Faculty and Staff Directory
Orinda Academy's experienced faculty and staff are dedicated to helping OA students thrive inside and outside of the classroom. With a 7:1 student-teacher ratio, OA teachers are able to form deep connections with all of their students. Core class sizes range from 5–13 students, allowing teachers to take a personal approach to each student’s learning.
Administration & Support Staff
Nancy Rowland
Head of School
Nancy joined OA in 2022 as its third head of school. Nancy spent twenty-eight years at the Lab School in Washington, D.C. where she advanced through various leadership roles. He strong support for DEI initiatives, admissions and celebrating a strong community are matching values that we are excited to experience.
Gina Corsiglia
Director of Admissions
gina@orindaacademy.org
Gina started her career in education as an aide at her mother's preschool just before becoming a mom herself. In 2014, she returned to education as an instructional aide. Several years later, she moved to the registrar position at Stanley Middle School and then to the registrar position at Campolindo High School. Gina enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Dr. Janine Jackson
Director of Student Services
janine@orindaacademy.org
Janine holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a focus in Human Services, and both a Master’s degree and a PhD in Forensic Psychology. Aside from her responsibilities at Orinda Academy, she also enjoys coaching women’s travel basketball team based in the Bay Area.
Janine has a passion for working with youth and young adults, in both education and sports. She believes it her responsibility to help each young person she encounters obtain the tools that are needed to be successful in life.
Jean Reynders
Registrar, College & Career Advisor
jean@orindaacademy.org
Jean received her BS from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She later went to pursue a Master's Certificate in College Advising and Career Counseling from UC Berkeley Extension. Jean maintains her own independent College Advising Practice. Jean has toured more than 400 Colleges and Universities in the United States and Canada.
Allegra Miller-Hu
Emotional Wellness Counselor
Allegra is a Mexican-American mom of two from Santa Cruz, CA. She earned her bachelor’s in sociology from UCLA and her MSW from Columbia University. She has worked with youth for over 15 years including as a preschool teacher, Head Start family advocate, and most recently, a therapist with foster-involved families. She thinks young people are some of the best people and she lives to build others up in their true, strong selves. She also can’t live without the ocean, dancing, creative competition shows, and “real talk”.
Rick Urbanowicz
Business Manager
Rick comes from a successful career in Finance Planning & Analysis. He graduated from Cambrian College with BA, Accounting major, and has international experience reporting on Canadian and Western US operations. He is excited to be part of the Orinda Academy team as an enhancement to years of voluntary efforts on behalf of UCLA Bay Area Bruins. Rick loves history, documentaries and sportsmanship, including a few awards in NorCal Dart Leagues.
Faculty
Sarah Aguilar
Math
Sarah has a BA in mathematics from UC Berkeley, a minor in education, and a special education teaching credential. She has been teaching and tutoring since 2011 in both traditional classroom and 1:1 settings. Sarah is passionate about finding creative solutions to help students with learning differences.
Lisa Foote
Visual Art, Digital Media, Creative Writing
lisaf@orindaacademy.org
Lisa brings over 18 years of experience as a multimedia artist, editor and educator. She holds an MFA in Studio Art from the San Francisco Art Institute and is passionate about creating a safe space to guide students in realizing their potential. She is currently pursuing a graduate certificate in Universal Design for Learning through Harvard University's Graduate School of Education. She has worked collaboratively with the National Park Service to create a documentary about real "Rosie the Riveters," outdoor installations, and historical education for more than 140 4th & 5th graders. In 2015, she was awarded a grant through the City of Richmond to create a public art installation with the youth of RYSE.
Lisa also works as a ghost writer and editor. Her work has been published by the New York Times, Washington Post, and San Francisco Chronicle. She curates and designs exhibits for artists and galleries in the Bay Area and beyond.
Peter Hicks
English, Music
Peter’s career in independent schools includes serving as Director of Studies for King’s College in Florida and House Manager for the Meritas Family of Schools in Florida and Manhattan. After college, Peter spent his time teaching literature as well as performing music with his band, Inside Switch.
Dave Nguyen, PhD
Science, Physical Education
Dave Nguyen is a computational biologist with a background in cancer biology, and molecular & cell biology before that. He obtained his BA and PhD from UC Berkeley. Prior to Orinda Academy, he taught biology, biochemistry, microbiology, and environmental science at the college level.
Dave also teaches 1-on-1 workshops on fundamentals of image analysis for STEM research. He is developing a biotech software startup based on an algorithm that he invented to measure shapes in ways never possible before. His teaching mottos: "Make more good guys" and "Discomfort means you're growing into your fullness".
Erin O’Donnell
American Sign Language
Erin is from Santa Cruz, California, and graduated from CSU Northridge with a bachelor’s degree in child development, but didn’t find her professional passion until she started teaching and tutoring American Sign Language. Erin has been teaching all levels of American Sign Language for over 13 years.
Jeff Quittman
Social Studies, English
Jeff holds a bachelor’s degree in history and liberal studies, and a master’s degree in history from SF State University. Jeff’s classes are marked by a broadly humanistic approach to the ideas, events, peoples, and extraordinary individuals that have shaped the world in which we live.
James Piscitelli
Math, 8th Grade Humanities
james@orindaacademy.org
James started in education as a college writing tutor while studying for his first master’s degree at the San Francisco Art Institute. He later earned his second master’s degree studying abroad in Hangzhou, China. Since then he has been teaching English as a second language, as well as college essay writing and math. He is a lifelong learner and jazz theory nerd. In his free time he enjoys listening to jazz and watching basketball.
Megan Tvedt
Physics, Chemistry, Statistics
Megan has BS degrees in chemistry and math from University of Oregon, and an MS in physical chemistry from UC Berkeley. She likes connecting math concepts with real-world experiences and loves being able to use OA’s small class size to respond to the needs of each student.
Teachers at OA stand by you. They don't just throw you out there, they actually give you the help you need."
Olivia Tompkins