Cassia Sonderleiter

Science, Administration
805-684-4127 x242
Cassia_Sonderleiter@cate.org

Cassia comes to Cate with fifteen years of experience in secondary education in both independent and public schools. Following completion of her BA in chemistry at Occidental College, Cassia taught a wide variety of courses in science, math, and engineering to students in grades 6-12 at Camino Nuevo Charter Academy and The Archer School for Girls. She earned an MA in Secondary Education from California State University, Northridge and completed the coursework for her doctorate in Educational Leadership at UCLA.

A strong believer in a constructivist, student-centered approach to education, Cassia developed an innovative 21st-century STEM program while serving as the Science Department Chair and STEM Coordinator at Archer. Cassia later took on the role of Director of Science Instruction for Alliance College-Ready Public Schools, where she developed the science curriculum and trained teachers for Alliance’s 26 middle and high schools. Most recently, Cassia worked as the Founding Principal for the middle school program at Citizens of the World Charter Schools in Los Angeles. In her spare time, Cassia loves cooking, gardening, and spending time outdoors with her husband, Aaron, newborn son, Milo, and golden retriever, Masa.