DesertAcademy

MEET OUR FACULTY

BOB ALEI – MATHEMATICS
Bob grew up in Los Alamos and received his BA from UC San Diego and MS from Stanford University in electrical engineering.  In 2000, after working as a software engineer in medical imaging and environmental data management, he decided to pursue teaching math.  He began with pre-algebra and algebra in a public middle school in rural California.  Since then, he has taught courses from Algebra through Calculus at both private and public schools.  He has a passion for helping students discover the beauty and elegance of mathematics as one of many lenses into our world.  He is excited to be working with the IB math program at Desert Academy.
Email: balei@desertacademy.org

RANDY BENNETT – Chairman, Performing Arts
Randy looks forward to his 8th year at Desert, where he has developed a dynamic theatre program. He has taught improvisation and comedy writing for over two and a half decades to over 2,500 students including George Clooney, Jon Lovitz, Julia Sweeney, Darryl Hannah, Phil Rosenthal (Executive Producer of Everybody Loves Raymond) and J.J. Abrams (“Lost,” “Star Trek”). His career started in the early years of The Groundlings where he was a performing member of that now legendary comedy troupe with Phil Hartman and Paul “Pee-wee Herman” Reubens. He ran The Groundling School of Improvisation for many years and opened Groundlings East in New York City, which is still operating under the banner of Gotham City Improv. He was a Hollywood talent agent in the early 80’s representing such talents as George Clooney, Kelly Preston, Lynn Redgrave, Cloris Leachman, Kirstie Alley, and Tom Selleck. As a LA theatre producer and casting director, he gave “first breaks” to Lisa Kudrow (Friends) and Peri Gilpin (Frazier), which helped launch their successful acting careers. He was also a television director on ABC’s Jam Bay, for Bunim/Murray Productions (Real World, Simple Life) and The Nanny for CBS. He graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California with a degree in Theatre Arts. Randy holds his IB certification in Theatre. For a recent article about Randy, please visit http://www.santafe.com/articles/timing-is-everything-randy-bennett-s-lives-in-the-performing-arts.
Email: rbennett@desertacademy.org

JESSICA CAVALLI – World Languages Chair, Spanish
Jessica has been teaching Spanish at Desert Academy since 2003 and is proud to be a certified teacher in the school’s International Baccalaureate Programme. Jessica was raised in Santa Fe and graduated cum laude from the University of New Mexico with a BA in Modern Romance Languages. She holds a NM teaching license with an endorsement in Spanish as a foreign language, as well as the Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language (Nivel Superior) from the Instituto Cervantes of Spain. Jessica has also successfully completed the New Mexico Spanish Language Proficiency Exam (Prueba de Español) for bilingual certification. She is currently working on a Master’s Degree in teaching Spanish language and culture through the Universidad de Alcalá de Henares (Madrid) in Spain. She has studied, worked, and lived in various parts of Spain, and travels frequently to Mexico where her family has a home. Additionally, Jessica leads semi-annual student trips to the Dominican Republic to realize service and outreach work in impoverished communities. She is the Faculty Advisor for the Desert Academy Leos Club, a youth division of Lions Club International.
Email: jcavalli@desertacademy.org

JOCELYNE COMSTOCK – Science
In over 10 years of teaching, Jocelyne has had the opportunity to teach students from all walks of life, aged 13-20+ in a multitude of classes. She obtained her BA from the University of Hawaii at Hilo in Natural Sciences with a minor in Earth and Space studies. She has worked in some of the largest public schools in the state of Hawaii, an outside charter school in the state of Colorado, and at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado. She sets her standards high, and provides her students with a way to relate everyday life to the school subjects they learn through co-operative learning groups, hands-on lab work and research that delves more into subjects of interest for the students. She earned her MA in Earth Sciences with work directed in geology and astronomy. Jocelyne has published three articles, one referring to her master’s thesis and two regarding Astronomy and Math applications; she looks forward to writing new articles as part of this faculty.
Email:  jcomstock@desertacademy.org

JILL FELICE – Assistance Dog Training
Assistance Dogs of the West was founded in 1995 by Jill Felice, and has been an integral part of the Desert curriculum. Jill is a graduate of the Assistance Dog Institute in Rohnert Park, California. Dr. Bonita Bergin, the founder of Canine Companions for Independence, founded Assistance Dog Institute. The program is unique in its additional focus on the benefits for participating students, as well as for the recipient of an assistance dog. Student trainers enable Assistance Dogs of the West to train and place more dogs with recipients. Desert Academy students have trained dogs that have been placed to help individuals with multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, degenerative nerve diseases, and victims of accident, stroke, and war injuries. Jill is a graduate of the Assistance Dog Institute in Rohnert Park, California.
Email:  jfelice@desertacademy.org

LIS GILBERT-DESMOND – Social Studies, PE
Lis has been working for Desert Academy since 1999. She has taught Art, P.E., Social Studies and English. This year, she will be teaching Social Studies and P.E. In addition to her teaching duties, she will also coach cross country, track and help out as the assistant athletic director. Lis moved to Santa Fe in 1991 after graduating from St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY. She spent her first few years in Santa Fe pursuing outdoor interests as a raft guide, and as a skier services representative and expedition guide for teen trips in Montana and British Colombia. Lis is an avid tri-athlete and continues to race everything from 5k’s to marathons. When Lis is not running with the Desert runners, you can find her with her husband and young daughter.
Email:  lgildes@desertacademy.org

PAUL HEDRICK – English
Paul hails from Albuquerque, New Mexico. He received his BA in English from the University of New Mexico and his MA from Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English. Paul is certified as an IB English Instructor. He began teaching in 1997 and joined the Desert Academy faculty in 2007. Despite his interests in science fiction and fantasy, comic books, gaming, Star Trek, film, and English literature, Paul likes to think he’s not the world’s biggest geek.
Email: phedrick@desertacademy.org

KIM KURIAN – Photography
Originally from St. Louis, Kim moved to Santa Fe in 1998 to pursue a new career in photography. Previously, Kim worked as a clinical registered dietitian in hospitals, mental health institutions, out-patient health and wellness clinics, and even at a maximum security federal prison. In addition, she taught nutrition and health education classes at Southern Illinois University while pursuing a Doctorate in Health Education. One semester she decided to take a class in black and white photography and as a result, changed her course of study mid-stream and has never looked back. Now, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in photography, Kim teaches part-time and works as a freelance and fine art photographer. Outside of photography, her interests are being a homemaker, gardening, cooking, olympic style weightlifting, and hiking with her husband Greg and her dog.
Email: kkurian@desertacademy.org

LISA LINCOLN - Speech and Debate, Musical Theater/Music
Lisa received her B.A. in Communications with minors in English and Drama from the University of California, San Diego. She is the Artistic Director and Founder of Eldorado Children’s Theatre and Teen Players that began in 1999. Lisa graduated with the Estill voice training program certification, a college level voice teaching method, and studied voice in the Los Angeles area for more than 20 years with opera and musical theatre professionals. She has performed in at least 50 musicals, and directed and vocal directed more. Ms. Lincoln was on the Faculty of the Performing Arts Department at Santa Fe Preparatory School from 2006-2012 as vocal director and musical theater teacher for all musical theater classes, productions, and performances;  At Prep, she also started the award winning Speech and Debate Team in 2008 and trained/coached the students in all events from debate, public speaking to acting events. She was the drama teacher for the Girl’s Ranch from 2005-2007, is the vocal teacher for all National Dance Institute’s vocal classes, summer intensives and in-school programs, and directed “A Chorus Line” for NDI’s advanced programs. She initiated, designed and implemented the 6^th grade Shakespeare study & performance program at Eldorado Elementary School and has been a private voice teacher since 2002.
Email: Llincoln@desertacademy.org

KAREN LINDEEN – Head of Middle School, MYP Coordinator, Science Dept. Chair
Karen’s passions lie not only in teaching students science, but inspiring them to be life-long learners. A native of Maryland, she earned her M.Ed. from the University of Maryland and a B.S. in Biological Science from Salisbury State University.  She recently earned a graduate degree in Educational Leadership, Ed.S., from the University of New Mexico, deepening her knowledge of Middle Years students and creating a positive, engaging, Middle School experience. Karen has taught science for 12 years in both public and private schools and has been inspiring Desert students since. She is certified as an IB MYP Coordinator and an IB Biology Instructor.  She is the Head of the Middle School, the IB Middle Years Programme Coordinator, and Science Department Chair. As a science teacher, Karen wants to inspire students to be fascinated by the natural world around them, in turn motivating them to become environmental stewards, academic scholars, and all around good people. As part of the administrative team, she believes a strong, collaborative atmosphere is key to continued growth.
Email:  klindeen@desertacademy.org

NATALIE MARTINO – Mathematics, Science
Natalie Martino grew up in Chicago and received a B.S. in Environmental Studies and Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After her Peace Corps service in Ghana, she pursued her M.A. in Secondary Science Education at the University of New Mexico.  Natalie taught in Santa Fe public and charter schools for six years, during which she also interned at the Randall Davey Audobon Society. Most recently, she was an IB Middle Years Programme science teacher and the Human Ingenuity and Environments Coordinator at an international school in London. She continually aims to connect students to their local and global communities through a 21^st century, relevant, project-based curriculum. Natalie is delighted to be back in Santa Fe with her husband and son to pursue her love of travel, the outdoors, and do-it-yourself projects. Natalie is looking forward to sharing her experience with the Desert community.
Email: nmartino@desertacademy.org

GABRIELLA MASONI – French, Social Studies
Gabriella has lived between Washington, D.C., Paris and Rome. Educated in international schools, including l’Ėcole Active Bilingue, an IB school in Paris, Gabriella then earned her BA in Art History at the American University of Paris with a minor in Art from Parsons Paris School of Art and Design. While living in Rome before moving to Santa Fe in 2009, Gabriella pursued her teaching career at Oxford Institutes as a certified ESL instructor, she also specialized in FFL and IFL, and taught at Rome International School, an IB K-12 school where she headed the art department, chaired the Cultural Education Committee and taught: modern languages, seventh grade science, social studies and art history. In 2003, she earned an MA in Humanities from California State University. Gabriella is an avid linguist, traveler and painter who loves outdoor sports and a good book. She has a wonderful husband who is an award winning Italian film director, and two lovely daughters who constantly remind her that life is about living. Gabriella began teaching Desert students in 2009.
Email: gmasoni@desertacademy.org

JEFF MATHIS – Science, Mathematics, Math Chair
Jeff is excited about his 3rd year at Desert where he teaches Chemistry, IB Biology and Algebra. Jeff has been working in Science, Math and Technology fields for over 20 years, either as a university instructor, in private industry, or teaching high school. He has a deep love for mathematics and the natural world, and really enjoys sharing this passion with children and teens. Jeff earned a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Montana, was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship for study in West Germany, and received a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Colorado. He then did post-doctoral scientific research at the University of Utah in biochemistry and bioinformatics before working in private industry for eleven years as a scientific computer modeler and in the fields of bioinformatics, supply chains, and quantitative finance. He also has a Masters of Education with an emphasis on at-risk youth in secondary schools. Jeff is a certified IB instructor.
Email:  jmathis@desertacademy.org

BRENDAN MCKINNEY – English, Philosophy
Brendan comes to Desert Academy from northern Virginia, where he taught History, Social Studies and English in a liberal arts high school.  Brendan also taught English with the Peace Corps in Guinea, West Africa. He received his B.A. from St. John’s College in Santa Fe in 2001 and his Masters from Bond University in Queensland, Australia in 2007.  Brendan is an avid reader and lover of music from bluegrass to jazz, and as a native of Maryland, he hopes one day to see the Baltimore Orioles restored to their former glory.  He believes that reading well is a skill that comes with practice, just as writing well is, and that students who are able to do both are equipped to be inquisitive and confident learners in all aspects of life. 
Email: bmckinney@desertacademy.org

ROD MEHLING - Head of High School; History Teacher; Tennis Coach
Rod is passionate about helping young adults realize their full potential – in the classroom, on the athletic field, and in all other walks of life. Rod joined Desert in 2005 and became part of the administrative team in 2009. He earned his BA in History from the University of Wisconsin (Madison), holds his teaching certification from the State of New Mexico, and is an IB certified History teacher. Rod is also TESOL-certified (Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages). Prior to coming to Desert, Rod was CEO of Catalyst Communications Inc., an award-winning healthcare educational firm that produced multi-media programs for doctors and patients. In addition to serving as Head of High School, Rod currently teaches IB Modern World History at Desert.
Email:  rmehling@desertacademy.org

SHEILA MILES – Chair, Visual Arts
Sheila is an artist who has been teaching for over 35 years throughout our country. She has held teaching positions in Montana and in Hawaii, in one room school houses and for the National Endowment for the Arts and Montanta Arts Council.  Sheila has been Director of the Provincetown Art Museum and Curator at the Yellowstone Art Museum. Sheila has a Masters in Painting and Drawing and has exhibited in over 300 exhibitions; 100 of her works are included in various public collections including the Federal Reserve Bank. She has also received the Gottlieb Foundation grant and a Montana Arts Council Fellowship. After a vibrant career in Montana for over 27 years, Sheila moved to Northern New Mexico, where she has been inspiring the creativity of Desert Students.  You can view her work at www.artistmiles.com.
Email:  smiles@desertacademy.org

JUD OSBORN – Finance Director/Human Resources
Jud joined Desert Academy in the Summer of 2005. Jud earned his BA from the College of Santa Fe in 1993 and has  served as Business Manager/Finance Director in NM private schools for over ten years. In the winter of 2006-07 Jud initiated the Middle School Winter Mountain Sports Programs and in the fall of 2007 he resumed teaching Creative Writing, a class he has taught in six of the past ten years.
Email: josborn@desertacademy.org

NATALIE PASSALACQUA – Athletic Director
Natalie received her BA in education from the University of Pittsburgh State. She was a 4-year letter winner in basketball and track & field, and captain of the basketball team. She placed all four years at the MIAA track and field conference championships and was awarded Outstanding Student Athlete. Natalie was a special education instructor from 2000 to 2004 in Kansas, and coached volleyball and softball. She receives great satisfaction from helping students achieve difficult goals.
Email: npassalacqua@desertacademy.org

JULIANA PETERSON – Music, Humanities, Design Juliana is happy to now be teaching full time at Desert.  She studied Theatre Arts, Music and Cultural Studies at the University of Minnesota and worked as a theatre professional for three years before relocating to Santa Fe.  She has furthered her learning through travel, study and work around the world including Chile, Bolivia, Thailand, Spain, Hungary and Nicaragua.   Creative, sustainable living solutions are a passion of hers, and outside of school she co-operates a non-profit organization, Reunity Resources, focused on biofuel education and access.  She is delighted to share her global experience, commitment to education and passion for the arts with students.
Email: jpeterson@desertacademy.org

FU-MEI TSAI – Chinese
Fu-Mei received her BA in Chinese Literature at National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan. She is a certified Chinese teacher in Taiwan and has taught Chinese in junior high school (grades 7, 8, and 9) in Taiwan from 1992 to 2002. She won her lottery Green Card and moved to the States with her family 2003. She has been teaching Chinese at Desert Academy since the 2006 school year. Fu-Mei took six of her DP Mandarin Chinese students to visit Taiwan during the 2011 spring break. Fu-Mei also teaches Chinese 111 & Chinese 112 at Santa Fe Community College.
Email: ftsai@desertacademy.org

CHRIS ZAPPE – Digital Media Arts
Chris received his BFA in Art and Technology from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His roles at Desert Academy include teaching digital animation in the school’s burgeoning Digital Media Arts department and providing technical assistance with campus computers and technology infrastructure. He also works in the math department teaching middle school math. Despite his field of interest, Chris maintains a healthy skepticism toward computers and enjoys the many outdoor activities Santa Fe has to offer, previously lending his talents to the St. John’s College Search & Rescue team.
Email:  czappe@desertacademy.org

MEET OUR STAFF

PATTY CONWAY – Front Office Manager
Patty has been at Desert for eight years, and is otherwise known as the voice of Desert Academy. Her interests outside of school include going on vision quests, swimming with whales and dolphins, and practicing meditation. She has just completed her masters degree in Counseling.
Email:  pconway@desertacademy.org

JENNIFER DRYFOOS – College Counselor
Jennifer has spent a surprising amount of her life devoted to colleges.She was director of college counseling at Santa Fe Prep for twelve years and worked as a college counselor in Locust Valley, NY (at The Portledge School) prior to moving to Santa Fe.Before that, she was a college administrator (in residential life) at Princeton, Wheaton, Oberlin, and Green Mountain College.She was born and raised in New York City, but has lived all over.She got her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Women’s Studies from Smith College and her Masters in Counseling Processes from Harvard.Jennifer also has a Certificate in Financial Planning from NYU.
Email:  jdryfoos@desertacademy.org

KIMBERLY HENELY – Executive Assistant
Originally from Denver, Colorado, Kim moved to Santa Fe in 2007 and has worked at Desert since that time. She is thrilled to be working in an educational environment, after working as a television production coordinator in Los Angeles for a couple of years prior to her move to Santa Fe. Kim received her BS in Behavioral Science from Metropolitan State College of Denver, and an Associates Degree in Multimedia Design & Technology from the Colorado Institute of Art. Outside of work, Kim enjoys her pets, traveling, hiking, yoga and dance.
Email:  khenely@desertacademy.org

AMY MILLER – Assistant Head of School
Amy has been a part of the Desert Academy Administrative Team since 2004, serving as Head of Middle School, Dean of Students, English Department Chair and as an English teacher before taking on the role of Assistant Head of School in the summer of 2008. Amy earned her undergraduate degree in literature and secondary education from American University in Washington DC, her Masters of Liberal Studies from St. John’s College, and her Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Arizona State University. Prior to Desert, Amy taught English, Composition, and Creative Writing on the middle, high school, and college levels and served as a middle school administrator. Amy is a certified IB Theory of Knowledge instructor, IB Middle Years Programme Coordinator, and AP English teacher, and has attended programs in Middle School Leadership, overseeing student leadership and student publications. She is also a published author. Amy is a strong advocate of writing across the curriculum and using a well balanced liberal arts curriculum to address multiple intelligences. Amy currently teaches Theory of Knowledge at Desert Academy.
Email: amiller@desertacademy.org

JUD OSBORN – Finance Director/Human Resources
Jud joined Desert Academy in the Summer of 2005. Jud earned his BA from the College of Santa Fe in 1993 and has  served as Business Manager/Finance Director in NM private schools for over ten years. In the winter of 2006-07 Jud initiated the Middle School Winter Mountain Sports Programs and in the fall of 2007 he resumed teaching Creative Writing, a class he has taught in six of the past ten years.
Email:  josborn@desertacademy.org

TERRY PASSALACQUA – Head of School
Terry has taught in various capacities in Santa Fe over the past twenty years, including the last fifteen at Desert Academy. In that time, he has served as Dean of Faculty, Head of High School and Assistant Head of School. He has also taught Anthropology, IB Psychology, Government/Economics, History, and served as Athletics Director for ten years. He is a certified International Baccalaureate Instructor in two disciplines, The Theory of Knowledge and Psychology. He is also certified in International Baccalaureate Administration. Terry has conducted various leadership workshops and seminars in Santa Fe, Denver, and at the Omega Institute in New York. He earned a B.A. in Psychology from Kent State University and a M.A. in Educational Leadership from the University of New Mexico. Among his many other accomplishments, Terry was voted “Most Influential Teacher” for the Santa Fe Super Scholar Program in 2006, 2007, and 2008, and was named “Most Inspiring Teacher” by a student finalist in the National 2007 Presidential Scholars Program. Terry also writes a column on educational issues for the New Mexico Free Press.

Prior to retiring from athletics in the Spring of 2007, Terry had spent twenty years coaching high school track & field in the Santa Fe area. The last twelve of those years have been at Desert Academy. He has a long history of athletic achievements including being voted as “The New Mexico Coach of the Year” in 1994, 1995, and 2003. Individual athletes from his teams have won over fifty state championships and his teams have competed and won awards at the state, national, and international levels. Terry was the founder of the Santa Fe/Los Alamos Track Club. In 1992, as  head coach for the United States track & field team, he made a historic trip to China – at the time, it was the largest track contingent to compete in China.
Email:  tpassalacqua@desertacademy.org

“I believe in the absolute power of the individual to achieve, grow and flourish as long as love and support are present” – Terry Passalacqua

KAY RICE – Director of Development
Kay began teaching special needs students after graduating from the University of Texas. The next year she moved to Tererro, New Mexico, east of Santa Fe to continue her teaching career at Brush Ranch School. She also served as Director of Admission and eventually, Head of School. She holds a Master’s Degree from the University of New Mexico in Learning Disabilities.  Along with involvement in BRS came co-directing Brush Ranch Camps, with her husband Scott.   Her three grown children and her two grand children along with extended family are the most important part of her life.   Hiking with the dogs, travel with anyone to anywhere, getting dirty while gardening, and taking on new challenges keeps her going.
Email: krice@desertacademy.org

TAMARA ROSSI – Registrar, Academic Coordinator
After growing up in the Berkshires in New England and receiving a BA in English from UMass/Amherst, Tamara migrated west via Chicago to Santa Fe. She is now entering her 15th year at Desert Academy after various stints in book sales and marketing. She loves to travel, so every time she gets enough frequent flyer miles she’s off on another adventure.
Email:  trossi@desertacademy.org

KAREN SANDS – School Counselor
Karen has over twenty-five years of experience in the fields of child-development research, international adoption, addictions counseling and psychotherapy. She is on the faculty of Southwestern College where she teaches Ethics and Advanced Counseling. Karen has presented workshops in Ethics and Supervision throughout the region for the past ten years. Karen also serves on the Continuing Education Committee, and the Ethics Committee for the Counseling and Therapy Practice Board of the State of New Mexico. 
Email:  ksands@desertacademy.org

ISABELLE THIÉBAUT – Director of Admissions, IB Diploma Program Coordinator, French
Isabelle was born and raised in Paris. She received her certifications in Languages and Communications: (Associate in English, BA in Spanish and BA in FLE-French as a Foreign Language, Master in Communication /PR/ Marketing). She has worked in the communication field for over 15 years.  Isabelle also holds a Masters Degree in Counseling from Paris. She moved to Santa Fe six years ago with her daughter and since then, she has been teaching French to middle and high school students and to adults. Isabelle is a certified Feng Shui Practitioner and Teacher, and also teaches at the Santa Fe Community College for The School of Arts and Design.
Email: ithiebaut@desertacademy.org

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