Faculty & Staff

Amy Neff, M.A.

MS Social Studies, HS World Religions

M.A., Education, University of California, Davis, Single Subject Social Science Credential, University of California, Davis, B.A. History, Brigham Young University

Joined Mount Madonna School in 2010

"I love learning about different cultures and time periods and sharing that knowledge with my students. I believe that the more we can learn about what has happened before us, the more we can understand our society today. I love that MMS gives me the opportunity to teach in creative and non-traditional ways that keep students engaged and inspires them to become life-long learners."

Bob Caplan, B.S.

Art, Advisory, Communication Skills, Student Guidance, Middle School

Teacher Certification, Metropolitan State College, Denver CO
B.S., Design, University of the Arts, Philadelphia PA
B.A., Liberal Arts, Temple University, Philadelphia PA

Joined Mount Madonna School in 2006

"When I accepted the teaching position offered to me by Mount Madonna School, I anticipated an environment in which individual teachers and learners would be recognized for our strengths, supported in our growth and challenged to expand our roles as global citizens. I have not been disappointed! I feel academically stimulated and personally fulfilled in this family-oriented community of learners. The school administration sets a tone of high expectations and responsible delegation for faculty and students, inspiring in me a sense of empowerment and commitment to the school's three pillars: academic excellence, creative self-expression and positive character development. This is especially appropriate for me as a teacher of visual arts and social/emotional intelligence. I am honored to share my passion for lifelong learning with the Mount Madonna School community."

Cassia Laffin, B.A.

First Grade

Elementary Credential, with emphasis on K-8 cross-cultural, language and academic development, Bethany Bible College; B.A., Sociology, UC Santa Cruz.

Joined Mount Madonna School in 2010

"I am thrilled to be working at Mount Madonna because it is a particularly nurturing and loving environment. As a First Grade teacher, I strive to make learning fun, exciting and meaningful. I do this by teaching thematically and infusing a great deal of music and art throughout our curriculum. Teaching first graders to read and write is not only a huge responsibility, but is extremely rewarding!

I care deeply for my students and fostering meaningful relationships. I hold social success in as high esteem as I do the academics. I am honored to join the staff at Mount Madonna, where I can be surrounded by others who are as passionate about their work as I am."

Isa Stead

Preschool Kindergarten Teaching Assistant

MMS Elementary Science Teaching Assistant in Children’s Garden, MMS Summer Program Fiber Arts Teacher

Joined Mount Madonna School in 2007

James Premdas "PD" Rohan, M.A.

Mathematics and Science, Middle School

M.A., Secondary Education Science, San Jose State University; California Clear Teaching Credential: Elementary (Multiple Subject) and High School (Single Subject), Mathematics; B.A., with honors, Mathematics, University of California, Santa Cruz; Montessori Early Childhood Teaching Credential; Service Learning 2000 Training; Lead Teacher Monterey Bay Area Math Project '85-'04; Monterey Bay Area Research Institute (MBARI) Lego Robotics Training; California Math Council Member

Joined Mount Madonna School in 1981

"I was attracted to teaching as a career not in college but ten years after when I visited a Montessori children's classroom in my hometown. The children were happy, engaged and learning. The children were treated with respect and, even more, as the princes and princesses that they would grow up to be. Thirteen years later, what attracted me to teaching mathematics at the middle and high school level were recollections of my first year of high school (ninth grade) where I was blessed with a mathematics teacher who not only knew the material (calculus) but was able to present it in a way that I could learn. He had high standards and we had to work hard. It was the most enjoyable course I have ever taken partly because of the material and partly because I identified with the teacher. I want students to feel the beauty, power and fun of mathematics."

Jen Block, B.A.

Spanish, Elementary and Middle School

B.A., Spanish, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Credential from Viterbo University, la Crosse, Wisconsin

Joined Mount Madonna School in 2009

"I enjoy teaching because it allows me to explore two of my greatest passions which are working with people and learning. As a teacher, you don't just give information to your students, but you learn along with them. Each person and student is a unique individual with his or her own creativity. Its really fun to see that develop in students as they learn about themselves and the world in which they live."

Jennifer Leach, M.A.

2nd Grade

M.A., Elementary Education, University of Colorado, Boulder; Elementary Teaching Credential

Joined Mount Madonna School in 2010

Jessica Cambell, B.A.

Elementary Physical Education and Science, 5th Grade

B.A., Liberal Studies with Language Arts and Literature Emphasis, California State University Monterey Bay; Elementary Teaching Credential

Joined Mount Madonna School in 2002; Took leave of absence to start a family; Returned Fall 2007

Jot S. McDonald, B.S.E.E.

Mathematics, Athletic Director, Middle and High School

B.S., Electrical Engineering, Seattle University

Joined Mount Madonna School in 2003

"Teaching allows me to explore the richness and challenges of mathematics along with the students. With a dedicated and motivated student body the mathematics curriculum is more of an exciting exploration than a repetition of facts. Teaching within the environment of Mount Madonna allows the students, and myself, a more contemplative atmosphere. Knowing all the students personally allows for a bonding which encourages each of us to strive to higher levels of understanding by supporting each other."

Leah Parker, M.A.

Middle and High School Music Teacher & Member of Performing Arts Directing Team

M.A., Music, University of California, Santa Cruz, B.M., Bachelor of Music, University of California, Santa Cruz

Joined Mount Madonna School in 2008

"What I like about teaching music is... Like all children my parents were giants to me. My mother was a teacher and would take me with her to school on days that I was 'sick.' I was in total awe of her extraordinary abilities as a linguist to conduct her class in multiple languages and I felt that I would never be able to do something like this. She would have Spanish-speaking children reading in English by the end of the year. As all these years have passed by, I have come to realize I have something special to impart to young minds in my own way. For me, it’s all about that moment when the light bulb comes on for a student. In music that moment is not necessarily a fact or an equation but rather an audible truth that can be known in a special musical way. Small daily efforts, group practice and many forgettable sessions of laboring with music can result in a night of a spectacular performance where everyone, including the students, is quite surprised at how good it can be. Those are the moments that make all the efforts memorable and worthwhile.

Linda Pope, B.A.

4th Grade

B.A., Liberal Studies Major Emphasis in Education, San Francisco State University, Clear Multiple Subject Credential, College of Notre Dame

Joined Mount Madonna School in 2008

Lisa Catterall, B.A.

Science, Middle and High School

B.A., Golden Key Scholar, Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder; AAI Industry Series; EMT-B Certified

Publications: Rudge SR, Kurtz TL, Vessely CR, Catterall LG, Williamson DL (2000). "Preparation, characterization and performance of magnetic iron-carbon composite microparticles for chemotherapy." Biomaterials 21, 1411-1420.
Rudge, S., Peterson, C., Vessely, C., Koda, J., Stevens, S., Catterall, L. (2001). "Adsorption and desorption of chemotherapeutic drugs from a magnetically targeted carrier (MTC)." Journal of Controlled Release Vol. 74, 335-340.

Joined Mount Madonna School in 2007

Lorraine Kinnamon, B.A.

Dance, Elementary School

California Teacher Credential, UCSC; B.A., Environmental Studies, UCSC; Dance Instructor & Performer since 1974

Joined Mount Madonna School in 2002

"I am sure I receive more than I give working with the children because they are so alive. I treasure reflecting that light back to them, hopefully helping to keep alive their curiosity and joy. Mount Madonna School's commitment to positive character development is an essential foundation to the success of the school as well as the child. The school provides an incredibly rich environment for learning. The faculty is infused with a sincere passion to teach and the children thrive in the beautiful natural surroundings. The creative process is strongly valued at Mount Madonna and, as a teacher, I treasure the freedom to be creative and to experiment, especially in the context of dance. Here it is not so much that I teach dance, but that I give the children the necessary tools and together we explore the makings of dance. Where else in this region do the children get to study drama, music and dance and feel so accomplished exploring them all! There is magic that happens up here!"

Martin Sampad Kachuck, M.A.

English, Middle School; Performing Arts Director

M.A., Directing Children's Theater, San Jose State University; B.A., Theater Arts, University of California, Santa Cruz; Professional Actor and Director.

Joined Mount Madonna School in 1983

"I treasure and appreciate teaching at Mt. Madonna School for a variety of reasons, including the setting of the school within an intentional community whose philosophical foundation is built upon ideals and values similar to my own. I greatly value the small class sizes and resulting magnified opportunity of getting to know my students personally. I am truly appreciative of the freedoms I am given as a teacher to develop curriculum and to experiment creatively in a supportive atmosphere. Both faculty and students are part of a dynamic learning community, where we all strive to be better at our craft, to be better in our roles as student/teacher and most importantly, to be better as people."

Matthew Meachen, M.A.

US and World History, High School

M.A., Education, Bethany University, Scotts Valley, CA, B.A., History, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN

Joined Mount Madonna School in 2005

Mayana Clarissa Lisboa, B.A.

Dance, Choreographer

B.A., Latin American and Latino Studies, UC Santa Cruz. A.A., Dance, Cabrillo College. CMP and Certified Yoga Instructor.

Joined Mount Madonna School in 2007

Melinda Soares, B.S.

HS Math and Physics

B.S., Physics, University of California, Santa Cruz

Joined Mount Madonna School in 2012

Melissa Sanders-Self, B.A.

English, Creative Writing

B.A., Literature and Creative Writing, Highest Honors, University of California, Santa Cruz; Published author and filmmaker.

Joined Mount Madonna School in 2001

"I love teaching at Mount Madonna School because it is a unique and special environment where emphasis is placed on the kind of learning that really matters. Our students inspire me with their intelligent questions, their motivation and their dedication to a thorough understanding of the material we are engaged in. The small class size allows us to discuss literature deeply until they understand the ramifications of the great literary themes on their personal lives as well as their connection to the universal human condition. I also love my fellow faculty and consider it an honor to work alongside so many dedicated educators who consistently strive to impart knowledge through authentic teaching, meeting each individual student where they're at in the place where they can learn."

Nathan "Nate" Stewart Rockhold

Preschool and Kindergarten Teacher, Elementary P.E. Teacher, Athletic Coach

Master Teaching Credential (near completion), ECE Department, Cabrillo College, Aptos, CA

Joined Mount Madonna School in 2008

Nicole Tervalon, Ph.D.

High School Mathematics, Technology, Yearbook

Ph.D., MIT, Cambridge, M.A. and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Woods Hole; M.A. (Joint Program), M.S., Oceanographic Engineering, MIT; B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Summa Cum Laude, Washington State University, Pullman, WA

Joined Mount Madonna School in 2004

"My passion has always been teaching. Not only do I like the challenge of inspiring students, but the thrill of seeing someone grasp a difficult concept they have been working on is extremely satisfying. I am very excited about teaching at MMS because it blends so many strengths I feel are essential for the most effective teaching/learning experience. The small class size, beautiful environment, supportive community, and up-to-date facilities all allow educating to be the focus of each day."

Oscar Perez, Ph.D.

High School Spanish, Creative Writing, Middle School Martial Arts

Ph.D., Portuguese and Brazilian Studies, Brown University, Executive Scholars Training Program, Inaugural Cohort member, B.A., English and American Literature, New Mexico State University, Ronald E. McNair Program Scholar, Teaching Assistant, Peer Counselor and Outreach Tutor, Derek Bok Center for Teaching Award for Distinction in Teaching at Harvard University

Joined Mount Madonna School in 2012

PK Elliott McDonald, B.S. ('04)

Middle and High School Mathematics; Athletic Coach

B.S., Civil Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA

Joined Mount Madonna School in 2009

Robin Hamsa Heinrich, B.A.

Third Grade

California Teaching Credential Work, University of California, Santa Cruz; B.A., American Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz

Joined Mount Madonna School in 1985

"It is exciting to spark the learning process with children. Getting to know a group of students and the different ways that they learn is always a unique and somewhat mysterious process. No two students are alike. I am also always learning from them. At Mount Madonna School we are encouraged to be creative and imaginative. The faculty is supported to take the students on field trips and life adventures, as well as to perform and present their own works. I enjoy working in the open environment that Mount Madonna School provides."

Ross Bryan, LMFT

High School Digital Photograhpy

LMFT, M.A., Counseling Psychology, John F. Kennedy University, B.S., Business Administration, University of Phoenix

Joined Mount Madonna School in 2011

Sadanand Ward Mailliard, B.A.

Government in Action, Values in Global Thought, High School

B.A., English, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Joined Mount Madonna School in 1981

"Each day I go into the classroom I am excited to be there because I am teaching what I love. In this wonderful academic setting that is Mount Madonna School, I am committed to bringing forth the ideas and concepts that will inspire our students to do those things in life that will, as Leon Kass says, 'make them worthy of their own admiration'."

Sandy Shaw, B.S.

Middle School Art

B.S., Business Administration, with Minor in Fine Art, University of Akron, Ohio