Dear Colleagues,

As we approach Fall Family Weekend, it seems appropriate to take stock of the successful opening of the school year. We all know that what appears effortless to students and their families actually involves an extraordinary amount of effort across all areas of the School and I want to thank each of you for your role in that success.

I'd also like to call to your attention the arrival of new colleagues, some of whom had the opportunity to introduce themselves at the school opening breakfast. Please join me in welcoming the newest members of our community and be sure to introduce yourself when you see them on campus.  As always, there are also a few occasions of note to celebrate with current employees.

I hope you all have the chance to rest and recharge over the brief Family Weekend break – only a month or so to go until Thanksgiving!

Also returning back to the West Coast, Alicia Parker brings a wealth of college placement experience to her new role. As college center coordinator, Alicia will oversee the daily operation of the office. Most recently Alicia served as school and college counselor at Ursuline Academy in Dedham, Massachusetts. Previous roles include associate director of college counseling at Brimmer and May School in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, (leave replacement) after moving from New Hampton School, in New Hampshire, where she held the same position. Alicia has also been associate director of college counseling at Justin-Siena High School in Napa, Sonoma Academy in Santa Rosa and Woodside Priory in  Portola Valley, where she had earlier served as dean of residential life. Alicia started her career in college counseling in the Boston area at Gloucester High School and then Boston College High School, before joining Sacred Heart Preparatory in Atherton, California, where she worked with Jon Burke!

Alicia earned a BA in psychology from University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and holds two master's degrees: an MEd in counseling psychology/guidance counseling from University of Massachusetts, Boston, and an MA in counseling/psychology/MFT from the University of San Francisco.

Brianna Hunt has relocated back to the West Coast, joining Stevenson's English department to teach English Literature and English II to students in grades 10 and 11. She has spent the past two years teaching English and working as a humanities tutor at Millbrook School in Millbrook, New York. Prior to Millbrook, while earning a master's degree, Brianna held various roles at the University of Chicago including instructor/writing intern and graduate researcher. Before leaving for Chicago, she worked in the Seattle area with an arts and crafts organization, in the Marketing department of an engineering firm, and as a staff geologist/research project manager at Kane Environmental.

Brianna earned an associate of science degree from North Seattle College in Seattle, Washington, and followed that with dual bachelor's degrees from University of Washington, Seattle: a BA in anthropology and BS with distinction in earth space science. Brianna also holds a master of arts degree in social sciences with a concentration in anthropology from University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.

The Dean of Students office has welcomed Alicia Perez to the team in the role of administrative assistant to the dean. Alicia's previous experience includes working with Montage Medical Group in Monterey as a medical receptionist and at Forest Hill Manor in Pacific Grove as an administrative assistant. Alicia is working towards an associate of arts degree at West Valley College, Saratoga, CaliforniaA. Many thanks to Claudia Ruiz for referring Alicia for this position!