Message from the Executive Director

August 2024

A warm welcome to each, every, and all at the start of the 2024-25 school year! We look forward to another year filled with learning, fun, laughter, and friendship at TLC. I am especially grateful to our community of students, parents, and staff for your ongoing support and enthusiasm for our school program and inclusive educational approach. Our diverse-by-design school is a special place made for each, every, and all.

As always, TLC embraces the “whole child” in our approach to teaching and learning at school. We understand that children’s experiences, interests, and individual strengths matter, and we celebrate what makes each of us a unique and special learner. In addition to academic learning and progress at school, our staff encourages student friendships and helps students develop the problem-solving and interpersonal skills they need for our complex and connected world. TLC is dedicated to preparing our students to live into a future that is caring, innovative, and inclusive of everyone.

With this in mind, we invite families to be involved in our community through our TLC-CA, Principal’s committees, and other volunteer opportunities throughout the school year. Please join us in making sure everyone gets what they need to learn, grow, and thrive at school!

My very best to everyone,

Dr. Jessica Tunney
Executive Director

About Dr. Jessica Tunney

Dr. Tunney is an accomplished educator with more than 20 years of varied experience in the field of education as a general education teacher, special education teacher, professional development leader and coach, university teacher educator, and educational researcher. Dr. Tunney has taught learners of all ages – from young children to experienced adults – and is a passionate advocate for authentic and hands-on learning, inclusive practices and strategies, and ongoing reflection and collaboration as a tool for improvement and growth.

After earning a Master’s degree in Special Education from Bank Street College in NYC in 1999, Dr. Tunney began her career in education as a classroom teacher (Grades: K, 1, 5) and early literacy specialist (Grades: 1, 2) at P.S. 321 in Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Tunney moved to California in 2006, and worked as a 4th Grade general education teacher at the nationally acclaimed inclusive model CHIME Charter School in Los Angeles from 2006 – 2009. After earning a Ph.D. in Education from UC Irvine in 2016, Dr. Tunney took on work as an instructor in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at UC Irvine teaching courses for elementary and secondary teacher candidates on topics including advanced learning theory, teacher inquiry, and teaching special populations in general education classrooms. Dr. Tunney has designed and led professional development for practicing teachers for well over a decade, coaching teachers at public and private schools on topics including Differentiated Instruction (DI) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), neurodevelopment and neurodiversity in heterogeneous classrooms, and Professional Learning Community (PLC) inquiry work for ongoing improvements in teaching.

Dr. Tunney is a lifelong learner and educator who is committed to ensuring that all students are offered excellent schooling and are encouraged to discover the joy of curiosity, exploration, and new learning.

Founding Principal and Executive Director
Jessica Tunney, Ph.D.