Meet the Team
Carl Sabatino, Head of School
carl.sabatino@bridges.edu
Carl Sabatino has been an educator for more than 35 years. He has served as the Head of School at Bridges since 2005. Prior to that, Carl was Head of the Upper School at Lawrence Woodmere Academy for 11 years.
Over the next few months Bridges will be creating its extraordinary Seattle educational team, composed of local and Los Angeles faculty and experts. We will use this space to share their stories and the exciting passions, knowledge, and skills they will bring to the team.
carl.sabatino@bridges.edu
Carl Sabatino has been an educator for more than 35 years. He has served as the Head of School at Bridges since 2005. Prior to that, Carl was Head of the Upper School at Lawrence Woodmere Academy for 11 years.
Over the next few months Bridges will be creating its extraordinary Seattle educational team, composed of local and Los Angeles faculty and experts. We will use this space to share their stories and the exciting passions, knowledge, and skills they will bring to the team.
Seattle Administration
Jennifer Allen
Assistant Head/Founding Director Dr. Jennifer Allen, Ed.D. is an experienced teacher, principal, and special services director. She holds a master’s in teaching with a gifted ed endorsement and a doctorate in leadership and professional practice. She is the proud parent of two 2e kids and serves on the Northwest Gifted Child Association board of directors. |
Aaron Mackinnon
Head of Upper Divisions (7-12) Aaron MacKinnon is a creative and dynamic educational leader who has worked across various culturally diverse and contemporary educational settings across Australia. His career within education has spanned 17 years, primarily as a visual arts teacher and educational leader in high school education (7-12). |
Seattle Faculty and Staff
Sasan Ahovan
Music 4-6, Electives 7-12, P.E. Support Sasan Ahovan received his B.A. in Music from East Tennessee State University in 2018. He also has a music diploma from Tehran Music Conservatory. Sasan is passionate about music and loves teaching. Prior to joining the Bridges Academy, he worked as a full-time music instructor teaching Guitar, Ukulele, Mandolin, Violin and Piano at Guitar Center from 2019 to 2022. Sasan has performed at a number of events and festivals around Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina, as well as collaborating with other musicians/bands at national and international venues. He is also very interested in technology, creativity and new ideas. In addition to music degrees, Sasan holds an associate degree in mechanical engineering which helps him to understand the physics of music and the function of instruments better. He also has a deep love for soccer, which he looks forward to sharing with students. |
Quentin Bechtol
Building & Grounds Manager Quentin Bechtol is an engineer, handyman, and jack of all trades. Quentin currently works in the Buildings and Grounds department on the Bridges campus in Los Angeles. Born and raised in Southern California, Quentin has been close to the Bridges community for several years through his wife, and fellow staff member, Amy Bechtol. As a twice-exceptional individual, he understands and appreciates the unique culture of our community. |
Garrison Brain
STEM 5-8 Hi my name is Garrison Brain and I am going to be the new STEM teacher for 5th-8th grade here at Bridges. I was born in Anchorage Alaska, so I grew up with a love and great appreciation of the outdoors. My hobbies range from rock climbing, camping, golfing, and taking my dog to the dog park to Dungeons and Dragons, video games, computer building, and board games. Originally I always thought I would be an engineer because of my love for math and science, but after attending college for mechanical engineering I realize that career wasn't for me. I decided to take a break from college to work and travel while thinking about a new career path. I began to think more and more about a future as an educator and after returning from a 6 month trip overseas I enrolled in the elementary education degree program back home in Alaska. I fell in love with it and become more driven than ever to become an educator. I feel I have a lot to offer my students because of my life experiences and my academic experience as a student who has both dyslexia and ADHD. I am thrilled at the opportunity to work at Bridges Academy and partner with my students to create a learning environment where students feel empowered, supported, and understood. |
Cassandra Condos
Art Cassandra Condos is an Art teacher who has taught art for Phoenix and Middle Schoolers at Bridges Academy, Los Angeles for five years. Cassandra believes that through the arts, students foster a higher level of thinking that carry over to learning other academic subjects as well as to life outside of school. In addition to managing the art curriculum, she enriches the students’ day by running various clubs during lunch to improve social skills and promote peer acceptance. Cassandra holds a BA in Art from California State University, Northridge. During her free time, she enjoys archery, camping, hiking, and painting. |
Christopher DiLorenzo
Physical Education My name is Christopher DiLorenzo and I cannot explain my excitement to become the new Physical Education Teacher at Bridges Academy. I will be making the move from Southern California to begin the next step of my career. I promise to bring lots of energy and experience to teaching your young ones. I am very experienced when it come to health and the fundamentals and skills of the multiple sports. I promise to be a good role model and be an educator your young ones can come to. In my spare time I like to spend time with my wife and three young boys. |
Amy Faigin-Bechtol
Electives, Humanities 7-12, Brides Academy Online Amy Faigin is a neurodivergent educator, activist, and individual. Diagnosed as autistic at age thirteen, she attended Bridges Academy, a school for twice-exceptional students. After graduating from high school, she pursued a degree in digital media at Otis College of Art and Design, and began work as an independent designer. Amy now teaches at Bridges Academy, instructing in entertainment design, technological history, and mentoring students through their self-directed Young Expert program. She also works with the Ed Asner Family Center as a spokesperson, educator, and co-leader of their LGBTQ+ group. Amy is presently pursuing further education through the Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education in order to continue growing as an educator and advocate. |
Matthew Gillispie
Humanities & Art, 7-12 Matthew Gillespie, a Utah native, has philosophy degrees from Boston University and the University of Paris - Sorbonne. He has taught a wide range of HS and MS subjects since 2007, a wide range of courses, including mathematics though precalculus, debate and French. |
Heather Harvey
Counselor, 5-12 Heather Harvey was born and raised in Upstate N.Y. about 30 minutes south of Rochester. She has a wonderful husband, three beautiful daughters, and a Bernedoodle puppy named Ollie who is getting certified to be a therapy dog! Heather received an associate’s degree in substance abuse counseling, a bachelors degree is sociology with a minor in psychology from SUNY Geneseo, and a masters degree from South West University in school counseling. She has been working in a small rural school district with pre-k through 12th graders as a crisis counselor/behavioral specialist. Heather loves children and cannot wait to be part of this wonderful school. When not working, she loves spending time with her family, reading, and just relaxing. |
Madison Holt
Humanities, 5-8 Madison Holt graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Secondary English Education. She developed her love for writing poetry at Interlochen Fine Arts Camp and her curiosity about the world while studying abroad in Israel. Madison grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland, and currently is raising her beloved Aussiedoodle, Leo! |
Megan Jones
Math, 7-12 Megan Jones recently moved from her hometown in Fairbanks, Alaska, to the Seattle area. She has a bachelor of science in mathematics (minor in medieval studies) from the University of Notre Dame and a master of science in education from the University of Dayton. She has taught junior high and high school for nine years in a variety of subjects. Megan loves learning new things, and her passions include reading, cross stitching, writing, and crafting. On the weekends, you can usually find her hanging out with her family (especially her nieces) or chilling with her cat Josie! |
Val Monticue
Science, 7-12 Val Monticue has been teaching math and science since 2008. They grew up in Oklahoma and studied engineering and applied mathematics at Harvey Mudd College. Val has most recently taught conceptual physics, AP Physics C: Mechanics, engineering design, and statistics as well as been a FIRST Robotics coach with experience in other science and math subjects. A National Board Certified Teacher, Mx. M completed a Masters of Science in Curriculum and Instruction in 2020 and served for six years as president of the NorCal and NV section of the American Association of Physics Teachers until their move to the Seattle area. Val loves to connect any and all subjects back to science through applications, historical connections, or personal experiences. In their free time they participate in historical fencing, spin yarn to knit or weave, and enthusiastically create at every opportunity. Val lives with their partner, Galen, and one cat named Miss Bug. |
Jeffrey Myers
Music and Theater, 7-12 Jeffrey Myers is a recent transplant to the Seattle Area from Southern Oregon, where he studied Vocal Performance and Music Education and served as the Director of Choral Activities at Ascension Lutheran Church of Medford. He has been an educator, music director, and vocal coach for over 20 years with a multifaceted teaching background and diverse musical experience. He has a passion for communal singing and community organizing through the performing and visual arts and is enjoying deepening connections in Seattle and abroad. He lives in Kirkland with his fiancee, her daughter, and their two cats. |
JJ Osborn
Counselor, 4 JJ Osborn's happy place is the outdoors. Camping, hiking, and kayaking are some of his favorite hobbies. He currently is exploring different national parks with his fiancé and hopes to eventually see all of them. JJ is a huge cat lover and has three cats named Jingle, Dory, and Patrick, and is a big fan of Snoopy. JJ was born and raised Portland, Oregon, and has been living in North Carolina for the past 6 years for school and can’t wait to be on the West Coast again. He is very excited to start at Bridges Academy! |
Olivia Stein
Humanities, 5-8 Olivia Stein grew up in Portland, Oregon, and moved to Seattle in 2015 for school. At Seattle University she competed on the track and field and cross country teams, earned a bachelor’s in humanities for teaching/ psychology, and completed a master’s degree in teaching. Before coming to Bridges, Olivia taught social studies at University Cooperative School. Outside of work you can find her searching for cool new local spots, seeing live music, hiking, or spending time with her friends and family. |
Anne Van Loen
Grade 4
Anne Van Loen moved to Seattle from Maryland as a newlywed 24 years ago. They promptly purchased a Ballard home, rescued a couple of dogs, and started a family. She came equipped with a BA in English, an MA in education, and a TESOL certification. Since then, she has been an expeditionary learning classroom teacher, interventionist, reading specialist, tutor, and world/home schooling 2e mom. Travel remains an inspiration and is something that she has been fortunate enough to share with her family. Accompanied by her partner and two middle schoolers, she set off on a 14-month adventure around the world. Back in the Pacific Northwest, she enjoys camping, long walks with the dogs, reading, playing soccer, sailing, and outsmarting escape rooms. Anne is excited to join the Bridges Seattle team.
Grade 4
Anne Van Loen moved to Seattle from Maryland as a newlywed 24 years ago. They promptly purchased a Ballard home, rescued a couple of dogs, and started a family. She came equipped with a BA in English, an MA in education, and a TESOL certification. Since then, she has been an expeditionary learning classroom teacher, interventionist, reading specialist, tutor, and world/home schooling 2e mom. Travel remains an inspiration and is something that she has been fortunate enough to share with her family. Accompanied by her partner and two middle schoolers, she set off on a 14-month adventure around the world. Back in the Pacific Northwest, she enjoys camping, long walks with the dogs, reading, playing soccer, sailing, and outsmarting escape rooms. Anne is excited to join the Bridges Seattle team.
Los Angeles-Based Management and Operational Support
Chris Wiebe
Assoc. Head & Dir. of Coordinated Programs & Services chris.wiebe@bridges.edu Dr. Chris Wiebe serves as director of coordinated programs for the Bridges Ed Group, including Bridges Online, 2e Media, 2e Center, and Bridges Grad School. |
Anna Schaerf
Director of Counseling Services anna.schaerf@bridges.edu Anna Schaerf earned her MS in counseling, marriage, and family therapy from Cal State-Northridge. She has been at Bridges since 1999. |
Eileen Brennan
Director of Advancement eileen.brennan@bridges.edu Eileen Brennan previously served on the Board of Trustees as Development Committee chair and co-chair of the Board. Her son graduated from Bridges in 2008. |
Shane Brennan
Business Office shane.brennan@bridges.edu Shane Brennan has worked as an instructor and administrator at Bridges Academy since 2012. |
Susan Baum
Director of the Bridges 2e Center susan.baum@bridges.edu Dr. Susan Baum served on the NAGC Board of Directors and is a Past President and Founder of the Association for the Education of Gifted Underachieving Students. |
Robin Schader
Member, Bridges Board of Trustees robin.schader@bridges.edu Dr Robin Schader received her Ph.D. from UConn. Her work focuses on talent development, particularly with respect to the role of parents. |
Jann Leppien
2e Center Executive Board Member Dr. Jann Leppien is an instructor at Bridges Graduate School and formerly was an associate professor at Whitworth. She received her Ph.D. at UConn. |
Kayla Waesche
Admissions Associate kayla.waesche@bridges.edu Kayla Waesche has worked in education and film production in Los Angeles. |
Peter Godwin
Member, Bridges Board of Trustees peter.godwin@bridges.edu Peter Godwin is an attorney for start-up technology and telecommunications ventures. His son started at Bridges in the Phoenix program and graduated in 2019. |
Ellen Rosen
Chair, Board of Trustees ellen.rosen@bridges.edu Ellen Rosen is an attorney and pro photographer who has served as chair of the Board since 2014. One of her children graduated from Bridges in 2016. |
