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.
Mallory worked locally as a preschool teacher for many years before joining Apple Afterschool, and has risen to the challenge of now teaching kindergarten and first graders very successfully. Mallory's teaching approach is very "hands on" and creative to the delight of her students--and she's not afraid to get messy either! After a great lesson on geology and rocks students got to create their own 3D edible earths (yum) and even create "pet" rocks. Mallory also loves cooperative learning groups where students share responsibilities in designing, building, and testing their own mini foil boats (complete with penny payloads :). Mallory has also been known for her exciting choreography during dance classes at Apple (glow sticks and line dancing even! When not teaching Mallory can be found hanging out with her St.Bernard Hobie, traveling to Disneyland and Maui, reading, puzzles, beach walks and an occasional Netflix Binge. |
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ANALUISA MORALES, TEACHER
AnaLuisa grew up in the Santa Cruz area and graduated from Santa Cruz
High School. She moved to Arizona and attended Arizona State
University for her B.A. in Communication and Film Studies. Her
interest in documentary and social justice projects helped open the
doors for her to start working with kids and teens. AnaLuisa completed
her M.A. in Education and Digital Literacy at Prescott College. Moving
back to California, AnaLuisa continued to work with youth creating fun
and educational projects such as Clayamtion. Over the past 10 years
she has worked as a substitute teacher, Girls For a Change coach and
Literacy Instructor. She is currently completing her multi-subject
teaching credential at CSUMB. Ana worked at Apple Afterschool
in 2016/17 and we are thrilled to have her back! AnaLuisa was adored
by both students, families and staff and during her work at Apple,
contributed some wonderful film and performance related projects. She
wants Apple Afterschool families to know that she is "so excited
to be back for more fun, educational adventures". During her free time,
she enjoys cooking, camping, art and time with her husband and three children.
High School. She moved to Arizona and attended Arizona State
University for her B.A. in Communication and Film Studies. Her
interest in documentary and social justice projects helped open the
doors for her to start working with kids and teens. AnaLuisa completed
her M.A. in Education and Digital Literacy at Prescott College. Moving
back to California, AnaLuisa continued to work with youth creating fun
and educational projects such as Clayamtion. Over the past 10 years
she has worked as a substitute teacher, Girls For a Change coach and
Literacy Instructor. She is currently completing her multi-subject
teaching credential at CSUMB. Ana worked at Apple Afterschool
in 2016/17 and we are thrilled to have her back! AnaLuisa was adored
by both students, families and staff and during her work at Apple,
contributed some wonderful film and performance related projects. She
wants Apple Afterschool families to know that she is "so excited
to be back for more fun, educational adventures". During her free time,
she enjoys cooking, camping, art and time with her husband and three children.
Janice and Francisco Jimenez, Teachers
Janice Jimenez is the co-founder of Apple Afterschool and Magic Apple School (closed March 2020) 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 founding Magic Apple and Apple Afterschool (grades K-6). Jan loves to teach Apple students about animals, art, music 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. Jan is also proud of the many community service projects students at Apple Afterschool have undertaken over many years. Among the many projects Janice coordinated over the years for Apple students to participate in were: 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 adore naming them, recording how they spent time with their child, what they ate, etc. Over the years, this beloved project morphed into ending with 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 both schools--hence the student nickname for both "Jan and Fran". Francisco holds a BA and an MA and was a PVUSD administrator before founding Apple and Magic Apple. Fran is especially gifted and appreciated by students at both schools for his colorful stories of his life as a migrant child. 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. Fran has brought meditation to both Apple and Magic Apple students and it is always an incredible sight to see 50+ students on stage in perfect silence before beginning our 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!
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--Fran is appreciated by students for challenging them to be their best selves.
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--Fran is appreciated by students for challenging them to be their best selves.
