K-8 EXCELLENCE SINCE 1973 2027 7th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710 (map) • 510‑845‑0876
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DeAndre Calhoun Interim Head of School 2024-25
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“The relationship among the adults has more to do with the character and the quality of a school than any other factor.”
Roland Barthes
Faculty
This marks Cheryl Sumsion’s 23rd year at Black Pine Circle School and her 32nd year as an educator. She earned her B.Ed. and teaching credential through the University of Western Ontario in vocal music and her B.A. from the University of Waterloo in honors music/personality and religious studies. Her graduate work includes studies in Vocology and Baroque vocal technique. She has enjoyed many years of additional training in both the Kodály and Orff approaches to teaching music. In Toronto, she taught sixth through eighth grade core subjects with a special emphasis on vocal music, drama and ESL, and there began her love of vocal coaching for musicals. As a soprano, Cheryl has performed in 15 musicals, and sung on 16 commercially released CDs. She performed and recorded with the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir in Toronto, and has also performed in cathedrals throughout England. Currently, she sings with the American Bach Soloists, and enjoys voice acting and vocal coaching.
Teaching Since
1992
Pronouns
she/her
Contact
Email >
Why I Work with Children
The sound of children’s voices singing is one of my favorite sounds in the world.
A Favorite Book
What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada
Quick Fact
Tamed a mechanical bull in Nashville, Tennessee.
Lower School Spanish Teacher
Aïda attended the same elementary school as opera tenor Josep Carreras.
Full Bio >
Third Grade Assistant Teacher
Minimalism is my favorite art movement.
Eighth Grade Spanish Teacher
I speak several languages.
Fourth Grade Head Teacher
When I was 16, I spent three days in the South African bush with just my journal, water, and sleeping bag.
Sixth Grade Science Teacher and Sixth Grade-Level Coordinator
Herded sheep by motorbike in Australia.
Upper School Physical Education Teacher and Upper School Athletic Director
Sixth & Seventh Grade Math Teacher
Lower School Art Teacher
Started clowning at age 9
Fourth Grade Assistant Teacher
Bicycled across the U.S. in 2014!
Sixth Grade English Teacher
Loves to write or paint
Lower School Physical Education Teacher
Has developed a secret pizza sauce
Upper School Assistant Teacher
Fluent Russian speaker
Kindergarten-Fifth Grade Science and Second-Fifth Grade Garden Teacher
Apprenticed at the National Theater of Croatia
BPC String Orchestra Leader
Creates musical arrangements for fun
Fifth Grade Head Teacher
Rescued a pug-mix puppy named Soba
Sixth Grade Spanish Teacher
My birthday is April 1st, no joke!
Sixth Grade History Teacher
Played Gaelic Football as a youth, and won a Minors championship in Ireland
Upper School Mandarin Teacher
Once ate deep-fried silkworms
