Administrative and Educational Support Staff

Rachel Aanestad ’94 joined Sun Valley Community School in 2013 as Assistant Director of Development and currently serves as the school librarian and also teaches Architecture in the Upper School.

Rachel holds a BA in architecture and a BA in theatre, both from University of Oregon.

Rachel’s decision to return to Community School as a faculty and staff member was a result of her love for the school community and the approach to education that guides learning here. “I appreciate the independent thought, genuine love of natural places, creativity, and uniqueness that are still foundations of this incredible place,” she says. In her teaching role, Rachel is inspired by her students’ love for learning and by her colleagues. “I am constantly amazed by the students capacity to create, absorb, and learn, and by the incredibly inspired and talented faculty with whom I work.”

When she’s not at school, Rachel loves to spend time with her two young daughters and enjoys hiking and doodling.

Bio coming soon!

Tana Dean joined Sun Valley Community School in 2008 and currently serves as Accounts Payable Manager.

Tana has held a variety of business management positions across the hospitality, health care, and construction industries. Currently, in addition to her role at the school, Tana and her husband own and operate Wood River Stables, a horse boarding facility.

Tana says, of her work at Sun Valley Community School, "my favorite part of working at the school is the people, whose commitment to and passion for their jobs is wonderful, and the relationships that I've developed with my colleagues over the years."

When Tana is not working at the school, she loves spending time with her my family, horse activities, and farming the ranch she and her husband own.

Lisa Emerick joined Sun Valley Community School on September 8, 2020 and serves as the Assistant CFO.  Prior to assuming her role at SVSC, Lisa spent over 30 years at the Friedman Memorial Airport performing various business management positions and held the position of the Contracts/Finance Administrator.

As a Wood River valley native, Lisa enjoys her time away from work with her fiance Rob enjoying outdoor activities and local events.

Anne Marie Gardner has worked for St. Luke’s Family Medicine in Hailey since 2014 as a Registered Nurse, Triage Nurse, and Clinic Nurse Manager, performing clinical nursing duties, supervising a nursing staff of 23, and managing daily clinical operations. During her time with St. Luke’s, she worked in pediatrics, general health, and helped set policy. Anne Marie holds a BS in Environmental Science and Education from Huxley College at Western Washington University and an AS in Registered Nursing from the College of Southern Idaho.

Prior to her position at St. Luke’s, Anne Marie shared her passion for the outdoors with others through guiding, teaching, and organizing river trip logistics. Her past roles include professional ski patroller, avalanche forecaster, and helicopter ski guide. When her three children all entered grade school, she decided to pursue a degree in nursing to combine all of her wilderness first aid and education into a professional role. Her goal? To become a school nurse. Her vision of combining her background in education and nursing in a school setting that is centered on the whole individual and their place in the environment is her ideal.

The creation of  this new position is a dream come true for Anne Marie and she is thrilled to become a member of the team at SVCS and serve the student and parent community.

As a faculty member Chauncy appreciates the school's strong academic program and a culture that fosters independence and innovation and the school's many unique programs. Chauncy says she is inspired each day by her "wonderful colleagues, inspiring students, and many new professional opportunities. I learn something new everyday."

Chauncy holds a BA in French and English from Colgate University and a MA in French literature from New York University. She is mother of two Cutthroats, Lily ’21 and Colin ’23, and she loves to travel, hike, and spend time in the mountains.

Christy Giles joined the Admissions team 2017. Christy brings invaluable experience in admissions and recruiting to this role, having served as Assistant Director of Admissions at The Bush School in Seattle and as Director of Admissions and Recruiting for the University of Washington College of Education Seattle Teacher Residency (STR) Program. Prior to her work at Bush, Christy worked for five years as the Senior Trainer and Curriculum Developer for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

As Associate Director of Admissions, Christy works with Sun Valley Ski Academy Program Director Jonna Mendes and Director of Admissions Katie Robins in a variety of capacities throughout the admissions season. Christy holds a BA from the University of Washington and a Master’s in Teaching from Seattle University. Christy and her husband, Eric, are parents to Jackson ’21, Brady ’23, and Kenzie '25.

Heather Hill Foster joined Sun Valley Community School as Associate Director of Development in July, 2019. Heather comes to us from the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation where she served as Communications Officer since 2016. Prior to joining the Albertson Family Foundation, Heather worked with St. Luke’s Health System as the Executive Director for FitOne in Boise.

Having grown up in Colorado, Heather took a leap from her role as Associate Director of Brand Integration at Saatchi & Saatchi Los Angeles where she managed brand strategy and consumer engagement for Toyota USA, and moved to Boise in 2008 to serve as VP Marketing and Communications for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games. In this role, Heather was responsible for advertising, branding, marketing, and public relations, in addition to serving as the event spokesperson and overseeing engagement with the community.

She has extensive event planning experience and has worked across a variety of industries in her own branding and marketing consulting firm, H2 BrandWorks. Heather, among other things, oversees stewardship and data management for the Development office. She also manages the Campus Store and all things Cutthroat Gear..

Heather can often be found logging miles on her bike or taking advantage of all the Wood River Valley has to offer outdoors. She enjoys writing, photography, travel, cooking, and seeking out local coffee shops along the way.

Yvonne Inman joined Sun Valley Community School in 1999 and currently serves as administrative assistant in the Middle School and

CS SAT Supervisor, SSAT Assistant Administrator.

Prior to joining the school, Yvonne's professional experience included working as a Legal Secretary, A/R & AP clerk, real estate appraisal assistant, and State of Idaho health and welfare self-reliance specialist.

In her work in the Middle School, Yvonne is inspired by the mission of the school and "the sense that we are all here to inspire, guide, and teach our students to not only survive in the world today, but also to excel at their passions and make a positive difference in and outside of our community." She enjoys all the various ways she can support the school, students, and families: "I am always willing to help out when needed, so whether it is a school BBQ for Engl Cup, driving students to Sagewillow for P.E., covering a period in a class for a teacher, or assisting with the 20/20 Lunch Program, I know that people feel that they can ask me for help knowing that I am willing and reliable. I enjoy helping others!"

When Yvonne is not at school, she loves to spend time outdoors hiking in the Valley and around the West.

Keith Keim joined Sun Valley Community School in March 2007 and serves as Facilities Manager. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations and maintenance and construction management of the Trail Creek, Dumke Family Sagewillow, and Ketchum Campuses. This includes over 100,000-square-feet ft buildings and over 40 acres of grounds.

Prior to joining the Cutthroat team, Keith spent 21 years in construction and construction management in the Seattle area.

Sarah McDermott joined Sun Valley Community School in summer of 2020. Her professional background is in education as a school counselor. She holds a Master of Education from the University of Virginia and a BS in Psychology from the University of Mary Washington. She most recently worked as a counselor for Positive Connections Plus, LLC based in Bellevue, Idaho. From 2017-2019, she worked for Essex High School in Virginia as a school counselor. Sarah is a National Certified Counselor and is a current member of the American School Counseling Association and the Virginia School Counseling Association.

Royce Mussman joined Community School in July 2018. Currently he serves as Co-Director of College Counseling with Chauncy Gardner.  

Prior to joining Community School, Royce served as Associate Director of Admission at Sarah Lawrence College in New York. Additionally, he was an Assistant Dean of Admission at Occidental College in Los Angeles. Royce has also served as a high school counselor/college counselor at two international schools in Asia - Taipei American School and Jakarta Intercultural School. Due to Royce’s significant international work he is familiar with many university admission processes outside of the US, including but not limited to the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong.  

Royce holds a BA in Asian Studies from Bowdoin College and a MEd in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University. Royce is excited to move to Idaho and join his family - parents who live in the McCall area and a sister and three nephews who live in Boise. When not working you might find Royce traveling, reading, cooking, or pursuing photography. 

Rob Landis joined the Community School faculty in 1998 and has served as a learning specialist and eighth grade team teacher. He presently serves as the Outdoor Program Assistant Director. Rob first attended the University of Colorado, took a short twenty-year break, and then completed his degree in earth science education at Boise State University. During his short break, Rob facilitated his addiction to wilderness adventures through jobs that included chef, river guide, NOLS instructor, director of ski operations at Galena Lodge, and Nordic coach for the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation. Rob is a Wilderness EMT, Outdoor Emergency Care Technician, CPR Instructor, Leave No Trace Master Educator, Level 3 Avalanche practitioner and an American Avalanche Association professional, AMGA Single Pitch Climbing Instructor, licensed USSA Nordic coach, licensed Ham radio operator, and a licensed Idaho ACA Kayak Instructor. Rob is passionate about wild places, his family, and introducing students to the amazing world of wilderness travel. He lives in Hailey with his wife Amy; daughter Annika graduated from Community School in 2016.

Jill Perkins joined Community School in 1989 and currently serves as Learning Specialist Department Director.

Jill holds a BS in education from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.

Prior to her current position at Community School, Jill taught in schools in Wisconsin for five years.

At Community School, Jill finds inspiration in the students and in her colleagues. "The students inspire me every day with their perseverance through a challenging curriculum, their spontaneity, and their joy," she says, "and my colleagues inspire me to seek continued growth as an educator—and make me laugh when a laugh is needed."

For Jill, time away from school is dedicated to her family. "My biggest passion is to love life with my husband, Don, and my daughter, Hope. They are my world beyond school, and time with them means everything to me," she says. She also enjoys listening to audio books, hiking local trails with her husband and her shelter dog, Cosmos, and spending time in her garden.

Jill and Don's daughter, Hope, is a 2016 graduate of Community School.

Gabby Rafford joined Community School in 2008 as a fifth grade teacher and currently serves as Director of Educational Technology.

She holds a BS in Business Administration and a MEd, both from University of New Hampshire.

Prior to joining Community School, Gabby worked in nonprofit and government contracting positions in Washington D.C. and taught elementary grades at schools in Colorado, Vermont, and Maine. She also served as Director of the Eighth Grade Winter Term and taught math at Gould Academy.

Gabby was drawn to Community School's commitment to supporting students' interests, as well as to the Outdoor Program, the school's beautiful mountain setting, and the faculty and staff.

"The students keep me smiling and challenge me to think outside the box every day," Gabby says. "They are a very cool group of kids with diverse interests and a passion to learn something new constantly. They are definitely why I am here and why I enjoy working here so much."

When she's not on campus, Gabby loves to ski, hike, camp, and mountain bike. In the summer, she likes to indulge her love for reading: "I am an avid reader—in the summer I can read three books in one week!" Gabby and her husband, Kyle, are parents to two Cutthroats: Addison '19 and Toby '21.

Katie Robins joined Sun Valley Community School in 2000 and served as Director of Admissions since 2005 before transitioning to the role of Associate Director in 2019. Katie loves touring the campus with prospective families and learning their stories. "There is nothing more satisfying than watching that aha-moment a family has when they see this campus in action and begin to envision their own children as members of this incredibly engaging and nurturing environment," she says. "I love guiding families through this process and helping future Cutthroats find their new home."

Katie holds a BA in Communications from University of California, Berkeley. She and her husband, Guy, are parents to two Cutthroats: Sam '30 and Sophie '32. In her spare time, Katie loves to cook for friends and family, rock climb, and is an avid reader of fiction.

Robin Seitz joined Community School in 2005 and serves as the Elementary School Administrative Assistant.

Robin holds a BA in Psychology from Edinboro University and a MA in Counseling from Idaho State University.

Prior to joining Community School, Robin held several different counseling positions at College of Southern Idaho and for the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare.

Robin loves the variety each day offers at Community School and is continually inspired by her colleagues.

When she's not at school, Robin can be found running local trails, reading, making art, and spending time with her family. Robin and her husband, Reid, are parents to Quentin and Norah '21.

Anneliese Turck joined Sun Valley Community School in 2015 and serves as a part-time Communications Associate. She assists the Director of Communications with internal and external communications for the school, including the school's biannual magazine, website, newsletters, social media, marketing, advertising, public relations, and photography.

Prior to joining the school, Anneliese spent 18 years in New York where she served in editorial roles for American Express Publishing's Travel & Leisure Golf, and numerous freelance and volunteer positions in the field of journalism for organizations such as CNN, Pelham Art Center, PACT, Prospect Hill Elementary School, and Junior League of Pelham. She is a Bay Area native, having grown up in Los Altos Hills, California.

Anneliese holds a BA in Rhetoric from University of California, Berkeley and a MS in Journalism from Columbia University. She and her husband, Matt, have two children, Parker (Wood River High School Class of '23) and Easton (Cutthroat Class of 2025). When she isn't taking photos or writing, Anneliese can be found behind the wheel of her car driving her kids to soccer, baseball, equestrian events, and ski competitions. When she isn't driving, she enjoys spending time with her family! 

Clay Wawner joined Sun Valley Community School from Miller School of Albemarle in Charlottesville, Virginia, where, since 2013, he served as Dean of Students, history teacher, Community Service Coordinator, Head Varsity Lacrosse Coach, Residential Duty Team Chief, Student Advisor, and Senior Administrative Team member. In addition to his extensive academic, residential, and coaching experience, Clay has over ten years’ experience as an outdoor education instructor, having led wilderness experiences around the U.S. and globally, including two summers employed as a fishing and river guide for The River Company in Stanley. Clay is a graduate of Denison University, where he captained the men’s lacrosse team for two years and graduated with a degree in history. Clay enjoys spending time in the outdoors with his wife Maggie and their two sons.

Richard Whitelaw initially joined Sun Valley Community School in 1991 as boys' varsity soccer coach and currently serves as Director of Athletics, boys' varsity soccer coach, and Middle School P.E. assistant.

Richard is grateful for the opportunity to pass along his love for sport to students, and he comes to work each day inspired the Cutthroat family. "Being surrounded by young, talented, intelligent students, and empowering, caring, positive faculty is a gift," he says. "I have the greatest job in the world."

In his many years coaching boys' varsity soccer, Richard has been committed to sharing a love for the game and a spirit of sportsmanship among his players. "I strive to instill in these young men that it's not about the wins or championships, it's about making the most of your short high school career, experiencing all the emotions associated with a successful team, playing to the best of your ability, and exuding good sportsmanship every step of the way."

Richard's love for the game of soccer doesn't end when he steps off the field. His favorite way to spend his time away from school: "Watching soccer, reading about soccer, writing about soccer, thinking about soccer . . . soccer never sleeps."

Briggs Williams, a former TTA intern 2019-20, was hired in 2020 as the Academic Coordinator for SVSA and Assistant Director of Residential Life. Briggs will also continue to work with Middle School students in the Enhancement Program.

As a Teacher Training Academy intern from 2019-20, he worked with SVSA student-athletes as Academic Coordinator, the 7th grade math and science team, and as a Residential Advisor.

A St. Lawrence University graduate, Briggs was also a member of the St. Lawrence University’s D-1 ski team before switching his focus to help lead trips for the Outdoor Program and Outdoor Club.

Briggs is very excited to be able to work with both middle and upper school students and build on everything that he learned during his time in the TTA. When not in the classroom or working at the dorms Briggs can be found skiing, biking, fishing or whitewater kayaking.