faCuLty faCes

We welcome these new Faculty Faces to Justin-Siena.

shawn Miller: College Counselor

why did you get into this vocation?

My mom has always worked in the education field, and through her world I was drawn to supporting students although not as a teacher. After graduating, I was offered a chance to work in the Admission Office of my alma mater and never looked back. I really value the chance to help our students find their fit for college. As someone who did not have any college-going resources in high school, save for the limited knowledge from my family, I’m excited to share my knowledge of higher education and the college process with our students and families, including helping them discover colleges that are ideal fits for their growth and development as people. This role gives me the chance to give back and support our students and families in a truly meaningful way.

elle Harrington: english

why did you get into this vocation?

I sort of fell into teaching high school. I was in a Ph.D. program in English Literature in Boston when I decided to take a year off and moved to San Francisco. I taught at USF the fall semester, but then found they couldn’t offer me any classes for the spring. A five month sub job at St. Ignatius Prep morphed into 5 years. I never went back to graduate school. I love helping students connect with literature and to develop as writers. There’s a quote from Anne Lamott’s book Bird by Bird that I include on all of my syllabi because it captures so perfectly how I feel about teaching English: “So why does our writing matter, again?” they ask. Because of the spirit, I say. Because of the heart. Writing and reading decrease our sense of isolation. They deepen and widen and expand our sense of life: they feed the soul. I think we all need this sense of connection in life now more than ever.

Kejie Han: world languages

what do you teach with?

Love alone is the best teacher. It teaches us far more than a sense of responsibility. We all had our teenage years; we all suffered moments of confusion, helplessness, or rebellion. That is why we use love to teach. I hope I am there when my students have these moments. We need to take care of our new generation with the most optimistic attitude and the best love they deserve.

stephanie roybal: social sciences

what advice would you give your younger self?

Play a sport–you’ll make friends, learn strategy, create a lifelong hobby, and exercise more often!

what do you find therapeutic?

Laughing–whether I’m alone or with people, I truly believe laughter is the best medicine. I know some who think quarantine is living their best life, but I’m clawing at the curtains just to wave at the mailman!

A teacher is someone who “performs miracles by touching the hearts of those entrusted to [their] care.” –De La Salle, Med. 180.3 Matthias Mueller: sciences

How did you end up at Justin-siena?

In the summer of 2018, I came from Germany to the Napa Valley to marry my wife Erika, and settle in St. Helena. I met her in France in 2016, and had come several times to visit her. It happened then that I heard about Justin-Siena as a great, lively school community with an excellent academic program and special emphasis on the personal development of all students. Although I liked teaching at my last school very much, I was seeking more challenging teaching opportunities nearer to St Helena. And here I am!

who is someone who has impacted you?

Mr. Empacher was my mentor at the teachers’ seminar. He taught me a lot about the practical aspects of teaching, and one of his principles was “What the students can do, should the teacher not do.”

aaron starr: social studies and Mathematics

why did you get into this vocation?

To be honest, I’ve kind of always been in this vocation. When I was five, I taught my parents and all my friends about the dinosaurs I’d read about. I volunteered as an after-school tutor every Tuesday and Thursday during high school. In college, I missed teaching so much that I took multiple breaks to teach English abroad, first in Spain and later Ukraine. Teaching is just so hardwired into me.

what is your inspiration?

Inspiration comes from the energy I receive being around students. The stronger ones tend to provide some of the best conversations but the strugglers are usually the most rewarding. It is the best feeling when the moment of understanding occurs, especially when they thought it would never happen.

edith aguilar: world languages

How did you get into teaching?

I got into this vocation as a substitute teacher. My sister heard about the Spanish position here and suggested it to me. My response was “What?” I discovered that I loved the classroom environment and the interaction between my students so much that I decided to focus on teaching.

what advice would you give your younger self?

I would tell my younger self not to take things too seriously because life takes different turns and we need to be flexible and ready for the unexpected.

robin Canga: vice president of academic affairs

what has surprised you most during this time?

The amount of books I have been able to read. It has been great being able to read books for pure fun or to pick up a book to learn something new. I’ve somehow found the time to be able to read books that have been sitting on my shelf for years.

why am i lasallian?

I have had the opportunity to serve in Lasallian education for over fifteen years and can’t imagine myself doing anything else. I had people encourage me to pursue an administrator position and more importantly, I wanted to create an environment where teachers felt loved, supported, and heard while also holding true to our Lasallian mission of touching the hearts and minds of the children entrusted to our care.

Maryanne Berry: english

why did you choose Catholic education?

When my mom died of cancer at 27, leaving my father with three young children to raise, he made sure we attended Catholic schools. Teachers were always like family to us. They took extra care of us and remained in our lives long after we graduated. To become a Catholic high school teacher has been more a vocation than a career for me. I feel very lucky to have taught for almost 40 years!

How has this time caused you to grow as a person or professional?

These times teach us so much about empathy. Every day we need to put aside our own concerns and reach out to others. In doing this, we build bonds that will sustain us for life.