McGillis School

Matt Culberson, Head of School

Matt enjoys moving in the out of doors-up, down, horizontal-climbing, back country skiing, and trail running. In addition, Matt enjoys becoming immersed in good literature and rich discussions. Matt currently is on the Board of PNAIS, Board of Utah HealthCare Institute, and serves as ethicist on three medical ethics committees.

Matt believes that preparing students for a rapidly changing and virtually shrinking world necessitates that education be nimble, attuned and forward thinking. At McGillis, partnerships with parents, students, and faculty create a base of support to help the child grow to their potential as problem solvers, and as inquisitive, caring and interested participants in a world of possibilities.

Number of Years as a Professional Educator: 25+

Education:
B.A., Philosophy, Washington and Lee University
M.A., Philosophy/Ethics, University of Denver

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Sallie Warmath, Assistant Head of School/Admissions and Communications Director

Sallie believes the values based education at McGillis is about creating and nurturing a community of children and adults. The purpose of school is to not only prepare students for academic pursuits, but also to teach the value of perseverance, how to resolve conflicts, learning from experiences, and growing to be the best human being one can be.

Number of Years as an Independent School Educator: 25+ (6 years at McGillis)

Has taught 5th grade, 6th Grade Humanities, Art, Theater, 8th Grade US History
School Administration for 6 years

Education:
B.A., Art History, University of Utah (1980)
B.A., Elementary Education, University of Utah (1985)
M.Ed., Education, Culture, and Society, University of Utah (2005)
Wildernesss First Responder (2011)

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Francesca Brake, Lower School Director

It has been Francesca's experience that the spirit of a strong school community uniquely engages students, educators, and families, to create schools of academic and ethical distinction. She believes that an education, embodied by sound academics, and the values of fealty and respect, provide students with the surest path to discover a singular spark within themselves. For the children who are grounded in these values, we must trust them to become the eventual leaders and stewards of our communities.

Years as a Professional Educator: 11 (3 years at McGillis)
From Dubai to California to Utah.

Education:
B.A., Education, St. Mary's College
M.A., Education, St. Mary's College
M.Ed., Educational Administration, St. Mary's College
CA K-12 Teaching Credential
CA & NV Administration Credential

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Melanie Battistone, School Psychologist, Middle School Director, 7th Grade Advisor

I believe we can make a profound difference in a child's life when we partner with parents to provide a solid academic, social, and ethical foundation. This foundation prepares our students to serve in a world that is increasingly in need of those who are motivated, not by personal interests or by popular opinion, but by an awareness of the responsibility each of us has to repair the world and to care for others.

Number of years as a professional educator: 7 (7 years at McGillis)

Education:
B.S. Psychology, Western Carolina University
M.S. Educational Psychology (Counseling), University of Utah
Ph.D. Educational Psychology (School Psychology), University of Utah

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Jocelyn Gukeisen, Assistant Middle School Director, Middle School Math Teacher & Director of Studies

Watching children grow, develop, and create in ways they never thought possible is extremely rewarding to Jocelyn. She believes in fostering a foundation filled with challenge, independent growth, and purpose.

Jocelyn also enjoys developing and implementing new math curricula and is an active participant on the question development team of ACT. Jocelyn has been teaching at Independent Schools for 11 years, ranging from grades 5-8, and has taught math, physical education, as well as coached a number of basketball teams at a variety of levels. In her free time she enjoys trail running, hiking, golfing, reading, and spending time with her son.

11 Years of Teaching Experience (4 years at McGillis)

Education:
B.S., Mathematics, University of Utah
M.Ed., Teaching and Learning-Mathematics Research Emphasis, University of Utah
Utah Secondary Education Teaching Credential

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Teresa Totorica, Athletics Director, Physical Education Teacher, Middle School Foundations Teacher

In her free time, she enjoys skiing, reading, biking and remodeling homes. She also enjoys the time she spends with her two sons.

15 Years Teaching Experience

Education:
B.S., Political Science, University of Utah

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Kerry Steward, Director of Institutional Advancement

Kerry enjoys skiing, traveling and sailing with her husband and two children.

Kerry believes The McGillis School environment is where a child feels confident and valued as an individual, and where a child will grow as a person who values the joy of learning.

10 Years of Marketing Experience (3 years at McGillis)

Education:
B.S., Small Business Management, University of Vermont

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Rachel Kelly, Advancement Associate – Annual Giving

The aim of education should be to teach us how to think, rather than what to think. Rachel feels that every day is a chance to learn something new.

12 Years of Professional Non-Profit Experience (first year at McGillis)

Education:
B.S., Communications, University of Utah (2006)
Certificate in Fundraising from Non Profit Academy, University of Utah (2008)

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Sue Smith, Director of Finance

Sue retired last year after 25+ years of managing the finances at independent schools but couldn't pass up the opportunity to join the McGillis School. According to Sue "McGillis School exemplifies what an outstanding, successful school should be."  Sue moved to Salt Lake from California and loves being back in Utah, spending time with her children and her two adorable granddaughters. When not at McGillis, Sue can often be found in Italy. Other passions include cooking, biking, yoga, reading, and music.

Over 25 years in Administration (1 year at McGillis)

Education:
B.S., Sociology, Bringham Young University
M.S., Accounting, University of Utah
M.B.A., Bringham Young University

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Marci Burk, Business Manager

Marci enjoys camping with her family in the southern Utah deserts and high alpine mountains. If not camping, Marci enjoys gardening, walking her dog or curling up with a good book.

Marci is always amazed at the fun and creative ways the teachers inspire the students to become involved in learning. She feels fortunate to be able to watch the students grow from eager, excited first graders to independent, confident middle schoolers. Marci enjoys watching each student make their journey at The McGillis School.

15 Years in Administration

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Jen Roddick, AfterSchool Director and Outdoor Education Coordinator

Jen believes the goal of education is to help students become effective citizens in our society through real world learning experiences. She values adventures in the outdoors and teaching students to interact with their natural environments. She enjoys biking, skiing, hiking with her dog, practicing yoga, and traveling internationally.

7 Years Teaching Experience (1 year at McGillis)

Education:
B.A., Psychology, University of Berkeley, California (2000)
M.S., Experiential Education, University of Utah (2006)
State of Utah Teaching Certification, Level II (2009), Level I (2006)
Wilderness First Responder (2011)

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Britta Barney, Administrative Assistant Business /Advancement Office

Britta sees the environment at McGillis as one that fosters inquisitiveness, creative thinking, and personal responsibility. The diversity of community and respect for the individual are of such great value to students, families, faculty and staff.

5 Years in Administration (1 year at McGillis)

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Brooke McDonald, Front Office Manager

Brooke loves working in a school that values community and environmental stewardship.  She enjoys taking a nurturing role in the office and aims to model responsibility, inquisitiveness, and a positive attitude.

5 Years in Administration (1 year at McGillis)

Four years experience in youth after school and summer programs.

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Joanna Nieves, Administrative Assistant, Academic & Admissions Office

Joanna believes in teaching children to be good citizens of the world and the desire to explore and ask questions.

4 Years in Administration (2 years at McGillis)

Education:
B.A., Spanish and Latin American Studies, University of Washington (2004)
24 Hours Tribes Training (2007, 2008)
Wilderness First Responder (2011)
Currently persuing a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Utah

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