Izzy Mayer

(she/her)

  • B.A., History, Education, and Psychology, Occidental College

  • M.A., Education, University of the Pacific (BATTI)

  • Current Role: 2nd Grade Lead Teacher at The Nueva School

Izzy grew up in Berkeley, California and followed her passions for education, community, sports, and puzzles to Occidental College. After graduating, Izzy participated in Avodah, a program dedicated to addressing issues of urban poverty from a Jewish perspective and worked with Chicago Run fighting childhood obesity and developing classroom resources for Chicago Public Schools.

Interested in learning more about educational experiences outside of the United States, Izzy moved to Santiago, Chile to teach English for six months before returning to the Bay Area to work as the Student Services Coordinator at UC Berkeley, School of Law. Then, Izzy spent two years as part of Nueva’s Innovative Teaching Program (ITP) allowing her to work with a plethora of mentor teachers and reinforcing her commitment to supporting young people in their development as leaders, activists and changemakers. Currently, she is in her third year of teaching second grade at The Nueva School. 

ASK THE TEACHER:

What was a favorite recent book that you read?

I recently read the book Obie is Man Enough by Schuyler Bailer, which was an earnest and heartwarming semi-autobiographical YA book about trans tween swimmer Obie. Even as an adult, this middle grade book gave me chills and tears, and provided an important reminder of how and why trans kids belong in sports!

When you aren't teaching, how do you spend your time?

When I’m not teaching, I love swimming in the bay, exploring the Bay Area running trails and eating lots of ice cream.