Faculty & Staff
The key to West Sound Academy’s success in fulfilling its mission is the faculty. The West Sound criteria for selection of teachers includes far more than just educational and work credentials.
We choose teachers for their human qualities: depth of life experience, professional background, skills in the tools of communication, international exposure, and more than anything else their passion to teach young people. West Sound Academy employs ten full-time faculty members, five administrators and two support staff.
Administration & Support Staff
Catherine Freeman
Head of School
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I love seeing students learn and gain confidence through the pursuit of knowledge. Through the supportive and thoughtful leadership of the faculty and staff, I strive to foster authentic opportunities for students to grow and attain the skills that ensure they are prepared for any academic or life journey.
Lisa Gsellman
Director of Admissions
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Elizabeth Butler
Business Manager
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Email:
ebutler@westsoundacademy.org
Susan Trower
Library & Information Services
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I help students and teachers search for, find and explore information and ideas, with the goal of creating life-long learners and readers. My passion is guiding others to the “Aha!” moment of discovery – of a wonderful book or the perfect reference source. Inspired by the dedicated and creative librarians at my children’s schools, I became a librarian myself so that I could share my love of books and reading with young people.
Joe Adams
Facilities
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Faculty
Sara Adams
Art & Wellness
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Eric Bright
History
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Paul Burback
Music
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Georgia Chehade
Middle School Humanities
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Watch Georgia’s Teacher Statement video here: WSA Voices
Alayna Garvin
College Counselor, English & French
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Watch Alayna’s Teacher Statement video here: WSA Voices
Karen Mattick
Science
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Watch Karen’s Teacher Statement video here: WSA Voices
Gretchen Nordleaf-Nelson
English & Theatre
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Watch Gretchen’s Teacher Statement video here: WSA Voices
Ben Owen
Math
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Watch Ben’s Teacher Statement video here: WSA Voices
Kiplinn Sagmiller
Spanish & World Languages
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The world is most enjoyed with child-like observation. Each perspective offers a new question and may lead us on another journey. How do we know what we know? How does language support or limit our ability to express ourselves? The language acquisition courses offered at WSA are inquiry-based and student-centered. Together, we allow discovery to spark further inquiry and curiosity to ignite passion, creating a living learning environment that changes as often as we do. As an educator, I am honored to witness the level of compassion and understanding rise as our awareness of the world around us increases.
Katelyn Van Antwerp
Science
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From hiking glaciers and watching whales in Alaska to digging clay and creating pottery from the hillsides of Montana – I believe there is a beautiful, scientific, and artful world at our fingertips. I strive to help students find their own way of thinking. Incorporating modern technology with a twist of art. Living life outside the box and viewing it all with multiple perspectives.