Expanding upon her previous leadership role, Jodi Amaditz will ensure a dynamic and robust curriculum selection, development, and implementation across all grades and will work to enhance Chartwell’s research-supported student assessment process. Jodi will also be in charge of faculty professional development and through in-class observation and individual development plans, further develop our culture of growth, adaptability, and continuous improvement. The lower, middle, and high school assistant directors will all report to Jodi creating a consistent learning experience across divisions.

Jodi begins her sixth year at Chartwell this fall. She holds a master's degree as a Reading Specialist from Columbia University Teachers College and taught as a learning specialist in a New York City elementary school for six years and then as an English Language Arts and Reading teacher for 13 years in Westchester New York public middle schools.

Jodi is also the director of Chartwell’s outreach efforts including the Teacher Training Program and UCSF partnership.

Katherine Kanaski is the assistant director of the lower school and will oversee all matters related to the lower school, including curriculum, assessment and reporting, faculty development, communications, class scheduling, record management, culture, and parent and guardian relations.

During her seven years with Chartwell, Katherine has been the dean of academics, instructional coach, lower school teacher, and summer program director. Prior to Chartwell, she taught at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in Canada. She holds a BA in English and History from Cape Breton University and a Bachelor of Education from Saint Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Karla Bell is the assistant director of the middle school and will oversee all matters related to the middle school, including curriculum, assessment and reporting, faculty development, communications, class scheduling, record management, culture, and parent and guardian relations.

Prior to joining Chartwell, Karla was the regional director for Yosemite Valley Charter School where she supervised a team of independent study teachers serving more than 280 students. She holds a BA in Mathematics and Economics from Hendrix College and a masters of education in Learning and Technology from Western Governors University.

Amanda Zonghi is the assistant director of the high school and will oversee all matters related to the high school, including curriculum, assessment and reporting, faculty development, advisory, project-based learning and project periods, communications, class scheduling, records management, culture, and parent and guardian relations.

Prior to Chartwell, Amanda worked with the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District as a resource specialist and special day class teacher in addition to being a member of the instructional leadership team. She spent four years in the Los Altos School District as a curriculum and instruction specialist. Amanda holds a BS in Education and a Master of Education from Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts.

Sandra Varajic has been an educator for 16 years at the elementary, middle, and university levels. Most recently, she was the integration and innovation technology specialist at Woodward Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. Sandra will lead the development and implementation of STEAM programming across all grade levels and continue Chartwell’s growth and success with the after-school robotics program. She will also evaluate and implement educational technology to best support our students’ unique learning needs.

She holds a BS in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Kennesaw State University in Atlanta and an M.Ed. in Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment and a Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership from Walden University in Minnesota.

Batya Fields will be Chartwell’s first Director of Human Development & Wellness. In this role, she will serve as a resource-based strategies expert within the Chartwell community to further support our program's development around inclusive practices and support our students, faculty and community to develop skills and purpose when engaging.

Batya joined Chartwell in 2019 and has taught lower, middle and high school science and has been an advisor at the high school. Prior to Chartwell, she worked at All Saints Day School and Carmel and Monterey Unified School Districts. Batya has also worked at the Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm and MEarth where she led daily farm educational activities and duties, as well as supporting activities and projects for local partnerships.

She holds a BA in Sociology and Global Sustainability from the University of California, Irvine, and a MA in Environmental Conservation Education from New York University.

Rory Patterson is Chartwell’s new director of athletics for Chartwell’s middle and high school. He will work with a team of experienced coaches to expand and enhance Chartwell’s competitive sports offerings while developing our young athletes physically, mentally, and emotionally. He has been a coach and middle school athletics director at Chartwell for two years and launched the summer basketball academy. Prior to Chartwell, Rory was the lead assistant women’s basketball coach at the College of Marin in Kentfield, CA. He has also been a classroom counselor and aid at Sunny Hills Service in San Raphael, CA, a K-9 program serving students with social and emotional challenges. Rory holds a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Nyack College.

Alex Kopelevich brings over 25 years of experience leading finance, human resources, business, and operations in independent schools, most recently at Seven Hills School in Walnut Creek. He completed a B.A. in finance and business management at Moscow Financial Academy in Russia, and after receiving an M.B.A. from the University of Miami, continued his career at independent schools in Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, La Cañada, Pasadena and San Francisco Bay Area.