News

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Nitin Anand and Alex Tashma at the Helm of Open Alternative School

With the retirement of head teacher and administrator Gwen Phillips at Open Alternative School, the Santa Barbara School Districts have fashioned a shared leadership model with two head teachers: Nitin Anand and Alejandra (Alex) Tashma.

The Open Alternative program is a small school that started 33 years ago. It serves more than 200 students in grades K-8.

Both Nitin and Alex will be responsible for the health and success of the school. Their responsibilities will include alignment of policy, curriculum, and decision-making.

Nitin has been with the district since 2002, initially as a special education aide at the Santa Barbara Community Academy. He transferred to OAS three years ago and has taught the upper grades at that site.

Nitin graduated cum laude from the University of Maryland, with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology-Honors Program. His research specialization was in human biodiviersity, Colonial and post-Colonial studies, ecological anthropology, and the history of science. He has a master’s degree in education from UC Santa Barbara.

Alex graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a degree in liberal studies, and an emphasis on Latin American, French, and English literature. She received her teaching credential at UCSB.

Alex’s work in education began in 1987, when she worked at Canalino School’s bilingual program. She wrote and implemented a Bank of America grant focusing on involving low socio-economic, non-English-speaking parents in the classroom.

Alex helped establish Cesar Chavez Charter School, serving as the school’s curriculum coordinator, district representative, and community liaison. She moved to Open Alternative School in 2003 and has been working there as a K-1 teacher.