Aparna Murali
Aparna feels very blessed to have been born in a Sai family- devotee parents and grandparents who came to Bhagawan in the early 60's. Aparna grew up in the city of Chennai where she attended Sathya Sai Education classes. Aparna attended the Sri Sathya Sai University (SSU), Anantapur Campus, graduating with Bachelors in Science. According to Aparna, this was the most critical turning point in her life in developing an inner relationship with Bhagawan. After graduating from Anantapur, Aparna was active amongst the SSU alumnus in Chennai, where she concurrently pursued a Masters in Psychology.
Aparna moved to the United States to pursue her second Masters in Genetic Counseling. Aparna currently consults as a genetics counselor in Los Angeles, providing counseling services for women whose pregnancy have been identified to be at a high risk for genetic conditions. Aparna has been active in the Organization and held leadership positions at all levels- as Center devotional Coordinator and Regional YA Coordinator. Aparna has actively been involved with SSE since 2005. For the past 7 years, Aparna has taught all age groups and is currently teaching Group 3 in Glendale SSE. As it is said, "A teacher is a perpetual student", Aparna draws her inspiration, encouragement and excitement from Bhagawan's eternal, yet practical wisdom. She currently serves as the USA National YA Coordinator and Zone 1 YA coordinator which includes Canada, Israel, West Indies and United States of America.
Consummate story teller, videographer, actor, poet and play writer, Aparna has spoken at Sai events in United States, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago as well in Prashanti Nilayam. Aparna remains deeply committed to Bhagawan, His teachings and seeks His grace to love Him and serve Him.
Jerry Pesce
Jerry is licensed in California as a Educational Psychologist and a Marriage, Family, Child Therapist.
Jerry worked for 34 years in public schools Huntington Beach, Placentia/Yorba Linda and Carmel. The last 20 in Carmel, the initial four years as a high school counselor and the remaining years as a school psychologist. He also worked in Mental Health in Orange county in Methadone maintenance and alcoholism, and utilyzed this background to later run groups in the high school for students dealing with substance abuse problems.
As a school psychologist, Jerry was involved in education assessment of students for learning deficiencies and special education. He also was trained in Parent Effectiveness training (PET) and conducted numerous 8 week courses both in Placentia and Carmel, although not for the last ten years. The courses involved one 3 hour session each week and involved about 25 to 30 parents per class. PET is an extremely straight forward parenting style that involves changing our communication patterns with our kids and other family members. It involves learning how to talk so our kids will listen and how to listen so our kids will talk, and is extremely effective when consciously utilyzed. It involves a mutual respect and the removal of communication patterns that are blocks to good relationships.
As a result of the school psychology, Jerry has taken a great interset in Developmental life stages which were of a great help in understanding the different life tasks of kids in each life stage- as well as adults.