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  • Photo of James Savage
    James Savage
    Elective
    Sub Coordinator & Philosophy Instructor
    2020
    805.687.2461 x0329
  • Photo of Susanna Seppala
    Susanna Seppala
    Part Time Library Assoc. and Research Coordinator
    2024
    Bio
     
    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.
  • Photo of Albert Silva
    Albert Silva
    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
    Bio
     
    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.
  • Photo of Jill Sonbudtasan
    Jill Sonbudtasan
    Social Science
    5th Grade Instructor
    2015
    805.687.2461 x0230
    Sacramento State University - B.A.
    University of California, Santa Barbara - M.A.
    Bio
     
    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!
  • Photo of Matt Steinhaus
    Matt Steinhaus
    Administration, Athletics
    Director of Athletics
    2021
    805.730.0290
    University of Kansas
    University of California - Santa Barbara - B.A.
    Bio
     
    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. 
  • Photo of Tanner Stevens
    Tanner Stevens
    Athletics
    Athletics Department Coordinator
    2023
    805-687-2461 x0291
    Bio
     
    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
Laguna Blanca is Santa Barbara’s premier private, co-educational, college preparatory day school for students in Early Kindergarten through Grade 12.