NEW FACES 2024–25
Each year, we are delighted to welcome new faculty and staff members to the Bentley School community.
Cierra Cárdenas –ASP Staff
Cierra Cárdenas is excited to join the Bentley School community this year as a member of the After School Program staff. Ms. Cárdenas graduated from UC Berkeley in 2023, where she studied anthropology and global poverty. Since graduating, she has become more involved in community organizing and farming through People’s Programs, an organization based in West Oakland. Ms. Cárdenas says she was drawn to Bentley due to her desire to educate and learn from those around her and the warm energy of the staff. She believes that the youth are our leaders, and is excited to be a part of their journey!
Angelina DazaSanchez – Assistant Athletic Director, Upper School
Angelina DazaSanchez is a Bay Area native who grew up locally here in the East Bay. She completed a BS in Kinesiology with a minor in Exercise Science from St. Mary’s College of California, while participating in collegiate Division I athletics. During her time in college, she also worked as an assistant coach on the Junior
Olympic team, Diablo Valley Track & Field. Upon graduating in 2020, she enrolled at Kaiser’s School of Allied Health Sciences, and then worked as a medical assistant in pain management and family medicine for three years. As the public opened up post-pandemic, she moved back to coaching. Originally joining Bentley as an assistant coach, she later became head coach of the two running programs at the Upper School.
Jennifer Fune –4th Grade Teacher
As Bentley’s newest member of the 4th grade team, Jennifer Fune has worked for a number of years in elementary and middle schools, and particularly enjoys teaching 4th and 5th grade students. Ms. Fune recently graduated with her Master’s in Public Administration from University of San Francisco (May 2024). She was drawn to Bentley because of its inclusive, diverse community and strong curriculum that allows all students to succeed not only as scholars, but as growing human beings, too! When not in the classroom, Ms. Fune cherishes time with family and close friends. She loves being outdoors, roller-skating, reading, painting, writing poetry, and enjoying a live musical event, and this year she hopes to learn how to play the piano.
Corinne Hayes –Upper School
Learning Specialist
Corinne Hayes grew up in the Hudson Valley in New York state. She then attended Pace University in Westchester, NY, where she completed a BS in Literature and Communications with a minor in Education. She later continued her education at Fordham University and earned a MS in Special Education. She has worked in Vermont public and private schools for 22+ years as a special educator with an emphasis on literacy. Most recently, she has held positions as an educational therapist and a reading specialist in Charleston, SC, city schools. Ms. Hayes is excited to begin her work supporting students, teachers, and families at Bentley School. In her free time she enjoys swimming in the ocean, sharing amazing food at home, and hiking.
Jeff Hazel –Assistant Athletic Director, Middle School
Jeff Hazel has served in a variety of roles at schools throughout the East Bay for over 35 years, including as an assistant principal, student activities director, and dean, and has taught math and social stud-
ies. Mr. Hazel has worked at Bishop O’Dowd and Salesian High School and most recently was the Athletic Director at Making Waves Academy in Richmond. After growing up in Los Angeles, he attended UC Berkeley as an undergrad majoring in Political Science, got his teaching credential at San Francisco State, and earned his Master’s degree in Math Education at Cal State East Bay. He lives in Pleasant Hill with his wife, is lucky enough to do statistics for Cal’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams, and participates in all sorts of sports for fun and recreation (including golf, tennis, softball).
Lena Joesch-Cohen –Upper School Math
Lena Joesch-Cohen grew up in Seattle, WA, where her love of math, logic puzzles, and the outdoors began. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Computational Biology from Brown University and completed the pre-medical curriculum before pivoting to teaching. Prior to joining Bentley, Ms. Joesch-Cohen most recently taught Math and Physics at The Mountain School in Vermont, where she also served as a dorm head and helped run the Outdoor Program. She previously worked as a researcher in the Cancer Data Science lab at the Broad Institute in Boston, and taught physics and led outdoor trips at Alzar School in Idaho. When she is not doing math, you can find Ms. Joesch-Cohen hiking, biking, cooking, crafting, or snuggling with a dog.
Jahi Johnson – 1st Grade Teacher
Jahi Johnson has been working in schools throughout the San Francisco Bay Area for over a decade, with most of that time working with 1st graders. Prior to his career in education, Mr. Johnson attended UC Riverside as an undergraduate, where he obtained a BA in Sociology before earning his Master’s in Education and Multiple Subject Credential at Holy Names University. Mr. Johnson was drawn to Bentley’s vision of academic achievement, balance, and cultivation of character and appreciates the opportunity to witness students lean into their values. He enjoys exploring the outdoors, watching local sports teams (he is particularly looking forward to catching a Golden State Valkyries game next WNBA season at the Chase Center!), and spending time with his five siblings.
Julia McCurdy –6th Grade History
Julia McCurdy is thrilled to be joining Bentley as the 6th grade history teacher. She was born and raised in the East Bay and received her Bachelor’s degree in History from Saint Mary’s College of CA before obtaining her Master’s in Education from the University of Massachusetts Global. In addition to teaching, she has coached many high school and middle school teams and is the director of a local counselor-in-training program. Ms. McCurdy was drawn to Bentley’s commitment to instill in its students both a passion for learning and a dedication to discovering who they are through the varied classes, electives, sports, and mini-term. When not in the classroom, you can find Ms. McCurdy coaching a variety of sports, camping with her jeep, or spending time with her family. She connects to her Mexican and Italian heritages through her love of cooking and traveling. She studied abroad in Florence, later returning to Sicily, where her great-grandparents emigrated from in the early 1900s, and Italy continues to hold a special place in her heart.
Will McCurdy – Lower School Teaching Associate
This fall, Will McCurdy joins our community as a teaching associate with the 3rd grade team. After graduating from college in 2021, Mr. McCurdy moved to San Luis Obispo, where he helped pilot a new program for 1st through 6th grade students, and has since gone on to teach 5th and 6th grades. He loves to engage with students outside of the classroom by coaching sports or teaching local enrichment classes, on topics ranging from leadership skills to outdoor adventure, and he also currently serves as the director of a summer camp in the Bay Area. Mr. McCurdy was drawn to Bentley because of its incredible community and dedication to the love of learning. When he’s not at school, Mr. McCurdy loves traveling, from visiting new countries and learning about different cultures to camping across the United States. He grew up spending his summers at a camp in Vermont and
canoeing throughout the Northeast and Quebec and is a huge Philly sports fan!
Taylor Miles – 6th Grade Science
Taylor Miles is looking forward to joining Bentley as a 6th grade science teacher. Originally from Detroit, MI, Ms. Taylor graduated from University of Michigan’s College of Engineering and School of Education. For the past five years, she has worked as an educator in the Bay Area; prior to that, she taught engineering at the high school level in Chicago. Ms. Taylor was drawn to Bentley’s school motto, “I desire to know,” which strongly aligns with her commitment to building curiosity in the classroom. In her free time, Ms. Taylor likes to spend her time cooking, going to concerts, and traveling with friends.
Alissa Kinney Moe –Director of Communications
Though she has tried stints in publishing and higher ed over the years, Alissa Kinney Moe finds herself returning to the independent school world every time. Before starting as Bentley’s new director of communications in July, Ms. Moe obtained an AB in Art History from Brown University, an MA in Publishing & Writing from Emerson College, and worked in communications at the Nightingale-Bamford School in New York before becoming the director of communications at San Francisco University High School and the San Francisco Friends School. Most recently, she was the Director of Outreach Events and Communications for the Graduate, Undergraduate and Equity Affairs division of the UC Office of the President. Ms. Moe is looking forward to shining a light on the people and stories of the Bentley School community, and she will be splitting her time between the Hiller and Lafayette campuses. In her free time, she enjoys tackling backyard gardening projects, reading on her deck with an iced coffee, and soaking in the California sunshine with her rather loud and very active family.
Patricia QuierzyRossoukh – Upper School French
A self-proclaimed “French-born Californian”, Patricia Quierzy-Rossoukh is returning to the East Bay after taking a few detours via France, Philadelphia, and the South Bay. An experienced educator, she has taught all levels of French at both public and private institutions, most recently at Castilleja School in Palo Alto. In her classroom, she aspires to foster an environment of empathy and collaboration, allowing students to discover and appreciate the diversity of cultures and traditions in the Francophone world. Patricia holds a Master’s and a PhD in French and Francophone Literature from UC Berkeley and a Master’s in Counseling from Saint Mary’s College of Moraga. In her free time, she enjoys reading, vintage shopping, trying her hands at gluten-free recipes, and brunching with her daughter.
Sonia Ryan – Director of College Counseling
Raised in the Napa Valley, Sonia Ryan earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Sonoma State University, her Master’s in Counseling and Pupil Services Credential from Sacramento State, and her Certificate in College, Admissions, and Career Planning from the University of California at Berkeley. She is deeply steeped in her role as a college counselor and during her time as a director has been an important contributor to regional and national college admissions efforts. Her work in the college counseling world is well known to many as she is the past president of the Western Association for College Admission Counseling. This fall marks her 25th year in education. She is the proud parent of two college-age children. Her free time includes exercising, reading, and golfing.
Gretchen Thompson –Assistant Director of Middle School
Gretchen Thompson has worked in independent schools for over 25 years, and joins our community as the new assistant director of Middle School. She has extensive experience as a math educator and previously served as the head of middle school at All Saints Day School in Carmel, CA, the assistant head of school at The John Thomas Dye School in Los Angeles, and the head of middle school at the Ensworth School in Nashville, TN.
Ms. Thompson was most recently the director of enrollment at York School in Monterey, CA. With her leadership experience, Gretchen brings a wealth of knowledge around school culture and a deep understanding of building relationships with students, families, and faculty alike. Gretchen, as one of her former colleagues describes her, puts students first—she is also hard working, empathetic, and a great storyteller.
Michelle Warner –Kindergarten Teacher
Michelle Warner is excited to join Bentley’s kindergarten team. She has taught Kindergarten and 1st grade for over 20 years and has also worked as a reading literacy specialist. In addition to having a Master’s in Reading, Ms. Warner is a trained Reading Recovery teacher and was named “Teacher of the Year” for her work in Pleasanton schools. Ms. Warner loves teaching young minds while fostering a passion and excitement for learning in a safe environment that is fun, loving, and structured. Her goal is to have her students arrive at school each morning eager to see their classmates and end their day with a full and happy heart. Ms. Warner herself is the proud mother of three wonderful children - Luca (17), Lincoln (15), and Locke (12). Originally from upstate New York, she moved to California in 2000 and currently resides in Lafayette. When not in the classroom, you can find Ms. Warner supporting her kids at their basketball games and ballet recitals, walking her two dogs (Leni and Luna), or paddleboarding on the open water.
Ema Willis – Lower School Teaching Associate
Ema Willis grew up in Richmond, CA, where she first discovered her love of working with children as a soccer coach in high school. She later graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Nutritional Sciences, minoring in Food Systems. Ms. Willis was drawn to Bentley’s commitment to cultivating an environment that encourages students’ curiousity about the people and world around them, while also cultivating their uniqueness and confidence as individuals. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Willis is an avid reader and gym-goer, and is passionate about cooking, sustainability, and social justice. On the weekends, you can find Ms. Willis hiking or trying new restaurants around the Bay Area.
Alex Wood – Lower School Teaching Associate
Alex Wood joins Bentley after working in education for nearly his entire professional life, beginning as a summer camp counselor at his mother’s preschool. Mr. Wood has worked as a teaching aide, after-school director, counselor at the Oakland Zoo, and most recently at the Benicia Public Library. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Education at UC Santa Cruz and a Master’s in History at CSU East Bay. Mr. Wood was drawn to Bentley for its academic reputation and committed learning community. An Oakland native, the Phoenix mascot resonated with him, as he was three years old when his grandmother’s house burned down in the Oakland Hills fire. Outside of work. Mr. Wood enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, golfing, and cooking with his wife.