Holly Braga

I am very excited to be a part of the Hidden Hills team! I am originally from the land of “wide open spaces,” otherwise known as Montana. I grew up in a little farm town called Laurel, but later moved to Missoula which is where I received my teaching degree. I loved Montana, but always had high hopes of exploring new places.

I moved to California in 1999, and taught 4th and 5th grade in Santa Clara for 9 years. I recently moved here to San Ramon with my husband and two children. I am absolutely in love with this area. The scenery reminds me a bit of home, and everyone is very friendly.

With two young children, spare time is often hard to come by, but I enjoy golfing, playing softball, diving into a good mystery novel, and occasionally crocheting a scarf or two.

I am very excited to be teaching 4th grade, and I look forward to all the new experiences that will come my way.

Nicole Gomez

This is my 4th year at Hidden Hills.  I was teaching down in San Diego before that, but this is my home.  I grew up in Danville and attended Elementary through High School here so I know how amazing this district is academically.  I am so excited to be teaching 4th grade this year and welcome the new challenge.  Coming from 3rd grade I know exactly where the students left off and where we need to go. 

When I am not chasing around my 1 year old, I love to scrapbook and have recently found a love of running.  I completed my first full marathon last May and I am currently training for a half marathon in October.  My vice: SHOPPING.  I can’t resist a great pair of shoes!

I look forward to working with my new team and the parents to make sure the students succeed and have a wonderful year!

Pattie Hall

I am very happy and grateful to be a part of the Hidden Hills Community. Especially exciting to me is working with such a diverse group of children and families who are committed to education.

Prior to arriving at Hidden Hills, I taught for the Monterey and Napa Valley Unified School Districts. Most of my experience has been with the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders. I love to help nurture and teach children to progress academically, artistically, and socially throughout their school year and to develop a team approach with students and parents.

I cherish spending time with my family and friends and enjoy reading, walking, baking, and being outdoors.

Amber Tranum

I have wanted to teach fourth grade ever since I myself was a fourth grade student. I am full of excitement and anticipation for the new joys, challenges, growth, and insight this year will bring. This is my fifth year at Hidden Hills Elementary and my ninth as a California teacher. We are blessed with an incredibly supportive and talented staff, committed parents, and, of course, delightful students. There is no place I’d rather be this upcoming year!

Originally I am from the San Gabriel Valley in southern California. After attending Point Loma Nazarene University, I began my teaching career in Bakersfield, and moved to the Bay Area upon getting married. My husband Erik and I celebrated our fourth anniversary this past May.

I love nature, camping, and road trips. Most weekends you'll find us somewhere outdoors--maybe on the Iron Horse trail, at the Danville farmer’s market, or rambling through one of the many regional parks. Riding passenger on my husband's motorcycle is my newest adventure. I never envisioned myself as a "biker," but I have to say I enjoy it. We also look forward to our church and spending time with family in the east bay.

Thank you for the opportunity to share a little bit about myself. I am looking forward to partnering with you this year. Let’s make this the best one yet!

Meghan Van Aken

I look forward to a wonderful and amazing year. This is my 8th year teaching, and my second year at Hidden Hills. I completed my bachelor's degree and teaching credential at CSU Hayward (now East Bay). I have taught both 4th and 5th grades.

I believe in inspiring and teaching children to be lifelong learners. I create a safe, fun, and enthusiastic environment for children to challenge themselves. I am overjoyed to work alongside the faculty, students, and families of Hidden Hills.

I enjoy gardening, scrapbooking, and teaching myself to play the piano. My husband, Bill, and I have a 1-year old son and 2 cats. We love to travel, go to sporting events, and attend art festivals.

I am thrilled to be here and honored to be a part of the Hidden Hills staff.

Margrette Wui

I am so honored to be a part of the Hidden Hills family since its opening in 2004 and have thoroughly enjoyed seeing our school staff and community grow over the years. I am thrilled to be a member of such a wonderful community.

I began my undergraduate coursework at CSU Long Beach and completed my BA degree at CSU Hayward.  Since family is so important to me, I just couldn't stay away from the Bay Area for too long! I earned both my California Teaching Credential and my Reading Specialist Credential from St. Mary's College. I am proud to say that I, too, am a product of schools in the San Ramon Valley, having attended both Pine Valley Intermediate and California High School. I knew that SRVUSD was the best district to be a part of!

Prior to coming to Hidden Hills, I was a fourth grade teacher at Tassajara Hills Elementary in Danville which is also part of the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. Before that, I was a fourth grade teacher at a private, K-8 school in San Lorenzo. I also have experience teaching 5th grade Math and Science and have taught in both pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms. I have worked with children for over 13 years..

Outside of school, my interests include cooking, baking, singing, dancing, biking, and most of all, spending time with my family and friends.

Teaching is such a rewarding and exciting profession, especially since every day brings something new! Children bring so much enthusiasm for learning that it is truly infectious. I love learning myself! I am committed to the success of each and every child and I am honored to be a part of their learning experience.

 

Margaret chiang

I am so happy to be back at Hidden Hills after a year away last year! I have been with Hidden Hills and teaching  fourth grade since the school opened in 2004. It's been amazing to see our once-small community grow into what we are now, and it's been amazing experience working with all the committed and enthusiastic families here at our school.

 I am originally from Southern California, having grown up in the small city of Irvine, a suburb very similar to San Ramon. I earned my BA in Writing at the University of California, San Diego, and my teaching credential and master’s degree at the University of California, Irvine.

During my free time, I love playing tennis, scrap booking, watching movies with my husband, and taking pictures of our 3-month old baby, Jacob! I also love to READ -- every one should be able to experience the adventures of  Roald Dahl's brave little Matilda, the close bonds of a boy and his dog,  Shiloh, and the wonder of a toy Indian and cowboy coming to life in a cupboard.