Faculty: Teacher Profiles

Bob Adam
(2007 Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year)

"After twenty years as Vice President of Marketing in the corporate world, I decided to look for a position that I could really put my heart into. That was in 1994. I have been teaching at RHP ever since. I love it. It is my passion. Our simple rules of respect at RHP - respect yourself, each other, and the learning process - work very well for me because I feel that all worthwhile successes stem from love and respect. At RHP I can work creatively and constructively with my students without having to waste time on disciplinary problems. RHP provides teachers the opportunity to work with an economically and culturally diverse population, both inside and outside the classroom. I advise the chess club, chaperone the Golf Club and Outdoor Education trips, and participate in the selection process of the National Honor Society. This job fulfills my heart and makes me feel like I am contributing to humanity."

Bob lives with his partner Debra and their two cats in Redondo Beach. He also and acts as an investment advisor for family and friends.

Linda Belzer

"I began by teaching English as a Second Language in Los Angeles in 1986 and I discovered unused computers at the school. I started using them because no one else was, and I fell in love with the way that they helped motivate those students to learn. Technology has changed a lot since then, and kids are more immersed than ever in it. I enjoy the challenge of keeping up with new technology, and helping to implement it into our everyday curriculum."

Linda lives with husband Marvin and daughters Rachel and Gabrielle in Rolling Hills Estates. She enjoys being with her family, traveling, camping and rock climbing, as well as reading and theater.

Bob Cloer

"I have been teaching for fourteen years and cannot imagine doing anything else. After being honorably discharged from the US Army I completed my education at Cal State Dominguez Hills. I taught physical education at Rolling Hills Country Day School and Marymount Junior School before finding my way to RHP. The high levels of student teacher interaction found at RHP have allowed me to explore my own creativity and grow as a teacher. Through the support of parents and students I was able to establish the schools first hockey program. My past summers were spent as Director of Summer by the Sea, the summer camp here at RHP. Because many of the students and Alumni/ae have either attended or worked for the camp I am able to extend my relationships with them beyond the normal academic year. Whether in the classroom or on the playing field seeing the "light come on" when a student grasps a new concept reminds me why I decided to become a teacher; a decision I have never regretted."

Bob lives with his wife Donna in Torrance, CA. In his spare time he enjoys training, golfing, and scuba diving.

Sandra DelCastillo

"Twenty plus years of teaching has taught me that there is still much to learn. My students are my inspiration, helping to keep my outlook fresh and my lessons relevant. Though my background is in English (U.C. Berkeley) I love teaching Spanish. I moved to Los Angeles in 2005 after having lived 14 years in Mexico. I was teaching ESL at UCLA when I was asked if I would consider teaching Spanish at RHP. A door opened that would allow me to share not only the richness of a language but my cultural heritage as well. I accepted and have been very happy here at Rolling Hills Prep."

Sandra has three grown children and lives with her youngest daughter in Los Feliz. She spends her free time hiking in Griffith Park, doing yoga, reading, and writing.

Elissa Eastvedt

"I grew up on a ranch in southeastern Washington. I always enjoyed the engineering aspects of the work, like building fence and fixing machinery, but my favorite jobs were driving truck (at age 16, I was driving a “big rig”) and running a combine for wheat harvest. In college, I was fascinated by granular particle flow rearrangement and vibration isolation system design (two rather different topics!). I briefly contemplated going to graduate school in mechanical engineering, but my experiences working as a tutor at a drop-in math skills center convinced me to try teaching as a career instead. After only the second week of my first official high school teaching job, I knew I had found my true calling. Before coming to RHP, I taught in boarding schools for twelve years (most recently at The Thacher School in Ojai, CA). Besides teaching math and physics, I also served as a dorm parent, gave horseback riding lessons, and led outdoor education trips. I thoroughly enjoyed the high level of student-teacher interaction inherent in boarding school life, and so I love the fact that RHP is so strongly committed to providing individualized attention."

Elissa lives in Long Beach with her husband, Gary, and two mischievous cats. She tries to ride her horse Fannie daily, and in what remains of her free time, she enjoys reading. She spends her summers at Langmuir Lab in New Mexico, where she is involved in on-going thunderstorm research (including launching rockets into electrified storms to initiate lightning).

Myrna Everhart

"I joined the faculty in the fall of 1999, and have been busy producing numerous plays and musicals, coordinating talent shows and teaching both middle and upper-school classes. I have worked professionally in theater and television but I have found that teaching provides me with more experiences and rewards than I could have ever imagined. Finding a school like RHP was serendipitous. This school allows me to focus on my primary interest, theater. It is my hope that I am able to utilize every opportunity to its fullest and provide an environment in which the students feel supported to learn and discover. Theater creates community and I have been lucky that the RHP community loves theater. Here, parents and faculty are active supporters of the performing arts.”

Myrna is a native of Los Angeles and now resides locally. She has a Master’s of Fine Arts degree from Arizona State University in Child Drama.

Bryonna Fisco

"I was born and raised in Southern California, began cheerleading when I was five, changed to dance in high school, and received a dance scholarship to CSU Long Beach where I was a member of their nationally ranked dance team. My first dance teacher, Heidi, had a profound effect on my life because she was not only talented and a great teacher, but she was young at heart, compassionate and optimistic. I've been teaching for seven years, and coming to RHP was one of the best decisions I've ever made. The smaller environment allows for great attention to detail, the freedom to exercise my creativity, and the opportunity to get to know each and every student. I try to be a role model and to never lower my standards, while at the same time reaching out to the students and showing personality and compassion. I thrive on my students' performances and improvements."

Bryonna lives in Long Beach with her husband Joe. She enjoys traveling, shopping, interior design, and spending time with family.

Deborah Gelbart
(2004 Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year)

"I was born in Brooklyn, New York. From a young age I was passionate about art and discovered teaching as a perfect way to pass on this passion. I have found that simply through exposure many students learn to appreciate artwork and in some instances may become inspired personally. Having a son and daughter of my own, I think I am able to relate to the concerns of many of my students' parents, who are able to relate to me not only as their child's teacher, but as a fellow parent. I have taught in both public and private schools and teaching has definitely been the right decision for me. RHP creates an environment where my students feel comfortable to speak to me about any topic and they know that I will be there to listen and help them in any way possible."

Debbi lives in Rolling Hills Estates with her husband, and has two children. Her son graduated from USC in 06, and her daughter completed a Masters Degree also in 06. When not working she enjoys running and hiking with her two labs, painting, reading, gardening, and biking.

Michelle Gessler

"I was born in West Virginia and attended Wittenberg University. I had originally intended to become a lawyer but soon realized I personally would be making no difference. I taught at several summer camps and upon seeing the positive influence I had in my campers' lives, decided to make it a full-time career. Although they do not always realize it at the time, knowing that I am helping to shape the minds of so many young people is the reward teaching provides for me. RHP proves to be a community where I can really make a difference. As an independent private school it really seems to embrace experiential education in a relaxed and noncompetitive environment. I strive to make my science classes fun through experiments and classroom activities. When students enjoy a lesson you know that it will stay with them and they will "get it."

Michelle lives in the Hollywood Riviera. She enjoys exercising and routine trips to Starbucks.

Cheryl Graue

My training at USC and many years of performing as a pianist, vocalist and conductor have given me a wide range of experiences which I draw on to create music in the classroom as well as for the many performance opportunities at RHP. Though my primary activities are teaching vocal skills and chorus, I also coordinate programs such as Classical Night and direct the orchestra for the Spring Musical."

Cheryl lives in Redondo Beach with her husband, Geoff. She enjoys teaching voice and piano in her home studio, and performing in various recitals and concerts during her summer break. She also likes traveling and spending time with her college-aged children.

Eachan Holloway

"I was born in Alaska and raised in Maine. Teaching allows me to gain fresh insights into the mentality of the modern student. These insights allow me to constantly contribute to not only the English department, but also the school as a whole. The intimate environment provided by a private independent school such as Rolling Hills Prep allows me to focus on my students as individuals. It is my hope that with such a personal connection I am able to teach to my students and not at them. I feel that through teaching I can change lives…and have lives change me."

Eachan lives in Redondo Beach with his wife Debbie. When not teaching, he spends his time working on his never-ending novel.

Rebecca Kandel-Scott

"I am from New York City and came to Los Angeles to attend graduate school at the California Institute of the Arts. I believe in using photography as a means to explore alternative viewpoints both in my own work and in the work of my students. I always encourage my students to use their art to both investigate their own community and explore the greater world around them. I also greatly believe in the use of art as a means to educate through integrated curriculum and strive to connect projects with what students are studying in other classes."

Rebecca lives in Inglewood with her husband and young daughter. When not working, she enjoys pursuing her own photography, traveling and reading.

Rachel Leatherbury

“Throughout high school I volunteered several days a week at an elementary school in San Pedro working with children who had autism. It was one of the most rewarding experiences. Unsure of what to study in college, I chose a subject that interested me. I earned a B.A. in Anthropology from UCLA while working full time at Rolling Hills Country Day School for four years. I have always loved working with numbers and toyed with pursuing a job in the business field, but I have always been drawn back to working with kids. Teaching is truly the most rewarding job for me. I am really enjoying the opportunity to work at Renaissance School as well as teach Algebra at Prep.”

Rachel lives in Palos Verdes with her black lab Tiki and cat Manny. She enjoys cooking, exercising, and watching sports. On the weekends she travels, attends UCLA football games, and spends time with friends and family.

Pat Magony

"I was born in Brooklyn, New York and came to southern California right after graduating from college. I never really planned on being a teacher but after staying home with my two sons for 10 years and being very involved in PTA and other school activities, I went back to school to get my teaching credential. I taught 5th and 6th grades for about 10 years and loved just about every minute of it. During that time I got my masters degree in school counseling. I have been a school counselor at the elementary and middle school levels for many years. I am the type of person who derives pleasure in the personal growth that change inspires. I enjoy working with and supporting students, family, and teachers and find that my experience as a classroom teacher is a valuable background for my present position. I believe that the academic program provided by RHPS, with proactive support in the area of social and emotional well-being will create young adults who are ready to go on to college, careers and create a life with a sense of purpose and personal fulfillment."

Pat lives in Torrance and enjoys visits and activities with her 2 sons and extended family. She enjoys making pottery, going on walks, hikes, bicycle riding and yoga.

Dixie Maletta

Kim Myers

"I grew up in Washington State and graduated from Washington State University with a BS in Biology. I moved to California to start teaching and have fallen in love with the beach and the southern California weather. Sixteen years ago, I came to Rolling Hills Prep to work in the Middle School, and have since watched this school grow and develop into what it is today. Teaching is my passion and my purpose in life. Through teaching I have found that I learn a lot about myself. Simply watching students blossom into the young men and women that they are meant to be, and knowing that I am part of that growth, is the most amazing and satisfying feeling. I hope that my students see how much I love what I am doing and know that I come to work not because I have to but because I want to. On the bus coming back from one of our retreats, I looked back at the students and it hit me that I really am doing what I am meant to be doing, and enjoying it."

Kim lives in Lomita with her two cats, Romeo and Juliet, and her two dogs, Tornado and Rosa . She enjoys ceramics, watercolor and playing at the beach with her dogs, during her free time.

Charlotte Oduro

"During my second year at UCLA I had the opportunity to study abroad in Ghana, West Africa, and after a year of studying and researching the affects of poverty on health I knew I had to go back. I continued to return every chance I had involving myself in a variety of volunteer work ranging from working in Refugee Camps, AIDS organizations and Street Children Programs. As I continued to return, the number of kids that lived on the street and simply didn't have an education, despite the free k-12 education available, amazed me and I volunteered at a Street Children's Home and a Children's Home tutoring kids that were lacked reading and writing skills. After graduating from UCLA with B.A. in Geography and returning from an extended stay in Ghana, I was offered the 7th and 8th grade Social Studies position RHP and accepted it with delight.

I love the community and positive learning environment that RHP creates, and I feel that I am continually learning better ways to enhance the classroom experience from students also. I enjoy sharing my global experiences with my classes and am always excited to hear their in put and insight on worldly issues."

Charlotte live with her husband Sam in San Pedro. In her free time she likes to snowboard, read, and go to the beach.

Pat Ressler

"I have had the privilege of working at RHP for thirteen years and during that time have worked in the student services office and the RTE program in addition the teaching middle school social sciences. As an educational therapist I am able to watch the progression my students from their freshman year to their senior year. I feel that being a part of student services is important to this evolution. Student services provide a supportive and warm environment for students here on campus. It is a place for them to rest, cry, complain, and rejoice. I love when my students come back to visit and share their successes in college with me."

Pat lives in Redondo Beach with her husband Tom, sons Eric and David, and two dogs Suzy and Honey. In her free time, Pat enjoys being a member of a book club, gardening and spending time with her family.

Rachel Rubin

"I grew up in Los Angeles. I attended UCLA, where I received my B.A., and Boston University, where I received my M.A. During my years at UCLA, I had many positive volunteer experiences teaching students in Los Angeles, and because of these experiences, I knew teaching was a career which would allow me to both make a difference in people's lives while at the same time enjoying what I did every day. After obtaining my M.A., I lived in Mexico for several years, where I taught English at a university. When I moved back to Los Angeles, I was delighted to work at Rolling Hills Prep as a Spanish teacher. RHP impressed me with its small class sizes and the close relationships that students and faculty are able to form as a result. I also admire RHP's commitment to the learning process, its emphasis on respect, and the diversity of the students and faculty.

As a Spanish teacher, I love teaching both the linguistic and cultural aspects of the language, and I am thrilled when a student tells me when he or she has used Spanish in a real-life experience or has learned to view the world with a new perspective. I hope that I am able to inspire my students to become lifelong language learners and to learn about other cultures.

Rachel lives in Palos Verdes. She enjoys traveling, walking, reading, music, learning new languages, and spending time with her family and friends.

Tess Rikard-Ruiz

“The secret in education lies in respecting the student.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Throughout my career as a teacher and learner, this quotation has epitomized my philosophy. My 21 year career has included working in the poorest county in Alabama for the State Dept. of Education. As a Special Services teacher, I was immersed in poverty, ignorance, and cruelty. However, when I looked into the eyes of those children, I saw the spark of hopefulness. I saw a hunger to learn and experience and contribute. This has been true in my work with children from an international school in England, to the slums of Dublin, to the remote islands of Japan. No matter the economics or environment, children share that spark of hopefulness and hunger for a bright future.

The four pillars of RHP encompass the essential elements of a valid education. This was the flame that drew me to apply for a position here. I am delighted to be a part of an institution that nurtures creativity, character, discipline, and a commitment to good health. I love teaching. I love learning, I love children…What a wonderful life!!"

Tess lives in Manhattan Beach with her husband, Rex. Her son, Dane, is a child psychologist who works with the Department of Defense schools. She loves to entertain friends with southern cuisine, read voraciously, travel, and attend Auburn football games! War Eagle!!

Sarah Schoettle

I began my teaching career during my summers in college, working at an ESL camp. I had the opportunity to become a dorm parent and English teacher for middle school students in the Boston area. While in college, I was able to work in schools from Up-State New York and Hanoi, Vietnam. These experiences helped to prepare me for working in a junior boarding school in Connecticut and a day school in the Boston area. I have been able to teach everything from ESL to history to science. In addition to teaching 6th grade math and science, I also coach middle school sports. It is exciting to see my students work hard in the classroom, and then have the opportunity to interact with them as they excel on the sports field.

Throughout all of these experiences, I have been able to work with extremely intelligent, creative, and enthusiastic students. I have found that these students can be found in abundance on the RHP campus. In the short time that I have been here, I have come to feel at home with the students, supportive faculty, and administration.

Gayle Taylor
(2001 Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year)

“One of my earliest memories is of sitting on my grandmother’s maroon sofa and realizing I could read the words of the book in my lap. The tragedy, comedy, and magic of stories opened up to me at that moment, and I have never lost the deep sense of satisfaction that comes from reading and talking about literature. I was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, where my pioneer heritage instilled values in me that have been very important in my life: industry, cheerfulness, and a strong belief in human potential. I majored in English at the University of Utah, spent time in Boston and Tokyo, Japan, and moved to Southern California with my family in 1982. After stints as a technical writer and a teacher in public schools, I joined the RHP family in 1992. I love the opportunities I have to be creative in the classroom. I’m always thinking about how I’m going to teach a topic, perhaps in a new way. The nature of what I teach—literature and writing—allows for many explorations into moral and ethical questions, and I enjoy helping students think about these issues. I try very hard to establish a climate of mutual respect inside and outside the classroom. Teaching is the best job in the world—stimulating, fun, and emotionally nurturing.”

Gayle and her husband, Craig, have four grown children and three grandchildren, and live in Torrance with their very lively dog, Marlowe. In addition to teaching, Gayle enjoys hiking, reading, and cooking.

Mary Todd
(2003 Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year)

"Take the teaching job. You love talking about books. What better job could there possibly be for somebody who wants to talk about books all day?" That sage advice, offered by my thesis advisor at the University of Washington many years ago when there were still only two Starbucks shops on the planet, launched a career that I wouldn't trade for all the espresso in Seattle. As I learned while living in France, it is “la vie quotidienne”--those many small pleasures which surprise and delight us as we navigate the uncertain seas of our daily lives--that really matters. For me a daily life filled with books and kids is the ultimate smooth passage.

In 1990 I was awarded a National Endowment of the Humanities fellowship to study Thomas Hardy and T.S. Eliot at Oxford University. Those six weeks enriched my life immeasurably and rejuvenated my commitment to teaching. Now, even after 30 years, I still look forward to explaining how “The course of true love never did run smooth,” that “Bob Ewell fell on his knife,” and that “There, in the tin factory, in the first moment of the atomic age, a human being was crushed by books.” What more could a middle-aged bookworm with an appreciation of 14 year-olds wish for?
Mary lives in Palos Verdes with her husband Peter McCormack and her Cavalier King Charles spaniel Monty. She spends most of her spare time reading and watching the Food Channel (she would love to be the Barefoot Contessa in her next life!)

John Trausch

"I worked as a journalist for ten years prior to becoming a teacher. When I was a newspaper editor in Newport Beach I discovered that the most rewarding aspect of my job was training interns. So I washed the ink from underneath my fingernails and signed up. I taught for ten years in public schools and was constantly fighting the bureaucracy that put administration and teachers above students. If the kids aren't achieving in a school, then nothing else matters. While completing my Masters in American History, I heard about RHP. I found a student-centered school that I can't want to get to each morning. We are able to prevent students from ‘slipping through the cracks.' Having parents say to me at graduation things like, ‘You helped my child turn around and get on course,' gives me enormous satisfaction in my work.”

John has two children, one a recent graduate of RHP and the other an RHP junior. Living in Scenic San Pedro, he is happily engaged to be married, and enjoys music, politics, baseball, cooking, and films.

Adam Walch

"My degrees are in English and Psychology. After college, I had hoped to be a writer, and began teaching, E.S.L. initially. My love for teaching eventually eclipsed my passion for writing, and I gratefully and fatefully discovered my life's purpose. When I am teaching a group of eighth graders, I get to be in eighth grade once again; when I'm in a room full of seventeen year olds, I am allowed to remember perfectly what that is like ...other people have to resort to nostalgia!

I had worked with Heidi Morris as a colleague and co-educational therapist, and knew her Road to Excellence Program to be the single best program I had ever come across. When I was offered the chance to become a part of the program, I eagerly accepted. I value and appreciate everything about Rolling Hills Prep, and my position here. Teaching is truly the great undiscovered secret of our age, and I gauge myself fortunate every day for having made the discovery."

Adam has been teaching for nineteen years. He also works as an educational therapist. He lives in the South Bay, where he reads, writes, and watches the Lakers.

Matt Wilkens

"I began working at RHP part-time in 1999 as a volleyball coach and after-school tutor while I was still in college. After I graduated with my Masters degree in Education from Pepperdine University, I became a full-time faculty member. It is really special for me to be here because I graduated from Prep in 1996. As an alumnus, I feel that I have a different perspective on teaching and feel that I really relate to the lives of the students. It is an amazing experience to have some of my former teachers as my peers; they are inspiring mentors who have influenced my career greatly. I have seen the RHP community and school spirit grow stronger every year and it means the world to me. From the "International Day" celebration to the fantastic drama productions, the support and participation from the students, parents, and teachers ensures success. I particularly enjoy the outdoor education trips with the various grade levels. Each trip is a wonderful experience that allows me to know the students on a more personal level. Every day I come to Prep and walk into a supportive, compassionate atmosphere filled with laughter, love, and learning-I couldn't imagine working anywhere else!"

Matt lives in Redondo Beach and plays beach volleyball for the AVP and CBVA in the summer. An avid Laker fan, his hobbies include traveling, fish keeping, movies, computers, and going to the beach as much as possible.

Joy Zimnavoda