Our Philosophy
At Stone Academy, we believe every child has unique strengths and unlimited potential. Learning should be engaging, joyful, and meaningful—and there is a school where every learner can thrive. More than a school, Stone Academy is a specialized education program that offers a safe, supportive environment where students feel a sense of belonging and are encouraged to explore their understanding of themselves and the world around them. We are a community of learners growing together.
The Director’s Message
Director
Director, Stone Academy
Welcome to Stone Academy! Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Stone Academy. Each day at our school is an exciting new opportunity to enrich the minds of our students, and we hope your child will join us.
Stone Academy welcomes students regardless of race, gender, national and ethnic origin, and is non discriminatory in all our policies. We accept children between the ages of 4 – 18 years.
There are no specific academic entrance requirements; however, we base admission decisions on many factors, especially your child’s age and suitability for our program.
We accept applications all year round. Because space is limited, we encourage prospective parents to begin the admission process in the January for the following academic year.
Please contact us regarding availability for your child, and to schedule your personal tour of our school. We will be happy to answer your questions and provide additional information about our educational programs.
Kind regards,
Director
Our History
Stone Academy was founded by a family seeking the right educational setting for their child on the Autism Spectrum. Created to serve not only their child but a broader community of learners, the school was built on the belief that neurodiverse students deserve an environment designed specifically for their needs. Today, Stone Academy continues to support families searching for a school where their children are understood, valued, and empowered to succeed.
Our Staff
Our staff are what make every day special for our children. Our staff are creative, understanding, and passionate. They work with families to create every child’s own success story.
+ Meet Tamiza Hockenhull Stone
President, Board of Directors
Tamiza Hockenhull Stone serves as President of the Board of Directors at Stone Academy and is a Judge of the Alameda County Superior Court. Her distinguished legal career includes roles as a Superior Court Commissioner, Administrative Law Judge, Adjunct Professor, Deputy City Attorney for the City of San Francisco, and Director of a court-appointed program, in addition to managing her own law firm.
Tamiza has also held leadership and volunteer positions with the Charles Houston Bar Association and the Earl Warren Inns of Court, where she served as Past President. A passionate advocate for the special needs community, she has dedicated more than a decade to supporting children with exceptional needs and their families—an advocacy deeply informed by her personal experience as a parent of a child on the Autism Spectrum.
+ Meet Valerie Brown
Board Member
Valerie Brown serves as Vice President of Quality, Enterprise Learning, and Environment, Health & Safety at Thermo Fisher Scientific, where she leads the Global Quality team within CRG. With more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, she specializes in quality assurance, manufacturing, supply chain management, and regulatory compliance.
Previously, Valerie was Senior Vice President of Quality Assurance at Gilead Sciences, overseeing quality and compliance for clinical and commercial drug manufacturing, including active pharmaceutical ingredients, finished dosage forms, medical devices, and biologics. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry and a Master’s degree in Healthcare Management.
+ Meet Asha Ward
Board Member
Asha Ward is a dedicated educator with a strong background in teaching, curriculum development, and individualized instruction. She earned her Bachelor of Science from UC Davis in 2016 and later completed her Master’s in Education and teaching credential through the Bay Area Teacher Training Institute and Mentorship Program in 2022.
Asha is especially passionate about literacy intervention and multimodal teaching strategies that support diverse learning styles. She has contributed her expertise by serving on curriculum committees for three independent schools.
+ Meet Taalib Smith
Lead Teacher, Special Needs Program
Taalib Smith is the Lead Teacher of the Special Needs Program at Stone Academy. He holds a degree in Psychology and Social Justice from Dominican University and brings experience teaching in Marin County schools, along with a background in gymnastics coaching.
Known for his patience, empathy, and student-centered approach, Taalib focuses on celebrating each student’s strengths while supporting their individual growth. He collaborates closely with therapeutic staff to create a nurturing environment where students can thrive at their own pace. His dedication and connection to students make him an integral part of the Stone Academy community.
+ Meet Angelo Stone
Chief Financial Officer
Angelo Stone is a founding Board Member and Chief Financial Officer of Stone Academy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. He brings extensive experience in sales, finance, executive leadership, and community engagement.
As the father of a child on the Autism Spectrum, Angelo is deeply committed to advocacy and resource development for children with exceptional needs and their families. His work focuses on identifying and creating meaningful opportunities that foster inclusion, support, and lasting impact within the community.
+ Meet Cherice Daniels
Project Manager
Cherice Daniels is an experienced IT Project Manager with expertise in project management, analysis, and training. A Bay Area native and graduate of Howard University, she is deeply committed to community service.
Cherice actively volunteers with initiatives that support early STEM education, literacy development, and food security through the Alameda County Food Bank. Guided by the belief that every child deserves a safe, supportive, and individualized learning environment, she is passionate about creating opportunities for children to grow, learn, and thrive.
+ Meet Rickey Bradley
Board Member
Rickey Bradley is the Principal Broker at Ardent Advisors and has been a Licensed Real Estate Broker since 2018, with industry experience beginning in 2017. He also serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Key Community Housing, a nonprofit dedicated to providing housing solutions for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Committed to community service, Rickey is passionate about supporting children and families through advocacy, leadership, and meaningful community engagement.