George Adkins came to Leadership in ’03 from the YMCA of San Francisco, where he served as Youth Sports Specialist for four years. George was hired as Campus Supervisor and became our Athletic Director in ’04 as well as continuing his campus supervision duties. George’s enthusiasm, school spirit, and sense of school pride are felt throughout the LHS community. George is from San Francisco and has over twenty-two years of experience in youth work and continues to share his life lessons with our students and LHS community everyday.
Jacob Aringo is LHS’s Chemistry Teacher, the Student Activities Coordinator, and an Advisor to the class of 2009. Jacob currently resides in Daly City. Before working at Leadership High School, Jacob graduated from San Francisco State University with a B.S. in Biology: Ecology Concentration and attained his credential there as well. He has also worked as an Educational Advisor in the Upward Bound Program. Jacob enjoys playing the guitar/piano, walking his two dogs, hanging out with family, and Thai boxing.
David Calarco is in his fifth year as a member of the Leadership community and his fourth year as a full time teacher. This year, he teaches US History and World History and is a 12th grade advisor. Dave grew up in New York and Connecticut, and has been living in San Francisco for six years. He did his undergraduate work at Georgetown University, majoring in African-American history and received his Masters in Teaching at the University of San Francisco. Dave enjoys life with his wife, Mariah, and their two pugs, Simon and Harriet. In his free time, Dave enjoys laughing, the outdoors, live and electronic music, traveling as much as possible, watching the Yankees, and playing poker. Sleeping and dreaming are also two of his favorite pastimes.
Marisela Cerda is Leadership’s biology teacher. She is also the Head Coach for the school’s volleyball team. She holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Plant Biotechnology from the University of California, Davis, and a California Teaching Credential from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Marisela Cerda is currently working on a Master's of Arts degree in Organizational Psychology from Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center. She will be applying for the doctoral program in Organizational Psychology in the Spring of 2008. Marisela Cerda is currently a National Board Certification Candidate in Biology; the process will improve her teaching skills, classroom management, and curriculum. She enjoys playing classical guitar, gardening, drawing, meditating, and camping.
Trisha Ekstrom is in her second year as Leadership’s resource specialist (RSP). She works with students who have IEPs and teaches one support class, Academic Literacy. Trisha brings four years of experience as an English and reading teacher, first on Chicago’s west side, where she helped open a small school, and then at Xcel, another charter high school in San Francisco. Born and raised in Chicago, she now calls the west coast home. She earned her B.A. at Northwestern University, and is currently working on her credential in mild/moderate disabilities at San Francisco State University. When not at LHS, you will (hopefully) find her traveling, hiking, cooking, or in warrior pose.
After 14 years teaching High School Math, four of them at LHS, Jessica Gammell decided to step out of the classroom and into the position of Dean of Student Life. She is excited about using her teaching experience to help promote a positive school environment for all students at LHS. A graduate of UC Santa Barbara in Mathematics, Jessica received her teaching credentials from CSU Hayward. Jessica has been a proud Griffin since 2001!
Sonia Geerdes is a principal intern through the New Leaders for New Schools program. Prior to her residency year at Leadership, she was a literacy coach and curriculum developer in the Denver Public Schools. She taught 9th - 12th grade English at a continuation high school and at a small school for students with learning disabilities. Sonia has recently completed a Master’s degree in Educational Policy and Organizational Leadership from Stanford University. When she is not working on school reform in urban settings, Sonia loves to travel and volunteer in schools around the world, and is excited about advancements in educational equity she recently witnessed in Nepal.
Michele Godwin is a Texas native. She graduated from Southwest Texas State University, home of the Bobcats. This is her 10th year teaching - her seventh year at LHS! She enjoys knitting, reading, spending time with her two-year-old, and, every once in awhile, jumping out of airplanes!
Heidi Guibord is in her 4th year of teaching art at Leadership. She is also a 10th grade advisor. Originally from New York, Heidi received her undergraduate degree from Long Island University and her MFA in painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She has studied abroad in several countries, including Kenya, Costa Rica and Panama. Heidi also works professionally as an artist, most recently completing a residency in Hawaii. This past summer, she studied art in Ethiopia, both craft and contemporary works. Heidi enjoys teaching at Leadership because of the enthusiastic students and the supportive staff.
In her second year at LHS, Brianna Heinrich teaches year three of the Integrated Mathematics Program. She is also a senior advisor to 15 fantastic members of the Class of 2008. Ms. Heinrich earned a B.S. in Human Development and a B.A. in Psychology from UC Davis. She then moved to San Francisco to obtain an M.A. in Developmental Psychology. While in graduate school, Ms. Heinrich tutored high schoolers in mathematics and decided to teach. She obtained her credential in mathematics from San Francisco State. Brianna enjoys Mexican food, Wheel of Fortune, and traveling with her husband.
Allison Heyl is in her third year teaching math at LHS. She is also a 1lth grade advisor and the Academic Support Center Coordinator. Allison is originally from Boston and loves the Boston Red Sox. She has an undergraduate degree in social work and a minor in Mathematics. Allison is pursing her masters in Curriculum and Instruction in Mathematics at Dominican University in San Rafael. Her passions are listening to live music, swimming, relaxing at the beach, watching movies, and exploring new places.
Mark Isero teaches English 10 and 12th Grade Advisory. He is also the Humanities Department Co-Coach and the Spanish Department Coach. Mark received a B.A. in History from UC Berkeley and an Ed.M. in Teaching and Curriculum from Harvard University. Mark invites you to his piano recital in Summer 2009.
Tony Johnston is in his sixth year at Leadership and teaches AP English to Seniors and World Studies - English 9 to the Freshman class. Tony is also a 9th grade advisor and the co-department coach for the Humanities department. Tony is a native of San Francisco and after enjoying SF's schools as a kid later went on to receive his Masters in Education from New School University in New York. In addition, Tony previously taught at Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School in the Bronx. Tony enjoys claiming both coasts as his home, teaching, writing, and chasing his four year old son Max around just about everywhere.
Kelan Joshua is in his second year at LHS and is part-time RSP Aid and part-time Campus Supervisor. He recently graduated from San Francisco State University, class of 2006, receiving his BA in Fine Art with an emphasis in Studio Drawing and Painting. In his spare time, Kelan enjoys playing basketball and being outdoors.
Kiana Joshua is the Enrollment/Outreach Coordinator, Parent Liaison and a Freshman Advisor. She earned her BA in Psychology from SFSU in 2004. She is currently taking an extended break form her education to raise her two lovely children. She plans to return to school in the future to earn her MA in education, but in the meantime she enjoys spending time with her family, venturing through the wilds of San Francisco and laughing with her students.
Nora Juarez is LHS's Registrar. Before coming to LHS, she worked as the registrar for the high school from which she had graduated. She then moved on to accounting work. Her passion has always been working with youth and giving back to the community that reached out to her when she was a struggling student.
Tony Lepe recently moved to Sunnyvale, CA to be closer to his five month old grandson. He has lived Yakima, Washington, Palm Bay, Florida, and Bloomington, California, doing work in education and business, as well as caring for his mother. He earned his BA degree in Education, with a major in Spanish and a minor in Bilingual and Elementary Education, from Central Washington University, and earned his Master's Degree in School Administration from Heritage College. He has taught for seven years—five at the middle school and two at the high school level. Additionally, he has served an Assistant Principal at the middle school level for eight years. Mr. Lepe is the proud father of two young men and a beautiful daughter. He enjoys working with teenagers and hopes to have a positive impact on our students.
Sandy Lozada is the Business Manager at Leadership High School. Before coming to LHS, Sandy worked for six and a half years at Napa Valley College. While there, Sandy worked in student services and in a law enforcement instructional program. She is excited to continue working in an educational environment at Leadership High School. Sandy graduated with a B.A. in Management from St. Mary’s College in Moraga, CA. and this summer, began an MBA program through Regis University. In her free time, Sandy loves to read, attend the opera and spend time with her partner and two doggies.
Mayra Melgar attended Heald College where she graduated with an Associates Degree in Electronics. She worked in the Computer Rental Lease Industry as a Computer Technician for 15 years. This is her third year as the Assistant to the Co-Principals at Leadership High School. She is an active member of the Parent Association at LHS and the parent of a current senior and graduate of the Class of 2007, who now attends San Francisco State University. Mayra enjoys working with teens and currently directs a youth choir.
Molly Michaelis is Leadership’s 10th and 12th grade counselor. This is her second year at Leadership High School and her third year living in San Francisco. She earned her BA in Human Development from UC San Diego and her MS in Educational Counseling and PPS Credential from National University. At school, she loves talking to students about life, school and college. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, music, good food, traveling and riding her bike.
LaWanda Muhammad is a native San Franciscan and has lived in the Bayview District for over 25 years. She earned her BA in Mathematics from San Francisco State University and her Teaching Credential from Mills all while raising her two sons, Fatir and Toure. She also has a recent addition to her family, seven-month-old Sadat. She has been serving San Francisco youth since 1990 and is dedicated to enriching the lives of young people.
Peter Myers is in his fifth year at Leadership High School and is looking forward to the 2007-2008 school year. His motto this year is "Let's celebrate '08!" Mr. Myers teaches psychology to seniors, is a member of the World Studies team, and is a class of '08 Advisor. Additionally, he serves as Department Coach to the Leadership Department. Mr. Myers is finishing his masters in education at Mills College, where he earned his credential. Outside of school, he enjoys playing basketball, cooking, and laughing.
Jamie Nunez is in his third year at LHS and teaches Media Arts, Economics/Government, and Leadership. Nunez graduated from the University of California in Santa Barbara with a Bachelors degree in Global Studies, received his Masters in Education with an emphasis in Post Conflict Education, and is currently pursing his Doctorate degree in International Education. Prior to teaching, Nunez worked as a U.S. Peace Corp volunteer in El Salvador teaching technology and civic education to gang members. Outside of school, Nunez enjoys dancing salsa, creating documentaries on ethnic diasporas around the globe, and smiling at life.
Candice Paul is a long-term substitute teaching Technology to our seniors and juniors. Candice graduated Cum Laude from San Francisco State University in May of 2004 with her Bachelors of Science in Business Management and a minor in Political Science. Since then she has been successfully working in the corporate world, learning different skills in applied technology, brand marketing, relationship-building, and social awareness. Currently, Candice is on her way to pursuing a Masters in Education Administration and earning her teaching credentials. In her spare time, Candice loves to spend time at the beach, hiking, listening to music and dancing.
After six years as the Principal of Leadership High School, Gregory Peters has moved into the role of Co-Principal in order to start the San Francisco Coalition of Essential Small Schools (SF-CESS). In this new effort, Gregory intends to take the work begun at LHS to scale – making an impact on the city of San Francisco and supporting LHS to make its mark in the national school reform movement. As a leader in school reform, Gregory has a longstanding history working within both local (BayCES) and national (CES) efforts. He has been selected to serve as National Faculty for CES Math-Science Fellows, a mentor teacher and curriculum developer for Summerbridge San Francisco, a school reform coordinator for the Bay Area School Reform Collaborative, and a Critical Friends Group Coach for Annenberg's National School Reform Faculty. In addition to receiving the CANEC Innovations in Excellence Award for designing a Peer Coaching model for LHS, Gregory has authored (and co-authored) published works on student achievement, curriculum and assessment, and school change processes. As an instructional leader, Gregory is committed to using his unique and extensive experiences in curriculum design; data based inquiry; professional development, and school design to maintain and continually improve the academic quality for all students. Gregory received his administrative credentials and M.S. in Educational Leadership from California State University - East Bay. Periodically, Gregory will reveal a thick Rhode Island accent.
Denise Prince is LHS’s 9th & 11th grade Counselor. She earned her B.A. in Psychology at San Diego State University and her M.A. in Counseling and PPS Credential at Humboldt State University. Ms. Prince comes to LHS with 12 years of counseling experience. She has worked at both urban and rural high schools in Los Angeles, Central California and the Bay Area. Ms. Prince has developed several career centers and has a passion for assisting students with Career/College/Life Planning.
Principal Elizabeth Rood joined Leadership’s staff in 2003, as a Humanities teacher and Advisor to the Class of 2006. In 2005, she became Principal. Before coming to LHS, Ms. Rood worked as a middle school English teacher in the San Francisco Unified School District and, prior to that, as Coordinator of an alternative training program for small school leaders run by The Big Picture Company of Providence, Rhode Island. A native of the Bay Area, Ms. Rood holds a B.A. in English Literature from Brown University and both teaching and administrative credentials from Mills College. This fall, Ms. Rood returns to Mills College to complete a Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership; her dissertation research focuses on the experience of students transitioning from middle to high school.
Cynthia Saavedra has been the LHS School Secretary for three years, though she joined the community in 2003 when her son (Class of 2007) was a ninth grader. Her love and passion to help children from different walks of life made her decide to work at LHS. She received a Certificate of Honor from SF Board of Supervisors in 2005 for volunteer work. She was born in the Philippines where she received her Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Computer Science. For more than 20 years she worked in the Human Resources and Legal Departments of Pacific Bell (SBC). She is currently a California Certified Professional Massage Therapist and Health Educator. She was a former Secretary to the Commander in Chief of 3rd CSG & 3rd TFW, USAF. She loves to sing, dance and play guitar. She is also a licensed ham radio operator (KB6YYN).
Susana Salinas teaches our advanced Spanish classes and Bolivian Dance Class. She has teaching credentials in Math, Science, and Spanish. Before coming to LHS ten years ago, Ms. Salinas taught for four years at Balboa High School in San Francisco. She received her B.A. in Science, Math and Physics from the Universidad Catholica in Bolivia. She enjoys bringing South American culture to LHS.
Mark Segado teaches Leadership and serves as the Peer Resources Coordinator at Leadership High School. Raised in Seattle, he moved to the Bay Area for college. He graduated from the University of San Francisco with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Arts in Teaching in May 2005. He holds a single-subject social science teaching credential with CLAD certification. In his spare time he watches too much TV, enjoys Hip-Hop culture with his girlfriend, and wrestles with their dog, Crash. He hopes to inspire and challenge all his students to continue to make their music and dream their dreams.
Beth Silbergeld is the Science, Math and Technology Department Coach. A graduate of the University of Michigan, she received her teaching certification and M.A. in secondary science education from the University of Colorado. Beth, a.k.a. Silb, has worked at Leadership High School for seven years, in a variety of roles. This year, she teaches Academic Literacy, AP Biology, and is senior adviser, supporting her advisees to graduate and move on to college. Silb works hard to make science accessible to all students by making coursework relevant to their lives.
Linda Sze came from Hong Kong in 2000 to re-unite with her parents, siblings, and other family in San Francisco. She has two children, both of whom are now attending college. She is a lifetime learner interested in traditional cultures who is excited to share her experience with students and parents from China. Before coming to San Francisco, Ms. Sze worked as Sales, Executive Editor and Marketing Specialist in various Chinese Media companies.
Laura Veuve has been teaching Mathematics since 2002. She graduated from Oberlin College in Ohio with a B.A. in Applied Mathematics and has a Master’s degree in Teaching from USF. She is a California native, but she has lived in Mexico, Costa Rica and Namibia. Before coming to Leadership in 2005, Laura taught math on the Peninsula and as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Namibia, which is in southern Africa. She is now one of the Department Coaches for the Math, Science and Technology Department. In addition to English, she speaks Spanish and Oshiwambo, sometimes mixed together.
Shannon Williams is a new teacher in the humanities department. She earned her B.A. in English and Ethnic Studies from UC Berkeley in 2002, her J.D. from UC Hastings College of the Law in 2006, and her teaching credential in English from San Francisco State in 2007. Ms. Williams has worked in the fields of education and youth advocacy for the last ten years. Her goal is to start a nonprofit legal and educational organization that will help youth avoid entanglement in the juvenile and criminal justice systems by offering law classes, free legal advice, and mentoring to high school students. Ms. Williams also enjoys making jewelry, writing poetry, and doing anything creative in her spare time.
Lorianna Wong is in her sixth year at LHS, where she has taught social studies and technology classes. She earned her teaching credentials and M.A. in Education at San Francisco State University, and a B.A. in History from UC Berkeley. She is a new mom, speaks Cantonese (nei ho!), and is proud to have attended San Francisco public schools