Faculty and Staff
Our diverse group of seasoned veterans and enthusiastic teachers share a passion that doesn’t end when the bell rings. Southwestern teachers share meals with students, join students on field trips and excursions, and provide personal college counseling and advice throughout the entire process.
Administrator
Robin Jarchow
Head of School / CEO
Email
rjarchow@southwesternacademy.edu
Extension
207
Education
Dr. Gary Wilkins
Assistant Head of School and Psychology
Email
Extension
238
Education
- Doctorate in Education; Fielding University
- Masters in Psychology; Chapman University
- Masters in Education; Chapman University
- Bachelors in Psychology; CSU Long Beach
- Bachelors in Business Administration; CSU Long Beach
- 30 years in Education as an Administrator and Teacher
- 15 years in the Aircraft Industry as a TQM Engineer
Sisi Lin
Business Manager
Email
slin@southwesternacademy.edu
Extension
200
Education
Daisy Lopez-Barrios
Admissions and Marketing
Email
Extension
204
Education
- Bachelor of Art in English Literature from California State Polytechnic University—Pomona
- 7 years Admissions Experience
- 1 year of teaching experience
Deepika Borges
Email
Extension
206
Education
- Masters in International Educational Leadership King's College, London, UK
- Postgraduate Certificate in International Education University of Nottingham, UK
- Licensed Tutor for Teachers teaching ESL students-Mainstream Classrooms Lexis Education, Govt. of South Australia
- Bachelors in English Literature Delhi University, India
- 14 years teaching ESL and English Literature programs - IB, IGCSE, GCSE and AP curriculum
- 16 plus years experience in Pastoral and Academic Leadership in schools in SE Asia, Middle East, South America
Lauren Brunjes
Director of Academics, Math and Science Department Chair
Email
Extension
290
Education
- Bachelor’s of Science - Applied Computer Science in Aerospace Engineering; Parks College of Saint Louis University
- Bachelor of Art - Communications with focus in Television Production (University of North Dakota)
- Teaching for 17 years
- 24th year at Southwestern Academy in various roles
Christopher James
Email
Extension
Education
- Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from East Stroudsburg University
- Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from New York University
- Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership and Change from Antioch University
- Years of Experience in Education, Coaching, and Mentoring: 9 Years
Thomas Bornt
Athletic Director and Drama
Email
Extension
234 Student Office
236 Classroom
Education
- Associate of Arts - Pasadena City College
- 29 years @ Southwestern - various positions (P.E. teacher, baseball coach, jr. high boys basketball, teacher, girls basketball, dorm parent, director of residence, athletic director)
- 1 year @ Pasadena Towne & Country School - P.E. Teacher and Girls Basketball Coach
Brian Shriwise
PDSO and Registrar
Email
Extension
208
Education
- Ft. Hays State University, Bachelor of Art- History (Education Emphasis)
- Years of Experience Teaching: 47
Peter Casarez
Director of Operation
Email
Extension
209
Education
- Local 761 Plumbers union Apprenticeship
- 20 years in Commercial/Residential Plumbing, Building Maintenance and Construction
Ridwan Angkasa
Photography, Astronautics and Technology
Email
Extension
219
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Geological Science, University of California, Riverside
- Master of Theological Studies in Philosophical Theology, Calvin Seminary
- 11 years in photography instructor
- 25+ years in commercial photography
Faculty
Morris Bird
History and ELL
Email
Extension
210
Education
- BA in Media Arts; University of Arizona; 2000
- JD; Southwestern University School of Law; 2005
- Years of experience teaching: 1
- Years of experience in law: 18
Christian Hoppenjans
History Department Chair
Email
Extension
232
Education
- Bachelor's Degree in History from Webster University
- Master’s Degree in American History from University of Central Oklahoma
- Teaching Experience: 3 years, TA and substitute teacher 2 years.
Jami Jacobs
English Department Chair
Email
Extension
237
Education
- English degree from Cal State Hayward (now East Bay)
- Teaching credential from Chapman University
- Teaching Experience-middle school and high school for 24 years.
John Kohn
Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair
Email
Extension
245
Education
- Bachelor of Arts- Fine Arts, Indiana University
- Bachelor of Fine Arts- Graphic Design, California College of the Arts
- M.A. Education, Azusa Pacific University
- California Teaching Credential, Single Subject-Art
- 20 Years of Teaching Experience
Lou Pulgencio
Director of International Studies and ELL
Email
Extension
220
Education
- Applied Behavioral Science (BS), University of California, Davis
- TFL Language Certification, University of California, Los Angeles
- Years of Experience Teaching: 48 years in public and private education
Chris Rosas
ELL and English
Email
Extension
218
Education
- Bachelor of Art in Linguistics, minor in Queer Studies from Cal State Northridge
- Currently Masters in Linguistics with TESOL certification from Cal State Northridge
- 1 year teaching experience
Michelle Russo
Science and Math
Email
Extension
221
Education
- Bachelor of Science University of Montana
- Masters from Northern Arizona University
- 45 years teaching experience
Charlie Ruiz-Vazquez
English and Language Departments
Email
Extension
233
Education
- English Literature from Glendale Community College
- Bachelor's of Art in English Literature and Creative Writing from California State University, Northridge.
- 3 Years Teaching Experience
- 7 years Community Organizing
Tim Wong
Mathematics
Email
Extension
229
Education
- Bachelor and Masters in Electrical Engineering- CCNY (City College of New York)
- Years of experience: teaching math for over 18 years.
- Years of experience as an engineer and a computer analyst: over 10 years
Staff
Daja Andrews
Resident Advisor
Email
dandrews@southwesternacademy.edu
Extension
Education
Wuilson DeLeon
Maintenance
Email
Extension
Education
Susana Duran
Kitchen Staff
Email
Extension
Education
Maria Maldonado
Kitchen Staff
Email
Extension
Education
Ana Maria Reyes
Kitchen Staff
Email
Extension
Education
Maria Torres
Kitchen Staff
Email
Extension
Education