NEW FACES 2025–2026
Each year, we are delighted to welcome new faculty and staff members to the Bentley School community.
Spencer Brown ‘14 –Admissions Associate
After earning his degree in Communications & Rhetorical Studies from Syracuse University in Upstate New York, Spencer spent five years in New York City working in tech recruiting. Upon returning to the Bay Area, Spencer began substitute teaching in the Oakland Public School system— an experience that sparked his passion for education and ultimately led to a role in executive education at Santa Clara University. Spencer is elated to return home to Bentley and pay his indelible experience forward, helping shape the culture of the Phoenix community that shaped him and his siblings (Classes of 2011 and 2015). Outside of work, Spencer enjoys hiking, curating playlists, watching sports (yes, he’s a diehard Lakers fan, despite his Oakland roots), and caring for his many houseplants—a hobby that took root in New York, where he once tended to over 30.
Lilian Castaneda Ramos – K–8 Front Office Coordinator
Lilian is a proud Bay Area native with a strong passion for community work and outreach. She earned her degree in Psychology from Sonoma State University
in 2020 and has since dedicated her career to supporting children through mental health services and other community-focused roles. She is excited to bring her passion for building connections to Bentley, and to help create a warm and welcoming space for students, families, and staff. When she is not at work, Lilian loves exploring the outdoors, traveling to new places, or trying new restaurants with her loved ones. She is also a big fan of relaxing with a great film or binge-worthy show.
Jeri Countryman –K-8 Innovation & Design Specialist
Jeri is excited to be joining Bentley to help integrate design thinking and innovation into the Lower and Middle School curricula. She has worked in independent schools in STEM education around the Bay Area for over a decade. Prior to working in schools, she worked in nonprofit education, with a focus on programs to encourage girls in STEM fields and integrate role models and career exploration into these programs. Jeri has an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Simmons University, a Master’s degree in interdisciplinary computer science from Mills College, and a Master’s in education from UC Santa Cruz. Outside of school, Jeri loves to spend time with her husband and two children. This summer she spent many weekends camping and backpacking in the Sierras. At her house in Alameda, she spends time gardening and working on renovation projects.
Kelley Czajka –K–8 Permanent Substitute
Kelley is so excited to join the Bentley community this school year! Kelley grew up just outside of Washington, DC in Bethesda, MD. A devoted writer and editor of her high school newspaper, she went on to study Journalism at Northwestern University, with a minor in French and a certificate in marketing. After a few journalism roles, she found a job supporting schools and districts at Seesaw Learning, an elementary-focused ed tech company. Kelley loved working with educators and became increasingly curious to explore teaching herself. She is looking forward to being fully immersed in the school environment and working with students and teachers across grade levels and subjects. In her free time, Kelley loves to hike, run, cook, and learn new skills; most recently she has started learning Spanish and knitting!
Graham Dean – ASP
Graham brings a diverse range of experiences to Bentley’s After-School Program team, having done everything from gardening and operating ski lifts to working as a line cook. However, the role closest to his heart has been coaching cross country at both Piedmont High School and Piedmont Middle School. While he’ll miss coaching, Graham is excited to bring his energy and dedication to ASP.
English at UC Berkeley. Her dissertation on group dynamics in 19th century British literature included an appendix on how different types of parties create “plots” in our social lives—a fact that hints at the humor and critical thinking she has brought to teaching university level composition and, more recently, high school literature classes. Dr. Eisenberg looks forward to starting her first year at Bentley alongside her freshmen English students, as well as getting to know Bentley’s brilliant juniors and seniors. In her free time, she enjoys thrifting, yoga, and games (board games, video games, and Dungeons & Dragons!).
Kaiya Hale – ASP
Kaiya brings valuable experience to the After-School program, and has worked with children in both educational and outdoor settings for years. At the Urban Adamah community farm, she created and supervised engaging activities, helping children connect with nature through hands-on learning. She also cared for and supervised young students at Sandy’s Daycare Center, fostering a safe and nurturing environment. In her free time, Kaiya enjoys hand sewing, and we are excited to have her share her talents with our students.
Emma Eisenberg –Upper School English
Emma is happy to celebrate 10 years of living in the Bay Area by joining the Bentley community. Originally from Rockville, MD, she attended Oberlin College for her BA in English and Politics before earning her PhD in
Anna Heidinger –Director of Advancement
Anna is well-known in the Bay Area independent school community, having led the admissions and development offices at Marin Academy, the Bay School, Head Royce, and most recently, San Domenico School. She has managed successful major gifts campaigns, overseen record-breaking annual funds, and founded speaker series and other signature event programming. During her tenure at San Domenico, Anna was responsible for a number of major development projects, including increasing annual fund gifts by 25% in just three years, and raising $15 million for an aquatic center completed in 2022 and a community center that opened this past spring. A fifth-generation Northern Californian, Anna enjoys hiking and gardening, and traveling with her husband and family.
Meagan Kuhn –4th Grade Teacher
Meagan is excited to join Bentley as the new 4th grade teacher. She brings a rich background in education, having taught both 4th and 5th grade for over 10 years. Most recently, she worked as a learning specialist supporting 2nd- and 3rd-graders at the Carey School, helping students develop strategies to thrive academically and socially. Meagan earned her BA in History and Master’s in Education from the University of San Francisco before obtaining her educational therapy certificate from University of California Riverside. She is passionate about building on student strengths, fostering curiosity, and creating a classroom community where each child’s uniqueness is respected and celebrated. Outside the classroom, Meagan enjoys spending time with her husband and their two-yearold son, discovering new restaurants, and watching reality television.
Ari Leventhal –6th Grade Science
Ari was born and raised in Denver, CO. He attended Reed College in Portland, OR, and majored in Chemistry. Ari spent four years in New York City teaching high school chemistry before he returned to Denver to teach 6th, 7th, and 8th grade science. He has spent the last three years training over 1,700 teachers across the Western United States in science and math curriculum. He is an avid lover of the outdoors, including hiking, skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, backpacking and mountain biking. With a passion for cooking, curiosity, music, and corny jokes, Ari is thrilled to join the amazing Middle School science team at Bentley. He looks forward to helping students develop their love of science, and believes that Bentley’s mission and vision for learning drives curiosity that is the spark to make science classrooms thrive.
Rich Mazzola –Director of Athletics
Rich comes to Bentley after spending the last 25 years as the athletic director of such esteemed schools as the Thacher School in Ojai, St. Anne’s-Belfield School in Virginia, and— in the Bay Area—the College Preparatory School, the Branson School, and Castilleja School. A former varsity baseball captain at Dartmouth College, he has coached numerous sports at the middle and high school levels, including baseball, softball, golf, and basketball, and spent years as a fly fishing and horseback riding instructor. Rich has also served on the Board of Trustees of the Monica Ros School in Ojai, CA, and the Ojai Valley Little League Board of Directors. In his free time, Rich is an avid fly fisherman and enjoys the company of friends and family, including his wife Chris, their two children, Madeleine and James, and two golden retrievers, Ruthie and Lilli.
Christina Pak –Assistant Director of Middle School
Holding a BA from Rutgers University and an MS Ed from the University of Pennsylvania, Christina is a seasoned middle school educator with nearly 20 years of experience, including positions as a middle school history teacher at Brandeis Hillel Day School in San Francisco, as the Associate Head of School at Rolling Hills Preparatory School in San Pedro, and as the Middle School Head at Hillbrook School in Los Gatos and Mirman School in Los Angeles. Most recently, she served as Interim Associate Head of School at The Bay School of San Francisco. Deeply committed to fostering collaborative learning communities where both faculty and students are empowered to discover their potential, expand their capabilities, and create meaningful impact. When she’s not at school, Christina enjoys hot yoga, listening to podcasts, reading, and cooking for and spending time with her three sons.
Olivia Patterson – K–8 Permanent Substitute
An East Bay native, Olivia is thrilled to be back in the area to pursue her passion for working with children. After graduating from the University of San Diego in 2024 with a degree in Psychology and Communication Studies, Olivia spent time exploring different career paths and traveling. She recently completed her fifth and final year as head coach of her summer swim team, where she discovered her love for working with kids of all ages. After moving to Boulder, CO, she worked at a nonprofit helping formerly incarcerated individuals with job readiness, as well as at the Bixby School’s after-school program. These experiences deepened her interest in education and inspired her to pursue a career supporting students’ growth. In her free time, Olivia enjoys traveling, cooking, hiking, and exploring San Francisco’s public libraries. She’s looking forward to being part of the Bentley community and has never been more eager for a school year to begin!
Samuel
Pfister
–2nd Grade Teaching Associate
Sam joins the Bentley community this year as a teacher associate in the Lower School. Originally from New Jersey, Sam studied archaeology and history, earning his MA in Anthropology from the George Washington University in 2020. He worked in research and informal education at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., and the Badè Museum in Berkeley before his passion for helping young learners build confidence and develop a love for learning led him to the classroom. Last year Sam taught first grade at a public charter academy in Richmond, CA. Outside of school, Sam enjoys playing board games (and often hosts local game nights), road cycling in the East Bay hills, and reading thriller and mystery novels.
Kate Reeser – Upper School Director
Kate is a longtime Bay Area resident and brings a wealth of experience in both teaching and school leadership to Bentley. After receiving her BA from the University of San Francisco and a Master’s in Education from the University of Vermont, Kate began her career as a middle and high school English teacher at the San Domenico School in Marin County. Over her two-decade career at San Domenico, she served as department chair, academic dean, director of lower school, and the K–12 director of teaching and learning before she was appointed as the assistant head of school for academics and upper school director, a role she held for eight years. Kate and her husband Jordan live in West Marin, where they have raised two daughters. Their oldest, Lily, attends the University of Virginia and their younger daughter Belle is in 9th grade at Redwood High School.
Jon Swann – Upper School Music
Jon joins The Bentley School as an instrumental music educator, teaching Instrument Lab, Honors Jazz Band, Middle School Jazz, and Digital Music. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the College of Wooster and a Master’s in Music from New Mexico State University. With two decades of experience, Mr Swann has taught a wide range of ages, from preschool students to retirees, and served as a music substitute teacher at Bentley last year. A lifelong musician, Jon regularly gigs around the Bay Area and is eager to share his passion for music with the Bentley community.