(in alphabetical order)
JENNIFER DRYFOOS, College Guidance Counselor collegecounselor@montedelsol.org 505-982-5225 ext. 166. Jennifer has worked in this field since 1997 when she began college counseling at Portledge School in Locust Valley, New York. She was Director of College Counseling at Santa Fe Prep for 12 years and is currently college guidance counselor at both Desert Academy and Monte del Sol. Jennifer earned her undergraduate degree from Smith College and holds a Master's in Counseling Process from Harvard. You can reach Jennifer at Monte del Sol on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
JENNY DURAN, Registrar registrar@montedelsol.org Jenny joined Monte del Sol in 2011 with ten years working in this field. Before coming to Monte del Sol she was the Registrar / Advisor at McCurdy Missions School in Espanola. She is a Northern New Mexico native born in Espaniola and now lives in Rio Ojo just south of Ojo Caliente. Jenny and her husband, Dennis, have three chhildren, the youngest is a Junior attending Monte del Sol. She loves animals and has rescued several abandoned at the vet clinic where she and Dennis worked. Her 'pet' children range from dogs and cats to an African gray parrot named Tango. When not taking care of her many animals, Jenny loves fishing competitions with her family.
BARBARA GRASSIA, Business Office bgrassia@montedelsol.org 505-982-5225 ext. 153. bio coming soon
DR. JAMES LEDYARD, Head Learner / Principal jledyard@montedelsol.org 505-982-5225 ext. 101. Dr. Ledyard has been an educator for thirty years, most recently as the founding director of New Mexico School for The Arts. His former head of school positions include Harvard School, CA, Flint Hill School in Virginia, Ravenscroft School, NC, Kentucky Country Day School and Germantown Academy, PA. He has held university teaching appointments at Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania and in administration at George Washington University. Dr. Ledyard earned his PhD in Education from Claremont University, his MA from Stanford and his undergraduate degree from Princeton. He has two adult children and one grandchild and in his spare time enjoys playing golf and tennis, and reading and travel.
KAYLOCK SELLERS, Business and Facilities Manager ksellers@montedelsol.org 505-982-5225 ext. 108. Kaylock is a founding faculty member and has served multiple roles at different time intervals at Monte del Sol including as a 7th Grade math teacher, a mentor and a tutor and is our School Business and Facilities Manager. Kaylock is a published writer and spent an extended period of time teaching, residing and traveling in South America.
CARLY NEWFELD, School Secretary cnewfeld@montedelsol.org 505-982-5225 ext. 100. Carly is a founding faculty member and parent of a Monte del Sol graduate. She manages our front office and oversees all aspects of the Admissions process. Carly grew up in England and worked in education during an internship in London. She was a research assistant at Amnesty International and later headed the UK outreach program for Buckminster Fuller's Planetary Citizens. When Carly moved to Santa Fe she joined the editorial team of Mothering Magazine. She is the author of two books about the Findhorn Foundation's innovative educational community in the Scottish highlands where she was on staff for nine years. In addition, Carly has produced and hosted radio shows in Santa Fe since 1994.
LISA OTERO, Dean of Students lotero@montedelsol.org 505-982-5225 ext. 103. Lisa is Dean of Students and taught World History for her first five years at Monte del Sol. She has a BA in Anthropology from Pitzer College and is completing her Master's degree in educational administration. Lisa grew up in Taos, NM and spent ten years teaching social science in schools in San Bernadino and Yucaipa in Southern California. She is a published author of a book about Relational Learning and is also a licensed massage therapist. In 2006, Lisa won the Partners in Education 'Teachers Who Inspire' award.
HENRY SCHELTON, Social Worker and Counselor hschelton@montedelsol.org 505-982-5225 ext. 121. Henry joined our staff in 2008 as full-time counselor and social worker. He received his MSW from the University of Illinois, Jane Adams College of Social Work and has a wide range of experience working with youth in treatment centers, community youth outreach and alternative programs. In his free time Henry has the extraordinary privilege of co-raising his son and enjoys running, swimming, hiking and road cycling. Much to the delight of students, Henry's trained therapy dog, Rory, an Airedale Terrier, regularly accompanies him to school.
YVONNE SEBASTIAN, Project SUCCESS Specialist ysebastian@montedelsol.org 505-982-5225 ext. 102. Yvonne joined our staff in 2009 as Project SUCCESS Specialist offering individual and group substance abuse prevention and counseling and classroom curriculum. Yvonne is a licensed social worker with a background is in leadership development. She holds a MSW from University of Wisconsin. She worked with Project SUCCESS at Eldorado Community School and has worked with the Santa Fe Mountain Center and the former College of Santa Fe in experiential educational programs. She loves to bike, hike and cook.
JOHN SIMMONS, Gardener and Sustainability Coordinator jsimmons@montedelsol.org John joined Monte del Sol staff in 2010 as our gardener after several years as a dedicated volunteer parent during which time he created our Memorial Garden. After graduating from the University of Rhode Island in 1979 with a BS in Agriculture and Resource Technology, John worked as head gardener for a large estate. He graduated Conway School of Landscape Architecture and moved to Santa Fe in 1983 as a registered landscape architect. John has spent the last 28 years creating beautiful spaces all over the city, growing and nurturing all types of plants, especially vegetables. His youngest daughter, Hazel, attends 7th grade.