A native of the Bay Area, I grew up in Saratoga in the South Bay and graduated from Pinewood. After graduating from Hamilton College with a double major in Neuroscience and Theater, I returned to the Bay Area, working as the Drama Teacher and Performing Arts Director at Notre Dame San Jose. While teaching at Notre Dame, I spent several summers in New York, completing a master’s in Educational Theater at NYU (and seeing as many shows as I could manage!)

I love making theater and am excited to be the new Middle School Drama Teacher at Menlo this year. I live in Menlo Park with my husband and our baby twins. We love singing, seeing (and participating in) local theater, and trying out new recipes.

Originally from Santa Cruz, I completed my undergraduate studies at Stanford University and competed on their cross-country, triathlon, and cycling teams. Earning a degree in archaeology, I worked on a variety of projects in Italy, Turkey, England, and Mauritius. After returning to the Bay Area, I transitioned into education, completing a teaching credential in mathematics and a Master’s in Education. I have spent the past six years teaching middle school math in Palo Alto.

Outside of the classroom, I spend my free time swimming, running, cycling, and spending time with my husband and our border collie, Kenzie.

I’m originally from Seattle, Washington. Most recently, I served as Director of Performance for the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer. Prior to that, my experiences include Head of Athletic Performance for the San Jose Earthquakes, US Soccer, Performance Coach, San Jose Sharks, Strength and Conditioning Coach, Santa Clara University, Director of Performance, Analysis/Strength and Conditioning Coach/Volunteer Assistant, Coach for Women’s Soccer, Trinity Lutheran College, Head Women’s Soccer Coach, Pierce College, Head Men’s Soccer Coach, various Youth Club Programs either Coaching and Performance Staff. 

When I’m not coaching, I enjoy exploring and hanging out with family and friends as much as possible. 

Early in my career, I thought I wanted to be a research scientist working in the field of weather and climate. I chased tornadoes, flew planes through blizzards, and worked in remote sensing. Throughout these experiences though, I felt most inspired when working with the undergrad students as a teaching assistant. This motivated me to pivot into education.

I received my Master’s of Education from Stanford and have been in the classroom ever since! I taught middle school science at Graham Middle School in Mountain View for the past seven years and am looking forward to this new adventure here at Menlo.

Originally from Chicago, my love of the outdoors has blossomed since moving to California. I definitely do not miss those midwest winters. When I am not teaching you can find me hiking with my dog Stevie, trying new things like ceramics, or traveling to explore the ocean through scuba diving.

As a Bay Area native, I was raised on the Peninsula and continue to call it my home. I grew up with a deep fondness for reading, learning, and helping others, so at a young age I thought I might become a teacher.

I was the first in my family to graduate from college with a BA in English, all the while not certain if I would in fact take a traditional teaching path. To support my studies, I worked several part-time jobs and my favorite quickly made itself known: the library. It was while working alongside some incredible librarians at Redwood City Public Library that I discovered I could apply my passions and ambitions through librarianship. With this spark of inspiration, I continued my studies at SJSU. Throughout grad school I began working at Burlingame High School, overseeing the library and connecting with some awesome teens. After I earned my MLIS, I received my first professional librarian job as a Reference and Instruction Librarian at Palo Alto University. Though I enjoyed the thoughtful and academic environment of the university library, I missed all the energy and enthusiasm of the school library. Joining the Menlo community means I now get the best of both worlds and I am extremely excited to be a part of it!

When I’m not in and around libraries, you can find me diving into my next good read or movie, enjoying live music, traveling, hanging with my family and friends, popping into a local bookshop, and cozying up with Zushi, my crazy cat.

I come to Menlo after 11 years of experience teaching at a college level as well as 22 years of professional experience as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer throughout many institutions in the Bay Area. After graduating from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance in 2008, I pursued my two passions–dance and teaching–and became a Professor of Dance at my Alma mater.

I performed professionally for 10 seasons with sjDANCEco, directed by Gary Masters, in historical repertory works by Jose Limon including “There is A Time,” “Mazurkas,” “Missa Brevis,” and “The Waldstein Sonata.” Concurrently, I was also a member of REACH BC Dance Company, a San Francisco-based dance company directed by Heather Cooper and Raphael Boumalia for three seasons.

Prior to teaching at the university, I organized and co-directed a sought after dance program in the Bay Area for 10 years. There I developed and implemented a curriculum for elementary, middle school, and high school dancers to help them grow artistically and academically, achieve their full potential, and develop into well-rounded individuals by nourishing their body, mind, and spirit.

Prior to joining Menlo, I taught Kindergarten for a number of years. It was during this time I found my love for teaching and a passion for creating healthy learning environments that foster lifelong learners. I have experience counseling at the elementary and middle school level. While I love working with all age groups, I was drawn to middle school as it is a time of immense change socially, academically, and developmentally for our students. Having a support system to advocate for them is vital in maximizing their well-being.

When I am not at Menlo, you can find me perusing the aisles of Trader Joes, spending time with my golden doodles, and traveling–whether that be quick trips to the beach, or visiting my family in Ireland!

I am a Bay Area native and Menlo alum! After graduating from Menlo in 2014, I attended Carleton College where I majored in psychology and neuroscience. After college, I worked in the admissions office for two years at Woodland School in Portola Valley before moving to Nashville, Tennessee, to get my master’s at Vanderbilt’s Peabody College of Education. I am excited to return to Menlo and to work with the admissions team. I had a wonderful experience here as a student, and I am excited to help connect future classes with the opportunities a Menlo education provides.

Outside of work I love to cook, try new restaurants, read, hike, and spend time with my friends and family. 

After 26 years of teaching, coaching, and holding various administrative roles, I joined Menlo in 2021 as a part-time physical education teacher and varsity football coach. I am excited to join the Student Life team and continue to work in the Athletics department.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, I bleed black and gold. Following graduate school in my beloved city, I gained valuable experience as a classroom teacher and coach working for a few years in public schools. I returned to my alma mater, the Kiski School, to teach history, coach football and basketball, and serve as a dorm supervisor. From there, I became the Dean of Students, AP US History teacher, varsity football head coach, and varsity girls’ basketball head coach at the St. Mary’s School in Medford, OR.

The past 18 years, before arriving at Menlo in 2021, were spent at University School in Hunting Valley, OH, where I taught various levels of high school history, worked as a class dean, coached varsity football and freshman basketball, and lead the varsity track and field team as head coach.

I live in Palo Alto with my wife and three children. In my spare time, I particularly love to watch my son’s wrestling matches, my daughter’s softball games, and my oldest daughter’s dance performances.

Originally from the Bay Area, I’ve spent eight years in Los Angeles attending college and beginning my career in communications. At Loyola Marymount University I pursued my interests in photography, graphic design, and video, earning a degree in Multimedia studies with an Art History minor. Before joining Menlo School, I served as the Multimedia Specialist and Yearbook Coordinator at Windward School in Los Angeles, producing magazines and annual reports and partnering with the Advancement team on fundraising campaigns.

I am a technology and photography enthusiast—if you have any questions in those fields, you’ve come to the right person! In my free time, I enjoy exploring National Parks and doing landscape photography.

I’m excited to be working with such a welcoming team of professionals at Menlo School!

Originally from Missouri, I’ve been a California transplant since 2006. Prior to arriving here, I lived in Geneva, Switzerland, working as a Behavioral Therapist. After earning my BA in Psychology from the University of Tampa, I began my career in Mental Health, working as a Crisis Specialist for a nonprofit behavioral health organization.

I joined Menlo in the spring of 2008 as the Assistant to the Dean of Students. In 2012 I took some time off from work when my children were newly hatched, then transitioned to design work for a few years. However, I dearly missed the day-to-day life of working in a school and was brought back on staff at Menlo as the Assistant to the Dean of Students in the fall of 2017. In my new role as Communications Manager, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to blend my passions for project management, design, and communication.

I live in San Jose with my husband, daughter, son, and cat. I enjoy cooking, reading, making art, and hiking around the beautiful Bay Area.

I grew up in the East Bay before moving to Southern California to complete my undergraduate and Master’s degrees. I taught eight years of middle school history before moving back to the Bay Area in 2017, where I taught five years of U.S. History and was the Educational Technology Specialist for a private school. I love being in the classroom, making history relevant and relatable for students, supporting teachers to enhance their lessons and the student learning experience through technology integration.

In addition to teaching and Ed Tech, I enjoy traveling. I studied abroad in South Africa in college and spent some time volunteering for a nonprofit after completing my Bachelor’s degree. My love for other cultures and people groups allowed me to take students on volunteer and learning trips to the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Washington DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and The Navajo Nation. Additionally, I’ve coached middle school and JV high school volleyball.

In my free time, I love staying active, whether exercising, hiking, or spending time by the water. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, especially if good food is involved. 

I am a Bay Area native and Menlo alum! After graduating from Menlo in 2014, I attended Carleton College where I majored in psychology and neuroscience. After college, I worked in the admissions office for two years at Woodland School in Portola Valley before moving to Nashville, Tennessee, to get my master’s at Vanderbilt’s Peabody College of Education. I am excited to return to Menlo and to work with the admissions team. I had a wonderful experience here as a student, and I am excited to help connect future classes with the opportunities a Menlo education provides.

Outside of work I love to cook, try new restaurants, read, hike, and spend time with my friends and family. 

I’ve worked in education since 2004. I started at the nonprofit, Making Waves Education Program before transitioning to independent schools and working exclusively in the world of admissions for the last decade. Highlights of my career have included advising student affinity groups and clubs and working as an advocate for small cohorts.

I love meeting and working with new families and introducing prospective students to the myriad opportunities at independent schools to learn and grow. I am excited to join the vibrant and kind community at Menlo.

Activities I enjoy outside of work include reading, writing, traveling, surfing, watching basketball, and spending time with my dogs. Some of my favorite international travel destinations have been Cuba, Belize, and Australia.