7th Grade Teachers
Amy Belkora (she/her), English Language Arts Teacher
My big question: What energizes you?
In joining the New School SF faculty I’ve happily brought my career full circle. My first job out of grad school was teaching 7th grade English language arts and social studies. Since then I’ve taught 4th grade, writing and research at the university level, and urban gardening. I have a bachelor’s degree in English and French literature and a Master of Education, both from Stanford University.
I live in San Francisco with my husband and we have a daughter and son (high school and college-aged respectively).
I love to read, garden, try new recipes, cycle around SF, and camp in the gorgeous outdoors. I am thrilled to join the New School family!
Anne Nyffeler (she/her), Social Studies Teacher
My big question: What do you hear when it’s silent?
This is my sixteenth year in education and my second year teaching at NSSF. I have a Masters degree in Social Studies Education and am also a certified literacy specialist and English teacher. I believe that public education needs to be reimagined. It needs to move beyond rewarding the privileged for sitting still and acing tests. I’m passionate about showing students that learning is exciting and being challenged to create feels good.
I love to read, bake, hike the Bay Area, nature journal, and travel the world with my husband, Chris, and my two elementary aged kids.
Joe Maloney (he/him), Science Teacher
My big question: How can science and technology help solve big problems and ensure equity for all?
Thirteen years ago I began my journey as an educator through the New York City Teaching Fellows program fresh out of my undergraduate studies at Eugene Lang College, The New School in New York City. While teaching and acquiring my master’s degree in education at City College of New York, I acquired five years of experience teaching the sciences at two different high schools, the second of which I had the privilege of being a founding member.
Seeking to expand my worldview, I moved to Seoul, South Korea where I have been living and teaching for eight years. Having traveled the world and lived abroad, I have learned that I thrive in a diverse, inclusive, and culturally rich environment.
Outside of the classroom, I enjoy the outdoors and staying active. Hiking, cycling, and exercise are a few of my favorite activities. I am absolutely elated to be a part of the New School team as I begin a new chapter in San Francisco!
Kelsey Jackson, Math Teacher
My big question: In what ways can math teach students how to be active, empathetic, and critical citizens of the world?
I was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio by two Bay Area native parents, so it was no surprise that I found my way back to the west coast to attend the University of California, Berkeley. I began my adventure as an educator seven years ago, in which I’ve taught 6th, 7th and 8th grade math -- middle schoolers are the best!!
As a math teacher, I love the challenge of teaching students that “a math person” doesn’t exist by showing them that math is all about exploration, making mistakes, and coming up with new ways to solve a problem. My goal is to meet students where they are academically, socially, and emotionally by providing opportunities for them to learn through problem solving, reflect on their experience, collaborate with others, and show their thinking in various ways.
When I’m not teaching, you can find me cooking (and eating!!) all kinds of food, reading, listening to music, and spending as much time as I can outdoors.