Administration

Director - Rachael Bishop

Rachael Bishop was born in Cleveland, Ohio, raised in Texas, and moved to California with her family in 1964. At 18 years old, Rachael began her career with children at a Head Start Program. A cum laude graduate in psychology from Sonoma Sate University, Rachael trained in Montessori teaching techniques, Piagetian cognitive psychology and child development, and worked at various preschool programs specializing in early childhood education.

While raising her twin daughters on her own, she earned a nursing degree and a California State Teaching Credential at Sonoma State University. Later Rachael obtained a Masters Degree in Psychology and a Waldorf Teacher Certification. She was a co-founder of the Sonoma Valley Waldorf School and taught two classes of grades 1-4 while assuming a leadership position at this school.  For the next three years, she taught in the public school system while implementing a successful educational consulting and tutoring business.

Rachael was offered the position of administrative director at the Novato Charter School which, at the time, was in danger of closing its doors. Under her direction, The Novato Charter School is now a thriving, high-ranking, model charter school.

In her words:

“It was always a dream of mine to blend the arts and academics in educating the whole child. After years in mainstream public schools, and in private Waldorf Schools, the chance to combine the best of those worlds opened to me with the birth of the Charter School movement. When teaching in private Waldorf Schools, I thought it was a shame that this type of education was not available to everyone. It just bothered me. What a great opportunity, I thought, to be able to bring this beautiful approach to the public school system, offering it to everyone.

Mainstream education today seems to me motivated only by test scores, by technology at any cost, by speed and efficiency, rather than helping children make meaningful connections between knowledge and life. Nothing is relevant anymore in most public schools; nothing resonates inside students. Everything is drill, drill, drill. I feel it goes against basic human nature. Children need to learn and live in rhythm and beauty. They need to be inspired; their curiosity and wonder nurtured.

I want the world of the future entrusted into the hands not only of capable and efficient individuals, but also caring and compassionate human beings.

That’s where our teachers come in. I love my teachers. They are rare, selfless, creative, passionate human beings. They work tirelessly to meet the needs of children, because they see, connect, love every child, and strive to inspire each of them to reach their unique potential.

What makes a great teacher? I look for intelligence and motivation; for individuals inspired by education and learning. Always questioning. Never fooled in believing for one second that they have all the answers. Teachers that see themselves as facilitators, not lecturers. And most of all, I look for compassion, sensitivity, and enthusiastic love of children. In my position, my top priority is to support them to be the best that they can be by providing constant training, mentoring, guidance, and meeting their needs. And yes…listening with an open, caring heart when they cry…when they are joyful. I don’t own a magic wand, but do trust my intuition. I have the ability to see into people and find their strengths and bring them out. When people feel recognized, seen, appreciated, they rise to the occasion, and strive hard to be their best.

My love and admiration for the community at the Novato Charter School never ceases to grow. It amazes me. Makes me recall what it felt like when I brought my newborn twin daughters home for the first time. I was filled with awe; with a sense of love that I’d never experienced. And at that moment, you think it impossible to love more. Then they grow. And with every passing year, every small step, every great milestone, there is something new to love, something different to appreciate. And it seems that your heart keeps growing larger and larger, as if unbounded.”

Office Manager- Karen Scheppke

In her words:

My husband Gary and I have lived in Novato for 22 years having moved here from Wisconsin. We share a love for bird watching, going out every weekend trying to spot at least 300 different species every year. We’ve gotten close at 293

I can still remember my first day at the Novato Charter School. Everyone was just back from winter break and I think there were at least ten parents in the office along with students rushing in for late slips. All eyes were trained on me making my stomach do flip flops. I had no idea what I was doing or where anything was. I went home that day thinking what in heavens name have I gotten myself into.

It turned out that once I made it through the first six months I knew I would be back: Back to a never ending variety of surprises, never a dull moment, and most important, very loving, compassionate and smart children.

I love these kids. Hearing their sweet voices say “Hi Karen” is wonderful. Or pasting band aides, serving hot tea to calm an uneasy stomach, dispensing ice cubes (lots of them!), checking for head lice, wiping tears or a bloody nose, or simply putting my arm around a child for comfort, makes me feel extremely lucky to be a part of the Novato Charter School community.