Faculty and Staff Updates Lifelong Learners

Phenominal Philomena

Kathy Burch’s granddaugther Interpreting Healthcare

Spanish Teacher Ginny Contento ’79 Noise Lab Leslie Hart singing a book in a virtual Noise Lab workshop

Kathy BurchHA reports: “As many of you know, I retired from Castilleja in June 2020, after 26 wonderful years. I miss seeing Casti students and my amazing colleagues so much, but am grateful to continue to have the opportunity to sing with a few of them from time to time— we've managed to put together some pretty decent performances (if we do say so ourselves!), even though we have to record all of our parts separately. Someday though... (and to that end, I'm excited to say that by the time you are reading this, my husband Bill and I will have received both rounds of our COVID vaccinations!). Speaking of which, while retirement certainly doesn't look exactly as I had pictured, it has nevertheless been pretty amazing. Bill and I have enjoyed spending more time with our "bubble," which includes daughter Merrill, Class of 2001 (Mer attended Casti for 7th and 8th grades), our son-in-law Jayson, and our sweet granddaughter, Philomena (see picture), plus their two doggos. We all enjoy walking/ hiking, taking Philomena to see the donkeys at Barron Park, cooking and eating (who doesn't?!?), playing games together etc. I've been able to pick back up recording for Vocal ID, and have upped my meditation and exercise game. I really look forward to being able to travel again, once it becomes possible, and Bill and I are studying Italian with that in mind! In spite of the world's many collective challenges, my family and I continue to thrive, and for that I am deeply grateful.”

Ginny Contento ’79, former Spanish teacher, is working part-time from home as a video healthcare interpreter for AMN Healthcare. She also teaches the healthcare interpreting course at her local community college in Bend, OR, and volunteers at Volunteers in Medicine. Last September, she and her husband Paul went on a river trip in the Grand Canyon, led by her son. “My husband and I just got a Whoodle puppy that has admittedly turned the house upside down, but lucky for her, she's super cute and fun. Paul and I are skiing a few times a week, and like everyone else, we look forward to a MUCH more social springtime/summer!”

Judy Glenn, former Casti dorm director, shared that 2020 was a year of change for her, as she finally decided it was time to move back to the East coast to be closer to family. “It was not an easy move because of COVID but as of July I am happily settled in Burlington, Vermont. I am still fairly active, taking many walks and playing Pickle Ball on a limited basis. Snowshoeing is definitely on my agenda!” Hannah Gomez worked in the Library from 2013–2015. She writes: “This summer I'll finish my PhD in Language, Reading, and Culture at the University of Arizona. I'm also now the co-host of two podcasts, Hey YA! and Read Harder, from Book Riot, the largest independent book website in North America.”

Leslie Hart, former Castilleja music teacher (2011-2016), is Director and Co-Founder of Noise Lab Creative Music Community (noiselabmusic.org) in Mountain View, which recently turned 5 years old. During the pandemic Noise Lab has pivoted to live private and virtual workshops for young children. Leslie is also a member of Emerald Brass Quintet, which performed at Castilleja in 2016, and has released their debut album Danzón, available on Spotify, Amazon, and released by Albany Records. Though her freelance French horn career is on hold, Leslie continues to teach private French horn lessons and is on faculty at Santa Clara University. Photo: Leslie singing a book in a live virtual Noise Lab workshop

Jeannine MarstonHA retired in 2019, but continues to be connected to education: “In addition to teaching my seven year old granddaughter online, I joined the Board of Trustees for East Palo Alto Kids Foundation. As I read teacher grant reports from neighboring schools in East Palo Alto and East Menlo Park, I was moved and impressed. Teachers have shown imagination, creativity, dedication and compassion while engaging children from families hardest hit by the pandemic. Castilleja taught me to care about students from many different backgrounds.”

Tesha McCord Poe had been busy since leaving Castilleja. In October 2019 she founded Joy-Raising, an advancement and diversity consulting firm that supports schools and other nonprofits as they tackle hard conversations about money and race to do more good in the world. She’s working with organizations throughout the country and abroad. “This has been easier, though less scenic, in the virtual online environment we’ve all endured.” She’d love to be in touch: tesha@joy-raising.com

Listen In

Former Librarian Hannah Gomez co-hosts podcasts at BookRiot.com

Peggy McKeeHA sent in reflections on “The Plague Year,” to paraphrase Daniel Defoe: “On the negative side, “shelter in place” regulations were inconvenient and cumbersome, and I desperately missed personal contact—especially hugs—with family and close friends; I learned that I could only read so many hours in the day; binge TV watching was not for me; I had a hard time organizing my time—since I had so much of it—decades of detritus in drawers and closets remained pretty much in place; my self-discipline eroded; anxiety and stress correspondingly rose. On the plus side, neither I nor my husband nor our children or grandchildren came down with COVID; I learned how to Zoom with friends near and far; I reached out to people with whom I’d lost touch, kind of like after 9/11; I did attack some of the detritus in drawers and closets; I adjusted to complying with mask mandates; I continued to walk and bike with friends while observing appropriate social distance; I discovered Sudoku. I constantly remind myself that I am one of the lucky ones who didn’t get sick, who got vaccinated, who did not have to isolate or quarantine completely. I looked for resilience and found that I had some!”

Elyce MelmonHA recently shared poetry from her published book of poetry, "Prepositions." She wrote: “It was gratifying to reconnect with former students, colleagues, and family. Castilleja students and community are so special.” Here is a poem she shared:

Evolution (from Before) When ingratitude grows to a gregarious function, and everyone wants to act like no one and be treated like someone,

when man creates chocolate saints that he proudly consumes to conceive waste,

I will sit upon a broken branch meticulously picking lice from my own furry arms, and, occasionally,

I will laugh.

KEEP THE NEWS COMING IN!

Send your updates to alumnae@castilleja.org.

Note: HA denotes Honorary Alumna or Alumnus