Adriana Olivera
My name is Adriana Olivera. I moved to LA when I was 14 years old. My mom’s name is Carmela and my dad’s name is Jose. They were born and raised in a very small town in Oaxaca, Mexico. I was born there too. I have three sisters and one brother. I am the youngest in my family. I have 7 nephews and 5 nieces and we love keeping our family together. I’ve worked at NSW since 2011. I love collaborating with others to develop strategies to support our children’s learning. I also make an intention to go back and spend time with my loved ones Oaxaca every winter.
Amy Bice
My name is Amy and I live a few blocks from NSW. I grew up in Inglewood just like my parents. I’ve worked at NSW since 1997. I have 2 dogs whose names are Chloe and Max. As a family we love to play games together and take road trips up the coast. Our favorite places to visit are Cambria, Ventura and California Valley. And since my nephew, Henry was born in 2018 we especially love to visit Disneyland! My interests include sewing, crafting and entomology. My all time favorite children’s book is The Flying Dragon Room by Audrey Wood and Mark Teague because it has everything I love in a children’s book. The illustrations are detailed and beautiful, the story is fun, exciting and told with comedy and a sense of adventure. The best part is that it leaves you with a cliffhanger at the end.
Cindy Nelsen
My name is Cindy Nelsen and I have been a teacher at The New School-West since 1992. I was born and raised and in Southern California, mostly in the areas of Culver City, Venice and West L A. However, just last year, I moved to Westchester. I live with my husband, Rick, son, Cameron, and daughter, Lauren and one dog. Rick teaches AP Government, AP US History, and AP Art History at Westchester High School. He also does the Year Book there. I also have two older daughters, Marcy and Kimberly. Marcy is a mommy and lives in a small town in Pennsylvania called Mahanoy City. Kimberly graduated from UCSD. At home, my family loves to play games by the fireplace, read, cook, eat, listen to music, watch movies and play with our neighborhood friends. We love taking long walks and finding new paths home. We also love road trips and traveling. I have family in Idaho and Rick grew up in Montana so most of our trips, as a family, have been around the Northwestern parts of our country. However, after an amazing trip to Philadelphia, we decided to start planning more trips to explore our whole country and learn about US history. When my husband and I travel alone we love to go to New Orleans, Las Vegas, Mexico and all over Europe. My family is unique because we have children born in three decades, the 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s. Can you believe that?
Cynthia Vazquez
My name is Cynthia Vazquez and I live in Los Angeles with my husband Julio our daughters Jessica who is 24,, Jennifer who is 21, Jasmine who is 14, Juliana who is 2 years old, my son Alex who is 21, and my mom Josefina. We also have a dog Max. I was born and raised here in Los Angeles and have been at New School West for 19 years! As a family we enjoy visiting with family, making each other laugh, and just being together. I really enjoy reading, cleaning, and just being with my kids. My favorite children’s book at the moment is Love you Forever by Robert Munsch, I love this book because it reminds me of my children.
Dana Kao
My name is Dana Kao. I love reading, traveling, riding my bike, and spending time with my family. I live with my husband and my two sons, Henry and Eddie, and our greyhound, Tina. I graduated with my BA from Claremont McKenna College and my MA from the University of Chicago. Later, I earned my ECE certification from Santa Monica College. My favorite thing about teaching preschool is that I get to learn alongside all of the children and watch them grow as powerful thinkers and capable citizens of our community. I am very excited to be part of The New School West.
Evelyn Landaverde
My name is Evelyn Landaverde And I live in Los Angeles with my oldest son, Esdras his wife, Beatris and my youngest son, Eberet. I was born and raised in Guatemala and have been at New Schoo-West 10 years now. As a family we enjoy going on walks, hiking and to church. I enjoy sewing, crocheting, painting, gardening, and being a Sunday school teacher which I’ve been doing for the past 27 years. My favorite children’s book at the moment is La Gallinita de los Huevos de oro, because I really enjoy the story it tells.
Flora Toro
My name is Flora and this is my family: Gabriel, Tanya (18) and Rosie(17). I moved to Los Angeles CA at the age of 18. I was born and raised in Zacatecas, Mexico in a small town called Valparaiso and in the Ranch of San Vicente where I would visit my parents when school was out. I come from a very large family. My parents had eleven girls and four boys. We’re all grown adults and live in different states between the United States of America and Mexico. Nobody lives at the ranch anymore. We only go back for camping trips and to get away from the city. I’ve worked at The New School-West since 1999 and am the Marigold Teacher. I love nature, life, people, family, soccer, dancing, reading, and working out. I have a pet named Oso and he is a chihuahua. As a family, we love Fridays because we can sleep-in the next day!! Our favorite park is Kenneth Hahn on La Cienega. My favorite book is: Becoming Michelle Obama. My job is something I truly embrace and reading this book is inspiring to continue contributing to society by molding minds that care for everyone and everything. My family is special because we have each other.
Katy Roberts
My name is Katy Roberts and I joined the staff in 2017. I have the pleasure of working with NSW parents in a variety of ways and doing some of the behind the scenes office work.
I am the proud mom to twins Kevin and Mabel, born in March 2017. We live in mid-Los Angeles in my childhood home with my mom Margie, and our dogs Sport and Willow, who are also brother and sister. Kevin and Mabel’s dad, P.R., is also with us for our daily adventures. We are blessed to have a large extended family and many close friends who we love spending time with.
My favorite things to do these days revolve around activities with Mabel and Kevin — gym and music classes, parks, museums and other fun adventures. I am happiest outdoors — hiking, biking, swimming, walking our dogs or dining al fresco. I enjoy taking pictures and love live music. I have been volunteering for Special Olympics for 20 years.
I have collected children’s books for many years. Katy No-Pocket by Emmy Payne was my favorite as a child, for obvious reasons and I still love the story today. A more recent favorite is I Love You The Purplest by Barbara M. Joosse. It is the story of a mother explaining to her two children how she loves them both equally, but for their unique characteristics. A beautiful and powerful message, I believe it speaks in particular to those raising multiple children, each with their distinct personalities, strengths, needs and desires.
I’ve known the Heimann family since I became best friends with Roleen’s daughter Zoë in preschool! It’s amazing how things come full circle. We were just nine when Roleen started New School – West and I fondly remember visiting in its early days. My affinity for the school only grew as I came to understand as an adult what a special place it is. I look forward to continuing to contribute to the school, but even more to what I am so fortunate to learn from you and your children.
Kristin Sherman
My name is Kristin Hansen-Sherman and this is my family at Alex’s wedding in the spring of 2016 in Utah. We welcomed Ashley Sherman into our clan as our daughter in-law! They live there while we live in Woodland Hills near my extended white largely cisgender family. My transgender daughter continues to live in Bellingham Washington after graduating college while my son, Dane and step-daughter, Lindsey and husband Trever and I share a house. I was born in Santa Monica and raised in Woodland Hills. I’ve worked at New School-West since 2006 and have studied art at Otis Parsons and finished my Masters in Human Development with an emphasis on social change at Pacific Oaks College. I’m a passionate researcher and community connector with interests in fishing, gardening, communication, yoga and relationships. My husband Trever was born in Idaho and raised on a nearby farm in the beautiful Teton Valley and spent a few years in Mexico where he learned to speak Spanish fluently. He loves to cook, exercise and salsa dance (lucky me!). As a family, we like to bbq , travel EVERYWHERE and walk the dog or ride bikes in the evenings. Our family is special because as soon as we all met, we truly fell in love and have been a tight group ever since.
Roleen Heimann
My name is Roleen Heimann and this is my family. Jim and I met in first grade, grew up by LAX in Westchester and survived 12 years of Catholic school! We graduated in 1967 (the summer of love!) and got married in 1973. When Zoe Rose was born in 1978, we both agreed life couldn’t be better. The truth is, life just keeps getting better and better and with NSW celebrating more than 30 years, the rewards are plenty.
Zoe, Jake, and Georgia Rose live in La Verne and although it’s an hour away from us, it’s close to their work. Zoe is a Psychiatric Social Worker with the County and works with supporting adolescents and teens on probation. Jake is a supervisor at Fed Ex Ground downtown. This year, Georgia will attend 2nd grade at her neighborhood school and I’ve been lucky enough to volunteer in her classroom and work with the teachers and it’s been a great connection for me. Welcoming Georgia into our lives and becoming her Mutti and Mister has been an absolute joy and something that adds a sweet balance to our work and play. That she was able to stay with us three days a week while she attended NSW was a gift that keeps on giving. Her foundation in knowing who she is as a powerful citizen and community member is strong and keeps her on a caring path in her life’s journey. We are grateful, once again, for our NSW teachers and families for being a huge part of that learning.
Jim’s been the Executive Editor for Taschen Books since 2003. He is the “go to” guy of L.A., and a documented historian. His book Los Angeles: Portrait of a City is a testimony to his passion for L.A. Anything you want to know about Los Angeles or Hollywood, he’s the one to call. Jim’s also been teaching at Art Center for over 30 years. Graphic Design is his background and he takes that talent and experience into the classroom and says he does it to stay fresh. I agree with that. Teaching at Santa Monica College keeps me linked to the bright and curious and I love working with adults. As far as hobbies go, Jim and I both love what we do and are fortunate to be in businesses that support our passions. But we also love to party, find new places to eat and our friends are never far away from us. We love to dance, go on long drives, and travel. Our little Santa Barbara house is our hideaway. Jim says when we cross the Ventura county line, I turn into Joni Mitchell! Ah. . . the summer of love revisited!
I do love books. Just touching and smelling the paper triggers the anticipation of a good read and has me eager to start turning the pages. Though I love reading materials that support my profession and passion, my “go to” relaxation books are the ones that have clever writing. . . the phrases and descriptions that have me smiling or even better, laughing out loud and looking for someone with whom to share the passage. I love children’s books, especially those that are probably most appropriate for adults. With six family members in education, it is our holiday tradition to bring our favorite new discovery. Sitting around and reading and giggling together. . . well. . . are we really doing that enough? Check out It’s a Book by Lane Smith and if you’re a neat freak, you’ll love The Art of Clean Up by Ursus Wehrli. They’re pretty fun.
Silvana Sepulveda
My name is Silvana Sepulveda and I live with my husband, Ernesto, in Mar Vista. I’ve worked at NSW since 2007. I was born in Canada and grew up in Los Angeles within a Chilean community. As a family we love to just be together! Our favorite place to visit is Italy! We’ve only been once together, and we can’t wait to go back! Ernesto passionately continues to study the language, and I the food! He is into fitness, health, and poker. My special interests include watching documentaries, swimming, and accessorizing. I am passionate about researching because it stretches out the brain.
Susan Kim
My name is Susan, and I live in West Los Angeles. I spent most of my childhood and adolescence in Bakersfield and moved back to Los Angeles in 2006 for school. Since then, I’ve lived in the same 3 mile radius and haven’t driven a car. My cousins, Christine and David, and my cousin-in-law, Yom, also live in Los Angeles. Our favorite places to visit are yummy eateries, museums and places connected to our past. My interests include puzzling, cycling, reading and dancing. One of my favorite children’s books is Flotsam by David Wiesner. Through beautiful, captivating illustrations, it reminds us of the enchanting possibilities of ordinary events and the idea that we’re all interconnected.
Wendy Ortiz
My name is Wendy and I was born in Cali, Colombia. I’ve worked at NSW since 2018. On July of 1997, my mom and I traveled to Los Angeles. I attended my very first school on September of 1997. My mom said I did well for my first day of school. Within my first five years of living in the Los Angeles I’ve lived in a one bedroom apartment with my mom (Piedad), grandma (Alba), aunts (Carmen & Elizabeth). After moving out from the apartment it was my mom, grandma and I. My aunts no longer lived with us. Then within the span of 5 years after the move, we moved about four times. Eventually, my grandma decided to move back to Colombia after living in Los Angeles for over 20years. So we moved in with my aunt Elizabeth and her family: her son Jairo Alexander & her husband Jairo. We have been living with them since early 2008 and currently still living with them. Our favorite places to visit are the beach, downtown, and parks. A few of my interests are hiking, playing volleyball, swimming, drawing, exploring new places & trying new foods.