Newsletter for COMINGS AND GOINGS
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Graduation is around the corner, which among many other activities and acknowledgements, means it is time for our annual Comings and Goings Friday Folder. This is always a bittersweet task. Saying goodbye to people who have given their all to RDS and our many students is never easy. Yet we do so with the conviction that their wonderful work here is complete and they now get to explore other sides of themselves in new settings. In other words, people leave when it best serves their growth as individuals, which is all that a school can hope for.
In the ritual of saying goodbye, schools are unlike other business institutions in that decisions to depart are made in January and February, but people do not head off until the end of June. On the flip side, the school hires new teachers and staff in the spring but they do not begin work until late August. There is a time warp to this process, which is why we wait until late in the year to print this newsletter.
First, we want to allow faculty and staff to tell colleagues and students in their own way and their own time. Second, we do not want to overwhelm families with a new announcement each week about who is not returning, especially since there is a lag between people announcing their leaving and the hiring of new faculty and staff. Third, by waiting, we get to give you just a tidbit of information about the new people coming in as well as the plans of those who are departing.
So here we go.
Jessamine Catalfo, who has been out on maternity leave since fall, has decided to not to return to RDS and is instead focusing all of her energy on motherhood. We wish her, Caleb and baby Keenan all the best. Vicky Green, who stepped in for Jessamine without missing a beat, will continue forward as our second grade teacher.
Allison Geller is leaving RDS to pursue a graduate degree in the Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Credential Program at the University of San Francisco. Taking over her second grade class next year is our very own Taj Simmons, who after three years of teaching third grade at RDS, has decided to take on the challenge of a different grade. Replacing Taj in third grade is Rhonda Takenya Smith, who has thirteen years of teaching experience in both independent and public schools.
After twelve years at RDS as our fourth grade teacher, Jeff Weissman, has decided to leave teaching to pursue some of his other interests, much in the way that a dozen years ago he left the world of photography to become a teacher. At the same time as we say goodbye to Jeff, we welcome a familiar face. Kelly Alexander, an intern in second grade this past year, is stepping up next year as the new fourth grade teacher.
Timothy Torres (aka, Mr. T.J), RDS Lower School PE Teacher for the past four years, is moving to the Philippines to be with his family. TeeJay, who began his career at RDS in our After-School Program, has been instrumental in growing our Lower School PE program.
Constance Moore is leaving teaching to attend school in art therapy and to work as a learning coach—helping students with transitions in their schooling. Oding Muata joins us as Middle School art teacher and brings with him thirteen years of experience teaching art in independent and public schools in the East Bay.
As many of you know, Middle School science teacher Beth Lowe had twins in late April (Cooper and Zachary), and she has decided to stay home next year to raise them. Lindsay Sandzik, who has been teaching science in the Los Angeles public schools, and before that with Teach for America, will take over seventh and eighth grade science next year. She will also bring her experience as Science Olympiad coach to RDS. Page Freyermuth, who gallantly took over when Beth left for maternity leave, is headed off to graduate school next year and a teaching job closer to home, at Marin Country Day School.
Bobby Young is leaving and next year will teach math and science at Windrush School in El Cerrito. Sarah Fahey will fill his role in 6th grade and will also bring her considerable coaching skills to the RDS athletic program. Sarah has most recently been teaching at the Katherine Burke School in San Francisco.
After fifteen years at RDS, Kazembe Ajamu has decided to move on to explore other career options in and outside of education. Jase Turner joins us as a Middle School PE Teacher and advisor next year. Many are already familiar with Jase, as he subbed at RDS during the first half of the year, prior to taking a long-term PE substitute position at Prospect Sierra School in March. In addition, Jase brings with him three years of professional baseball experience in the Kansas City Royals organization.
Eileen Batterberry, who married last weekend, is moving to New York City this summer with her husband. Lisa Horner joins us as the seventh and eighth grade English teacher and Student Government Advisor. For the past six years, Lisa has been teaching Middle School English at the Campbell Hall School in Los Angeles.
We wish all those that are departing nothing but the best. Many thanks.
Have a great weekend.
Mike Riera
