Leadership and Faculty
Dr. Mari Talkin
Head of School, English
M.A. in English, Brigham Young University; MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults, Vermont College of Fine Arts; PhD in Literature and Creative Writing; University of Houston
A career educator, Mari has spent her adult life either being a student, teaching students, or mentoring other teachers. Having grown up in Washington State, she's also lived and worked in Idaho, Utah, Florida, Texas, Maine, and Belgium. Upon moving to California in 2010 to take a position teaching English at Cate School, she fell in love with both Santa Barbara and secondary education, so she's here to stay. A writer and podcaster herself, Mari believes in the power of storytelling to create community and spark ideas and empathy that can shape and heal the world. She's worked as a volunteer tutor for SOLA (School of Leadership, Afghanistan), the only Afghan-led boarding school for Afghan girls, and she's published stories and essays in various periodicals. In her spare time, she enjoys DIY home projects, cooking, reading, and going on long bike rides with her 12-year-old daughter.
mari@anacapaschool.org
Brian Downie
Arts Programing
Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Washington State University; MA in Art Education, Academy of Art.
Mr. Brian is an experienced artist and teacher in Santa Barbara. He has taught art to
students in many schools ranging from K-12th grade and also teaches art at Santa Barbara
Community College. He has a Master’s Degree in Art Education from the Academy of Art and
also has his own art studio where he likes to be creative across various mediums: drawing,
painting, poetry, woodburning, jewelry, knitting, and more. Outside of art, he likes to play/watch
sports, go to concerts, play board/card games (especially chess), and spend time with his wife,
his friends, and his cat named “Bird”.
briand@anacapaschool.org
Summer Foster
Director of Admissions and Advancement
Masters of Education, University of California Santa Barbara; B.A. Psychology, University of California Santa Barbara
Born and raised in Southern California, Summer developed a strong foundation in psychology and earned a Masters of Education from UCSB, complemented by an administrative credential from the Santa Barbara County Education Office. With over a decade of teaching under her belt, she seamlessly transitioned into administration, driven by a desire to broaden her impact on education. Summer has collaborated with various school districts across Santa Barbara County, gaining leadership experience through teaching roles and board membership, and now demonstrates a deep passion for educational excellence at Anacapa School. Beyond her professional endeavors, she cherishes time with family and friends, and delights in exploring Santa Barbara’s natural beauty and engaging in outdoor activities for inspiration and energy.
summer@anacapaschool.org or admissions@anacapaschool.org
Elyse Grossman
English, Yoga
M.A. Education, University of California Santa Cruz; B.A. English, University of Southern California Santa Cruz
Elyse moved to Santa Barbara in March 2014 from the Bay Area; however, she is a Southern California native. She holds a B.A. in Literature and an M.A. in Education. She has been teaching English for over 15 years and feels grateful to have what she believes is one of the best jobs in the world. When she's not teaching English, you can find her teaching or practicing yoga, hiking or running on one of Santa Barbara's many amazing trails or beaches, reading, or spending time with her beloved family and friends.
elyse@anacapaschool.org
Keri Hope
Learning Specialist
Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language and Literature, University of California Santa Barbara; Masters of Education, Antioch University, Santa Barbara.
Keri has been an educator in California for over 15 years, with additional semesters spent teaching overseas in Chile and Costa Rica. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language and Literature from U.C. Santa Barbara, as well as a Masters of Education from Antioch University, Santa Barbara. Additionally, she is a Literacy and Dyslexia Specialist with certification from the International Dyslexia Association. Keri has spent the past five years specifically as a learning, reading, and writing specialist in both one-on-one and small group support settings. When she is not working with her students or reading for her own growth and enjoyment, she can be found fulfilling her other mission as a part-time mermaid- open water swimming, surfing, and traveling.
keri@anacapaschool.org
Sage Kimball
Arts Coordinator and Teacher
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre, LASALLE College of the Arts in Singapore
Sage Kimball is an arts educator with a passion for helping students express themselves through acting, voice, and creative exploration. she holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from LASALLE College of the Arts in Singapore and completed a two-year Meisner acting program at the William Esper Studio in New York. Sage specializes in Meisner-based acting, vocal coaching for both singers and actors, and creating space for students to take bold, personal risks in their artistic work. In addition to the performing arts, Sage brings experience in visual arts and values cross-disciplinary creativity in the classroom.
sage@anacapaschool.org
Edie Lanphar
7/8 Lead Teacher, Director of the Middle School
M.A., Marriage, Family, Child Therapy - California Family Study Center; Bachelor of Arts, Psychology - Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles
Strengths-based educator and experienced administrator with over 20 years of teaching from preschool through college. I’m passionate about creating emotionally safe classrooms where students can thrive academically. By focusing on each student's unique strengths, I help them grow with confidence and resilience. I've lectured internationally on education, social and emotional learning, creativity, and giftedness, with a deep belief in promoting environments where every student succeeds. As a proud mom and pet lover (especially to my cats, Eliza and Alexander), I find joy in literature, musicals, and the magic of Disneyland. 'It's not what we have in life, but who we have in our life that matters.' – Mr. Rogers.
edie@anacapaschool.org
Matt Molloy
Music
B.A. in Psychology/Minor in History, U.C. San Diego; Degrees in Composition and Guitar Performance, LA College of Music; Certificate of Completion in Beginning and Advanced Sound Recording and Electronic Music, SBCC
Matt Molloy is a Santa Barbara native, with close to 30 years of solid musical experience. His main instrument is the guitar, but he also has experience playing and teaching the bass and drums. He has worked with numerous bands, helping them with songwriting, stage presence, promotion, booking, recording, producing, and more. Matt is a member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers) and has played guitar, bass, and percussion and done songwriting for a variety of projects, including nationally run TV commercials, film trailers, and independent film scoring. He loves to perform and has done so with many different bands. He has toured the country multiple times and played for crowds as small as 15 to as large as 15,000. Matt currently sings lead vocals and plays guitar for his band, People as Machines.
matt@anacapaschool.org
Pedro Pastor
Spanish, Math, Athletics
Pedro is a native Spanish speaker with a passion for math and science. After earning a degree in Biology with a minor in Spanish, he went on to teach high school and junior high school students across the science, math and language departments. Pedro is also an active soccer player and coach and has coached both men's and women's soccer for schools and private soccer organizations.
pedro@anacapaschool.org
Jacob Pepper
Assistant Head of School, Dean of Students, Science
B.A. Environmental Science, U.C. Santa Barbara
Raised in Tucson, Arizona, Jacob moved to Santa Barbara to pursue his education in Environmental Science and follow his passion for the ocean. After graduating from UC Santa Barbara, he focused his career towards youth athletics, working as a development coach and recreation program leader. For several years, he directed enrichment for Monroe Elementary School and spent time in the Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department. In 2006, Jacob opened Full Count Fundamentals, a business focused on supporting youth baseball development for local players and from 2014-2020, Jacob also served as the head coach for the varsity baseball team at San Marcos High School. Through his passion for coaching and youth athletics, he found his way into the classroom after earning his teaching credential from the University of LaVerne in 2018. He then spent two years in the Santa Barbara Unified School District and is starting his sixth year with Anacapa School. After teaching science for his first two years at Anacapa, Jacob has expanded his role and brings a wide range of skill sets and leadership that directly impacts the Anacapa school community. Jacob lives in Goleta with his wife Alisa and their two sons, Jonah and Alex. When he's not on campus, he spends time with family, volunteers in the community and enjoys the boundless outdoor opportunities offered in the Goodland!
jacob@anacapaschool.org
Michael Playford
Science and Math
Bachelor of Secondary Education, University of Canberra, Australia; B.S. Chemistry & Biology, University of Canberra, Australia
Michael was born in Canberra, Australia, and spent time studying both in Canberra and in Melbourne. Upon graduating he worked with the Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope to put together field trips and educational programs while dodging the local wildlife in the bush. He then taught chemistry and biology at the upper high school level at Gungahlin College in Canberra before making the move across the ocean to Santa Barbara. He’s taught in a variety of scientific disciplines both in Australia and in Santa Barbara, and has enjoyed the opportunity to dive deeper into how the classroom can be a space where students can learn more about how amazing the universe around them is. When not teaching, Michael can be found playing soccer, reading, finding new games to share with his friends and family or playing with one of his foster cats.
michael@anacapaschool.org
Diego Villarreal
Spanish, Human Development, Director of Alumni Relations
Anacapa School Class of ‘15, B.A. Linguistics and B.S. Anthropology, University of California, Riverside
A native Spanish speaker, Diego attended Anacapa School for six years, graduating in 2015. Afterwards, he attended the University of California, Riverside, where he studied Anthropology before discovering his passion for languages and choosing to also pursue a degree in Linguistics. In college, he focused heavily on language learning, taking courses in Italian, French, and Arabic and eventually acting as Vice President for the Student Association for Latino-Spanish Affairs. He’s excited to take what he’s learned about language learning to inspire students to become multilingual. Diego is also passionate about the environment and our local ecosystems. You can often find him hiking, birding, and mushroom hunting on the Channel Islands or our local backcountry.
diego@anacapaschool.org
Wendelin Wagner
Director of Outdoor Education
Bachelor of Arts in PsychoBiology, University of California at Santa Cruz
Wendelin was a founding student active in the formation of Anacapa School even before it opened its doors in 1981. She graduated in 1984, and has been instrumental in the formation and early years of 6 alternative educational programs. As a science teacher at the Santa Barbara Middle School, Global Village School, and School Down Under in New Zealand she has seen, time and again, the surprising and profound benefits brought about by giving students the opportunity to connect with nature and their peers and mentors, through structured outdoor adventures.
Wendelin has been a program director, outdoor expedition leader, curriculum writer, and teacher of general science, life science, and mindfulness meditation. She trained and led the student “bike monkeys” (mechanics) for service on the all-school bicycle trips at the Santa Barbara Middle school for 11 years. She believes the purpose of education is to support students in the joyful discovery of their inherent virtue and innate proclivities.
wendelin@anacapaschool.org
Anacapa's Board of Directors:
Board Chair: Warner Ebbink, local business man and current Anacapa parent
Treasurer: Dana Monk, retired bookkeeper and community member
Secretary: Gerald Comati, community member and parent of an Anacapa alumni
Trustees:
Ann Padden-Rubin, retired teacher and parent of an Anacapa alum
Paul Dektor, film director and community member
Elisabeth Ogle, community member and current parent
Annie Bennet, former SBMS teacher and community member
Emeritus Board Member: Dylan Minor, former Anacapa Head of School and owner of Omega Financial Advising
The Anacapa School Board of Trustees is deeply committed to the success and sustainability of the school. Our dedicated board members provide essential financial oversight and play a key role in shaping the school’s long-term vision. Through strategic planning and thoughtful leadership, they help guide Anacapa into a thriving future while upholding its core values and mission.