Administration
Kshama Kellogg
HS Director
Kshama is an Education for Life specialist with over a decade of experience exploring the intersection of education and consciousness. She has taught and mentored students from K-12 and developed programs that integrate meditation, yoga, and well-being into everyday life. Having spent parts of her childhood living abroad and attending our Living Wisdom sister school in Nevada City, Kshama developed a passion for travel and intercultural connection. With a background in Spanish, Latin American Literature, Sociology, and Education, she completed her Education for Life specialization training at Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto. Kshama is dedicated to providing students with an educational experience that sparks enthusiasm, nurtures their unique talents, and deepens their self-awareness.
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Aryavan McSweeney
TK - 8th Director​​​
Aryavan, director of the TK-8th grade program, has a lifelong connection to Living Wisdom Schools. A graduate of Living Wisdom Palo Alto, Aryavan credits his early education with shaping his view of learning as a path to joy and self-discovery. After earning a degree in video production, he worked as a documentary filmmaker in India, where he later helped establish Education for Life programs in public schools. Aryavan taught at Living Wisdom School in Nevada City, and more recently has returning to assume the directorship of our primary and middle school program here in Palo Alto. Aryavan is dedicated to creating a loving and personalized environment where students thrive academically and personally.
Gary McSweeney
Business Administrator
Gary is the Business Administrator and President of the Board of Directors for Living Wisdom School. A former middle school teacher and alumni parent, Gary brings a deep understanding of the school’s guiding principles and practical needs. He supports the school administratively, advising faculty, families, and community members, while overseeing and coordinating school finances.
Leti James
Office Administrator
Leti, a native of Silicon Valley, has an educational background in accounting. She began her journey with Education for Life at LWS by working with students in TK-3rd grade. Her prior experience as an office associate and legal assistant at the Stanford Law School laid the foundation for her to become the office administrator for LWHS. She is passionate about teaching and volunteering, as well as martial arts (holding a black belt in Kajukenbo). Leti was nominated for the Staff Award by The Stanford Law School’s 2019 graduating class highlighting the same dedication and kind presence she brings to the Living Wisdom community. Leti wears many hats, from coordinating the office to serving as athletic coordinator and coach.
Faculty
Hazemach
Lead Faculty
Hazemach, a lead faculty member and certified Education for Life teacher, has taught across subjects at Living Wisdom High School since 2019. A proud alumnus of Living Wisdom School, he discovered his passion for teaching early on. After earning a Master of Science in Mathematics from Jacobs University, Hazemach joined the Education for Life movement. He teaches a variety of subjects, including math, physics, philosophy, and literature, and enjoys pursuing personal growth through Karate, piano, yoga, and further academic studies.
Keshava Betts
Lead Faculty
Keshava, a lead faculty member and certified Education for Life teacher, has taught at Living Wisdom High School since 2022. A lifelong musician and performer, Keshava has received numerous awards for his work in music and theater. After working in the Los Angeles film industry, he pursued anatomy, physiology, and nutrition, along with a career in personal training. Keshava is also a practicing Vedic astrologer. He teaches subjects such as anatomy and physiology, performing arts, English, history, philosophy, yoga, and meditation, and coaches the powerlifting and rock climbing teams at Living Wisdom.
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Raman Thiara
Specialty Teacher, Science
Raman teaches Math, Science, and the Art of Living at Living Wisdom High School. He holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from UCLA and spent over two decades in the semiconductor industry, including ten years at Apple. In 2021, Raman transitioned out of the tech world to deepen his practice of yoga and meditation. A certified yoga instructor and practitioner of Tai Chi, Qigong, and Ayurveda, he combines his scientific background with Eastern philosophical practices to help students cultivate focus and appreciation for the natural world.
Anna Crespo Reid
Specialty Teacher, Spanish
Anna, a native Spanish speaker, has been passionate about Spanish culture since childhood. She attended Living Wisdom primary and high schools before training as an Education for Life teacher. Anna has taught students from preschool to high school, including at Imagina Spanish Immersion Preschool in Palo Alto. She has lived in Spain and Italy, immersing herself in language and culture. Anna is dedicated to sharing her love for Spanish language, literature, and cultural heritage with her students.
Craig Kellogg
Athletic Coach
Craig is a passionate athlete with a love for volleyball, hockey, mountain biking, and snowboarding. He has been coaching volleyball at Living Wisdom High School since 2019, helping students develop life skills, teamwork, and their own love for athletics. As a 4th and 5th-grade teacher at Living Wisdom School, Craig brings energy and enthusiasm to the classroom and to the lives of his students.
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Natasha Serebryanaya
Math Mentor
Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Natasha holds a Master’s degree in Mathematics from Lomonosov Moscow State University. After teaching Theory of Probability at the university, she transitioned to a career in software engineering, working for MCST and Intel. Natasha later returned to teaching, joining the Russian School of Math before becoming a part-time math teacher at Living Wisdom Middle School and later focusing on calculus and post-calculus instruction at Living Wisdom High School. Natasha is passionate about making math engaging. She also enjoys hiking, solving puzzles, and spending time with her family.
Counselors & Consultants
Jessica Chermak
College & Career Counselor
Jessica is an Independent College Counselor with over a decade of experience in academia and college admissions. She has also conducted research at the University of Colorado Boulder and worked as an Operations Research Analyst at White Sands Missile Range. Jessica holds a BA in Psychology from Chapman University and an MA in Forensic Psychology from the University of Denver. A Licensed Professional Counselor, she is passionate about helping students discover the best post-secondary options for them. She enjoys reading mystery novels, running marathons, and spending time outdoors with her dog.
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Sawyer Earwood
College Counselor
Sawyer is a Certified Educational Planner (CEP) and Independent College Counselor working with Living Wisdom High School. A first-generation college graduate, he has a strong passion for education and advancing equity. Sawyer brings extensive experience from roles in college admissions and educational startups. He holds a BA in International Studies from Rhodes College, where he focused on East Asia, and spent time at Nanjing University. He is an active member of IECA and other professional organizations, contributing to initiatives focused on inclusion and student success.
Lakshmi LaPine
Consultant
Lakshmi has over a decade of experience teaching at the middle and high school levels and currently teaches English at a local public high school. She is passionate about social justice, mindfulness practices, and community building. Lakshmi’s career includes work with programs supporting academic and personal growth, such as AVID and restorative justice. As a consultant for Living Wisdom High School, she integrates her public education background with Education for Life practices. Lakshmi holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Social Justice from CSUEB.
Student Testimonial
I have grown and learned more at Living Wisdom than in any other environment because my teachers and peers see me as a person first. Many areas I could have grown in were overlooked by other schools I attended because, as a student, I looked all right on a piece of paper. But, at Living Wisdom, my community is helping me recognize opportunities and areas where I can mature as a whole person.