Teachers and Staff | Mission Dolores Academy
Mrs. Meredith Essalat
meredithe@mdasf.org
Meredith Essalat has spent over 17 years in academia. Before arriving to Mission Dolores Academy in 2016 as Principal, she was both the Dean of Middle School Curriculum & High School Preparation and Eighth Grade Teacher at Nativity School in Menlo Park. Meredith possesses a BA in Mass Communication from Menlo College, a California-Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Notre Dame de Namur University, an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, both from the American College of Education. A native to the San Francisco Bay Area, she began her career in collegiate Student Activities before moving into both elementary and secondary academic communities in the areas of fundraising, development, and alumni relations. Meredith is an advocate for all students, believing that each individual is in possession of strength of character, boundless talent, and expansive intellect. Some of Meredith’s favorite things are: her husband, ice cream, Christmas lights, pizza, and New York City.
2021-2022 Staffulty Directory
Position | Ext. | Staffulty Member(s) |
Kindergarten | 100 | Talia Arnon; Jackeline Herrera-Merlos |
First Grade | 101 | Olivia Perrigo; John Petrinovich |
Second Grade | 102 | Natalie Broome; Lenna Chatterjee |
Third Grade | 103 | Maureen McConnell; Christina Fortenberry |
Fourth Grade | 104 | Dana Berk |
Fifth Grade | 105 | Manny Tonna |
Sixth Grade | 106 | Julian Thomas |
Seventh Grade | 107 | Jason Tong |
Eighth Grade | 108 | Kelsey Blow |
P.E./Athletic Director | 119 | Steven Ta |
Art | 120 | Debbie Ray |
Reading Specialist | 124 | Elizabeth Faherty |
Math Specialist | 124 | Christina Lancaster |
Latin | 100 | Caitlin Halasz |
Chief Academic Officer | 122 | Kathryn Wilchynski |
Head of School | 116 | Meredith Essalat |
Chaplain | 123 | Father Charlie Gagan |
Business Manager | 109 | Ivana Iacolino |
Admissions Director/High School Placements Coordinator | 110 | Francisco Luna |
Development Associate | 113 | Jana Viets |
Development Director | 112 | Fran van Bergen |
Director of Student Services | 111 | Mike Ward |
Director of Religious Ed. | 117 | Sister Ann Providence, O.P. |
Religious Ed./Liturgy | 117 | Sister Annette Shaeffer |
High School Advisor/Parent Coordinator | 114 | Margaret Walden |