Faculty

2012-2013 High School Faculty

Committed to a humanistic approach, our high school teachers encourage their students to be creative, self-disciplined, and independent intellectuals capable of high academic achievement and personal growth. Faculty share and model lifetime learning by developing new classes and working with students on a range of activities—from debate to Bollywood—outside of class. See the biographies below for specific information about education and credentials.

Mandy Boesche teaches drama. She has a B.A. in Drama from Stanford University. Mandy has more than 25 years of experience teaching drama and directing/choreographing productions. She has worked at Westridge School, Ribet Academy, Occidental Summer Theater, Palo Alto Light Opera Company, and Portola Valley Children’s Theater among others.

Dan Bowen teaches history to high school students. He graduated from Occidental College with a degree in American studies. Dan received a teaching credential and a Master’s degree in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles. Dan’s two children graduated from Waverly: Sam in 2003 and Ryland in 2008.

Rebecca Figueroa teaches high school English. She has a B.A. in Liberal Arts from California State University, Northridge, and graduate work in poetry at the University of California, Irvine. Rebecca has more than 20 years of teaching experience, including college level English courses at the University of California, Irvine, and California State University, Northridge.

Tony Garza teaches science and math at the high school. Tony earned a B.A. in Biology from California State University, Los Angeles, as well as an M.S. in Neuroscience. As an adjunct faculty member at California State University, Los Angeles, Tony was a biomedical researcher and published co-authored papers in the journals Neuroscience and Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behaviour.

Guy Hallman teaches science and music to high school students. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music, Music Composition, Conducting, and Piano Performance from the Eastman School of Music and a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles. Guy earned an M.S. in Biology from California State University, Los Angeles. Guy is also a concert pianist, performing with the Pasadena Symphony Orchestra and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Guy’s two children graduated from Waverly: Jessica in 2000 and Tyler in 2003.

Jack Knight teaches math to high school students. He has a B.S. in Mathematics and Physics from the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka, a Diploma in Mathematics (part 1) from the University of Auckland (New Zealand), and a Diploma of Teaching in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry from Teacher’s College in New Zealand. He taught math, physics, and chemistry for three years at Alexandra College in Sri Lanka before coming to Waverly.

Myriam LeGoff-Monterrosa teaches high school French classes. She is a native French speaker. She has a degree in sociology from the Université de Bordeaux. She has been in the United States since 1983. Myriam taught at the French American School, Lycée International of Los Angeles, prior to coming to Waverly.

Katherine Garrett teaches math at the high school. Katherine has a B.A. in Mathematics from Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania and has done advanced coursework in Mathematics at the University of California, Los Angeles. Katherine has been a tutor at all grade levels in mathematics, chemistry, biology, Spanish, test preparation, and general study skills.

Ken Riddle is the art teacher for young kindergarten through high school. Ken has a B.F.A. from Art Center College of Design and an M.F.A. from California Institute of the Arts. In addition to being an exhibiting sculptor for the last 20 years, Ken curated and directed exhibitions for Bliss, a not for profit gallery in Pasadena from 1987 to 2006. Ken has taught for 12 years in a variety of settings, including Center for Early Education and Crossroads School, and has worked with students at the elementary though college level. Ken’s daughter, Iris, is in the first grade at Waverly.

Maria Robertson teaches Spanish at the high school. Maria has a B.A. and advanced coursework in Spanish and Linguistics, as well as a teaching credential from University of California, Los Angeles. Maria has taught kindergarten through twelfth grade at Waverly.  ____________________________________

Amy Sedivy teaches English and creative writing at the high school. She received a B.A. and M.A in English, with an emphasis in writing from California State University, Northridge. Amy taught for over six years at the college level. Amy has had her fiction published in several literary journals, including Calyx and The Louisville Review. Amy’s son Rylan graduated from Waverly in 2010.

Bennel Thompkins teaches high school history. Bennel received his B.A. in Asian studies from Florida State and his J.D. from New York University Law School. After leaving the practice of law, Bennel shifted his focus to teaching. He employs the Socratic method of asking “why” to his high school students at Waverly.