“The arts are a vital and integral part of the education here at Besant Hill and have been since the school’s founding. I can’t imagine a better place than here to inspire and encourage students to be creative and confident in their artistic pursuits.”
Lis Austin
Arts Chair
Performing Art Teacher
Residential Life
Credentials
B.A. Theatre Studies, University of Surrey
M.A. Performance Studies, University of Roehampton, London
PhD University of Roehampton, London
“The arts are a vital and integral part of the education here at Besant Hill and have been since the school’s founding. I can’t imagine a better place than here to inspire and encourage students to be creative and confident in their artistic pursuits.”
Arts Chair
Performing Art Teacher
Residential Life
Credentials
B.A. Theatre Studies, University of Surrey
M.A. Performance Studies, University of Roehampton, London
PhD University of Roehampton, London
Tom Bennett
Director of Students & Residential Life
Philosophy Teacher
Administrator on Duty
Credentials
Chelsea College, Brighton University, UK. B.Sc (Hons)
St Luke’s, Exeter University, UK. PGCE
Open University, Milton Keynes, UK. B.A. (Hons)
“A good education, not least the study of literature, inspires the empathy we need to make the world a better place. Besant Hill's focus on life-time learning turns "I wish" into "I will."”
“A good education, not least the study of literature, inspires the empathy we need to make the world a better place. Besant Hill's focus on life-time learning turns "I wish" into "I will."”
Director of Students & Residential Life
Philosophy Teacher
Administrator on Duty
Credentials
Chelsea College, Brighton University, UK. B.Sc (Hons)
St Luke’s, Exeter University, UK. PGCE
Open University, Milton Keynes, UK. B.A. (Hons)
“I am very happy to be working at Besant Hill where the focus on global citizenship and sustainability allows students to develop a positive view of the world and evaluate a range of strategies to make a real difference.”
Anna Bennett
History & Environmental Science Teacher
Humanities Chair
Sustainability Education Coordinator
Experiential Education Coordinator
Sports & Fitness Coach
Residential Faculty
Credentials
Exeter University, UK. B.A.
Bristol University, UK. PGCE
“I am very happy to be working at Besant Hill where the focus on global citizenship and sustainability allows students to develop a positive view of the world and evaluate a range of strategies to make a real difference.”
History & Environmental Science Teacher
Humanities Chair
Sustainability Education Coordinator
Experiential Education Coordinator
Sports & Fitness Coach
Residential Faculty
Credentials
Exeter University, UK. B.A.
Bristol University, UK. PGCE
Renee Chartier
Digital Arts & Photography Teacher
Bookmaking and Publishing Teacher
Sports & Fitness Coach
Administrator on Duty
Credentials
B.A. Studio Art, Rhode Island College
M.F.A. Studio Art, Cal State Long Beach
M.S.W., Rhode Island College
"The emphasis on creative expression and intellectual curiosity at Besant promotes critical thinking and a deep inquiry into each student’s purpose in the world. I’m grateful to be part of this journey of self-discovery."
"The emphasis on creative expression and intellectual curiosity at Besant promotes critical thinking and a deep inquiry into each student’s purpose in the world. I’m grateful to be part of this journey of self-discovery."
Digital Arts & Photography Teacher
Bookmaking and Publishing Teacher
Sports & Fitness Coach
Administrator on Duty
Credentials
B.A. Studio Art, Rhode Island College
M.F.A. Studio Art, Cal State Long Beach
M.S.W., Rhode Island College
“What I love about Besant Hill is the kindness that everyone shows to each other.”
Richard Ellwood
“What I love about Besant Hill is the kindness that everyone shows to each other.”
Néstor Gerónimo Morales
Spanish & French Teacher
Sports & Fitness Coach
Residential Faculty
Credentials
Universidad de Michoacán, B.A.
“Learning a new language opens the door to opportunity. This opportunity includes cultural relativism, and with that comes a new perspective for seeing the world.”
“Learning a new language opens the door to opportunity. This opportunity includes cultural relativism, and with that comes a new perspective for seeing the world.”
Spanish & French Teacher
Sports & Fitness Coach
Residential Faculty
Credentials
Universidad de Michoacán, B.A.
“One reason I came to Besant Hill was because the school supports the whole child and respects each student’s individual learning style. I look forward to supporting the students here and helping them become independent learners who can effectively advocate for themselves”
Jody Gray
Director of Instructional Support Program
Administrator on Duty
Credentials
B.A University of Rhode Island, Psychology
M.A. Boston University, Special Education
“One reason I came to Besant Hill was because the school supports the whole child and respects each student’s individual learning style. I look forward to supporting the students here and helping them become independent learners who can effectively advocate for themselves”
Director of Instructional Support Program
Administrator on Duty
Credentials
B.A University of Rhode Island, Psychology
M.A. Boston University, Special Education
Tracy How
Director of Admissions & Financial Aid
Credentials
California Lutheran University, MBA
California Lutheran University, B.S.
“With so much history, Besant Hill is a place that is committed to honoring the past but focused on the future. It's exciting to be part of a school where the only constant is change.”
“With so much history, Besant Hill is a place that is committed to honoring the past but focused on the future. It's exciting to be part of a school where the only constant is change.”
Director of Admissions & Financial Aid
Credentials
California Lutheran University, MBA
California Lutheran University, B.S.
“My favorite part of teaching English is exposing students to different ways of thinking and living around the world and throughout time. It allows us to live the Portrait of a Graduate everyday in class.”
Portia Johnson
Head of School
English Teacher
Credentials
University of New England, M.S.Ed.
West Virginia University, B.A.
Besant Hill School (Happy Valley School), 2000
“My favorite part of teaching English is exposing students to different ways of thinking and living around the world and throughout time. It allows us to live the Portrait of a Graduate everyday in class.”
Head of School
English Teacher
Credentials
University of New England, M.S.Ed.
West Virginia University, B.A.
Besant Hill School (Happy Valley School), 2000
Natasha McNair
Director of Academics
Residential Administrator on Duty
Credentials
B.S. University of North Carolina at Greensboro
M.S. North Carolina A&T State University
"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”
"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”
Director of Academics
Residential Administrator on Duty
Credentials
B.S. University of North Carolina at Greensboro
M.S. North Carolina A&T State University
"As you make a living, don't forget to live."
Nick O’Brien
Mathematics Teacher
Math and Science Department Chair
Residential Faculty
Cross Country and Soccer Coach
Credentials
Emmanuel College B.S.
"As you make a living, don't forget to live."
Mathematics Teacher
Math and Science Department Chair
Residential Faculty
Cross Country and Soccer Coach
Credentials
Emmanuel College B.S.
Leah Sellers
Athletic and Outdoor Education Director
Psychology Teacher
Administrator on Duty
Credentials
California State University, Fullerton, B.A.
Grand Canyon University, M.S. Psychology
“Besant Hill School offers a unique opportunity to introduce dance to students from around the world and offer an all inclusive, judgment free environment for all to dance freely.”
“Besant Hill School offers a unique opportunity to introduce dance to students from around the world and offer an all inclusive, judgment free environment for all to dance freely.”
Athletic and Outdoor Education Director
Psychology Teacher
Administrator on Duty
Credentials
California State University, Fullerton, B.A.
Grand Canyon University, M.S. Psychology
“At Besant Hill School, we encourage students to develop their individual passions and to cultivate a lifelong love of learning. As I support students on their college journeys, I aim to help them find not just the “best” colleges and universities, but the best for them.”
Lara Shalson
Director of College Counseling
Credentials
B.A. University of California, Berkeley
M.A. City University of New York, Graduate Center
Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley
“At Besant Hill School, we encourage students to develop their individual passions and to cultivate a lifelong love of learning. As I support students on their college journeys, I aim to help them find not just the “best” colleges and universities, but the best for them.”
Director of College Counseling
Credentials
B.A. University of California, Berkeley
M.A. City University of New York, Graduate Center
Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley
Matt Sabin Smith
English and History Teacher Credentials
Western Colorado University B.A., M.A.
Pacifica Grad Institute PhD
"Every student arrives with something unique to offer the world. At Besant Hill, we don't shape students to match society—we help them become more fully themselves."
"Every student arrives with something unique to offer the world. At Besant Hill, we don't shape students to match society—we help them become more fully themselves."
English and History Teacher Credentials
Western Colorado University B.A., M.A.
Pacifica Grad Institute PhD
"It's never too late to become what you always wanted to be!"
Joseph St. Clair
Mathematics Teacher
Weight Lifting
Basketball
Residential Faculty
Credentials
Morehouse College, B.S.
Illinois Institute of Technology, M.S.
"It's never too late to become what you always wanted to be!"
Mathematics Teacher
Weight Lifting
Basketball
Residential Faculty
Credentials
Morehouse College, B.S.
Illinois Institute of Technology, M.S.
Daniel Varvel
Studio Arts Teacher
Ceramics Teacher
Sports & Fitness Coach
Residential Life
Credentials
B.A. Communication Texas State University
"We are like the dreamer who dreams and lives inside that dream…but who’s the dreamer?"
"We are like the dreamer who dreams and lives inside that dream…but who’s the dreamer?"
Studio Arts Teacher
Ceramics Teacher
Sports & Fitness Coach
Residential Life
Credentials
B.A. Communication Texas State University
"I believe every student has the natural curiosity and intuition to be a scientist."
Rachel Zeppetello
Science Teacher
Sports & Fitness Coach
Residential Faculty
Credentials
B.S. Binghamton University, New York
M.A. Oswego University, New York
"I believe every student has the natural curiosity and intuition to be a scientist."
Science Teacher
Sports & Fitness Coach
Residential Faculty
Credentials
B.S. Binghamton University, New York
M.A. Oswego University, New York
Besant Hill School of Happy Valley
8585 Ojai Santa Paula Rd
Ojai, CA 93023
contact@besanthill.org
Tel: (805) 646-4343
Fax: (805) 646-4371





