BROOKFIELD SCHOOL * Providing quality K-8 education in Sacramento, CA. since 1962 *

Administration, Faculty
& Staff

Dr. Jo Gonsalves
Principal

Principal, Dr. Jo Gonsalves joined Brookfield in 2007 as principal.

In 2008, she earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership from St. Mary’s College in California. Dr. Gonsalves has an Administrative Credential, as well as Single Subject Credentials for both English and Science. She has taught for 11 years in private schools throughout the greater Sacramento region, and served as Assistant Principal of Academics at St. Francis High School prior to accepting her current position as Brookfield’s instructional leader.

Dr. Gonsalves has lived in Sacramento over 30 years, and enjoys spending family time with her husband, four adult children, and three grandchildren.

Angie
Pfleiderer
Pre-1st

Miss Angela Pfleiderer joined Brookfield’s faculty in 2011, after teaching an advanced kindergarten in Maine, her home state. She is an experienced traveler, having traveled to many parts of the world as a performer with the Up With People organization. As a result, Miss P. has a network of friends from all over the world and a well-developed global perspective. She also has an impressive collection of classic children’s books in many languages. Miss P. decided she wanted to be a teacher at the age of seven, and we are very glad that she stuck to that decision. She brings excellent classroom management and organizational skills, instructional creativity, and enthusiasm to our team of primary teachers. Miss P. graduated Cum Laude with a BS in Elementary Education/Human Development from the University of Maine, and holds a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Maine and California.

Shaneka Bradley
1st Grade

Ms. Bradley joined the Brookfield faculty in 2011. She is a native Sacramentan who has lived and taught the majority of her professional career in Louisiana. She is very happy to return home to Sacramento. Ms. Bradley has a BA in Liberal Studies from the University of the Pacific, and has a Clear Multiple Subject Credential valid for Louisiana and California. Prior to joining Brookfield, Ms. Bradley taught grades TK through 3rd grade for over 10 years in various school settings, including a magnate school for high achievers. She has served as an instructional coach and has significant training in various methods that enhance student learning and keep students excited and focused. Ms. Bradley is very proficient at designing creative lessons, but her greatest strength is in inspiring and motivating students.

Stephen Davis
1st Grade

Mr. Stephen Davis joined Brookfield in 2010 as our first grade teacher. He has extensive experience as a first through third grade teacher in private, public, and charter school programs. A native of Chicago, Mr. Davis earned a BA in Communication from Northwestern University and a MA in Elementary Education from Roosevelt University. He also holds a Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Mr. Davis excels in the teaching of writing skills, finding ways to inspire his young scholars to express their creativity through writing. His energy and enthusiasm make first grade a great place to be.

Beth Garland
2nd Grade

Beth Garland teaches Second Grade. She has a B.A. in Liberal Studies and a Clear California Teaching Credential for Multiple Subjects. Prior to joining Brookfield in 2008, Mrs. Garland taught fifth and third grade at California distinguished elementary schools. Her experience and familiarity with third grade curriculum serves her well in our accelerated program. Combined with her warm and caring demeanor, Mrs. Garland brings advanced curricular knowledge and the gentleness needed to guide second grade students and prepare them for the middle grades.

Patty Brinsky
3rd Grade

Affectionately known by her students as “Mrs. Bee”, Patty Brinsky has been teaching Third Grade at Brookfield School since 1986. Her children, Jennifer (Class of 1990) and Wyatt (Class of 1994), received their own stellar academic and social educations while attending Brookfield from Pre-First through 8th grades. Patty earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development with a minor in English from California State University, Sacramento, CA She holds a California Clear Standard Elementary Teaching Credential for grades K-9 and a California Clear Standard Early Childhood Education Teaching Credential for Pre-school through Grade 3. Prior to joining the Brookfield staff, Mrs. Brinsky taught for the Sacramento City Unified School District in the primary grades. Mrs. Bee is inspired by the spirit and curiosity of children. Her philosophy of teaching is “Set the bar high and expect the best!”

Penny Renaud
4th Grade

Penny Renaud teaches Fourth Grade. Penny has a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies, a M.S. in Special Education, and a California Teaching Credential. Prior to joining the Brookfield faculty in 1999, Penny taught sixth through eighth grades. Penny is enthusiastic about fourth graders and is much beloved by all of her students.

Souad Betancourt
French

Souad Betancourt teaches French to Pre-First through Fourth grades. She has a B.S. in Economic Science with a minor in French Studies. She also has a multiple subject credential and single subject certificate in elementary French from the Notre Dame de la Paix French Training Center for Teachers in Rabat, Morocco. Souad joined the faculty of Brookfield in 2000, bringing with her fourteen prior years of experience teaching the French language. Souad believes learning French should be a fun and enjoyable experience.

Susan Stiehr
French

Susan Stiehr teaches French to Fifth through Eighth grades. She has a B.A. in French with a minor in Social Studies, a California Teaching Credential, and a Service Credential in Administration. Susan completed undergraduate studies at the Université de Bordeaux, France and graduate studies at the Université de Paris (Sorbonne), France. Susan began teaching French at Brookfield in 1974 and also served at the assistant director for 17 years. Susan organizes and leads student trips to France and Washington, DC. Her teaching philosophy is to engage students by incorporating current events, fun activities, and everyday experiences into the learning process.

Audrey Brandt
Math

Audrey Brandt teaches Math to Fifth through Eighth grades. She has taught for 29 years and joined the Brookfield faculty in 2008. She has a B.A. degree in Liberal Studies as well as a Multiple Subjects CA Teaching Credential. She also has training and experience teaching in GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) programs, as well as substantial experience as a technology coordinator, Math, and English teacher. Mrs. Brandt is talented at implementing creative teaching methodologies to improve student learning.

Kristin Farrell
Science

Kristin Farrell teaches Science to Fifth through Eighth grades. She has a B.S. in Geography and a California Teaching Credential. Before becoming a teacher, Kristin worked as a hydrologic technician for the U.S. Geological Survey. Prior to joining the faculty of Brookfield in 2006, Kristin taught fifth through eighth grades. She brings to the classroom a myriad of experiences that enhance her teaching.

Tyler Bogart
Social Studies

Tyler Bogart teaches Social Studies in grades 5-8 and Language Arts and Literature in grade 5. He joined the Brookfield faculty in 2008. Mr. Bogart has a B.S. degree in History, specializing in American History. He also has a M.A. in Secondary Education. Prior to joining Brookfield, Mr. Bogart taught at St. Mary’s College Prep High School in Long Island, New York. He brings his subject area expertise and experience as an AP level Social Studies teacher to better prepare Brookfield students for success.

Trinity Tracy
English

Dr. Trinity Tracy joined Brookfield in 2010. She teaches English to grades six through eight and Speech and Debate to grades five through eight. She has been teaching since 2001, and her experience includes public, private and charter schools. She has also taught classes to teachers for two years at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, where she earned her Doctor of Education degree in 2007. Dr. Tracy particularly enjoys working with middle school students, and has dedicated most of her teaching career and professional research to this age group. She holds a Clear Single Subject Credential in English, and has been certified by the College Board to teach Pre AP English. Dr. Tracy finds that teaching in a private school environment gives her the opportunity to be inventive and use her creativity to make learning both enjoyable and challenging.

Felicia Dawkins
Computer Technology

Mrs. Felicia Dawkins joined our faculty in 2011, bringing a ready smile, professional background, and
technical knowledge to Brookfield as our Computer teacher. A UC Berkeley alumnae and credentialed multiple subjects teacher with a masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction, she is well skilled at guiding students through technology curriculum and collaborating with our teachers to create interesting technology enriched lessons. Mrs. Dawkins has worked with the Elk Gove Unified School District as a substitute teacher and mentor for high school students, for several years. She also has a technical writing business that specializes in writing for websites. Most recently, she served as the Education and Technology Coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Sacramento.
Mrs. Dawkins shares that “learning is a dynamic process that provides students with pertinent knowledge,
which they can apply to solving real world problems. In order to motivate students to learn, the material
must be engaging, challenging, and developmentally appropriate.” Mrs. Dawkins is committed to making
our school computer lab “an environment that encourages students to learn to their full potential and to use
technology as a tool to becoming independent learners and problem-solvers.”

John Flolo
Athletic Director
Physical Education
Coach

John Flolo teaches Physical Education to Pre-1st through Eighth grades along with being the Athletic Director overseeing the entire athletic program and Brookfield's 12+ after school sports teams.. John has a B.A. in Physical Education, a M.A. in Instructional Leadership, and a California Teaching Credential. Since joining the Brookfield faculty in 2005, John has revitalized the physical education program and developed and implemented an after school athletic program. He is much beloved by all of his students!

Amy Mertell
Pre-First

Amy Mertell teaches Pre-First. Amy has her B.S. in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education from Auburn University and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Washington. She received her California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential last year after transferring here from Seattle, Washington, where she taught kindergarten and first grade. Because Mrs. Mertell believes that every child has the potential to be extraordinary, she is a warm, nurturing addition to the Brookfield faculty.

Michelle Schumacher
Office Manager

Michelle Schumacher is the Brookfield School Office Manager. Parents, students, and faculty have come to depend on her ability to take care of everything from playground injuries to book orders. She keeps the place running smoothly and is always ready to lend a hand.

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