Meet the Staff

Heidi is the founder of AccessSFUSD: The Arc, established in 2012, where she has been dedicated to supporting student success and community engagement. At SFMTA, she chairs the Accessibility Advisory Committee, working to enhance public transportation as a means of fostering independence. Heidi also collaborates with UCSF on several grants, focusing on developing curricula related to resilience & supporting clinical trials. Outside of her professional endeavors, she enjoys cooking, playing the accordion, taking walks with her family, playing card, & creating new masterpieces on the Glowforge.

Radka was born and raised in the Czech Republic, where her love for creativity first took root. She studied Studio Art at the California College of the Arts. After joining Access SFUSD: The Arc in 2014, she earned her Special Education teaching credential at SF State University and has since brought her unique flair to both high school and Access programs.

Radka is all about blending creativity with education and loves diving into art, philosophy, and meditation. When she’s not teaching, you can find her soaking up time with family, traveling, or exploring the great outdoors. 

Luis enjoys getting our students out in the community to learn new things and enabling them to be more self-sufficient. He's an expert working with students on their job readiness, from resumes, to professional dress, to working in an office setting.  He is Peruvian-American and loves bringing students on hikes or to Chinatown for student choice day.

Sandy has been a paraeducator with SFUSD for almost 20 years!  She loves going places with students in the community, watching them focus on their strengths.  She enjoys seeing students troubleshoot their challenges and work towards their goals.  Her & Heidi used to work together at Mission High!

Daniel has been a paraeducator for almost nineteen years and has worked with Access students for eleven years. He is a member of the Paraeducator Leadership Network and offers a course to staff in basic computer skills. He has also done seminars and research into issues of equity and its implementation.

Linden loves teaching BollyX and dance! Other favorites include job coaching at Cal Academy and Grocery Outlet, camping at the Presidio, making music videos, and choreographing performances for The SFUSD Arts Festival and Disability Changemakers. She also enjoys vegetarian cooking, knitting, performing on stage, scary stories, and hiking.

Bianca is a paraeducator extraordinaire! She likes working at Access because of all of the fun places and experiences that we get to do.

Bianca's favorite community sites include The Academy of Sciences and wherever we have our BollyX class. She also loves Rob Hill Campground.... it's too hard for her to pick just one! Her favorite part of working at Access is seeing all our students grow and advocate for themselves. In her free time she watches a lot of cooking shows, loves being in the forest, taking hikes, dancing, crafting, and knitting!

Mira graduated from USF and Emerson college in Boston. She lives and loves the city by the bay and loves working here too. She enjoys knitting while watching Dr Who, Sherlock, Supernatural, The Great British Baking Show, Greys Anatomy and many others. Starting as a paraeducator substitute and now a full time employee.

Josh has been at AccessSFUSD: The Arc since 2011 at its previous program at Ruth Asawa School of the Arts!.  He also teaches at the Pomeroy Center. When he is not in the classroom he can be found on stage performing or working on his goal to visit every county in the US.

Spiraleena Mason has an arts, nature, and homeschool background and approaches  education through the lens of nature awareness, compassionate connection, and creative expression. 

Katia is a paraeducator at Access who loves exploring the city, reading, and swimming in the ocean. Her favorite part about working at Access is connecting with students through learning about their interests and passions, as well as our emphasis on community involvement. She especially loves camping, making art, and taking public transportation with students!

Katia received her undergraduate degree at UC Santa Cruz and is currently working on an MA in Special Education at San Francisco State, with the goal of becoming a special education teacher.

Cesilia is a friendly, compassionate and very energetic person. She enjoys working with individuals with disabilities and has worked 25 years in the field.  She enjoys helping those in need.