Click for Google map for directions to 3195 Woodside Rd., Woodside, CA 94062
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Click to call 650.851.1571
Administration
Harlin Hansen, Steve Frank, Patrick Hurley, Hanwool Kim,
Jenn Pedersen, John Bartfield
Jenn Pedersen, John Bartfield
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Steve Frank — Superintendent & Preschool DirectorTop of Page
Steve Frank
Superintendent & Preschool Director
EMAIL
I am fortunate to be entering my 25th year at Woodside School and in my first year as Superintendent. I have an undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, and received my master’s degree in Educational Administration from Santa Clara University. I am so proud of my two amazing daughters.
I began my tenure at Woodside School in 2001, and I spent nine years as an Upper School social studies teacher. I transitioned to administration and spent five years as the K-8th grade Assistant Principal, and in 2013, I transitioned to be the Upper School Principal. At the start of the 2019-20 school year, I held the position of Superintendent as well as the US Principal, supported by three Upper School Deans for each of the three Upper School grades. And then, starting the 2020-21 school year, which is one to go down in the history books, I was, and still am, the Superintendent of the district.
My duration at Woodside School is due in large part to the small-town experiences that Woodside provides. The talented staff, motivated students, and supportive parents help to provide a rich, nurturing environment for learning to occur. I take great pride in the relationships that have been created during my tenure at Woodside School, and there is no better feeling to watch our students grow into leaders as they enter the world.
I began my tenure at Woodside School in 2001, and I spent nine years as an Upper School social studies teacher. I transitioned to administration and spent five years as the K-8th grade Assistant Principal, and in 2013, I transitioned to be the Upper School Principal. At the start of the 2019-20 school year, I held the position of Superintendent as well as the US Principal, supported by three Upper School Deans for each of the three Upper School grades. And then, starting the 2020-21 school year, which is one to go down in the history books, I was, and still am, the Superintendent of the district.
My duration at Woodside School is due in large part to the small-town experiences that Woodside provides. The talented staff, motivated students, and supportive parents help to provide a rich, nurturing environment for learning to occur. I take great pride in the relationships that have been created during my tenure at Woodside School, and there is no better feeling to watch our students grow into leaders as they enter the world.
Jennifer Pedersen — Upper School PrincipalTop of Page
Jennifer Pedersen
Upper School Principal (Grades 5-8)
EMAIL
Jennifer Pedersen has been an integral part of the Woodside Upper School staff for 10 years, teaching English Language Arts, then served as the 8th Grade Dean during the 2019-20 school year and transitioned to Upper School Principal at the start of the epic 2020-21 school year. She earned her B.A. in English Literature, Theory, and Criticism and her M.A. in Education from U.C. Davis, and recently earned her M.A. in School Administration from Loyola Marymount University. Jenn has a relationship-based approach to leadership, focusing on the importance of a growth mindset, flexibility, and integrity. Her background in curriculum development, differentiation, high school transition support, and social-emotional learning positions her well to serve our Middle School community. Jenn is committed to the idea of continuous improvement and enjoys engaging with data and hands-on research, especially as it relates to advances in student achievement and program development. She is proud to lead the administrative team as the Woodside Upper School Principal and appreciates that our phenomenal staff members hold high expectations for all students. As a Woodside resident herself, she is passionate about our community and looks forward to working to uphold our school’s commitment to rigor, innovation, and fostering the development of well-rounded children.
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Patrick Hurley — Lower School PrincipalTop of Page
Patrick Hurley
Lower School Principal (Grades TK-4)
EMAIL
Patrick Hurley is the Lower School Principal (Grades TK-4) at Woodside Elementary School. Patrick joined the Woodside School community as our ELD Teacher for the 2021-22 school year. Prior to this, Patrick served as the principal at Foster City Elementary School in the San Mateo-Foster City School District from 2016-2021. He taught English and English Language Development for 18 years, including 12 years at Mountain View High School. He has worked with teachers, district leaders, and education researchers on various improvement efforts, mostly related to supporting English Learners. He was a lecturer in the Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP) where he worked with pre-service secondary teachers on supporting English Learners.
Patrick graduated from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio with a BA in English and earned a master's degree in Education Administration at San Jose State University. He swims with a masters swim team most mornings before school and is currently learning how to play pickleball.
If you have any elementary / lower school questions or items to be addressed, please contact Mr. Hurley directly.
If you have any elementary / lower school questions or items to be addressed, please contact Mr. Hurley directly.
John Bartfield — Student Services DirectorTop of Page
John Bartfield
Student Services Director
EMAIL
I joined the Woodside School District in July of 2024 and serve in the role of Director of Student Services. I have worked in education since 1997, with the great majority of that time being in special education and student services. Having worked in San Mateo County for the majority of my career and living in nearby Redwood City, I know how special the Woodside community is and feel so lucky to be here.
I enjoy helping to create the optimum conditions and learning environments for all students to reach their fullest potential. This is an evolving process and necessitates being especially attuned and responsive to the ever-changing needs of students, staff, parents and the community. Cultivating social emotional growth in students is a particular passion of mine and I feel so lucky to work in a district where this work is clearly prioritized. I look forward to continuing to serve our Wildcat Community!
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Hanwool (Han) Kim — Chief Business OfficerTop of Page
I have been very thankful to have joined Woodside as the Chief Business Officer in July 2024. From my first days it was very clear that WESD is a district whose whole community comes out to support the students' high level of education, social & emotional learning, and enrichment opportunities. I hope to be a strong contributing member by providing stable leadership and clear communications in business operations. I bring professional experience in education since 2016 covering audit, reconciliations, financial reporting, data analysis, employee negotiations, and understanding of state/local legislation.
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Harlin Hansen — Educational Technology DirectorTop of Page
Harlin Hansen
Educational Technology Director
EMAIL
Educational Technology Director
851-1571 x4039
Prior to coming to Woodside, I taught for 11 years in both the Cupertino and Poway school districts. In those districts, I taught 2nd and 4th grade as well as 4 years as a technology resource teacher working with teachers on using technology in the classroom. I also began teaching a technology class for teachers in the credential program at Santa Clara University.
In 2005, I came to Woodside School as the Director of Instructional Technology. I managed the technology program here and was able to spend time working with students and teachers in using technology in the classroom. I later moved back into the classroom and taught 3rd grade. After being out of the classroom for 8 years it was amazing to start using some of the technology that didn’t even exist when I last taught in a regular classroom. After 5 years, I was asked to become the Technology Lead where I am now responsible for the school’s tech department. I continued to teach as the coding teacher for students in grades 3 – 8. Last year I was given the opportunity to move away from teaching coding and start teaching design thinking with all of our students. I love my new role as the design lead and I look forward to enhancing this program as I work with students, parents, and teachers.
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