Our faculty and staff are the heart of Keys School.

A diverse and talented group of individuals, our faculty and staff bring their passions to the classroom and the entire school community. Whether they are artists, bakers, scientists, musicians, gardeners, or mathematicians, they all share a genuine dedication to education and a deep commitment to seeing every Keys student flourish.

Lower School Faculty

Cynthia Arnold
Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Cynthia Arnold
Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Education: B.A. in Journalism and Public Relations from the University of Oregon; M.A. in Special Education from Notre Dame de Namur

Years at Keys: 2
Soren Bergeson
Third Grade Teacher

Soren Bergeson
Third Grade Teacher
Jeff Berridge
Lower School Physical Education Teacher

Jeff Berridge
Lower School Physical Education Teacher

Education: B.S. in Business Administration from Notre Dame de Namur; Single Subject Credential in Physical Education from Notre Dame de Namur
Years at Keys: 5
Carmen Centeno
Lower School Spanish Teacher

Carmen Centeno
Lower School Spanish Teacher

Education: B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello in Caracas, Venezuela; M.S. in Bilingual Education and ESL from the University of Houston Clear Lake
Years at Keys: 6
Patricia Chang
Coordinator of Student Support and Lower School Learning Specialist

Patricia Chang
Coordinator of Student Support and Lower School Learning Specialist

Education: B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Michigan; Ed.M. in School Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University
Years at Keys: 6
Sarah Copeland
First Grade Teacher

Sarah Copeland
First Grade Teacher

Education: BA in Psychology from The University of Vermont, MA in International Education from New York University
Years at Keys: 4
Yael Cushman
First Grade Teacher

Yael Cushman
First Grade Teacher

Education: B.A. in Art History from University of Oregon; Teaching Credential from DeLeT Fellowship – Hebrew Union College
Years at Keys: 8
Sharon Diamond
Lower School Counselor and Self-Science Teacher

Sharon Diamond
Lower School Counselor and Self-Science Teacher

Education: B.A. in Sociology and Social Services from UC Davis; M.A. in Marriage, Family, and Counseling from the University of Southern California
Years at Keys: 11
Corbin Dodd
Third Grade Assistant Teacher

Corbin Dodd
Third Grade Assistant Teacher

Education: B.A. in Geography from Macalester College

Years at Keys: 2
Susan Essary
Kindergarten Teacher

Susan Essary
Kindergarten Teacher

Education: B.A. from University of Buckinghamshire, England; Education certificate from Brunel University, England
Years at Keys: 12
Angie Higgins
Theatre Arts Teacher

Angie Higgins
Theatre Arts Teacher

Education: B.A. in Creative Art, minor in Drama from San Jose State University; M.A. in Theatre Arts Education from San Jose State University
Years at Keys: 21
Marisa Hodgett-Chiang
Lower School Music Teacher

Marisa Hodgett-Chiang
Lower School Music Teacher

Education: B.A. in Music Education from Loyola University, New Orleans; Orff Certification – Level I; Kodály Certification-Level I
Years at Keys: 15
Kathleen Jalalpour
Lower School Math Specialist

Kathleen Jalalpour
Lower School Math Specialist

I hear our eighth graders say, “I had to learn HOW I learn, and now I know that I can handle any math that comes along in high school.” This is my goal. With some students we kindle a love of mathematics that influences their life choices. For other students, we kindle an affection for mathematics, a feeling of, “I can do this. It’s not my passion, and I’m not the fastest, but that’s not what matters. I know I CAN do math – with understanding, with pleasure, and with success.”

Education: M.A. in Economics from the Free University of Berlin; CA Multiple Subject Credential; Experienced Singapore Math trainer for schools nationwide
Years at Keys: 25
Cameron Johnson
Lower School Technology Integrationist and MakerSpace Coordinator

Cameron Johnson
Lower School Technology Integrationist and MakerSpace Coordinator

Education: B.S. Public Relations from Northern Arizona University; M.Ed. in Instructional Technology from University of Maryland University College
Years at Keys: 3
Andrew Kaila
Fourth Grade Associate Teacher

Andrew Kaila
Fourth Grade Associate Teacher
Katie Laughlin
First Grade Associate Teacher

Katie Laughlin
First Grade Associate Teacher

Education: B.S. in Public Health Science and Psychology from Santa Clara University
Years at Keys: 2
Jackie Martin
First Grade Assistant Teacher

Jackie Martin
First Grade Assistant Teacher

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development from San Jose State University
Years at Keys: 2
Sean McConnell
Fourth Grade Teacher

Sean McConnell
Fourth Grade Teacher

Education:
Years at Keys: 2
Kelsey McMillan
Fourth Grade Teacher

Kelsey McMillan
Fourth Grade Teacher

Education: B.A. in Integrative Studies: Art History/Women’s Studies/Modern Dance from Guilford College; M.S. in Museum Education and Childhood General Education from Bank Street College of Education
Years at Keys: 8
Fiona Merridew
Lower School Librarian

Fiona Merridew
Lower School Librarian

Education: B.A. in Fine Arts from University of Witwatersrand; M.A. in Art Therapy and Family and Marriage Therapy from Notre Dame de Namur
Years at Keys: 5
Kiri Nakamura
Second Grade Teacher

Kiri Nakamura
Second Grade Teacher

Education: B.A. in English from University of Pennsylvania
Years at Keys: 6
Maria Purcell
Kindergarten Teacher

Maria Purcell
Kindergarten Teacher

Education: B.Ed. and Double Major in English Literature, Philosophy and World Religions from University of Wales College
Years at Keys: 7
Quinton Rief
Coordinator of Auxiliary and Summer Programs

Quinton Rief
Coordinator of Auxiliary and Summer Programs

Education: B.A. in Outdoor Recreation from Indiana University Bloomington
Years at Keys: 4
Holly Sheetz
Third Grade Teacher

Holly Sheetz
Third Grade Teacher

Education: B.A. in Early Childhood Education and General Science from Boston College; M.A. in Reading and Literacy from Boston College
Years at Keys: 8
Nicole Shiotani
Lower School Math Specialist

Nicole Shiotani
Lower School Math Specialist

Education: B.A. in English from Emory University; M.Ed. in Multicultural Education from George Mason University
Years at Keys: 12
Anitha Sunder Ram
After Care Assistant

Anitha Sunder Ram
After Care Assistant

Education: BA in English Language and Literature
Years at Keys: 5
Manisha Tejura
After Care Assistant

Manisha Tejura
After Care Assistant

Education: MA in Commerce from Mumbai University
Years at Keys: 5
Grace Ting
Lower School Mandarin Teacher

Grace Ting
Lower School Mandarin Teacher

Education: M.A. in TESOL from San Jose State University, California Single Subject Credential in Mandarin, San Jose State University
Years at Keys: 9
Julien Tomasello
Lower School Art Teacher

Julien Tomasello
Lower School Art Teacher

Education: B.A. in Fine Art from Monmouth University & Parsons School of Design; M.F.A. in Visual Art from School of the Museum of Fine Arts; M.A.T. in Visual Art Education from University of the Arts, Philadelphia
Years at Keys: 3
Maresa Tucker
Lower School Science Teacher

Maresa Tucker
Lower School Science Teacher

Education: B.A. in Psychology from University of California, Berkeley; M.A. in Education from University of California, Los Angeles
Years at Keys: 8
Kathryn Varda
Lower School Reading Specialist

Kathryn Varda
Lower School Reading Specialist

Education: B.Ed. in Education from Leicester University, England
Years at Keys: 18
Jackie Wyant
Second Grade Teacher

Jackie Wyant
Second Grade Teacher

Education: B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Cornell University; M.S. in Elementary Education from Northwestern University
Years at Keys: 8
Brian Yanari
Second Grade Assistant Teacher

Brian Yanari
Second Grade Assistant Teacher

Education: A.A. in Liberal Arts from West Valley College; B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development from San Jose State University

Years at Keys: 2
Steve Zehrung
Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Steve Zehrung
Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Years at Keys: 2

Middle School Faculty

María José Arrufat Marqués
Middle School Spanish Teacher

María José Arrufat Marqués
Middle School Spanish Teacher

Education: B.A. in English Philology from Universitat Jaume I in Castello, Spain; M.A. in Teaching English in Multilingual Contexts from Universitat Jaume I in Castello, Spain; M.A. in Applied Second Language Acquisition from Carnegie Mellon University; PhD in Applied Linguistics from Universitat Jaume I in Castello, Spain
Years at Keys: 2
Khalid Birdsong
Middle School Art Teacher and Communications

Khalid Birdsong
Middle School Art Teacher and Communications

Education: B.F.A. from Howard University in Washington D.C.
Years at Keys: 9
Chris Chiang
Middle School Social Studies Teacher

Chris Chiang
Middle School Social Studies Teacher

Education: B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Irvine; M.A. in Teaching History from Stanford University; M.A. in Educational Leadership from Columbia University

Years at Keys: 2
Ying Cui
Middle School Mandarin Teacher

Ying Cui
Middle School Mandarin Teacher
Mary Ann Davis
Middle School English Teacher

Mary Ann Davis
Middle School English Teacher
Louise Fernquest
Middle School English Teacher

Louise Fernquest
Middle School English Teacher

Education: B.A. in Languages and Literature from Canterbury University, Christchurch, New Zealand
Years at Keys: 24
Shermagne Gunn
Middle School Physical Education Teacher

Shermagne Gunn
Middle School Physical Education Teacher

Education: B.A. in Physical Education from CSU-Chico; CA Teaching Credential in Physical Education
Years at Keys: 21
Angie Higgins
Theatre Arts Teacher

Angie Higgins
Theatre Arts Teacher

Education: B.A. in Creative Art, minor in Drama from San Jose State University; M.A. in Theatre Arts Education from San Jose State University
Years at Keys: 21
Cathy Hsu
Middle School Counselor

Cathy Hsu
Middle School Counselor

B.A. in Psychology from the State University of New York at Binghamton, Psy.D. in Professional Child /School Psychology from New York University

Years at Keys: 1
Corrinne Lieu
Middle School Math Teacher

Corrinne Lieu
Middle School Math Teacher

Education: BA in Marketing/Communications and English from Monash University in Australia, and a Certificate in Education from the National Institute of Education in Singapore
Years at Keys: 8
Roberto Magellan
Middle School Student Supervisor

Roberto Magellan
Middle School Student Supervisor

Education: B.A. in Psychological Services and Physical Education from the University of San Francisco; Post Graduate Studies in Counseling

Years at Keys: 2
Stephanie Norton
Middle School English Teacher

Stephanie Norton
Middle School English Teacher

Education: B.A. in Human Biology from Stanford University
Years at Keys: 6
Terence Pellum
Middle School Athletic Director and P.E. Teacher

Terence Pellum
Middle School Athletic Director and P.E. Teacher
Zane Ranney
Middle School Math Teacher

Zane Ranney
Middle School Math Teacher

Education: B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; M.A. in Mathematics Education from Kings College London

Years at Keys: 2
Jeff Redlawsk
Middle School Music Teacher

Jeff Redlawsk
Middle School Music Teacher

Education: B.M in Percussion Performance from Western Michigan University; M.A. in Percussion Performance from San Jose State University
Years at Keys: 10
Kinga Sarmasi
Extended Day Coordinator

Kinga Sarmasi
Extended Day Coordinator

Education: B.A. in Teaching Math and Physics from West University of Timisoara, Romania
Years at Keys: 4
Kelsey Simpson
Middle School Social Studies Teacher

Kelsey Simpson
Middle School Social Studies Teacher

Education: B.A. in History from Western Washington University
Years at Keys: 2
Jessica Snapp
Middle School Spanish Teacher

Jessica Snapp
Middle School Spanish Teacher

Education: BS in Secondary Education and Spanish from The State University of New York, Oneonta
Years at Keys: 4
Jennifer Spaeth
Middle School Science Teacher

Jennifer Spaeth
Middle School Science Teacher

Education: B.A. in Biology from U.C. Santa Cruz; M.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Policy from the University of London, Wye College
Years at Keys: 13
Monica Sullivan
Middle School Learning Specialist

Monica Sullivan
Middle School Learning Specialist

Education: B.A. in Psychology from San Francisco State University; Special Education Teaching Credential from National Hispanic University
Years at Keys: 6
Steven Zeigler
Middle School Technology Integrationist

Steven Zeigler
Middle School Technology Integrationist

Education: B.A. in History from Cal State – Sacramento; Apple Certified Macintosh Technician and Google Certified Educator
Years at Keys: 11
Katrina Zerga
Middle School Science Teacher & Outdoor Education Coordinator

Katrina Zerga
Middle School Science Teacher & Outdoor Education Coordinator

Education: B.S. in Anthropology and Biology from the University of Oregon
Years at Keys: 27

Staff

Kate Atmore
Director of Advancement

Kate Atmore
Director of Advancement

Education: B.A. & M.A. in Social Psychology from Stanford University
Years at Keys: 13
Alyson Abrego
Assistant Director of Development for Data Management

Alyson Abrego
Assistant Director of Development for Data Management

Education: B.S. in Marketing from Santa Clara University; M.B.A. in Business Administration from U.C. Berkeley
Years at Keys: 6
Susanna Bonetti
Middle School Office Administrator

Susanna Bonetti
Middle School Office Administrator

Education: A.A. in Library Technology from City College San Francisco; B.A. in Italian Literature from Universita’ di Bologna
Years at Keys: 1
Maria de la Paz
Business Assistant

Maria de la Paz
Business Assistant

Education: B.A. in Behavioral Science from Notre Dame de Namur University
Years at Keys: 13
Katie Dlesk
Assistant Head of Middle School/Curriculum Coordinator

Katie Dlesk
Assistant Head of Middle School/Curriculum Coordinator

Education: B.A. in History from Yale University; Ed.M. in School Leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education
Years at Keys: 7
Betsy Doss
Head of Lower School

Betsy Doss
Head of Lower School

“Keys students are caring and unique individuals. They have the confidence to be themselves and the willingness to accept and encourage others to do the same.”

Education: B.A. in Environmental Biology and Psychology; Elementary Education Certification from University of Colorado, Boulder; M.A. in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University
Years at Keys: 9
Ella Duncanson
Director of Development and Alumni Coordinator

Ella Duncanson
Director of Development and Alumni Coordinator

Education: B.A. in Law and Society from University of California, Santa Barbara; ABA/AALS from California Western School of Law
Years at Keys: 6
Manny Hernandez
Lower School Maintenance Technician

Manny Hernandez
Lower School Maintenance Technician

Education: Certified in Appliance Work, Lead and Asbestos Abatement, Mold Prevention; Graduate of Prospect High School, San Jose
Years at Keys: 5
Douglas Ibey
Controller

Douglas Ibey
Controller

Education: B.S. in Business Administration with an Accounting Emphasis from University of Montana; B.S. in Computer Engineering with a minor in Electrical Engineering from Montana State University
Years at Keys: 8
Victoria Kimball
Assistant Director of Admission

Victoria Kimball
Assistant Director of Admission

Education: A.S. from Valencia Community College
Years at Keys: 5
Michelle Mathers
Senior Office Administrator, Lower School

Michelle Mathers
Senior Office Administrator, Lower School

Education: A.A. in Environmental Studies; B.A. in Environmental Studies with a Minor in Social Science
from San Jose State
Years at Keys: 11
Ryan Matyjasik
Director of Technology

Ryan Matyjasik
Director of Technology

Education: B.S. in Elementary Education from Cleveland State University
Years at Keys: 11
Sara Poplack
Interim Director of Admission

Sara Poplack
Interim Director of Admission

I had the most amazing teacher in fifth grade who presented us with problems and never gave too much guidance. Whether we were creating our own indoor planetarium or taking field trips to search for trilobite fossils and examine fault lines, the classroom was active, student-led, project-based, and challenging. The takeaways I have from that year as a student are quite in line with current educational theory and best practices. I find myself pulling from both as I work with teachers to promote inquiry and challenge in our curriculum.

Education: B.A. in Psychology: Neuroscience from Colby College; M.A. in Elementary Education from Fairfield University; M.A. in Educational Leadership and Administration from Santa Clara University (in progress)
Years at Keys: 9
Larry Purcell
Head of Middle School

Larry Purcell
Head of Middle School

“Keys is more than just a school at which to learn. Keys is an experience to live. I have worked in schools where curriculum, test scores and standards are the measure of success. At Keys, the measure of success is one of heart and head, of process not product, and of connection to community. Those qualities align with my philosophy as an educator and as a human being – perfectly.”

Education: B.A. in Theatre from UC-San Diego; M.Ed. in Instructional Leadership from University of Illinois-Chicago
Years at Keys: 12
Heather Rogers
Head of School

Heather Rogers
Head of School

“I’m thrilled to be a part of the Keys community because its mission resonates deeply with me. Every person I’ve met values intellectual engagement, cultivating authentic connection and relationship, and developing emotional intelligence. Students, teachers, and parents alike recognize that social emotional learning is essential to academic success – something I firmly believe in. The community knows that social emotional learning is critical to knowing oneself, and knowing oneself, as Aristotle posits, is the beginning of all wisdom. I’ve found the Keys community to provide an oasis in the heart of Silicon Valley where wonder of learning and childhood are sacred!”

Education: B.A. English with a concentration in Medieval Literature from Dartmouth College; Teaching Fulbright in the Classics at the American Academy in Rome, Italy; M.Ed. Private School Leadership from the University of Hawaii, Manoa
Years at Keys: 3
Kipp Trieu
Assistant Head of Lower School/Curriculum Coordinator

Kipp Trieu
Assistant Head of Lower School/Curriculum Coordinator

Education: B.A. in Communication, Education Studies, and International Studies from the University of California, San Diego; Diplôme du Programme International from Sciences Po – Paris (Institut d’études politiques de Paris); M.Ed. in Elementary Curriculum & Instruction, Multiple Subject Teaching Credential – English Learner Authorization, Single Subject Teaching Credential – English, Supplementary Authorization – Introductory French from the University of California, San Diego; Ed.D. in Urban Leadership and Education from the Johns Hopkins University (expected May 2022)
Years at Keys: 2
Cathie Whalen
Director of Finance and Operations

Cathie Whalen
Director of Finance and Operations

Education: B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting and Finance from University of California, Berkeley; Progress toward Masters in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling from Santa Clara University

Years at Keys: 1