Ramsey Musallam
STEM Teacher, Director of Summer Programs, Robotics Coach
University of San Francisco, EdD
University of San Francisco, MA
University of California, Davis, BS
email:ramsey.musallam [at] sonomaacademy.org
University of San Francisco, EdD
University of San Francisco, MA
University of California, Davis, BS
email:ramsey.musallam [at] sonomaacademy.org
phone: (707) 545-1770 x3416
Ramsey teaches chemistry, biology, and robotics, as well as several technology-focused exploratories, and he is also the leader of our first Robotics team. Before coming to Sonoma Academy, he received his BS in Biochemistry from UC Davis, and his Masters in Education and Doctorate in Education from University of San Francisco.
Ramsey loves that Sonoma Academy sets time aside in the regular schedule for Exploratory classes where students can choose areas of interest and explore them in more depth, outside of the graded curriculum. He believes that they provide a structured mechanism for both students and teachers to learn new skills. He also loves Community Meeting because it is a regularly scheduled time for live student announcements, senior speeches, and celebrating student talents, something so refreshing and intimate in a world where most communication occurs through a device.
Ramsey says, “It is refreshing how the respect Sonoma Academy students have for their teachers transcends the name students call us by. I am constantly amazed by how respectful, insightful and curious our students are in all areas of community life.” His favorite part of his day at Sonoma Academy is teaching because the 80-minute classes allow time for in-depth discussions with students as well as engaging experiments. He believes that long class times and daily classes allow him to get to know his students and be creative with his teaching.
Ramsey enjoys teaching biology in particular. When he arrived at SA, he decided to take a creative risk and design a new biology curriculum derived from medical case studies. Prior to each unit, groups of student are presented with patient case studies and challenged to make a diagnosis. Content learned in researching patient symptoms and making a diagnosis provides a window for subsequent study. Ramsey was nervous that his students would be intimidated by the process, but thus far it has been a huge success.
Ramsey loves that Sonoma Academy sets time aside in the regular schedule for Exploratory classes where students can choose areas of interest and explore them in more depth, outside of the graded curriculum. He believes that they provide a structured mechanism for both students and teachers to learn new skills. He also loves Community Meeting because it is a regularly scheduled time for live student announcements, senior speeches, and celebrating student talents, something so refreshing and intimate in a world where most communication occurs through a device.
Ramsey says, “It is refreshing how the respect Sonoma Academy students have for their teachers transcends the name students call us by. I am constantly amazed by how respectful, insightful and curious our students are in all areas of community life.” His favorite part of his day at Sonoma Academy is teaching because the 80-minute classes allow time for in-depth discussions with students as well as engaging experiments. He believes that long class times and daily classes allow him to get to know his students and be creative with his teaching.
Ramsey enjoys teaching biology in particular. When he arrived at SA, he decided to take a creative risk and design a new biology curriculum derived from medical case studies. Prior to each unit, groups of student are presented with patient case studies and challenged to make a diagnosis. Content learned in researching patient symptoms and making a diagnosis provides a window for subsequent study. Ramsey was nervous that his students would be intimidated by the process, but thus far it has been a huge success.
I am constantly amazed by how respectful, insightful and curious SA students are in all areas of community life.
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.
