INSTRUCTIONAL TEAM
Koponan ng Middle School
Jander Cline, Lead Teacher
Mr. Cline from Vancouver, Washington, is thrilled to embark on his journey with the Catalyst team as a Lead Teacher this year! His path led him to Walla Walla, Washington, where he spent the last five years, initially as a college basketball player at Walla Walla Community College. Later, in 2022, he transitioned to Whitman College to continue his basketball career at the NCAA Division 3 level while completing his studies. Recently, he proudly graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and is eager to transition into a career in education.
From a young age, Mr. Cline has harbored a passion for teaching and is dedicated to guiding students towards realizing their aspirations and uncovering their boundless potential. Joining the Catalyst community aligns perfectly with his mission to contribute to an equitable and enriching educational environment for all Catalyst students.
When he's not in the classroom, Mr. Cline can be found on the basketball court, indulging in pickup games with friends and fellow enthusiasts. He finds immense joy in coaching and helping others discover the pleasures of recreational sports. Despite the weather, he carves out time to immerse himself in Washington's natural beauty through walks, hikes, and camping trips. While he has tales of his own adventures, Mr. Cline is always eager to lend an ear and listen to the stories of others.
Sarah Daly, Lead Teacher
Ms. Esperanto, originally from Los Angeles, moved to Washington specifically to join the Catalyst team; she was drawn to the school’s values of diversity and equity, since she herself is a woman of color and is affected daily by overlapping systems of identity.
Having earned a bachelor’s degree in English Education from California State University of Long Beach, Ms. Esperanto always suspected she would go on to teach single-subject education, but recently her career has led her to be mostly involved in the lives of primary-aged scholars. Before working at Catalyst, she taught Enrichment across various schools for 2 years. For 3 years before that she worked at her Alma Mater CSULB as the Lead Student Ambassador to assist and coach incoming transfers from community colleges. Altogether Ms. Esperanto has over 8 years of experience engaging with scholars in primary, secondary, and higher education.
Outside of her passion for teaching, Ms. Esperanto loves community service, reading YA novels, and using her AMC A-List membership.
Sarah Daly, Lead Teacher
Mr. Gerrity brings an uncommon journey to the Catalyst community. After thirty years building technology companies — most notably as co-founder of Coinstar and founder of Naverus, an aviation safety company later acquired by GE Aviation — he walked away from a senior leadership role at Oracle to become a math teacher through Teach For America. The decision was deliberate: he wanted to work where the stakes are highest and the need is greatest.
This past summer, Mr. Gerrity completed his student teaching practicum at Evergreen Middle School in Federal Way, co-teaching two sections of rising 7th-grade mathematics. He is enrolled in the University of Washington’s teacher certification program, pursuing his Middle Level Mathematics endorsement.
Mr. Gerrity believes that mathematical confidence is one of the most powerful things a young person can develop before high school, and that strong relationships are what make learning possible in the first place. He is drawn to Catalyst because of its commitment to knowing every scholar — and holding every scholar to high expectations.
Outside of school, Mr. Gerrity lives in Seattle’s Eastlake neighborhood with his wife. He speaks German and Portuguese in addition to English, and still finds time to follow aviation news — a habit that never quite went away.
He is honored to join the Catalyst family and looks forward to getting to know scholars, families, and colleagues as the year unfolds.
Renee Hammel, Tagapagturo
Ipinanganak at lumaki sa Iowa, ang kaugnayan ni Ms. Hammel sa komunidad ng Navy ay nagdala sa kanya sa Bremerton noong 2005. Ang kaugnayang ito ay nagdala sa kanya at sa kanyang pamilya sa buong mundo kabilang ang Guam, Virginia, at Japan bago bumalik sa lugar ng Bremerton noong 2020.
Matapos makumpleto ang kanyang Culinary Arts degree ay hinawakan niya ang posisyon ng Catering Coordinator sa Olympic College. Habang nasa posisyong ito, matagumpay na nag-apply si Ms. Hammel at nabigyan ng maraming gawad na nagpapahintulot sa programa na i-maximize ang kahusayan ng mga serbisyong ibinibigay ng catering staff. Habang hindi nagtatrabaho, nasisiyahan si Ms. Hammel na gumugol ng oras kasama ang kanyang dalawang anak at asawa sa paggawa ng mga aktibidad sa labas tulad ng camping, hiking at kayaking.
Si Ms. Hammel ay nasasabik na simulan ang kanyang paglalakbay sa pagtuturo bilang miyembro ng komunidad ng Catalyst. Dito niya inaabangan ang pag-instill ng sense of belonging at empowerment sa mga iskolar nito. Siya ay naudyukan na ibahagi ang kanyang kaalaman sa culinary upang pangunahan ang mga iskolar na ito sa paggawa ng matalinong mga desisyon na nakabatay sa pagkain pati na rin ang pagtuturo ng mga kasanayang kailangan nilang malaman upang maging malaya sa kanilang sariling mga kusina.
Renee Hammel, Tagapagturo
Ipinanganak at lumaki sa Iowa, ang kaugnayan ni Ms. Hammel sa komunidad ng Navy ay nagdala sa kanya sa Bremerton noong 2005. Ang kaugnayang ito ay nagdala sa kanya at sa kanyang pamilya sa buong mundo kabilang ang Guam, Virginia, at Japan bago bumalik sa lugar ng Bremerton noong 2020.
Matapos makumpleto ang kanyang Culinary Arts degree ay hinawakan niya ang posisyon ng Catering Coordinator sa Olympic College. Habang nasa posisyong ito, matagumpay na nag-apply si Ms. Hammel at nabigyan ng maraming gawad na nagpapahintulot sa programa na i-maximize ang kahusayan ng mga serbisyong ibinibigay ng catering staff. Habang hindi nagtatrabaho, nasisiyahan si Ms. Hammel na gumugol ng oras kasama ang kanyang dalawang anak at asawa sa paggawa ng mga aktibidad sa labas tulad ng camping, hiking at kayaking.
Si Ms. Hammel ay nasasabik na simulan ang kanyang paglalakbay sa pagtuturo bilang miyembro ng komunidad ng Catalyst. Dito niya inaabangan ang pag-instill ng sense of belonging at empowerment sa mga iskolar nito. Siya ay naudyukan na ibahagi ang kanyang kaalaman sa culinary upang pangunahan ang mga iskolar na ito sa paggawa ng matalinong mga desisyon na nakabatay sa pagkain pati na rin ang pagtuturo ng mga kasanayang kailangan nilang malaman upang maging malaya sa kanilang sariling mga kusina.
Keith Viridian, Small Group Instructor
Si G. Bañuelos ay ipinanganak at lumaki sa Southern California sa isang lungsod sa labas ng Los Angeles County. Nagpasya si G. Bañuelos at ang kanyang kasintahang lumipat sa Washington at nakita nila ang magandang paaralang ito. We were both very lucky to be hired and he is thrilled to be able to teach at Catalyst alongside her. Mahaba ang kanyang paglalakbay papasok sa silid-aralan, ngunit sa wakas ay naramdaman niyang tama na siya kung saan siya nararapat.
Mula sa unang baitang, hanggang sa kanyang senior year sa high school na si G. Bañuelos ay nasa Cub Scouts pagkatapos ay na-promote sa Boy Scouts of America kung saan natanggap niya ang pinakamataas na karangalan ng Eagle Scout. Sa buong high school, lumahok siya sa mga sports tulad ng Wrestling, Tennis, Cross Country, at Track and Field. Sa kanyang senior year, nanalo ang kanyang koponan sa State Championship para sa Division 3 noong 2010.
Pagkatapos ng hayskul, nag-aral si G. Bañuelos sa Cerritos Community College na kumukuha ng mga kurso sa iba't ibang asignatura, hindi lamang para humanap ng hilig, kundi para mapag-aral ang sarili at maging mabuting tao. Habang ginagawa ito ay sumali siya sa isang banda at tumugtog sa mga lugar tulad ng House of Blues sa Hollywood at ang Whiskey a Go Go. Nagsimula siyang magturo sa Cross Country at Track and Field ilang taon pagkatapos maghiwalay ang banda. Pagkalipas ng ilang taon, lumipat siya sa Unibersidad ng California, Irvine (UCI) at natanggap ang aking Batsilyer ng Sining sa Agham sa Edukasyon.
Pagkatapos ng graduation, nagtrabaho si G. Bañuelos sa isang middle school hanggang sa matanggap niya ang aking acceptance letter sa Pepperdine University para sa kanilang Masters of Arts in TeachingProgram. Nagturo siya sa isang silid-aralan sa una at ikalimang baitang at kalaunan ay tatanggapin bilang isang guro ng kombo sa una/ikalawang baitang. Ngayon ay nasasabik na siyang simulan ang susunod na kabanata ng aking buhay sa Washington kasama ang aking kasintahan sa Catalyst.
April Lindvold, Pangunahing Guro
Si Ms. Lindvold ay nagmula sa North Carolina ngunit tumatawag sa Washington.
Pagkatapos ng graduating high school, sumali siya sa United States Navy, kung saan naglakbay siya sa mundo, natutunan ang kasaysayan, nakaranas ng iba't ibang kultura, at nakilala ang kanyang asawa.
Nagtapos siya sa Old Dominion University kasama ang kanyang Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies. Bago ang Catalyst nagtrabaho siya bilang guro sa ika-3 baitang, guro ng musika, at nagtrabaho bilang kapalit na guro.
Sa labas ng paaralan, gumaganap siya ng taxi driver sa kanyang tatlong kiddos: 16, 14, at 8. Dinadala niya sila sa Scouts, swimming lessons, at mga aktibidad sa paaralan. Mayroon din siyang maliit na zoo sa kanyang bahay na binubuo ng 2 aso, 2 pusa, may balbas na dragon, at isang guinea pig.
Kasama sa kanyang mga libangan ang paggugol ng oras kasama ang kanyang pamilya, paglalakbay, paglalaro ng Minecraft, at pakikipag-usap sa isang mahusay na libro.
Sara O’Neill, Lead Teacher
Si Sara ay mula sa Colorado at isang taong gumagawa ng kanyang pangarap na manirahan sa Pacific Northwest sa pamamagitan ng pagsali sa Catalyst team. Nag-aral siya ng Ingles sa Colorado State University sa Fort Collins, Colorado at nagturo ng elementarya at middle school sa huling 6 na taon.
Mahilig si Sara sa pagluluto, musika, pagbe-bake (mga pie at anumang bagay na nauugnay sa tinapay ay paborito ko), hiking, pagpipinta at pagtambay kasama ang aking dalawang pusa na sina Roman at Pollo.
Ashli Payne, Teaching Fellow
Si Sara ay mula sa Colorado at isang taong gumagawa ng kanyang pangarap na manirahan sa Pacific Northwest sa pamamagitan ng pagsali sa Catalyst team. Nag-aral siya ng Ingles sa Colorado State University sa Fort Collins, Colorado at nagturo ng elementarya at middle school sa huling 6 na taon.
Mahilig si Sara sa pagluluto, musika, pagbe-bake (mga pie at anumang bagay na nauugnay sa tinapay ay paborito ko), hiking, pagpipinta at pagtambay kasama ang aking dalawang pusa na sina Roman at Pollo.
Catherine Sebastian, Lead Teacher
Ms. Sebastian is from Bremerton, WA and graduated from Western Washington University. She studied English Literature and Film Studies then got her Masters in Teaching with support from the Martinez Teaching Fellowship. Ms. Sebastian grew up on Oahu, Hawaii then moved to Bremerton in 2005, spending her summers in Japan with her sister and grandparents. She spent much of her childhood outdoors on the beach, hiking, and helping her grandparents with their vineyard.
Ms. Sebastian previously taught 10th and 11th grade English language arts at North Kitsap High School and has worked with elementary and middle schoolers. She started at Catalyst as a 3rd grade SGI, then moved to 6th grade math where she discovered her passion for math instruction. As a new math lead this school year, Ms. Sebastian still believes that literacy has an important place in the math classroom. She looks forward to supporting scholars to solve more than just math problems and find their way to explain their thinking, make meaningful connections, and build confidence as human beings.
As a teacher she believes that the environment heavily influences a scholar’s growth and mindset, therefore it is important to integrate in their learning. She loves to spend her time watching anime with her boyfriend, cooking, and playing the NY Times Crossword.
Joren Smith, Lead Teacher
Born and raised in Port Angeles, Washington, Mr. Smith has spent much of his life exploring different parts of the state, but the west side has always felt most like home. With a deep appreciation for both the mountains and the ocean, the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest has strongly shaped who he is. Mr. Smith attended Central Washington University with the goal of becoming a teacher and began his career there, gaining valuable experience before realizing it was time to return closer to home. While his family is now spread across the region, many of his lifelong friends remain in Port Angeles, making the in-between spaces of Washington the perfect place to land.
Mr. Smith brings nine years of teaching experience across three school districts and is now entering his fourth as a Small Group Instructor at Catalyst. He is excited to join a community rooted in connection, growth, and opportunity, and to be part of a school that is focused on serving scholars in meaningful and intentional ways. Outside of the classroom, Mr. Smith enjoys health and fitness, snowboarding, hiking, coding, cooking and baking, gardening, reading novels, writing stories, working on and driving cars, and spending time with his wife and cats. He values curiosity, creativity, and growth, and brings those values into the way he supports scholars each day.
Kyerra Timm, Small Group Instructor
Born in Utah but raised across more than four different states, Kyerra has learned that the most meaningful part of any new place is the communities within it. She is excited to join the Catalyst Community and continue building those connections.
Kyerra moved to the Kitsap area two years ago and is currently completing her master’s in English Education at WGU. She has experience working with a range of age groups, from supporting early literacy and development in pre-K classrooms to guiding high school students through literature, writing, and discussions that help them make sense of the world around them. She is especially excited to join the middle school team and support students as they grow into confident thinkers and communicators.
Outside of work, Kyerra can often be found curled up with her daughter and cats reading a good book, or exploring local forests in search of interesting plants. She is an avid reader, aspiring writer, and dedicated mom who enjoys cooking, exploring, and learning about the unique details that make each place and community distinct.
Keith Viridian, Small Group Instructor
Si G. Bañuelos ay ipinanganak at lumaki sa Southern California sa isang lungsod sa labas ng Los Angeles County. Nagpasya si G. Bañuelos at ang kanyang kasintahang lumipat sa Washington at nakita nila ang magandang paaralang ito. We were both very lucky to be hired and he is thrilled to be able to teach at Catalyst alongside her. Mahaba ang kanyang paglalakbay papasok sa silid-aralan, ngunit sa wakas ay naramdaman niyang tama na siya kung saan siya nararapat.
Mula sa unang baitang, hanggang sa kanyang senior year sa high school na si G. Bañuelos ay nasa Cub Scouts pagkatapos ay na-promote sa Boy Scouts of America kung saan natanggap niya ang pinakamataas na karangalan ng Eagle Scout. Sa buong high school, lumahok siya sa mga sports tulad ng Wrestling, Tennis, Cross Country, at Track and Field. Sa kanyang senior year, nanalo ang kanyang koponan sa State Championship para sa Division 3 noong 2010.
Pagkatapos ng hayskul, nag-aral si G. Bañuelos sa Cerritos Community College na kumukuha ng mga kurso sa iba't ibang asignatura, hindi lamang para humanap ng hilig, kundi para mapag-aral ang sarili at maging mabuting tao. Habang ginagawa ito ay sumali siya sa isang banda at tumugtog sa mga lugar tulad ng House of Blues sa Hollywood at ang Whiskey a Go Go. Nagsimula siyang magturo sa Cross Country at Track and Field ilang taon pagkatapos maghiwalay ang banda. Pagkalipas ng ilang taon, lumipat siya sa Unibersidad ng California, Irvine (UCI) at natanggap ang aking Batsilyer ng Sining sa Agham sa Edukasyon.
Pagkatapos ng graduation, nagtrabaho si G. Bañuelos sa isang middle school hanggang sa matanggap niya ang aking acceptance letter sa Pepperdine University para sa kanilang Masters of Arts in TeachingProgram. Nagturo siya sa isang silid-aralan sa una at ikalimang baitang at kalaunan ay tatanggapin bilang isang guro ng kombo sa una/ikalawang baitang. Ngayon ay nasasabik na siyang simulan ang susunod na kabanata ng aking buhay sa Washington kasama ang aking kasintahan sa Catalyst.
Keith Viridian, Small Group Instructor
Si G. Bañuelos ay ipinanganak at lumaki sa Southern California sa isang lungsod sa labas ng Los Angeles County. Nagpasya si G. Bañuelos at ang kanyang kasintahang lumipat sa Washington at nakita nila ang magandang paaralang ito. We were both very lucky to be hired and he is thrilled to be able to teach at Catalyst alongside her. Mahaba ang kanyang paglalakbay papasok sa silid-aralan, ngunit sa wakas ay naramdaman niyang tama na siya kung saan siya nararapat.
Mula sa unang baitang, hanggang sa kanyang senior year sa high school na si G. Bañuelos ay nasa Cub Scouts pagkatapos ay na-promote sa Boy Scouts of America kung saan natanggap niya ang pinakamataas na karangalan ng Eagle Scout. Sa buong high school, lumahok siya sa mga sports tulad ng Wrestling, Tennis, Cross Country, at Track and Field. Sa kanyang senior year, nanalo ang kanyang koponan sa State Championship para sa Division 3 noong 2010.
Pagkatapos ng hayskul, nag-aral si G. Bañuelos sa Cerritos Community College na kumukuha ng mga kurso sa iba't ibang asignatura, hindi lamang para humanap ng hilig, kundi para mapag-aral ang sarili at maging mabuting tao. Habang ginagawa ito ay sumali siya sa isang banda at tumugtog sa mga lugar tulad ng House of Blues sa Hollywood at ang Whiskey a Go Go. Nagsimula siyang magturo sa Cross Country at Track and Field ilang taon pagkatapos maghiwalay ang banda. Pagkalipas ng ilang taon, lumipat siya sa Unibersidad ng California, Irvine (UCI) at natanggap ang aking Batsilyer ng Sining sa Agham sa Edukasyon.
Pagkatapos ng graduation, nagtrabaho si G. Bañuelos sa isang middle school hanggang sa matanggap niya ang aking acceptance letter sa Pepperdine University para sa kanilang Masters of Arts in TeachingProgram. Nagturo siya sa isang silid-aralan sa una at ikalimang baitang at kalaunan ay tatanggapin bilang isang guro ng kombo sa una/ikalawang baitang. Ngayon ay nasasabik na siyang simulan ang susunod na kabanata ng aking buhay sa Washington kasama ang aking kasintahan sa Catalyst.
Note: Some staff are not listed on the website based upon what they have told us they prefer.