As Shana Segal's mother, Darlyn, recalls, sending Shana to their neighborhood school for Kindergarten in 1985 seemed like the logical choice initially, but it didn't totally feel right for her sensitive girl. The turning point came when she discovered another option, Ohlone. The first day of school was the moment of revelation. "I just knew she was in the right spot. Every day after that, it just got better and better for her."
The transformation in their daughter was remarkable. From a shy kid, she found herself on stage in the first little play at Halloween. "She just blossomed, and at the end of the school year, it was like a year of growth," Darlyn shared.
Shana beams, her voice echoing with warmth, “Max and Edie, my kindergarten teachers, "embraced me with open arms, making me feel like I belonged to something bigger than myself.” The Halloween play, where she overcame her shyness to shine as the witch, became a pivotal moment, instilling in her a love for performance and a belief in her own abilities. “I vividly remember being scared at first, but then loving it because we were in this warm, collaborative environment,” she recalled. "I could see that what Ohlone acknowledged, which was a feeling of inclusivity and the building of self-esteem, was something that these two teachers were dedicated to," Shana's father, Mike, explained.
"It was the best start you could ever ask for a child," said Darlyn. The change was undeniable, nurtured by the sunshine of her teacher's love and guidance. Darlyn was inspired by Ohlone to become a teacher herself -- next door at Friend's Nursery School. "Ohlone showed me that every child deserves a nurturing environment where they can grow. And seeing that, I knew I wanted to be a part of creating that same space for other children," she explained.
“My first and second grade teacher was Kathy, and my third and fourth grade teacher was Laurie,” Shana continued. Learning through acting, simulations, and hands-on experiences ignited her curiosity and made knowledge come alive. The coveted prize of spending time with your teacher wasn't about individual achievement, but about fostering genuine connections. "The most coveted prize was more time with your teacher, and that all of us wanted it just kind of showed how much the teachers respected the children and the children respected the teachers," she notes.
As Shana progressed through Ohlone, she highlighted the significance of performances and simulations in learning. The plays, such as "The Monkey King" and "The Princess and the Pea," not only fostered creativity but also taught valuable life lessons about disappointment and resilience. "That one helped teach me both disappointment and resilience because all of my fifth and sixth-grade friends were princesses and I was a peasant, and I still vividly remember it," Shana reflects.
Shana's younger sister, Jenna, was in Otak's fifth grade class, which culminated in a field trip to Point Reyes. Mike recounted that one of the risks that all the kids took on this particular field trip was to walk out late at night in the dark, taking this risk but thinking, “with my peers with me, I can do this. I'm safe. I feel good about who I am." The experience of each child sitting alone in the dark, supported by the belief that they were safe and worthy, encapsulated the essence of what Mike valued about Ohlone. Mike continued, "Ohlone taught us that true growth happens when you step out of your comfort zone. The school's philosophy encouraged kids to take risks, fostering a sense of confidence and independence."
Shana's journey at Ohlone extended beyond her academic years, influencing her career path. Inspired by her positive experiences at Ohlone, she pursued a lifelong commitment to education. "My K through five experience at Ohlone made me want to become a teacher...from the time I was in middle school, I knew I wanted to be a teacher," Shana explains. "And then my incredible middle and high school teachers only further cemented that desire."
The impact of Ohlone's teaching philosophy is evident in Shana's approach to education. She carried the values of collaborative problem-solving, respect, and equal relationships into her high school teaching career. Encouraging students to view her as a caring adult on campus, Shana sought positive relationships and diverse ways to connect with her students. "I wanted these students to see I'm a caring adult on campus," she says. "Ohlone taught me that learning isn't just about memorizing facts, it's about igniting curiosity and fostering a love for discovery. And now, I want to be that spark for another child."
Reflecting on Ohlone's influence, Shana acknowledges the warm and caring leadership of Principal Jim Mathiott. His approach to conflict resolution, offering lemon drops and facilitating open discussions, left a lasting impression on Shana. "There was never any guilt. There was never any shame. It was very collaborative problem solving that I think has helped me with relationships throughout my life," she remembers. "And if someone had asked me back then. What is the role of a principal? I would say it's to help people make friends and work on friendships and work on conflicts and help everybody build confidence and love school. And one of the reasons I went and got my administrative credential after I'd been teaching for a few years is because Jim made me want to become a principal."
After having two children of her own, Shana moved back to Palo Alto for the incredible schools. For her children, their neighborhood school Palo Verde has been the perfect fit.
Mike affirmed that for his family Ohlone Elementary School has lived up to its promise. The belief that fostering a comfortable, exploratory environment for children would yield positive outcomes proved true for Shana and her younger sister, Jenna. "Ohlone isn't just a school; it's a beacon of hope. It shows that every child has the potential to thrive, and I'll keep spreading that message wherever I go."
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