APPLE AFTERSCHOOL STAFF
MALLORY MEYER, DIRECTOR/TEACHER
Mallory was born and raised in Santa Cruz and graduated with honors from Aptos High. She continued her education at Cal State Monterey Bay earning both a BA in Liberal Studies and a Multiple Subject teaching credential. At Apple, Mallory is held in esteem by her students (and us adults) for her wildly creative endeavors with dramatic play areas (who else can turn a giant box into an airplane and security scanner?) Mallory's teaching approach is very "hands on" to the delight of her students--and she's not afraid to get messy either! After a great lesson on geology and rocks students were able to create their own 3D edible earths (yum) and then go on to create "pet" rocks and then build them creative homes from a variety of materials. Mallory also loves cooperative learning groups; one example being in yet another super creative lesson. Students shared responsibilities in designing, building, and testing their own mini foil boats (complete with penny payloads :) as part of a team to make sure they didn't sink (critical thinking and great fun). When not teaching Mallory can be found hanging out with her St.Bernard, Hobie, traveling to Disneyland (she's a serious fan) and reading, puzzles, beach walks and an occasional Netflix Binge.
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KAILI SULLENS, TEACHER
Kaili Sullens is Apple's newest teacher, but already much appreciated by students and staff alike. Her creativity and artistic abilities really grabbed Apple's students attention initially (who else would be able to create kitchen appliances and living room furniture from popsicle sticks and hot glue their first week on the job? :) Apple students have also come to adore her for her strong support and care for them; as well as her constant smiles and contagious laughter. We are also excited about Kaili's love of all things art (painting, collaging, water color and even fun doodling), and are certain this will really enhance Apple student's exposure to a variety of media. Her most recent endeavor was a special hit with students as she chose to follow up her interesting lesson about animal adaptations by having students create their own camouflaged butterflies and they hide them around the classroom.As Kaili loves being in nature and hiking with her two dogs, Simba and Blueberry, expect to see her outdoors leading flowering garden tours and fun group games! She also enjoys enjoys volunteering at the Santa Cruz Animal Shelter and is a huge advocate for rescuing and adopting animals.
Janice and Francisco Jimenez, Teachers
Janice Jimenez is the Founder of Apple Afterschool and Magic Apple School along with Fran. Janice graduated Summa Cum Laude from San Francisco State in social sciences and women's studies. She holds an Elementary Credential and taught at Amesti school before starting Magic Apple (1979) and Apple Afterschool (1994). Jan loves to teach Apple students about animals, Heroes of History, art, music, dance and drama. Jan is also famous for cooking classes--not only do Apple students get to assist with cooking—they get to eat afterwards! Jan is also known for introducing drama and dance performance to our students and loves to share her love of music with students. She is also proud of the many community service projects students at Apple Afterschool have undertaken over many years, including earning funds to help purchase mobile showers for the local homeless community, gathering toiletries and socks for families in need, donating gently used and new clothes for for Hopes Closet, and assisting with collecting canned goods for Families in Transition. Jan also has a fun creative streak and many of her special projects are still fondly remembered by Apple alumni (many of whom are in college). To learn about parenting responsibilities Jan created "Baby Eggs" where students decorate blown out eggs and are responsible for keeping them unbroken :) for two weeks. Students adored naming them, recording how they spent time with their child, what they ate, etc. Over the years, this beloved project morphed from Baby Egg Town (a mini mall) to Baby Egg World (a special two-day event of clever student related businesses-- remote control rides (yes, with safety instructions and disclaimers), egg carton climbing gyms, baby egg library (with mini books), etc.
Francisco Jimenez is also a co-founder of Magic Apple--hence the student nickname for both "Jan and Fran" as they have always worked together since founding Apple Afterschool and Magic Apple. Francisco holds a BA and an MA and was a PVUSD administrator before starting Magic Apple. Fran is a gifted story teller and has always been greatly appreciated by students go both schools for his colorful stories of his life as a child as he moved around with his family to follow crops as migrant field workers. He also has a counseling credential which comes in handy during his large group classes when Fran takes on any issues student's want to discuss involving values and character education. Fran has brought meditation to both Apple and Magic Apple students. We hear often from parents and families who were astonished every year to see the curtains open on the Aptos High stage to reveal 100+ students in grades K-6 silently meditating together in perfect silence for several minutes as he encouraged them to listen to their breathing and visualize how much fun their performance was about to be before their annual spring performance. Fran is also much beloved for his enthusiasm, energy and creativity in presenting Science Lessons. Dressed in a wizard hat and white lab coat Fran is always ready--from changing molecules of a rose or hot dog to explosions with mentos and cokes--learning is fun with Fran! It's no wonder, Cisco and many other former students chose to major in science upon entering college. Fran also excels with clever and long remembered projects; from teaching students to create their own personal dashboard (like parent's cars to learn to assess and prepare ahead for student emotions) to writing poetry after his remarkable lesson on the Methusula tree, to students actually wanting to try carrying heavy loads of water and sugar cane after lessons about child labor--it's no wonder Fran has been so loved by so many.
