Supporting the seniors on their journey to bright futures with fellow upcoming classes, Rhemi Abrams–Fuller is new to the college guidance team at Webb. Although having worked behind the scenes in Occidental’s admissions, she said she “wants deeper and longer lasting relationships with students.” She plans to bring many of these skills and insights she has learned through her years in college administration to help the Webb community in a positive way. Mrs. Abrams-Fuller has found it easy to adjust, and each day learns more and more about the community and loves having “met a lot of students from different backgrounds from my own.” Mrs. Abrams-Fuller is excited to be a part of the community and she is looking forward to seeing where all the seniors are going to spend their years after Webb.
Roberto Ayala comes into Webb this year joining the World Language department as the new Honors Spanish 2 and Spanish 1 teacher. For afternoon activity, he is the new frosh volleyball coach and is excited to help students take their volleyball skills to a new level. He is ready to join the Webb Community as he can’t wait for all the exciting events Webb has to offer. Having previously taught world languages at St. Francis High School along with Louisville High School, he comes in ready for the academic year. Although not residing on campus, he is eager to join Webb’s “tight-knit community” and is excited to “learn what makes this place tick and tock.” As the year continues, Mr. Ayala plans to take students to a variety of places in Los Angeles, which is one of his favorite adventures California has to offer. He loves the activities in Los Angeles, such as Grand Central Market and Olvera Street.
Susan Carpenter is joining Webb administration as the new Director of Marketing and Communications. All of Ms. Carpenter’s immediate family members have experienced boarding schools, so she wanted to enter this environment too. She left her previous schools in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Far Hills, New Jersey, to bring to Webb her knowledge of advertising, communication, and social media. With the boarding school experience, Ms. Carpenter is excited to become a part of a community that fosters outstanding people and creates connections with people of all ages. Looking forward to the academic year, she is excited for Performing Arts, especially theater productions and dance shows. Her artistic side shows beyond the classroom; eager to knit, make pottery, and maybe even start a pottery club! We are excited to welcome her into our community just as much as she is excited to join us.
Leading the league so far with an 8-15 record, Jordan Fuelling (‘17) coaches varsity VWS volleyball, excited to be back with the Webb community as a faculty member instead of a player. As a former VWS volleyball player herself, Ms. Fuelling knows the game well and is excited saying, “I wanted to come back and coach at the high school I played at.” She harbors many goals and ambitions and is her plans are to, “create a different community along the Webb sports and push these girls to be the best they can be.” Coach Fueling has high expectations for the team and can tell Webb has had lots of positive changes since she was last on campus. Coach Fuelling‘s is excited to be a part of such a wonderful, loving community.
Stefanie Graefe, a new member of the Humanities Department, is excited to take her family on the many adventures Webb has in store. Ms. Graefe has lived in New Jersey for the past 10 years and felt the need to switch things up. She will be assistant coach of WSC golf this year as well as instructing golf clinic. Ms. Graefe was drawn here by the more relaxed Californian culture Webb has to offer. “I am excited about unbounded and class retreats,” said Ms. Graefe. She is thrilled to be able to take advantage of the qualities California has, such as using the aspects of the surrounding environment in the classroom this school year. Besides being in the classroom, she loves spending time with her family, whether that is going out with them or hanging out with her dog Remus. Furthermore, Ms. Graefe is a huge fan of the Sixers and loves watching basketball when the academic day comes to a close.
Meet Peter Hatala, the new Director of Studies, an experienced educator who brings passion to Webb administration! With 10 years of experience at Emma Wilard, and seven years in Berkshire in New York, Mr. Hatala is ready to share his knowledge with the community. His expertise will not be wasted, as he is taking on the roles of a junior advisor and American Society teacher, with experience teaching religion, revolution, history, and social science. Since joining Webb, Mr. Hatala has embraced the diligent community with dedicated students and teachers. In his many spaces in the community, Mr. Hatala hopes to make Webb’s mission thrive in the academic program while also finding ways to strengthen academics. Outside of the classroom, you will find him exploring the outdoors of California as a new resident; hiking, exercising, reading outdoors, or going to the beach. Along with his adventurous nature in the outdoors, he is an avid punk rocker. Initiated into the scene in 9th grade, his perspective has widened, from being the lead singer in his own bands, to reading articles in ‘zines passed out at shows. We are excited to welcome Mr. Hatala with open arms.
After a short break, James Huerta comes back to the Webb community in the Humanities Department teaching Fundamentals of Composition, Advanced Studies Politics and Cultures at the Border, and lastly Advanced Studies African Revolutionaries and Ideologies. Mr. Huerta is very involved not only in the classroom but also as the current debate instructor and is planning on coaching WSC junior varsity soccer during the winter season. Mr. Huerta said, “missed being in the classroom with students, being able to teach and plan out units that are both interactive and informative.” Mr. Huerta is excited for the year ahead as he readjusts back into Webb. He will spend his free time riding his bike, which is one of his hobbies he picked up while taking time off.
Daria Kaufman is the new Dance Company Director here at Webb. She is a freelance performing artist and teaches Gyrotonics in Upland, which is similar to Pilates. She found out about the dance program here from Michael Szanyi, the former Dance Company Director, and has wanted to come ever since. “I’ve been wanting to teach dance for a long time,” said Ms. Kaufman. Mr. Szanyi is one of the main reasons she decided to come as he encouraged her through the whole process of becoming an instructor. As of right now, Ms. Kaufman will not be teaching classes, but you will definitely see her around campus. Ms. Kaufman will be at many school events like chapel talks and theatre productions to become even closer to the community she is eagerly excited about joining this year.
Webb welcomes Leah Moore as a new Humanities Department teacher, coach, and advisor. As well as analyzing texts, Ms. Moore will be seen on the basketball court, coaching track, and teaching Fundamentals of Composition and Experimental Literature. After leaving her previous school in Deerfield, Massachusetts, she is looking for a lax boarding experience. Her value for student interactions brought her to Webb, where she hopes to embrace learning, authenticity, and community. She is eager to teach and have discissions in and outside the classroom. Wanting to get to know more faculty and students, Ms. Moore is excited about exploring traditional Webb events like community dinner. Born and raised in New York, Ms. Moore came to California looking for a slower pace with culture and nature. She can be seen on campus enjoying running, biking, hiking, rock climbing, as well as watching movies with her tiny puppy, Sula. We are excited to get to know our new member of the community, Ms. Moore.
We are happy to welcome Jose Munoz-Lopez, our new Math Department faculty who will be teaching Integrated Math 1 and AP Statistics at Webb. Mr. Munoz-Lopez brings a passion for teaching math as well as a strong background in various subjects, having previously taught Spanish, physics, and math at his previous school. His decision to join Webb stems from his desire to focus solely on teaching math, as well as the impressive engagement he saw in our students during the interview process. He is enthusiastic about the Webb community, highlighting the opportunities for community engagement, such as community service as an afternoon activity, and building connections within advisories and through experiences like VWS chapel. “I’ve enjoyed learning everyone’s stories through chapel, I think that it adds a really interesting part to my day.” Said Mr. Munoz-Lopez. This year, he is most excited about teaching AP Statistics and aims to make the class engaging and enjoyable through various activities. Outside the classroom, he has an interest in cycling and is eager to establish a chess club as well. With his enthusiasm and commitment, Mr. Munoz-Lopez is sure to be a valuable addition to the Webb community.
Olivia Silva, coming to Webb as a new Humanities Department Faculty, is eager to dive into many texts and narratives while building meaningful connections with the amazing community that drew her to Webb. “When I came to visit, the sense of community was just so apparent,” said Ms. Silva. “Everyone just seemed so happy and excited to see one another.” You will not only catch Ms. Silva hanging around the Humanities Office or around the dorms as an Appleby on–duty faculty, but also in the Liu Cheung Theater as she is taking on the role of assistant director of the fall play and spring musical. In the theater, Ms. Silva leads warmups and works with groups on scenes, bringing her calm vibes and creativity to the stage. Not only is she great in the theater department but also knows California front to back. So, if you ever have any questions about Southern California, Ms. Silva is the one to ask; as she has lived in the area all her life. Even if you don’t have any questions, make sure to say hello because seeing the vibrant community she has joined never fails to make her happy.
This year, Yesela Tadeo took on the positions of assistant varsity VWS basketball coach, WSC junior advisor, and Dean of Residential Life. Before Webb, she was the Dean of Students for an all-girls boarding school in Houston, Texas, where she lived for four years. She decided to move here, however, when she was presented with the opportunity to work closer to her family. Tadeo searches for ways to connect with students in their everyday lives; Webb’s boarding program offers her that chance. She is residing in Appleby with her husband and dog. Deans Tadeo emphasizes the importance of fostering a safe, home-like environment for boarding students. After graduating from UC San Diego, she transitioned from playing basketball to coaching Varsity basketball. “It was a tough program, but it made me a better administrator, a better person. It solidified the kind of coach I’d like to continue to be. And I hope to bring some of that to work,“ said Ms. Tadeo. Ms. Tadeo plans to embrace the Webb community fully, whether it is participation in Unbounded Days, ready for a learning environment outside the classroom or implementing some of the important values she constructed from coaching.
This year, we are delighted to welcome Kimberly Timperlake-Olivares to Webb as our new Director of Medical Services. Her journey to Webb has been one of dedication and growth, having previously been a registered nurse at The Dunn School and later pursuing further education to become a nurse practitioner, all in the pursuit of advancing her career. Ms. Timperlake-Olivares is excited about her role at Webb, as she looks forward to meeting the students and immersing herself in the Webb community. “The community is amazing, super helpful, friendly, and a really easy place to be happy,“ said Ms. Timperlake-Olivares. She is equally committed to personal and professional development in her new position, ready to jump into the Webb community and be a part of everything she can be. Whether it is attending sporting events, traveling to all different places, or having fun with her daughter at Spirit Week, her enthusiasm and dedication are sure to be invaluable to the Webb community.
Hanna Towers joins Webb as a substitute teacher for Microbiology, filling in for Ms. Nacionales while she is on sabbatical. Before accepting this temporary role, Ms. Towers ran a cooperative kitchen in Berkeley, California, making fermented foods and drinks with priority on sustainability and eco-friendliness. “I’d always been interested in food. So, I studied food science in college, and I did cooking classes before, back at college. So, I have always been interested in that,” said Ms. Towers when discussing how she had found herself in this intriguing career path. Her love of fermentation brought her to Webb, and in previous years she helped out with the fermentation unit in microbiology. When she isn’t in the classroom, she is exploring her other interests, including sewing, stamp carving, gardening, and walking her rescue dog, Blue. These hobbies demonstrate her passion for sustainability, eco-friendliness, and her adventurous spirit when trying new things. Although Ms. Towers’s position at Webb is temporary, the impact she looks forward to making with microbiology will not be.
All the way from the east coast welcome Cory Warren to the Webb community! He will be teaching this year Foundations of Civilization, Global Gender Studies, and Honors Sustainability. Being a former California resident, he is happy to return with a ton family nearby. Amazed by the Webb community, Mr. Warren enjoys its curiosity, braveness, and passion. As the assistant coach for WSC cross-country, coach Warren loves to be outside running or walking. You can also spot him in the wilderness with binoculars looking for his favorite bird the Belted kingfisher. We are excited to have Mr. Warren’s vast knowledge and experience this year at Webb.
Joining the Health Center as a counselor, Ning Zheng has found her new home, Webb. After working as a counselor in New York City during cold winters, she looked for a new home. Webb was the perfect place for her; as she loves the warm California weather and international student body. She also enjoys the strong feeling of community and traditions at Webb. Her favorite Webb tradition is senior chapel talks; Ms. Zheng deeply connects with how different and emotional each one can be. As a former international student, she can empathize with students in her Freshman Seminar class this year. She hopes to experience Webb‘s Unbounded Days and further explore the many adventures waiting for her in California. We are very lucky to have such an amazing counselor in the Health Center this year.
