Meet the Faculty
2024-2025
Waverly’s middle school teachers are a welcoming cohort of experienced instructors who work together to create an interconnected program specifically geared to the changing, sometimes challenging needs of middle school students. Under their teachers’ guidance, middle school students participate actively in learning.
Jennifer DeBoskey
Jennifer teaches math in the Middle School. She is a graduate of Kansas State University where she earned her undergraduate degree in kinesiology and, more recently, a master’s degree in mathematics curriculum and instruction. She also has her law degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. Jennifer has taught all ages from kindergarten to high school, but has spent most of her time as an educator working with her favorite population, middle school students. When not teaching, Jennifer enjoys traveling the world with her two teenage children and husband of more than 20 years. (Email)
Grace Hess-Quimbita
Grace teaches the Middle School farm elective and provides math support to Middle School students. She also teaches chemistry and introduction to physical sciences in the High School. Grace has a B.A. in chemistry from Occidental College, an M.S. in chemistry from the University of California, San Diego, and a Ph.D. in higher education and adult development from the University of California, Los Angeles. Grace says, “I am very happy that Waverly is a small school, which helps me to genuinely and personally provide the right level of challenge balanced with tons of scaffolding and support uniquely suited for each student.” Grace’s two children graduated from Waverly – Nicholas ’20 and Sophia ’17. (Email)
Christine Matos
Christine teaches Spanish in the Middle School. Christine is a graduate of California State University, Northridge, where she earned her degree in child and adolescent development. In her spare time, she enjoys party planning, camping, painting, and loves embarking on new adventures with her partner and her dog! (Email)
Toby McDonald Chou
Toby teaches science and Japanese in the Middle School. She holds a B.A. in geography and environmental studies with a minor in Japanese studies from the University of California, Los Angeles. Prior to coming to Waverly, Toby taught English and American history and culture in Japan’s public schools on the Japan Exchange Teaching Program. Toby supports her students by letting them know, “It’s okay to fail, but never okay to give up…Persevering through challenges is one of the most important skills students can develop.” Follow Toby’s science blog at sciencewithtoby.net. (Email)
Emily Shea
Emily teaches English in the Middle School. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Barnard College and a Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary English Language Arts from Lewis & Clark Graduate School. Outside of the classroom, Emily enjoys working on various creative projects such as writing, crafting, and collage, as well as spending time outdoors hiking, backpacking, and running. (Email)
Maronke Sims
Maronke teaches social studies in the Middle School. She holds a B.A. from California State University, Northridge and has completed graduate level coursework in education from California State University, Dominguez Hills. Maronke was previously a lead teacher at Children’s Community School and founding member, rotating chair of the IDEA Group (Inclusive, Diversity, Equity Alliance), which was created to support faculty and staff in DEIJ pedagogy and best practices that align with anti-bias and anti-racist curriculum. She has extensive teaching experience in both private and public schools as well as experience as a DEIJ practitioner. Maronke says, “As an educator and practitioner, I am a fierce advocate for equity and inclusion and consider it my duty to empower our youngest generation to think critically about the world around them so they may grow into future changemakers.” (Email)