Faculty & Staff Directory

A longtime Bay Area educator, Jai has worked with young people since 2002 as a mentor, camp counselor, public school science teacher, teacher leader, and administrator. She describes her approach as driven by love, equity, and justice, and one that is unapologetically “anti-racist, pro-Black, pro-Women, pro-Trans, and pro-people.” Jai is committed to decolonizing education for all young people, especially those who have been marginalized and oppressed by white supremacist culture. She leads with the unwavering belief that people and systems can change given the optimal environment, resources and a powerful vision.
 

Jai (or Principal Jai) is a youth-serving BIPOC leader from the Bay Area who fervently, passionately, and relentlessly anchors her approach towards education for liberation in abolitionist practices. 

She has worked with young people since 2002 as a mentor, camp counselor, public school science teacher, teacher leader, national conference presenter and workshop facilitator, and an administrator.

She leads with love, equity, and justice at the center and is unapologetic about her anti-racist, pro-Black, pro-Women, pro-Trans, and pro-people principles. She is committed to decolonizing education for all young people, especially those who have been marginalized and oppressed by white supremacist culture. Jai leads with the unwavering belief that people and systems can change given the optimal environment, resources and a powerful vision.

In her spare time, Jai loves reading, spending quality time with loved ones, being outdoors (running, walking, hiking), swimming in the ocean (not the Pacific), and being a song selector!

Mackenzie was born in Mishawaka, Indiana and grew up in NC, MD, and IN. She attended Indiana University where she earned her BS in Education. Mackenzie began working with students in 2016 and this is her fourth year at Gateway teaching 8th grade science. She is extremely excited to inspire a love of science and creative exploration in her students. In her free time, she loves to cook, make music, spend time exploring the parks of San Francisco, practice yoga, and buy plants every time she leaves the house!

Melissa (Meli) Díaz grew up in San Mateo and teaches 9th grade Humanities at Gateway High School. She double majored in History and International Relations at Stanford University, and spent a lot of time thinking she was going to be a immigrant’s rights lawyer. She fell in love with education after teaching in English in Madrid and New York City. She completed her Master’s in Education at Stanford Graduate School of Education, and spent three years teaching Ethnic Studies and World History in Redwood City. She is excited to join the Gateway community this year! In her free time, Meli loves dancing ballet folklorico, riding her bike through the city, spending time at local bookstores, and hanging out with her cat. 

Cassandra is a proud San Francisco native! Cassandra began her teaching career as a New York City Teaching Fellow. After teaching at a school in the Bronx for five years, Cassandra worked as a coach for the Office of Inclusive Education in New York City. Upon returning to her hometown, Cassandra worked as a Content Specialist in the Special Education Department of San Francisco Unified School District. In her free time, she enjoys exploring all of the food, music, and culture San Francisco has to offer.

Originally hailing from Maine, John enjoys the great outdoors, including backpacking, cycling, and camping. Prior to joining Gateway, John worked in facilities and operations at an independent school for children with language-based learning differences. John holds an MFA from San Jose State and is an active local sculptor. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two children.

Maribel grew up in both the Bay Area and Central Valley. After teaching as the 6th grade learning specialist for 5 years at Gateway Middle School she transitioned to the Learning and Literacy Specialist where she provides reading intervention for students across all grade levels 6th-8th. Maribel holds a degree in psychology and a Master’s degree in special education. Maribel is committed to supporting student success in the classroom and in life. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new cities and restaurants, and spending time with family.

Teagan was born and raised in Algonquin, IL, a Northwest suburb of Chicago. She attended Iowa State University where she received a BS in mathematics and her secondary teaching credential. She is new to the Gateway community this year, but has taught 8th grade math for 3 years in Oakland where she currently lives. When she is not teaching you can find her binge watching the latest TV series, reading a book with her coffee in the morning, or exploring the beautiful Bay Area.

Chad came to Gateway Public Schools in early 2012 with nearly a decade of non-profit accounting experience. Chad enjoys camping, movies, museums, and especially open-ended travel.

Ms. Galván is deeply rooted in her experiences as a mujer latina and 1st generation college graduate. Having been born and raised in San Franciso's Mission District, Ms. Galván is familiar with the ins and outs of the city, has knowledge about the underdog and underesourced communities and uses this to the best of her advantage to meet students where they are and where ever they may come from. Ms. Galván validates all experiences, as students and as members of the many communities her students may be a part of. She is a teacher who, has high expectations of all of her students and is passionate about learning being an ongoing process in life. She hopes to plant seeds in her students, water and nourish them through a rigurous course of Spanish literature and interpersonal interactions.