Honoring Employees

HONORING EMPLOYEES

20 YEARS

JORGE HERNANDEZ SASHA MOORE

Twenty years ago, Jorge saw a job listing for a security officer at Crossroads in the Los Angeles Times and called the School. When there was no response, he got in his car and drove from Los Feliz to Santa Monica to inquire and landed the job. When Jorge started, there were no subdivisions within the Facilities Department. The staff was skilled and flexible enough to take on a variety of tasks, from landscaping to event setup to security. Jorge became known as the “audio guy” for school events. In 2006, then-headmaster Roger Weaver created a specialized security team, and Jorge was asked to join. He was proud to be the first to wear a full uniform rather than just a security shirt.

Jorge asserts that he feels just as comfortable at Crossroads as he does at home. He also appreciates the camaraderie and the ways in which everyone helps one another.

Outside of work, Jorge is a pastor at a small church. He takes pride in his family members, who are an integral part of the church’s music community: His wife, Claudia, sings; his son Isaac ’17 plays piano; and his daughter Rachelle plays piano, trumpet, drums, saxophone and violin.

Crossroads is important to Jorge, who is considered an “old-timer” in the Security Department. Beloved by all, Jorge has become a fixture in the community. Jorge considers the School part of who he is and says, “I am Crossroads.” Congratulations, Jorge, and thank you for representing the very best of our School! After years as a marine science instructor and program administrator on Catalina Island, Sasha Moore was ready for a new adventure. Twenty years ago, she was hired at Crossroads as an Elementary School science specialist, bringing magic to her work. Her lessons engendered such excitement that students couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. She watched with delight as our youngest learners discovered scientific principles through carefully sequenced, hands-on activities.

Whether wearing a costume to illustrate a scientific concept or parading down the hall followed by newly hatched ducklings, Sasha always attracted a bevy of kids. She made every child believe that they are a scientist and employed a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach, often reaching out to other teachers to connect science to the arts and other classroom subjects.

In July, Sasha began her tenure as assistant head of Elementary School, a testament to her success in a number of administrative roles over the decades. In addition to her work as a teacher, she has served as acting K-5 dean of students; acting assistant director of the Elementary School; K-5 dean of summer programs; and K-12 assistant director of summer programs. She stepped in as interim head of Elementary School for the 2021-22 school year, leading the division with her signature humor, enthusiasm and care for the well- being of her staff and students. Congratulations on your new role, Sasha, and thank you for all you’ve done for Crossroads!

HONORING EMPLOYEES

HALI MORELL

Hali Morell never considered herself a “school person.” An actor, writer and outstanding knitter, Hali was working with a local theater company when she was hired by the parents of Crossroads senior Eva Sweeney ’01, who has cerebral palsy. Hali attended Eva’s classes with her and assisted with her physical and communication needs.

Hali accompanied Eva on her senior trip to Ojai, which many alumni cite as a transformational experience. It was there that Hali realized what she wanted to do: facilitate meaningful conversations with teens and help them identify what they care about most. Eva went on to attend Occidental College and became a sex educator and freelance writer, and Hali found a home at Crossroads.

Hali is currently the chair of the Upper School Community Engagement Department and a Life Skills teacher. Over the years, she has also held positions in the Admission and Advancement Offices, but her heart has always been in leading the senior trips, sharing the rich experiences with students that first drew her to the School. Students love Hali for her authenticity, warmth and ability to connect with them, wherever they are, without judgment. They know she is an ally and a trustworthy guide.

Outside of school, Hali continues to write and perform. She is also the co-founder of The Missing Peace, an organization that facilitates self-discovery through storytelling. Hali, thank you for fostering connection and generosity in our students for 20 beautiful years!

LISA HADFIELD

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EMPLOYEE

Fresh out of UCLA, Lisa initially interviewed with Paul Cummins to be an English instructor. But things changed when Paul learned about her illustrious college softball career, which would earn her a spot in the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame. Paul hired Lisa to be the varsity assistant coach for the girls softball team, where his daughter, Emily, played shortstop.

At the time, Lisa was working on her elementary multi-subject credential, and spent a year as a second grade assistant teacher. When the Elementary School physical education teacher went on maternity leave, Lisa stepped in. The teacher didn’t return, and thus began Lisa’s 30-year journey as an Elementary School P.E. specialist.

When Lisa joined Crossroads, the Elementary School was still in the former St. Augustine campus on Fourth Street; P.E. class was held on a 20-by-30 foot asphalt lot. When the Norton Campus opened, the area that would become the soccer field was a broken-up asphalt parking lot. But nothing fazed Lisa. She loved kids and devised a developmental curriculum designed to make every child feel safe and comfortable, embracing all levels of athleticism. She created May Madness, a field day event at Clover Park featuring fun, noncompetitive games and specially designed T-shirts.

Lisa is most proud of her two “lifer” sons, Finn Hadfield ’19 and Kyle Hadfield ’22. Lisa, we are so grateful for your amazing 30 years here!

20 YEARS

SHEILA BLOCH

While working on a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Sheila heard about the Life Skills program at Crossroads. Developed in 1983, the program is focused on student wellness and connection, building students’ compassion, listening skills and respect for varying opinions and experiences. Sheila interned in Upper School Life Skills classes for a year, learning how to lead the signature practice of Council and support students as they shared their innermost feelings with peers. Her signature warmth and authenticity made her a natural. Now an Upper School Life Skills instructor, over the last 20 years she has also served as the Middle School Life Skills coordinator and chair of the Upper School Life Skills Department.

Sheila is an unabashed champion of the Life Skills program, offered weekly for students K-12. She believes that working with kids to develop confidence, resilience and empathy makes a difference in their lives and, subsequently, in the lives of everyone they encounter.

Sheila’s talent as a teacher extends beyond her students. Over the years, she has hired Life Skills instructors from nonteaching backgrounds, identifying in them the skills, experiences and temperaments required to excel at the job and serving as a mentor to build them into the extraordinary teachers they are today.

Sheila is the proud mother of Chiron Bloch ’00 and a devoted grandmother, picking up her grandson from school every day. Sheila, thank you for sharing your huge heart with Crossroads for 30 wonderful years!

SHAWN GILBERT

Like many longtime employees, Shawn has served in a variety of roles during her time at Crossroads. She’s been a varsity softball coach; a sixth grade physical education assistant teacher; and even a summer assistant to the Upper School registrar. But no matter what her title, Shawn has always brought incredible warmth, genuine care for students and an unsinkable, positive attitude to the job.

Today, Shawn is a Middle School P.E. teacher and coordinator and an Upper School P.E. teacher. She has developed a curriculum that combines traditional and nontraditional elements, as well as team, group, dual and individual activities. Shawn wants every student, regardless of skill level, to feel comfortable learning and taking risks. Her goal is to provide opportunities for every student to experience growth and success in a movement environment.

A great example of Shawn’s approach was the sixth grade circus, which ran for many years. Few students have circus training, so the work challenged both experienced young athletes and those less athletically inclined. Students had to slow down, follow a rubric for skill development and practice building perseverance. Shawn helped them develop their technique with her typical patience and expertise, and was always thrilled when students exceeded their own expectations.

Shawn has also been known to chaperone Environmental and Outdoor Education trips, supporting students as they tackled new physical challenges out in the natural world. Shawn, thank you for sharing the joy you take in your work with the Crossroads community!

30 YEARS

Assistant Head of Elementary School CATHERINE “CAT” RAMOS celebrated 30 years at Crossroads—and also retired! Read about her Crossroads journey on page 53.

seventh grade

WILLOW OWEN, MARY ANN CUMMINS

Mary Ann Cummins holds a singular place in the history of Crossroads, having taught here for all 50 years of the School’s existence. She is a renowned music theory teacher, a brilliant pianist, a force of nature and a second mother to many. She was hired by Crossroads co-founder and first headmaster Paul Cummins— whom she would marry a year later—to develop an Orff Schulwerk music program at St. Augustine by-the-Sea.

Over the years, Mary Ann assembled a jug band and the beginnings of a chamber

50 YEARS

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ensemble in the Upper School. She conceived the music major program, which evolved into the Elizabeth Mandell Music Institute, which she executive directed for a time. But Mary Ann’s true passion has always been teaching and mentoring students.

As the chamber orchestra’s reputation grew, music students from Asia increasingly began to enroll at Crossroads to participate. Because few of them had family in California, and the School’s international house did not yet exist, many of these students lived with Mary Ann and Paul—a reflection of their total commitment to and care for their students.

Mary Ann’s generosity, passion and deep bonds with current and former students over the last 50 years epitomize excellence in teaching, impacting the culture of Crossroads both within and beyond the music program. Thank you, Mary Ann, for your indelible contributions to the School, which quite literally would not be the same without you.