Excellence, enthusiasm and respect distinguish our new faculty members

One is a deeply experienced and innovative math teacher. Another “loves teaching seniors” and values the writing process. They embrace diversity, are dedicated to social justice issues and consider it a great calling to be Holy Child educators. We welcome our new faculty members and are grateful for the extraordinary skills share with our girls.
Michael Dimen, Science 
 
Michael Dimen, our new AP Computer Science and physics teacher, has long been a member of the Mayfield family. His younger sister Elizabeth Dimen ’16, a proud alum who had the highest GPA in her class, is currently a junior at Brown University. During the summer of 2017 Michael joined the Mayfield summer faculty teaching our computer coding class.

Michael graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor’s of Science in Physics last June.

While in college, he noticed the talent and drive of his female peers, but also their small numbers in science-related fields—only about 10% of his graduating class were women.
 
Cassandra Gonzales, Visual Arts 
 
Cassandra Gonzales brings to Mayfield an engaging breadth of experience as an artist, educator and administrator, designing arts-based programs in public, low-income preschools, private elementary schools and community colleges.

Cassandra will be teaching three Introduction to Art classes and we know her uncommon talents, classroom skills and exuberance will inspire our fledgling artists.

She earned her BFA and Master of Science in Art & Design Education from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. She has held a variety of positions in teaching and administrative planning that speak to her leadership qualities.

In addition to her teaching position at Mayfield, Cassandra is the manager of CalArts Community Arts Partnership, a program that provides free visual and performing art classes to Los Angeles County students who do not have access to art education in their schools.  
 
Emily Goodell '99, Mathematics 
 
We fondly call Emily Goodell a “Mayfield Lifer.” She attended Mayfield Junior School and is an alumna of the Class of 1999. But, most importantly, in her new role as a freshman and sophomore geometry treacher, Emily will be key to establishing our students’ critical foundational math skills.
 
Emily is a highly experienced math teacher, student advisor and curriculum innovator whose educational acumen extends beyond the classroom. She is a leader in integrating technology in the classroom and is a mentor for student leaders. Plus, she loves math!

“I want to give every student every opportunity to recognize her strengths and succeed,” she said. “My goal is to help girls celebrate and excel in math because it’s a discipline where they historically have not seen enough success.”
 
Amy Green, Visual Arts 
 
A working artist whose paintings have been shown nationally and internationally, Amy Green comes to Mayfield with 15-plus years as an arts educator teaching all levels of studio arts foundation, advanced drawing, design and painting.
 
She will be teaching AP and Honors Visual Arts, Advanced Visual Arts and Conservatory, sharing her skills and creativity with our students. Amy says her love for education comes from watching artistic expression unite people and allow them to tell their unique stories.

“I love when students connect with creative materials and art processes to find their own voice,” she said. “When students find something meaningful, their confidence grows. I love facilitating that experience in the classroom through a range of approaches.”
 
Lynn Maloney, Co-Director of College Counseling
 
Lynn Maloney is a vibrant and enthusiastic college admissions expert with nearly 20 years of experience. She discovered her interest in college admissions as a student tour guide at DePauw University in Indiana—and those who have been on college tours will know that reveals much about her enthusiastic outlook! After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Lynn went on to work in admissions at Ohio Wesleyan University and later, the University of Dayton.
 
During this time she felt a calling to help high school students find the right college fit, and completed Butler University’s graduate program for school counseling. Lynn says she lived her passion for eight years, serving as a college counselor at Cathedral High School, a private Catholic school in Indianapolis. It was there she embraced education of “the whole child,” mind, body and heart.
 
John Romano, Mathematics 
 
When John Romano peruses the beauty of our Mayfield campus, he says he is reminded of his first “wonderful” job as a math teacher at Trinity School in Manhattan more that 46 years ago.
 
At Trinity, considered among the most elite private prep schools in the country, John learned the importance of treating students, fellow faculty members and staff with respect. In addition, his Trinity mentors taught him that classroom preparation is paramount to being a successful teacher.

“Among the Mayfield faculty and staff there is a deep commitment to the student experience,” he said. “Teachers at Mayfield are focused on each individual student.”
 
Cheyenne Sons, Library Assistant
 
Cheyenne Sons says her love for library work is spurred by her love of literature and her desire to “share that love with others.”
 
She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Library and Information Science through San Jose State University’s online program and earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Cal State Northridge.

Her academic interests include feminist studies and depictions of women in literature and popular culture. She enjoys Young Adult fantasy, superhero comics and graphic novels—and she is a huge Harry Potter fan.
 
Andrea Sweeney-Blanco '12, Theatre 
 
When Andrea makes her first appearance this semester as our Theatre Conservatory teacher, it won’t be the first time she has taken to the Pike stage. Andrea, a Mayfield Class of 2012 alum and former Conservatory member, joyfully returns to us part-time as our interim theatre teacher and drama director while she pursues her professional acting career.

At Mayfield, Andrea played Dolly in our Spring musical “Hello, Dolly!” her senior year, was a four-year member of the vocal conservatory, and was honored with the Mayfield Award in music.

She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre from Emerson College and studied Comparative World Religions at the Harvard University Extension Program for two years.
 
Katie Waferling, English 
 
Katie Waferling says she “absolutely loves teaching seniors,” grateful to be a part of their final year of high school. At Mayfield, she will realize her passion as she takes the helm of our Heroines of World Literature class for seniors.
 
“Teaching seniors,” she said, “allows me to have the unique opportunity to help them reflect on the richness of their academic journey and identify the values that have developed over the years that they will carry with them into the next season of life.”
 
Katie comes to Mayfield from Village Christian School, where she taught English and advised ASB for five years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English, as well as her Master’s in Digital Classroom Learning from Azusa Pacific University.
 
Back
No comments have been posted
Established in 1931, Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, CA is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women grades 9-12. Noted for its rigorous academic program, which includes 28 Advanced Placement and Honors courses, Mayfield’s curriculum is underscored by a philosophy of educating the “whole child,” which also encourages commitment to and excellence in the arts, athletics, community service and spiritual growth. The nurturing environment at Mayfield Senior School allows each student to flourish in an atmosphere of personal attention.