Faculty & Staff Directory

Alix Spivack teaches Environmental Science 9 at Gateway High School.  A graduate of Middlebury College with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Economics, Alix completed two credentialing programs at UC Berkeley Extension while undertaking post-graduate studies in the biological sciences at UC San Diego.  Prior to the classroom, Alix served as an environmental consultant for 10 years followed by 7 years working in education including as Executive Director of an environmental education non-profit organization.  Alix is excited to be teaching 9th graders the wonders of the natural world… in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond!  A San Francisco native, she enjoys sweep rowing on a coached team, open ocean kayaking, quality family time, and trail hikes with her dog.

Jeff Sprague teaches Humanities 11 and Civics at Gateway. He earned his BA in American Studies from Yale and an MA from the University of Texas at Austin. He also received his MA in Education from Stanford. Jeff has been teaching for eleven years and brings a passion for issues of social justice to his teaching of American literature, history and government. When he is not teaching, Jeff enjoys playing guitar and hanging out with his family.

John Stassen has been teaching at Gateway High School since 2007. He is a resource teacher for 9th and 10th graders, teaching Learning Skills, as well as supporting Humanities, Algebra, and Geometry classes. John earned his special education credential from San Francisco State University and a master's in Sociology and bachelor's in American Studies from Stanford University. Before teaching at Gateway, John has taught in Palo Alto, Oakland, Boston, Chicago, and the Bronx. 

Andrea Tacdol started at Gateway Public Schools in August of 2016 as the Director of Enrollment. With a focus in outreach, engagement and leadership development in diverse communities, Andrea has worked at non-profit organizations, government agencies and universities focusing on issues of social justice, environmental justice, public health, and educational equity. Andrea received her Bachelor’s degree in Asian American Studies from UC Davis and completed her Master’s degree in Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University. Outside of work, Andrea can be found camping, dancing, or enjoying time with her family. She is a mom with two elementary-age kids and understands first-hand the stress of the San Francisco school search!

Aaron Watson is the Principal of Gateway Middle School. Aaron is in his sixth year as principal and is proud to have worked with teachers, families, and students to found Gateway Middle School in 2011. Prior to becoming principal, Aaron led the advisory program and taught humanities at Gateway High School for seven years and worked in a wraparound social services program for children and families involved in foster care in Alameda County. He earned a BA from Brown University and an MA in Education from UC Berkeley. Aaron also earned an MA in Educational Leadership from UC Berkeley's Principal Leadership Institute. Outside of Gateway, Aaron enjoys getting outdoors, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Now in her 11th year at Gateway, Rebecca works to develop a cohesive, equity-oriented approach to teaching and learning through her role as Director of Curriculum & Instruction. Before coming to Gateway, Rebecca taught humanities at Oakland Technical High School and earned her M.Ed. from UC Berkeley's Multicultural Urban Secondary English (MUSE) Program. She received her BA from Brown University, majoring in American Studies and Latin American Studies. Outside the classroom, Rebecca can be found exploring San Francisco's wild places with her husband and two young children.