Faculty and Staff
Laurice Antoun-Becker
Laurice was born and raised in the Czech Republic, moving to Tulsa Oklahoma as a teenager. She attended UC Berkley and the University of Oklahoma, receiving her B.S. in Political Science with a minor in Russian history. She attended St. Petersburg University in Russia for her post graduate studies. Laurice has extensive marketing and sales experience. She is fluent in three languages and worked for various international companies in San Francisco, California. She moved to Reno in 1998. She enjoys spending time with her husband and three daughters. Laurice is the Director of Admissions at Sage Ridge.
Tabitha Aspling
Tabitha is from Minnesota. She has a B.A. in History from the University of Nevada, Reno. She enjoys hiking, reading, and traveling. Tabitha is our Business Officer.
Julia Ballinger
Julia is originally from Boron, California. She has lived in Reno for 15 years and enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. Julia is the Assistant to the Dean of School.
Ron Bialkowski
Ron Bialkowski is from Scranton, Pennsylvania. He has a B.A. from Duke University in History/Comparative Area Studies and Russian. He also has an M.A. and Ph.D. from UC Berkeley in History with an emphasis in Russian studies. He recently moved to Reno and enjoys reading. He teaches History for grades 9 and 10.
Laurie Bissonette
Laurie Bissonette is from Albany, Oregon. She has a B.S. from Oregon State University in Microbiology. She has lived in Reno for four years and very much enjoys visiting with her grandson. She teaches Biology, AP Biology, and Biochemistry to grades 10, 11, and 12. "I love science and am joyful watching students learn to love science, too."
Kate Bradley
Kate Bradley, Ph.D., teaches Middle School Science and Math. Her education includes degrees from Sierra Nevada College, Teacher Education Program; a Ph.D. in Biology from University of Nebraska, Lincoln and a B.S. in Plant Sciences from Michigan Technological University. Since 1998, Kate has been teaching at many levels and environments. Most recently, she was teaching middle school math and science at the High Desert Montessori School in Reno. Dr. Bradley helped to launch environmental education programs at Galena Creek Regional Park, including the award winning Great Basin Naturalists Summer Camp. She has worked as a research ecologist in the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science at Michigan Technological University and published papers on global change, population ecology, and soil-plant-microbial interactions. She loves backcountry skiing, white water rafting, and rock climbing. She recently spent a week on the Rogue River in Oregon. Dr. Bradley is thrilled to join the Sage Ridge School community!
Gary Brown
Gary Brown is from Flagstaff, Arizona. He has a B.S. and an M.A. in Art Education at Northern Arizona University. He also received his M.A.T. in ceramics from Ohio State University. He has lived in Reno for eight years and enjoys walking. He teaches visual and three dimensional art to grades 6 through 12.
Jill Strawder-Bubala
Jill Strawder-Bubala is from Indianapolis, Indiana. She earned her B.A. in English and Journalism and a secondary teaching certificate from Indiana University. Later, Jill earned her M.A. in English from Butler University. She has worked as a journalist, tutor, high school teacher, publications adviser, and college instructor. Jill left the classroom in 2004 to stay home with her children and now returns to her dream profession with us. When not in the classroom, she enjoys organic gardening, hiking, and cooking. She and her husband, Lou, and their three children have lived in Reno for seven years and reside in Washoe Valley. Jill teaches sixth grade English and History.
Themis Caillat
Themis moved back to Reno in 2006, after having lived in France for seven years. She graduated from University of Phoenix in 2011 with a Bachelor in Business Science, major in Accounting. She enjoys hiking, skiing and cooking with friends and family. Themis is our Assistant to the Business Office.
Patrick Casey
Patrick Casey is from Reno, Nevada. He received his B.A. in History from the University of Nevada, Reno and his M.A.T. from Sierra Nevada College. He has lived in Reno for many years and enjoys cycling. Patrick Casey is the Athletic Director at Sage Ridge School.
Tamara Chisholm
Tamara Chisholm teaches Middle School Spanish. Her education includes coursework at Universidad de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; B.A. in Spanish, University of Massachusetts, Amherst; and MA in Spanish, California State University, Sacramento. Since 1989, Tamara has taught Spanish at a number of schools and also started her own Spanish immersion K-12 school. Most recently, she taught Spanish since 2006 at Lake Tahoe School. She just returned from a year living in Spain with her two children and husband Brad.
Jon Cook
Jon Cook is originally from Cary, North Carolina. He received his B.S. in Math Education from North Carolina State University and his M.S. in Information Systems at the Naval Postgraduate School. He has lived in Reno for four years with his wife and three children and enjoys camping, hunting and running. He teaches math to grades 7 through 12, is the chair of the Mathematics Department, and coaches cross-country. "I love teaching because it gives me an opportunity each day to positively impact the personal and academic development of young people. I also enjoy the positive energy, optimism and enthusiasm I receive from students."
Cameron Crain
Cameron Crain is from Potlatch, Idaho. He has a B.A. from Washington State in Literature and is currently working on his M.A. in Theatre from Southern Oregon University. He has lived in northern Nevada for about fifteen years. He enjoys hanging out with his family in his free time. He teaches Theatre and Public Speaking to all grades.
Peter Dabrowski
Piotr (Peter) Dabrowski is the College Counselor and Registrar. His education includes a B.A. in Economics from Illinois Wesleyan University. He served for the previous two years as the college counselor at Shenzhen College of International Education in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. Prior to that position, he served as an admissions counselor for three years at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. Peter was born in Poland and is fluent in Polish. He has a strong grasp of Mandarin as well.
Keith de Lancey
Keith de Lancey was born in New Orleans, Louisiana but spent most of his life in California. He has a B.S. from UC San Diego and an M.S. and Ph.D. from UC Irvine in Chemistry. He has lived in Reno with his wife and two daughters for nine years and enjoys reading, hiking, biking and golf. He teaches Conceptual Physics and Chemistry to grades 9 and 11. “I love to teach because it fulfills a lifelong passion for learning – and helps keep me feeling young!”
Kim Dickson
Kim Dickson is from Fairfax, Minnesota. She received a B.A. in English and the Classics from the University of Arizona, an M.A. in Greek from Boston University, and an M.A. in Latin from Florida State University. In her spare time, she enjoys playing racquetball and tennis. She teaches Latin to grades 9 through 12. "I love [the students'] senses of humor, particularly when studying something as dry as grammar."
Jeff Earl
Jeff Earl teaches Middle School Mathematics. His education includes degrees from Marlboro College Graduate Center, MSIT, Internet Technology and College of Wooster in Elementary Education. Since 1984, Jeff has taught middle school mathematics at North Country School and served as the Mathematics Department Chair. Most recently, he taught math and was the technology director at NCS. He will teach a combination of 6th and 7th grade math. Jeff is married to Martha Murphy and they love living near Lake Tahoe.
Lauren Fields
Lauren Fields teaches Upper School Mathematics. Her education includes a partial graduate degree in Geology from University of Nevada, Reno; and a Teaching Licensure Program completed in May 2011 and James Madison University, B.S. in Geology with Minors in Physics, Mathematics, Astronomy. Most recently, Lauren taught in the UNR Department of Mathematics as a Statistics Teacher Assistant (Fall 2010); and in the UNR Department of Geological Sciences (Fall 2007, Spring 2008, Spring 2009). Lauren is an avid rock climber.
Michelle Gallivan
Michelle Gallivan is from Easthampton, Massachusetts. She has a B.S. in Zoology from the University of New Hampshire and an M.S. in Education from Simmons College. She has lived in Reno for three years and enjoys the outdoors. She teaches science to grades 7 and 8. "I enjoy sharing my knowledge with my students because they have an intense curiosity and enthusiasm."
Eric Gault
Conductor, musicologist and vocal pedagogue Eric Gault teaches music to all grades at Sage Ridge School. Mr. Gault also serves on the music faculty at Sierra Nevada College and is the artistic and music director of the Reno Baroque Ensemble. Previous engagements include serving as director of music for the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, as a member of the voice faculty at the UNR, as chorus master for the Nevada Opera production of Lehar’s The Merry Widow and as assistant conductor for the Carson City Symphony. Mr. Gault received a bachelor’s degree in voice performance from Oberlin and a master’s in conducting with choral emphasis from the University of Oregon. Mr. Gault has been a member of the men’s professional chorus at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. and has sung with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in the Ravinia Festival production of Cosi fan tutte. Mr. Gault has also sung Schumann’s Dichterliebe in faculty recital while at UNR. Mr. Gault has been busy as a musicologist having papers accepted at the International Symposium on Latin American Choral Music at the University of Arizona, at the Northern California Renaissance Conference at UC Berkeley and at the International Conference on Orgonomy.
Ryan Howe
Ryan Howe is one of our two 5th grade teachers. His education includes degrees from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, M.S. in Elementary Education and a B.S. in Computer Science. Most recently, he served as a 4th grade teacher at Cedar International School, Tortola, since 2010 in the British Virgin Islands and also 4th and 5th grade teacher in the Charlotte Mecklenberg Schools, Charlotte, North Carolina during 2004-2010.
Jose Indurain
Jose has lived in Reno for many years. In his spare time, he enjoys camping and spending time with his family. Jose is a school Custodian.
Maria Indurain
Maria has lived in Reno for many years. She
enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and cooking. Maria is a school Custodian.
Andy Jorgensen
Andy Jorgensen is from Whittier, CA and has a B.S. from the University of Nevada, Reno in Information Systems. He has lived in the Reno area for over seventeen years and enjoys the outdoors and playing music. Andy is the Director of Technology and teaches AP Computer Science. "The most interesting facet of technology is what it enables us to create."
Courtney Kiely
Courtney Kiely teaches Middle School Latin. Her education includes degrees from University of Florida: B.A. with Honors, Dual Major in Classics and History; Florida State University Summer Field School in Classical Archaeology, at Cetamura; and Florida State University: M.A., Classics and Classical Civilizations. Her most recent teaching experience includes Del Sol High School, Latin Teacher, 2007-2009 and Sage Ridge School, Latin Teacher, 2003-2006.
Christine Kratzer
Christine Kratzer is from Reno, Nevada. She has a B.S. in Education with a major in Physical Education and a minor in English from the University of Nevada Reno. She enjoys a variety of outdoor activities and has lived in Reno for many years. She teaches Physical Education to girls grades 5 through 8. "For my masters program I took a Human Development From Birth to Adulthood class. We had to observe babies, toddlers, young children and adolescents. It was very interesting to see the physical development stages that happen from babies to toddlers and to see some of the ways that parents and teachers can aid in physical skill development during those years."
Jennifer Kuehn
Jennifer Kuehn is from San Jose, California. She has a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Education from Portland State University. She has lived in Reno for four years and enjoys traveling. She teaches 7th and 8th grade English and history.
Paul Leader
Paul Leader teaches Debate and Public Speaking. He earned his B.G.S. degree in Speech Communication and Philosophy from the University of Kansas and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas School of law. He also earned his M.A. in Communicative Arts and Sciences from Eastern New Mexico University. Paul held positions as Adjunct Assistant Professor in Aviation Law at Embry-Riddle University and as Instructor in Public Speaking at Eastern New Mexico University. More recently Paul’s teaching experience includes appointments as Assistant Debate Coach at Wake Forest University, Assistant Director of Debate at Cornell University and Debate Coach at Eastern New Mexico University. He also has extensive experience with high school debate programs as Instructor at the High School Summer Debate Institutes at both Wake Forest and the University of Kansas.
A. J. Long
A.J. Long is from Chicago, Illinois. She has a B.S. (H.D.F.S.) from Colorado State University and an M.A.T. from Sierra Nevada College. As part of her college coursework, A.J. completed a research project on the lack of study skills in middle school and how to teach study skills more effectively. She has lived in Reno for ten years and enjoys outdoor activities with her husband and children. She teaches Algebra I and serves as Middle School Coordinator.
Randy McDowell
Randy is from Virginia City, Nevada and has lived there for many years. In his spare time, Randy enjoys working on his classic car for local car shows. Randy is the Head Custodian.
Tara McGann
Tara McGann is from New York City. She received a B.A. from Wesleyan University and a M.A. and Ph.D. in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University, with a specialty in the nineteenth-century novel. She has moved recently to Reno and enjoys film, theater, and reading. She teaches English for the 10th and 12th grade.
Ian Moser
Ian is from Reno, Nevada and has called Reno home nearly his whole life. In his spare time, much as here at Sage Ridge, he can be found working on computers and networks. Ian is the Network Administrator. “Computers are amazing tools and reshape our world in ways subtle and overt; understanding that change prepares us for the future.”
Martha Murphy
Martha Murphy teaches Middle School Art and Theatre. Her education includes The Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University, M.A. Fine Arts; and Bachelor in Arts for Children, SUNY Brockport. Since 1985, Martha has taught art classes of all types, including fine arts, ceramics, fiber arts, digital photography and drama; she has served as Art Department Chair as well.
Tonya Robison
Tonya Robison is from Reno, Nevada. She received her degree in Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Reno. Her two children attend Sage Ridge School. She enjoys reading and is the School's Librarian.
Colburn Shindell
Colburn Shindell is from Port Washington, New York. He received his B.A. in English from Hobart College and his M.S. in Education from Johns Hopkins University. He has lived in Reno for five years and enjoys sea kayaking. Colburn is the Dean of School.
John Sloyan
John Sloyan is from Paeonian Springs, Virginia. He received his B.A. from the University of Richmond and his M.A. from the University of Tennessee, both in English Literature. He is new to Reno and enjoys swimming. John teaches English to grades 9 and 11.
Laura Stephens
Laura Stephens is from San Jose, California. She enjoys scrapbooking and playing with her grandchildren. She has lived in Reno for seven years. Laura is a treasured Administrative Assistant.
Nicole Taucare
Nicole Taucare is from Concord, Massachusetts. She received her B.A. in Spanish from Dickinson College and is working on her M.A. in Spanish Literature and Language at the University of Nevada, Reno. Upon returning to Dickinson College after spending a year abroad, Nicole decided to make a last-minute switch in her studies. She dropped her second major Sociology and picked up a certificate in Latin American Studies. In order to complete the certificate program, Nicole wrote a thesis entitled, “The Search for Answers: A Study of Democracy in Chile.” The thesis was an in depth look at the socialist regime of Salvador Allende, the ensuing coup d’état, and the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. She was most interested in where the country stood at the time; searching for answers a decade after the fall of Pinochet.She has lived in Reno for seven years and enjoys spending time with her family. She teaches Spanish to grades 9 through 12 and serves as Upper School Coordinator.
Rob Van Cleve
Rob Van Cleve is from Jacksonville, Florida. He received his B.S. in Communications and his M.Ed. in Social Studies from Florida State University. He has lived in Reno for eight years and enjoys running. He teaches U.S. History and American Government for grades 10 through 12. "I enjoy helping students develop intellectual curiosity, academic discipline, and confidence."
Meghan Ward
Meghan Ward is from Greensburg, Pennsylvania. She received her B.A. in Social Psychology with a minor in Education and Historic Preservation from Mary Baldwin College. She received her M.Ed. in Special Education from the University of Virginia. She recently moved to Reno and enjoys traveling. She teaches 5th grade. "I love teaching because of the unique opportunity I have to touch lives, foster curiosity, and share my passion for learning. No two days are ever the same, and it is the slight element of the unknown which keeps my interest and enthusiasm alive."
Erika Weber
Erika Weber is from Boerne, Texas. She received her B.A. in Spanish and History from Texas Tech University. She recently moved to Reno and enjoys reading. She teaches History for grades 7 and 8. Erika is currently continuing her education at the University of Nevada, Reno, studying for a M.A. in History. “I love teaching because I get to travel through history with students and every day on that journey is always a wonderful learning adventure.”
Willow Wedemeyer
Willow Wedemeyer, Ph.D. teaches Upper School Physics. Her education includes Cornell University, Ph.D. and M.S. in Physics; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, B.S. Physics, Music/Ancient Greek and Latin. Most recently she taught at Michigan State University as an Assistant Professor in the Biochemistry, Physics and Biology Departments. Dr. Wedemeyer counts her Steinway grand piano as one of her most cherished possessions.
Katie Welsh
Katie Welsh is from Kula, Maui. She received a double B.A. in Journalism and Spanish from the University of Oregon and her M.A.T. in teaching Spanish Language and ESL from the School for International Training. She has lived in Reno for seven years and enjoys Salsa dancing and traveling.
She recently spent six weeks in Mexico exploring such places as Oaxaca, Pelenque, Chiapas and Tulum. She teaches Spanish to grades 7, 8, 9, and 11. "I love teaching Spanish because I love exploring different cultures, customs and ways of life through language. It is a fascinating adventure to learn about other cultures and in turn, learn about ourselves in contrast. I enjoy watching students step outside themselves in order to try on someone else’s shoes and I think language is the perfect venue for such a challenge. Learning another language creates bridges to a population of people that we wouldn't otherwise be able to communicate with; I am glad to help students arrive at such an opportunity."
Todd Witherell
Todd Witherell is from Northern Virginia. He has a B.A. in philosophy from James Madison University, an M.A. in religious studies from the University of Chicago Divinity School, and an M.A. in middle education with an emphasis in English and history from George Mason University. He recently moved to Reno and enjoys traveling, reading, and basketball. He teaches 6th grade English and history. "I love teaching because I love to read, I enjoy learning new things, and the conversation, energy and enthusiasm of the students helps keep me upbeat."
Emeritus Faculty
Charles Dodson
Charles is originally from Taft, California and served SRS from 2003-2006. He holds an M.A. in Physical Education from San Francisco State and an M.A. in Educational Administration from the University of Hawaii, Manoa. He also holds a Certificate of International School Leadership from the Principal's Training Center. Charles likes to keep active by skiing and cycling. He is very interested in global issues, reflective behavior models for school discipline, and athletic coaching.
William H. Heim, III (1943-2010)
(Posthumous)
Bill Heim hailed from Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. He held a M.S. in Physical Education and Health from Penn State University. In his college days, he pitched for the Penn State Baseball Team. Bill taught students in many different countries and was fluent in both Spanish and Farsi. He enjoyed model trains, baseball, European History, and world travel. In addition to serving as the Headmaster of Sage Ridge School from 2002- 2010, he taught a World War I class to grades 11 and 12 and coached Middle School basketball.
Gaye McCollum-Nickles
Gaye McCollum-Nickles is from Reno, Nevada and served as Upper School Head from 2006-2010. Dr. Nickles concieved of and taught the Senior Seminar from 2005-2011. She received her B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in 17th Century British Literature from the University of Nevada, Reno.