Contacts & Directions

Full of energy and optimism, Ms. Armstrong began her journey in 2014 at Laguna’s Lower School campus as the Grades 3 & 4 Instructional Assistant. In 2015, she transitioned to the Hope Ranch campus, where she took on the lead teaching role in sixth grade. Ms. Armstrong has been instrumental in curriculum development and in building strong connections with students, families, and colleagues. Not only has she excelled as the sixth-grade lead teacher, but she has also played a key role as a faculty advisor for Laguna’s TEDx program, showcasing her commitment to fostering innovative ideas and empowering students. Additionally, Ms. Armstrong’s dedication to environmentalism shines through in her participation in the annual CA Coastal Cleanup Day. Driven by her passion for science, she brings her infectious enthusiasm to the classroom, returning to the Lower School community in 2024 as the science instructor. Ms. Armstrong holds a B.A. in history from Whitman College and a master’s degree in education from UCSB.

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.

Kay de Veer has worked as an educator for nearly 15 years as both an elementary school teacher and an educational therapist. She earned her B.S in Liberal Studies and Teaching Credential from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and an M.Ed in Educational Therapy from Holy Names University, Oakland. Kay has run a private educational therapy practice for the past six years supporting students, families, and schools throughout Santa Barbara. She has been a featured speaker at national education conferences and her thesis work on sensory integration and learning was published in the Educational Therapy Journal. Kay attended Laguna Blanca Lower School and is thrilled to be returning again as an Owl! When not working with students, Kay can be found at the beach with her husband and two kids.

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.

Ray Robitaille was born in New York City and raised in the suburb of Long Island. He received his teaching credential in Physical Education from Central Connecticut State University (1979) where he played football and lacrosse. He received his Master's Degree in Athletic Administration from Azusa Pacific University (1993).
 
Ray has coached many sports for boys and girls at Laguna since 1980. He became the Athletic Director and served in that capacity from 1983-1993. He organized the first Laguna Blanca School Invitational Relays an event in which to this day, brings hundreds of potential families to the Laguna campus. He is credited for starting up the first lacrosse team for boys at Laguna in 1985, and the first football team at Laguna in 1999. He is responsible for establishing the UCSB Summer Day Camp for children (1981) at UC Santa Barbara.
 
In 1997 the flag pole in front of the Merovick gymnasium was named in his honor. Ray was also the recipient of the 2004 Laguna Blanca School Walk of Fame and was awarded Coach of the Year in 2005 from the Coast Valley League. That year the Owls were league champs (11-2) and went to the semi-finals in the CIF 8-man football playoffs. He is the founder of the Santa Barbara Lacrosse Club Inc. which has evolved into the current Santa Barbara Lacrosse Association in which Ray is one of the original board members.

Ray is married to his wife, April, and has three children.