Administration

John Loeser

Head of School

John Loeser begins his first year as Head of Redwood Day School this year. Prior to Redwood Day, John was the Assistant Head of School at The Carey School (PK-5) in San Mateo, CA for seven years. He began his teaching career as a 5th grade homeroom teacher in Belmont, Massachusetts and spent eight consecutive summers as an advanced mathematics instructor and Academic Dean at the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, working primarily with students in grades 5-8. John has written extensively for teachers in training and enjoys every opportunity to help new and veteran teachers hone their craft. He has led many initiatives in schools including those related to differentiated instruction, curriculum development, faculty professional growth, diversity, social-emotional development, service learning and long-term sustainability. John holds a B.A. in Education and Psychology from Swarthmore College and a M.Ed. in School Leadership from Harvard University.

Denise Breland

Lower School Director

Mrs. Breland taught first grade at Redwood Day School for ten years, before becoming Lower School Director. Born and raised in New York City, she attended Keuka College and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, followed by graduate studies in special education at George Washington University. In 1990, she moved to the Bay Area, where she received a certificate in Reading Recovery from San Bernardino University. She has over 30 years of teaching experience, from kindergarten through eighth grade. She has taught in both public and private schools in Washington, DC; Prince Georges County, Maryland; Cleveland, Ohio; East Palo Alto and Oakland. Now entering her 15th year with Redwood Day School, she is delighted to have the opportunity to support the children, families, and faculty of RDS as an administrator.

Clarence Perkins

Assistant Head of School / Middle School Director

has worked in independent schools since 1991 as a teacher, dean, middle school director, and upper school director. Most recently, he was High School Division Director at Trevor Day School and before that as Head of Upper School (grades 5-8) at The Cathedral School of St. John the Divine, both in New York City. Dr. Perkins has led initiatives on faculty evaluation, school accreditation, environmental sustainability, diversity, and curriculum mapping. He holds a B.A. from Assumption College, an M.Div. from Yale University, and an M.Ed. and Ed.D. from Teachers College at Columbia University.

Administrative Support Staff

Derek Clark Sr. Executive Administrator & Asst. to the Head of School	Jill Nesbitt Front Office
Chase Wittenauer Technology Assistant & Registrar	Rebecca Denison Lower School Administrator, Service Learning Coordinator
Jeanne Coyne Song Middle School Coordinator