News Detail
Founding Middle School Faculty Are Trailblazers
Sage Hill middle school teachers have a once in a lifetime opportunity as founding faculty members, building an institution from the ground up.
With some middle school teachers moving from across the country to take these new positions, the excitement to greet their new students on the first day of class is palpable.
Middle School Latin Teacher Dr. Tom Cirillo moved from Nashville, Tenn., to take on a special opportunity to deploy his 10 years of teaching experience in launching a new middle school division.
“I visited about a year ago, and seeing the place, meeting the people and talking about the vision for the school, it was pretty obvious that this is something that, if given the opportunity, I would want to do,” Cirillo said.
Having earned his doctorate from the University of Southern California, Cirillo said coastal Orange County’s beautiful weather helped seal the deal.
“The thing that I love most about teaching middle school is that with middle schoolers, they're at the time in their development, both academically and personally, where they are still curious, they want to do a good job for their teachers and they want to be seen as someone who is trying their best,” he said.
Middle schoolers can engage with content in a serious, creative and critical manner but don’t take themselves or life too seriously yet, Cirillo said.
Math teacher Remy Carl said she is honored to be a founding middle school faculty member, especially after having taught many students who matriculated into Sage Hill and whose families shared glowing reviews of their journey.
After spending 16 years of teaching experience at her previous school, Carl said she felt called to grow as an educator.
“I was becoming comfortable, which is wonderful in a lot of ways, but now I just felt this urge to like I want to learn more,” Carl said. “I kind of learned as much as I could learn from the institution that I was at, and I forever will be grateful for all the lessons and connections and in that season of my career. But I want to learn more from more people now, and to get that opportunity at a place like Sage Hill is pretty remarkable.”
Carl enjoys teaching middle schoolers because although they are maturing they will still laugh at her jokes. She highlights that seventh graders especially just need to feel seen, valued and heard.
Middle School English teacher Estefania Davidow Castellanos is excited to chart a new path.
Onboarding with an entirely new middle school faculty presents a special moment for change, she said.
Onboarding with an entirely new middle school faculty presents a special moment for change, she said.
“A lot of the conversations about how to make education better revolve around ‘you're being idealistic’ or ‘how could you really make these changes? How could that really work?” Castellanos said. “I feel like I don’t have to tone myself down because I think everyone here at Sage Hill really wants to create something amazing.”
Director of Middle School Joseph Moody echoes that sentiment.
“I am so proud of the group of educators we have brought together,” he said. “Every one of them truly wants to be here and is excited to set the tone for our new middle school program. I am excited to watch them grow and thrive here, alongside our students.”
“I am so proud of the group of educators we have brought together,” he said. “Every one of them truly wants to be here and is excited to set the tone for our new middle school program. I am excited to watch them grow and thrive here, alongside our students.”
Sage Hill School
A college preparatory independent day school for grades 7-12.
20402 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Coast, CA 92657
Phone: 949.219.0100 | Fax: 949.219.1399
20402 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Coast, CA 92657
Phone: 949.219.0100 | Fax: 949.219.1399
Sage Hill School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, and athletic and other School administered programs.