The Discovery School Staff
Caren Drezner, Head of School
Caren joined TDS as our Head of School in 2023 with over 25 years of experience as a leader and advocate in early childhood education. Caren holds both a Masters and a Doctorate in Early Childhood Education. Caren has found that the most powerful early childhood programs center on engaging, play-based learning environments that nurture confident children and educators.
When she's not working, Caren enjoys traveling, hiking, biking, and exploring all Northern California offers. Caren's pride and joy are her two children, who keep her laughing and connected to cultural happenings.
Sandra Harris, Lead Teacher/Pedagogical Coordinator
Sandra joined TDS in 2018 with over 30 years of experience as a mentor and educator. She holds a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Webster University, where she studied art and progressive pedagogy with a focus on the Reggio Emilia philosophy. Sandra is an advocate for the rights of all children to have joyful, inspiring, and empowering environments to play, to learn, to grow and to thrive.
In her spare time, Sandra enjoys being out in nature with friends exploring the Marin and Sonoma coastlines. She is also a part-time treasure hunter: searching antique stores and vintage shops for storied objects of art and design.
Marisa Robinow, Lead Teacher
Marisa joined TDS the spring of 2023 after graduating from the University of Oregon with a B.A. in Sociology and Family and Human Services. She has worked with children for as long as she can remember, but most recently has been teaching preschool for three years. Marisa strives to provide a nurturing environment where children feel supported and capable in their exploration of learning.
Marisa is a Marin County native turned San Franciscan who loves to spend time with her family and friends. She has a passion for travel and exploration, and is always looking for new places and restaurants to visit.
Karla O’Brian, Associate Teacher
Before joining TDS in 2021, Karla spent two years as an assistant preschool teacher at the College of Marin (where she studied Early Childhood Education) after graduating with a B.A. in foreign languages from University of Colima, Mexico. Karla believes that children are the protagonists of their learning, and encourages children’s interests to guide their exploration of the world. Karla sees herself as a learner, a researcher, and collaborator in community with the children at TDS.
In her spare time, Karla enjoys being outdoors, exploring hiking trails, riding her bike and using her new camera to take pictures of wildflowers during her adventures.
Luis Perez Diaz, Associate Teacher
Luis joined TDS in 2022 after graduating with an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from the College of Marin. Whether he is coaching, camp counseling, or teaching youth, Luis’ approach is always to meet each student’s needs. Luis believes that families and programs thrive in partnership, which means everyone feels a sense of belonging and trusts that they are a valued participant of the community. Through student teaching at the College of Marin, Luis learned that open-ended play fosters imagination, creativity, and growth.
Outside of TDS, Luis enjoys coaching soccer and spending time with his family. Luis is bilingual in Spanish and English.