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.
Co-Directors
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.
Karen and Shary Co-Direct both Tilden Albany and Tilden Walnut Creek
Program Coordinator
Gail Alter, M.A., is a graduate of UC Berkeley with a Masters degree in Social Welfare and of University of Michigan with a secondary degree in History and Psychology. Gail has specialized in adolescent psychology for over 30 years, serving as both Co-Director and Clinical Director of two programs focused on helping youth and their families. She is certified as a Tribes Leadership Trainer, which uses group process to teach academics and social responsibility by building on students’ strengths and capabilities. She has taught a series of experiential workshops to teachers, nurses and students using the Tribes training. For over ten years, she has been an adjunct faculty member at JFK University, teaching, “Adolescent Development” graduate level courses, and has been a clinical supervisor to graduate students in school-based settings. She has co-authored a training manual for professionals on how to establish effective groups for teens called, “A Way To Help Teenagers Become Capable Young Adults.” Gail's role at Tilden is to assist the Co-Directors in maintaining the same high quality of education across both locations, and to coordinate opportunities that can benefit students at both locations, such as community service activities, and academic/social programs.
Co-Founders of School For Independent Learners
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.