Administration

List of 18 members.

• 

  Clarke Weatherspoon 

  Head of School

  Bio

  Clarke became the head of school in 2022. With more than 20 years as an educa­tor, Clarke joined Waverly from the San Fran­cisco Friends School (SFFS), where he served as Middle School Head for two years. Clarke brings tremen­dous school lead­er­ship expe­ri­ence. His passion for educa­tion and dedi­ca­tion to creat­ing ways for students to engage authen­ti­cally and invest in their learn­ing has been evident in his role as a history teacher, dean, divi­sion head, water polo coach, and community volunteer.
  
  Clarke holds a master's degree in computing in education from Columbia University and bachelor's degrees in history and Black studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. 
• 

  Aline Assaf 

  Assistant to Head of School & Board of Trustees & Business Office Associate

  Bio

  Aline Assaf is the assistant to the head of school and Board of Trustees and the business office associate. She holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's degree in economics.
  
  

  Before joining The Waverly School, Aline spent more than 20 years at the American University of Beirut, where she held leadership roles in internal audit, environmental health, safety and risk management, and contracts management. She and her family relocated to the United States following the 2020 Beirut explosion.
  
  

  Aline enjoys working out, photography, and spending time with her two college-aged daughters and her beloved dog. She believes resilience begins with maintaining a positive outlook and finding joy in everyday moments.
• 

  Jeremy Bartolo 

  Athletic Director & Sub Coordinator

  Bio

  Jeremy is the athletic director and substitute coordinator. He brings experience in human resources, staffing, coaching, athletic training, personal training, and management to The Waverly School.

  Jeremy earned associate degrees in history and kinesiology from Saddleback College and attended California State University, San Bernardino, where he played basketball. He later pursued a professional basketball career in the Philippines and China. Jeremy is a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer and holds an EXOS Performance Specialist certification.
  
  

  Jeremy believes athletics provide students with opportunities to develop teamwork, discipline, consistency, humility, and compassion—skills that extend far beyond the playing field.
• 

  Betty Benson 

  Head of High School & Director of Teaching and Learning

  Bio

  Betty is Waverly's head of the High School and director of teaching and learning. A trained scientist and experienced educational leader, she joined The Waverly School from Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma, Washington, where she served as Upper School director.
  
  

  Previously, Betty was Upper School assistant director and associate director at Lakeside School in Seattle. She also taught High School science at Lakeside School, Randolph-Macon Academy, Boys' Latin School of Maryland, and George School.
  
  

  Betty holds a master's degree in chemistry from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Wagner College, and is completing a Master of Education in counseling. A former captain of Wagner College's NCAA Division I women's soccer team, she credits athletics with shaping her collaborative leadership style and commitment to building strong relationships.
• 

  Susan Bradforth 

  Director of Marketing and Communications

  Bio

  Susan Bradforth is the director of marketing and communications. Before joining The Waverly School, she served as director of communications, marketing, and development at The Gooden School in Sierra Madre, where she led strategic communications and marketing and managed development operations.
  
  

  Susan has also held advancement and program leadership roles at Saint Mark's School in Altadena, Human Rights Watch, The Asia Foundation, UNICEF, The Rotary Foundation, and the University of Southern California. A longtime volunteer and parent in independent schools and youth organizations, she has supported Polytechnic School, AYSO, South Pasadena Little League, Arroyo Vista Elementary School, Westridge School, and other community organizations.
  
  

  A San Francisco native, Susan earned a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master's degree from San Francisco State University. She enjoys traveling, photography, reading, and spending time with her family.
• 

  Vella Cagle 

  Director of Human Resources

  Bio

  Vella is the director of human resources and oversees tuition and fee payments, as well as Waverly's Flexible Tuition program. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Virginia Tech.
  
  

  Vella values the strong sense of community at The Waverly School and says, "I have found my home...Waverly is a place where I feel safe, valued, and where I am truly happy to be."
• 

  Crystal Day 

  Director of Advancement and Head of Admissions

  Bio

  Crystal joins Waverly from Camino Nuevo Charter Academy where she was the Direc­tor of Strate­gic Enroll­ment for the network of six schools in Los Angeles. Camino Nuevo ranges from kinder­garten through 12th grade and serves hundreds of multi­lin­gual fami­lies support­ing them to gain access to a top-tier educa­tion in Los Angeles. Crystal has director’s expe­ri­ence in progres­sive educa­tion from her time as the Admis­sions Data­base Coor­di­na­tor and Program Assis­tant at the Wild­wood School and during her tenure as Admis­sions Direc­tor at the West­erly School.
  
  Crystal has completed a Master of Educa­tion in enroll­ment manage­ment and policy from the Univer­sity of South­ern Cali­for­nia, and has a Bach­e­lor of Arts in soci­ol­ogy from Cali­for­nia State Univer­sity, Fuller­ton. Crystal is a data enthu­si­ast, an avid runner, hiker, and curious lifelong learner.
• 

  Lindsay Freund 

  Assistant Director of Development

  Bio

  Lindsay is the assistant director of development. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a minor in art from Metropolitan State University of Denver and brings more than 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, with a strong background in supporting small organizations through thoughtful, detail-oriented work.
  
  

  Outside of work, Lindsay enjoys hiking, spending time in nature, plant-based cooking, and animals, especially elephants. She is also the parent of a Waverly Elementary School student.
• 

  Amanda Gallego 

  Assistant Director of Admissions

  Bio

  Amanda is the assistant director of admissions. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing from the University of Redlands and a Master of Fine Arts from Antioch University Los Angeles.
  
  

  Before joining The Waverly School, Amanda built a career in publishing, with experience in proofreading, book editing, and web design. She is passionate about helping families find a school community that shares their values and supports meaningful learning and positive change.
• 

  Molly Geller 

  Head of Elementary School

  Bio

  Molly, Waverly Class of 2002, is the head of the Elementary School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in theology and religious studies from the University of San Francisco, as well as a teaching credential and a Master of Education from Antioch University.
  
  

  A member of the Waverly community for more than 25 years, Molly is committed to supporting and challenging students by meeting them where they are academically, socially, and emotionally, helping each child grow with confidence and curiosity.
• 

  Stephanie Gutierrez 

  School Nurse

  (626) 792-5940

  Bio

  Stephanie is our school nurse. After completing her bachelor’s degree in nursing from California State University, Fullerton, she worked as a nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital in Orange, where she primarily worked in labor and delivery. As a registered nurse, Stephanie helps support the health of students and staff.
• 

  Susie Gutierrez 

  ES Program Coordinator

  Bio

  Susie is the elemen­tary school program coor­di­na­tor. Susie is currently working on her bachelor’s degree in crim­i­nal justice at Cali­for­nia State Univer­sity, Dominguez Hills and is a certi­fied lash tech­ni­cian. A native of El Sereno, when she is not at Waverly, she loves spend­ing time with her family doing all things Disney. She is the proud mom of a Waverly student, class of 2037, and a toddler. 

• Maya John 

  Upper School Logistics Coordinator

  Bio

  Maya John is the Upper School logistics coordinator. She earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Yale University, where she volunteered in local schools teaching mindfulness and led therapeutic dance and movement sessions for pediatric psychiatric inpatients.
  
  

  After graduating, Maya spent two years as a research assistant in a clinical psychology lab, helping develop digital mindfulness programs that support mental health and well-being. Most recently, she worked as a counselor in a crisis unit serving children and adolescents.
  
  

  Maya is passionate about supporting young people and plans to continue her career in education and mental health as a school counselor. Outside of work, she enjoys dancing, hiking, cooking, traveling to other countries, and spending time with her cat.
• 

  Luis Jovel 

  Facilities Manager

  Bio

  Luis is the lead facil­i­ties manager. A second-gener­a­tion carpen­ter and native of the San Fernando Valley, when he is not keeping things humming along at Waverly, he is most likely watch­ing soccer or base­ball, listen­ing to music, or spend­ing time with his wife and three boys.
• 

  Juli Khoe 

  Director of Finance and Operations

  Bio

  Juli is the director of finance and operations. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Duke University and a Master of Business Administration from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

  Juli brings 25 years of operational finance experience in the private sector and has served as treasurer for several Pasadena-area nonprofit organizations. She is passionate about combining her expertise in finance with her commitment to supporting mission-driven organizations.
  
  

  Outside of work, Juli enjoys hiking, traveling, and exploring Los Angeles' vibrant restaurant scene
• 

  Elaine Lass 

  College Counselor

  Bio

  Elaine has served as Waverly's college counselor since 2003. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and education from Chaminade University of Honolulu, a master's degree in educational psychology from Loyola Marymount University, and holds both a teaching credential and a pupil personnel services credential.

  
  With more than 30 years of experience in college counseling, Elaine is passionate about guiding students and families through the college application process. She enjoys helping students discover colleges where they will thrive and supporting them through every step of the admissions journey.
  
  

  Outside of work, Elaine enjoys spending time at the beach with her husband and children and visiting college campuses to stay connected to the student experience.

• Stacey McShane 

  Director of Development

  Bio

  Stacey McShane is director of development at The Waverly School. She has led fundraising and communications for schools and nonprofits since 2012, including Children's Institute Inc., Hollywood Schoolhouse, and Citizens of the World Charter Schools Los Angeles.
  
  

  A Bay Area native, Stacey has called Los Angeles home since earning a Bachelor of Arts in critical theory and social justice from Occidental College and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California. She previously served as an active member of the Junior League of Los Angeles and as a board member of Girls on the Run of Los Angeles County. She currently serves on the board of St. Gregory Hovsepian School in Pasadena.
  
  

  McShane is passionate about schools, community, and family engagement. Outside of work, she enjoys live music, cooking, and pickles.
• 

  Amy Sloboda 

  Head of Middle School & Director of MS/HS Academics

  Bio

  • Amy is the head of the Middle School and director of Middle and High School academics. She earned a Master of Fine Arts in film and video from the California Institute of the Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in English and film from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
    Before becoming head of the Middle School, Amy served as Middle School dean, supporting students' academic and social-emotional growth while teaching social justice, wellness, and the High School filmmaking elective.
    
    Before joining The Waverly School in 2013, she spent seven years at Wildwood School in Los Angeles as administrative director and film teacher. She also worked as a consultant with Cal/West Educators, advising independent school boards on head of school searches with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusive hiring practices.
    
    
    Outside of school, Amy enjoys spending time with her two children, Nola and Kanaan, and her two dogs, Bonnie and Katie.