Sam Prestianni
"Sam Prestianni taught me to be compassionate, critical, and creative at the same time, to write in a way that helps me make sense of the world, and to accept others as they are but not the world as it is." - Sarah Dey
“There are teachers, and then there are teachers who teach with purpose and passion. Sam knows how to help each child find their inner courage, voice, and heart. He ignites their interests and helps them build that into lifelong passions. We are fortunate that Sam's influence continues to guide my son Ryan in his pursuit of a more just and equitable society.” - Sandy Lo, Saklan School Parent Association Board President
"Thank you so much! I'm excited to start this new chapter of my journey in education, self-discovery, and self-invention. Thank you for teaching me how to write well, speak well, and start to find beauty in myself; I couldn't have gotten to this point in my life without you." - Izzy Ray
"I am always amazed with your passion for teaching our children how to think critically and write well. With my daughter's reading challenge I was concerned if she could keep up in class. With your guidance I can see she is becoming more confident in her abilities and is thinking about things on a much deeper level. Honestly I wish that I had a teacher like you. My daughter is so lucky to have you as a teacher." - Geri Buhl, Saklan School Board of Trustees Chair
"Sam Prestianni's brilliance as an educator cannot be overstated. As my first guitar instructor, he not only laid the groundwork for my development with the instrument, but also inspired me to constantly challenge myself with the music I play and listen to." - James Rokas
"Thank you, Sam, for all you've given to both Finn and Evy. Teaching them to think critically and analyze the complexities of the world and to express their thoughts in organized and creative ways has been an enormous gift." - Lori Anders, Saklan School Board of Trustees
"Having Sam as a writing teacher when I was in middle school set the foundation for much of the success I see in my adult life today. Learning to write efficiently and persuasively helped me in college applications, job applications, and my current career in software sales. The best part of Sam's approach is the way he personalizes the methodology for each student. Sam helped me be more concise and direct in my writing without sacrificing the style I wanted to express. Thank you, Sam!" - Jesse Marseille
"You've been such an influential, inspiring, and talented teacher. Thank you for everything you've done for my daughter!" - Jennifer Cogen, Saklan School Board of Trustees
“There are teachers, and then there are teachers who teach with purpose and passion. Sam knows how to help each child find their inner courage, voice, and heart. He ignites their interests and helps them build that into lifelong passions. We are fortunate that Sam's influence continues to guide my son Ryan in his pursuit of a more just and equitable society.” - Sandy Lo, Saklan School Parent Association Board President
"Thank you so much! I'm excited to start this new chapter of my journey in education, self-discovery, and self-invention. Thank you for teaching me how to write well, speak well, and start to find beauty in myself; I couldn't have gotten to this point in my life without you." - Izzy Ray
"I am always amazed with your passion for teaching our children how to think critically and write well. With my daughter's reading challenge I was concerned if she could keep up in class. With your guidance I can see she is becoming more confident in her abilities and is thinking about things on a much deeper level. Honestly I wish that I had a teacher like you. My daughter is so lucky to have you as a teacher." - Geri Buhl, Saklan School Board of Trustees Chair
"Sam Prestianni's brilliance as an educator cannot be overstated. As my first guitar instructor, he not only laid the groundwork for my development with the instrument, but also inspired me to constantly challenge myself with the music I play and listen to." - James Rokas
"Thank you, Sam, for all you've given to both Finn and Evy. Teaching them to think critically and analyze the complexities of the world and to express their thoughts in organized and creative ways has been an enormous gift." - Lori Anders, Saklan School Board of Trustees
"Having Sam as a writing teacher when I was in middle school set the foundation for much of the success I see in my adult life today. Learning to write efficiently and persuasively helped me in college applications, job applications, and my current career in software sales. The best part of Sam's approach is the way he personalizes the methodology for each student. Sam helped me be more concise and direct in my writing without sacrificing the style I wanted to express. Thank you, Sam!" - Jesse Marseille
"You've been such an influential, inspiring, and talented teacher. Thank you for everything you've done for my daughter!" - Jennifer Cogen, Saklan School Board of Trustees
Renee Kirby
"My daughter Sophi has been interested in creating art since she was little, but she lacked confidence in her abilities. Through Renee’s instruction, she gained the skills, knowledge and confidence to trust herself as an artist. Her dream was to attend the Baltimore School for the Arts, and we just found out that she was accepted into the program and will start classes in the fall." - Tiana Melis
"My daughter Delaney's patience and hand-eye coordination, as well as proportion awareness, benefited from taking Renee's workshops. Her confidence as an artist also increased as she mastered new skills." - Sara Kroft
"Renee has saved me so many times. Whenever I get stuck with a drawing, she comes to my aid with spot-on instructions. Not only does she show me what needs to be done but explains why -- a real gift." - Roger Lippincott
"When I came to Renee Kirby for art lessons, all I possessed was a deep love of art and a desire to learn drawing and painting. Renee understood I was a beginner, and over the course of a year and a half she patiently taught me shading, drawing and painting techniques, including working with analogous and contrasting colors, something I knew nothing about. Each class was interesting, fun and challenging. I developed confidence and abilities I never had before. It was a joy to be taught by Renee.” - Veronica Beasley
"My daughter Delaney's patience and hand-eye coordination, as well as proportion awareness, benefited from taking Renee's workshops. Her confidence as an artist also increased as she mastered new skills." - Sara Kroft
"Renee has saved me so many times. Whenever I get stuck with a drawing, she comes to my aid with spot-on instructions. Not only does she show me what needs to be done but explains why -- a real gift." - Roger Lippincott
"When I came to Renee Kirby for art lessons, all I possessed was a deep love of art and a desire to learn drawing and painting. Renee understood I was a beginner, and over the course of a year and a half she patiently taught me shading, drawing and painting techniques, including working with analogous and contrasting colors, something I knew nothing about. Each class was interesting, fun and challenging. I developed confidence and abilities I never had before. It was a joy to be taught by Renee.” - Veronica Beasley
Dana Anderson
“If you are interested in improving your voice, you’d be lucky to study with Dana Anderson.” - Lucia Scardigno, Contra Costa Performing Arts Society and Vocal Competition
“Thank you so much for hosting a beautiful event for our children to present their hard work. You are an amazing teacher! We are so lucky to have found you.” - Jennifer McDaniel
”Dana Anderson always gets results.” - Robert Geary, Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir
“We so appreciate that you have wisely held our daughter back from doing things too soon that might have ruined her voice.” - Cheryl Aguilar
“Thank you so much for hosting a beautiful event for our children to present their hard work. You are an amazing teacher! We are so lucky to have found you.” - Jennifer McDaniel
”Dana Anderson always gets results.” - Robert Geary, Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir
“We so appreciate that you have wisely held our daughter back from doing things too soon that might have ruined her voice.” - Cheryl Aguilar
