About
Meet Us: Faculty & Staff
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Esperanza Alcarez
Esperanza Alcarez
School Healthcare Coordinator -
Lupe Barragan
Lupe Barragan
Assistant to the Head of School
"I love overhearing the kids at the end of the day, sharing how awesome their classes were and how much they like their teachers." -
Cassidy Brown
Cassidy Brown
STEM Teacher
"This place is so different from other places I've worked—I love the mutual respect between students and teachers, the willingness to take risks..." -
Rebecca Brown
Rebecca Brown
Chief Operating Officer
"The accounting side of the position can be taught, but understanding the culture of schools is much more important." -
James Castañeda
James Castañeda
STEM Teacher
His journey as an educator began as an Exploratory teacher at Sonoma Academy and then as a wrestling coach at Bishop Alemany High School. -
Kelly Castañeda
Kelly Castañeda
Dean of Curriculum
Kelly knows a thing or two about design thinking, and not just because she is deeply engaged with current educational theory. -
Kevin Christensen
Kevin Christensen
Associate Director of Ahtletics & Physical Education
Girls Varsity Basketball Coach
Kevin was hesitant to coach high school until... -
Alissa Coenen
Alissa Coenen
Spanish Teacher
"Our goal in the language department is to create, provide, and encourage the chance for students to use the language learned in the classroom outside in the real world." -
Jenifer Coté
Jen Coté
Theater Director
Jen believes that theater should make you think about the world and question humanity. -
Danielle Delario
Danielle Delario
Spanish Teacher
Danielle might be found teaching Spanish, leading a yoga class, creating art, spending time with her two sons, or flying through the air on a trapeze. -
Darren Duarte
Darren Duarte
Dean of Student Life
Darren loves the passing period between classes. He describes it as a "constant feeling of camaraderie." -
Caitlin Duffy
Caitlin Duffy
STEM Teacher
"I love to look up and see my windows and whiteboards full of figures, all the students working, debating, reasoning, and laughing together." -
Iris Dunkle
Iris Dunkle
Creative Writing Teacher -
Ellie Dwight
Ellie Dwight
Assistant Head of School
“SA is a school with genuine trust and affection between students, staff, and parents...”. -
Kim Eber
Kim Eber
Director of Advancement
“I am blown away by the amazing level of respect everyone has for one another...” -
Maitane Elorza
Maitane Elorza
World Languages Dept. Chair & Spanish Teacher
"There is a deep sense of trust, compassion, and respect in the SA community." -
Rodney Fierce
Rodney Fierce
Humanities Teacher
"I want my students to develop their own voices, to engage with the voices in the text and find similarities. My goal is to get us to see history from different perspectives." -
Travis Fierce
Travis Fierce
Facilities Technician -
Tucker Foehl
Tucker Foehl
Head of School
"I am honored and thankful to be a part of this incredible school community at such an important and transformative time." -
Lani Frazer
Lani Frazer
Speech & Debate Coach
Speech and Debate helps competitors develop critical thinking skills that allow them to grapple with and advocate for complex topics. -
Sean Freese
Sean Freese
Director of Technology
Sean employs a philosophy that goes far beyond practical instruction, encouraging students to take a human-centered view of technology... -
Rachel Glitz
Rachel Glitz
Sonoma Academy Fund & Alumni Relations Manager
The best part of my job is all the crackerjack people I get to work with—so smart, so kind, and so welcoming. -
Drew Gloger
Drew Gloger
Humanities Dept. Chair & Teacher; Honor Dean
I didn’t want to be pigeonholed as an English or History teacher. I wanted that real spectrum of all sorts of things... -
Rebecca Gordon
Rebecca Gordon
STEM Teacher
Both students and staff are able to have a lot of autonomy. I also really appreciate that I have chances here to show others about what I know, beyond math. -
Amber Greer
Amber Greer
STEM Teacher
Math and Art are my yin-yang balance. I guess the lesson is that you're allowed to change your mind. My college major and my graduate degree are very different... -
Kerry Hanlon
Kerry Hanlon
Humanities Teacher
"At SA, I can teach material that I'm actually excited about, rather than having to manufacture excitement." -
Margaux Hardy
Margaux Hardy
Associate Director of Advancement -
Matthew Hart
Matthew Hart
Director of Facilities -
Jenn Huber
Jenn Huber
Accounting Associate -
Changa Imara
Changa Imara
STEM Teacher; Tech Help Desk
Changa came to Sonoma Academy after working in programming for years, but teaching wasn’t entirely new to him. -
Daniel Karbousky
Daniel Karbousky
STEM Teacher
Dan’s favorite class to teach is Calculus because it is the pinnacle of mathematics; it requires students to use everything they have learned... -
Kiska Kosakowski
Kiska Kosakowski
Experiential Curriculum Coordinator
"When I came to SA, I realized what schools could be. We take young people’s aspirations and turn them into reality." -
Dot Kowal
Dot Kowal
Director of College Counseling; Interim Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
"We give students a lot of freedom..." -
Bruce Lakovic
Bruce Lakovic
Shop Steward
“I love introducing kids to the process of imagining, planning, and problem solving.” -
Tricia Line
Tricia Line
Controller
Tricia found her way to us after spending years managing finances for large companies. "Our small but mighty team is a change!” -
David Mahlaku
David Mahlaku
A/V Technician
"I didn’t know that a high school experience like this existed. Students here are given freedom to explore, and it’s okay to make mistakes. I love that!" -
Megan Malone
Megan Malone
Communications Associate
"Community Meeting is often an almost spiritual experience. We all come together to laugh, cry, applaud, and be inspired." -
Kristy Marksbury
Kristy Marksbury
Administrative Support
"Our students are just so inspiring. It's amazing to see how much they grow during their time here." -
Luc Martin
Luc Martin
Associate Director of Admissions, Director of Summer Programs, Boys Basketball Head Coach
The story of Luc finding his way to us is almost like a fairy tale. -
Michele Martin
Michele Martin
Librarian; Director of Information Science
Michele’s career path wound through some unexpected places on the way to the library. -
Carolyn McAleavy
Carolyn McAleavy
Director of Counseling
When asked how her degrees in geology and counseling relate, Carolyn says "it's simply an interest in understanding why things are the way they are.” -
Laila McClay
Laila McClay
Humanities Teacher
“There is nothing more rewarding in education than seeing the ‘light bulb’ turn on in the middle of a lesson.” -
Amanda McFadden
Amanda McFadden
Music Director
Amanda has been teaching music for her entire professional life. She holds a teaching credential in music education... -
Oona McKnight
Oona McKnight
Director of Academic Services; Registrar
Oona taught everything from Pre-Calc to AP Statistics, as well as Intro to Engineering, Applied Math, and Chemistry... -
Cassandra McNally
Cassandra McNally
Front Office & Attendance Coordinator
“I love to see how well the school is working for our students, and how our mission permeates everything we do.” -
Colin McNamara
Colin McNamara
Humanites Teacher
Colin grew up in a big family—the youngest of four boys. Every two to three years, his family took on new adventures and moved to different cities around the world... -
Nancy Metzger-Carter
Nancy Metzger-Carter
Garden Educator & Sustainability Curriculum Coordinator
"We're encouraged to be bold, think big, and teach from the heart.” -
Eric Moes
Eric Moes
STEM & Visual Arts Teacher
“Teaching is the hardest job, but it’s also the most rewarding. It’s 90 percent planning and 100 percent improv!” -
Jamie Murray
Jamie Murray
Humanities Teacher
“Every new teacher who has stepped in has interpreted Humanities in their own way. It feels like a living, breathing entity, always adapting.” -
Ramsey Musallam
Ramsey Musallam
STEM Teacher, Director of Summer Programs, Robotics Coach
"I am constantly amazed by how respectful, insightful and curious SA students are in all areas of community life." -
Spencer Nilsen
Spencer Nilsen
Digital Media CoordinatorAfter running his own music production company for several years, Spencer pivoted into education... -
Nichelle Passanisi
Nichelle Passanisi
Associate Director of College Counseling
"Being a tiny piece of these students’ futures is very fulfilling." -
Margie Pugh
Margie Pugh
Director of Student Support
"No one can predict where your potential will take you." -
Mike Raudenbush
Mike Raudenbush
Facilities Technician -
Andrew Reddie
Andrew Reddie
Humanites Teacher
Some people don't know that Andrew played soccer for the Montgomery High Vikings... -
Daniel Reiter
Daniel Reiter
Music Teacher
From learning to play the drums as a child, to guitar, bass and keyboard as a teenager, Daniel has had a lifelong passion for music... -
Florence Rink
Florence Rink
French Teacher
Educated first at the Sorbonne and the British Institute in Paris, then at Oxford for English and American Literature, Florence joined us as a French teacher in 2004. -
Brandon Spars
Brandon Spars
Humanities Teacher Brandon is our resident storyteller, and many of his stories first took shape in our classrooms as he taught about the places where he has lived and loved... -
Irma Spars
Irma Spars
Academic Services Associate
Beyond her administrative work, Irma is one of those staffulty who shares her interests and hobbies with the student community. -
Sandy Stack
Sandy Stack
Director of Enrollment, Financial Aid, & Institutional Research
"I am inspired by our students." -
Jim Sweeney
Jim Sweeney
STEM Teacher
Jim's Applied Math students do interdisciplinary projects to gain insight into how mathematics affects their everyday lives. -
Christine Tantarelli
Christine Tantarelli
Payroll and HR Administrator -
Lily Thompson
Lily Thompson
Director of Marketing & Communications
"Everyone brings their unique talents and points of views, their interests and passions, and I feel I am learning from everyone everyday." -
Roy Vega
Roy Vega
Admissions Associate
"What sets us apart from other schools is the people here; there are so many talented students and teachers." -
Pam Vincent
Pam Vincent
Mandarin Teacher
"I love the entire day! Especially teaching my fun and creative students." -
Suzanna Wash
Suzanna Wash
Humanities Teacher
Suzanna is always on the move: between campuses, between countries, and on the dance floor... -
Ashley Wolfe
Ashley Wolfe
Advancement Associate
"SA is special, because it really encourages the growth of the whole person." -
Lin Yeu
Lin Yeu
STEM Teacher
Lin loves to travel (she’s been to 28 countries and counting) and she is a fierce competitor on the volleyball court.... -
Hillary Younglove
Hillary Younglove
Art Department Chair & Teacher
"...the arts are embraced here in a way that allows each student—and the community as a whole—to creatively evolve and try new things.” -
Lisa Zavieh
Lisa Zavieh, PhD
STEM Dept. Chair & teacher
Lisa’s career has prepared her to teach many things: physics, engineering, mathematics, karate, and figure skating... -
Chris Ziemer
Chris Ziemer
Director of Athletics & PE; Girls Soccer Head Coach
"There is nothing I look forward to more tthan being on the field, coaching..."
Sonoma Academy Is...
...the only private, independent, college preparatory high school in Sonoma County. On our beautiful campus nestled at the base of Taylor Mountain in Southeastern Santa Rosa, our students are able to explore their interests and passions in a rigorous and inspiring environment that develops a lifelong love of learning and prepares them for college and beyond.
Sonoma Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
