About Us
Faculty and Staff

Specialty Teachers

Every classroom has two highly qualified homeroom teachers. In addition to the classroom teachers, Carlthorp has specialty teachers in math, science, music, physical education, reading, Spanish, library, and art.

MEET OUR SPECIALTY TEACHERS

Science

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  • Andre Morris

    Director of Innovation and Upper Elementary Science Instructor

    Mr. Andre Morris is in his 24th year of teaching, starting his fifth year at Carlthorp School as the Head of Innovation and Upper Elementary Science. He is passionate about helping children discover their inner curiosity about the natural and technological world.
    Shortly after receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara, Andre arrived in Los Angeles and began teaching. His career path allowed him to work with communities in South and East Los Angeles, Highland Park, Venice, and Brentwood. During this time he became Nationally Board Certified (2007), served as a Teacher in Residence at the California Science Center, and worked as a consultant for STEM curriculum developers across the country. Andre has worked closely with the Los Angeles Urban Systemic Program, the National Science Foundation, the Lawrence Hall of Science, Carolina Biological, Delta Education, and the California Science Center to create curriculum and provide professional development in mathematics and science for teachers on the West Coast.

    Outside of school, he enjoys strategy games (otherwise known as exercises in spreadsheet analysis!), delving into escape rooms, attempting to play tennis and spending time with his wife, son, and dog.
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  • Megan Wind

    Science Teacher (Grades K-3)

    Megan was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and grew up in Austin,TX. After graduating high school early, Megan attended Texas State University in San Marcos. She graduated magna cum laude with a degree in early childhood - 6th grade education and a certification to teach english language learners. Upon graduation, Megan taught in Austin at a NAEYC accredited independent early childhood development center. An opportunity arose for Megan’s husband to start a new business on the island of Kauai in 2016. Megan has been living and teaching on Kauai for the past 5 years. While working at King Kaumualii School Megan took on many leadership roles. 

    One of those roles was chairing the Science Cohort.  During her time on the Science Cohort, she designed and created a school-wide science curriculum. Megan worked closely with the regional college science department to create a partnership between the two schools. This led to the college hosting the school’s STEM nights and doing demonstrations, as well as providing professional development opportunities for teachers. 

    Megan’s curiosity for science started as a young girl and has blossomed into a true passion. She worked at science summer camps through college, and was torn at the decision of becoming a science specialist teacher or an elementary teacher. The enthusiasm she feels about teaching science comes second only to her dedication towards teaching early elementary-age students. Therefore, the K-3 Science Specialist Teaching position is ideal. Megan’s favorite moments in the classroom are when students’ curiosity and engagement lead to discovery and guide the learning process. She can’t wait to facilitate hands-on learning experiences at Carlthorp.


Physical Education

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  • Chris Lemieux

    P.E. Teacher

    Chris enthusiastically begins his 9th year teaching physical education and coaching at Carlthorp School. He came to Carlthorp from the Northeast, where he taught K-6 physical education in northern Vermont. Chris has a bachelor’s in Physical Education from the University of Vermont, a master’s in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a doctorate (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership, Administration & Policy from Pepperdine University.
    During his undergraduate years, Chris competed in track and field and won a conference championship in the decathlon. Post-competition, he helped coach the University of Illinois women’s track and field team to an indoor Big 10 championship. In his spare time, he likes to play golf, read, play basketball, go hiking, ski, and snowboard.
    Of all the responsibilities and professions Chris has held, the one he reveres the most is the daily responsibility of making a positive impact in your children’s lives. He looks forward to improving your children’s athletic abilities, creating confidence, instilling great sportsmanship, and promoting fun and joy in all the students at Carlthorp School.

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  • Aundréa Dava

    P.E. Teacher

    Aundréa Dava is originally from Hyattville, Maryland, and grew up in Southern California, where she attended and played college basketball for the Vanguard University of Southern California. Coach Dava has 15 years of experience coaching basketball and is passionate about teaching and coaching youth sports and physical education. She has a love for music, dogs, and LA sports. Her spare time is spent with her dog daughter, “Honey,” or training/playing basketball. Coach Dava loves working at Carlthorp and contributing to our school’s outstanding tradition.

  • Matthew Johnson

    P.E. Teacher

    Matt is from Walpole, New Hampshire, and attended Keene State College in New Hampshire. Prior to Carlthorp, he taught for seven years at an elementary school in Brattleboro, Vermont. Physical activity has brought so much joy to Matt's life, and he teaches P.E. because he is passionate about sharing that joy with others.

Spanish Department

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  • Ruby Cedillo Bravo

    Associate Spanish Teacher

    Profesora Ruby is in her fourth year working at Carlthorp School. She was raised in Mexico and Spanish was her first language. She came to Los Angeles to start middle school and learned English as a second language. She has worked with high school students to assist them with opportunities after graduation and with college students to provide them counseling and guidance throughout their college career. She attended UCLA for her undergraduate studies and completed her master's in Dual Language development at California State University, Long Beach. She is eager to continue to create engaging curriculum for students to enjoy the process of learning another language. She is guided by the philosophy of teaching through a holistic lens where all aspects of a child’s life — including their physical, social, and emotional needs — are considered in order to build a safe and enriching learning environment. In her free time, she enjoys doing outdoor activities, spending time with family, and creating arts and crafts.

  • Sheila Pastor

    Spanish Teacher

    Sheila is excited to share with Carlthorp School not only her love of language but also her culture, traditions, and experiences. Originally from Spain, she holds a bachelor's degree in Translation of English, Spanish, German and Catalan, along with a master’s degree in Higher Education. Almost finished with her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Bilingual Curriculum Development, she brings experience in classroom teaching as well as in accreditation and the creation of an international student-family host program. Sheila has worked in private education since 2013 as a teacher and team coordinator. Her teaching takes a child-centered approach, prioritizing students’ needs and fostering a high level of empathy in the learning process. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, and exploring new destinations.

  • Jasmin Colmenares

    Teaching Assistant, Spanish

    Jasmin is excited to work with faculty, staff, and students in her new role as Spanish Teaching Assistant at Carlthorp. Many students will recognize her from her work serving lunch on campus throughout the previous school year, and she looks forward to strengthening her connections with students and community members in 2023-2024. Jasmin has studied for two years at Santa Monica College with a focus on child education, and she has volunteered as a field supervisor for an after-school program at the elementary school she attended. In any work environment, Jasmin takes initiative as a thoughtful and organized problem-solver. In her free time, she enjoys watching the Dodgers, taking care of her plants, and spending time with her 3-year-old son.

Art Department

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  • Jean Austin

    Art Teaching Assistant

    An alumna of Carlthorp School, Jean graduated from Carleton College and has spent 20-plus years working at Carlthorp with students. Jean is a gifted artist and designer who enjoys going to the movies, reading, and sampling fine food.

  • Rachel Adams

    Art Teacher

    Rachel studied advertising and creative writing in college but pursued her passion for art through various classes, personal projects, and exhibitions. Primarily self-taught in multiple media, Rachel has always had a passion for art. She discovered her love of working with children during her time at LAUSD. She strives to model a positive attitude in the classroom and give each student a safe place to make mistakes and grow, and she believes everyone has an inner artist that just needs a supportive environment to emerge. She strives to connect each child to art in some way.

    In addition to producing her own art, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and pets.

  • Greta Williams

    Art Teacher

    Greta graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts and a Clear Teaching Credential in Art. She is passionate about children’s art education and has worked with students from kindergarten through eighth grade. It has been her great joy to share the magic and wonder of art with Carlthorp students for more than 20 years. She delights in seeing art come alive as students explore famous artists and artwork, learn new skills, and discover their own creative spark. In her free time she enjoys nature, music, reading, and creating art. She also loves spending time with family and friends, and visiting her place of birth, Hawaii.

Library

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  • Yvette Vasquez

    Library Staff

    Yvette earned her B.A. in psychology from California State University, Los Angeles. She has worked with children in a variety of capacities, including babysitting and teaching Sunday school at her church. She is a California native and was born in Santa Monica and raised in Long Beach. She is an avid reader and reads almost 50 books a year. When she is not lost in a book, you can find her hiking with friends and family, traveling, hanging out at the beach, or just finding new places to eat in Los Angeles.

  • Nicky Meyer

    Program Integration Director and Head Librarian

    Nicky has held several positions since starting at Carlthorp School in 1999. She began as a P.E. teacher, moved to 1st grade for six years, followed by 3rd grade for eight years and has now worked in the Library for over nine years. Additionally, Nicky has stepped into the role of Program Integration Director, overseeing the school's COVID return plans, coordinating parent education workshops at CS, and collaborating with fellow faculty and staff on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion curriculum. She holds an Administrative Credential, a Masters of Art in Elementary Education, a Clear Credential in Elementary Education, and a B.A in Sociology with a minor in Family Studies. Nicky enjoys yoga, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family. She has always been devoted to helping children achieve their potential, knowing that they need to be well-prepared for the complex world in which they will live.

  • Sarah DeFrance

    Assistant Librarian

    Sarah grew up in New York, New Jersey, California, and England, but she has happily called Santa Monica home since the early 1990s. She has worked at Carlthorp School for 17 years as a teaching assistant in 3rd and 5th grades and for the last seven years as an assistant in the Library. She is passionate about reading and children’s books, believing that books are an important way for children to gain knowledge and understanding of the world they live in. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Expressive Arts in Mental Health (Art Therapy) and a TESOL certificate. When she’s not reading a good book, she enjoys photography, writing, taking long walks in nature, and spending time with her husband and rascally rescue cat, Tobias.

Music Department

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  • Ashley Storie

    Music Teacher

    Ashley is a dedicated educator from Los Angeles with a diverse background in teaching. With over a decade of classroom experience, Ashley has taught pre-K and elementary music, trained singers in classical and musical theater performance, and taught music classes at the college level. A graduate of the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University of Long Beach, Ashley earned her Bachelor of Music degree in 2009. Continuing her education, Ashley trained in Orff-Schulwerk technique and participated in the 2023 World Music Drumming course at University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. In the classroom, Ms. Storie encourages students to feel, connect, and perform music in new and creative ways. Providing a fun and welcoming learning environment, Ashley empowers students to express themselves and gain confidence in their musical abilities. Ashley is thrilled to begin her third year at Carlthorp School teaching general music, Chorus Club, and Theater Club.

  • Richard Lawton

    Music Teacher

    Richard is entering his 18th year of teaching elementary music, having worked in both independent and public schools in Los Angeles. Richard will be covering for Ms. Lin Dale through January and then will remain at Carlthorp through the end of the school year to support our music program. Richard is an adjunct faculty member at California State University, East Bay, in Hayward, where he supervises single subject music credential teaching candidates, and is also an instructor in the Los Angeles County Orff Schulwerk teacher training course. Richard lives in Hollywood with his wife, Lisa (also a teacher), and five cats.

  • Jackie Lin Dale

    Music Teacher

    Hailing from Fairfax, Virginia, Jackie taught in schools around the Chicago and Washington, D.C., area before starting at Carlthorp. She holds an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University in violin and music education and has worked with many musicians as both a performer and an educator. In the classroom, she has experience teaching orchestras, bands and choirs of all ages, from kindergarten through 12th grade. Outside the classroom, she enjoys hiking, tennis, and making music with friends.

Language Arts

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  • Rebecca Paradis

    Reading Specialist

    Rebecca is excited to begin her sixth year at Carlthorp School! A California native, Rebecca grew up helping in her mom's second grade classroom. From a young age she has been passionate about education and that love has never wavered. Rebecca received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, master's in Education, and Reading Specialist credential all from Loyola Marymount University. Rebecca taught in LAUSD before finding her home at Carlthorp School. Always seeking to continue to expand her knowledge of best practices of teaching young children how to read, Rebecca has been trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach and the Lindamood-Bell method. Outside of school, Rebecca enjoys crafting, kayaking, and spending time with her family and friends.

  • Jeannette Kowell

    Reading Specialist

    Jeannette is a graduate of Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania. She has a Master of Arts in Teaching, as well as her learning specialist credential. She is the mother of two Carlthorp graduates, the grandmother of a Class of 2023 alumnus, and also the grandmother of a current Carlthorp kindergartener. Jeannette began her career at Carlthorp as a kindergarten teacher and then became a reading teacher. She earned a reading and literacy certificate from USC in 2017 and is Orton-Gillingham trained. Outside of school, she enjoys playing with her grandchildren, reading, exercising and cooking.

  • Leslie Neumann

    Reading Specialist

    Leslie is eager to begin her 6th year of teaching at Carlthorp School. Prior to Carlthorp, she spent 10 years in her hometown of Chicago as a homeroom teacher in grades K-5. She attended the University of Iowa for her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and earned her master's degree as a Reading Specialist at Olivet Nazarene University. She joined Carlthorp initially as a 1st and then 2nd grade teacher and most recently transitioned into the role of Reading Specialist. She loves being part of the Carlthorp community.

    Throughout her 14 years as a homeroom teacher, her passion for helping students find joy and gain confidence as a reader continued to grow. She knew spending her days helping her students find success as a reader was her true calling.  

    In her free time, she enjoys taking full advantage of all of these sun-filled days. She likes to spend time with her family and friends, traveling, and, of course, enjoying a great book.

Math Department

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  • Liese Brown

    Math Specialist

    Mrs. Brown is an outstanding teacher with years of experience in Carlthorp School classrooms, having taught 6th grade (2010) and 4th grade (2011-2015) on campus. The independent school culture is one that she knows well. She began her own schooling in London and then moved with her family to Boston, where she graduated from The Winsor School. She then attended Yale University, where she played two varsity sports. Upon graduation, Mrs. Brown participated in the New York City Teaching Fellows and earned her Master of Science in Education from Lehman College, City University of New York. Prior to arriving at Carlthorp School in 2010, Mrs. Brown taught grades 1-3 for nine years in New York City, serving low-income communities.

    Mrs. Brown lives in the Pacific Palisades with her husband, Dave, and their three children, Lucy, Walker, and Emma. She likes to play tennis, swim, eat ice cream, and enjoy the outdoors!

  • Boralda Ndreu

    Math Specialist

    Boralda Ndreu graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Finance from California State University, Northridge, and worked in the finance field for a couple of years. Her love for numbers and the desire to help children understand math inspired her to become a math teacher. With seven years of math teaching experience for grades K-12, Ms. Ndreu’s content knowledge and ability to connect with children is an asset to our school. Bora is a previous owner and teacher of a Mathnasium franchise in Simi Valley. During her time there, she made it her daily goal to ensure that students have effective, engaging, and encouraging learning experiences that cultivate an intuitive understanding of math while creating a positive, nurturing environment for her students.
438 San Vicente Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90402
(310) 451-1332
Established in 1939, Carlthorp School is the oldest independent coeducational day school for grades K-6 located in Santa Monica, California.