Faculty & Staff Directory

Ali grew up in Lake Tahoe, California and then traveled to Eugene, Oregon to attend the University of Oregon where she met her partner, Levi. She received her Bachelor's degree in human physiology and general science with a minor in chemistry. She received her Master’s degree in teaching at the University of San Francisco and spent her first six years of teaching at a charter middle school in the Western Addition community. Ali is at home in Oakland, California with her partner and her 3 year old daughter, Kennedy Lou. 

Ali is annoyingly a perky morning person who loves books, being outside, laughing with friends, skiing, camping, talking, playing board games, crocheting and hugs. She loves unconditionally, generously and deeply - her students, colleagues, friends and family. In addition, she is also a bilateral (both sides) below-the-knee amputee. She wears prosthetics and is blessed to be able to teach her students about people with disabilities and prosthetic limbs and engage students in empathy and meaningful dialogue every year.

Mirna Salinas was born and raised in El Salvador. She earned her bachelors degree in Business Administration and Accounting.  She is a proud mom of two boys, one Gateway High School Alumni and the other a current junior at Gateway High School. Mirna really enjoys working with families and students, especially helping the Latino community. She love music and spending time with her family and dog, Otis. She is also a big Giants fan.

Donna Hyatt Scarlett is Gateway’s Induction Program Director. Donna’s expertise includes secondary-English teaching, curriculum development and design, teacher mentoring, instructional coaching, and teacher education preparation. Prior to joining the Gateway team, Donna was the Interim Head of Graduate Studies at Reach University (formerly known as Reach Institute for School Leadership). From 2010-2015, Donna was a Languages and English Education professor at Radboud University and the HAN University for Applied Sciences in Nijmegen, Netherlands, and she currently is an adjunct professor of Teacher Education at the University of San Francisco. In her spare time, Donna enjoys running, hiking, singing, and hanging out with her family.

Ms. Sens moved to the Bay Area in 2018 to earn her teaching degree after living in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for 5 years. She grew up in the Washington, DC area and went to college at Georgetown University, where she studied Political Science and Portuguese and played on the Women’s Soccer Team. Outside of teaching, Ms. Sens loves running, playing soccer, hiking, surfing, and going to outdoor concerts. 

Jacqueline builds the Gateway community as the Director of Development at Gateway Public Schools. She studied Biology and Human Geography at the University of Denver. She loves reading, walking her dogs (Kiwi and Pipoca), spending time with friends and family, traveling to new places, learning languages, and meeting new people.

Madalena has lived in San Francisco for just over a year and is a grad student at the University of San Francisco. Madalena feels most comfortable and fulfilled in an academic environment - especially one as welcoming and inspiring as Gateway High School! She feels excited and privileged to be able to support and learn from the wonderful students at Gateway High this school year.