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"A teacher affects eternity; he [or she] can never tell where his [or her] influence stops." - Henry Brooks Adams
 
Tommy Becker teaches Visual Arts I & II and Intro to Video Arts at Gateway High School. He studied interdisciplinary arts as an undergraduate at the San Francisco Art Institute before receiving his MFA from the California College of Art in 2001. Locally, he has participated in the Bay Area Now Show at the Yerba Buena Center for The Arts and as a resident at Headlands Center for the Arts. His video work has been presented at White Columns, New York; Aurora Picture Show, Houston; PDX Film Festival, Portland, Freewaves’ 10th Biennial Film, Video & New Media Art Festival, Los Angeles and has most recently completed a solo show at Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, Buffalo, NY.
Sarah Benjamin teaches Spanish I and II at Gateway. She received her B.A. in psychology with a minor in Spanish at Stanford, where she also received her M.A. in Education via STEP (Stanford Teacher Education Program). Before coming to Gateway, she worked at a local youth development organization and also taught bilingual preschool. Sarah has not been to Spain since she was sixteen and hopes to visit again this coming summer.
Rachel Botamino teaches Spanish III, Spanish 3H and AP Spanish. Both of her parents are Spaniards, but she was born and grew up in France. She has been teaching Spanish in public and private schools in the Bay Area for over 30 years. She has also taught in Cayenne (French Guiana) and Spain. Rachel has a B.A. in Spanish and Portuguese Literature from UC Berkeley and has a teaching credential from San Francisco State University.
Quenadyne Bucher joined Gateway as the Office Manager in the fall of 2005 and also presently serves as the Facilities Manager. Quenadyne came to our school after many years with a global financial services firm leading technology teams. She has also served as Treasurer of the Gateway Parent Association for two years, but is most proud to be the parent of a Gateway 2006 graduate.
Ericka Castillo teaches 12th grade Learning Skills. Erica is originally from the border, Tijuana and San Diego, but she has been in the Bay area for 11 years. She received her B.A. in Art Education at San Francisco State University, and her credential in Special Education at Holy Names University. Currently, she is working towards her M.A. in Urban Education at Holy Names University. She has worked with at-risk youth and students with special needs for the past 9 years.
Catherine Clobucker is happy to return for her second year at Gateway as an English 12 teacher and the school librarian. In addition, Catherine will work with the yearbook committee this year, which she is very excited to embark upon. Catherine graduated from Teachers College, Columbia University, in New York City with a M.A. in teaching English. She attended SF State and received her B.A. in Creative Writing. Outside of teaching, reading and writing, Catherine loves to travel the world, see live music, eat and wander around SF neighborhoods. She is a native northern Californian, and loves our city and the SF Giants.
Marc Crown is beginning his eighth year of teaching at Gateway. In addition to teaching 9th grade physical science and honor's chemistry, he is also the science department head. Marc earned his BA in Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz and did post baccalaureate research at U.C.S.F. School of Pharmacy.
Sienna Dalton is Gateway's Attendance Coordinator. Over the years Sienna has worked closely with San Francisco youth in several high schools and within adolescent health promotion programs. Sienna served as Compliance Coordinator for one of San Francisco's federal Trio programs. She is excited to work at Gateway and enjoys working closely with students, parents and staff.
Laura Deanovic joined the faculty of the math department at Gateway six years ago. She has been an educator for nineteen years and previously taught music and/or math at South San Francisco High School, Campolindo High School, St. Catherine Indian School, and Santa Fe Community College. She was also a high school administrator at Desert Academy in Santa Fe, NM for five years. Laura has a Bachelors of Music and teaching credentials from San Francisco State University and a Masters of Education from the College of Santa Fe. Outside of teaching, Laura is a drummer and classical percussionist, performing regularly with the Palo Alto Philharmonic, the San Francisco Civic Symphony, and a blues group called the Midnight Sessions. In addition, she is an avid amateur boxer.
Eric DeSanto is beginning his 12th year teaching biology and chemistry, and his 8th year at Gateway. He earned his Bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University in biology and a Masters degree from University of New Mexico in biomedical sciences-vascular physiology. When he is not delighting in the glories of nature or student's mental light bulbs, he is playing with his wife and 5-year-old daughter or swimming.
Anders Fairbanks teaches math and is the brick house mentor. A San Francisco native, Anders is very happy to be returning to Gateway for his fifth year. Along with his teaching credential from San Francisco State University, he holds a B.A. in psychology from Colorado College. A teacher for America alum, Anders taught at public and private schools in New York City before coming to Gateway.
Michael Fuller is an Assistant Principal at Gateway. In addition to his duties as science department head, Michael taught courses in biology and biotechnology during his past years at Gateway. Prior to joining GHS, Michael taught biology at Thurgood Marshall here in San Francisco and worked as a Research Biologist for Gilead Sciences after earning his degree in genetics from UC Davis. This will be his eighth year at Gateway, his fourth as Assistant Principal.
Sean Gass is a co-chair of the Humanities Department and teaches 9th grade Humanities and AP English Literature and Composition. He studied English literature and got his B.A. at Hamilton College in New York, then ran a community center in Boston before moving out west to pursue a teaching career. He received his M.A. in Education through the Multicultural Urban Secondary English (MUSE) program at U.C. Berkeley. Before coming to Gateway he taught at McClymonds High School in West Oakland and Burton High School in San Francisco. This is his fifth year at Gateway.
Amanda Goldman is a member of the science department at Gateway. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in ecology and wildlife biology and UC Santa Cruz with a Master’s in Education. In addition to teaching biology and AP biology, she is the house mentor for the purple (ishoku) house. This year, she will be partnering with researchers from U.C.S.F. to bring the most current science to the classroom.
Angela Grimes is Gateway's Assistant Principal focusing on faculty development. Angela is an 18-year veteran teacher in the California public school system. Her career as an educator includes mentoring and providing professional development for new and veteran teachers and developing curriculum to meet the needs of our state’s diverse population. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Science and her Master’s in Education from Mills College, her B. A. in Art at CSU Northridge and her Administrative Service Credential at CSU East Bay. Angela is 1 of 47,000 teachers nation wide who have successfully achieved National Board certification in 2001. She is currently in her 4th year at Gateway. When she is not focused on being an educator she is focused on creative endeavors in art, cooking and costuming. She is a board member of the Art Deco Society of California, and a member of the Greater Bay Area Costumer's Guild. Other past times are centered around living history theatre in the Bay Area.
Greg Grossman teaches Civics and Humanities. In addition to teaching, he is the head boy's varsity basketball coach and is the yellow house mentor. He earned his B.A. in Political Economy from UC Berkeley and his J.D. from the UCLA School of Law. Prior to coming to Gateway, Greg worked for the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., and practiced law at Morrison and Foerster LLP in San Francisco. When not focused on teaching and coaching, Greg can be found at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley watching the California Golden Bears football team try yet again to make the Rose Bowl.
Suzanne Herko teaches humanities 11 and works with new teachers and on professional development at Gateway. She is entering her ninth year at Gateway. Her previous teaching positions included English as a Second Language at the Liceo Internacional in Quito, Ecuador and humanities at the Community Action Middle School in New York City, New York. She earned her Bachelor's degree in history, concentrating in women's history, at Stanford University and her Master of Arts in the Teaching of Social Studies at Teachers College, Columbia University. When not working on behalf of her students, Suzanne enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children.
Chris Hero is Gateway’s Director of Operations. He has over 10 years of experience in financial and operations management for corporations and non-profit organizations. Chris received a B.A. in History from Santa Clara University and an MBA from Boston University’s Graduate School of Management.
Anne Kenner teaches civics at Gateway. Anne served for thirteen years as an Assistant United States Attorney in New York and San Francisco, specializing in narcotics and organized crime prosecutions. In 2003, she joined the Adjunct Faculty at Hastings College of the Law, University of California, where she teaches criminal procedure. Since 2005, Anne has been a trustee of the World Affairs Council of Northern California. She is a former Trustee of the Katherine Delmar Burke School in San Francisco, and the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library. Ms. Kenner obtained her AB in 1980 from Harvard University, and her J.D. in 1985 from the University of California at Berkeley.
Joe Killmaier is the Athletic Director at Gateway and the soccer coach for boys' and girls' teams at the School. Joe has over 15 years experience with organized sports in the Bay Area. He has coached the Salesian boys, North Beach Azzurri, North Beach Dolphins. He also managed the Deportiva Chivas competitive soccer team. Joe holds a class 8 soccer referree license and a National D coach license.
Mary J. Maya In addition to teaching Spanish for Heritage Speakers 1 & 2 and Spanish 1, Mary is the Spanish Department Chair, the Substitute Coordinator and this year’s Project Week Coordinator. Mary works collaboratively with the Center of Applied Linguistics in Washington D.C. designing a Heritage Program that supplements the lives of the students of Gateway High School. A native of San Francisco, her father immigrated to the United States from the Basque Country and her mother came to San Francisco from Spain during the 1960's. Mary received her B.A. and completed graduate studies at San Francisco State University and received her Master's Degree in Hispanic Culture and language from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Marlies McCallum is Gateway's Learning/Reading Specialist and Student Success Team Coordinator. She graduated from Michigan State University with a B.S. in psychology. Marlies received her Special Education Credential at the University of San Francisco in 2002 and her Wilson Reading Program Certification last year. She loves teaching reading skills and supporting students.
Kevin McCoy joined Gateway as the Director of Technology in 2002. He studied flight at Florida Tech, earth sciences at Kent State, and graduated in ‘96 from Plattsburgh College with a B.A. in Anthropology and a minor in Environmental Science. Kevin moved to San Francisco in ‘97 and was employed by Ziff Davis Media as a Project Leader for the editorial tech labs. He later participated in a summer teaching program with Aim High, and was then employed by Katherine Delmar Burke School to provide technical support and teach multimedia electives. Kevin enjoys motorcycles, playing guitar, fixing stuff, and the fine company of his parrot.
Tina McGovern is Gateway's Director of Development and Outreach. Before joining Gateway, Tina owned a non-profit consulting/event planning business for 10 years in San Francisco and is the former Development Director for Florence Crittenton Services and Mercy High School, San Francisco. She graduated from the University of Santa Clara with a B.A. in English and is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Association of Bay Area Development Officers (ABADO).
Joyce Groom McMinn a Gateway "Founding Mother," teaches the future leaders class and is the Community Service and Outreach Coordinator at Gateway. She graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree and a master’s of science in Education. She grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana and moved to San Francisco after college. For many years she taught and tutored students from kindergarten through high school ages and loves to help students be successful. She is mother to three and grandmother to six. Joyce and her husband love animals and live with a variety of them.
Annie Mehalchick is the Mathematics Department Chair and teaches AP Calculus and Algebra II. She has studied various fields of Mathematics at San Francisco State University and received a B.A. in English Literature with a minor in German from New York University. Annie obsesses over sunshine, attempts to make sense of the universe, and adores her parrot, Hermann.
Denise Olivera is the Director of the Learning Center and the 11th grade Resource Specialist. She received her B.A. in Psychology at the University of San Francisco, and her credential and M.A. in Special Education at San Francisco State University. This will be her 6th year working within the Gateway community as a support for students who learn differently. Denise is the faculty sponsor of Girls Run Gateway, a running club that trains students and staff to run a 10k or half marathon race while focusing on self-esteem, body image, nutrition, and fitness. She enjoys traveling, crafting, organizing events, music and being outdoors.
Sharon Olken is the Principal of Gateway. Sharon earned a B.A. from Harvard University where she played varsity soccer and coordinated a community-service program at a local elementary school. Before coming to Gateway Sharon spent two years working for Senator Feinstein and earned her M.A. in Education at Stanford University, where she also taught a course titled "Educating for Equity and Democracy." Sharon taught humanities for five years at Homestead High School in Cupertino. She spent three years teaching in the Gateway humanities program and served as Dean of Faculty.
Richard Olsen is an artist, writer, and art educator. He is the head of the art department at Gateway High School and consultant and artist-in-resident for the San Francisco Art in Education Project. He also teaches art education at the San Francisco Art Institute. He has curated many shows of children and youth art including at Rena Bransten Gallery, Southern Exposure Gallery, the SF Arts Commission Gallery, and the SF Museum of Modern Art . His students’ work have won a number of awards including the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum’s “ best of design” award with a subsequent exhibition at the Corcoran Gallery in Washington D.C. He has lectured on art and education at UC Berkeley, SF State, the College of Notre Dame, the SF Museum of Modern Art, and other institutions. He has taught in public and private settings including children deemed “Severely Emotionally Disturbed”. He received his BFA and MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute.
Molly Orner teaches English 12 and Humanities 10. She began her teaching career nine years ago as a corps member of Teach for America in San Jose. After taking a five year hiatus from teaching to work in the nonprofit sector, she made the decision to return to the field and completed a Master’s and credentialing program at Stanford University. Molly received a BA in English from Oberlin College. When she isn’t teaching, she enjoys reading, surfing, traveling, and exploring the endless culinary delights the Bay Area has to offer.
Will Parish teaches Environmental Science. Before beginning his teaching career in 2002, he held other positions. He was certified flight instructor, he was an attorney in a major San Francisco law firm, he developed alternative energy projects, he worked for an environmental organization as a pilot and later as Executive Director, and he taught environmental entrepreneurship to middle school students. He currently serves on the boards of World Education and Interfaith Power and Light. In May, 2009, the State Board of Education appointed him to the Curriculum Commission. He earned a J.D. from the University of Detroit School of Law and a BA in Political Economy from Williams College. Will and his wife Julie live in San Francisco and have two boys, both in college. Will enjoys many activities including dancing, skiing, hiking, fly-fishing, SCUBA diving and horseback riding.
Marisa Pena teaches 9th grade Learning Skills. A native of the Bay Area, she recieved her B.A. in English at San Jose State University, and her credential and M.A. in Special Education at San Francisco State University. Ms. Pena is entering her 3rd year at Gateway, happily returning to the 9th grade team. She loves cooking and watching the Food Network. She enjoys playing with her dog, watching football, ESPN, and spending time with friends and family. Her goal this year is for her fantasy football team to make it to the playoffs!!
Timothy Petrocchi graduated from CSU Long Beach with a B.A. in Theater and has performed across the United States. Timothy loves the energy and inventiveness students bring to his classroom and the school theatrical productions. He invites you to come see our production this fall.
Annette Preciado is happy to join Gateway as the new school counselor. Annette comes from Oxnard, CA. Before coming to Gateway, Annette worked as a counselor at her former high school. Prior to that, she worked at the Ventura County Office of Education where she coordinated youth development and drug/alcohol/tobacco prevention programs. Annette attended Stanford University where she earned her degree in Sociology and Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity. She received her M.S. in Counseling and Guidance from California Lutheran University, where she also completed her Pupil Personnel Services Credential. In her free time, Annette enjoys hiking, dancing, and checking out cultural events. She is excited about working at Gateway and looks forward to getting to know San Francisco.
Celine Jo Schafer joined Gateway's College Counseling program in late 2007. Before coming to Gateway, she worked on the 2006 Freshman Selection Committee for the University of California Berkeley. She then transitioned from admissions to financial aid working as an Undergraduate Financial Aid Counselor at Cal. In addition to her experiences in higher education, Celine has worked as a College Counselor for Galileo Academy, AACE Upward Bound, Community Educational Services, and Education Unlimited. She got her BA Degree at the University of Oregon.
Dierdre Smith, a San Francisco native and alumni of Balboa High School, is our Student Support Coordinator. Before coming to Gateway, Dierdre had a varied and successful career as an airline travel consultant, home-school teacher and community activist. As our Student Support Coordinator, Dierdre assists students with a variety of issues from tardiness, lost items and illness, to providing a listening ear. She enjoys traveling abroad, playing tourist in the city, and quiet getaways in Sonoma/Napa County.
Iris Smith is Gateway’s Enrollment Director. Previously a company member of Bay Area Youth Ballet and Dayton Contemporary Dance Company II, Iris left her dance career behind to pursue her B.A. in psychology at The City College of New York. She enjoys dancing, sunshine, friends and family.
Dee Spencer teaches chorus and jazz band at Gateway High School.nnShe received her B.S. in Music Education from Florida A&M University, earned an M.M. from Washington University in St. Louis and Ed.D from the University of San Francisco. She is an active jazz pianist who performs regularly throughout the Bay Area.
Jeff Sprague teaches humanities 9 and advanced placement U.S. History at Gateway. He earned his B.A. in American Studies from Yale and an M.A. from the University of Texas at Austin. He also received his M.A. in Education from Stanford. Jeff is new to Gateway this year, but has been teaching for six years in Oakland and South San Francisco. He is very excited to join the Gateway community and contribute whatever talents, skills and experience he can.
John Stassen teaches 10th grade Learning Skills. A native Chicagoan, John moved to the Bay Area 16 years ago. John earned his B.A. in American Studies and M.A. in Sociology at Stanford University and his Education Specialist Credential in Mild/Moderate Disabilities at San Francisco State University. Before coming to Gateway, John taught in Palo Alto, New York City, Oakland, Boston, and Chicago. In his free time, John spends time playing soccer with his son, swimming in the bay, and reading the newspaper while drinking coffee.
Dominique Uskert teaches Humanities 10 and 9th Grade Seminar. Originally from San Francisco, she left the area to attend UCLA where she studied history and French. After obtaining her B.A. in Los Angeles, she received her Masters in Education from Stanford University. After school, she remained in the South Bay for four years, teaching humanities at East Palo Alto Academy High School. She is happy to return to San Francisco and be working at Gateway. She loves to run, eat, and spend time with her dogs.
Aaron Watson teaches 11th grade Humanities and is the boom house mentor. Prior to coming to Gateway in 2005, he taught at a non-public school in Oakland, CA and worked for 5 years with youth and families involved in the Alameda County foster care system. He received his B.A. in History from Brown University and his M.Ed. at the University of California at Berkeley. Beyond teaching and reading, Aaron enjoys traveling, gardening and exploring the outdoors.
Joanne Wells serves as one of the school’s receptionists as well as manager and founder of Gateway's award-winning after-school volunteer tutor program. In 2001, as a parent volunteer Joanne recognized the need for additional support services for Gateway’s students and designed, organized and managed the Gateway Tutor Program. During her tenure as a Gateway parent, Joanne launched the Gateway CommuniGator, an online parent e-newsletter. Her son graduated from Gateway in 2005.
Erin Willard is thrilled to be starting her fourth year at Gateway, teaching Humanities 10 and English 12 again this year. Before coming to Gateway, Erin taught 9th and 11th grade at Northeast High School in Philadelphia while pursuing her Master's. Erin earned her B.A. in English Language and Literature from the University of Virginia, and her M.S.Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania. In life before teaching she worked as a paralegal in the corporate and first amendment practices of a law firm in Chicago and Washington, D.C. In life outside of school, Erin tries to see theater, play scrabble and catch the Cubs or Bears when they are in town.
Janette Wong is happy to be in her 4th year at Gateway. This year she will again be teaching pre-algebra and 9th grade seminar. A long, long time ago she received her B.A. in Physical Education from Cal State Long Beach and followed up earning her Teaching Credential at Cal State University Sacramento. Janette has taught MANY, MANY subjects throughout her vast career in many places ranging from sunny Southern California to rainy Seattle, Washington. When she is NOT grading papers, she enjoys watching Reality TV, spending time with family and friends, and traveling the world. This year she added several more cities and countries and continents to her travel-log -- Rome & Naples, Italy -- Athens, Mykonos, Rhodes & Corfu, Greece -- Ephesus, Turkey (Asia Minor) -- Alexandria & Cairo, Egypt ... (Africa) !!
Tim Woolgar teaches physical science and physics. He was born and raised in England but moved to San Francisco after meeting his future wife whilst traveling in Asia. Whilst earning his BEng in Aeronautical Engineering at Salford University in Manchester, he learned to fly with the Royal Air Force, but ended up working in the Information Technology Industry before leaving to travel. Tim started teaching at Gateway as a long-term substitute and then taught chemistry and physics at Lowell High School before choosing to come back home to Gateway in 2006.
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