Meet Our Team

Dr. Kimberly Waite is a educational leader with a passion for lifelong learning and student growth. She holds degrees from the University of Virginia, Old Dominion University, George Washington University, and Virginia Commonwealth University, where she earned her doctorate in Leadership, Policy, and Development.

Her career spans both public and independent schools, where she has served as Director of Gifted Education K-12, Director of two Governor’s Schools, Assistant Head of School, and Interim Head of School. Known for her innovative thinking and ability to strengthen programs and culture, Kim brings a strategic and student-centered approach to leadership.

An entrepreneur and award-winning innovator, she blends vision with practicality to create environments where students and teachers thrive. She is excited to bring her experience, energy, and enthusiasm to serve the GHS community this year.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Kim is an avid tennis player, swimmer, and Pilates enthusiast. She treasures time with her husband, Jon, their three children and spouses, and her grandson.

Mrs. Diehl was born and raised in the Bay Area. She has a background in early childhood education. She and her husband moved to Folsom with their three boys six years ago.

Her interests include her sons, reading, scrapbooking and movies when she has time.

Mrs. Blanco is passionate about teaching Spanish to K–8 students and inspiring them to embrace diverse cultures.

Mrs. Blanco was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Having lived in various countries around the globe, she developed a strong appreciation for languages and cultures. In addition to her native Spanish, she is also fluent in Portuguese.

After moving to the United States 12 years ago, Mrs. Blanco redirected her professional path toward education. She pursued and earned a certification in Early Childhood Education, teaching young learners for three years before joining Golden Hills School in 2019. Since then, she has had the privilege of teaching Spanish to students in grades K–8. She is passionate about fostering language acquisition while sharing the rich heritage and contributions of Hispanic culture to the United States.

Outside the classroom, Mrs. Blanco enjoys spending time with her two sons and living an active lifestyle. She loves working out at the gym, camping, paddleboarding, biking, and cooking with family and friends. Most of all, she treasures quality time spent with her family.

“You live a new life for every language you speak. If you know only one language, you live only once.”

– Czech Proverb.

Mrs. Calhoun was born and raised in Southern California, and has lived in the Sacramento area since 2012. She graduated from San Jose State University with her B.A. in Liberal Studies, with a focus on Elementary Education, and earned her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Sacramento State University. Mrs. Calhoun has taught at GHS since 2016, during which time she has worn many hats, teaching Computer Science, Elementary Visual Arts, Middle School Theater, Learning Support, and even 3rd Grade. She is happy to be back in a role that serves all grades, JK-8, as the whole school Performing Arts & Middle School Visual Arts teacher!

In her free time, Mrs. Calhoun enjoys spending time with her husband and son, cooking, traveling, hiking, reading, and drawing.

With over 30 years of teaching experience, and the last five at Golden Hills, Mrs. Michele Gray proudly serves as both the Junior Kindergarten and the elementary art teacher for students in Junior K through 5th grade. She studied Early Childhood Education at American River College, where she discovered a deep passion for both teaching and the arts—two areas that flow together beautifully in her classroom.

She is inspired by the words of Henri Matisse, who said, “Creativity takes courage.” Mrs. Gray brings this philosophy into her teaching every day, encouraging students to be bold, expressive, and proud of their accomplishments. There’s nothing more rewarding to her than seeing a student light up with excitement when they grasp a new concept or create something they’re truly proud of.

Outside the classroom, she cherishes time with her family—especially her wonderful grandbabies!

Mr. Keefe transitioned into education following a successful 20-year career in biotechnology, where he specialized in genetics. Inspired by his own high school biology teacher, he developed a lifelong passion for science—one he is dedicated to sharing with his students.

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University. Mr. Keefe lives in El Dorado Hills with his wife and two sons, both graduates of Golden Hills School and now continuing their education at Jesuit High School and Loyola Marymount University.

Mr. Malone completed his Bachelor of Science degree from Pacific Union College where he also obtained his California Secondary Teaching Credential in Social Studies. He later obtained his M.A. degree from La Sierra University. Mr. Malone has taught at GHS since 2015. In addition to teaching middle school Individuals & Societies, Mr. Malone also teaches Elementary Music and runs the Middle School Band. He keeps busy raising his two sons, playing music, grilling, and doing numerous DIY projects on his house.

Prior to teaching at GHS Mrs. Perry spent 17 years as both a Preschool Teacher and Center Director before returning to teaching where she taught Kindergarten for four years. Mrs. Perry studied Early Childhood Education at American River College, Consumnes River College and Duke University.

Mrs. Schifferle is an accomplished educator with 27 years of teaching experience. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with a CLAD emphasis, and is a Google Certified for Education teacher. She is also Slingerland trained, specializing in a multisensory approach to teaching Language Arts.

In addition to her classroom expertise, Mrs. Schifferle has held numerous leadership roles, including Curriculum Department Head, Learning Assistance Department Head, and Elementary Department Head. She has also served as a Master Teacher and Induction Advisor for new teachers, providing guidance and mentorship to future educators. With five years of experience in Special Education, she brings a comprehensive understanding of diverse learning needs. Beyond her work in the classroom, Mrs. Schifferle contributed to her community as Secretary on the Eureka Union School District Board of Trustees.

A long-standing member of the Golden Hills School community, Mrs. Schifferle is also the parent of three Golden Hills graduates. Her oldest daughter, Marisol, is a senior at UC Davis pursuing pre-medicine; her middle daughter, Anna, is a freshman at UC Santa Cruz studying Education, Democracy, and Justice; and her youngest son, Sal, served as Golden Hills’ 8th Grade President before continuing on to Union Mine High School, where he is now a senior.

Outside of teaching, Mrs. Schifferle treasures family life with her husband of 30 years and finds joy in watching her children thrive in their academic and personal journeys. She also enjoys the outdoors, especially hiking and kayaking. She is proud to continue serving the Golden Hills community with enthusiasm, expertise, and heart.

Ms. Natalie Singer joined the Golden Hills faculty to teach Kindergarten in 2007. She is a graduate of San Francisco State University where she obtained a B.A. and a Multiple Subject teaching credential. Her teaching experiences include many years of service in the private and public schools, mostly at the primary level. In addition to teaching, she loves spending time with her two children who have completed college and currently working and living in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Ms. Singer loves teaching and is committed to making sure every child has a wonderful learning experience while in her class. She also enjoys shopping, gardening and spending time with friends.

Ms. Stave is an educator and Educational Diagnostician, with over 15 years of experience working with students ranging in age from K - 12th grade. Ms. Stave has over 10 years of conducting clinical evaluations, diagnosing disabilities, and writing comprehensive evaluation reports. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Special/Elementary Education, a Master of Education and a Level I Education Specialist Instruction Credential.

Matt Swain graduated from UCLA, worked as a copy editor for Sage Publications, got his teaching credential from San Francisco State University, and has taught language and literature related courses throughout California and China. His teaching experience ranges from college to high schools, to boarding schools, to middle school. He has also worked for the British Council administering the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and he is an International General Certificate of Secondary (IGSCE) qualified instructor. Matt enjoys extended mountain hikes, sometimes overnighters far from cars and formal campgrounds, as well as kayaking, tending to 30 to 40 houseplants, maintaining fruit trees and ornamentals outside, and comparing life experiences with his wife and two adult daughters.