Ms. Giles has a degree in Exotic Animal Training and Management from Moorpark College which is why she loves teaching middle school math! She also has a degree in Psychology from George Washington University, a single subject teaching credential in mathematics, and a Masters Degree in Teaching Leadership from Saint Mary's College. She enjoys the dynamic atmosphere of the middle school classroom --- no two days are the same. She feels honored to work with the amazing extended Stanley Middle School community. She also strives to find time for hiking with her dog, playing with her cat, reading and solving puzzles.
In her 11th year of teaching and 4th year at Stanley, Ms. Godfrey is thrilled to be teaching Course 1 and Course 2 for the school year of 2018/19. She loves the positive energy and enthusiasm of middle schools students as well as the "sense making" aspect of math. Math , the study of patterns, is a language that helps us understand the world around us. In addition, she believes that learning is a collaborative process, and she looks forward to working with her students on how to communicate their mathematical ideas and reasoning.
For as long as Ms. Howard can remember all she has wanted to do is teach, and she is grateful to be fulfilling that dream here at Stanley Middle School. Ms. Howard loves getting to know her students and watching them grow and progress academically and socially throughout the school year.
Ms. Howard lives in Pleasant Hill with her husband. Their daughter lives in Kenya, and their son lives in Portland, Oregon.
Mr. Huntoon believes the process of learning math is a rewarding series of baffling events. When he is not in Room 306 at Stanley Middle School, he can be found at home, playing with his kids and his dog.
Ms. Mara loves being a math teacher at Stanley. A lover of math, Ms. Mara earned a math degree at UC Berkeley. She enjoys the daily drama and energy of 8th graders, the support and humor of fellow colleagues and the eternal challenge of inspiring young people to experience the wonder of mathematics.
Ms. Mara has three children who spent many years in Lafayette schools, and she enjoys spending time with her 4 year old grandson, family and friends.
This is her 20th year at Stanley!
Mrs. McGlothlen is enjoying her 7th year of teaching math. She is excited to be a part of the Stanley Middle School math team after being a part of the Stanley Middle School learning community for 6 years while her daughters attended. She has an M.A. in Education from U. C. Berkeley and a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Sacramento State University. She is also a parent of 3 children and lives in Lafayette. She enjoys working with students and seeing them progress in their problem-solving skills throughout the year.
Teacher Bios
Read the following teacher Bios to see how the Stanley Math team rocks!
Ms. Johnston is thrilled to be returning to Lafayette to teach math at Stanley. Years ago, it was as a student at Stanley when the young Ms. Johnston decided she wanted to become a teacher and share her love of learning. She graduated from Pepperdine University, where she further developed her passion for helping all students discover the beauty, intrigue, and satisfaction of mathematics. When she isn't problem solving, Ms. Johnston delights in singing, the outdoors, and her pet bunny rabbit.
Katy Ousterman is starting her ninth year teaching year at Stanley Middle School. This year she is teaching Course 2 with Ms. Howard. She finds the seventh graders to be a great source of energy and enthusiasm and looks forward to an enjoyable and productive year.
Ms. Ngo is starting her third year teaching at Stanley. She is co-teaching Course 1 with Mrs. Swerling and is looking forward to a great year with our sixth graders.
Ms. Swerling was a parent in the Lafayette and Acalanes School districts for 19 years, and has been teaching math at Stanley Middle School since 2013. She loves that she gets to teach both sixth and eighth grades, is delighted by both groups of students, and enthusiastic about the curriculum at both grade levels. Ms. Swerling strives to make her classroom a joyful, welcoming, and intellectually vibrant learning environment.
Mr. Sykes is excited to begin his third year with the math department as a 7th grade Course 2 teacher! Mr. Sykes believes math is a creative and powerful tool, and is best used collaboratively with others. When he's not working out the latest word problem, you'll often find Mr. Sykes playing basketball or walking with his wife to Trader Joe's."
Mrs. Wright has been a teacher at Stanley on and off since 1993. She loves working with students, seeing their understanding grow and providing activities to bring math skills into use. She graduated from UC Irvine and earned her teaching credential from UC Berkeley. She is also a parent of 3 children and lives in Lafayette. She hopes to inspire her students to have fun with math and train them to feel more confident while working in situations that require math skills.
For fun, she likes to hike in Tahoe, kayak on any calm lake, and play games with her family while watching SF Giants baseball.
