Our Teachers

Fruit fly genetics? Polansky!
The Outsiders? Koz!
Bowling ball physics? Chalfoun!
Border Doors and Spanish Model UN? Pérez!

The Prep faculty is varied, experienced, and talented, with rich interests and backgrounds. They have lived, studied, and worked around the world in a variety of fields and feel passionately about giving our students a global perspective.

Our teachers are passionate about the subjects they teach, about motivating and supporting their students, and about continuously working together to make Sandia Prep the best it can be. From day one, Prep students talk about how the teachers go out of their way to provide extra help with complex concepts, how much energy they put into their classes, and how they help students enjoy subjects they never did before. Students reach higher than they ever believed they could because they know they have support and encouragement from their teachers.

Jennylou Pangilinan-Riel Math & Engineering Jennylou Pangilinan-Riel teaches geometry and pre-calculus, and coaches Sandia Prep’s powerhouse robotics team. “When I saw Sandia Prep's DesignLab and STEM classes, I knew I was meant to be part of this family,” she says. An official NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador for New Mexico and Director of RoboJam ASIA, Ms. Pangilinan-Riel brings serious STEM cred -- and serious fun.
Jennylou Pangilinan-Riel Math & Engineering Jennylou Pangilinan-Riel teaches geometry and pre-calculus, and coaches Sandia Prep’s powerhouse robotics team. “When I saw Sandia Prep's DesignLab and STEM classes, I knew I was meant to be part of this family,” she says. An official NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador for New Mexico and Director of RoboJam ASIA, Ms. Pangilinan-Riel brings serious STEM cred -- and serious fun.

Jennylou Pangilinan-Riel

Math & Engineering

Jennylou Pangilinan-Riel teaches geometry and pre-calculus, and coaches Sandia Prep’s powerhouse robotics team. “When I saw Sandia Prep's DesignLab and STEM classes, I knew I was meant to be part of this family,” she says. An official NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador for New Mexico and Director of RoboJam ASIA, Ms. Pangilinan-Riel brings serious STEM cred -- and serious fun.

Brian Tregembo English / Dean of Student Life “I get to talk about books and words and the way they make people feel; I feel pretty lucky to have a gig like this. And, I spend every day surrounded by energetic, idealistic, passionate people - and I mean both the students and the faculty. Where else does one get to spend so much time with people who are constantly dreaming about how to make the world a better place?”

Brian Tregembo

English / Dean of Student Life

“I get to talk about books and words and the way they make people feel; I feel pretty lucky to have a gig like this. And, I spend every day surrounded by energetic, idealistic, passionate people - and I mean both the students and the faculty. Where else does one get to spend so much time with people who are constantly dreaming about how to make the world a better place?”

Waseem Touma Visual Arts / DesignLab “I love to see the students proud of what they make! It is truly energizing. Whether it be a 6th grader learning the potters' wheel for the first time, or my seniors building a piece of furniture they designed, there is something about watching them beam in their accomplishments that is worth all the hard work we put in as teachers. It is the creative accomplishments that the students are not aware of yet, but that the teachers can see are just around the corner, that make me love what I do.”

Waseem Touma

Visual Arts / DesignLab

“I love to see the students proud of what they make! It is truly energizing. Whether it be a 6th grader learning the potters' wheel for the first time, or my seniors building a piece of furniture they designed, there is something about watching them beam in their accomplishments that is worth all the hard work we put in as teachers. It is the creative accomplishments that the students are not aware of yet, but that the teachers can see are just around the corner, that make me love what I do.”

Arren Buck Engineering “The thing I love most about teaching is seeing kids grow as the year goes on and seeing students find interest in something they didn't think they would find interesting. I am lucky to be able to teach something that I love and learn with students. One of the best things about teaching engineering is allowing students to understand that they can be lifelong learners.”

Arren Buck

Engineering

“The thing I love most about teaching is seeing kids grow as the year goes on and seeing students find interest in something they didn't think they would find interesting. I am lucky to be able to teach something that I love and learn with students. One of the best things about teaching engineering is allowing students to understand that they can be lifelong learners.”

Lucy Kozikowski English “Through the 20+ years I have taught here, I never cease to be amazed at middle school kids' ideas and creativity. Life is fun! Work is a necessary contrast to relaxation. Balance is the key to happiness.”

Lucy Kozikowski

English

“Through the 20+ years I have taught here, I never cease to be amazed at middle school kids' ideas and creativity. Life is fun! Work is a necessary contrast to relaxation. Balance is the key to happiness.”

Charles Gwinn Outdoor Leadership Program Some people just aren’t built for desk jobs -- and Charles Gwinn is proud to be one of them. As the Associate Director of Sandia Prep’s Outdoor Leadership Program (OLP), he’s all about movement, exploration, and hands-on learning. During the school year, Mr. Gwinn helps guide students through unforgettable experiences like kayaking, backpacking, fly fishing, skiing, caving, and climbing.

Charles Gwinn

Outdoor Leadership Program

Some people just aren’t built for desk jobs -- and Charles Gwinn is proud to be one of them. As the Associate Director of Sandia Prep’s Outdoor Leadership Program (OLP), he’s all about movement, exploration, and hands-on learning. During the school year, Mr. Gwinn helps guide students through unforgettable experiences like kayaking, backpacking, fly fishing, skiing, caving, and climbing.

Louis Giannani Performing Arts Louis “G” Giannini has been bringing the drama (in the best way) to Sandia Prep for more than two decades! He knew he’d found his home the first time he taught a sixth-grade drama class, and 22 years later, he’s still inspiring students from the stage to the studio. As Chair of the Performing Arts Department, Mr. G teaches and coaches dance at Prep alongside his wife and creative partner, Courtney. He also leads sixth-grade performing arts and the seventh-grade drama rotation, earning a reputation for his quick wit, infectious energy, and unmatched rapport with students.

Louis Giannani

Performing Arts

Louis “G” Giannini has been bringing the drama (in the best way) to Sandia Prep for more than two decades! He knew he’d found his home the first time he taught a sixth-grade drama class, and 22 years later, he’s still inspiring students from the stage to the studio. As Chair of the Performing Arts Department, Mr. G teaches and coaches dance at Prep alongside his wife and creative partner, Courtney. He also leads sixth-grade performing arts and the seventh-grade drama rotation, earning a reputation for his quick wit, infectious energy, and unmatched rapport with students.

Amy James Science “Throwing potassium in water just never gets old! I love watching the students find the 'ah-ha' moments. Usually, students have to work for at least one topic in chemistry, and when they have struggled and struggled and then finally really understand, it's wonderful to see. When I try to explain Prep culture to people, I try to explain that although we take academics seriously, we don't let that destroy our sense of whimsy.”

Amy James

Science

“Throwing potassium in water just never gets old! I love watching the students find the 'ah-ha' moments. Usually, students have to work for at least one topic in chemistry, and when they have struggled and struggled and then finally really understand, it's wonderful to see. When I try to explain Prep culture to people, I try to explain that although we take academics seriously, we don't let that destroy our sense of whimsy.”

Sora Wondra Science / Psychology Although Sora Wondra teaches Senior Psychology and seventh-grade history, helping students try to uncover clues and understand why things happened the way they did, she is also active with our Outdoor Leadership Program (OLP). “When I first talked to the Outdoor Leadership Program staff and learned about all the cool skills we teach and trips we take, I knew I was meant to teach here!

Sora Wondra

Science / Psychology

Although Sora Wondra teaches Senior Psychology and seventh-grade history, helping students try to uncover clues and understand why things happened the way they did, she is also active with our Outdoor Leadership Program (OLP). “When I first talked to the Outdoor Leadership Program staff and learned about all the cool skills we teach and trips we take, I knew I was meant to teach here!

 

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“In the first two weeks of school, Ms. Kerbleski had already gotten my child excited about reading. My child talks about how great she is EVERY DAY! I can't wait to see how she inspires them next!”
– Carmela, parent