Contacts & Directions

Dan Ary has taught for over 35 years, including 24 years as a full-time instructor at Laguna Blanca School. He is an adjunct professor in Mathematics at Santa Barbara City College and has been a Visiting Instructor in Computer Science at UCSB. His Master’s degree from UCSB is in Mathematics. During his graduate years at UCSB he acted as a Teaching Fellow specializing in enrichment math for EK-12. While at the university he worked many summers developing curriculum, grades K-6, for the DIGIT program.

He was instrumental in the development and teaching of the AP Calculus program at Laguna Blanca School and has frequently taught AP Computer Science there. In the past he has acted as chairman of the Math department.

Mr. Ary has tutored extensively with both individuals and small groups in math SAT. He has years of experience in teaching both SAT I and SAT II math courses. He has successfully collaborated in the development and teaching of SAT preparation courses since 2000.

When he is not enjoying his teaching of mathematics he spends his time at home playing with his Irish wolfhound. He enjoys Santa Barbara and feels privileged to have been a resident for over 45 years.

Charlie Aslesan (Mr. A) comes to Laguna Blanca from St. Paul, Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts in English, Education & Family Studies from Saint Olaf College where he was also the Co-Captain of their basketball team. Mr. A has over five years of teaching experience in Middle and Upper School Social Studies and English courses, including seventh grade Geography. In 2021, he was the recipient of the Saintly Service Halo Award, which goes to two educators in the entire state of Minnesota, recognizing excellence in the development of students.

Originally from the Bay Area, Lauren Bedard moved to Santa Barbara to attend UCSB, earning a B.A. in Mathematics followed by a Master's in Education. Prior to joining Laguna this year, Lauren spent three years teaching in public schools, first in Stockton, followed by a year in Ventura at Buena High School. In her time as a teacher, Lauren has been involved in several school organizations, including running the student council and working as the head varsity softball coach. In her spare time, she enjoys backpacking, playing softball, painting, and reading.

As an active member of the Santa Barbara community and local schools, Tina has played many roles. She has served on numerous Parent Auxiliary Boards and committees, as well as assisted in the classroom. Tina comes to Laguna with an extensive background in event coordination and project management, working for the Santa Barbara Triathlon, as well as a local interior design company. She also has experience in office administration, accounting, and volunteer management.

A UCSB graduate, Tina earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art History. She most cherishes her time with her husband and three children and enjoys hiking, gardening, cooking, and design. 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director, Ursula Chan, started at Laguna Blanca in 2018 as the Lower School Spanish Instructor and Fourth Grade Teaching Assistant and began her work as DEI Coordinator in 2020. Chan holds a B.A. in Feminist Studies from UCSB and a Master's with honors in American Studies, deepening her expertise in history, society, culture, and critical theory.

Jason Donnelly has returned to Laguna Blanca to serve as the Director of Athletics after a previous stint at Laguna from 1997-2008 as the beloved Head Coach of our girls and boys volleyball teams. During that period, he led our girls to the CIF title in 2006, and also served as our Middle School Athletic Director.

Jason left Laguna in 2008 to coach women's volleyball at Rutgers University in New Jersey. After three seasons, he and his wife, Kim (also former faculty of Laguna's Lower School), returned to sunny Santa Barbara where Jason ran the boys and girls volleyball programs at Bishop Diego High School.

Seen as one of the best volleyball coaches in the area, Jason is well-equipped to continue our program's success. He will bring the same energy and spirit to our entire athletic program in the years to come.

Victoria was born in South Africa, where most of her extended family still lives. She has lived in France, England, Botswana, Switzerland and Greece. Victoria began teaching at the University of San Diego in the ESL Adult program. Immediately after university, she joined the Peace Corps and taught English in Mahalapye, Botswana where she developed a school library, created the Form 1 and Form 2 English Examinations in accordance with the Ministry of Education Requirements as well as a national competitive English team and essay competition. After her adventures in France and England, she taught Language Arts & Humanities to grades 7-12 in Seattle, Washington in both public and private schools; domestic and ELL; and standard, honors and AP classes. In 2005, she finished her master’s in teaching degree, and in 2009 she obtained National Board Certification. Driven to further master not only her writing skills, but also her instruction of writing, she earned an MFA degree in 2017. 

Victoria is thrilled to return to the beach after so many years in rainy Seattle. She enjoys daily runs with her two Weimaraner dogs. She is excited to join the Owl family and to become a part of the Santa Barbara community.

Erik Faust is a native of Colorado but has been living in California since he was in elementary school. He first fell in love with Santa Barbara after moving here in 2000 in pursuit of his then girlfriend and now wife, Lexie.

Michelle joins the Laguna Blanca community after teaching Spanish, English Language Development, Language Arts, and Theatre at Atascadero Middle School for the past three years. During this time, she successfully piloted the Spanish program as an advanced eighth grade elective for high school credit. She is a graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where she earned her bachelor’s in English, TESL Certification, and a Teaching Credential. Michelle also pursued her passion for languages by minoring in Spanish and Linguistics. She began her career in education as the lead tutor at the Cal Poly Writing and Rhetoric Center from 2012-2016. When not in the classroom, she is seeking out nature and travel. Michelle’s main claim to fame is completing the Camino de Santiago, a 400-mile backpacking trip across Spain, twice. She loves to share her zeal for language and general hopefulness with her students each year.

Vera Grigorian has worked as an educational therapist in private practice for over 20 years. She earned her BA in Sociology and MA in Education from UCSB and has her teaching credential from San Francisco State University. Vera is thrilled to be back in Santa Barbara working in Academic Services. She loves swimming and jumps into the ocean or a pool every chance she gets.

Kevin Thomas Guay earned his master's degree from California State University, Northridge, and his doctorate in history from the University of Texas at El Paso. He is married to the beautiful and talented Mrs. Courtney Guay, who teaches art at Laguna's Lower School campus. The couple has two young sons, Killian and Callan. For fun, Kevin enjoys reading, writing, and playing video games.

Nissa Hales is a fourth-generation Santa Barbaran and third generation graduate of Santa Barbara High School. Throughout her fifteen-year tenure as lead sixth grade instructor at Laguna, Nissa assisted the Director of Technology and served on the Technology Committee to design and implement the one-to-one Laptops for Learning program in the Middle School. During that time, Nissa served as fifth and sixth grade technology instructor as well as adjunct Educational Technology instructor at Antioch University. In the fall of 2015, Nissa transitioned out of the classroom to become Laguna’s Instructional Integration Coordinator, responsible for helping students and teachers integrate technology into their curricula.

Sienna Kimbell, a Santa Barbara based Educational Therapist, works closely with the teachers at Laguna Blanca, as well as collaborating with Ms. Steeber and Ms. Roarty, in order to assist the 8th and 9th graders with their transition to high school. She works 1:1 with students on organization, planning, study skills, time management, and self-advocacy. Sienna has a Bachelors degree from Cal Polytechnic State University San Luis Opispo in Environmental Science with an emphasis on Outdoor Education, a Masters in Special Education from Humboldt State University and a Special Education Teaching Credential. She is also endorsed by the Association of Educational Therapists and works in the Santa Barbra area in her own private tutoring and consulting business. Sienna loves helping students get on track and strive to achieve their highest goals. In her free time, she is juggling her two little boys, and can usually be found at the beach.

Born, raised, and educated in England, Grant worked in the Finance Industry in London and New York for 14 years whilst also earning his master’s degree in Business in Singapore before moving to Santa Barbara. In Santa Barbara, he owned and operated his own family restaurant for 7 years. His enthusiasm for Math stems from his unique blend of academic aptitude and real-world experience, and he particularly enjoys using this experience to help math come alive for his students. He believes that proficiency in math is one of the fundamental pillars of education and should be taught in a fun, relevant, and technology-infused environment that stimulates students and promotes success. He spent four years teaching math across various grades in Santa Barbara before making the move to Laguna Blanca to share his passion for the subject.

He is married to Kate, who was one of the founding employees at MOXI before becoming the Director of Development at Women’s Economic Ventures. Together they have three children and they all love camping, traveling, puzzles, and stories of any genre. Grant has coached various sports in town and especially enjoys playing, coaching, and refereeing soccer, as well as hiking, cooking, and spending time in nature.

Zack Moore developed a passion for STEM after high school physics and went on to study civil engineering, cum laude, at the University of North Carolina. He began his teaching career in 1997 as a physics instructor for Peace Corps-Ghana, where he headed a regional science center serving five local school districts. After his service, Zack undertook a Peace Corps fellowship and earned a master’s degree in multicultural education from San Francisco State University. He began his current role as a STEM instructor in 2007 at Laguna Blanca School and has developed an EK-12 vision for STEM infusion into a traditional liberal arts institution. Zack has served a wide range of students including English as a Second Language students, underrepresented students with learning differences, and ex-pats. He recently brought his career full circle by serving as a Fulbright distinguished educator in Ghana, focusing on STEM infusion for Islamic girls. He is a winner of the 2021 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching for the state of California and has also served as a presenter at various events including NSTA, CA STEAM symposium, TEDx Laguna Blanca, and The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) Material Research Experience for Teachers program.  Zack is currently directing Laguna Blanca’s summer programs, which focus on project-based learning and outreach to the broader Santa Barbara community.

Colleen Murray serves in our college counseling office as the Director College Counseling. She has more than 28 years of experience in college counseling, and she returned to Southern CA after serving as the Dean of College and Academic Advising at The Bear Creek School in Redmond, Washington. Colleen has overseen and successfully built college admissions programs at secondary boarding and day schools in California and Washington. She is an active member of NACAC, WACAC, PNACAC and has served on the Baylor University College Counselor Advisory Board. Colleen provides a comprehensive and personalized college counseling process for students and finds joy in getting to know her students well as she guides them along their college path. “It is extremely rewarding to come alongside students and families in helping them feel comfortable on this pivotal journey. It is incredible to see a student’s face light up as one is equipped to embrace strength, confidence, calm, and excitement in the college process. I look forward to shepherding students along their paths to college and beyond. It is a privilege to be a member of the spectacular Laguna Blanca community!” Colleen’s educational background includes a B.A. in Psychology and an M.S. in Counseling from San Diego State University. She has her Pupil Personnel Services Credential from San Diego State University and Certificates in College Counseling from the University of California, San Diego, and the Harvard Summer Institute on College Admissions. Colleen grew up in San Diego, where, as a young girl, she met her next-door neighbor: her future husband, Reid. They are now empty nesters to three lovely daughters.

Kendra Oleson returned home with her husband and two sons Dean and Dylan, after teaching in the Bay Area for 12 years. She has a B.A. in English from the University of San Diego and a Master's in Education from UCSB. She teaches English in both the Middle School and the High School and has made it her mission to have her students leave class with a new appreciation for reading and writing. In her free time, she loves taking her kids to the beach, scuba diving, and traveling. 

Dr. Ricky Polizo was born and raised in Santa Barbara. Inspired by local doctors working with high school and college level athletes, he went to California State University, Long Beach to get his Athletic Training degree and certification. He then went to the Bay Area to earn his Doctorate of Chiropractic. He has a practice in downtown Santa Barbara, but his love of high school athletics had him serving at other local high schools before bringing him to the Laguna Blanca Athletic Training Room. He and his partner, Dana, have a toddler named Lottie, but Ricky used to run, cycle, play soccer, read, and watch movies in his free time when he had it.

Daniel's journey has come full circle as he returns to Laguna Blanca in the role of registrar. He's a familiar face to many, having first joined the Laguna community as a ninth grader before graduating in 2014. After his time at Laguna where he was the first squash team representing our school, Daniel pursued his academic passions at Connecticut College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Government with a concentration in United States studies; while also captaining the squash team. It was his love for squash that truly defined his early career. Daniel became the Squash Coordinator and Coach for SquashDrive, a program similar to the School of Squash in Santa Barbara, and later served as the Men's and Women's Head Squash Coach at UC Berkeley. Upon returning to Southern California, Daniel continued his education, obtaining a Master of Science in Coaching, Exercise Science, and Sports Administration from Concordia University in Irvine. Daniel's passions still remain in sports and athletics, and he loves to compete in any games, challenges, or sport—particularly one with a racquet. Now, he's back at Laguna, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of our school's values. Welcome home, Daniel Reisman!

Dr. Seppala holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and has a background in molecular biology, musicology, and languages. With a love for music and reading, she brings a unique perspective to her work. With roots in Scandinavia, she is excited to bring her diverse skill set and enthusiasm to the role as librarian/research coordinator at Laguna Blanca.

In addition to serving the LBS community at the Isham Library & Nylen Academic Research Center, Al is currently completing his Ph.D. at UC Santa Barbara in religious studies. He specializes in the history and philosophy of American religion and is writing his dissertation on the late American author David Foster Wallace, specifically on Wallace’s famous Kenyon College commencement address, This Is Water. Al taught academic writing at UCSB for over four years, and works with students as an educational coach/tutor. Before coming to Santa Barbara, Al worked as a biomedical researcher & laboratory manager (cancer biology) at his alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania--an experience which greatly developed both the breadth and depth of his educational skills.

Jill was raised in Goleta and has been teaching in local schools for the past 6 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from Sacramento State University before pursuing her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Master's in Education from UC Santa Barbara. She brings diverse classroom experience to Laguna Blanca, serving most recently as a Sixth Grade teacher and previously as a GATE, Reading and Math Intervention teacher. She is excited to be a part of the fantastic Laguna Blanca Middle School team!

A Santa Barbara local, Tanner Stevens comes to Laguna Blanca after graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in sports management and a minor in exercise and sports studies. Working in the athletics office at San Marcos where he attended high school as well as Morro Bay High School in an internship position sparked a passion for high school athletics and the camaraderie of a school campus. After working the last four summers at Summer @ Laguna, he is excited to be on campus year-round now. In his free time, he loves water skiing and playing beach volleyball.

After working in water quality monitoring in San Francisco and in education outreach at UC Berkeley, Jannine moved to Santa Barbara to attend graduate school at UCSB. She instantly fell in love with the beautiful beaches and mountains. Before arriving at Laguna, Jannine was a Director of Academic Innovation and a STEM instructor for the past 17 years. She delights in sparking students’ creativity and curiosity in science. When Jannine is not at work, she can be found hiking, surfing, or any number of outdoor adventures with her two young kids and husband. Jannine holds a single subject credential in Biology.

Mr. Uyesaka's quizzical outlook on life and love of the arts germinated while growing up in the 1950s and 60s in the fertile San Joaquin Valley. Living out in the boondocks provided many, many hours to roam the country side and appreciate the slow side of life and fueled his passion to draw and make “stuff” from his imagination. Dug pursued painting and silk screen while at UCSB and went on to study graphic design and multimedia at SBCC. He also worked at a local film production company providing graphic design and media management. Dug has been a working artist and involved in the community arts scene since the 1970s. In 2009, he was awarded the prestigious LBS Faculty Excellence Award and a William T. Colville Foundation grant for the arts. In 2010, he was the recipient of The Arts Fund 2010 Individual Artist Award for Assemblage and Collage. “Being able to nurture and help facilitate our students' imaginations and artistic talents here at Laguna and in the community is a gift. It fuels my spirit and hopefully enriches their lives forever. It doesn’t get any better than that.”

Kevin Valdez grew up in Santa Clarita, California, and later moved to Santa Barbara to pursue a B.A. in Environmental Studies at UCSB. He continued his education there, earning a teaching credential and a Master's in Education through their Teacher Education Program. With a strong emphasis on place-based and experiential learning, Kevin began his teaching career at Santa Barbara Jr. High School before transitioning to his current role as a science instructor at Laguna Blanca. Passionate about fostering a deep appreciation for science and the natural world, Kevin is dedicated to creating authentic learning experiences for his students. In his free time, he enjoys trading card games, spending time with his dogs, reading science fiction novels, and exploring new ways to connect students with the wonders of science.

Thrilled to return to Santa Barbara as a new member of the Laguna Blanca community, Dr. Valerie Yoshimura is a passionate, experienced educator of French language and literature. She holds B.A. degrees in French and Sociology from UC Santa Barbara, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in French from The University of Michigan, where she began her teaching career. She also taught French in two independent schools in Boston before spending twelve years at The Archer School for Girls in Los Angeles. She has two teenage children and loves to sew, embroider, cook, and golf. Dr. Yoshimura was recently honored with the 2016 Friedel and Otto Eberspacher Award for Excellence in Teaching of Modern Western European Languages, a national teaching award from the Center for Talented Youth at Johns Hopkins University.