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 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). |
Brian Chu
Administrative Assistant to Head of School Brian Chu has worked at Bridges Los Angeles since 2020 as an administrative assistant and director of COVID-related responses and services. He has worked in various educational settings, including teaching English to students ages 2-18 in Beijing, China, serving in the AmeriCorps program City Year in San José, California, and working at a nonprofit after-school setting in San Francisco's Chinatown |
Tuan Dao
Admin. Assistant to Assistant Head & Division Head Tuan Dao was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM. In 2018, he received his Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications with minor in Psychology at University of New Mexico. He volunteered as a youth group leader, where he developed his passion for education. As a life long scholar and educator his goal is to support students. Outside education his interests are being outdoors, gardening, photography and cooking. |
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 the Tehran Music Conservatory. Sasan is passionate about music and loves teaching. Prior to joining 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 music festivals around the southeastern United States and has collaborated with musicians and bands at national as well as international venues. In addition to his music degrees, Sasan holds an associate degree in mechanical engineering. He believes this contributes to a deeper understanding of music physics as well as the function of instruments. Lastly, Sasan holds a lifelong 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. 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 Faigin-Bechtol. As a twice-exceptional individual, he understands and appreciates the unique culture of the Bridges community. |
Garrison Brain
STEM 5-8 Garrison Brain was born in Anchorage, Alaska where he was raised with a passion and appreciation for the outdoors. While attending the University of Idaho to study mechanical engineering, Garrison soon realized his passion was in education. He enrolled at the University of Anchorage where he graduated with a Bachelor in Elementary Education. As a 2e individual, Garrison believes his experience overcoming his own learning differences will help him better understand, relate, and guide his students. He looks forward to creating a learning environment where students feel empowered, supported, and understood. In his free time, Garrison enjoys rock climbing, camping, golfing, Dungeons & Dragons, video games, computer building and board games. |
Cassandra Condos
Art Cassandra Condos is an Art teacher who has taught art for Phoenix and Middle Schoolers at Bridges Academy, Los Angeles for the past five years. Cassandra believes that students foster a higher level of thinking through the arts, which carries over to learning other academic subjects and 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 Christopher DiLorenzo graduated from Chapman University with a B.A. in liberal studies. For the past ten years, he has gained extensive experience working with kids in physical education as a YMCA lead teacher for first and fifth-grade students. Most recently, Christopher has worked as a teacher for the Desert Sands Unified School District in La Quinta, California. His passion lies in teaching kids the fundamentals of sports and watching his students develop their athletic skills. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his 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 certified in 2e education through the Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education. |
Matthew Gillespie
Humanities & Art, 7-12 A Utah native, Matthew Gillespie holds philosophy degrees from Boston University as well as the University of Paris - Sorbonne. In 15 years as an educator, he has taught a wide range of middle school and high schools subjects, including courses in mathematics, precalculus, debate, and French. Matthew is fluent in French and has an elementary proficiency in Japanese. He is a proud member of the National Speech and Debate Association as well as the Utah Debate Coaches' Association. |
Heather Harvey
Counselor, 5-12 Heather Harvey was born and raised in Upstate N.Y. about 30 minutes south of Rochester. 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. She has a wonderful husband, three beautiful daughters, and a Bernedoodle puppy named Ollie who is getting certified to be a therapy dog! When not working, she loves spending time with her family, reading, and just relaxing. |
Madison Holt
Humanities, 5-8 Madison Holt grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland. She graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor of science in education and a secondary in language arts & English. Upon graduation, she taught the 7th and 8th grade at several middle schools in the Bloomington area. Her classroom management strategy focuses on positive reinforcement and building relationships with students based on vulnerability, respect, and patience. In her free time, she serves as an Executive Board Member of Chabad at Indiana University and spends time with her beloved Aussiedoodle, Leo! |
Megan Jones
Math, 7-12 Originally from Fairbanks, Alaska, Megan Jones is a recent transplant to Seattle. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics as well as a minor in Medieval Studies from the University of Notre Dame. In addition, she has a Master of Science in Education from the University of Dayton, Ohio. Certified and licensed to teach Mathematics in the State of Washington, Megan has taught mathematics for nine years on the middle and high school level. Her courses have included: AP Statistics, Probability and Statistics, Pre-Algebra, Algebra and Pre-Calculus. Megan carries a deep passion for teaching neurodivergent students. Recognizing that classroom assignments should not follow a "one-size-fits-all" model, she focuses heavily on project-based learning that meets the individual academic needs of each student. |
Shannen Johnson
Security Guard Born and raised in Tacoma WA, Shannen is proud to patrol and ensure the safety of the students and staff at Bridges. Shannen studied Aerospace Engineering and specialized in astronautics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and has worked various jobs that have drawn him to enjoy working with people. In his free time he reads non-fiction and historical fiction. He also enjoys the outdoors and camping. 
Val Monticue
Science, 7-12 An Oklahoma native, Val Monticue studied Engineering & Applied Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California. In their fifteen-year teaching career, Val has taught conceptual physics, AP Physics C: Mechanics, engineering design, and statistics. They have also served as a coach for FIRST Robotics, the world's leading youth-serving nonprofit advancing robotics and STEM education. As a National Board-Certified Teacher, they completed a Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction in 2020 and served for six years as President of the NorCal and Nevada section of the American Association of Physics Teachers. 
Olivia Stein
Humanities, 5-8 Olivia Stein grew up in Portland, Oregon. In 2019, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Seattle University with a humanities for teaching major and a minor in psychology. In 2020, she received her full teacher certification from Seattle University's Masters in Teaching Program. While studying at Seattle University, Olivia was a standout varsity athlete on the track & field and cross-country teams. She served as team captain and earned school records in the 10,000m and 6,000m events. Before joining Bridges, Olivia taught social studies at University Cooperative School. Outside of the classroom she enjoys live music, hiking and spending time with friends and family. |
Maria Medina
Technology Manager Maria grew up in Wenatchee, WA before moving to Seattle to receive her BS in Human Centered Design and Engineering with a focus on Human Computer Interaction. She also holds a minor in Education, Learning and Society. Maria has worked in schools all over the Seattle area for about 8 years with students ranging from preschool to 12th grade. In her spare time Maria enjoys hiking, camping, baking, embroidery, painting, snowboarding and biking. 
Jeffrey Myers
Music and Theater, 7-12 Jeffrey Myers recently moved to the Seattle area from southern Oregon, where he studied vocal performance and music education at Southern Oregon University. Currently, he is completing his master's in music education from Simpson College. Jeffrey 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 arts. Prior to joining Bridges, he worked as an assistant teacher at the Leadership Preparatory Academy in Kirkland, Wash. He lives in Kirkland with his fiancée, her daughter, and their two cats. 
Anne Van Loen
4th Grade 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. |
