Mrs. Menzies has seen Carlthorp School grow from a one-room, Spanish-style schoolhouse to the flourishing school it is today. She remained in close contact with Mercedes Thorp, one of the original co-founders of our school until her passing. Under Mrs. Menzies’ guidance, Carlthorp School has rebuilt its multi-million dollar, three-level facilities, doubled in size of enrollment, and cultivated a highly qualified faculty and saff of seventy.

Mrs. Menzies continues to serve as an advocate for children's issues throughout the community. For eighteen years, she has been involved with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Monica, where she served as the first woman Chairman of the Board of Governors. Currently, Mrs. Menzies is Past President of the Rotary Club of Santa Monica, where, in addition to twenty-one years of continued service, she has served as the first woman President. A member of the Board of Directors of the Santa Monica Family YMCA, Mrs. Menzies has been affiliated with the youth organization for nearly two decades. Along with sbeing named Santa Monica YWCA Woman of the Year, she has also been named Citizen of the Year by the National Conference. Formerly a member of the Board of Directors of Santa Monica Bank, Mrs. Menzies is currently a Trustee for First United Methodist Church, Santa Monica, and is also one of the founding members of the Everychild Foundation.

Vice Principal, Dean of Students
Allison Sostchen has served Carlthorp School for six years. Aside from a B.A. from U.C.L.A. in Anthropology, and a DLAP specialization, Mrs. Sostchen has also received a M.A. in Education from Pepperdine University, and a M.A. from Northridge, in Educational-Administration-Educational Leadership & Policy Studies.

Mrs. Sostchen's extensive credentials include California Clear Teaching K-9 and California Clear Professional Level Administration. With more than a decade of teaching experience, Mrs. Sostchen has served as a K-5 instructor, Bilingual Coordinator, Gifted Magnet Coordinator, D.A.T.E. Coordinator, Technology Coordinator, ELPS Coordinator, Assistant Principal, and Assistant Head of School. At Carlthorp School, Mrs. Sostchen plays a supportive role to Mrs. Menzies in everything from overseeing the development and articulation of the curriculum, to ERB testing evaluation Board and Parent relations and admissions, to the after-school program, special student programs and events, the weekly newsletter, and many of the day-to-day happenings at the school.

Vice-Principal, Dean of Programs
Patricia E. Yahnke, Vice Principal of Carlthorp School, has 29 years of teaching experience, having served as a Vice Principal for 16 years, and a Principal for 9 years. Ms. Yahnke has been with Carlthorp School for the past 11 years. After receiving a B.A. from Marymount College, and a M.A. from Seattle University, Ms. Yahnke enjoyed more than 25 years teaching lower and middle school social studies, English, math, history and religion.

Following many years in the classroom, Ms. Yahnke was the Principal of Marymount Junior School from 1975 to 1984, when she followed Mrs. Menzies to Carlthorp School. Currently, Ms. Yahnke works in tandem with Mrs. Menzies, Mrs. Sostchen, and Mr. Kusserow to assist with everything from lesson plans to student records and textbook selection. She serves on the admission committie and on the community relations board. For sixth grade families, Ms. Yahnke oversees the secondary school applications process, assisting parents and students alike as they transition to seventh grade..

Vice-Principal, Dean of Faculty
Tim Kusserow joined the administrative team at Carlthorp School in 2009. He serves as Vice Principal, Dean of Faculty. Mr. Kusserow spent 10 years as a teacher, literacy coach, and school administrator in the Los Angeles Unified School District. In an administrative capacity, Mr. Kusserow helped Short Elementary School become the highest performing Title I Reading First school in the State of California (2008).

Mr. Kusserow was born and raised in Santa Monica, CA. An Eagle Scout in Troop 2, he graduated from Santa Monica High School where he served as Student Body President and Captain of the Varsity Football Team. He attended Notre Dame University graduating cum laude with a B.A. in Government and International Relations, and a recipient of the Hesburgh Leadership Award in Public Policy. As an undergraduate, he also studied abroad at the Universidad Del Pais Vasco in San Sebastian, Spain.

Upon graduation, Mr. Kusserow taught for two years in the inner city of Los Angeles. This experience encouraged him to pursue a Master’s degree in Public Policy with a special focus on education. He completed the degree at the Richard & Rhoda Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California, Berkeley.

In 2000, Mr. Kusserow returned to Los Angeles to work for Mayor Richard Riordan as a Senior Educational Analyst. Working with leadership across the Unified School District was an inspiration to a career in school administration. Mr. Kusserow arrived at Short Elementary School in 2004, following a three-year assignment in South Central Los Angeles.

Mr. Kusserow enjoys family, reading, ND football, marathon/duathlons, and travel. He is married and has two young children. He lives in Santa Monica.