On August 19, staffulty and students arrived on campus for their first official school day. This school year, NDB welcomed staffulty from five different departments, ranging from math to science to visual and performing arts. Though they were recently on campus preparing for the next nine months, it was most of the students’ first time seeing them in the classrooms and hallways. To learn more about their background in education and passion for working with high schoolers, The Catalyst recently interviewed the five new faces.
Ian Aseltine, Science Department
NDB’s Science Department welcomes Ian Aseltine as the Chemistry and AP Physics teacher. Prior to this school year, he taught overseas in Myanmar and Japan.
“I’m really looking forward to the community … [and] working with students,” said Aseltine. “Hopefully, I’ll be able to get involved with student council, or ASB, at some point because … I’ve been an adviser for them in the past.”
Outside of the classroom, Aseltine is involved with two choral groups that attend international competitions. Additionally, he participates in cycling and scuba diving. He is looking forward to the coming school year and bringing his talents to NDB.
Rosalynn Cambe, English Department
Rosalynn Cambe joins the English Department as the English I and English I Honors teacher. Before joining NDB’s staffulty, she taught at Sacred Heart Cathedral in San Francisco for three years. Additionally, she previously instructed English classes to high school students at her alma mater Sacred Hearts Academy in O’ahu Hawaii. The all-girls school deeply impacted her life and inspired her to continue enriching young women’s education at NDB.
“I guess what brought me back [to an all-girls school] is the idea that I just believe in all-girls education,” expressed Cambe.
Cambe is excited about the connections she will make with the incoming freshmen as they will both experience their first year at NDB together.
Isabella Custino, Visual and Performing Arts Department
Isabella Custino is joining NDB’s Visual and Performing Arts Department as a part-time choir teacher and will assist the Musical Tigers singing group. She has taught students of all ages and currently works at the Peninsula Girls Chorus and the Ragazzi Boys Chorus. This past summer, Custino competed at the World Choir Games in New Zealand. She looks forward to sharing her passion for music and inspiring students to pursue their musical interests.
“I think the thing I’m looking forward to most is bringing music back to Notre Dame because there hasn’t been a music program here for awhile,” said Custino. “So, I’m excited to … reopen that and hopefully inspire some students to sing again. Hopefully, the program will grow over the next couple of years.”
Custino describes herself as a very open person and encourages students to approach her for discussions, whether it is regarding music or an entirely different subject.
Esperanza Flores, Counseling Department
Esperanza Flores is the newest addition to NDB’s team of guidance counselors and will assist students by providing academic and emotional support throughout their four years of high school. She brings nine years of prior experience and previously worked as a counselor at El Camino High School in South San Francisco. After majoring in criminology in undergraduate school, she decided to pursue counseling instead and went on to attend the University of San Francisco for graduate school, where she received her Pupil Personal Services (PPS) and License Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) credentials.
“I’m looking forward to building the community and … being that bridge between teachers, families, students,” said Flores. “I want to continue growing our counseling program, which I’m excited to be a part of, and … the feeling here is so warm and welcoming.”
Flores credits her high school, undergraduate and graduate school counselors for their unwavering support and, just like they did for her, hopes to make an impact on the lives of students at NDB.
Matthew Juul, Math Department and Empower for Success (EFS) Program
This school year, NDB’s Math Department has the privilege of welcoming Matthew Juul as the Algebra II and Geometry teacher. He received a Liberal Studies and Math degree from San Francisco State University.
After teaching at Stanbridge Academy, a special education school in San Mateo for 11 years, he then became a summer school teacher at Serra HS in 2015. When asked about his math teaching philosophy, Juul expressed the importance of taking the time to understand concepts.
“We associate speed and impulsivity with success in math … but it’s about being thorough,” said Juul. “I find that a lot of female students pride themselves on thorough work, taking their time, [and] absorbing the material.”
In addition, Juul will be a Freshman Intensive (FIT) teacher and a case manager for the EFS Program, which both help mentor students with documented learning differences. Growing up, he was constantly overwhelmed by school, so he understands the importance of alleviating that anxiety for his students.
