About Me

My name is Talya (Tali) Brinkman. I am very excited to join the Oak School community. I grew up in South Africa and received my Bachelors in law and psychology. After emigrating to the United States, I volunteered in a Special Education class and loved it so much that I changed career paths from law to teaching. I have a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and a Special Education Teaching Credential, focusing on children with severe disabilities. I have taught in private and public schools in Los Angeles and in the Bay Area including teaching kindergarten for over ten years.

My goal as a teacher is to create an emotionally safe environment that fosters independence, confidence and flexibility. I want my students to love learning and become kind and compassionate citizens. I firmly believe that a child's social and emotional well being is crucial for any learning to take place. A child will only take a risk if the environment is emotionally safe and one that values mistakes as a means of learning. Small class sizes, hands on learning, engaging tasks are all vital for a positive learning and teaching experience.

In my spare time I love to spend time with my two daughters (one at university in Southern CA, and one who lives in New York.) and my Yorkie -Maddy. I also enjoy hiking and playing tennis.

A saying I love 

Be yourself. No one can say you're doing it wrong. ~ Charles Schultz

My Education

• UC Santa Barbara
• Santa Clara University

Favorites

My favorite destination is Yosemite. I have climbed Half Dome, Yosemite Falls , Nevada Falls and camped/backpacked in different areas of the park; I love being outdoors.