About
Meet Us: Faculty & Staff
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Caroline Adams
Caroline Adams
Director of Counseling -
Sourosh Amani
Sourosh Amani
Humanities Teacher -
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, Grade Level Dean
"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." -
Ricardo Cadena
Ricardo Cadena
Senior Facilities Technician -
James Castañeda
James Castañeda
STEM Teacher, Grade Level Dean
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 Global & Experiential Programs
Kelly knows a thing or two about design thinking, and not just because she is deeply engaged with current educational theory. -
Luis Castaneda
Luis Castaneda
Facilities Technician -
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. -
Ingrid Cousin
Ingrid Cousin
French Teacher -
Rolando Crisostomo
Rolando Crisostomo
Director of College Counseling -
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. -
Mario Dell'Olio
Mario Dell'Olio
Director of Music -
Darren Duarte
Darren Duarte
Fabrication Studio Lead
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." -
Kim Eber
Kim Eber
Director of External Relations
“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." -
Rhodora Espiritu
Rhodora Espiritu
Senior Accountant -
Janine Extavour
Janine Extavour
Director of Teaching & Learning -
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
Director of Facilities -
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... -
Martin Gilbertson
Martin Gilbertson
Performing Arts Production Manager -
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... -
Sarah Goble
Sarah Goble
Athletic Trainer -
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 & Visual Arts 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... -
Mike Hanas
Mike Hanas
"I am honored and thankful to be a part of this incredible school community at such an important and transformative time."
Interim Head of School -
Kerry Hanlon
Kerry Hanlon
Humanities Teacher
"At SA, I can teach material that I'm actually excited about, rather than having to manufacture excitement." -
Laura Hansen
Laura Hansen
Humanities Teacher -
Margaux Hardy
Margaux Hardy
Associate Director of Advancement -
Danny Harold
Danny Harold
Help Desk Associate/Facilities Team -
Emily Hernandez
Emily Hernandez
College Counseling Assistant -
Mark Hespenheide
Mark Hespenheide
STEM Teacher -
Jenn Huber
Jenn Huber
Accounting Associate -
David Hyde
David Hyde
Humanities Teacher, Grade Level Dean -
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. -
Charles Jaymes
Charles Jaymes
Head Chef -
Wendy Juarez
Wendy Juarez
Front Office and Attendance Coordinator -
Alex Kirby
Alex Kirby
Penn Fellow/STEM Teacher -
Kiska Kosagamez
Kiska Kosagamez
Global and Experiential Programs Coordinator
"When I came to SA, I realized what schools could be. We take young people’s aspirations and turn them into reality." -
Sierra LaBarge
Sierra LaBarge
STEM Teacher, Grade Level Dean -
Alberto Lana
Alberto Lana
Substitute Teacher/Study Hall Supervisor -
Rommel Loria
Rommel Loria
Assistant Head of School -
Alyssa Lucas-Bolin
Alyssa Lucas-Bolin
Speech & Debate Coach -
David Mahlaku
David Mahlaku
IT Systems Tech and BMS Engineer -
Megan Malone
Megan Malone
Associate Director of Communications
"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
Director of Admissions, 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; Humanities Teacher
Michele’s career path wound through some unexpected places on the way to the library. -
Katie May
Katie May
Associate Director of College Counseling
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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... -
Nyah McWIlliams
Nyah McWilliams
Student Experience & Belonging Coordinator -
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." -
Tayla Nielsen
Tayla Nielsen
Dance Teacher -
Spencer Nilsen
Spencer Nilsen
Digital Media CoordinatorAfter running his own music production company for several years, Spencer pivoted into education... -
Rose O'Neal
Rose O'Neal
Penn Fellow/STEM Teacher -
Margie Pugh
Margie Pugh
Director of Student Support
"No one can predict where your potential will take you." -
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... -
Maggie Scott
Maggie Scott
Health & Wellness Educator -
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 Coordinator
Beyond her administrative work, Irma is one of those staffulty who shares her interests and hobbies with the student community. -
Jim Sweeney
Jim Sweeney
STEM Teacher
Jim's Applied Math students do interdisciplinary projects to gain insight into how mathematics affects their everyday lives. -
Mac Sweeney
Mac Sweeney
Athletics Manager -
Christine Tantarelli
Christine Tantarelli
Payroll and HR Administrator -
James Tucker
James Tucker
Yearbook Advisor -
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." -
Jessica Walton
Jessica Walton
Director of Student Experience and Belonging -
Ashley Wolfe
Ashley Wolfe
Advancement Associate
"SA is special, because it really encourages the growth of the whole person." -
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..." -
Sally Ziemer
Sally Ziemer
PE Teacher & Coach
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, religion, ethnicity or national origin, citizenship, gender or gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or disability, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity or national origin, citizenship, gender or gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and tuition assistance programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
