New Faculty Spotlight

By Devon Liang '27

Every year, Cate welcomes fantastic new faculty who bring energy, expertise, and fresh perspectives to our community. This year is no exception! Our new teachers are ready to inspire, challenge, and engage students both inside and outside the classroom, helping make the 2025–2026 school year an exciting one for everyone.

Teacher Post, our latest hire in the Humanities department, joins us after a two-year teaching fellowship at Phillips Academy Andover, a highly prestigious boarding school in Massachusetts. They join Cate with a keen interest in creating an interdisciplinary learning environment that combines history, literature, and the arts to guide students through reflective inquiry. When asked what drew them to Cate, Teacher Post referred to a personal connection: "My college best friend graduated from Cate, and I'd heard such great things about the community here." 

Following a visit to the school and meetings with staff members and students, they knew Cate was the right place. "Every single person I met on my interview day said hello, introduced themselves, and was actually interested in who I was." They said, “The sense of well-being and health among the students was palpable." At Cate, Teacher Post teaches 9th-grade Humanities, covering the English portion of the curriculum. Their primary goal is to instill a love of reading and writing while developing essential skills such as annotation and analysis. They wish for their students to leave their classroom "proud of their writing voice and confident in their ability to communicate their ideas." Outside of the classroom, Teacher Post is also a sports enthusiast. They're coaching lacrosse and like CrossFit, hiking, and swimming. "Sports are a big part of my life, and I love to stay active," they state.

Ms. Moon, a teacher of English and coordinator of the Senior Servon speeches and formal dinners at Cate, joins us from UC San Diego, where she taught in college writing programs. Ms. Moon possesses an MFA in Creative Writing (with an emphasis in Creative Nonfiction and Literary Translation) and brings much writing experience with her. She is eager to share everything with the students at Cate. When we asked her what attracted her to Cate, she explained, "I was attracted to the way Cate emphasizes teacher well-being as part of student well-being. Ms. Lockett's philosophy of prioritizing teacher health really resonated with me, because it aligns with my own conviction that a well-cared-for teacher can give so much more to students." Ms. Moon aspires to leave her students with a "genuine curiosity" about both the language and the cultures that come with it. She would also prefer her students to leave her classroom with an appreciation for "the craft of writing." In her own words, "I want students to notice and appreciate the work and artistry that goes into fine writing, regardless of the topic." A passionate advocate for the arts, Ms. Moon is excited about the upcoming Coffee House and International Convocation, two of Cate’s beloved traditions. “I love how this community supports the arts. I’m especially excited to see the students express themselves through performance and creativity.” Outside of teaching, Ms. Moon is an enthusiastic dancer and a fan of K-dramas. She recently discovered a dance studio in Santa Barbara and is looking forward to exploring the outdoors, now that she’s living in California. “I’m really looking forward to being part of this vibrant community and finding new ways to engage with students and colleagues alike,” she shared.

Ms. Lee, a seasoned Spanish teacher, is also a new member of the Cate faculty this year. She departed from an arts boarding school in Massachusetts after over a decade to relocate to California, where she could be close to her family and enjoy the unique lifestyle of this stunning region. Ms. Lee teaches Spanish III, Spanish III Honors, and Advanced Language at Cate, and she also serves as an advisor. Ms. Lee's interest in languages originated from her days at boarding school. "I attended boarding school myself, so I understand the value of the experience firsthand. It's a special environment where you get to know the students and your colleagues really well." She was attracted to Cate not just because of its beautiful location but because of its community-oriented culture. "I love the sense of community here," she says. "The students are nice, and there's a real warmth between people. That's been a really pleasant surprise for me." In the classroom, Ms. Lee strives to create a genuine curiosity about the Spanish language and the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries. She wants her students not only to know the language, but to comprehend and appreciate its many cultural contexts. "I would like my students to leave with a higher level of curiosity about the language and the world that it introduces them to," she says. "It's not so much about grammar or conjugations, but about developing a lasting interest in the language that goes beyond the classroom."Like many of our new faculty members, Ms. Lee is excited to participate in the life of the school beyond the classroom. She’s particularly looking forward and excited to events like International Convocation and the K-pop performance. “I’m really looking forward to engaging with the students beyond just the language classroom,” she says.

All three new faculty members carry not only their expertise but also their diverse passions and personal backgrounds to Cate, enriching the educational experience for our students. With their enthusiasm for learning, their commitment to fostering a strong sense of community, and their love of teaching, we are excited to see how they will shape the 2025-2026 school year.