Marge Atkinson

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Marge has worn many hats in the Albany Unified School District, teaching Spanish and Physical Education at Middle School and Spanish at Albany High School. She was Secretary in the AHS Counseling Office and for the Principal before resuming her teaching career. She has been president of the CSEA Union and World Languages Department Chair. Marge was also on the Albany City Council and served as Mayor.

Sarah Bakowski 

 

Sarah has been teaching sixth grade at AMS for 21 years.  She organizes the Halloween Party, emcees the Greek Games, and over the years has planned countless grade-level field trips for all sixth graders. During her time at AMS, Sara has also coached girls’ basketball and led the Noontime Sports and Games Mentors program. Additionally, she has served on numerous committees to support student learning, building improvement projects, and strengthen staff connectedness.

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Sandy Bender

 

Sandy Bender was a dedicated volunteer in all levels of Albany schools from serving as President of the PTA at Vista Elementary to President of the Athletic Boosters. Sandy filled in anywhere there was an office vacancy and served as President of the PTA Council and member of Superintendent Wong's budget study committee. She is especially proud of her work as co-chair of the successful 1999 parcel tax campaign

Wil Cason

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Wil is one of the first Certified Wellness Coaches in California, building relationships, connecting with, and mentoring students. He developed the AHS Young Men and Women of Color Mentoring Program as well as being a Black Student Union advisor and co-facilitator at AMS for the Black Alliance mentoring program. He is known for his friendly greetings, big smiles, and daily affirmations.

Kim Denton

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Kim is a lifelong Albany resident and AHS graduate.  She served on the committee of the first school tax campaign. She was instrumental in leading the beloved personal tiles fundraiser for the Albany Library. Kim also served as the City Treasurer from 1988-2020. She served as the event lead for Albany’s Relay for Life and currently volunteers as Director of Finance for Dogs for Diabetics, Inc., a nonprofit providing trained service dogs.

Woody Edwards

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Woody has served as a para-professional for nearly 30 years. An AUSD alum, Woody enjoys giving back to the community and is known for using humor to connect with students, making them feel welcome and safe.

Beverly Feusier

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Beverly served AUSD as the Administrative Assistant to three Superintendents. Through the transitions between Superintendents, school administrators counted on Beverly to carry the institutional memory to facilitate continued excellent services for students. Beverly grew up in Albany and is a proud graduate of AHS. She took the responsibility to serve the school district seriously – all the while maintaining an open door, a welcoming smile, and a wicked sense of humor. 

Kim Gray

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Kim has been a dedicated educator and leader at AMS since 1998, beginning her career as a secretary and ELD paraeducator. In 2003, she launched the school’s newcomer program for beginning ELD students, while also teaching advanced ELD and reading support classes for seventh and eighth graders. Her commitment to student success is evident through multiple AEF grants she’s secured for enriching resources and field trips. Her career reflects a deep dedication to both students and colleagues throughout the AMS community.

Sally Hein

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For more than 20 years, Sally supported the music programs in AUSD, combining her gift of musical talent, belief of service, and love of children. She volunteered in various capacities beginning when her six children attended schools in AUSD. Sally played for the choir and for musicals at AMS, was an accompanist at AHS, and volunteered at Marin School, where she was known as “Grandma Sally.”

JoAnn Howley

 

JoAnn, an AHS graduate, started working in AUSD when her youngest child entered Kindergarten. She worked primarily with Mrs. Post at Vista before moving to ACC in the preschool classroom and then in the office. JoAnn was the sole person working in the office, without computers, keeping ACC running. She still remembers many of the kids who came to the office and were in her classes.

Penelope Lackey

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Penelope has taught PE at AMS since 2001, including 13 years as department chair. She coached the volleyball teams for 15 years and has been coaching the cross-country teams for the past 10 years, leading the teams to multiple league championships. Penelope was instrumental in getting a rock-climbing wall installed in the AMS gymnasium and she was awarded an AEF grant to start the annual schoolwide Turkey Trot race each November.

Michelle Lau-Seim

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Michelle began her career at Albany High School in 2003 as a History-Social Science teacher and is currently an Assistant Principal. Highlights of her contributions to the Albany community during her career include establishing and coaching the swim team at AHS, serving as the ATA Treasurer and Negotiations Member, a Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment Mentor, History-Social Science department chair, and establishing the Ethnic Studies course at Albany High School.

Tonantzin Martínez-Borgfeldt

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Tonantzin has been a Spanish teacher in Albany for nearly 20 years. She was the founder and director of the Spanish enrichment after-care program at Marin School and has taught Spanish at AMS. Toni is passionate about sharing the beauty of the Spanish language and the diverse cultures of the Spanish-speaking world with her students. In addition to her work in the classroom, she has supported student success through her service on the Student Achievement Committee and Familias Latinas de Albany.

Ed McManus

 

​In addition to being a parent and volunteer chaperone of various field trips, Ed  served on the Albany School Board from 1990 to 1998. During this time the district moved ahead with building a new middle school, establishing Ocean View Elementary School, and replacing Albany High School, providing safe and up-to-date educational facilities for Albany's students. He also served on the Albany City Council and as Mayor

Rick Santos

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Rick is a cherished member of the AUSD community, known for his dedication, warmth, and willingness to lend a hand wherever needed. Since joining AUSD in 1999, Rick has served at Cornell and Ocean View Elementary Schools, and for many years has been the lead custodian at Marin Elementary. A proud father of two AHS graduates, Rick’s more than 25 years of service have left a lasting mark on students, staff, and families alike.

Pete Smith

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Pete taught kindergarten, second, and third grade at Cornell for more than 37 years, cultivating a love of learning through hands-on, project-based experiences. He believed in nurturing students’ creativity and personal growth, whether through gardening, school plays, or crafting and selling jewelry to support charitable causes. His classroom was a place of exploration, expression, and community impact. 

Mike Bandera

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Mike was a beloved PE teacher at Marin Elementary School. His humor, positive energy and sincerity made him beloved by all.

He was a very sweet man — kind, patient, and deeply invested in helping others succeed. He especially believed in young people and always made time for them. Whether through a listening ear, gentle encouragement, or simply showing up, he made sure those around him knew they mattered. His presence was a quiet strength to those around him

Albany Bowl

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For 71 years, Albany Bowl hosted countless events for the Albany community before closing in 2020.  Students at Albany High participated in a bowling unit as part of the tenth grade PE course, students with special needs were warmly hosted for skill building and social interactions, and many AUSD graduates remember their Senior Night hosted by parents and the Albany Bowl as a fond memory of their hometown.