Mark Isero is a World Studies teacher and 10th grade adviser. Now in his 10th year at Leadership, Mark also works on the school's technology committee. He believes that better ommunication and relationships between students, parents, and teachers will help all of our students to graduate and get into college. Mark received a B.A. in History from UC Berkeley and an Ed.M. in Teaching and Curriculum from Harvard University. In his spare time, Mark plays the piano and eats cookies. For more information, call Mark at 415/886-7475, email him at misero@leadershiphigh.org, or visit www.iseroma.com.
Caitlin King is very excited to begin her first year at Leadership High School. She grew up in the Bay Area, but moved to the East Coast for college and lived there for ten years. She attended Boston University, where she studied English Education. Then she moved to New York to teach English in a large urban public school. She taught there for six years, and got her Masters Degree in Humanities Education from New York University. She is excited to bring her experiences to Leadership this year teaching 10th Grade English, AP English, and 9th Grade Advisory. In her spare time, Mrs. King loves hanging out with her husband and their dog, Lily. Her passions include eating out, going to the movies, running, and watching sports especially the Giants and Red Sox!
Kathleen Large joined the LHS staff in 1999, teaching English and Advisory for the following seven years. After taking two years off to stay home with her daughter, she is back at Leadership as a part-time Humanities teacher. Kathleen has a master's degree in English from Long Island University and a bachelor's degree in politics from New York University. Kathleen's poetry has appeared in several literary journals and in 2004, her junior class published a book entitled "Talking Back: What Students Know About Teaching" (available through 826 Valencia).
Anne Nyffeler wears many hats at LHS. This year she is an adviser, the testing specialist, and teacher of World History and English. She has a B.A. in History and a M.Ed. in Social Studies Education from the University of Florida. (Go Gators!) She is credentialed in both social studies and English. She believes that all students need to read and write well before leaving LHS and is going to school at night for her Literacy Specialist Certificate to help make that happen. When she's not a teacher or a student, she loves running, singing, cooking, and learning the violin. One of her favorite weekend activities is watching college football with her husband and friends.
Nancy Jo Turner is in her second year of teaching at Leadership High School, but is not new to the staff and alumni. Nancy Jo did her student teaching at LHS in 2006 under Peter Myers in the Leadership department and loves the diversity, community, and support that is present throughout the school. She currently teaches U.S. History, Leadership I, and 10th grade Advisory as well as being the Academic Student Coordinator. Nancy Jo is a Bay Area girl born and raised. She attended Mills College majoring in History with a minor in Ethnic Studies and also completed the Teacher credentialing program in the field of Social Studies. Nancy Jo enjoys eating out, reading, cooking, going to the movies, and relaxing.
Shannon Williams has taught English at Leadership since 2007. 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 twelve 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.
Leadership Department and Art Department
Heidi Guibord is in her 6th year of teaching art at Leadership. She is also an 12th 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. For her thesis, Heidi researched her family heritage in Norway. She has also studied abroad in several countries, including Kenya, Ethiopia, Costa Rica and Panama. She studied art in Ghana last year through a fellowship grant from the Fund for Artists Arts Teachers program through the San Francisco Foundation. Heidi enjoys teaching at Leadership because of the enthusiastic students and the supportive staff.
Kiana Joshua is a Leadership Teacher and a Junior Advisor. She earned her BA in Psychology from SFSU in 2004. She is currently raising two lovely children and has returned to school where she has enrolled in an internship program. She enjoys spending time with her family, repping the Haystack and laughing with her students.
Jamie Nunez- is in his fifth year at LHS and teaches Leadership, Media Arts, and Technology. Nunez graduated from the University of California in Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Global Studies, received his Masters in Education with an emphasis in Equity and Social Justice, and is in his currently pursuing his Doctorate in International Education policy. His dissertation focuses on the juxtaposition between educational policies and economic development in post conflict regions. 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 academics, Nunez enjoys dancing to Latin music, creating video documentaries on ethnic diasporas around the globe, and surfing. Jamie Nunez can be reached by email at jnunez@leadershiphigh.org
Mark Segado is entering his fifth year at Leadership High School. A native of Seattle, he studied in Seattle University and Ateneo de Manila University before receiving his Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of San Francisco. With an eye toward culturally relevant teaching pedagogy and practices, Mark will be teaching World History and Economics/Government this academic year. In his spare time Mark enjoys quoting movies, studying popular culture and enjoying a laugh with his dog, Crash. He hopes to inspire and challenge our students to continue to make their music and dream their dreams.
Beth Silbergeld is the Peer Resources teacher, a Department Coach and an advisor to the Class of 2010. A graduate of the University of Michigan, she received her teaching certification and M.A. in secondary science education from the University of Colorado. Silb, has worked at Leadership High School for nine years, primarily as a Biology teacher, treasuring the role of senior advisor for the third time in her tenure at the school. She also works as a Lead Coach for the San Francisco Coalition of Essential Small Schools. Beth Silbergeld was awarded a Radio Shack teaching award for Science educators as a result of her engaging, rigorous lessons and received a Commitment to Equity award from the Coalition of Essential Schools, in recognition of the work she does to push educators to confront issues of race in order to close the achievement gap.
Math Department
LaWanda Muhammad is a native San Franciscan and has live in the Bayview District for over 25 years. She has been teaching mathematics at LHS for 3 years while raising her 3 sons Fatir, Toure, and Sadat. LaWanda earned her BA in Mathematics from San Francisco State University and her Teaching Credential from Mills.She teaches Geometry, Pre-Calculus, and she is a senior advisor. She has been serving San Francisco youth since 1990 and is dedicated to enriching the lives of young people.
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 the University of San Francisco. She is a Bay Area 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. In addition to English, she also speaks Spanish and Oshiwambo, sometimes mixed together. This year, she teaches Algebra and Algebra 2. She's also a proud advisor for the Class of 2013!
Hoai Vuong currently teaches Algebra and Geometry. Before coming to LHS, he did his student teaching at Mission High School in San Francisco. He earned his B.S. in Psychobiology at UCLA and his Master’s and Teaching Credential in Mathematics at Stanford University. Hoai has worked with youth since college and remains committed towards helping students succeed. In his spare time, he likes to play guitar, write short plays, and perform improv.
Science and Technology Department
Jacob Aringo was born on October 8, 1980 in San Francisco. He currently resides in Daly City. He has been teaching at Leadership High School for the past 4 year and now starting his 5th year. Prior to teaching, he has been an educational advisor for the AACE Upward Bound program in Japan-town and San Francisco State University (SFSU) and served as a curriculum and media resource specialist at the Cahill Learning Resource and Media Lab at SFSU. Mr. Aringo received his degree in Biology and a secondary education credential in science so that he can teach science in high school. He is currently undergoing the Instructional Technology Master's Program at SFSU so that he can effectively integrate technology into the science curriculum.Mr. Aringo is a very versatile person.
He composes his own music through guitar and piano. He is fond of creating interesting videos and multimedia for creative and educational uses. He walks his two dogs, Casey and Max, and loves reading fantasy and science fiction novels. He has recently read the Chronicle of Narnia which he now adores and wants to read again when he has the chance. He is also an amateur Muay Thai fighter with 9 fights under his belt and more to come.
Salem Peterson, now in her 6th year teaching, is new to the crew at Leadership. She is teaching Biology and AP Biology and serving as a 9th grade advisor. She earned both her B.S. in Biological Sciences and teaching credential at Humboldt State University. As a lover of all things biology-related, Ms. Peterson is excited about using science as a means of guiding her students to develop critical thinking skills and a love of the natural world. Some things that make her smile are: dogwood trees in bloom, watching other people get tickled, riding her bike all over San Francisco, food, and the smell of a freshly sharpened Ticonderoga pencil. When she is not at school she can probably be found dancing to Tina Turner or cooking a delicious meal.
Spanish Department
Christina Castillejo is a 9th grade advisory and a Spanish teacher at LHS. Being new to Leadership, she hopes to broaden her horizons working with a great student body, community and staff. Before coming to LHS, Christina student-taught at 4 schools in Tempe, Arizona with the teacher preparation program at Arizona State University. As an undergraduate, she attached herself to a large amount of tutoring, ESL, and community service jobs and volunteering positions. She also became a member of Gamma Rho Lambda, an all-inclusive multicultural social sorority at ASU that allowed her to develop her community outreach experience. She hopes to continue this work, as well as further her education in the next few years. Christina loves all things paranormal, learning about new religions and spiritualities, her birds (Fred, Ethel, Zephyrus, and Raijuu), her rat (Eva), fluffernutter sandwiches, and being a life-long learner.
Amanda Sharp is a new Spanish teacher at Leadership this year. Amanda began her study of Spanish during High School, where in 98’ she traveled to Argentina to study the language as a foreign exchange student. That experience fostered a love of the Spanish language, as well as a deep appreciation for Spanish and Latin American cultures. Amanda continued studying Spanish at The George Washington University, where she received her B.A. in Spanish and International Relations. Upon her return to California, Amanda received her teaching credential from SFSU where she will complete her M.A. in Spanish and Latin American Literature this November. Amanda loves foreign film, food from all over the world, swimming and slam poetry. Her favorite slogan in Spanish in all regards, especially regarding education is “¡Sí se puede!” - “Yes we can!”
Student Life
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. Lastly, George is from San Francisco and has over twenty-five years of experience in youth work and continues to share his life lessons with our students and LHS community everyday.
Trisha Ekstrom is in her fourth year as Leadership’s resource specialist. She coordinates the RSP program and works with LHS students who have IEPs (Individualized Education Plans). Additionally, she teaches Academic Literacy, a support class, which among other things, encourages students to become more self-aware about their learning styles and to use that knowledge to help them navigate school life. 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 in San Francisco. Born and raised in Chicago, she now calls the west coast home. Trisha earned her B.A. in English at Northwestern University and recently completed her resource specialist credential in mild/moderate disabilities at San Francisco State University. When not at LHS, you will (hopefully) find her relaxing, hiking, cooking good food, or in warrior pose.
Molly Michaelis has been a counselor at Leadership since 2006. She earned her BA in Human Development from UC San Diego and her MS in Educational Counseling and PPS Credential from National University. She loves talking to students about life, school and college. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, music, reading, good food, and traveling.
Morenike D. O’Neal joins us this year as the Assistant Principal over Student Life. Before coming to Leadership, Morenike worked for 8 years as a Vice Principal at two Bay Area High Schools. Morenike graduated with her Masters Degree and Administrative Credential from Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, CA and received her BA in US History and Ethnic Studies From University of California at Berkeley. Her favorite activities are cooking and traveling. She looks forward to learning a lot from and having fun with the LHS staff and students.