Dr. Seppala holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and has a background in molecular biology, musicology, and languages. With a love for music and reading, she brings a unique perspective to her work. With roots in Scandinavia, she is excited to bring her diverse skill set and enthusiasm to the role as librarian/research coordinator at Laguna Blanca.
AlbertSilva
Academic Services, English, Social Science, Elective
Academic Services and Upper School Faculty
2016
805.687.2461 x0253
University of Pennsylvania - Master of Liberal Arts University of Pennsylvania - Bachelor of Arts
In addition to serving the LBS community at the Isham Library & Nylen Academic Research Center, Al is currently completing his Ph.D. at UC Santa Barbara in religious studies. He specializes in the history and philosophy of American religion and is writing his dissertation on the late American author David Foster Wallace, specifically on Wallace’s famous Kenyon College commencement address, This Is Water. Al taught academic writing at UCSB for over four years, and works with students as an educational coach/tutor. Before coming to Santa Barbara, Al worked as a biomedical researcher & laboratory manager (cancer biology) at his alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania--an experience which greatly developed both the breadth and depth of his educational skills.
JillSonbudtasan
Social Science
5th Grade Instructor
2015
805.687.2461 x0230
Sacramento State University - B.A. University of California, Santa Barbara - M.A.
Jill was raised in Goleta and has been teaching in local schools for the past 6 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from Sacramento State University before pursuing her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Master's in Education from UC Santa Barbara. She brings diverse classroom experience to Laguna Blanca, serving most recently as a Sixth Grade teacher and previously as a GATE, Reading and Math Intervention teacher. She is excited to be a part of the fantastic Laguna Blanca Middle School team!
MattSteinhaus
Administration, Athletics
Director of Athletics
2021
805.730.0290
University of Kansas University of California - Santa Barbara - B.A.
Matt Steinhaus arrived at Laguna Blanca after having served for nine years as the Athletic Director at New Roads, a K-12 independent school in Santa Monica, CA. He was the Varsity Baseball head coach at New Roads for ten years, departing as the winningest postseason coach in school history. Matt’s additional coaching roles included assisting on both the Upper and Middle School swim teams.
Matt spent over fifteen years coaching and has had various Board of Director roles such as at Santa Monica Little League, and has seen four former players ascend to the Major League level. He grew up primarily in Northern California as an avid local sports fan and participant, and was a member of both his high school water polo and swim teams. Matt is a UCSB graduate who also attended the University of Kansas, and considers himself equally a Gaucho and Jayhawk.
Matt and his wife Jueun – who works at the Montecito Campus as the Lower School Admissions Associate, have two children: Marnie and Beau.
A Santa Barbara local, Tanner Stevens comes to Laguna Blanca after graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in sports management and a minor in exercise and sports studies. Working in the athletics office at San Marcos where he attended high school as well as Morro Bay High School in an internship position sparked a passion for high school athletics and the camaraderie of a school campus. After working the last four summers at Summer @ Laguna, he is excited to be on campus year-round now. In his free time, he loves water skiing and playing beach volleyball.
LOWER SCHOOL 260 San Ysidro Road, Santa Barbara CA 93108 Telephone 805.687.2461 Fax 805.695.8143
MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL 4125 Paloma Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93110 Telephone 805.687.2461 Fax 805.687.2461