Meet Our Administrators
Tilden Preparatory School was founded on the same philosophy, teaching approach and U.C. approved curriculum as the original School for Independent Learners in Los Altos, started by Herman and Jean Ohme in 2001. Karen Hobbs, Ph.D. and Shary Nunan, Ph.D, Co-Directors of Tilden Preparatory School, were impressed with the original school’s ability to reach a wide range of students and maximize their learning potential and capability. They started Tilden Preparatory School under the name School For Independent Learners, East Bay in September 2006, and initiated the name change after receiving approval for full independent accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in January 2009.
Karen Hobbs, Ph.D., a graduate of UC Davis and the California School of Professional Psychology, is a licensed psychologist with a specialty in adolescent psychology for the past 25 years. She worked at an East Bay high school for nine years, participating in numerous IEP meetings and working with guidance counselors and teachers to meet students' needs. Dr. Hobbs has taught courses at the college level and at professional conferences.
Shary Nunan, Ph.D., a graduate of Yale University and the California School of Professional Psychology, is a licensed psychologist who has worked with teens for the past 25 years, including providing educational assessments for students and working in conjunction with educational professionals to meet their needs. She has taught courses at the college and graduate level, and at professional conferences.
Herman Ohme, Ed.D., has made his life’s work developing programs and
published materials to help students learn. Prior to beginning School for Independent
Learners, Los Altos, he co-founded Mid-Peninsula High School and Palo Alto Preparatory
Schools, both successful schools that are still thriving. He is an expert in performance,
learning and motivation, and is the author of the “Learn How to Learn” study skills books,
which are used in numerous schools in the United States and Canada. He has taught at UCLA,
Yale and Stanford, and has been a teacher, counselor and administrator in public and
private schools for over forty years.
Jean Ohme, M.A. is a graduate of UCLA, New Haven Teacher’s College and the University of Santa Clara. She taught for many years in Los Angeles and Redwood City, and holds a California teaching credential and California Administration credential.