CSCE Administration

Dr. Ida Oberman - Executive Director & Founder 

ida@communityschoolforcreativeeducation.org

Executive Director Dr. Oberman is the founder of Community School. Dutch born and German educated, she is an immigrant to the US and learned English as a foreign language.   She has planned for over twenty years to start a multicultural urban public Waldorf school  and since 2008 she has worked closely with Oakland Community Organizations (www.oaklandcommunity.org), a growing body of parents, educators, community leaders, and public officials in its execution to launch.  

Since its 2011 founding, Dr. Oberman has raised just over $1 million for the school from committed funders and individuals. She has built and extended networks for this first-of-its-kind intercultural public Waldorf initiative at the local, state, national and international level with partners  ranging from Alliance for Public Waldorf Education, Envision Learning Partners Bay Area Performance Network, BELL Learning and Alameda County Food Bank. In addition, each year she guides a group to present at the National American Education Research Association  Annual Meeting on the school's cutting edge work.

Education

• PhD, Stanford University, CA
• MA, Stanford University, CA
• BA, Swarthmore College, PA
• CA Teaching Certificate, HS Social Studies Multiple Subjects, San Francisco State University, CA
• Waldorf Certificate, HS, Handwork and German as a World Language, Waldorf Training, Stuttgart, Germany
• High School Diploma, Tuebingen Waldorf School, Tuebingen, Germany

Mr. Phillip Gedeon - Head of School

headofschool@communityschoolforcreativeeducation.org
Phillip Gedeon has over 17 years of experience in teaching, leadership, and instructional coaching that has positively influenced and reaffirmed his commitment to education reform in service of students, families and communities. He began his career as a high school math teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District. After receiving his Master and California Credential in school administration, he has served in various senior leadership roles within the charter community such as the Director of Mathematics, Chief Academic Officer, and most recently Chief of Schools. 

As an educational leader, he brings an array of elements of high expectations, individualized attention and care to the development of the whole child. He is a champion for students of all backgrounds and a zealous advocate for special education, multilingual learners, high-quality and rigorous teaching, inclusivity, data driven practices, social-emotional learning and development, home-to-school partnerships, and trauma informed practices. He comes to CSCE with great joy, enthusiasm and commitment to the work. In his downtime, he enjoys spending time with family, friends and my year old French Bulldog Jon-Luc. 

Kimberly Palmore, Business Operations Manager

kimberlyp@communityschoolforcreativeeducation.org

Kimberly Palmore is thrilled to work as CSCE's Business Operations Manager and is looking forward to many years of rewarding service to this wonderful institution! Born and raised in Oakland, Kimberly graduated from Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, CA, and attended the University of California, Berkeley where she majored in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Child Development. 

After operating a family child care for over 10 years, Kimberly transitioned into the field of Education where she has worked in all facets of administration. Prior to joining CSCE, she worked at other Oakland charter schools, serving in the area of Accounting and Finance Management. 

In her spare time Kimberly enjoys spending time with her children, serving as a Girl Scout Troop leader and working as a Youth Ministry leader at her church. 

Amy Gaerlan, Dean of Support Services

amyg@communityschoolforcreativeeducation.org

As our Reading Intervention teacher, Ms. Amy brings a calm patience that many of our students need. She studied literacy and speech pathology at Missouri University and volunteered in the classroom for a number of years before becoming part of our staff. Ms. Amy works to not only bring kids up to speed in reading development, but to develop a love of reading outside of the classroom. She keeps her own mini library within her classroom so that her students have easy access when it comes to finding books to read. Ms. Amy is also our ELPAC LEA and works with all staff members to ensure proper classroom support for our English Language Learners. Ms. Amy is on various committees within the school to help ensure that all of our students have the best academic success possible.   

Yolanda Cordova, Office Manager and Family Liaison

yolandaa@communityschoolforcreativeeducation.org 

Ms. Yolanda Cordova brings a bright smile and professionalism to our front office.  As office manager, she is your go-to source for many of the questions you may have and is often the first face your children will see. Ms. Yolanda brings a level of dedication to CSCE and is an asset to our administrative team with her insight. Ms. Yolanda is also a dedicated mother who is always looking to go on a new adventure with her boys.