Meet the Faculty
2023-2024
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.
Joseph Dennis
Joseph teaches middle school math and is the athletic director for the middle and high schools. He has a B.S. in integrated mathematics and a minor in mathematics. Joseph has been an experiential learning coordinator and is trained in Responsive Classroom. His approach to teaching math focuses on a growth mindset where students are encouraged to see “failure” as a key learning opportunity. Previously, at Westside Neighborhood school, he was a member of the DEI committee, on the subcommittee of Culture & Belonging, and was an affinity group facilitator. He has been an advisor and chaperoned multiple outdoor education trips. He was a middle school flag football coach and a D‑1 wrestler and coach. (Email)
Grace Hess-Quimbita
Grace teaches math and the farm elective and provides academic support to middle school students. 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)
Ashlyn Mooney
Ashlyn teaches English in the middle school.
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)