Faculty & Staff Directory

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 Gateway's Director of Partnerships. Aaron formerly served as GMS' 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.

Erin has been teaching for 9 years, with some of that in Philadelphia, but most at Gateway. Previously at Gateway, she taught 9th and 10th grade Humanities, Civics, English 12 and Reading Intervention. Erin earned her BA in English and also in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia. Her MA in Education is from the University of Pennsylvania. When she's not at school, she's still doing the same things: reading, writing and running (though sometimes this is just after her two girls).
 

Tim Woolgar teaches Physics and is a member of the leadership team working on Student Life. He was born and raised in England but moved to San Francisco after traveling around the world. He earned his Bachelor of Engineering in Aeronautical Engineering at Salford University in Manchester and flew with the Royal Air Force before working in the computer industry. Tim started teaching at Gateway in 2004 as a long-term substitute and then taught Chemistry and Physics at Lowell High School before choosing to come back home to Gateway in 2006. He has a Masters in Education from San Francisco State University.