New Faces at Oakwood

A heartfelt welcome to the new members of our faculty and staff during the 2025–2026 school year.

Elementary Campus

Adam Banuelos (Classroom Assistant) is an enthusiastic childcare professional with over 10 years experience working with TK – 8th grade aged children. He has a bachelor’s degree in recreation management and has worked as a camp counselor, teacher’s assistant, and robotics coach. Adam and his wife enjoy visiting national parks and have taken many road trips all over the United States.

Josephine “Jojo” Marshall ’20 (Classroom Assistant) is so excited to be returning to the elementary school as a classroom assistant. She cherished her time as an Oakwood student and is thrilled to be able to help students thrive here. Jojo graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a B.A. in Communication and a Minor in Sociology and Anthropology. 

Ivy Martinez (Classroom Assistant) has been working with kids since they were a kid themselves. They have experience teaching everything from musical theatre to STEM with a passion for transdisciplinary learning. They hold a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies and attended both UCSD and Shenandoah University. When they aren’t working, Ivy enjoys playing Dungeons & Dragons, performing Improv, throwing pottery, reading, and hanging out with their cat Poppyseed Cream Cheese Bagel.

Alyssa Menendez (Classroom Assistant) has completed her Bachelor’s in Psychology at CSUN and has worked as After School staff for a full year at Oakwood. She is super excited to be part of Oakwood for another year as a Classroom Assistant. She hopes to bring engaged and enthusiastic energy for students, family, and staff.

Amanda Miller (Classroom Assistant) has a background in theatre and is excited to bring playfulness, creativity, and empathy to the first grade. Over the past nine years, Amanda has worked with children in a variety of roles, including teacher, director, counselor, and nanny. She moved from Philadelphia to Los Angeles to pursue her passion for working with kids and the arts after earning a BFA in Theatre Education and Performance. In her free time, Amanda enjoys listening to music, rewatching Wicked, and playing with her dog, Mojo.

Monica Rodrigues (Classroom Assistant) brings two years of hands-on experience working with children in India, along with a strong background in the banking and credit card industry. She came to the United States two years ago from Mumbai (India). She has a combination of cultural perspectives with a natural ability to connect with children by engaging with them on their level. She looks forward to growing within the Oakwood community and working toward her goal of becoming a classroom teacher.

Diego Rodriguez (Classroom Assistant) is a Senior at Yale College who majors in physics. In his free time, he enjoys drawing, writing, reading, and camping. During hybrid learning, he assisted the first grade classes here at Oakwood for the spring semester of 2021 and is excited to rejoin the team!

Olivia Ruiz (Classroom Assistant) joins Oakwood after several years of coaching soccer and teaching Folklórico, Mexican folk dance. She has a B.A. in Sociology from Smith College and is passionate about children’s literature.

Kelsey Alexander (1st Grade Teacher) is thrilled to be joining the Oakwood community after spending the past 10 years teaching at international schools across Asia. Originally from Sacramento, California, she recently relocated to Los Angeles and is excited to begin this new chapter. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of San Diego. Kelsey is passionate about creating a classroom environment where students feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. She places a strong emphasis on both academic growth and social-emotional well-being, encouraging students to take risks, build connections, and have fun in the learning process. Outside the classroom, Kelsey enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants, competing in game night, scuba diving, and spending time with her beloved dog, Lola.

Nick Chilkov (Athletic Director) was born and raised in Venice, California and brings a passion for sports, community, and youth development to Oakwood School. Most recently, he served as the Athletic Director and PE Coach at Village School, where he also held the role of President of the Coastal Canyon Athletic League. Nick’s career spans experiences at the college and professional sports levels, as well as in progressive education settings like The Willows Community School in Culver City. He holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Sports Administration. Outside of work, Nick enjoys spending time outdoors—whether he’s golfing, biking, gardening, or chasing after his two young boys. He’s excited to bring his energy, experience, and love of physical education to Oakwood and looks forward to becoming part of the community.

Yatzil Gomez (Spanish Teacher) was born and raised in Mexico City, where she discovered her love for language, storytelling, and education. She studied Creative Writing and the Teaching of French as a Foreign Language, and before settling with her family in Los Angeles, she spent four years in Oxford, England, where she began a career as a Spanish teacher that has spanned more than a decade. Her passion for learning has led her to pursue studies in translation, reading, and literacy mediation, yoga instruction, and baking—all of which enrich her multicultural, multidisciplinary approach to teaching. She believes that learning flourishes in a classroom rooted in joy, trust, and meaningful connection. Yatzil is deeply committed to nurturing an environment where every child feels seen, safe, and empowered to express themselves. She is thrilled to begin this new chapter at Oakwood and to grow alongside her students and colleagues.

Mia Masters (Interim 3rd Grade Teacher) grew up in Dallas, Texas, where her family still lives today. With over a decade of experience in education, she has worked with children of all ages—from infancy through middle school. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from California State University, Sacramento. Mia is passionate about building meaningful, lasting connections with both students and their families. Last year, she served as the interim 1st grade teacher at Oakwood and is now excited to join the 3rd grade team. She looks forward to a wonderful year with the amazing Oakwood families.

Jenna Murdock (Dean of Community Engagement & Belonging)  brings a wide range of skills and experiences to her role as Dean of Community Engagement and Belonging, K-6. For nearly a decade in independent schools, Jenna has been driven by a passion for creating learning spaces where students, faculty, and families feel valued, respected, and seen. Drawing on her proud multiracial identity, Jenna brings a deeply personal understanding of the importance of representation, acknowledgement, and celebration as gateways to meaningful learning. She is skilled in cultivating collaborative environments, fostering open communication, and finding opportunities for joy in all learning spaces. Having taught in a variety of school settings, working in education development as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia, and serving in a variety of roles in independent schools, she is looking forward to serving the Oakwood community as a new member of the DEIB team. Jenna’s approach to teaching is rooted in the belief that there is always a way to connect with others. When she’s not at school, she loves exploring the world (and L.A.!) with her family. Jenna joins the Oakwood community along with her two daughters, Stella (5th Grade) and Sybil (3rd Grade).  

Elise Olson (Grade 3-5 Art Teacher) is excited to be continuing her Oakwood journey. After earning her BFA in Art Education from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, she has been a Classroom Assistant at Oakwood for three years. A passionate artist and dedicated educator, she is enthusiastic about fostering creativity and encouraging self-expression in her students. In her free time, Elise enjoys seeing movies, trying new coffee shops, and spending time with her partner and cat.

Marc Robinson (PE Teacher) is excited to step into his new role as the full-time K–6 Physical Education Teacher at Oakwood. After supporting the PE program last year as an associate teacher, Marc now brings his passion for fitness, teamwork, and youth development to all grade levels. Originally from the Bay Area, Marc holds a Bachelor’s degree in Ethnic Studies from Cal State San Bernardino (’23) and a Master of Arts in Teaching from San Diego State University (’25). With a background in both classroom teaching and athletic coaching, Marc is committed to creating an inclusive, active, and joyful learning environment where every student feels supported and challenged. In addition to teaching, Marc coaches multiple sports and enjoys helping students build confidence, collaboration skills, and a lifelong love for movement. He looks forward to connecting with families and continuing to grow the PE program at Oakwood.

Amalia Walker (6th Grade Humanities Teacher) is excited to transition into a lead role on the sixth-grade team after working with Kai in the Humanities classroom as an associate. She holds a BA from Pitzer College in Late Antique & Medieval Studies with a minor in Spanish, and is currently working towards a Master’s degree remotely through the Bay Area Teacher Training Institute. Before coming to Oakwood, she taught experiential science lessons in school gardens, working with TK through fifth-grade students. In the sixth-grade Humanities classroom, Amalia’s longstanding interests in history and literature meet her deep commitments to social justice and education. 

Secondary Campus

Veronica Covarrubias (Spanish Teacher) graduated from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. Driven by a deep passion for education, she later transitioned into teaching and earned her certification in LOTE (Languages Other Than English) for grades K–12 and has been teaching for over 16 years across multiple grade levels. Her teaching philosophy centers around instilling a global mindset in students, encouraging empathy and appreciation for diverse cultures and languages. She believes in the transformative power of experiential learning and has enjoyed leading numerous outdoor education trips and international travel experiences with high school students—opportunities that build lifelong skills and broaden worldviews. Outside the classroom, Veronica enjoys book author events, poetry slams, live music, hiking, and yoga—activities that reflect her love of learning, creativity, and connection to the world around her.

Zoe Fox (Social Studies Teacher) has spent a decade in the classroom pursuing her passion for progressive, student-led, project-based education. She has a BA in Classical Languages from Bryn Mawr College, an MA in Classics from UCLA, and is currently in her final few years of her PhD in Classics, Ancient History, and Archaeology through the University of Birmingham in England. She loves building bridges between her PhD work and her classroom, especially when it comes to getting students excited about developing their own research skills. When Zoe isn’t teaching or researching, you can find her giving docent tours at the Getty Villa, going to Disneyland with her husband, playing with her two cats, or traveling to Rome.

Anais Fraco (Ceramics Teacher) is a teaching artist based in what we now call Los Angeles or Tovangaar. Anais is passionate about restoring land through art making and storytelling. Anais holds a BFA in Art from California Institute of the Arts and specializes in ceramics. She grew up with a father who was a tile maker in the Los Angeles area. Anais has been teaching at Oakwood part-time for the past six years, along with being a teaching artist at Drawwing Cabinet. She is also a friend of Metabolic Studio, run by artist Lauren Bon, where she is a part of sculptural clay practices using native clay located beneath the Los Angeles River. She has an active studio practice in Pasadena and enjoys playing soccer in Elysian Park.

Terry Smith (Assistant Varsity Basketball Coach and Strength & Conditioning Coach) is a graduate of Mercyhurst University with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Systems and a concentration in Management Information Systems. Originally from Syracuse, New York, Terry played four years of college basketball before enjoying a 16-year professional career overseas in 11 countries. Since retiring in 2024, he has become a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), training athletes from beginners to NBA All-Stars through his work with the Wasserman agency and an elite performance clinic in Sherman Oaks. He also served as Strength and Conditioning Coach at Palisades High School. Terry is passionate about health, performance, and recovery, and enjoys hot yoga, martial arts, playing basketball, and even has eight years of piano experience. He comes from a large, close-knit family with 24 aunts and uncles.

Isaiah Sneed (Associate Director of College Counseling) is excited to join the Oakwood community! He was born in Seattle and has lived in Los Angeles for almost nine years. While Seattle is his home, he’s grown to love all aspects of Southern California lifestyle, including how to find the best tacos and the art of navigating weekend traffic (if possible). After working in College Admissions for several years, he is transitioning to College Counseling to work closely with students. In his free time, he enjoys cooking with his wife, attending any live sporting events or concerts, and spending the entire day at the beach!

Charles Tuthill (Social Studies Teacher) returns to the upper school social studies department at Oakwood after teaching for several years at the Episcopal School of Los Angeles. He was last on campus during the 2018-2019 school year as a long-term substitute, teaching mostly at the 9th and 10th grade levels. Charlie has been an educator at the high school and college levels for over 20 years, having started his career as an English instructor at the University of Rennes 1, in France, before moving onto Kingswood-Oxford School in West Hartford CT where he taught history and French, served as the upper school diversity coordinator, and coached the middle school ice hockey team. He also spent several years as an instructor within the Global Studies Program at UC Riverside. Charles holds a BA in political science and French from Union College (NY) and a master’s and Ph.D in political science from Syracuse University. In his free time, he enjoys restoring and collecting vintage fountain pens, film photography, and working on his old but reliable Volkswagen.

K-12

Nicole Alexander (Human Resources Manager) comes to Oakwood with over 10 years of Human Resources experience in various industries and is a big supporter of the arts, having been a dance major at Juilliard. She has heard amazing things about Oakwood and is incredibly excited to be joining the Oakwood community.  

Daniel Alvarez (Maintenance Technician III) has several years of experience as a maintenance technician.  He has 3 kids and in his free time, he likes working on cars and bike riding with his family. He is looking forward to having a good year here at Oakwood School.

Marci Dier (Payroll and HR Coordinator) has over 20 years of experience processing payroll and is an ADP Workforce Now guru.  She has worked in the entertainment industry processing payroll, including Fuse Media and OWN Network. Marci loves to spend time reading at the beach with her family.  She is also a fabulous cook and entertainer and loves all things food related.  Marci is very excited to join the Oakwood community and help with any of your payroll needs.

Fred Dinkins ’01 (Outreach Coordinator) is a proud Oakwood alum who graduated in 2001. He attended the University of Southern California for both his undergraduate and graduate tenure, receiving his Bachelor’s Degree from the Thornton School of Music in 2005 and his Master’s Degree from Bovard College in 2024. While he is a proud double Trojan, he values his Oakwood experience that much more. Professionally, Fred has worked in both the music and healthcare industries, working primarily in the Rights & Permissions and Human Resource Departments. However, throughout his professional journey over the years, his volunteer work at Oakwood School has remained the one constant. Fred recently served as Co-Chair of the Oakwood BIPOC Alumni Committee, and he has now officially joined the Oakwood Admissions Department, serving as Outreach Coordinator, K-12. Fred never left Oakwood, and he is truly excited to be back at the school he loves.

David Hill (Director of Finance) has successfully led finance teams, managed complex financial projects, and contributed to strategic financial planning with over 15 years of experience at The Walt Disney Company in finance and accounting roles. Throughout his career at Disney, David has worked in Anaheim (CA), Burbank (CA), and Orlando (FL), primarily supporting the Parks & Resorts, Streaming, and corporate teams. His most recent role was Sr. Finance Manager on the corporate Treasury team. Additionally, David spent four years at Darden corporate headquarters in Orlando (FL) working in various finance and accounting roles. David holds a bachelor’s degree from BYU-I and a Master of Business Administration degree (finance emphasis) from the University of Florida (Go Gators!). He is an expert in financial analysis, strategic planning, and team leadership. David has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to financial management and strategic planning.

Originally from Portland, Oregon, David loves living on the West Coast. He enjoys spending time with his family, running (currently looking for his next marathon), and participating in and watching sports. David is very excited to join the Oakwood team and is committed to enhancing financial operations through innovative solutions and data-driven decision-making.

Sara Diaz Jimenez (Admissions Assistant) is a first-generation college graduate. She earned her bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara in Global Studies. After dedicating 10 years of service to students and faculty as an administrator at UCLA, she is joining the Oakwood School community as the Admissions Assistant. Sara has a passion for providing support to students with her positivity and empathy. Outside of the office, Sara enjoys spending time with her children and husband at Southern California theme parks and attending her son’s Little League games. She is fluent in English, Spanish, and is trying to learn French. She would like to learn as many languages as her brain will allow.