Lauren Banks
Lauren is a School Psychologist at Nevada City School of the Arts. She has a passion for supporting students’ emotional and psychological well-being. Lauren embarked on her academic journey at UC Santa Barbara, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychological & Brain Sciences. She then went on to earn her Master’s degree in School Psychology from California State University, Chico where she graduated with distinction. This comprehensive program provided her with the knowledge and tools needed to make a positive impact on the lives of students, families, and the school community as a whole. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dog and cat, reading books, and traveling. Lauren is an avid traveler and has been to over 25 countries!
Ania Kapp
Ania holds a B.A. in Art from California State University, Hayward, and an M.S. in Special Education from National University, where she also earned her Education Specialist Teaching Credential. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in Special Education.
ania.kapp@ncsota.org
Lillian Babb
Lillian serves as the School Psychologist at Nevada City School of the Arts, where she is dedicated to supporting students academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally. She is passionate about collaborating with educators and families to help students reach their full potential while fostering positive and inclusive learning environments.
Lillian earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and her Master’s in School Psychology from California State University, Chico. Through her education and training, she developed the knowledge and skills to provide comprehensive services and knowledge to support students, families, and the school community.
In her free time, Lillian enjoys watching movies, spending time outdoors in the sunshine, and traveling to new places. She values opportunities to take on new experiences and brings that sense of curiosity and positivity into her work with students every day.
Scott Mertz
Scott Mertz is a School Social Worker, School Counselor, and Specialist Instructor who comes to NCSA with over 16 years of experience working in education, community development, and child/youth mental health. From leading therapeutic wilderness trips to working as a teacher to facilitating comprehensive school counseling programs, Scott combines his background and training to best serve the needs of the NCSA community. He is personable, approachable, friendly, and truly cares about the students and families in the community. Scott also is an elective teacher at NCSA and teaches two middle-school electives called “Bike for Life” and “Thriving in the Wild”.
In his free time, Scott along with his family( his wife and partner of 23 years along with their 6th grader and 11th grader) are often traveling and exploring the Westcoast and beyond. His family also enjoys relaxing and exp all the recreation that the Northern Sierra has to offer. Scott is an avid mountain biker, tele skier, backpacker and pretty much enjoys all the wilderness adventure activities in between. Scott is also a ceramic artist and textile designer (fancy name for seamstress) who loves giving his handmade gifts to family and friends.
Kylee Martin
Outside of the classroom, Kylee enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing the violin, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with her dogs.
Sara Phillips
Sara Phillips has been a part of the Nevada City School of the Arts community since 2018, beginning as a paraeducator before becoming an Education Specialist. She is passionate about creating an inclusive, supportive learning environment where every student can grow, build confidence, and reach their full potential.
Sara earned her Master’s degree in Education with a specialization in Special Education, graduating with distinction. She is dedicated to collaborating with students, families, and colleagues to ensure each child receives the support they need to succeed. Having lived in Nevada County since 1990, Sara feels grateful to serve the community she has called home for many years.
Outside of school, Sara enjoys spending time with her husband, her teenage son, who graduated from NCSA in 2026, and their two cats. In her free time, she loves attending live music events and making memories with family.
Brenda Hall
Ms. Brenda Hall has dedicated nearly four decades to the field of education, inspiring and supporting students from diverse backgrounds. Although officially retired, she continues to teach because of her enduring passion for helping children discover their strengths, build confidence, and develop a lifelong love of learning. She believes that children thrive when they feel safe, respected, valued, and truly known.
Ms. Hall began her educational career as a classroom aide, serving in that role for nine years before becoming a classroom teacher. Over the course of her 30-year teaching career, she has taught kindergarten, first grade, and Special Education at both the elementary and junior high school levels. These varied experiences have shaped her flexible, compassionate approach to teaching, enabling her to meet students where they are while encouraging each child to reach their full potential.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from California State University, Stanislaus, followed by a Master’s Degree and a Special Education Teaching Credential from National University. A firm believer in lifelong learning, Ms. Hall strives to foster curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning in every classroom she leads.
Outside of the classroom, Ms. Hall enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her four children and nine grandchildren. She is an avid quilter who enjoys creating handmade treasures and is an active member of the Craft Guild of Nevada County. Among her favorite accomplishments is restoring a vintage camper, which has provided many memorable travel adventures.
Ms. Hall is committed to creating a warm, welcoming classroom where every child feels a sense of belonging and is encouraged to wonder, explore, create, and grow. She also believes that strong partnerships between home and school are essential to student success and looks forward to working collaboratively with families to provide a joyful, meaningful, and successful learning experience for every student.
Erika Haynes
Erika grew up in the hills of a tiny town in Mendocino County amongst oak, manzanita, and madrone trees. Prior to her decade long career as a speech language pathologist, Erika has always enjoyed working in social occupations. In 1998, she received her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Humboldt State University. Shortly after graduating from HSU, she taught preschool for many years in Marin County, before leaving to assist in therapy groups at the Kalmanovitz Child Development Center at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. In 2007, she returned to school for her master’s degree in Communicative Science and Disorders at Cal State East Bay. After receiving her degree, Erika worked in Bay Area schools for 6 years as an SLP before moving to Nevada County and working in Placer County school district for another 3 years. She very happily began her work at NCSA in 2020, and is overjoyed to be supporting students in the community she loves.
Erika has worked in a variety of class settings; from general education to moderate-severe special education classrooms, supporting students with needs in the areas of receptive/expressive/social language, fluency and articulation. She has received certification in Picture Exchange Communication (PECs), and has advanced training in Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC) in order to support students who benefit from using other modes of communication aside from speech. Recently, Erika piloted a language intensive preschool program to provide early intervention services for students with mild-moderate communication disorders. Erika has implemented a variety of techniques in her therapy practice, including using music, visual supports, games, physical activity, and literature based curriculum. Currently, she is interested in better understanding how to support and involve neurodiverse students so that speech/language therapy nurtures a sense of self-esteem in a world that can be challenging and overwhelming to a neurodiverse brain.
On the weekends and during breaks, Erika spends her time gardening, hiking, and swimming in the river. Erika enjoys knitting while listening to audio books, wild crafting, herbalism, reading, cooking, baking, and hanging out with her husband, and wonderful menagerie of animals. She feels grateful and excited to be working at NCSA, a school that encourages growth, community and creativity.