Melissa Krause
Dr. Chris Smith
Dr. Chris Smith is beginning his first year with Courtyard Private School. Before coming to Courtyard, Dr. Smith spent the past six years as the principal at Bethany Lutheran School in Vacaville, California. Over the course of the past 30 years Dr. Smith has had the opportunity to work at every level in the educational system.
Dr. Smith holds a doctorate in Education with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership in Higher Education (GCU), a Masters’ in Education in Instructional Design (AIU), and a BA in Sociology / Anthropology from the University of Redlands.
Dr. Smith enjoys sports and the outdoors. He played and coached football for over twenty years, winning CIF section titles in both basketball and football as a head coach / athletic director, and enjoys camping in the great outdoors during his down times.
Sunnee Rabbetts
Ms. Sunnee has been the office manager at Courtyard for a glorious two years now. Before she had the pleasure to be a Courtyard resident, she was a teacher, office manager, and retail manager.
She has traveled the states and lived in many, then traveled throughout Europe and China. Ms. Sunnee has a major in theater and art and had the pleasure of being part of that world, but never wanted to be in the spotlight.
She has a daughter living in New Mexico with her husband and a son living in Colorado with his partner. She visits with her mother and grandmother often since they live close in California.
She enjoys being out and about with friends, while sipping on refreshments and listening to conversations.
“My cats and I relax in our patio enjoying my never ending plant addiction. The more, the merrier. Cheers!”
One of the best and most unique things about Courtyard is the teachers. They don’t just help their students because it is their job, they truly care about them. They do a fabulous job encouraging them and interacting with them.”
Jennifer Mattson
Ms. Mattson has worked at Courtyard for 20 years. During those years, she worked ½ a year as an EDC leader, 4 years as a middle school teacher, and 13 years in TK. Ms. Mattson loves that the majority of her days are spent with students who make her laugh and are so honest with their thoughts and feelings. “With them, I get to be silly and dramatic, celebrate their many accomplishments, sing for a large part of the day, and assist in their character development,” says Ms. Mattson.
Ms. Mattson loves working at Courtyard because we are a close-knit community with an emphasis on social-emotional skills. We have a wonderful staff, and she considers it an honor to work with such a supportive and collaborative group of people.
When not on campus, you can often find Ms. Mattson playing the oboe and English horn in the Camellia Symphony Orchestra and singing in a choir. A fun and fact about Ms. Mattson is that, during the pandemic, she started a new hobby of collecting unique and quirky house plants.
Mahj Yusufi
Ms. Mahj has worked at Courtyard since 2021. She has worked with TK children back home in India for 11 years, adding another 4 years of special education with elementary kids.
Looking back, teaching preschoolers has always been one of her most cherished experiences. This experience continued to grow as she enjoyed a wonderful year as a TA with the TK troopers of Courtyard School. Even as she trepidatiously stepped into a different genre of culture and academics she realized that “love” is universal! And with that as her tool she continued to facilitate the learning and holistic growth of these young minds. She continued to enjoy fueling their curiosity and nurturing them.
Courtyard school is nothing less than a beautiful extension of familial camaraderie. It thus elicits positivity and helps motivate you to explore your full potential.
Other than enjoying the calm and chaos that is preschool, her other core passion is to cook, feed, eat and repeat! She also loves art, music and culture and frequents museums, cultural events, and theaters whenever she can.
Caitlin Middaugh
Mrs. Caitlin Middaugh is a dedicated kindergarten teacher with over 16 years of experience. She has been a member of the Courtyard community for the past 11 years, teaching both first grade and kindergarten. She graduated with honors from UC Davis before earning her teaching credential and master’s degree from the University of San Francisco.
Mrs. Middaugh believes in the joy of discovery and values the wisdom she gains from her students. Mrs. Middaugh creates an inclusive and engaging classroom environment where children thrive.
With a deep understanding of kindergarteners’ unique needs, Mrs. Middaugh fosters a dynamic learning environment. She incorporates hands-on activities, interactive games, and creative projects to make learning come alive. Her classroom is filled with colorful displays and a diverse collection of books that caters to her students’ interests.
Mrs. Middaugh believes in building strong partnerships with parents, maintaining open lines of communication, and involving them in their children’s education.
Beyond teaching, Mrs. Middaugh enjoys traveling, exploring nature, and spending time with her family.
Kathy Cruz
Ms. Kathy currently works as a teacher’s aide in Mrs. Middaugh’s kindergarten classroom. She also teaches art to the kindergarten class each week. Ms. Kathy has worked at Courtyard for 27 years. Yes, that long! When working with kids, Ms Kathy says that, “It puts a smile on my face when I see someone have that Aha! Moment, that moment when they realize they finally get it (reading, sounding out words, etc.).” What makes Ms. Kathy’s job special? She says, “I think the main reason I have stayed at Courtyard for so long is the family feel of the school. I love that it is a small school where everyone knows everyone. It has always been a joy coming in to work each day.” Something that people may not know about Ms. Kathy is that she loves listening to a variety of music from 80’s pop, Motown, Disney songs, rock, and even heavy metal.
Mallary Heaton
Mrs. Mallary Heaton is a creative and caring 1st grade teacher with over 10 years of experience. She earned her BA from San Francisco State University with honors, and continued onto Graduate School at Mills College where she earned her multiple subject teaching certificate w/ an emphasis on social justice. She has been teaching at Courtyard for 4 years and feels like she finally found her “home” as an educator.
Mallary creates a warm and enriching classroom environment. She believes that in order for children to learn and be successful, they need to feel safe, valued, and have their needs met. Additionally, Mallary honors the parents-teacher relationship as this is a major component to student success.
Having taught Kindergarten, 1st grade, 3rd grade, and 5th grade, Mallary has a deep understanding and experience with teaching the foundations that are essential for later grades. She nurtures students with a social-emotional approach, and looks for ways to strengthen inclusion in the classroom. Integrating art & nature is also one of her strengths. When you step into her classroom, you will feel calm and curious.
When she is not in the classroom, Mallary loves to make art and learn new things. She loves traveling and spending time with her 2 daughters and husband.
Shayla Happi Amenra
Ms. Happi, is our new Second grade teacher at Courtyard hailing from the city of Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Ms. Happi (her preferred name) has worked within the field of education for the past 15 years as a program manager, after-school coordinator, general education teacher, and special education teacher. In her most recent role for the school district of Philadelphia, Ms. Happi worked as a Kindergarten through eighth grade Special Education teacher serving a diverse range of emotional, physical, and cultural backgrounds. In each position Ms. Happi understood that students come first. “As an educator my job is to serve, guide and to prepare my students to be the authentic BEST selves!” Ms. Happi is very excited to bring her experience and happiness of being in the classroom to Courtyard.
When not in the classroom you can find Ms. Happi reading a good Sci-fi novel, listening to 90’s hip-hop (because it’s the best era) and creating jewelry under her artist name, Happimade.
“Making and creating with my hands reminds me as a teacher that I still have a lot to learn. It also reminds me that we all have a way of seeing the world, a voice, and a chance to change it for the better.”
“Your teachers are all around you.
All that you perceive, all that you experience,
All that is given to you or taken from you,
All that you love or hate, need or fear
Will teach you–If you will learn”
-Octavia Butler
Michael Panush
We are super excited to highlight Michael Panush (better known to the Courtyard community as Mr. P), as a 3rd/4th grade teacher. Formerly, Mr. P has taught writing, PE, and has been an EDC leader. Why does he love working at Courtyard so much? “The sheer enthusiasm that kids have greatly inspires me. Their compassion, intelligence, and ability to find joy and be amazed in all things is what I like most about working with young people,” says Mr. P. He utilizes students’ creativity whenever he can, whether that’s through innovative, creative assignments in the classroom or in role-playing adventures after school. Something that people may not know about Mr. P is that he’s a published author of several books. You can learn more about Mr. P and his creative writing at michaelpanush.com.
Connor Adam
Mr. Connor joined Courtyard in 2020-2021. Born in Vallejo, and grew up in Sacramento, Mr. Connor graduated from Christian Brothers HS. He earned his BA in Anthropology from CSUS, and his MSc in eLearning from CSUEB.
Mr. Connors is a world traveler, He was a student-researcher in Chiapas, Mexico for a Bio-Anthropology field school, spent 8 weeks in Mexico in summer 2015, and taught abroad in South Korea from 2017-2020. “I’ve traveled a lot but the three years in Asia was special. Volunteering with North Korean refugees was truly life-changing.”
In education for the last 9 years: Mr. Connor has taught and tutored a diverse range of grades- K through High School.
Heather Dominguez
Ms. Heather Dominguez has been a most valuable member of our Courtyard staff for the past twelve years. She is currently our EDC director, middle school teacher, athletic director, snake trapper, and Health Ed teacher. She also coordinates graduation and the STEAM fair, as well as evaluates our history curriculum and helps with campus trainings. In the past, she has taught both science and drama, coached volleyball, taught percussion, and served as student council director. Ms. Heather loves working at Courtyard because it is her second home. It is an ever-growing family that loves and celebrates difference and teaches from a loving perspective. When asked what she likes most about working with kids, Ms. Heather says, “It is a well of hope. Watching the student learn and grow into critical thinkers, explorers, artists, and above all else, kind human beings, fills me with hope for the future.” Some fun facts about Ms. Heather is that she’s a fan of Batman, comic books, and anime.
Matt Kramer
Matthew Kramer, better known as Chef Matt, has worked at Courtyard for the past eight years as our incredible chef. For the past eight years, Chef Matt has been an invaluable part of the Courtyard community. Chef Matt wears many different hats here at Courtyard. Not only does he serve and prepare delicious hot lunches to staff and students each day, but he also prepares food for our annual Crab Feed and other school events and helps with different jobs around campus. Chef Matt likes working at Courtyard because we offer a great education to all the students. Additionally, the staff is also super friendly and fun to work with. “I like working with kids because they bring a smile to my face every day. I love to see how excited they get about the food and hearing their honest opinions on the food. They are all just amazing to be around overall, says Matt.” Something that people may not know about Chef Matt is that he is a multi-instrumentalist and loves to make music.
Jesse Meade
Ms. Jesse Meade has worked at Courtyard Private School for seven years.
“I love helping kids overcome obstacles. I want to be present in the classroom the moment children discover intrigue for the world around them. I’ve had tremendous joy watching kids grow into passionate driven human beings,” says Ms. Jesse.
Ms. Jesse wears many hats at the Courtyard. She will help where she’s needed. She loves teaching students a love for sports and how to grow veggies and fruit.
A little known fact about Ms. Jesse is that she’s a certified yoga teacher 200 hr YTA. She incorporates Yoga and Mindfulness into our PE program.
Adriana Saldaña
Sra. Saldaña, our dedicated Spanish teacher at Courtyard for the past five years, embodies the essence of her Hispanic heritage. With over 30 years of her life spent in Mexico, she carries the rich tapestry of her roots as a badge of honor.
Her journey began in the vibrant landscapes of Mexico, and her academic foundation took root at the prestigious “Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México” (UNAM), one of Latin America’s largest and most esteemed universities. This foundation at UNAM not only equipped her with a strong academic background but also instilled in her a profound appreciation for the value of knowledge.
Having spent the majority of her life in Mexico, Sra. Saldaña brings a wealth of cultural understanding and personal experiences to her role as an educator. Her Mexican heritage is not just a part of her identity; it significantly influences her teaching style, making her classroom a place where cultural exchange thrives.
Sra. Saldaña finds immense joy and gratitude in the transformative power of education. She understands that her guidance and mentorship can shape the future of her students, leaving a lasting impact on their lives. She takes immense pride in empowering young minds with self-confidence, resilience, and an appreciation for their unique cultural identities.
Beyond her role as an educator, Sra. Saldaña has a passion for exploring and understanding the world. Her hobbies include traveling to different parts of the globe, immersing herself in new cultures, and learning new languages. Her curiosity fuels her desire to create an environment where diverse backgrounds are appreciated and understood.
In addition to her teaching career, there’s a surprising facet to Sra. Saldana’s life. She is a licensed general practitioner with expertise in anesthesiology in Mexico and has further contributed to the field of medicine by teaching at a university in her hometown. Her diverse experiences and knowledge enrich her teaching, making her a truly remarkable and dedicated educator.
Anthony Tavianini
Anthony Tavianini just came on board as our new music teacher. Mr. Tavianini is a well-known name in the performing arts community of Sacramento. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Voice and Music Education at Sacramento State, and his Masters of Teaching through the University of San Francisco.
Previously, he spent seven years as the music director at St. Patrick Academy, teaching general music, instruments, voice, piano, and musical theater. He has been a regular performer with numerous ensembles and organizations in the area, including the Sacramento Master Singers, Light Opera Theater of Sacramento, the All Voices Choral Project, Runaway Stage Productions, Sacramento and Bay Area Opera, and many others.
His diverse experience also includes vocal jazz, acapella, and barbershop. He has worked as a vocalist and accompanist at numerous Catholic, Lutheran, and non-denominational churches in the greater Sacramento area. He currently teaches private voice and piano lessons through the Sacramento Preparatory Music Academy, and will soon be taking over the mantle of music director for the Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento.
Mr. Tavianini is looking forward to working in an environment with diversity in beliefs and values and honing in on ways to serve and connect with his students. In his spare time, Mr. Tavianini likes to perform with different communities as well as in cabaret performances. He has taken up yoga since the beginning of COVID quarantine. He’s also left-handed and enjoys the outdoors.
Courtyard School is an equal employment opportunity employer and makes employment decisions based on merit, qualifications and competence. The School does not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, pregnancy and breastfeeding), race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming), sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality), age (40 and over), marital status, military or veteran status, genetic characteristic or genetic information, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.