Parker Leadership Team

KEVIN YALEY, Ph.D.

Head of School

Kevin Yaley was named Head of Francis Parker School in 2010 following an extensive national search. He is the 12th person to fill the position since the school’s founding in 1912 and is now leading Parker into its second century with great energy and vision.
 
Prior to stepping into the top leadership role, Kevin enjoyed 13 years of teaching history, ethics, and philosophy, first at the University of San Diego High School and later at Parker. He also coached cross country, track and field, and soccer during that time. 
 
In 2004, Kevin was tapped to serve as Parker’s Director of Admissions. The following year, he was appointed Associate Head of School, a position he held for five years. 
 
He was a fellow of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Edward E. Ford Fellowship for Aspiring Heads and was recently awarded a fellowship to the Klingenstein Center for Independent School Leadership’s 2017 Heads of Schools Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Kevin also served on the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) Board of Standards from 2008 to 2016.
 
He received a bachelor's and master's degree from the University of Notre Dame and an additional master's degree from San Diego State University. Kevin completed his Ph.D. in Leadership Studies at University of San Diego in Spring 2021.
 
Kevin is the parent of three Parker graduates—Solia ’13, Indiana, ’16, and Ansel ’17.
Kevin Yaley, PhD
Head of School
858-569-7900 x 4103
 
 

PARKER LEADERSHIP TEAM

Erika Assadi
Head of Integrative Programs
(858) 569-7900 x 4236
 
 
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Erika came to Parker in 2018 and currently holds the role of Head of Integrative Programs. Prior to joining Parker, Erika was part of a founding team that helped develop an idea to a thriving independent school in San Francisco. She has held various roles including Director of Enrollment Management/Admissions, Director of Educational Technology and Communications, Spanish Language Director, and Director of Summer Programs. She has taught Junior Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Grade 2, technology and Spanish JK-Grade 7. Additionally, she served as a curriculum specialist with Pearson K12 Learning Company.
 
Erika holds her master’s degree in Educational Administration/Leadership from Concordia University and graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Texas at Tyler.
 
Erika is also a former competitive dancer and has been teaching lower to high school students various styles of dance for over 15 years. A self-professed “travel junkie,” Erika has a goal to visit at least two new countries per year.
Mike Cain
Director of Security, Environmental Health, and Safety
(858) 427-1736
 
 
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Mike came to Parker in 2014 and currently holds the position of Director of Security, Environmental Health, and Safety. He is a Certified Facility Manager (CFM) and has held positions in Corporate Real Estate, Construction Management, and Facilities Management.

Mike attended St. Michael's College in Burlington, Vermont, and studied organizational behavior.

Outside of work, Mike can be spotted in North Park with his wife and two children and enjoys watching his favorite sports teams win championships.  

Lori Biggs '94
Head of Communications
858-569-7900 x 4403
 
 
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Lori came to Parker in 2013 and currently holds the position of Director of Communications. Prior to joining Parker, Lori spent 13 years in the web development and digital marketing space, designing web solutions and digital campaigns for start-ups, retail businesses, and government agencies across Southern California. During her time at Parker, she has completed the SEED leadership program and supports the Communications Committee of the Board of Trustees.

Lori holds a B.A. in Communications from Grand Canyon University. A Parker alumna, Lori has two children attending the School; Christian, Class of 2023, and Allison, Class of 2027.
Heather Gray
Dr. Robert Gillingham Head of Lower School
858-298-9110 x 6202
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Heather came to Parker in 2000 and currently holds the position of Dr. Robert Gillingham Head of Lower School. Prior to joining Parker, she taught grades 6 to 8 in a public middle school near Seattle. She found her "home" at Parker in Grade 5 for 11 years before moving into other roles, including Math Specialist, Curriculum Coordinator, and Assistant Head of Lower School. She has two children who are "lifers" at Parker, daughter Zoë '19, and son David, class of 2022.

Heather earned her B.S. in Environmental Education from Western Washington University, Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Washington, and Preliminary Administrative Credential from National University. In December 2020 Heather will receive her Administrative Services Credential from SDSU. 

Heather enjoys hiking in national parks with her family, photography, swimming laps, traveling, cooking and reading.

Shara Freeman Hoefel
Assistant Head of School for External Relations
858-569-7900 x 4106
 
 
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Shara came to Parker in 2013 as the Head of Advancement. In July 2020, she assumed the role of Assistant Head of School for External Relations. Prior to joining Parker, she was the Senior Director of Development and Stewardship for Fordham Law School. Previously, Shara was a Major Gifts Officer for Cornell University and prior to Cornell, she was Director of Major Gifts at The Chapin School in New York City.

Shara received a B.A. in Psychology from Cornell University and an M.S. in Sport Psychology from Ithaca College. She enjoys traveling and is an avid reader.

Dan Lang
Assistant Head of School for JK-12 Strategic Initiatives
858-569-7900 x 4123
 
 
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Dan was named Assistant Head of School for JK-12 Strategic Initiatives in August 2020, and has also served as Head of Middle School since July 1, 2012. Dan joined Parker in 2006 as a Grade 7 and 8 English teacher.
 
As Seventh Grade Level Coordinator here, Dan represented that grade on the Middle School Administrative Team. He facilitated weekly grade-level meetings and provided administrative support for grade-level activities.
 
Originally from Northern California, Dan graduated from the University of California Berkeley with a bachelor's degree in English. After attending law school at the University of San Francisco, Dan began coaching and working with young people as middle school athletic director at West Portal Lutheran School in San Francisco, a path that ultimately led to full-time teaching. In 2011, Dan completed his master's in leadership and earned a state administrative services credential through the Educational Leadership Development Academy at the University of San Diego.
 
Before joining Parker, Dan taught ninth- and 12th-grade English at St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco, where he also was head boys track coach. Dan makes his home in Alpine along with his wife, Heather; son, Grayson - Parker Class of 2015; and daughter, Frannie - Parker Class of 2018.
Chris Sanders
Director of Admissions and Financial Assistance
858-569-7900 x 4219
 
 
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Chris was named Director of Admissions in July 2020, after serving as Associate Director of Upper School Admissions since joining Parker in 2017. During his tenure at Parker, Chris has also contributed as a Wellness Committee member, Upper School advisor and assistant coach for Varsity Girls Lacrosse. Prior to entering independent school education, Chris served as Director of Leadership Opportunities and instructor for a non-profit college access program for low-income and first-generation students.
 
A military brat, Chris grew up in Oceanside before heading east to earn his bachelor's degree from Harvard University and a master's degree from Wake Forest University School of Business. 
Frederic Skrzypek
Director of Instructional Technology and Information Systems
858-569-7900 x 4130
 
 
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Frederic came to Parker in 2021 and currently holds the position of Director of Instructional Technology and Information Systems. He has worked in independent schools for almost 20 years on both East and West coasts. Frederic attended University of Paris XII (France) and he holds a master's degree in Philosophy of Science.

Christen Tedrow-Harrison
Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
858-569-7900 x 4320
 
 
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Christen came to Parker in 2015 and currently holds the position of Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. She has been in education for over 14 years. She’s worked as an English teacher, a facilitator, trainer, and diversity practitioner. Her work focuses on the incorporation of multicultural curriculum, anti-bias training, and SEED facilitation. As a biracial woman of Latina descent, diversity, multiculturalism, and social justice have always been integral to her work as an educator.
 
In 2010, Christen was the co-chair of the National Association of Independent School’s People of Color Conference and was a member of Call to Action from 2009 to 2012, a diversity think tank comprised of national leaders for equity and social justice within independent schools and educational organizations.  
 
Christen has a B.A. in English Literature with a minor in Spanish from Christendom College in Virginia and is working toward a graduate degree.
Ben Temple
Ben Temple
Head of Upper School
 
 
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Ben Temple came to Parker in 2021 and currently holds the position of Head of Upper School. Prior to joining Parker, Ben was the Head of Upper School at the Collegiate School in New York since 2015, where he was responsible for all aspects of the Upper School program and supervised 225 students, more than 50 faculty, and eight department heads.

Ben is an accomplished educational leader with 18 years of teaching and administrative roles in independent schools across the country, including The Blake School in Minneapolis, Global Online Academy in Seattle, Westtown School in West Chester, Pa., and Tatnall School in Wilmington, De. He is a champion of gender diversity work and an advocate for students and faculty of color.

Ben and his wife, Erika, are parents of three Parker students — Austen '25, Olivia ‘28, and Sam ‘32. 

Anthony Thomas
Director of Athletics
(858) 569-7900 x 4147
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Anthony came to Parker in 2018 and currently holds the position of Director of Athletics. A seasoned educator, coach, and administrator, Anthony has served most recently as Athletic Director at several outstanding California independent schools, including Convent & Stuart Hall School in San Francisco, The Branson School in Ross, California, and the International High School & French American International School in San Francisco.
 
Anthony is a proud graduate of UCLA, and an active member of the California State Athletic Directors Association (CSADA) and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA). Anthony says working at Parker is a dream as few schools compare to its quality and caliber.
Katharine Wardle
Assistant Head of School for Finance and Operations
858-569-7900 x 4228
 
 
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Katharine Wardle joined Francis Parker in 2018. Previously, she was Chief Financial Officer for the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center. She has over 20 years of experience in financial and operational management in not-for-profit and for-profit organizations. Prior to joining LFJCC in July 2014, her assignments included CFO at Mingei International Museum, CFO at the technology startup Skinit, and CFO at one of Mexico's largest dollar store chains, Waldo’s.

Katharine has a Master of Business Administration in International Management, concentration in Finance, from the Garvin International School of Business, Thunderbird; a Master of Science in Political Science from the School of Oriental Studies, University of London, England; and a Master of Arts (MA Hons) in Politics and International Relations from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. Ms. Wardle is also a Certified Management Accountant and a Certified Treasury Professional. She is fluent in Spanish and Italian and speaks French and Mandarin.

 

Having spent her early career living and working in China and Southeast Asia, she has also worked in Mexico, Brazil and is now permanently residing in San Diego. Ms. Wardle is married to Patricia Brennan and they have three young daughters, Aisling, Eva, and Keira. Ms. Wardle is a graduate of the San Diego LEAD IMPACT program and her community work includes Board Member and Treasurer, Elementary Institute of Science and Audit Committee Member for Planned Parenthood, San Diego. Ms. Wardle’s passions are her kids, STEAM education for all, benefits of being multilingual, maximizing impact of mission-oriented organizations, and running.