Faculty & Staff Directory

What would people be surprised to learn about you?⁣ I built my first home with my husband. It was called an Earthship and was made of tires and completely off the grid.⁣

⁣What is a favorite memory at CSS?⁣ Every memory involves the community - first as a parent, now as both a parent and teacher. We have such incredible people here!⁣

⁣What is one thing you’ve learned from students?⁣ You can ALWAYS learn something new!⁣

⁣If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?⁣ I would invent a new one: octopus arms that I could deploy when I need to be doing several things at once!⁣
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⁣What did you want to be growing up?⁣ A teacher - a nurse was a close second.⁣

What draws you to teaching?⁣ The wonder and joy of children - helping to build on that is an incredible gift!⁣

⁣What is your favorite spot in the world?⁣ Any place with my family!⁣

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I have a black belt in TaeKwonDo with more than 15 years of experience training in and instructing martial arts in styles ranging from Muay Thai to Wing Tsun.

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have and why?
To learn anything I wanted to learn, instantly.

What is one thing you've learned from students?
The wonders of K-pop

What did you want to be growing up?
A Secret Service Agent

What draws you to working with students?
I am drawn to the unique nature of each student. I love learning about their interests, learning styles, and backgrounds. I love the challenge of figuring out how to help students progress with their classmates collaboratively, while also honoring their individuality.

What is one thing you enjoy about CSS?
Everyone is unfailingly friendly and helpful.

What is your favorite spot in the world?
My favorite spot in the world is Lopez Island, WA. The ferry ride to the island is a gorgeous display of forested islands jutting out of the Sound. Once on Lopez, I love riding my bike through the silence of rolling pastures. I love the friendly locals who wave as I ride by. I love the salty-sweet ocean air. The hills are gradual and make me work for it but never enough to make my lungs hurt. Lopez is a great place to be alone in nature without feeling isolated. It is a community of people living sustainably within their natural surroundings.


Faith is a professionally endorsed teacher in Language Arts, History, Social Studies, and English Language Learners (ELL). She is currently certified to teach in Washington, Colorado, and California. In 2011, she earned her National Boards Certification in Early Adolescent Social Studies. For seven years, she taught language arts, social studies, and debate to advanced learners and honors students at Odle Middle School in Bellevue, Washington. While teaching she also served as her school department chair, as well as the 8th-grade Social Studies Lead Curriculum Developer for the Bellevue School District. Moving around the world has enabled her to continue working with students in Virginia and California and study Italian in Naples, Italy. She also enjoys coaching soccer, ultimate frisbee, softball, and debate.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
People would be surprised to know that I collect porcelain cow creamers.

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have and why?
If I were a superhero I would love to have the power of teleportation. I love to travel, and if I was able to get to a destination in a flash, it would be amazing!

What is one thing you've learned from students?
There are many things I've learned from my students over the years. However, the most significant thing I have learned is that grit and determination are the best indicators of success in and out of the classroom.

What did you want to be growing up?
When I was growing up, I wanted to be a teacher.

What draws you to working with students?
I am drawn to working with students because I can see the potential in every student. It is wonderful to see students grow and learn when they are given the right tools to do so.

What is one thing you enjoy about CSS?
The thing I enjoy about CSS is the wonderful people!

What is your favorite spot in the world?
My favorite spot/city in the world is London, U.K.

Maria began her career as a technical writer and found she was often teaching writing to others, so it was a natural transition to education. While completing her Master's Degree, she student-taught at an international school. Throughout her career, she's had the privilege of teaching students from various grade levels and diverse backgrounds. Now in her 10th year of teaching, she has honed her skills in creating engaging and inclusive learning environments that cater to students of all ages and abilities.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I am a committed vegetarian cook. I can make a mean meatless taco.

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have and why?
I would want to be able to transform into any animal in a moment’s notice. My default avatars would be a Capuchin monkey, a Narwhal, and one of those baby goats that plays dead to confuse predators.

What is one thing you've learned from students?
I have learned from my students, through their example, that learning can be a great deal of fun. There’s nothing better than having a classroom full of students who are genuinely excited to hear the lesson and contribute to the conversation.

What did you want to be growing up?
I wanted to be like Jacques Cousteau - not just a marine biologist but a pioneer for environmentalism and exploration! ... Plus he had a cool hat.

What draws you to working with students?
Teaching a foreign language to students is the most rewarding thing in the world to me. Language is the vehicle that we use to communicate our humanity, and every time a person learns a new language, they open the world up ten fold for themselves.

What is one thing you enjoy about CSS and why?
The academic environment that has been fostered through years of innovative educators refining the scholastic process at CSS has made for an exceptionally motivated student body. The relationship between teachers who are passionate about their field and students who find fun in learning is something that cannot be understated.

What is your favorite spot in the world and why?
It’s a tie - I love Paris, France, and Akumal, Mexico. Two opposite ends of the spectrum that represent uniquely vibrant and timeless cultures.

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have and why?
I would be able to function normally with one to two hours of sleep. There is always too much I want to do every day!

What is your favorite memory at CSS?
The Lower School's Halloween parade this year was so much fun. Special shout-out to whoever dressed up as a lobster. You rocked it!

What did you want to be growing up?
A primatologist (aka Jane Goodall)

What is your favorite spot in the world?
The bottom of the Grand Canyon! I've had the chance to raft through it in 2021 and 2022, and I can confirm it is pretty amazing down there!

Emily received her BA in Earth and Oceanographic Sciences from Bowdoin College where she also studied mathematics and environmental studies. During her time at Bowdoin, she played varsity lacrosse, led the Christian Student's Association, and worked for the college library, math department, and athletic department. Working four summers at Noah's Ark Whitewater in Buena Vista, CO, she is also an experienced rafting, rock climbing, and backpacking guide. Emily's passions outside of school include growing her own food, spending time in the outdoors, reading as much non-fiction as possible, and swimming in cold water.

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have? I would want my superpower to be the ability to move things with my mind.

What is one thing you enjoy about CSS? One thing I enjoy about CSS is I get to spend my day with the best kids on the planet. They brighten my day with their enthusiasm, energy, joy, and giggles.

What draws you to working with children? I am drawn to working with kids because it’s always an adventure. Every day brings new rewards and new challenges. The kids are excited to take on the day, and it’s contagious. (And they don’t think my dinosaur obsession is weird.)

What is a favorite memory at CSS? Taking my Anatomy & Physiology students to Peak Institute for Anatomical Research to observe human cadavers.

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have? The power to teleport anywhere in the world. I would visit all the beautiful places and wonderful people in the world I long to see, not to mention cutting my commute time to zero, but it would be much more eco-friendly than air travel!

What did you want to be growing up? A park ranger.

What draws you to teaching? The challenge and creativity required to work with so many different types of personalities and learning styles, and the joy of helping people discover and understand their world.

What is one thing you enjoy about CSS? Small class sizes and the ability to innovate and create engaging experiences for the students.

What is your favorite spot in the world? Colorado Springs!!! I’m so happy to have moved here four years ago.