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
Jerry Kennedy is a Level III Orff instructor and has several decades of experience as a band leader and professional musician. In addition to teaching over 10 different instruments, some to our Black Pine Circle School students, Jerry has taught at Lafayette Summer Music Workshop, Step One, Marin, and Civicorps Elementary schools. In 2004, he established Guitar for Kids, a music program for young musicians to learn and showcase their talents. The GFK music program has been a mainstay at La Pena Cultural in Berkeley, where, in 2005, he also established the East Bay Music Camp, a summer program for underprivileged youth. In 2007, he started a mentoring program for foster youth called Fosters Assisting Fosters and created a partnership with Seneca House and A Better Way, bringing in youth to these programs to provide them with a platform to share their experiences of being in the foster care system. Jerry joined Black Pine Circle School in 2009.
Teaching Since
2003
Pronouns
he/him
Contact
Email >
Why I Work with Children
I enjoy the process of helping kids to learn and find growth that occurs when one studies music. It’s amazing to witness kids finding their confidence and passion through music.
Quick Fact
Performed music in South Africa during the end of legal apartheid.
Eighth Grade History & Geography Teacher
Keen on floating houses and mutant Basset Hounds
Full Bio >
Seventh Grade Math Teacher, Math Club / Math Team Coach
Played soccer on a Zambian teacher team
Eighth Grade Spanish Teacher
I speak several languages.
Eighth Grade Math Teacher
Loves to travel
Upper School Physical Education Teacher and Upper School Athletic Director
Eighth Grade English and Eighth Grade Drama Teacher
Ask me about the time I had a magical and terrifying stand-off with a bison in the Badlands.
Eighth Grade Science Teacher
Apprenticed with a luthier, adept with a paddle
Sixth & Seventh Grade Math Teacher
Seventh Grade History Teacher
Sixth Grade English Teacher
Loves to write or paint
Upper School Assistant Teacher
Fluent Russian speaker
BPC String Orchestra Leader
Creates musical arrangements for fun
Seventh Grade Science Teacher
Kissed a shark once!
Sixth Grade Spanish Teacher
My birthday is April 1st, no joke!
Seventh Grade English Teacher
Obsessed with the Salem witchcraft trials
Upper School Mandarin Teacher
Once ate deep-fried silkworms
Seventh Grade Math Assistant, Math Team Coach
