Palo Alto Prep School
What is Palo Alto Prep?
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A Letter to Interested Families
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Faculty & Staff

Christopher Keck-Director
Chris founded Palo Alto Prep in 1987. His goal was to create a school where learning would be fun for kids. The philosophy is that great teachers and a positive environment hook kids on learning for life. This philosophy, combined with a focus on outdoor experiential learning has created a productive and enjoyable environment conducive to learning. There is nothing more critical than the link between student and teacher; it is the teacher's relationship with the student rather than the subject matter that gets a student to stretch out of his comfort zone and take the risk to learn new concepts, ideas and skills.

Andrew Fryer-History
Andrew's teaching philosophy is summed up simply: "If the students can teach the day's lesson back to me, then I've done my job successfully." Andrew's satisfaction in teaching is derived from bringing the subject matter to life in such a way that students are excited by it, understand it and retain it. His leisure activities include bowling, guitar playing, and motorcycles, but his highest priority is his family and spending time with his two daughters. Andrew received an AA degree from Foothill College and a BA degree in economics from San Francisco State University.

Jim Town-Math

Jim's teaching philosophy reflects his belief that every student has the ability to learn. He goes out of his way to challenge his students and gets satisfaction when the students realize what they can really accomplish. Jim believes that the ability to think critically is an essential part of every day life. His goal is to teach the students how to think critically in a way that is both practical and fun. Outside of school Jim enjoys ultimate frisbee and riding his bike. Jim received his MEd in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Vermont and his BS in Electrical Engineering at the University of Southern California .

 

Will Paisley-English
Wil's satisfaction in teaching is to see the spark of recognition, excitement or discovery that is ignited when a teenager finds a new world opening up in a story, play or poem. He believes that students who develop the skill of writing well greatly increase their chances for success in life. Outside of school Wil enjoys writing fiction, reading, playing guitar and trumpet, and surfing. Wil is a graduate of Palo Alto Prep and received a BA in English and Southern Literature from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

 

Dylan Rich-Science
Dylan believes every student has the desire to be successful, and he helps students find the inner resources they need in order to master their own learning. As a graduate of Palo Alto Prep, Dylan is particularly attuned to the mindset and concerns of the students, and he embodies the spirit and pride of the school. Students identify with his youthful perspective. Dylan's hobbies are open source programming and restoring vintage cars and motorcycles. He will receive his BS degree in computer science from San Jose State University in 2003.

Lisa O'Hearn-Development Director

As Development Director at Palo Alto Prep Lisa works with parents and students on special events and coordination of outdoor activities, as well as with alumni and the community, raising funds to grow and enhance the school. Lisa has over 20 years in sales, marketing, and nonprofit management and fundraising. Lisa co-founded The Windemere Group in 2001 (windemeregroup.com) and continues to organize outdoor adventures for public and private school students as well as the Palo Alto Prep student body. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, and as often as possible, traveling wherever she can, to water-ski, snow ski and scuba dive.


Laura Marcus-Bricca-English/Spanish

Laura teaches because she loves to learn. She believes that by earning the trust and respect of each of her students, they, in turn, will open their minds to learning. To inspire her students to enjoy learning as much as she does, she structures her classes so that students are continuously engaged in student-centered learning. Once she presents a lesson, she turns it over to the students to ask, and answer, each others questions; read and edit each others papers; and engage in open dialogue to stimulate a deeper understanding of the material. She hones in on each student’s particular learning style and consciously supports each student in a way that most effectively leads them to achieve their personal best.

Laura is not only a teacher at Palo Alto Prep, she is also a graduate. After high school, she attended Santa Clara University and graduated in 2002 with a B.A. in Spanish, while simultaneously achieving a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Following graduation, she managed a martial arts school in Mountain View for three years before returning to Palo Alto Prep as a teacher in 2005. She owns DAMAS, a performing arts camp for girls that she runs during the summers. Currently, she is pursuing a Special Education Credential at San Jose State University.

Laura’s hobbies include playing the piano, singing, writing music, reading, training in martial arts, riding horses, playing with her niece and nephew, and traveling.


Dr. Robert Badame, Ph.D.

Dr. Badame has been a practicing psychologist for over 30 years. He is a frequent lecturer and keynote speaker on a wide variety of topics at schools, universities, medical centers, churches, conferences, etc. Dr. Badame has been integrating material on kindredness, parenting, mediation, childhood and adolescence, men in midlife, fatherhood, sexuality, and adoption. In 1997, he was elected to serve on the National Board of Directors of Resolve. He has also been a consultant to business and corporations on issues ranging from leadership skills to anger management, and sexual harassment. In addition to a doctorate in psychology he holds an MBA in marketing. We at Paly Prep had the privilege of not only working with his daughter, Sacha, as a former PAP student in the mid 90's, but also in utilizing Bob's talents as a resource to the school on a variety of subjects.

 

What is Palo Alto Prep? | Academics | Activities | Faculty & Staff | Certification & Accreditation
A Letter to Interested Families | What Parents & Students Say | Application Process | Contact Us | Home