The gateway to learning.
Humanities
All 9th-graders begin with this year long course, team-taught by members of the English and history departments.
9th-grade Humanities serves as a gateway course to learning at Cate and to Cate’s culture of inquiry. Multidisciplinary in nature and closely coordinated in execution, it follows the practices of the humanities by developing and exploring essential questions of human nature and the diversity of human experience in the historical eras of the past and in contemporary society today.
Specifically, we engage with authentic, anchoring artifacts of literature and history drawn from the classical era, to the Enlightenment, to the early modern era in regions as diverse as Europe, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.
With an emphasis on disciplined student inquiry, meaningful discussion and oral presentations, creative and analytical writing, and research, the course builds the skills and knowledge that are needed for success in the 9th-grade year and beyond.
Inquiry in Humanities
Meet the Faculty
Humanities Department Chair
History & Humanities Instructor
805-684-4127 x233
ivan_barry@cate.org
BA, Georgetown University
MA, Johns Hopkins SAIS
MA, Bosphorus University
Appointed: 2010
Ivan brings a wealth of global experience to Cate as Chair of the Humanities Department. A Fulbright Scholar, Ivan spent years in government, global finance, and international consulting, living in Turkey for eight years and traveling extensively in the Middle East. At Cate, he teaches Micro and Macro Economics, as well as Modern Middle East, integrating his professional expertise and global perspective into the classroom.
Recognized for his innovative teaching, Ivan is a recipient of Cate’s Centennial Award. He also leads outings to Kern as a former wilderness backcountry instructor.
Ivan attended Phillips Academy, Andover, and deeply values the boarding school experience. He lives on the Mes
History & Humanities Instructor
PhD, Brandeis University
MA, Brandeis University
Hons, Australian National University
BA, University of Melbourne
Appointed: 2023
Dr. Clair Dahm brings extensive expertise in U.S. history and skills-based education to Cate. With a PhD from Brandeis University, her scholarship focuses on 20th-century social and criminal justice history. While completing her doctorate, Clair taught seminars in U.S. Legal and Political History and won a teaching award for her work.
Before joining Cate, Clair taught at Phillips Academy, where she led a 14-person U.S. History course team, served as Assistant Chair and Chair of the History Department, and contributed to DEIJ curricular reviews and programming.
Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Clair has spent over a decade teaching in New England. She is thrilled to call the Mesa home and lives in ’25 House with her husband, Zack, and their dogs, Harvey and Midge.
English & Humanities Instructor
805-684-4127 x302
alicia_hammond@cate.org
MA, Dartmouth College
BA, Colby College
Appointed: 2015
A fourth-generation Californian, Alicia Hammond has spent decades living, teaching, and coaching at boarding schools in California and New England. At Cate, she has taught History, English, and Humanities and has been deeply involved in Outdoor Education, leading backpacking trips for Outings Weeks.
A recipient of the Burleigh Pattee Fellowship for Excellence in Teaching, Alicia brings her passion for education and the outdoors into every aspect of her work. Outside the classroom, she enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with her family and dogs. Alicia lives on the Mesa with her family and embraces the rhythms of boarding school life.
Dean of Campus Life
English & Humanities Instructor
BA, University of California, Santa Barbara
Secondary Teaching Credential, Westmont College
MA, Independent School Leadership, Columbia University
Appointed: 2014
Erin Hansen joined Cate in 2014 and currently serves as the Dean of Campus Life. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication and Comparative Literature from UCSB, her secondary teaching credential in English from Westmont College, and her master’s degree in Independent School Leadership from Columbia University.
Before Cate, Erin spent eight years in public education as an English teacher and English Department Chair. She also served as an adjunct professor at Santa Barbara City College, where she launched the first dual-enrollment freshman transition course. In addition, Erin has delivered professional development across California for the Get Focused, Stay Focused! program.
At Cate, Erin’s work spans English, Humanities, and career planning, as well as supporting students with academic tutoring and organizational skills.
Erin lives on the Mesa with her husband, Erik, and their two boys.
History & Humanities Instructor
lisa_holmes@cate.org / 805-684-8409 x202
BA, Colby College
MLS, Wesleyan University
MEd, Columbia University
Appointed: 2001
Lisa Holmes brings over three decades of experience in education to Cate, where she has taught in both the English and History departments. A former varsity soccer captain at Colby College, Lisa holds advanced degrees from Wesleyan and Columbia, with a focus on American Studies that informs her interdisciplinary teaching style.
Before joining Cate in 2001, Lisa taught, coached, and dorm-parented at Cheshire Academy for 10 years and spent a year at the Calhoun School in New York. At Cate, she has served as History Department Chair, Director of Studies, and Dean for Faculty. She is the recipient of the Edmund Littlefield Distinguished Teaching Chair for excellence in the humanities.
Lisa enjoys hiking, running, and traveling. She lives on the Mesa with her husband, Will, their goldendoodle, Pudge, and is a proud mom to two Cate graduates, Scott ’20 and Matthew ’22.
History & Humanities Instructor
Hannah_Solis-Cohen@cate.org / 805-684-4127 x127
BA, University of Virginia
MEd, University of Pennsylvania
Appointed: 2020
Hannah Solis-Cohen brings a passion for inclusive teaching and curriculum development to Cate. A graduate of the University of Virginia, she studied history while competing as a scholarship athlete on the Varsity Rowing Team, earning an NCAA championship in 2015 and the Craig Fielder Memorial Award for Leadership in 2016.
Before joining Cate, Hannah worked as an Admissions Associate at Blair Academy and as a University of Pennsylvania Teaching Fellow at Hopkins School in Connecticut. At Cate, she is dedicated to fostering DEI initiatives and supporting neurodiverse students. In 2023, her excellence was recognized with the Patee Award.
Hannah lives off campus with her husband, Andrew MacDonnell, and their dog, Sadie.
English & Humanities Instructor
MBA, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
MA, Claremont Graduate University
BA, Pitzer College
Appointed: 2023
Michael Szanyi brings over two decades of experience in education and the arts to Cate, where he serves as an English and Humanities Instructor and contributes to the dance and musical programs. Michael spent 12 years at The Webb Schools in Claremont, California, where he held roles including Dean of Faculty, Dance Program Director, and Lead Class Advisor. He also taught at Pomona College for eight years as a lecturer, adjunct, and choreographer in dance.
A 2024-2025 Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms participant, Michael is passionate about exploring literature and the performing arts. He has designed innovative courses such as Honors LGBT American Stories and Advanced Studies in Experimental Literature.
Outside of work, Michael enjoys themed sweaters, listening to Britney Spears, reading experimental novels, and sharing his love for storytelling through movement and words.