WAIMEA — Parker School has added 10 new faculty and staff members for the 2016-2017 school year.
Theresa Bain brings more than 35 years of professional and volunteer fundraising experience to the school as the new advancement director. She has raised funds for many schools on the mainland, including the Athenian School, Head-Royce School, Bentley, Ring Mountain and Mid-Peninsula High School, and has also been an active fund-raiser for the Leukemia Society, Achilles Track Club and MS Society.
“I thoroughly enjoy my job because at the core of giving is a basic belief that one is making life better for the community,” she said. “I believe building community, enhancing every student’s potential and promoting pluralism is what fundraising is all about.”
As a new upper school health teacher and middle school science teacher at Parker, Ali Ann Buscher has taught both subjects since 2008 in addition to coaching middle school cross country, track and volleyball.
“The best learning happens when students are having fun and finding purpose in their work by making connections to the world around them,” she said.
Brent Takenouchi is the school’s new educational technology specialist and design lab coordinator. He joined Parker after two years teaching English in Japan and four years at Island Pacific Academy in Kapolei teaching Japanese and design courses.
“I strongly believe that teaching is all about giving students the opportunity to arrive at an understanding of themselves,” he shared. “Through problem-based learning and hands-on projects, students will have many opportunities to develop their confidence and be intrinsically motivated to better themselves and the world around them.”
As a new long-term middle school Spanish substitute and upper school conversational Spanish teacher, Paola Santesson has worked as a math and Spanish tutor, librarian aid, and volunteered in numerous positions around the world.
Jay Leonard is a new part-time middle and upper school math teacher.
“Hands-on lessons and high expectations provide students the freedom to explore mathematics in a memorable way while maintaining the sense of accomplishment that comes from achieving difficult goals,” he said.
As a new part-time lower school Spanish teacher and garden coordinator, Isabel Torres brings experience teaching art, garden and Spanish at Waimea Elementary School, as well as volunteering as PTSO president and fundraising chairperson.
“It’s important my students know their time learning with me is like a home; a safe place to learn and be loved. My hope is for them to fill their hearts, minds and soul with knowledge and wisdom that will serve them for a lifetime,” she said.
Mikiala Yardley, a new long-term substitute music teacher, is originally from Waimea.
“I always tell my students to learn and have fun doing it,” he said.
Known by students at “Aunty Kelly,” Kelly Herendeen now juggles multiple responsibilities as a middle and upper school registrar, front desk receptionist and a health aide. She is a retired registered radiation therapist and surgical implant assistant with an associate’s degree in allied health.
As a new part-time admissions associate, Maile Wong was born and raised in Waimea in a ranching family.
“I am very thankful to have the opportunity to work at Parker School and contribute to the future of our Waimea leaders,” she said.
In her new role as PAU (Parker Afterschool University) assistant, Christina Bagley helps with all aspects of the school’s after-school program for lower school students.