President &
Head of School

Dr. Kenneth Rodgers, Jr.

Dr. Kenneth Rodgers, Jr. is President and Head of School. He holds an MA in Education from Pepperdine University and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from USC, where his research focused on critical consciousness development, political efficacy, and the subversion of state violence practiced by Black and Latinx youth activists in Los Angeles. For undergrad, Kenneth attended Boston’s Berklee College of Music and is an accomplished and widely traveled musician and songwriter. 

Prior to assuming the Headship, Kenneth served as SLA’s Director of Academics. He has spent time developing academic curricula and instructional strategies at public and charter schools in Los Angeles; has taught and designed coursework in history, economics, psychology, government, English, and politics; and has coached and mentored numerous teachers. Before pursuing a career in education, Kenneth founded and managed a music entertainment business. 

Kenneth grew up on the east coast and loves music, film, and coffee. He aspires to engage with farming as a means of stewarding land, growing food, and movement building.

Academic &
Student Affairs

Nicoli Stamps

Assistant Head of School

Nicoli Stamps is Assistant Head of School. She is a little bit of a rare bird in the sense that she was born and raised in Los Angeles and decided she would like an opportunity to engage with different cultures across the country. Her desire to move far away from the West Coast led to her receiving her BA in Psychology with minors in Education and Sociology from Duke University. After spending four years in the South, she traveled north where she received an EDM in Prevention, Science, and Practice and a secondary EDM in School Social Work from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. 

Prior to SLA, Nicoli spent the last seven years working for a public charter school in South Los Angeles. She was initially hired as a DIS Counselor who provided social and emotional counseling services to students with identified learning disabilities. After spending several years building out the school’s social and emotional learning program, she transitioned to become Assistant Principal where she encouraged the ninth grade team to think about how students successfully transition to high school, continued to develop the school’s social emotional program, and oversaw the special education and electives departments.

Outside of education, Nicoli loves to discover new restaurants, explore new countries, and go to the movies. She is also a huge sport enthusiast! Feel free to ask her to share her story about why she was destined to become a Lakers fan.


  • Carlos Kassam-Clay

    Director of Academic Affairs

    Carlos Kassam-Clay is Director of Academic Affairs. Carlos completed his undergraduate studies at UC Davis, going on to earn his master’s degree in secondary education from the University of Pennsylvania and his administrative leadership certification from Johns Hopkins University.

    Prior to SLA, Carlos worked as a teacher and administrator in schools in Miami, Philadelphia, Mexico City and Los Angeles. Most recently, he oversaw instruction, curriculum and counseling at San Marino High School, where he worked with community partners to offer new STEM and humanities courses. Instructionally, he collaborates with teachers to design and develop student-centered classroom environments.

    Carlos is a California native and a self-described, "city boy." However, he has recently discovered the joys of camping, hiking and the outdoors in general. Outside of school you can find him on the tennis courts or reading science fiction.

  • Charles Watterson, Jr., M.Ed.

    Director of Student Affairs

    Chuck Watterson, Jr. is Director of Student Affairs. He has been working with youth in various capacities for over thirty years. Chuck grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he received his undergraduate degree in Secondary Education from Temple University and earned his master’s in Counseling Psychology from the West Chester University of Pennsylvania. He has worked in multiple facets of education, including as a teacher of English, a coach, a counselor, mentor, and Director of Residential Life—always believing that respect, responsibility, and relationships are foundational to teaching and impacting the lives of young people.

    Committed to the idea of community, Chuck realizes that as part of any society it is important to find effective ways to communicate, develop accountability, and celebrate our differences as well as our commonalities.

    Chuck practices transcendental meditation, and in his spare time enjoys cooking, reading, enjoying film and television, exercising—and he’s not afraid of a good nap!

  • Bruce Poch

    Director of College Guidance

    Bruce Poch is Director of College Guidance. Bruce earned his A.B. in Government and English at Oberlin College, and completed his Ed.M. in Administration, Planning and Social Policy at Harvard University.

    Before his work at SLA, Bruce served as Dean of Admissions and Executive Director of College Counseling at Chadwick School, and as Vice President and Dean of Admissions at Pomona College for 23 years.

    A frequent commentator on issues of college access, equity, and the development of uniquely diverse educational communities, Bruce has written on college admission and aid for Newsweek, The New York Times, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and National Public Radio.

    Bruce will work closely with students and their caregivers to help students think hard about how they learn best, the opportunities they seek, and the communities they hope to join both in college and thereafter. When they visit his office, they may get the chance to hang out with his Beagle, Lucas, too.

  • William Pearson

    Dean of Faculty
    Co-Chair, Humanities Department

    William Pearson is Dean of Faculty. He graduated with a BA in English and a minor in Philosophy from Sewanee: The University of the South. His senior honors thesis focused on hope in Dante’s Divine Comedy.

    He enjoys studying poetry, English and Irish literature, and the philosophy of Wittgenstein. William fully indulged his inner Anglophile by studying abroad at St. John’s College at Oxford, and hopes he can return some day for graduate work.

    Outside of academics, William plays rugby, loves the outdoors, and is an avid sports fan.

  • Jane McCarron

    Dean of Student Life
    Chair, Visual and Performing Arts Department

    Jane McCarron is Dean of Student Life and a member of the Visual and Performing Arts Department. She holds a BA in Dramatic Literature and Studio Art from Wheaton College and an MA in Theatre Education from the University of Northern Colorado.

    Jane is a professional actress and vocalist as well as a working artist. She has been directing Youth Theatre since her freshman year in college, when she discovered that kids were way more fun to work with than adults. Away from SLA, Jane is an avid reader of fiction, a tide pool enthusiast, and an amateur gardener.

  • Oshae Rodgers

    Dean of Service and Justice

    Oshae Rodgers is Dean of Service and Justice. He received his Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Ethnic Studies from UCLA, and most recently taught both middle school and upper school courses in the History Department at Campbell Hall.

    Oshae’s work is driven by the ongoing cultivation of critical consciousness and holistic praxis in education and service. He brings a wealth of experience in public, charter, and independent schools with him—including curating hands-on learning experiences, trips, and service opportunities, as well as involving students in community organizing and movement work.

    Oshae takes pride in all aspects of his identity, being from the Southwest while having roots in Philly and in Puerto Rico. He enjoys being in nature, staying active by playing sports like tennis and basketball, and is always up for a good novel at a local café.

  • Janie Hannon

    Dean of Academic Services

    Janie Hannon is Dean of Academic Services. Janie holds a BA from Sewanee: The University of the South in History, with minors in Art History and German.

    Janie came to SLA in 2015 as the registrar and a member of the faculty. At SLA, she previously taught Latin and History and co-directed the College Counseling program. She also coached Cross Country and Track in the before times.

    Janie is from Nashville, TN, loves fried chicken, and does not have a Southern accent (except when she says “lawyer”).

Chaplain

Megan Hollaway

Chaplain

The Rev. Megan Hollaway is Chaplain. She has over twenty years of experience working directly with young people in a variety of settings. Ordained in 2007, she served as Associate Rector for three years at Grace Church, Kilmarnock, Virginia. While there, she also served on the board of the local Boys and Girls Club, started a monthly community dinner at an apartment complex for elderly and low-income residents, and organized immersion trips and pilgrimages that allowed people to learn directly from peacemakers in American cities, Ireland, and the Holy Land. She has been with SLA since 2010.

Megan received her Master of Divinity from Yale University in 2007. Before divinity school, she worked as a clinical social worker for three years in public mental health and private practice, specializing in trauma and family therapy. Megan received her Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2000 and did her clinical internships in hospice and domestic violence. For four years, she lived and worked at Richmond Hill, an ecumenical and interracial religious community committed to healing the city of Richmond around issues of race, jurisdiction, and economics. In 2005, she studied at the Summer Peacebuilding Institute at Eastern Mennonite University, a graduate-level program in conflict transformation.

Megan was raised on a military base outside of Washington, DC. She currently lives in South Pasadena with her husband, James Ponsoldt, who is a filmmaker; their three children, John, Alice, and Jem; and one cat.

Advancement

William Litton

Director of External Relations

Will Litton is Director of External Relations and leads the Advancement Team. Before joining SLA, he served as Head Writer and Communications Strategist in the Office of Enrollment and Student Advancement at the University of Chicago. He served as SLA’s Director of Admissions for four years and Director of Communications for three years.

Will holds a Master of Fine Arts from the Graduate Programs in Writing at the University of California, Irvine, where he received the Strauss Fellowship. He also holds a BA with Honors in Literary Arts from Brown University, where he received the Weston Prize. He taught rhetoric and creative writing for several years at UC Irvine, and taught literature at the Governor’s School of North Carolina. He occasionally teaches courses in the humanities at SLA, including courses on radical feminism and revolutionary class politics.

Outside of SLA, he spends his time organizing and studying in autonomous, working-class spaces.


  • Courtney Richter

    Director of Enrollment Management

    Courtney Richter is the Director of Enrollment Management. Prior to joining SLA, Courtney worked in Admissions at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles for seven years, most recently leading the department as Associate Dean.

    Courtney holds a Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art from the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University, and a BA from Wellesley College in Art History and Studio Art.

    Outside of work, you can find Courtney going on neighborhood walks with her wife and daughter, dabbling in her studio practice, exploring the many cuisines of LA, or video calling her family on the east coast.

  • Jack Lawrence Mayer

    Communications Manager

    Jack Lawrence Mayer is Communications Manager. He earned his BA in Cinema Studies from the University of Chicago, where he received the Edes Prize for Emerging Artists.

    Before joining SLA, Jack was an award-winning film and theater maker. In Chicago, he was the founder and Artistic Director of Screen Door, a multimedia immersive theater company. He came to Los Angeles after he wrote and directed an HBO mini-series, and has spent the last decade as a storyteller, educator, and designer. Most recently, Jack wrote and directed his first feature film, which won Best Feature at the Rhode Island International Film Festival and was released in August of 2021.

    In addition to his work in the creative arts, Jack is also an experienced and passionate instructor. He has designed curriculum for seminars in film studies and production, and has spent many years tutoring teens and young adults in one-on-one and group settings.

    Outside of work, Jack enjoys long dog walks, Dodgers games, and film photography.

  • Colin Beckett

    Advancement Associate

    Colin Beckett is Advancement Associate. Prior to SLA, he worked as a writer, editor, and publicist, primarily in the spheres of non-fiction book and magazine publishing and documentary film. He has worked for organizations including Verso Books, AK Press, Icarus Films, and UnionDocs Center for Documentary Art. His writing has been published in outlets including Brooklyn Rail, BOMB, and Guernica.

    He grew up in Portland, Maine. He holds a BA from Fordham University with a concentration in visual arts.

    Colin lives in Hollywood with his partner and their dog. Outside of work, he spends his time organizing with neighbors to build collective power, reading, watching movies, seeing friends, and eating around Los Angeles.

  • Jackelinne Chonay

    Admissions Associate

    Jackelinne Chonay is Admissions Associate. Prior to joining SLA, Jackelinne worked as a special needs caregiver and volunteer instructor for youth, ages five through nine. Previous to that, she was an experienced UX designer with a background in digital editing and graphic design, with a career building and managing websites with an emphasis on usability, e-commerce, and consumer experience. Across Jackelinne’s professional journey, the through line has always been a passion for building relationships, a skill for communicating with people across diverse backgrounds, and a deep care for other people.

    Born in Guatemala, Jackelinne has lived in Los Angeles since she was eight years old. She values quality time with her family, exploring flea markets and the many cuisines and coffee shops of Los Angeles with her sisters, and spending downtime with her two cats.

Department Chairs

  • Ché Caruthers

    Chair, Languages Department

    Ché Caruthers is Chair of the Languages Department. He received his BA in Philosophy with a minor in Spanish from California State University San Bernardino in 2015 and his Master’s in Applied Spanish Linguistics to Teach as a Foreign Language from Nebrija University in Madrid, Spain in 2017, where his thesis focused on the linguistic attitudes of Mexican heritage Spanish speakers towards academic Spanish. Prior to joining SLA, Ché taught AP Spanish, native/heritage Spanish, and non-native Spanish at all levels.

    He has also worked with Teach for America throughout the years as an Instructional Coach, D.E.I. Facilitator, Spanish Content Expert, and Curriculum Specialist with new teachers from around the country who were looking to start their career in education in Los Angeles.

    At SLA, Ché teaches classes in both Spanish and French, and he is currently enrolled in a Doctorate of Modern Languages program at Middlebury College in both languages.

    When not teaching, Ché enjoys practicing yoga (vinyasa), rock climbing, reading, cooking, and politics.

  • Grayson Throckmorton

    Chair, STEM Department

    Grayson Throckmorton is Chair of the STEM Department. He was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, and moved to California to pursue his BA at Stanford University. While at Stanford, Grayson studied Human Biology and Theater & Performance. He served in the Office of Student Engagement and as a Director with Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies facilitating its Medical Youth Science Program. 

    After undergrad, Grayson moved to South Los Angeles to begin teaching science at a public charter school. While teaching there, he received his MA in Education from Loyola Marymount University with a focus in Educational Policy and Administration. During his time teaching, Grayson has also served as Operations Lead in a clinical laboratory, most recently supporting SARS-CoV-2 testing and research. 

    For Grayson, the process and purpose of science inquiry is grounded in seeking to understand. He hopes that through collaborative learning, real-world investigation and some good jokes along the way, we may seek to better understand each other and the world(s) / universe(s) around us. Apart from this passion, Grayson loves musical theater, improv, cycling, coffee, and spends way too much time on TikTok.

  • Gabe Yoon-Milner

    Co-Chair, Humanities Department

    Gabe Yoon-Milner is Co-Chair of the Humanities Department. He received a BA in History from Vassar College in 2004 and a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley in 2013, where his research focused on historical memory and popular culture in the turn-of-the-century United States. Since graduating, he has taught courses in US History, African American History, US Urban History, and US popular culture at colleges around the Bay Area. 

    When not teaching, writing, and reading about the “old, weird America,” he likes seeking it out—in wax museums, public art, miniature golf courses, and state capitol buildings.

Faculty

  • David Alyson Albright

    Humanities Department
    (they/he) 

    David Alyson Albright is a member of the Humanities Department. They believe that learning and telling stories are intricately linked skills—one cannot happen without the other. They also believe that all people have the capacity to do both and that is part of what makes us human. They have learned that we can’t really know who we are until we begin to see what is possible in this world. This requires us to read, to study, but also to act. 

    They have spent their time as a writer, an organizer and a popular educator. They are excited to bring stories and questions they have gained from those experiences into the classroom. They love Los Angeles in all its contradictions and hope their classroom will be a place where students come to better know their city, their neighbors, and their own capacity to act in the world. Like Paolo Freire, they believe the teacher learns.

  • Brandon Carnes

    STEM Department

    Brandon Carnes is a member of the STEM Department. Brandon grew up on various U.S. Naval bases across Europe, until his family settled in the mountains of Eastern Oregon. He attended the University of Eastern Oregon, where he studied Economics, Sociology, and Business Management, dedicating his free time to technical and performance theatre.

    Brandon’s journey in education was not typical. After the birth of his daughter, he quit his sales/finance job to be a stay-at-home father. When his daughter’s preschool was looking to expand, Brandon went back to school to study early childhood development and ended up as a preschool teacher. He discovered two things: that he loved education and that four-year-olds are not to be trifled with. It was when Brandon started substitute teaching middle school math that he discovered how fulfilling education could be—and how he could make a difference in the world.

    Brandon’s wife is a non-profit attorney who works in the field of elder law, and his daughter is thriving at a local charter school in Hollywood. His dog, Frida, is in dire need of a haircut at all times.

  • David Deluty

    Creative and Visual Arts Department

    David Deluty is a member of the Visual and Performance Arts Department. He received his BFA in Illustration from the Maryland Institute College of Art, where he continued on to earn an MFA in Education. Prior to working at SLA, David taught visual arts curriculum at independent and public schools in Washington, California, and Virginia. 

    In his practice and teaching, David specializes in digital painting—but he is equally passionate about illustration, graphic design, ceramics, UI/UX design, and bookmaking. 

    Outside of work, David enjoys spending time with his dog, Kiba, working on cars, and watching Ravens games.

  • Graciella Duenas

    Languages Department

    Graciella was born in Los Angeles, California and raised in Cali, Colombia. She attended college at ICESI University in Cali, Colombia, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Spanish Language with a specialization in University Teaching. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish Language and Culture from Valdosta State University, where she is currently enrolled in a Master's program in Gender and Cultural Studies.

    Graciella has been teaching Spanish for over a decade. She strives to inspire in her students the value of bilingual fluency and the richness of the language and culture of Spanish-speaking peoples. When she is not in the classroom, she enjoys exercising, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

  • Lucas Fukunaga

    STEM Department

    Lucas Fukunaga is a member of the STEM Department. He received a BS in Earth and Environmental Sciences and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of California, Irvine.

    Lucas taught physics for three years at a charter school in South L.A., and served for one year as a substitute in chemistry, math, and college prep classes. He enjoys teaching the sciences through labs, demonstrations, and hands-on experimentation, encouraging students to better understand natural phenomena through collaborative processes.

    Lucas has a dog named Oscar and a cat named Leon. During his free time, he enjoys playing video games, watching anime, and eating unhealthy vegan food.

  • Brahm Genzlinger

    Visual and Performing Arts Department

    Brahm Genzlinger is a member of the Visual and Performing Arts Department. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Composition and Arranging from Temple University.

    Over the past fifteen years, Brahm has worked professionally in the music industry as a performer, session musician, producer, composer, and educator. He has scored award-winning documentaries, shared the stage with grammy-winning artists, and played on recordings by some of today's most exciting new artists.

    With over a decade of teaching experience, Brahm has developed a teaching style that is engaging and inspiring. He firmly believes in the power of music to transcend boundaries and enrich lives, and he strives to make music fun and accessible to all his students. When he's not teaching or playing, Brahm enjoys tossing a frisbee in the park, hiking, and relaxing with a good book.

  • Nivedita Godavarthi

    Student Life Coordinator
    STEM Department

    Nivedita Godavarthi is Student Life Coordinator and a member of the STEM Department. She holds a BS in Computer Science and a Masters in Computer Applications from the University of Madras, as well as a single subject teaching credential in math from the University of La Verne. She has been teaching math and computer science in private schools for four years and before that taught middle and high school math in public and charter schools for three years. She worked as a software engineer from 2003 to 2009.

    Nivedita loves reading, gardening, and traveling. You can often find her sitting in her garden reading Indian literature, traveling, and creating memories with her daughter.

  • Amanda Keller

    Physical Education Faculty

    Amanda Keller is an educator, professional dancer, and fitness instructor based in Los Angeles. She received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Health Education, as well as a minor in Dance Performance, from Grand Canyon University.

    Amanda has over twenty years of experience as a dancer. As a company member with Selah Dance Collective, she has had the opportunity to tour and perform in cities across the country, as well as produce her own choreographic work for the stage. She has been teaching at public, charter, and independent schools for the four years, and is passionate about moving, creating, and advocating for the arts.

    Amanda strives to make her class an encouraging and safe space for individuals to connect with their bodies in a deeper way. Outside of teaching and dancing, you’ll find Amanda strolling through farmers markets, trying to keep her plants alive, and curating a niche Spotify playlist.

  • Jay Lay

    STEM Department

    Jay Lay is a member of the STEM Department. He spent his formative years in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and graduated from Vanderbilt University with Bachelors of Science degrees in both Mathematics and Psychology. Over the next few years, he explored a variety of different fields, from teaching English and corporate business practices in Osaka, Japan, to program directing and serving as a radio DJ in Tennessee.

    As an educator, Jay has taught at Cal State University in the School of Global and Professional Development. As a math instructor, he has been a professional private tutor for high school and collegiate Mathematics for many years. Outside of his day job, Jay is the Creative Director of a sketch comedy and improv collective performing at theaters throughout Los Angeles.

  • Alexis Lefft

    Humanities Department
    Root Work Coordinator

    Alexis Lefft is a member of the Humanities Department. Originally from South Carolina, Alexis holds a BA in American Studies from Stanford University. Prior to coming to SLA, she completed a Teaching Fellowship at St. Anne's-Belfield School in Charlottesville, Virginia.

    In her free time, she enjoys trying new restaurants in LA, watching sports, and learning how to quilt.

  • Nora O'Hara

    Social Emotional Counselor

    Nora O'Hara is the Social Emotional Counselor. Nora attended the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis to study political science, community organizing, and Spanish. After coordinating educational programs in France and working at an LGBTQ health center for several years in New York City, she returned to the University of Minnesota to receive her Master's degree in Clinical Social Work.

    Before joining SLA, Nora worked in Title I schools as a social worker, and has professional experience as a school-based therapist. She celebrates the individuality of each student while fostering community and deepening connections with others.

    In her free time, Nora loves to spend time near the sea, hiking with her pup. and exploring the city through food.

  • Agustin Pacheco

    STEM Department

    Agustin Pacheco is a member of the STEM Department. Born and raised in Quito, Ecuador, he moved to California to pursue his Bachelor’s degree in Physics at the University of California, Berkeley, where he researched particle physics and medical physics.

    Prior to his time at SLA, Agustin taught middle school math and science in Oakland, lived in the Galapagos Islands working as an underwater photographer, and worked as a high school physics instructor at the Archer School for Girls. In his free time, he enjoys exploring his love for cooking, dancing salsa and bachata, building electronics, and playing soccer!

  • Forrest Riley II

    Physical Education Faculty

    Forrest Riley teaches physical education and coaches multiple athletics teams at SLA. He attended Cal State Dominguez Hills, where he played collegiate baseball. After undergrad, he coached baseball at Compton College and served as both the pitching and strength and conditioning coach. Forrest loves to work out, eat great food, and paddle board. And, of course, he loves his dog Creed.

  • Ronaldo Romero

    STEM Department

    Ronaldo Romero is a member of the STEM Department. Born and raised in the vibrant community of South Los Angeles, Ronaldo earned his Bachelors of Science degree at UC Berkeley, where he studied Electrical Engineering and Computer Science—including specialized courses in AI and robotics. He actively engaged in projects that allowed him to apply his theoretical learning to real-world challenges in the fields of AI and robotics. 

    During his time at Cal, Ronaldo made a significant impact as a Precalculus and Calculus II tutor at the Student Learning Center. He thrived helping students bridge the gap between their foundational math knowledge and the more advanced concepts expected at the college level.

    Beyond his academic pursuits, Ronaldo enjoys playing soccer, running, hiking, and any other form of activity that keeps him active. If he isn’t outside, you can catch him playing chess or watching videos about chess, and trying to learn as much theory as possible so he can be prepared in case he’s ever challenged by a grandmaster.

  • Jennifer Rosenbaum

    Learning Specialist

    Jennifer Rosenbaum is the Learning Specialist. She brings over 20 years of experience in the fields of education, youth development, leadership, family and community engagement, community schools, social emotional learning, and college access. She holds a BA in English from the College of William and Mary and an EdM in School Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

    Prior to SLA, Jennie taught high school English and supported leadership work in social service, education, and civil rights nonprofits in the Washington, DC region. Since moving to Los Angeles, most of her work has centered around creating and sustaining an LAUSD pilot school she co-created in the city of San Fernando, specifically developing its college access plan, community schools strategy, and social emotional learning work.

    When she is not at SLA, Jennie is out on adventures with her partner and two kids, dancing with the Afro-Cuban dance community, and cooking with her friends and family for potlucks.

  • Jibra’il Sutton

    Humanities Department

    Jibra’il Sutton is a member of the Humanities Department. Raised in New York City, Jibra’il officially made Los Angeles his home in 2019 after receiving his Master’s degree at USC. From there, he made a name for himself as a collaborative, reliable, and effective fifth grade teacher at faith-based schools in Los Angeles. Prior to SLA, he taught history at the middle school level, and all major subjects for fifth grade. He was a yearbook coordinator, daycare supervisor, and technology specialist for his respective schools. 

    Jibra’il believes an engaging lesson is the best classroom management strategy to ensure student learning and engagement. He also believes that diverse groups should be recognized and represented in class curriculums so teachers can create a culturally relevant pedagogy for their students. 

    Outside of school, Jibra’il is an avid music listener, anime watcher, video game player, and casual hiker. Feel free to test him on his knowledge on any of these subjects when you see him around campus!

  • Charlie Tuthill

    Humanities Department

    Charlie Tuthill is a member of the Humanities Department. He holds a BA in political science and French from Union College (NY) and a MA and Ph.D. in political science from Syracuse University. He has two decades of experience in both independent schools and universities. Before joining the SLA team, Charlie taught global studies at the University of California Riverside and social studies at Oakwood School in North Hollywood.

    Charlie teaches classes primarily in world history, delving into subjects such as the interrelationships between economic structures, ideology, systems of belief, and political institutions. He teaches regional histories related to Africa, the Americas, and Asia as well as broader thematically oriented classes dealing with the development of capitalism, environmental history, and the rise of political populism. His approach to history combines experiential and collaborative learning, and he makes frequent use of student-led discussion, game strategic simulations, and debates, among other activities.

    Charlie and his family live in Culver City, and in his free time he enjoys taking family trips to the beach, reading, writing with fountain pens, and taking pictures mostly with vintage film cameras.

  • Jerry J White III

    Creative and Visual Arts Department

    Jerry J White III is a member of the Visual and Performing Arts Department, teaching Film and Media. He holds a B.S. in Broadcast Media from the University of Central Missouri. 

    As a film director, Jerry has produced and distributed three feature films and multiple narrative shorts. He spent ten years working full-time in the film industry as a director and gaffer before shifting his focus to education. When Jerry isn’t teaching you can find him watching football, riding his motorcycle or pondering the world's questions as an amateur philosopher.

Administrative Staff

  • Aaron Abdullah

    Event Facilitator
    Internal Substitute

    Aaron Abdullah is Event Facillitator and Internal Substitute. A Los Angeles native, Aaron earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing from California State University, Northridge. During his time at CSUN, Aaron distinguished himself as the President of the Black Student Union, where he organized inspiring events aimed at encouraging inner-city youth to pursue higher education. He played a pivotal role in unveiling an everlasting monument dedicated to the founders of the Africana & Chicano Studies Department, leaving a lasting mark on the University’s history.

    Aaron is passionate about community building and committed to fostering confidence in others. Beyond academia, Aaron’s dedication to advocacy led him to collaborate with the non-profit organization Alliance for Safety and Justice, where he traveled across the country to champion bills in support of survivors of violence.

    In his leisure time, Aaron is passionate about music and fashion and finds solace and inspiration in natural settings, connecting with the beauty and tranquility of the outdoors.

  • Christina Burch

    Kitchen Staff

    Christina Burch is a member of the kitchen staff. She received her culinary instruction and training at Le Cordon Bleu and has been working in kitchens ever since.

    Prior to joining SLA, Christina worked in a mélange of food service industries: from hotels, to catering companies, to casual and fine dining restaurants, she's seen it all.

    Christina loves to eat just as much as she loves to cook. In her free time, she enjoys trying new foods and exploring local restaurants and bakeries.

  • Stherling Oliva

    Executive Assistant to the Head of School
    Family Inclusion Coordinator

    Stherling Oliva is Executive Assistant to the Head of School and Family Inclusion Coordinator. She has broad experience serving and assisting low-income and Latinx families, working in schools, and organizing and promoting youth and parent involvement.

    At SLA, Stherling is committed to vitalizing the family engagement of the Spanish-speaking community and ensuring that events and communications are accessible to all. To that end, she also serves as a live Spanish language translator for school events.

    Stherling was born in Guatemala, Tierra de la Eterna Primavera, and migrated with her family at a young age to Los Angeles, CA. She values family time, enjoys tea, traveling, and learning about different cultures.

  • Marides Salamat

    Kitchen Staff

    Marides May Salamat is a member of the kitchen staff. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics from UC Riverside before going on to earn her Culinary Arts Diploma from CSCA Le Cordon Bleu, and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Global Management from University of Phoenix. 

    Marides has worked in the restaurant and hospitality industry for nearly fifteen years—and food has been a major part of her journey in life since long before that. She first became interested in the culinary arts growing up working in her aunt’s bakery. In her free time, Marides enjoys music, watching movies, sports (basketball, football, and anything Olympics), and experimenting with cooking, baking, and of course eating new and delicious dishes. She believes laughter feeds the soul just as well as food!

  • Marcos Soberanes

    Head Chef

    Marcos Soberanes is Head Chef. With over two decades of experience as a professional chef, Marcos is passionate about great food and nutritious ingredients. He has worked as an executive chef, a recipe developer, and a consultant for a wide variety of kitchens, from fine dining establishments, to steak houses, to hospitality and even the airline industry.

    Marcos has deep experience in all aspects of leading a kitchen. In addition to his work as a chef, he has served as a recipe consultant for schools—creating delicious meals that comply with state nutritional standards—and worked with restaurant groups to open new kitchens and reorganize kitchen structures. In his free time Marcos enjoys the sport of boxing, and spent years coaching youth boxing.

  • Jocelin Velasquez

    Front Desk Receptionist

    Jocelin Velasquez is Front Desk Receptionist. Jocelin started her career as a specialist for non-profits focused on supporting low-income parents access subsidized childcare. Following that, she worked as a medical assistant specializing in COVID-19 testing. She brings the values, human-centered approach, and diverse skills from those fields to her work here at SLA.

    Outside of work, Jocelin enjoys going on long walks with her daughter and two dogs, attending Dodger games, and indulging her cultural curiosity through visits to museums and exhibitions.

  • Jesus Villarreal

    Director of Technology

    Jesus Villarreal is Director of Technology. His unflagging patience and remarkable customer service derive from working for Bestbuy/Geeksquad for over a decade early in his career. He has many years of experience coordinating and directing technology in a variety of schools across Los Angeles. 

    At SLA he is devoted to making sure all our tech is working well in order to help our students thrive in their education. He loves challenges, especially when it comes to technology, and loves working in a learning environment.

    Jesus is proud to be born and raised in Boyle Heights, LA. Outside of school, he enjoys lighting up the grill and spending time with family and friends. He also loves lowriders, and working with power tools to make ideas come to life for his wife.