From molecules to mountains.

Physics introduces all Cate ninth-grade students to scientific inquiry and problem-solving. After framing science as a”way of knowing,” students explore fundamental mechanics topics of kinematics, projectile motion, statics, dynamics, momentum, and energy along with wave phenomena of light and sound. Students focus on exercising scientific practices: asking scientific questions and defining problems, planning and carrying out investigations, developing and using models, analyzing and interpreting data, using mathematics and computational thinking, arguing from evidence, and communicating in both verbal and written forms. Students are expected to extract the majority of their learning from these experiences and from each other with teachers serving as guides and coaches. With these scientific and metacognitive tools, Cate ninth-grade students leave the course with a firm conceptual understanding of physics and the nature of science in preparation for Chemistry and Biology at Cate. Instructional methods follow a guided inquiry approach where students are expected to do science — collaboratively explore phenomena, seek answers and solutions, find patterns, and develop and use models to predict the future. Required for all ninth-grade students at Cate.

Coastal and Marine Ecology is a rigorous second year, college-level biology course, with additional field and lab requirements, that examines a wide variety of marine ecosystems, from the nearby intertidal and kelp forest systems to distant reefs and deep ocean ecosystems. Focusing on local coastal ecology, students will gain an appreciation for biodiversity and sustainability of marine ecosystems through field inquiry practices as well as classroom studies. With an emphasis on how abiotic factors impact ecological relationships and resilience, students will consider human impacts throughout the course. Students will begin to read primary scientific literature, compose annotated bibliographies, and communicate their findings in the form of scientific papers or presentations. Due to the rigor and pace of this course, there is an additional required time commitment which may include fieldwork. Limited space available; students will be required to prioritize course requests during registration. Open to juniors and seniors who have completed three years of laboratory-based high school science (physics, chemistry, and biology) and demonstrated high achievement and interest in science coursework. Prerequisite: Advanced Biology in the fall trimester.

Molecular Genetics is a rigorous second year, college-level biology course of study that examines the biochemistry of the gene and the applications of current biotechnology. Students will begin with evolution and the foundations of the molecular structure of DNA, and the mechanics of DNA replication, protein synthesis, and gene expression. Subsequently, the more complex topics of gene regulation, non-coding DNA, RNA interference, and epigenetics will be explored. Students will become proficient with current biotechnological skills and techniques involving DNA extraction, gel electrophoresis, the polymerase chain reaction, DNA sequencing, and genetic engineering.

Throughout the course, students will consider and discuss the ethical dilemmas associated with the development of these revolutionary ideas and techniques. Due to the rigor and pace of this course, there is an additional required time commitment. Limited space available; students will be required to prioritize course requests during registration. Open to juniors and seniors who have completed three years of laboratory-based high school science (physics, chemistry, and biology) and demonstrated high achievement and interest in science coursework. Seniors who have completed Advanced Biology: Human Transmission Genetics will be given preference. Prerequisite: Advanced Biology in the fall trimester.

Vertebrate Embryology is a rigorous second year, college-level biology course, with additional lab requirements highlighting examples of developmental processes in several animal model systems. The goal of this course is to guide students through the study of vertebrate embryonic development from gametogenesis and fertilization to early organogenesis through inquiry, analysis, and experimentation. Students will apply concepts from the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning model in order to demonstrate understanding as to how specialized cells form from undifferentiated precursors with emphasis being placed upon mechanisms of control and integration of function. The class will explore the fundamental embryological concepts of proliferation, regulation, regeneration, cleavage, blastulation and gastrulation. Finally, students will discuss the role of the changing environment and exposure to teratogens on the development of the embryo. Laboratory exercises include experiments with living sea urchins, and nematodes as well as microscopic examination of various sections of embryos from frogs and chicks with schematics from D. melanogaster. Open to juniors and seniors who have completed three years of laboratory-based high school science (physics, chemistry, and biology) and demonstrated high achievement and interest in science coursework. Prerequisite: Advanced Biology in the fall trimester.

Science Department Chair
Football Coach
MOD

craig_bouma@cate.org / 805-684-4127 x220

EdD Educational Leadership, LMU
MS Environmental Science and Engineering, OHSU
BS Biology, UC Irvine

Craig is originally from Southern California and came to the Cate community after teaching science at Loyola High School of LA and LMU.

Craig is passionate about many things that Cate embodies, such as being part of a vibrant learning community, enjoying the beach and the mountains, and being amazed by the natural world. Craig wants to share this inspiration with his students, regardless of whether they plan to pursue science in college because he believes that people are inherently curious and capable of appreciating, learning, and doing science.

Craig lives on the Mesa with his wife, Christine, who teaches K-5 science at Crane Country Day School. They have two sons – Willem, ’22, who attends the Tepper School of Business and plays football for Carnegie Mellon University, and Henry, ’25, who enjoys surfing, math, science, volleyball, and football at Cate.

Science Instructor

beth_caylor@cate.org / 805-684-4127 x140

BS, University of Virginia
MS, Indiana University
MS, College of William and Mary
Appointed: 2016

Despite previously living on the East Coast her entire life, Beth Caylor has always suspected herself to be a native Californian. She joined Cate after five years at The Lawrenceville School, where she was a Science Master and Assistant House Master.

Throughout her career, Beth has been drawn to opportunities to share her passion for environmental and biological sciences through teaching. She has been fortunate to lead field programs to The Island School in the Bahamas, develop and implement a program in Hawaiian Oceanography for Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, and teach Caribbean Oceanography aboard SSV Ocean Star in the Sea-mester Global Program. Beth has M.S. degrees in science education and curriculum studies from Indiana University as well as in marine science from the College of William and Mary. As an undergraduate at the University of Virginia, she participated in the Semester at Sea program and dual-majored in biology and studio art.

Beth teaches Advanced and Honors Biology in the Science Department, leads the SCUBA program, and lives on campus with her husband Kelly and son Holden.

Chemistry, Genetics, and American Wilderness Instructor
Head of Outdoor Program
Assistant Girls Lacrosse Coach

paul_denison@cate.org / 805-684-8409 x278

BA, Middlebury College
Appointed: 1985

Paul has spent most of his life on the Mesa. He first came to Cate in 1968, when he was six years old, his father having accepted a position to teach in the English Department. After graduating from Cate in 1979, Paul studied biology at Middlebury College, returning to Cate in the mid-1980s to begin a teaching career that is now in its thirtieth year. Paul has taught biology, chemistry, genetics, anatomy and physiology, and an interdisciplinary course he developed (“The American Wilderness”) to integrate environmental science and the writings of the nation’s foremost naturalists. In addition, Paul has served as Associate Director of Admission and Dean of Students, and he has served as dormitory supervisor since he arrived. In his over 15 years as the boys varsity lacrosse coach, his teams have won 15 league championships, capturing the state title in 1994.

In addition to his general love of outdoor sports such as rock-climbing, backpacking, fly-fishing, surfing, and mountain biking, Paul is certified as an ACA whitewater kayak instructor and as a wilderness first responder. He has kayaked extensively in North, Central, and South America, and in 1987 he introduced the sport to Cate, where it has been an integral component of the Outdoor Program ever since.

Paul lives with his wife, Downing, and their two children, Jack and Tessa, in the house in which he grew up.

Physics and Chemistry Instructor
Head Boys JV Soccer Coach

james_kellogg@cate.org / 805-684-8409 x259

AB, Amherst College
PhD, Geophysics, Harvard University
Appointed: 2007

Jamie has roots in the northeast and academia.  Hailing from New England and Pennsylvania, he graduated from Amherst College with a degree in Physics.  He then earned a PhD in Geophysics from Harvard University before working as a postdoctoral fellow at UCLA.  Jamie also lectured at UCSB, teaching Introduction to Geology as well as Natural Disasters.  His first job at the high school level was at the Lakeside School in Seattle, where he taught physics and chemistry.

Jamie has been at the Cate School since 2007, working primarily in the Science Department.  He teaches Physics, Honors Physics, Introduction to Computational Thinking, and Advanced Computer Science.  He also works in the Fall Outdoor Program, co-leads the Junior Outing Week trip, and is the head coach of the JV boys’ soccer team.  Jamie is the current holder of the Colin Day Chair for Interdisciplinary Studies.

Jamie lived in Cook House West for 14 years, where he served as the dorm head and continues to work with the boys.  He continues to live on campus with his wife Susannah and their son Sam, a member of the Cate class of 2028.  Their son Willie graduated from Cate after four terrific years in 2023.

When he’s not teaching, Jamie can be found working on his latte art, spotting Sam on a boulder problem, baking sourdough bread, or playing highly suspect guitar.

Biology Instructor
Multicultural Programming Coordinator

kadeine_peterson@cate.org / 805-684-4127 x136

BS, Marist College
MS, Cornell University

Kadeine Peterson joins the Cate community as a Biology Instructor following a wealth of independent school experience, most recently at Phillips Exeter Academy. Born in Kingston, Jamaica and raised in Brooklyn, Kadeine earned her bachelor’s in biology from Marist College and holds a research master’s in genetics, genomics and development from Cornell University.

Prior to Exeter, Kadeine also taught biology at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Conn., and at Packer Collegiate in Brooklyn, N.Y.

In addition to teaching biology, Kadeine is an advisor, volleyball coach, and dorm parent. She is also the Multicultural Programming Coordinator, helping to diversify programming on campus and organizing the annual MLK Jr. Day of Celebration. She resides in Cook House East/CHLL with her husband, Josh, their two sons Jack Maverick and Kingston, and their ornery Shih Tzu, Rocco. In her free time, she enjoys small space/urban garden design, and creating biology-themed digital art.

Physics Instructor

Chemistry Instructor
Cook House East Dorm Parent

cece_schwennsen@cate.org / 805-684-8409 x259

BA, Luther College
BS, University of Nebraska, Omaha
MS, University of Nebraska, Omaha
Appointed: 2009

Physics Instructor
Dean for Faculty

Troy_Shapiro@cate.org / 805-684-4127 x260

Troy is a graduate of Brown University where he studied organizational sociology and economics. As an undergrad, Troy coached wrestling and lacrosse for the Moses Brown School where he recognized his passion for working with teenagers. He joined the faculty at the Middlesex School in Concord, Massachusetts upon graduation where he taught physics, chemistry, and engineering. Troy continued to coach wrestling and lacrosse, lived in the dorm, and came to love boarding school life.

Troy comes to Cate after three years at the Jay Pritzker Academy in Siem Reap Cambodia, a small independent school serving rural Cambodian families seeking a western style education. There Troy was the Science Curriculum Coordinator and continued to teach physics and chemistry.

An avid outdoorsman, Troy is heavily involved in the Outdoor Program at Cate where he coaches rock climbing in the fall and winter in addition to coaching lacrosse in the spring. He lives in Cook House West with his wife, Ellen, and their dog, Tabasco.

Chemistry Instructor

Cassia_Sonderleiter@cate.org / 805-684-4127 x242

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.