APT LEADERSHIP
A Message from Your President
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Welcome to the Association of Pleasanton Teachers (APT), where we proudly represent a diverse and dedicated group of professionals, including teachers, counselors, nurses, psychologists, librarians, clinicians, behaviorists, therapists, speech and language pathologists, social workers, and specialists. Our collective expertise and passion drive the well-being of our students, our members, and the broader community.
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APT is committed to advocating for the best interests of our highly trained and qualified educators, ensuring that every voice is heard and every member is supported. PUSD is home to award-winning schools, programs, teachers, and students. Our members are at the forefront of delivering exceptional education, fostering leadership, and championing innovation. Together, we work tirelessly to advocate for a public education system that is inclusive, equitable, and of the highest quality for all.
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Becoming a member of APT means joining a vibrant network of professionals who are dedicated to nurturing the potential of every student we serve. It is an honor and privilege to serve as your APT President. With deep roots in union organizing—my great-granduncle was the labor leader Samuel Gompers—I am committed to building a strong, unified union that empowers every member and collectively advances our shared mission.
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Before stepping into this role, I had the joy of teaching Culinary, Leadership, and Farm2Fork at Village High School. My journey with the Pleasanton Unified School District began in 2015, following valuable experiences at Dublin High and the Job Corps, coupled with years of hands-on experience in the culinary industry. While I already miss the classroom, I am excited to support you in delivering the highest quality education to our students.
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Outside of my work, I’m passionate about the outdoors, food, travel, and board games, and I’m always up for a conversation on any of these topics. Please don’t hesitate to reach out—I am here to serve and support you and our students. Together, we are stronger, and together, we will ensure that every student in Pleasanton receives the exceptional education they deserve. Because, Pleasanton students deserve the best!
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In solidarity,
Evan Branning
APT President
president@pleasantonteachers.org
(925) 549-5989
Vice President - Erin Salcido
Erin has been teaching at Alisal Elementary for over 25 years. She has mainly taught 1st grade but also has taught a K-1 combo with 30 students. Erin has been a long time site and head rep for her school and has also served on the APT Executive Board for 4 years as the Elementary At Large rep. Erin has had a long time passion for representing her fellow member's needs, advocating for their worth and value as educators, and fighting for the best resources her colleagues and their students deserve. Outside of teaching, Erin’s interests include traveling, visiting museums, playing pickelball and admiring art (her first love).
Secretary - Christie Carnahan
Christie has been teaching for 30 years with 29 of those at Valley View Elementary. Currently a Kindergarten teacher, she has also taught 1st-3rd grades. Christie has been an adjunct lecturer for the Teacher Education Program at CSUEB. She has been Teacher of the Year in Pleasanton and a CSUEB Distinguished Alumna. Christie has served as an APT rep for several years and takes pride in supporting her colleagues. She loves cooking, baking, traveling, watching movies, going to Disneyland and most especially spending time with her husband and her son when he is home from college.
Treasurer - Gary Johnson
Gary has been teaching at Foothill High School since 2012 initially as a math teacher, now in engineering. Gary has been the Foothill APT head rep for the last two years and is notorious for his long winded analyses. Gary loves spreadsheets and dislikes worker exploitation. Gary is currently surviving on the PUSD budget advisory committee. Gary looks forward to representing APT and hopes he can help bring positive change to PUSD.
Elementary At-Large and Organizing Co-Chair
- Rachel Ensler
Rachel Ensler has been part of the PUSD community since 1993, as a parent, volunteer and classroom teacher. Her role as a child development specialist with pediatric groups lends itself well to teaching second grade. She is the proud parent of four PUSD alumni, who are out in the world having their own adventures.
Rachel has been active in our Union for 8 years, as a rep, head rep, co chair of the Organizing Committee and now as a member of the bargaining team. Rachel believes that our union ensures that Pleasanton students receive: the BEST teachers, resources, and learning environments because that is what we all deserve.
Middle School At-Large -Kathy Nichols
Kathy Nichols has been a Pleasanton Teacher and APT member for 21 years. She teaches ELA and is the Yearbook Adviser at Pleasanton Middle School, as well as the advisor for Model United Nations.
Kathy and her husband live in Fremont and have two children, one a graduate of Foothill and the other currently at Amador. Kathy loves to travel, read, and learn about other cultures.
High School At-Large - Barbara Hanafee
Barbara Hanafee is a proud PUSD alumna and was raised by a Pleasanton teacher! As an Educational Specialist, she has taught in both self-contained and co-taught classrooms at Hart Middle School and Foothill High School over the past 5 years. Outside of work, Barbara enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring new places, and finding the best local spots! Whether she’s collaborating with colleagues, working with students, or advocating for better supports, Barbara believes that when teachers are taken care of, students thrive.
Certificated Non-Classroom Rep - Reine Anderson
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Reine Anderson has been a school counselor working for PUSD for 18 years. Reine started at Donlon and later moved to PMS and then had a short stint at Harvest Park.
Reine and her husband live in Walnut Creek, and they have two adult children. Reine loves to hang out with her friends, eat, travel, and check out the local art scene.
Organizing Co-Chair and CTA State Council Rep - Michelle VerKuilen
Michelle VerKuilen has taught Transitional Kindergarten to Adults, in both general and special education settings. A Pleasanton Townie, she is a product of the Pleasanton schools, as are both her boys, who are now college graduates and successfully adulting. She enjoys the beach, traveling, friends, family, and book club!
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Michelle has been a Union Leader for over ten years and works to support educators so that they have the resources, environment, and working conditions that they and their students deserve!
CTA State Council Rep - Karen Lord-Eyewe
Karen M. Lord-Eyewe has been a Pleasanton Teacher and APT member for 27 years. She teaches Spanish at Amador Valley High School and is the advisor for the Korean Culture Club, Key Club, and Neuroscience Club. She is one of our Executive Board Members and Alcosta Service Center Council Vice Chair. Karen also serves on the Election Committee for the California Teachers Association.
Bargaining Chair - Vanessa Muellerleile
Vanessa has been a school counselor for 10 years and started her career in PUSD. Serving FHS, Donlon, Lydiksen and most currently Walnut Grove, she has served in many TK-12 capacities including 2 years as a mental health clinician for our SELPA. Vanessa is passionate about advocating for student centered practices and promoting mental health and wellness. She has served on the APT bargaining team for 3 years and eboard for 2. When she is not at work you can find her spending time with family and enjoying the outdoors.
CTA Staffer - Katherine Clarke
Katherine Clarke has been doing staff work with unions across the United States for about 10 years. She has been both an elementary and secondary teacher. In her downtime, she will find her way to the beach. Katherine believes in public education and that educators deserve all the support they can get in order to provide their students with the best. Her passion is the social justice of public education.