New Faculty and Staff Bios: 2025-2026

Kevin Austin joined Poly in 2018 and taught fourth grade before transitioning to the role of Assistant to the Director of PolySummer and Extended Day, later becoming the Assistant Director. We are excited to share that Kevin’s role has now expanded to Assistant Director of Auxiliary Programs and Emergency Preparedness. Working alongside Jonathan Fay, Director of PolySummer and Extended Day Programs, Kevin’s strong work ethic and dedication have helped transform the Poly Extended Program (PEP) into a thriving and nurturing space for students. To help further student development on campus, Kevin recently earned an M.Ed. in Independent School Leadership from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College. As a community, we are proud to support Kevin’s continued journey and his commitment to cultivating a joyful and enriching environment here at Poly.  

Julia Bosley initially joined Poly in 2023 as a Lower School Teaching Fellow for first grade. We are thrilled to announce her full-time role as Second Grade Teacher in the Lower School. Julia will also continue her impactful role as a member of Poly’s Drive Less Initiative Committee. Julia brings an extensive background in education and childhood development, as well as a passion to support sustainability efforts. During her past experiences at Warner Elementary School in Los Angeles, she collaborated on long-range planning, led daily objective-based instruction, and created instructional materials and activities to support student learning. It brings us great excitement to know that Julia’s dedication to student excellence and engagement will continue at Poly.

Rachel Dunham will serve as the next Upper School Science Department Chair. A member of the Poly Class of 2001, Rachel is deeply familiar with Poly’s mission and commitment to student growth and excellence, which inspired her return to campus in 2017. Throughout her professional career at Poly, Rachel has worked to develop curriculum that deepens students' scientific skill base and connects to the world around them. In addition, she has contributed to school-wide events, such as Terrapalooza, where she led workshops on Paleoclimate and Fire Ecology. We are grateful for Rachel’s continued commitment to Poly.

Cyril Hicks will take on the role of Network and Information Systems Coordinator at Poly. A proud member of the Class of 2016, Cyril is no stranger to the Poly community. Cyril has strengthened his interest in technology by working alongside Director of Technology John Yen since eighth grade. Cyril’s commitment to advancing students’ proficiency in technology has been evident through his extensive work with PolySummer, where he taught introductory computer science courses to students in grades three through six. His strong work ethic, attention to detail, and ongoing support of teachers, administrators, and students have been instrumental in driving technological progress across campus—an increasingly vital area in today’s world. The Poly community is proud to see Cyril’s expertise and passion for technological innovation continue to shape our school.

Serra Leroy will serve as the next Upper School English Department Chair. Serra joined the Poly community in 2015 as an Upper School English Teacher and previously served as 12th Grade Coordinator. She is dedicated to strengthening students’ understanding of English while also uplifting and celebrating them as individuals outside of the classroom. Her holistic approach to education led to her selection for the Poly Honor Code Exploration Committee in 2018, a collaborative group of both students and faculty tasked with developing the school’s Honor Code. Serra’s contributions extend beyond the Poly classroom as well, serving as a faculty member for Partnership for Success (PFS), an Adjunct Professor at Pasadena City College, and helped establish a support group for mothers in the Poly community. Her commitment and thoughtful approach to community-building and student learning are deeply valued, and we are thrilled to support Serra in this next chapter of her journey at Poly.

Flo Siegel will transition from her role teaching second grade to becoming a Fourth Grade Teacher. Her educational experience includes time at Chatsworth Hills Academy in Bethesda, Maryland, where she worked with kindergarten and first-grade students. Since joining the Poly community in 2015, Flo has taught with the guiding belief of “building good people.” She instills in her students the values of kindness, selflessness, and helping others. Flo’s continued dedication to nurturing humility and empathy in our youngest learners has prepared her well for this role. We are excited for her continued impact on our Lower School students and their families. 

Candace Veasey will assume the role of Associate Director of Employee Relations and Human Resources. Now entering her 25th year at Poly, Candace was welcomed into the community by former Head of School Sarah Levine (1998-2001) and has since been a vital contributor as Assistant Director of Human Resources. Her deep institutional knowledge and longstanding commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace and community make her exceptionally well-suited for this new role. We are proud to support her in this next chapter of her Poly journey. 

Adrienne Badzey will join the Poly community this fall as a First Grade Teacher. With extensive experience in early childhood education, Adrienne has taught both kindergarten and first grade, most recently at Barnhart School in Arcadia, CA. She developed a standards-based curriculum that supports diverse learners and fosters an inclusive, student-centered classroom environment. Adrienne believes learning should be authentic, joyful, and driven by student curiosity. She partners closely with families to ensure that each child feels known, supported, and loved. A graduate of Loyola Marymount University with a B.A. in sociology, Adrienne thoughtfully integrates movement, music, art, and play into her lessons to foster student engagement and multidisciplinary growth. Please join us in giving Adrienne a warm Poly welcome! 

Sara Can joins our Lower School faculty team as a Kindergarten Teaching Fellow. Sara brings extensive experience in childhood education, most recently from Holly Avenue Elementary School in Arcadia. She has also worked within the Glendora, Azusa, Covina, and Arcadia Unified School Districts as a substitute teacher. At Holly Avenue Elementary, Sara designed and implemented tailored instructional strategies to improve reading skills and comprehension for English language learners. She collaborated closely with teachers and specialists to integrate language and literacy development into daily lessons. She earned a M.A. from the University of La Verne and a Bachelor of Arts from Citrus College. With her strong foundation in literacy instruction and collaborative spirit, Sara will be a valuable asset to the Poly community.  

Rafael Contreras joins the Upper School faculty as a Mathematics Teacher. With a passion for mathematics and education, Rafael comes to Poly from St. John’s School in Houston, TX, where he taught AP Calculus, Data Analytics, Data Visualization, and Honors Data Analytics. He also served as the 10th Grade Class Chair. At St. John’s, Rafael designed and implemented elective courses that integrated programming into mathematics instructions. He also played a key role in redesigning the Algebra II curriculum, incorporating problem-based learning strategies to support student collaboration and critical thinking. Beyond the classroom, Rafael led initiatives to promote culturally responsive teaching and advance inclusive practices across all academic departments. Rafael earned his M.A. in Private School Leadership from the Klingenstein Center at Columbia University and a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Texas at El Paso. Please join us in welcoming Rafael to the Poly community! 

Emily Davis joins the Lower School as a First Grade Teaching Fellow. She brings a breadth of experience working with young learners, most recently serving as a Kindergarten and Second Grade Teaching Assistant at Oakwood School in North Hollywood. In these roles, Emily supported the planning and delivery of interactive, student-centered lessons across disciplines, including math, literacy, and science. Emily is a resourceful educator, utilizing tools such as Illustrative Mathematics, the Science of Reading framework, and Rigby leveled readers in an effort to meet students’ individual needs. She also served as the Lead Teacher for Oakwood’s Summer Science and Maker Academy, where she designed and led hands-on, food-based science experiments to spark student curiosity and engagement. Emily earned her M.A. from San Diego State University and her B.A. from McDaniel College. Be sure to say hello when you see her on campus! 

Lily Diamond joins the Poly community as a Fifth Grade Teacher. Lily brings a strong background in early childhood education and has served as an Instructional Coach for third through sixth grades at Oakwood School in North Hollywood, where she focused on supporting teachers in developing effective classroom practices. Most recently, Lily worked as a staff developer at Literacy Partners in West Hollywood, collaborating with teachers and administrators across Southern California to strengthen literacy instruction through research-based strategies. Lily also facilitated weeklong summer workshops, lesson study sessions, and after-school communities of practice tailored to teachers’ needs and instructional goals. She earned her M.A. from Stanford University and her B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley. With a wealth of experience working with younger students, we can’t wait to see Lily’s journey in the Lower School. 

Rachel Dragos joins our Upper School faculty as a Science Teacher. Rachel brings a diverse background in science education, having taught Honors Physics at Bryn Mawr Online School and served as an instructor in electrical engineering at the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth. She has also taught AP Physics, Chemistry, and Integrated Science at Nansha College Preparatory Academy in Guangzhou, China, where she co-developed NGSS-aligned curricula to support English-language learners. Rachel began her teaching career at The Nueva School and has been deeply committed to service in education, including work with dropout prevention through AmeriCorps, STEM retention programs at the community college level, and teaching English to adult immigrants. She earned her M.S. in Physics from Texas A&M University, Commerce and B.A. in Chemistry and English from Kenyon College. Rachel’s rich experience and dedication to student learning make her a valuable addition to our community. 

Marie Maillet-Gaudiau officially joins the Poly community as a Middle School French teacher after teaching in the Middle School last spring. Marie holds a B.A. in English Literature and Civilization and has earned several prestigious teaching credentials, including the CAPES certification, a competitive French national exam, and civil servant status within France’s Ministry of Education. Most recently, she taught French at Bellevue High School in Bellevue, Washington, where she worked with students with a range of French language proficiency. Marie designed curriculum and lessons to ensure that all students were engaged, supported, and challenged in their French language development. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Marie served as the World Language Department Chair at Bellevue, organizing monthly department meetings and offering support to fellow language teachers. We’re excited to see you on campus again, Marie.

Megan Geiger officially joins our Lower School faculty team as Poly’s K-2 Library Teacher following a successful interim role in the library last year. Megan comes to us from Chadwick School where she served as their School Librarian. In this role, Megan managed the Chadwick Village Library for grades K-6 and provided instructional programs that taught information literacy, reading, and research skills, and integrated with the classroom curricula. Megan developed a research skills curriculum for sixth grade and served as a Life Skills instructor while also implementing a library scope and sequence for K-5 students. She also served as a Literacy Support Teacher at Chadwick, providing one-on-one and whole-class support, in addition to small group differentiated instruction for K-5 and monitored student progress. Megan earned her M.S. in Library and Information Science from The State University of New York, Buffalo, and her B.A. from The State University of New York, Albany. We can’t wait to see you in the library soon!

Brandi Hill joins our Lower School faculty team as Poly’s First Grade Teaching Fellow. Brandi previously worked at Lyttle Byrds Academy in Torrance, where she directed and executed daily operations and activities of an in-home daycare center in order to provide age-appropriate instruction and care for children. She conferred with parents regarding facility activities, policies, and enrollment procedures. Prior to Lyttle Byrds, Brandi worked at Wiggle and Work in Silver Lake, where she provided tools and resources for children to use and explore during learning and play activities. Using STEAM based curriculum activities, she adapted teaching methods and materials to meet the interests and learning styles of children. Brandi is in the process of earning her Master's in Management from the University of California, Davis and has also earned her B.S. from Grand Canyon University. We look forward to Brandi’s impact on our campus.

Aaron Han joins our Communications Department as a School Photographer and Digital Media Specialist. Aaron manages his own studio, where he has captured a wide range of events and portraits for schools, including for St. Francis High School, St. Rita School, St. Christopher School, San Gabriel Mission Elementary, and Loyola Marymount University, among others. Aaron is a multidisciplinary photographer with more than six years of professional experience in meaningful visual storytelling for schools, brands, and individuals. Aaron excels in documenting student life, events, and campus culture to create impactful imagery that supports institutional goals, enrollment, fundraising, and brand development. He earned his B.S. from Regis University where he played men’s lacrosse. Be sure to say hi when you see Aaron snapping photos around campus!

Kevin Hughes officially joins our Middle School faculty team as Poly’s Middle School Math Teacher after teaching at Poly last year. Kevin comes to us from Meta in Menlo Park, CA, where he served as a program manager. In this role, Kevin established and cultivated strong and sustaining relationships to bridge the gap between Product, Policy, Engineering, and Operations to launch new products across the company. Prior to joining Meta, Kevin worked at The Cathedral School of St. John the Divine in New York City as the sixth-grade dean and served on the Faculty Advisory Committee. He also drove the vertical alignment of the fourth to eighth grade math curriculum through close collaboration and communication with other staff members. Prior to his time with Cathedral, Kevin worked for the NYC Department of Education as a Middle School Assistant Principal. Kevin earned his M.Ed. from Harvard University and his B.A. from Wheaton College. Welcome to Poly, Kevin!

Chelsea Jendro joins our Advancement team as Poly’s Associate Director, Alumni, and Community Relations. Chelsea comes to us from the Institute for Shock Physics at Washington State University, where she served as the Assistant to the Director. Chelsea coordinated administration and logistics of special programs and events, including federal agency site reviews, scientific workshops, summer schools, public lectures, and collaborative meetings. Chelsea also created and updated print and electronic public relations and marketing materials such as posters, brochures, flyers, and a variety of other collateral, as well as writing content and selecting graphics to convey a sense of scientific excitement. She also is skilled at social media, including managing the Institute’s LinkedIn page by brainstorming topics, posting content, and tracking metrics. Chelsea earned her B.A. in Communications and Public Relations from Washington State University. We are so excited to welcome her to the Alumni team!

Mychal Johnson joins our Middle School team as Poly’s Middle School Dean of Academics and Student Life. Mychal comes to us from the Brentwood School where he served as the Middle School Assistant Director. Mychal oversaw daily operations, discipline, student life, scheduling, admissions, and faculty support. Prior to becoming the Middle School Assistant Director, he was the Assistant Director of Equity & Inclusion also at the Brentwood School, where he led DEI initiatives, supported K-12 curriculum development, and facilitated student/family programs and mentorships. Mychal also served as the Site Director for Partnership for Success (PFS) while working at the Chandler School, where he was also the Co-Director of Diversity. Mychal recently earned his Ed.D in Educational Leadership from California Lutheran University, and his M.A. from California State University, Northridge. Welcome to the Middle School at Poly!

Greg Luna joins our Upper School Faculty team as a long-term substitute teacher in English. Greg, a Poly alumnus from the Class of 2005, is a dynamic educator and creative professional whose work bridges academics, the arts, and community engagement. Greg’s expansive experience includes analyzing literary materials for Disney Television, leading the transformation of a 22-foot school bus into a solar-powered bookmobile with Rainbow Book Bus, and managing operations for designer Rachel Comey. A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Film & Television Production and a minor in Metropolitan Studies, Greg is also a published writer, Periplus Fellow, and committed volunteer dedicated to empowering young people through creativity and learning. Let’s give a proper Poly welcome back to Greg!

Myriam Real officially joins our accounting team as Poly’s Accounts Payable and Receptionist after supporting the Business Office since November 2023 as a temporary Administrative Clerk. Myriam’s duties include assisting with accounts payable, processing invoices and check payments, investigating discrepancies, making correcting entries, keeping track of accruals and deferrals for the fiscal year closing. Additionally, Myriam assisted in handling credit cards, making payments, and creating journal entries. Myriam is fluent in Spanish and earned her A.S. degree from Pasadena City College in Accounting/Bookkeeping. Please stop by the Business Office and say hello to Myriam!

Avery Ruth joins our Upper School as a History Teacher. Avery comes to us from Alliance Tennenbaum Family Teaching High School, where he served as a social science teacher. Avery taught multiple different subjects within social studies, including AP U.S. History, Ethnic Studies, and Philosophy. At Alliance Tennenbaum, Avery was also a TeachStart Scholar+ Fellow, serving as an in-house and floating substitute teacher across multiple subjects while assisting with curriculum planning and student support programs. He also has experience in higher education, having worked as a Graduate Assistant for the University of Southern California’s (USC) Joint Educational Project and as a Teaching Assistant in USC’s Political Science and International Relations Department. Avery earned both his M.A. in Political Science & International Relations and B.A. at USC. Fight on, Avery!

Trixie Sabundayo joins Poly as Assistant Head of School, K-12 Programs. Trixie comes to us from Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh where she served as the Head of the Senior School. She spearheaded the All-Academy Portrait of a Graduate initiatives to create stronger mission-driven and academic alignment across divisions and initiated cross-divisional efforts to clearly define rigor, well-being, and engagement. Trixie was responsible for the daily operation of and budget for the 475-student Senior School. A seasoned educational leader with over 25 years of experience in independent schools on both coasts, Trixie’s career reflects a deep commitment to student-centered learning, equity, and academic excellence. Through thoughtful change management and strategic planning, she has introduced transformative programs such as Shady Side Academy’s three-week immersive learning program, a project funded by an E.E. Ford grant. Trixie earned her M.A. degree from Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English and her B.A. from Johns Hopkins University. Welcome to Poly and back to California, Trixie!

Natalie Sanchez joins our Lower School faculty team as a First Grade Teaching Fellow. Natalie comes to us from the UCLA Lab School where she has served as a Teacher Apprentice. Natalie previously co-taught math, science, art, and social skills at the fifth and sixth grade level. Natalie wrote and executed lesson plans that encouraged student engagement, both with and without the assistance of a lead teacher. She tailored lesson plans to meet individual needs and interests, promoting inclusive learning, and assisted in directing a math support group for a group of students to enhance student growth and understanding of foundational math skills, and participated in professional development opportunities that enhanced teaching abilities. Natalie earned her B.A. from California State University, Northridge. We are so excited for Natalie to join the Lower School!

Jennilyn Santos joins the Lower School as a Third Grade Teaching Fellow. If Jennilyn’s name sounds familiar, it is because she was a student teacher at Poly in 2024 from Pacific Oaks College, mentored by Bordeaux Martin. In her role as a student teacher at Poly, Jennilyn designed and delivered standards-aligned lessons under mentor supervision and supported differentiated instruction and formative assessments. Jennilyn built strong inroads with students and families during her mentorship, and is so excited to revisit those relationships. Jennilyn also served as a beloved substitute teacher at Poly from 2024 to present, wherein she provided classroom instruction and ensured continuity of learning and classroom management. Jennilyn earned her M.A. from Pacific Oaks College, and her B.A. in Child Development from California State University, Los Angeles. Welcome back to Poly, Jennilyn!

Manjari Sharma joins Poly’s Upper School Visual Arts Faculty as the Photography teacher. Manjari comes to us from the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, where she served as the Associate Professor and Curriculum Lead. At ArtCenter, Manjari completed the design of a new four-year curriculum for the Photography and Imaging Department. Manjari designed and taught fine art photography courses rooted in conceptual clarity, emphasizing narrative, identity, and research-based practices through critique, field trips, and exhibition. Manjari has also worked as a Visiting Lecturer and Thesis Advisor for the School of Visual Arts located in New York. Additionally, Manjari is the recipient of a Pollock-Krasner Foundation grant with work exhibited at leading museums. Manjari earned her BFA in Photography & Media Studies from Columbus College of Art and Design and her BSc in Visual Communication from S.V.T. College. Our students can’t wait to learn from Manjari!

Rachel Umstead joined our Advancement Department last year as Associate Director, Community Events. Rachel comes to us from Loyola Law School, where she has served as an Events Manager. There, Rachel spearheaded the development and execution of a wide range of events, from intimate workshops to large-scale conferences. Rachel’s responsibilities encompassed the full spectrum of event logistics, including sponsor solicitation, marketing and communication, and vendor management. She is experienced at adapting to various event formats, including in-person, virtual, and hybrid, ensuring each event’s success by tailoring the approach to its unique requirements and the ability to engage with diverse groups. Rachel earned her M.A. from the University of South Florida, and her B.S. from Central Pennsylvania College. You may have already experienced Rachel’s warm hospitality, and we couldn’t be happier to have her in the Poly community.

Ian Williams joins our Lower School as a Third Grade Teacher. Ian comes to us from Foothill Country Day School in Claremont, CA, where he was the lead teacher for Second Grade. At Foothill, Ian designed and delivered differentiated, student-centered lessons across multiple subjects, integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion into teaching practices. Ian guided ELA workshops aligned with science-based structured literacy principles. He also collaborated with faculty and staff on curriculum mapping, interdisciplinary projects, experiential learning opportunities, and school-wide initiatives. He takes pride in fostering an inclusive environment where students feel valued and empowered. Ian earned his M.Ed. from National University, and his B.S. from Boston University. Welcome to the Lower School, Ian!