Brooke Baker, Upper School History Teacher

Brooke brings extensive experience in history, religious studies, and intercultural education to her role as Upper School history teacher. She is a Ph.D. Candidate with a focus on modern Middle East history at UCLA, where she has served as an instructor and teaching fellow for courses including Introduction to Christian-Muslim Relations, Introduction to Islam, Introduction to Judaism, and Women and Power in the Ancient World. Previously, Brooke taught middle school history at Kent Place School in New Jersey, leading courses in civics, ethical leadership, and world cultures and geography. She holds two bachelor's degrees from Ouachita Baptist University, and two master's degrees from Vanderbilt University and UCLA.

Crystal Flores, Administrative Assistant to the Lower & Middle School

Crystal has extensive experience in education, including as faculty services coordinator at Geffen Academy at UCLA and in several roles at the University of San Diego and The Preuss School at UC San Diego. Crystal has been involved in mentorship and educational equity with MANA de San Diego and Black InGenius Initiative. She holds a master's in leadership studies from the University of San Diego and a bachelor's degree in urban studies and planning from UC San Diego.

Anne Franzen, Middle School History Teacher

Anne has more than a decade of experience teaching history and humanities courses in independent schools—most recently at Chadwick School in Palos Verdes, where she taught 7th and 9th grade social sciences and served as a curriculum team leader, debate team advisor, and yearbook advisor. Previously, she taught middle and upper school history at The Benjamin School and St. Lucie West in Florida, where she authored original history curricula for both divisions. 

Shannon Gardner, Administrative Assistant to Admission

Shannon brings more than 20 years of experience in school administration, admissions support, and family engagement to her role as administrative assistant to Admission. Previously, at The Weinstein School in Georgia, she managed admissions and enrollment processes, coordinated school tours and events, and served as a primary point of contact for prospective families. She also worked as a facilitator with The Adaptive Learning Center, a preschool inclusion program that helps at-risk Metro-Atlanta children with developmental, social-emotional, or behavioral needs. Shannon holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Tuskegee University.

Kayleen Kaaiai, Physical Education Teacher

Kayleen has experience teaching physical education, developing fitness and movement activities, and coaching youth sports—most recently at High Point Academy, where she worked with students in kindergarten through eighth grade and coached a variety of after-school sports teams. Kayleen has also spent more than a decade as a girls' youth basketball coach with Run Jump Hoop in the San Gabriel Valley area. Her previous experience includes roles as a campus aide and physical education aide in local schools. She holds a degree in movement and sport science in kinesiology from the University of La Verne.

Madi Lang-Ree, Middle & Upper School Theatre Teacher

Madi brings extensive theatre experience to Westridge, most recently as theater teacher and director at Berkeley Hall School, where she developed a comprehensive theater curriculum for grades 1-8. She also teaches and directs at her alma mater The Harker School in San Jose’s Summer @ The Conservatory, a program she co-founded. Madi has also worked at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago and South Coast Rep, Laguna Playhouse, and Chance Theater in Southern California. She holds a master’s in theatre directing from UC Santa Cruz and a bachelor’s in theatre directing, with a minor in integrated educational studies, from Chapman University.

Ruth Luna-Brice, Upper School Math Teacher

Ruth brings nearly a decade of mathematics teaching experience to Westridge, including teaching at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy and Ramona Convent Secondary School, where she taught Pre-Calculus, Honors Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus AB, and Statistics and served as a faculty technology mentor. Before entering education, she worked in nonprofit operations and spent more than a decade as a private mathematics tutor. Ruth holds a bachelor's degree in pure mathematics from UCLA and a master's degree in teaching mathematics from Loyola Marymount University.

Christine Mai, Learning Support Specialist

Christine has more than 15 years of experience supporting diverse learners across independent and specialized school settings to her role as learning support specialist. Prior to joining Westridge, Christine served as a learning specialist at John Thomas Dye School, where she designed an executive functioning curriculum, and as secondary student support coordinator at Pilgrim School, where she led student support initiatives for grades 6-12. Christine has also held roles in special education, reading intervention, and assessment.

Andrew Miller-Uguru, Upper School Science Teacher

Andrew brings 20 years of science teaching experience to his role as Upper School biology teacher. His experience includes teaching middle and upper school science at Oakwood, where he taught Biology, Honors Biology, AP Biology, Advanced Biology, and Forensics. He has also served as an advisor, led initiatives supporting inclusion and belonging, and coached middle school and varsity athletics. Previously, he was Science Department Chair at View Park Preparatory Charter High School and taught at St. Bernard Catholic High School.

Alexandria Pérez ’19, 5th Grade Math Teacher

Prior to joining our Lower School faculty, Alex taught 4th grade at Camino Nuevo Charter Academy and serving as a full-time volunteer with Rostro de Cristo in Quito, Ecuador. She earned a bachelor's degree from Santa Clara University in public health, political science, and women's and gender studies and a master's degree in transformative education from Loyola Marymount University.

Alex is also a Westridge alumna from the Class of 2019, and says Westridge teachers who believed in her potential now shape her classroom every day.

Angel Quiñonez, Maintenance Technician

Angel brings experience in facilities maintenance, event support, and campus operations to his role as maintenance technician. Previously, he served as a maintenance technician at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, where he maintained campus infrastructure, coordinated event logistics, and provided audio-visual support for school programs and special events. He also worked as a maintenance technician with InterSolutions and in security for MonteCedro Senior Living. He attended Pasadena City College.

Kay Sanchez, Administrative Assistant to Advancement

Kay joined Westridge from The Huntington, where she worked as a development coordinator for major gifts. Prior to that, Kay held several positions at Westmont College—where she earned her B.A. in communication studies with a minor in theatre arts—including administrative assistant for the Career Development Office.

Beau Teal, Strength & Conditioning Coach

Beau brings more than 30 years of experience working with athletes from youth to professional levels. A certified strength and conditioning specialist, he has expertise in helping athletes move well, perform at their best, and reduce risk of injury. Previously, Coach Teal served as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Army. He has a bachelor's degree in exercise and health science from Alma College, a master's degree in kinesiology/movement science from the University of Michigan, a doctorate in physical therapy from Baylor University, and is currently working toward a Ph.D. in kinesiology with a concentration in strength and conditioning at Concordia University.