We are a highly skilled and experienced faculty who fully embody the educational philosophy of the Arts & Ethics Academy. We serve as professional educators, advisers and role models. Our goal is to develop confident, courageous and compassionate young people in an inspiring, diverse and challenging academic environment.
Executive Director
Dyan Foster
Mathematics
Jack Strange
English
Alyssa Dossat
Jim Soden
Performing Arts
Dyan Foster
James Garcia
Registrar / Human Resources Mgr.
Citlali Perez de Chavez
Academic Dean
Barbara Johannes
Science
Jack Strange
Social Studies
Jim Soden
Jack Strange
Spanish
Karina Piñon
Fine Arts
RSP
Michelle Marias
Physical Education
James Garcia
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Faculty and Staff Bios
Dyan Foster, Executive Director
A long time Sonoma County resident, Dyan Foster is a
graduate of Sonoma State University and U.C. Berkley. Dyan studied film and
philosophy in college, as well as attaining her teaching credential in Theatre Arts
and Media creating her own major: Ethical Media . Her desire was to become a
documentary filmmaker and she was instrumental in the implementation of the
North Bays PBS station, Channel 22. In 1985, Dyan was offered an opportunity to
get an educational theatre company off the ground. She accepted the challenge
and with a handful of bright teenagers, Dyan started the company in her living
room — Teens Teaching Through Theatre (T4) was born. The young drama company
began performing regularly at various venues in the North Bay. As word of the
successful theatre company spread throughout the county, the organization began
receiving increasing support from community funders, businesses, and
individuals. It was with this support from the community that Foster moved to
incorporate T4 as Routes For Youth” and launch the highly acclaimed juvenile
justice diversion program The Sonoma County Teen Court. She has served on the Sonoma
County Sheriffs Parole Board and has been guest speaker at a number of
conferences throughout the County & the State focused a myriad of issues
focused on juvenile justice & arts education.
As the founder of the Art & Ethics Academy Ms. Foster gained recognition from the State of California, and was nominated by Assemblywoman Noreen Evans & named as "Woman of the Year" and honored on the floor of the Legislature in 2008. The first AEA year of students accompanied her to Sacramento to be acknowledged and congratulated.
Dyan is a Mom to three beautiful children and wife to husband of 25 years. A model for others, she is dedicated and committed, working diligently to challenge and empower the youth of Sonoma County.
Barbara Johannes, Academic Dean
In February of 2009 Barbara Johannes came out of
retirement from her position as principal at Ursuline High School to serve as
the school administrator and academic dean for Arts & Ethics Academy. Mrs. Johannes began her career in education
at Sequoia Middle School in Fresno in 1966 while obtaining her California
Teaching Credential at Fresno State. She
taught in Tracy, Pomona, and Ontario prior to beginning her Ursuline career in
1975. She was voted the Diocesan Teacher
of the Year in 1980.
Mrs. Johannes moved
fully into administration in 1992 when she earned her Masters in Administration
from St. Mary’s, Moraga. She is also a
graduate of the California Leadership Academy.
She served as a long-time member of the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce
Education Committee, at times chairing the Business/Education Exchange Day, and
serving on the Educator Recognition Breakfast Committee. Barbara has worked with a variety of
educator groups over the years with a focus on good communication and
supportive relationships in both the public and private sectors.
She is a consistent donor at Blood Bank of the Redwoods, an active member of St. Leo’s Parish in Boyes Hot Springs, a volunteer musician for the Alzheimer’s Respite Center, and vice president of the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Board.
Alyssa Dossat, Teacher
As
a sixth generation teacher, Alyssa Dossat has education in her blood. After
graduating Cum Laude with a degree in Mathematics, she taught for two years at
the innovative project-based Marin School of Arts and Technology. For the past two years she has been teaching
Mathematics and English at A&E where she was a founding faculty member.
Ms.
Dossat is a strong proponent of educational reform and enjoys helping her
students see the beauty and relevance of mathematics. This year at A&E she
is looking forward to implementing the project based learning model that she
views as the best way to prepare students for college and beyond. She welcomes
the opportunity to infuse her students with the desire and capability to become
autonomous learners, self motivated designers, and active participants in our
changing world.
James Garcia, Teacher
James Garcia graduated from Humboldt State University where he studied land conflict issues and social advocacy. Mr. Garcia was a member of the competitive forensics team at Humboldt State. In 2003 Mr. Garcia founded an academic program of study that has been adopted by three California State Universities. This program is an integration of themes of respect toward others in all areas, most specifically focusing on gender, politics, and culture/ethnicity. A direct result of the program has been the reinstatement at all three universities of the Graduation Pledge--a pledge to support social change and care for our Earth. Currently Mr. Garcia is chairman of the Community Service Learning Project, a non-profit foundation based at Patchworks Farms near Windsor. This project is dedicated to creating earth-friendly, sustainable living projects. At Patchworks, high school students are trained in sustainable and earth-friendly skills through "hands on" field work. Mr. Garcia teaches Environmental Education, Ambassador (Speech) and Physical Education at AEA.
Laurie Marshall, Teacher
Bio coming soon!
Karina Pinon, Teacher
It was in her work as a tutor that Ms. Pinon found her true calling and began the academic journey to earn her teaching credential. Growing up in a low income neighborhood in Southern California, Karina Pinon brings the richness of unique life experiences and genuine empathy to her teaching. She believes that any goal can be attained, and serves as living proof of this belief. Karina has a positive mindset and loves teaching and connecting with students.
Karina is a Dean's List graduate of Sonoma State University with a degree in Sociology. She joined Arts and Ethics Academy as a Spanish teacher during the second semester of the school's founding year. She is currently completing a California Multiple-subject Credential at Sonoma State University and will soon begin a Masters Degree program in language and speech therapy.
Jim Soden, Teacher
Bio coming soon!
Jack Strange, Teacher
Jack Strange is entering his eighth year
of teaching science, mathematics and economics where he encourages his students
to be curious enough to ask questions that others don’t, and then get excited
when they uncover the truth.
Mr. Strange earned his
degree in economics from Fairfield University, Fairfield CT and is also the
editor and publisher of an economics education website. Last year, Mr. Strange
guided students in the preparation and presentation of a market-based
mitigation plan to combat illegal dumping in Sonoma County. The proposal was
presented to County Supervisor Mike Reilly and the Sonoma County Dept. of
Environmental Health and has served as a model for putting economics education
into practical application. The project is posted on the SCDEH website.
Mr. Strange also has a
strong interest in the art and science of public speaking. For the past six
consecutive years the teams he established and coached dominated their competitive
league recording numerous firsts. He is currently director of the Sonoma County Debate Society.
For nearly twenty years before
teaching, Mr. Strange was both an innovator and entrepreneur in
computer hardware and software technology industry that served the engineering,
scientific and medical markets. He held positions in product marketing up to,
and including, the executive levels in both start-up companies and well-known
global technology firms such as Xerox, Canon and Autodesk.
Mr. Strange is a member of Kiwanis International, the American Forensic Association, the National Debate Coaches Association. He is also an avid
recreational cyclist, is a member of the Santa Rosa Cycling Club, and the Sonoma
County Bicycle Coalition and holds a black-belt in taekwondo.
Citlali Chavez, Registrar and Human Resources Mgr.
Arts
& Ethics Academy
950 S. Wright Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95409
1.707.527.8409 Tel
1.707.527.8249 Fax
