Leadership Fellows Cohort 2024-25
Danny Blumrich
With over 15 years of experience in Bay Area schools, Danny has spent a significant part of his career as an upper elementary classroom teacher. He has since transitioned into school leadership and is now in his third year as part of the administrative team at Alta Vista School in San Francisco. Danny brings curiosity, presence, and warmth to his school community each day. He thrives on collaboration and listening, helping colleagues navigate the many challenges that arise in school settings. Outside of work, Danny loves spending time outdoors, often exploring the wild places of the Bay Area with his Great Dane, Hana. He enjoys backpacking, snowboarding, biking, and nearly anything involving food. As an Enneagram Type 2, Danny is driven by a desire to connect with and support others, bringing empathy and a collaborative spirit to his endeavors.
Dawn Carleton
Dawn Carleton is currently the Assistant Head of School for the TK-8 Program at Blue Oak School in Napa, CA, where she wears many hats. With a brief three years in Minnesota as the Academic Quality Controller and Program Director at the International School of Minnesota, she is happy to be back in California. She was at Episcopal Day School (FKA St. Matthew’s Episcopal Day School) in San Mateo for 21 years as a classroom teacher for 15 years and Middle School Director for her final six years at St. Matthew’s. Dawn earned a Bachelor’s Degree in both German and German Studies from Connecticut College and a M. Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Notre Dame de Namur University. When she is not coaching teachers or planning programs for students, Dawn likes to ride her road bike, spend time with her granddaughters, and sample the wines and olive oils from the Napa and Sonoma Valleys.
Robin Frank
Robin Frank has been an educational leader in PK-12 education for over 25 years, serving at various public and independent schools in California and Washington State. She began her career at the Catalina Island Marine Institute in California, where she enjoyed six years as Program Director and Science Instructor. For seventeen years, Robin has been an educational leader at Campbell Hall School, a co-ed day school in Studio City, California. She has developed and led curriculum and programs in the Middle School as 7th & 8th grade science teacher, Middle School Experiential Education Program Coordinator, Middle School Dean and Diversity Coordinator and, for the past 10 years, has served as Campbell Hall’s Elementary Principal for grades K-6. Beginning July 2025 Robin will serve as the Head of School at Boulder Country Day School in Boulder, Colorado.
Dr. Katie Gerrans
Dr. Katie Gerrans has been involved in education since 1981, when she started teaching as a graduate assistant while working on a Master's degree & was a Department Head (Sports Medicine). Katie took a teaching break to work in a paramedical field & to raise her two children. She began her "official" teaching career in 1997 when she started teaching at the Middle School level. Katie has taught from the K-8 levels & collegiately. Her leadership acumen is in the area of Dean of Students & is exceptionally versed in using various forms of Metacognitive Strategies for discipline.
Kristen Goggin
Kristen Goggin is an educational leader with 27 years experience in independent schools. Currently serving as the Assistant Head of Middle School at Head-Royce School, she leads strategic initiatives in student programming, advising, and community engagement. She is excited to transition into the role of K-8 Director of Teaching and Learning in the 25-26 school year, where she can use her skills to foster innovative curriculum development, support faculty growth, and enhance student learning experiences. Prior to her current role, Kristen demonstrated her leadership capabilities as Mathematics Department Chair and Director of Summer Programming at Cathedral School for Boys and Director of Global Education at Town School for Boys. Her commitment to educational excellence extends beyond traditional school houses. She remains on the World Leadership School's roster as a Curricular Coach and Workshop Facilitator, completes independent consulting roles in the Bay Area and serves as a member of the Batti Board of Directors.
Kate Guthrie
Kate Guthrie is the Director of Student Learning and Culture at The Healdsburg School, where she works in a variety of roles to lead academic programs, support inquiry-based learning, and facilitate faculty development to refine student-centered practices. Since 2016, Kate has previously served in a variety of roles from teaching Third Grade to Middle School Humanities and SEL Coordinator. Through this experience, Kate has the opportunity to engage with successes and challenges of the community to co-create avenues of support and optimize the student learning experience. Kate holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Pacific University and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Oregon.
Sarah Jashington
Sarah Jashington is a dedicated educator with 12 years of experience in San Francisco's independent elementary schools. She currently teaches 2nd grade STEM at Alta Vista School, where she embraces a coteaching model to support diverse student learning needs. In addition to her classroom role, Sarah serves as the science department coordinator, leading curriculum development and fostering a culture of inquiry-based learning. Her passion for innovative teaching practices and commitment to professional growth have led her to join CATDC's Signature Leadership Fellowship Program. Through this fellowship, Sarah aims to develop her leadership skills further.
Mychal Johnson
Mychal has over 15 years of experience in education, working in various roles such as teacher, coach, administrator, and monitor. Currently the Middle School Assistant Director at Brentwood School, he previously held positions such as Assistant Director of Equity & Inclusion at Brentwood School, Co-Director of DEI at Chandler School, and Site Director of Partnership for Success! program. Mychal holds a master's degree in educational leadership and is pursuing a doctoral degree in education leadership.
Jayme Kritzler
For nine years, Jayme has taught elementary school in Oakland, New York City, and now Los Angeles (her hometown!) in diverse school settings, including public and independent schools and special education and mainstream classrooms. Throughout, she has held leadership positions in both school and district-wide settings, such as curriculum review and adoption committees and helming a school's culture and SEL efforts. Jayme is thrilled to learn from and with this year's wonderful cohort of Leadership Fellows!
Annie Matthews
Annie Matthews is the Principal of Providence High School in Burbank, California. An alum of the school, Annie began her 18 years at PHS as an English teacher and has held multiple roles over the years including: Technology Integration Specialist (through COVID remote-learning), Dean of Instruction, and Interim Assistant Head of School; she is now in her second year as Principal, "chief academic officer." Annie and her husband of 19 years ("Chef Todd") have 3 amazing kids (two of whom currently attend Providence). In addition to her family and her school, she loves working out, crossword puzzles, Shakespeare, Columbo, video games, Bugs Bunny, dollhouse furniture, Mel Brooks, and crochet. She is an easy crier when moved by beauty and meaning, quick to crack a joke, makes epic gingerbread houses every holiday season, always regretted quitting piano lessons in the 5th grade, and wishes she knew how to breakdance.
Laila Abdelal McClay
Laila Abdelal McClay is the Dean of Academics & Innovation and a Humanities teacher at The Bay School of San Francisco. Following a career in public radio and television journalism, Laila is now in her 20th year of working in independent high schools in the Bay Area. Prior to her work at Bay, Laila taught Humanities, History, English, Speech, Debate, and Journalism as well as coached nationally competitive policy debate teams for more than a decade.
Clara Ngo
Born and raised in Alhambra, California, Clara Ngo attended UC Santa Barbara and graduated with a BA in Math, a BA in Business Economics, and a Master's of Education. She taught in international schools in Vietnam for 7 years, as a math and design teacher for 6th-12th grades. Currently, she is the Director of Innovation and Design Labs and Director of Student Leadership at Hillbrook School. Clara values seeing things from multiple perspectives and helping her students do the same, whether it’s in the content matter or the social and emotional learning that takes place in all academic lessons. In the classroom, she loves seeing students’ brains develop and witnessing the amazing things kids can do and think of. She especially values education that empowers students to take big risks by encouraging students to see failure as a learning opportunity and a necessary part of progress and growth. She enjoys playing basketball in her free time and can count to 99 with her fingers.
Liza Raynal
An alumna, Liza returned to work at Nueva because of the unique pedagogy and belief in "learn by doing, learn by caring." She appreciates both the care and the depth of thinking about the learning experience as an administrator just as much as she did as a student. After completing her degree at Brown University, she won a fellowship for emerging leaders and spent a year studying the art of carnival and performance on the West Indian island of Trinidad. For seven years, she taught seventh grade writing and arts, acted as a grade-level dean, and enjoyed being a Toyota Teacher Fellow, granting travel to the Galapagos Islands. Liza served as Nueva's middle school division head for seven years before becoming the upper school division head in 2020. Now, in her 11th year as an administrator, she most enjoys being past the Covid years of remote learning, getting back to problem solving for the whole PreK-12 school, working with teams of colleagues, and obviously, time with students and seeing them grow. While not at school she's likely making something in her kitchen, trying to get outside for a walk, and enjoying the funny and insightful life observation from her preschooler.
Jennifer Sapio
Dr. Sapio is Assistant Dean of Academics & Innovation at The Bay School of San Francisco. An experienced educator since 2007, Dr. Sapio has had the opportunity to support students in their learning journeys at a variety of institutions, including independent and public, high school, community college, and university settings. Dr. Sapio has trained teachers as Assistant Director of Lower Division English at the University of Texas; facilitated programming across departments for UT's Center for Women's and Gender Studies; and supported student's academic and social emotional needs as Assistant Director of the Summer English Program at Wadham College, Oxford, as Student Life Committee member and as Class Advisor at Austin Waldorf School. Dr. Sapio serves her community as Board Chair of Fundraising & Scholarships for the Barnard Club of Northern California and as Barnard College Alumnae Class President. Dr. Sapio's work has been acknowledged with a number of awards, from New York University's Office of Global Inclusion's Antiracist Microgrant to the Barry Lopez Prize for Nonfiction. Her bylines can be found at The San Francisco Chronicle, The Harvard Review, and Medium, where she was formerly Top Writer in Education, among many other publications. She holds a B.A. from Barnard College, an M.F.A. from New York University, and a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin. Her spouse, two children, two parakeets, and hamster spend time spinning vinyl at home in Marin.
Kristin Simons
Kristin Simons is the Head of School & the Learning Specialist at Wilkinson School, a small private JK-8th grade school on the Coastside of California near Half Moon Bay. She received her Bachelor’s in Special Education and Psychology from Gonzaga University in Spokane in 1998. After college, she lived in Alaska as a Jesuit volunteer and then moved back to San Francisco in 2004. She received her Masters in Education from SNHU in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on the LD Learner. Kristin has enjoyed working with students with learning differences since 2004 and created a blog called Demystify Dyslexia to support families with understanding Learning Differences. She has taught at Charles Armstrong School and eventually started a private practice working one on one with students with dyslexia. She has been with Wilkinson School for 5 years. During her spare time, Kristin loves to play outside with her husband, dog, and two teenagers. They enjoy skiing, mountain biking, and traveling.
Kai Sionas
Kai Sionas is Dean of Curriculum and Instruction, K-6 and 6th Grade Humanities Teacher at Oakwood Elementary School in Los Angeles. Prior to Oakwood, Kai taught 4th grade and was English Department Chair at Graland Country Day School in Denver, Colorado. Kai began his education career at a Montessori school in New York. He received his Master's in Education from Bank Street College of Education and graduated from Wesleyan University. His guiding light as an educator is to ensure equitable, meaningful, engaging, and joyous learning experiences for young people. Kai has two young children and loves to be outdoors with his family.
Nicole Theriault
Nicole is in her third year as Head of Lower School at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School in Saratoga, CA. She has over twenty years of teaching and leadership experience in independent schools. She served as the Interim Head of Lower School at Rocky Hill Country Day School in RI, a second grade teacher at Stuart Hall for Boys in San Francisco, and a teacher and the program coordinator at Phillips Brooks School’s Early Learning Center in Menlo Park. She has also taught in Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C. Nicole earned her Master of Science in Education from Bank Street College of Education (NY) and a bachelor’s degree from Williams College (MA). She also earned a certificate in School Management and Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and participated in the NAIS School Leadership Institute. A transplant from the east coast, she enjoys spending time outside year-round in the Bay Area and is an avid collector and reader of used books.
Laura Zappas
Laura Zappas has worked in independent schools for 26 years in Colorado, Oregon, Ohio, and now California. She is the Head of Middle School at Castilleja School, an independent girls school in Palo Alto, California. Laura previously taught English and Humanities at Hathaway Brown School in Shaker Heights, Ohio, for 18 years and served as English department chair, a faculty advisor, and 6th grade dean. She has a 19-year-old and 15-year-old twins.