Academic Leadership - Seattle Academy The Hub Academic Leadership Excellent teaching is dynamic, reflective, and responsive to the world our students are growing into. That’s why our academic programs are shaped not only by expert classroom teachers, but also by a dedicated team of Academic Deans and Department Chairs who guide curricular innovation and instructional excellence across grades 6–12. These academic leaders work in close partnership with faculty to: Design curriculum that is interdisciplinary, relevant, and mission-aligned Support innovative teaching practices grounded in current research and adolescent development Ensure continuity, progression, and challenge across disciplines and grade levels Build a learning culture that evolves alongside the needs of our students and the world around them Whether leading professional development, mentoring new teachers, or reimagining course offerings, our academic leadership team ensures that learning at SAAS is robust, forward-thinking, and deeply student-centered. Our academic leaders are one of the many reasons why SAAS remains a place where learning is vigorous, creative, and inspiring. Chelsea Adrada Middle School Dean of Academics and Differentiated Curriculum, Middle School Math Teacher View Profile for Chelsea Adrada Teddy Carpenter Math Department Co-Chair, Upper School Math Teacher View Profile for Teddy Carpenter Hannah Chapin Upper School Dean of Academics and Differentiated Curriculum, Upper School Science Teacher View Profile for Hannah Chapin Jess Claesson Study Skills Department Chair View Profile for Jess Claesson Peter Clark Science Department Chair, Upper School Science Teacher View Profile for Peter Clark Michael Cruz Performing Arts Department Chair, Middle and Upper School Performing Arts Teacher View Profile for Michael Cruz Roger Culbertson Math Department Co-Chair, Upper School Math Teacher View Profile for Roger Culbertson Lisa Feiertag History Department Chair, Upper School History Teacher View Profile for Lisa Feiertag Jonathon Friedman Options Program Department Chair and Counselor View Profile for Jonathon Friedman Jason Gough English Department Chair, Upper School English Teacher View Profile for Jason Gough Tyler Hartanov Innovations Department Chair, Middle School Innovations Teacher View Profile for Tyler Hartanov Alice Laskin World Languages Department Co-Chair, Middle and Upper School World Languages Teacher View Profile for Alice Laskin Amanda McCarther Rhetoric Department Chair, Middle and Upper School Rhetoric Teacher View Profile for Amanda McCarther Annalise Olson Visual & Media Arts Department Chair, Middle and Upper School Visual Arts & Media Teacher View Profile for Annalise Olson Sarah Peterson Math Department Co-Chair, Upper School Math Teacher View Profile for Sarah Peterson Alison Ray Dean of Teaching and Learning and Upper School English Teacher View Profile for Alison Ray Tessa Sechler Physical Education and Health Department Chair View Profile for Tessa Sechler Amanda Smart World Languages Department Co-Chair, Upper School World Languages Teacher View Profile for Amanda Smart Fred Strong Dean of Arts View Profile for Fred Strong