Our Specialists

Omar Rodriguez-Diaz (he/him), Lead Art Teacher

My big question: How can I help students understand the world through the arts?

I have been an arts dance educator for 12 years. I arrived at New School as a founding member from Los Angeles, where I worked at UCLA Lab School. I share what I learn and love in hopes it will help students make sense of the world, express every part that makes them a whole living being, and find ground, the way I do with the arts. I work to be an example of a successful brown queer man for all my students.  

I am boricua, de donde canta el coquí. I love to dance, sing and draw, and occasionally I perform in different venues around the bay.

Camila Garcia-Smith, Elementary Spanish Teacher

My big question: How do we relate the practices of inquiry and at the same time build meaning when learning a foreign/ second language?

Hola!!!! ¡Qué maravilla llegar a ser parte del grupo de maestros en New School! I am Camila, a woman, an immigrant from the Colombian diaspora, a teacher, and an anthropology student at Antioquia University. I was born in Cúcuta, Colombia,  a city on the border with Venezuela but I grew up in Medellín, the city that makes you smile every day with the green of the Andes mountains.

I started my teaching career in 2014 after I earned my Associate Degree in elementary teaching. After working as an “au pair” in Portland, Oregon for almost two years, I went back to Colombia and received my BA in Education - Spanish and English Language. Since then, I have built my career as a second/foreign language teacher, developing skills that make students aware of other cultures and communicate with respect, empathy, and equity.

I hold a California Single Subject Credential in Spanish that was issued in May of 2022. In my free time, I enjoy making collages and other mixed-media art.

Antwan Davis, Body Music and Student Support

Antwan is a multi-percussionist that has Co-founded the Las Vegas based performance arts company Molodi, performed with the Las Vegas and North American production of Stomp, and tour nationally with Step Afrika. He is actively performing and teaching workshops and residencies in the U.S and internationally. 

He has been engaging audiences for 2 decades with body percussion and stepping. As a performer, he thrives on breaking 

down musical and genre barriers through creative, interdisciplinary projects. As a teacher he is enthused by creating community 

through body music, giving people a different outlet of expression. As an artist, Antwan has expanded his artistic crafts by becoming 

an improv actor and stand-up comedian. He strives to grow to become a better teacher, performer and person.

Matt Toney (he/him), PE Teacher

My big question: How can we learn compassion and appropriate action by playing games together?

This is my 21st year as an educator and second as a PE teacher at NSSF.  I remain a passionate believer in the relationally transformative power of playing games together.  Over the 15 years I spent as a PE instructor at an elementary school in SF’s Tenderloin neighborhood, I witnessed firsthand that when students learn to play with fairness, safety, and a spirit of fun, their physical and emotional health increases throughout the school day.  I’m delighted to continue that exciting work (of play) with the students here at NSSF.

I grew up here in the Bay Area and have made my home with my wife and family in SF’ s Mission District for the past 18 years.  I’m fortunate to not only be a New School teacher but a parent as well, with my two boys in grades 7 and 3 respectively.  When not at New School we love exploring the parks of San Francisco, hiking in the woods, eating great food, building Legos, and playing board games.

Coach Matt Thomas (he/him), PE Teacher

My big question: How can Physical Education help us venture outside of our comfort zone to create a more well-rounded individual and community?

This will be my 5th year teaching PE and 3rd year with NSSF. I have an extensive amateur and semi-professional sports background. I train and teach multiple disciplines of martial arts, competing and medaling in numerous tournaments over my 20+ year martial arts career. I have a very special love for physical education and the connection it creates within individuals and between different communities.

I am the youngest of four and fortunate to have three amazing older sisters. I have started a small family of my own with my significant other (Jenna) and my Siberian Husky (Nara). Outside of sports, I have a passion for music, art and all things living. I currently have over 20 plants living in my tiny 500 square foot apartment.