)
Mrs. Walton attended Redwood Heights Elementary School in Oakland, Holy Names High School and earned her BA in History at UCLA. As a child she constantly changed her mind about a career, but she knew she wanted to help people. Going into education out of college was a way to accomplish this! She has always enjoyed working with and helping children. “Working in a school as a librarian allows me to share my passion for education and my love of books with the children. I truly enjoy seeing the kids excited about a new book coming out or one we are reading in the library!”
Mrs. Walton enjoys being a librarian at Corpus Christi because there is so much dedication and thought put into the environment. It truly feels like “it takes a village to raise a child and the beauty of fusing faith in with the teaching is wonderful!”
In her free time, Mrs. Walton enjoys reading, volunteering at her sons’ school, and spending time with her three boys playing soccer.
Kathleen Murphy – Principal (Since 1989)
Katie grew up in Watsonville, California as the oldest of five children. She attended Dominican University where she attained her BA in history. She continued on at Dominican for a fifth year and received her Teaching Credential in 1972. Her first year of teaching was third grade at St. Cornelius in Richmond. She then moved to Santa Cruz where she taught sixth, seventh, and eighth grades at Holy Cross Elementary School. In her eighth year in Santa Cruz she continued her education by going to San Jose State University to earn her Administrative Credential. Upon completion if this credential she was asked to continue at Holy Cross by becoming the principal, which she did for another eight years.
After sixteen years, Katie left Santa Cruz and accepted a position at Corpus Christi School where she has been since 1989. She loves building communities of faith and feels that is very evident here. “I am moved by the openness of the people at Corpus and their willingness to help others, both the students and the parents. It is a special place with many good people.”
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