Middle School Faculty

Dave Kerber joined Sun Valley Community School as its new Middle School Head in July 2025.

Dave brings a wealth of leadership and teaching experience to the position, most recently serving as Director of Academics for Tarbut V’Torah (TVT) Community Day School in Irvine, CA, where he has worked for 15 years. Prior to his current role, Dave was the Assistant Head for both the Middle and Upper School at TVT for 6 years, as well as their Dean of Students. In his varied roles, Dave has led a number of service initiatives at TVT, including organizing a program that annually provides over 500 families with full Thanksgiving meals. He also created TVT’s Immersion Program, a two-week interdisciplinary and experiential set of courses for 9th and 10th graders, which involved local, domestic, and international service options.

Dave has also initiated, led, and implemented curricular and programmatic changes for grades TK (Transitional Kindergarten) through 12, including a TK-12 Engineering and Computer Science program, a new K-8 English Language Arts program, and a new K-8 Math program from The Art of Problem Solving. He also coordinated an AI committee to adopt AI-ready approaches to teaching. His classroom experience includes roles as a middle and high school English and humanities teacher at several schools in California, where he also coordinated an arts festival and founded and advised a variety of clubs, including a Garden Club, Biking Club, Film Club, a Contrarian Club, and a literary zine.

An avid outdoor enthusiast and overlander, Dave is excited to get involved with our Outdoor Program. He holds a B.S. in American Studies from Willamette University and a M.A. in English Literature from University of Montana.

Heidi Bromley joined SVCS as the new Middle School Enhancement teacher starting in the 2022-23 school year. Heidi brings a wealth of teaching experience, having been a classroom teacher in the Boise School District for the past 20 years, primarily in 7th and 8th grades, in addition to teaching in elementary grades early in her career.

During her time with the Boise School District, she held a number of leadership roles, including professional collaboration teams, curriculum development, and student activity advisor. As a classroom teacher, Heidi supported and challenged her students while building positive classroom cultures and successfully addressing the individual learning needs of her students.

Heidi has a BA in History from Whitman College and a MEd from Northwest Nazarene University. She and her husband Chris are parents to Meredith '24.

Heather Christiansen joined SVCS as an Elementary School Learning Specialist in the fall of 2018. She currently serves as the Department Chair.

Heather has been a member of the Elementary School faculty since 2004, most recently serving as a classroom assistant. Prior, she also served as a substitute teacher for long-term absences.

As a certified Phono-Graphix instructor, Heather was instrumental in the implementation of the school’s phonics program four years ago. Her skill set, calm demeanor, magnetism, and creative approach to learning have proven invaluable to her students in the classroom and will transition to her role as a learning specialist. Her work has spanned grades Kindergarten through fifth.

Heather earned her B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Western Governors University and is currently working toward her degree in Special Education. 

Kira holds a BA in Biology from Carleton College, where she was the recipient of funding from The Initiative for Service Internships in International Development. She has her teaching license from the state of Colorado in Mathematics Education (7-12), Science Education (7-12), and Spanish (K-12). She is also a Red Cross-certified Wilderness First Aid Instructor. In her free time, enjoys traveling, playing the ukulele and guitar, and playing ultimate frisbee. 

Matt Fiorentino joined the Middle School as its new Music and Theater teacher in the fall of 2023 and is the Arts Department Chair. 

Prior to joining the Cutthroat community, Matt was a tenure-track professor of Music Learning and Teaching at Arizona State University. Matt taught courses on music education, research, and philosophy to undergraduates and graduate students, coordinated the biennial Desert Skies Symposium on Research in Music Education, and advised doctoral students. Prior to that role, he was a high school and elementary orchestra teacher in Boise, and has worked in operations and arts administration for the Bowdoin and Aspen music festivals.

Originally from New York, Matt holds a Ph.D. in Music Education from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a Master's degree in Music Education from Boise State University, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the State University New York at Potsdam. When he's not at school, Matt loves playing his cello, trail running, getting outside, and exploring Idaho.

Cara Frost joined Sun Valley Community School in 2011 and currently teaches kindergarten through eighth grade Art, serves as an eighth grade advisor, leads the Art Club, and coaches Middle School volleyball.

Cara attended San Jose State on a Division 1 volleyball scholarship and went on to earn a BFA in Art and Art Education at the University of Arizona.

Prior to joining the school's faculty, Cara taught sixth through twelfth grade in Tucson, Arizona, where she also coached varsity volleyball.

Cara appreciates "the freedom to question the process and the trust encouraged by the administration, the faculty, and the students" at Sun Valley Community School, and, she says, "I love to watch the students and their passions grow. Mark making, storytelling, imagination, and innovation are all expressed within their creations, in their voice. It is beyond powerful."

When Cara is not teaching, she finds inspiration for her own art in the outdoors, her dogs, books, and her daughter Tova.

Naomi Goldberg joined Sun Valley Community School in 2006 and currently teaches eighth grade English Language Arts and History, serves as faculty advisor to the Middle School yearbook, coaches the middle school Idaho Battle of the Books teams, and leads the MS Alliance group.

Naomi holds a BA from Duke University in Psychology and English and a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Scranton.

With prior experience as an outdoor trip leader, Naomi was initially attracted to the school by the Outdoor Program. "I knew that any school that believed in the value of taking students into the backcountry three or four times a year would be in line with my philosophical beliefs about teaching and learning," she says. Since joining the school as a faculty member, she has consistently seen the value of outdoor experiences in building meaningful relationships that enhance learning and has also come to appreciate the team/theme model of teaching in the Middle School. The team approach, she notes, "allows us to integrate all subject areas the way that students will encounter them in the 'real world.'"

When she's not teaching, Naomi can be found enjoying the outdoors with friends and family. "I also love to read and share books with students, colleagues, and friends," she says. Naomi is the mom to two Cutthroats and is excited that they are part of the Sun Valley Community School experience. 

Nate Ganger joined the Middle School faculty as its new Technology Teacher for the 2025-26 school year. Nate holds a BS in Education, a BA in History, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Marian University in Indianapolis

Nate was most recently a guest teacher at Herron Classical Schools in Indianapolis, Indiana. Prior, he taught at Phalen Leadership Academies from August 2022 to January 2025. During this time, he taught 9th-grade World History and Geography and then transitioned to 8th grade, where he taught technology. Responsibilities included reinforcing digital literacy as a fundamental skill in addition to reinforcing typing techniques, and teaching fundamental typed code skills in Scratch, Java, HTML/CSS, and basic CAD modeling and 3D printing. Nate's passion for technology and working with Middle School students was evident from the moment that he stepped onto campus. In addition to his classroom experience, Nate brings a love of the outdoors and will be a valuable addition to the Outdoor Program. 

Cecilee Heath joined our Cutthroat staff in December, 2020. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) Cecilee most recently worked as the Social Worker for St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center. While working at St. Luke’s, Cecilee also maintained a small private practice holistically treating primarily trauma and trauma-related disorders.

Cecilee has extensive history working with children of all ages and is trained as a play therapist. Prior to her work at St. Luke’s, she served as a School Social Worker for the alternative high school in Blaine County School District for approximately three years before relocating to Boise temporarily to work as the Clinical Director for the Idaho Youth Ranch. While with the Blaine County School District, she coordinated the Social Emotional Learning Program, taught AP Psychology to 11th and 12th graders, and trained many district staff in Restorative Practices.

Cecilee’s education runs deep. She is a Licensed Trainer for the International Institute on Restorative Practices (IIRP), is certified to teach Trauma-Informed Care, and also created a parent education program that was delivered through The Blaine County Community Drug Coalition for over five years. She is also trained in the Community Resiliency Model. She holds a BS in Psychology and a Master of Social Work from Boise State University. 

Reese Hodges joined the Middle School faculty as the new MS Spanish teacher in the fall of 2024. Reese brings diverse experience teaching in the classroom and outdoors, and is passionate about building second language skills as a gateway to incredible life experiences and connections.

Reese graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in Environmental Studies and also holds a Masters from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Reese’s studies allowed him opportunities to work on several sustainability and conservation projects in Central and South America. His own middle school Spanish classes as a student ignited his passion for travel and a global perspective; and now with a few years of middle school Spanish teaching in the Wood River Valley, he couldn’t be more excited to join SVCS. In addition to his work in the classroom, Reese is an outdoor educator and river guide with more than a decade of experience and is thrilled to bring his skills to our Outdoor Program.

Reese is the father of a young Cutthroat, and outside of the school day he enjoys exploring our valley and region on foot, bike, boat, and skis with his family.  

Elle Lucas joined the Middle School team as its 6th grade English and History teacher in 2023. She also serves as Co-Leader of the Middle School Drama program.

Elle graduated from St. Lawrence University in 2016 with a BA in Spanish with minors in English and Performance and Communication Arts. She also holds an MA in Teaching from Idaho State University.

Elle originally joined Sun Valley Community School as a Teacher Training Academy (TTA) intern for the 2016-17 school year, where she taught Upper and Middle School Spanish and was an advisor to the Upper School Cutthroat Underground newspaper club. During her time at SVCS, Elle has been a Residential Hall Advisor, 7th Grade Teaching Associate and Enhancement Teacher, and the 5th Grade Assistant Teacher.

When not on campus, Elle enjoys cooking, gardening, climbing, and browsing The Gold Mine.

Zach Manta (known on campus as "Manta") has five years of prior experience teaching middle school science and joined the SVCS team in August of 2023. He previously worked at Namaste Charter School in Chicago, Illinois, where he served on the science faculty, participated in the school’s Leadership Advisory Council, led the creation of a new science curriculum, and coached the girls’ soccer team.  

He holds a BS in Environmental Studies from the University of Southern California, an MA in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago, and an MA in Teaching from the Relay Graduate School of Education. 

Anthony Mauldin joined the Middle School faculty in 2022 and serves as the 7th and the 8th Grade Math/Science teacher. 

Anthony is a team player and collaborator, outdoor enthusiast and fly-fisherman, a proponent of project-based and thematic learning, and he has taught math for twelve years. The development of students both academically and personally is what drives him to be his very best. 

A graduate of Northern Arizona University, his prior experience includes serving as an IELP Math and Science Teacher at Stamford American International School in Singapore. From 2016-19, he worked at the Abu Dhabi Educational Council in the United Arab Emirates where he was the Math Teacher for Ramah Primary and Secondary School, and from 2013-16, he taught honors Geometry at Mountain View High School in Mesa, Arizona. 

Cutthroat alum Daniela Stokes ’11 first joined the Middle School faculty as a French teaching associate starting with the 2022-23 school year. She currently teaches Middle School French. A graduate of St. Lawrence University, Daniela holds a degree in Francophone Studies and a minor in Education Studies. During her time at St. Lawrence, she spent a semester abroad in France, studying at the Université de Rouen.

Previously, Daniela served as a community and experiential advisor at Alzar School in Cascade, Idaho, where her primary responsibilities included working with students in the residential program. Daniela has been a substitute teacher at Sun Valley Community School from 2015-21, where she filled in for teachers of all grades and subjects, including serving four months as the ES Spanish teacher. Daniela also has extensive outdoor experience and will help lead trips for the Outdoor Program. 

Joel Vilinsky joined  Sun Valley Community School in 2000, and currently teaches English Language Arts and History for seventh grade. He also serves as a Middle School girls volleyball coach. Joel previously directed the Middle School drama department for 20 years, and teaches Creative Writing, Play Writing, Acting, Improvisation, and Beach Volleyball. He is a past chair of the English Department. Prior to arriving at Sun Valley Community School, Joel taught for 14 years in Brooklyn, New York and Williamsburg, Virginia. 

Joel holds a BS in Psychology and a BA in English from the University of Albany, an M.Ed. in secondary English education from Tufts University, and completed an Eastern Virginia Writing Fellowship at College of William and Mary.

In his work in the classroom and in the theatre, Joel appreciates his students' engagement. "They're always teaching me what I don't know, and pointing out what I didn't see," he says. He also loves to see the learning that happens when students are able to challenge themselves to step beyond their comfort zone. "Edging students from the nest, whether it be exploring new talents or taking academic risks during discussions and projects, is what's most inspiring every day," he notes.

An experienced actor, Joel appeared regularly in productions for Hailey's Company of Fools theater of which he was a founding member, before it closed in 2020 due to COVID. He enjoys reading, writing, playing volleyball, and spending time with his wife, Jeanne.

Stacey Ward joined Sun Valley Community School in 1994. She taught elementary P.E. and served as a teaching assistant in fourth grade until 2021. Starting with the 2021-2022 school year, Stacey transitioned to lead the K-8 P.E. program. 

Stacey holds a BS in education from University of Wyoming.

Stacey was drawn to the school by the wide variety of programming the school offers students. She is inspired every day by the children she teaches. "I strive to create a fun, inclusive, and safe environment for all my students every day," Stacey says.

When she isn't teaching, you can find Stacey on the ski hill or pursuing other outdoor adventures. Stacey has two children: Taylor, who graduated from Sun Valley Community School in 2008, and Latner.

Anna Weisel joined the Middle School faculty as a full-time teaching assistant for the 2025-26 school year. Anna holds a BA in English and a minor in Biology and History from Middlebury College.

Prior to joining the Middle School, Anna was a Teaching Training Academy intern for the 2024-25 school year. As an intern at Sun Valley Community School, Anna taught in 1st grade, 7th grade Humanities, and 10th grade English, where she developed and implemented lesson plans, provided feedback on student work, and differentiated lessons for a variety of learners. Anna also served as a Residential Advisor to boarding students in Rufus M. Brown Hall and co-led outdoor trips. Prior to joining SVCS, Anna worked at The Branson School in Ross, California, as a Programming and Operations Coordinator. Says Anna’s infectious positivity brightens classrooms and her natural ability to connect with students and passion for working with kids in this age group are invaluable assets to our community.