Our School
Our School Mission
The school’s mission is to provide students with a balanced education of body, feeling, will, and intellect in preparation for meeting life’s diverse challenges.
Learner Outcomes
1. Self-Discovery: Students will gain an awareness of their inner life.
2. Maturity: Students will learn to relate to the realities of other people.
3. Balanced Development: Development of body, feelings, will, and intellect.
4. Excellence: Students will learn to do their best.
Diane Hridaya Atwell
School Director
Hridaya has been the school director since 1994. In 2001 she started teaching part time in the jr. high and high school along with her on-going administrative duties. She said, “I began to understand the life of a teacher vs. the life of an administrator, and realized that being in the classroom part time is essential to running a school.”
Kamran Tristen Matlock
High School Director, Teacher, Camp Director
He is an enthusiastic leader and a remarkable teacher. Kamran has taken groups to India, Costa Rica, US National Parks, Mexico, Kauai, and Hong Kong.
Vashti Marks Thelen
High School Teacher & Camp Guide
Vashti is a teacher at the Living Wisdom Junior High and High School. She has an expansive world view and is very aware and enthusiastic about of our ability to contribute to it’s evolution. She shares her calm, caring and adventurous energy.
Bryan McSweeney
High School Teacher & Camp Guide
Bryan McSweeney graduated from Living Wisdom School, Palo Alto. Bryan brings to his film class knowledge from his work as a professional videographer. He has a great sense of humor, which makes his classes engaging and fun.
David Balarama Betts
4-6th Grade & H.S. Science Teacher
"I enjoy organic gardening, raising bees, hiking and cooking. My biggest feather in my cap, however, is four wonderful sons who received their core education at Ananda Living Wisdom School. My goal is to awaken enthusiasm and cultivate a sense of adventure in each student, whether in math, reading or science that will inspire them to see life as a continuous opportunity to grow and reach for their next challenge.
I also enjoy teach the high school Biology and Chemistry. I am the boys’ dorm dad for high school boarding students.
Premi Grenell
2nd & 3rd Grade Teacher
Premi Grenell
"I love people, I love to meditate, and I love to serve. In 2011, I read the book Education for Life and fell in love with it. I decided immediately that I needed to send my daughters to a Living Wisdom School and moved to Ananda Village soon after. In 2013 began full time as an Education for Life teacher. As a child, I could never answer what I wanted to be when I grew up, but “fun maker” always held an appeal. At Living Wisdom School, we make learning fun! Wish granted! I hold Education for Life Certification and a B.A. from Columbia University."
Narani Moorhouse
K-1st Grade Teacher & Tutoring Coordinator
After receiving a BA degree in Liberal Studies and a California Teaching Credential, I was blessed to begin teaching in our school 35 years ago. For these many years it has been my absolute joy to be able to teach in a school where each and every student is valued as a unique individual. My students feel like my own children and the parents are truly my friends. It is also thrilling to work with other teachers that have a shared passion for what we are all trying to bring forth in education.
Joy
Preschool Teacher
"I have the honor and pleasure of teaching preschool in a beautiful environment with excellent coworkers! Children and baking are two of my greatest loves. I am a social worker who became a preschool teacher. I co-taught preschool at the Living Wisdom School in Seattle for two years and was the lead teacher for one year. I am a certified Education for Life teacher and have a Master’s degree in social work."
Karen (Prem-Shanti) Rider
Receptionist and Bookkeeper
Prem-Shanti said, "I answer phones, greet parents, take tuition payments, pay the bills and assist Hridaya in the office in any way that I can. I also enjoy giving teacher Joy short breaks in the preschool and getting to know all the great kids that attend our school."
Kathy Rodrigue
Music Director
"17 years at this school! Amazing! I am currently helping with the 2-4th grade class, and teaching music for the whole school. I love to teach experientially. I believe information is retained better once kids personally know what something is like, and it sure make learning more fun. I have a Master’s Degree in Psychology and Training and Development, and a BA in Psychology and holistic health."