2011-2012 FACULTY: Faculty members meet weekly to address school issues, the students, and practical matters concerning the life of the school. The faculty plays a large role in determining how school policies are implemented. All Secondary Learning Center teachers assume responsibilities in addition to their teaching.
Dana Rodda
Mathematics & Natural Science
Dana Rodda is the Director and co-founder of Secondary Learning Center, formerly known as Santa Fe Secondary School. Ms. Rodda graduated from Virginia Tech in 1988. She has taught at public schools in Madison and private schools in Santa Fe since 1989. After working for schools in Madison, Wisconsin and Santa Fe, in 1993, she was asked by parents to form the home-school group which later become Ad Astra High School and the following year, Santa Fe Secondary. Until June, 2009, Ms. Rodda also ran the only Kumon Math and Reading Center in Santa Fe. She is currently the director of the Educational Enrichment Program for elementary age students from all over the city. Ms. Rodda teaches Geology, Chemistry, Biology, Botany, and Physics, and all levels of mathematics from basic math to college level Calculus.
Seth Baranoff
English & The Great Books
Seth Baranoff has studied at many of the world’s finest universities, including Princeton, l’Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris, l’Ecole du Louvre, Cambridge and the Georgetown School of Foreign Service. Mr. Baranof served on the U.S. Trade Delegation in China, and worked for various senatorial staffs in Washington D.C. He has taught a wide array of Advanced Placement subjects, including Art History, World History, Comparative Religion, and Philosophy. His present focus is on English Literature and teaching our Great Books curriculum. Mr. Baranof also works as a researcher for The College Board and as an independent college placement counselor here in Santa Fe.
Shiela Bobbs Armstrong
World History
Experience: Peace Corps, taught English in Dakar, Senegal
High School Teacher, Santa Fe Secondary, 1999-2003
Participated in Tecolote Program at St. John’s College, Socratic method
Reading Skills to Primary Grades, 2007
Taught with Worldteach in Dren, Bulgaria, 2009
Extensive volunteer service, locally, nationally and internationally
Education:
St. Johns College. B.A in Liberal Arts, 1970. M.A in Liberal Arts, 1995.
Federico Giannelli
Italian
Federico Giannelli came to the United States from Italy after studying Electrical Engineering and serving in the Italian Navy. Signor Giannelli is a dedicated humanitarian, having volunteered with the Red Cross and Gruppo Elba, a summer camp for the disabled. He has taught Italian language at Santa Fe Community College since 2005, and is now the resident Italian instructor at Secondary Learning Center.
Patricia Lerner
Spanish
Patricia Lerner has degrees in Information Technology, Management, English as a Second Language, and Spanish as a Second Language. She has taught Spanish privately since 2002 and at Santa Fe Community College since 2003, where she is a founding member of the Spanish Club. Ms. Lerner now shares her passion for Spanish with the students of Secondary Learning Center.