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.

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

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. 

Sage Freeman joined the Middle School faculty in 2026 as an Associate Math Teacher for 7th and 8th grades. Sage is a 2025 graduate from Colby College, where she earned a double major in Education and Environmental Policy while also being a member of Colby's Nordic Ski Team.

Sage most recently was a teacher at The Little School in Weston, Vermont, where, in addition to teaching four-to five-year-olds, she also ran an after-school program. During her time at Colby, Sage served as a volunteer mentor for the Colby College Environmental Studies Buddy Program, where she supported students with course selection and career opportunities in the field of environmental science.  She also worked as a teacher assistant for Albert S. Hall Elementary School in Waterville, Maine, a voluntary position she did through an Education course at Colby.

Combining her passion for Nordic skiing and teaching, Sage has coached a variety of ages. She was the Assistant Nordic Coach for Saint Michael's College in 2025, coached elementary and middle school skiers for Quarry Road Ski Club in Waterville from 2023-24, and from 2019-24, was a camp counselor for Stratton  Mountain School Nordic Camp, coaching 5th grade-high school athletes. 

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. Naomi appreciates the freedom and flexibility of the middle school academic program, and she loves creating learning experiences that allow students to connect thematic Humanities units to their own lives and to what they're studying in other classes. 

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. 

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.

Paige McNeil, LPC assumed the role of full-time School Counselor in the fall of 2026. Paige returned to the Cutthroat community in the fall of 2024 as the school’s Community Connections Coordinator and part-time school counselor, working alongside former SVCS counselor Cecilee Heath. From 2018-22, Paige taught Upper School Spanish for SVCS and prior to her returning in 2024, she served as a Bilingual Victim’s Advocate for The Advocates in Hailey, providing bilingual emotional support and case management for victims of violence. Paige has also maintained a part-time counseling practice at KH Counseling and Health Center in Hailey. 

Ian Nolon joined the Middle School in the fall of 2026 as its new Music and Performing Arts teacher. A 2025 Middlebury College graduate with a major in Earth & Climate Sciences and Geography and a Minor in Music, Ian brings an impressive combination of music, theater, and outdoor education experience to his role. Before joining SVCS, Ian worked as a Teacher-in-Residence at Steamboat Mountain School in Colorado, where he taught music production and supported the school's orchestra and middle school theater programs. He also led outdoor education programming and residential life activities for students in grades K-12. Before that, he was an Outdoor Educator and Trip Leader for Overland Summer Camps, leading multi-week trips for middle schoolers throughout Switzerland, Iceland, and Colorado. He has also thru-hiked the Pacific Crest and Appalachian Trails.

Ian’s music background includes serving as a Music Director, Arranger, and Member of Dissipated Eight (A Cappella) (2021-25) as well as a Senior Leader, Arranger, Choreographer, and Member of Dachords (Student-run a cappella) (2016-2020). He is a published singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, has performed with Northern Stage Theater, and participated with the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, in addition to a variety of choirs. 

Naomi Runkel joined the Middle School as its new Middle School math teacher in the fall of 2026. Naomi, wife of Upper School Science Teacher Scott Runkel and parent to Sara ’15 and Eric ’12, brings a wealth of math and test-prep experience to the role. For the past 25 years, she has worked as a tutor, encouraging students to excel in math at all levels and preparing students for standardized tests, including the SAT, ACT, and AP Calculus and Statistics. She most recently served as the Founder and Learning Guide for The Space Idaho, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students of all academic and economic backgrounds excel in middle school, high school, and beyond. Naomi holds a BA in Psychology from Cornell University and a Master of Education in Elementary and Special Education from Boston University. 
 

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 after more than 25 years of productions in Virginia and Idaho. He is now on the Liberty Theater Company's artistic council and continues to perform. He enjoys reading, writing, playing volleyball, and spending time with his wife, Jeanne.

Anna Weisel joined the Middle School faculty as a full-time teaching assistant for the 2025-26 school year and transitioned to Learning Specialist starting in the fall of 2026.  She also serves as Academic Support to Middle School travel-heavy winter athletes and is an RA for boarding students at Rufus M. Brown Hall.

Before joining the Middle School, Anna was a Teaching Training Academy intern for the 2024-25 school year, working with students across all divisions. As an intern at Sun Valley Community School, Anna taught in 1st grade, 7th grade Humanities, and 10th grade English. 

Anna holds a BA in English and a minor in Biology and History from Middlebury College.