Teaching and Instruction
Goleta Family School is a public alternative to the traditional public school setting for children in kindergarten through grade six. Our multiage program provides an educational environment in which students can learn at their own pace in a non-competitive atmosphere. Goleta Family School strives to provide a challenging, stimulating program that leads children to feel valued and teaches them to value others. We place a high priority on intrinsic motivation, seeking to cultivate a love of learning for its own sake. While we use the Common Core Academic Standards, we are free to use whatever curriculum, pacing, and teaching methods best suit our students. Each of our teachers also brings their own personality and interests into the classroom to share with their students.
Meet the Teachers
GFS has 3 classroom teachers (K-1, 2-3, 4-6) and 1 credentialed assistant
4th Grade - 6th Grade
Teri Briggs
Teri Briggs has been teaching at Goleta Family School since 1994. She received her BA in Latin American Studies from UCSB.
She also received her teaching credential and Masters of Education from UCSB. Her Master’s focus was on intrinsic motivation which is an integral part of her teaching philosophy.
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She is also passionate about having children experience the outdoors with an emphasis on stewardship and an awareness of our community outside the classroom.
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Teri lives in the Santa Barbara Harbor on the boat she built with her husband. She always loved the ocean so waking up each morning to the sound of the birds catching fish, seals barking, exquisite sunrises, and the sound of the fog horn brings much joy and appreciation.
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Her passions are yoga and dance. She also enjoys attending theater and film productions.
2nd Grade - 3rd Grade
Vivian Dres
Vivian grew up in Pismo Beach, which once claimed to be the clam capital of the world, though, sadly, this motto is no longer used. For college, Vivian journeyed down the 101 to UCSB, where she earned her degree in history.
After a decade in the defense industry, Vivian made a career change and entered the world of elementary education. She began as a certificated tutor at IV School, and her transition to joining the fifth-grade team after that was seamless. Vivian appreciates colleagues who are supportive and encouraging, who always work in the best interests of their students’ growth and success. She is excited to start her next chapter with GFS.
Vivian and her husband, who she describes as the perfect surf buddy and sailing partner, enjoy the company of their cat, Jet, who they adopted from a local rescue organization.
A devotee of baking shows on Netflix (she has watched all seasons the “The Great British Baking Show” and “Top Chef”), Vivian hopes to shake hands with Paul Hollywood someday, but realizes that her indifference to actually baking makes this unlikely. And she’s come to terms with that.
Kindergarten - 1st Grade
Ashley Griffin
Ashley Griffin loves being a part of Goleta Family School, as the K-1 teacher and also as a GFS parent.
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Her passion is literacy and enjoys sharing her love of reading and writing with her students. She received her BA in French Literature from Carleton College and her MA and teaching credential from UC Berkeley.
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She also received a Reading Recovery certification from St. Mary’s College. Ashley taught K-1 in Oakland for 6 years before transitioning to teaching in the online charter school world while her kids (Quinn, Connor, and Theo) were little.
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At GFS, she hopes to ignite a love of learning in her students with lots of hands-on math, literacy, science, and social studies activities.
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When she’s not at school, you might find Ashley reading, cooking, hiking, or camping with her family.