High School Faculty & Staff

List of 12 members.

• 

  Immaculata Ajuogu 

  HS Humanities Teacher

  Bio

  Immaculata teaches humanities in the High School. Born and raised in Nigeria, she has lived in the United States for more than 16 years. She earned a bachelor's degree in public health from the University of Washington and a master's degree in anthropology, with a focus on global health and studies, from Case Western Reserve University.
  
  

  As a scholar of anthropology and its impact on public health, Immaculata brings an interdisciplinary perspective to her teaching. Outside of school, she enjoys poetry, traveling, dancing, reading, and research. And she is convinced that Nigerian jollof rice, and no other jollof, will change everyone's life for the better.
• 

  Garrett Blackwell 

  MS/HS Music Teacher & High School Dean

  Bio

  Garrett is the Middle and High School music teacher and High School dean. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Colorado College, where he studied music theory and ethnomusicology. He also performed with the college's bluegrass ensemble, with opportunities to perform around the country, and brought a bluegrass program to Waverly for the first time.

  Before joining The Waverly School, Garrett served as music director at School of Rock Pasadena, where he developed the school's music curriculum and worked with students of all ages and ability levels on a variety of instruments.
  
  

  Garrett is passionate about helping students explore their artistic interests, develop musical proficiency, and become culturally competent, compassionate critical thinkers.
• 

  Steven Cohen 

  HS STEM Teacher

  Bio

  Bio coming soon! 

• Katie Hannibal 

  HS STEM Teacher

  Bio

  Katie teaches life science in the High School. She earned a master's degree in biology, a bachelor's degree in marine biology, and is a Ph.D. candidate in ecology and evolutionary biology.

  
  Katie brings nine years of experience tutoring and teaching biology at the secondary and collegiate levels. Most recently, she worked at UCLA, where she continued her passion for science education and creating meaningful, hands-on learning experiences.
  
  

  Katie is dedicated to helping students develop curiosity, confidence, and a deeper understanding of the natural world through engaging, inquiry-based learning.
• 

  Tony Huang 

  HS English Teacher

  Bio

  Tony teaches English in the High School. Born in Seoul, South Korea, he grew up in Taiwan, Malaysia, and South Korea before immigrating to the United States for college. He earned a bachelor's degree in the Writing Seminars from Johns Hopkins University and a master's degree in English single-subject teaching from Pepperdine University.
  
  

  Before joining The Waverly School, Tony spent nine years at independent boarding schools in California and Massachusetts, where he taught English and creative writing and coached soccer and badminton. Outside of school, he enjoys outdoor activities with his family, street photography, and screenwriting.
• 

  Jack Knight 

  HS Math Teacher

  Bio

  Jack teaches mathematics in the High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and physics from the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka, a Diploma in Mathematics (Part 1) from the University of Auckland in New Zealand, and a Diploma of Teaching in mathematics, physics, and chemistry from Teachers College in New Zealand.
  
  

  Jack enjoys teaching at Waverly because of the students, saying they are "friendly and honest in sharing their thoughts."
• 

  Bailey Peraza 

  Learning Specialist, Middle and High School

  Bio

  Bailey is the learning specialist for Middle and High School students. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in child development from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and a Master of Arts in special education from Arizona State University.
  
  

  Bailey is passionate about helping students learn to use classroom resources effectively and develop self-advocacy skills. Before joining The Waverly School, she worked as a student advisor at CIP Long Beach, supporting college students with diverse learning differences. She also has experience working with children and their families in home and community settings.
  
  

  Outside of work, Bailey enjoys reading, baking, cooking, and spending time with her cat, Penelope.
• 

  Andres Roblero 

  HS Spanish Teacher

  Bio

  Andrés teaches Spanish and AP Spanish Language and Culture in the High School and serves as the outdoor education coordinator. A native of Costa Rica, he earned a degree in business and international marketing from the University of La Salle.
  
  

  Andrés is passionate about inspiring students to deepen their understanding of Hispanic language and culture. He says Waverly students inspire him through their "humility, consistency, work ethic, and determination in everything they do."

• Benjamin Stein 

  Bio

  Benjamin teaches English and history in the High School. He earned a Ph.D. in comparative thought and literature from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor's degree in literature and intellectual history from New York University.

  
  Benjamin brings eight years of experience teaching English and history at the secondary and collegiate levels. He has served as a faculty advisor for a literary magazine, mentored students completing senior projects, and worked as an academic advisor.
  
  

  Benjamin is passionate about creating student-centered classrooms that encourage critical thinking, meaningful discussion, and intellectual curiosity. He is excited to join The Waverly School and support students as they develop as thoughtful readers, writers, and scholars.
• 

  Beatriz Valls Rodriguez 

  MS/HS Art Teacher

  Bio

  Beatriz teaches art in the Middle and High Schools and Spanish in the High School. Originally from Madrid, Spain, she earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) and a degree in fine arts from the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera in Milan, Italy. She later earned a Master of Fine Arts in public practice from Otis College of Art and Design. She is currently finishing up her doctorate in socially-engaged art.
  
  

  Beatriz has taught at Otis College of Art and Design and Glendale Community College, where she continues to teach in the studio arts department. She also founded Transartmethods, a creative studio that partners with nonprofit organizations to use art as a tool for social impact, including Access Books, Ready-Set-Read!, and Sages and Seekers among many others
  
  

  Outside the classroom, Beatriz enjoys staying active, exploring Los Angeles, visiting museums and galleries, and spending time with family and friends.
• 

  Sydney Walsh 

  MS/HS Drama Teacher

  Bio

  Sydney teaches drama in the Middle and High Schools. Syd graduated from Williams College with a Bachelor of Arts in theater and English. An experienced actor, director, and educator, Syd is inspired by Waverly's collaborative and supportive classroom communities. They say, "I am constantly inspired by the group work ethic I see and feel in every class at Waverly."
  
  

  Syd's son, Harry, Class of 2019, graduated from The Waverly School.
• 

  Sophie Zanders 

  MS/HS School Counselor, Human Development Teacher

  Bio

  Sophie teaches human development to Upper Elementary, Middle, and High School students and is the Middle and High School Counselor. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, a master's degree in dispute resolution from Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law and a master's degree in school counseling from the University of Southern California.
  
  

  Before joining The Waverly School, Sophie served as dean of students and human development chair at Tree Academy. She also worked as a dispute resolution consultant and learning specialist.