New faculty and staff Q&A

By Henry Raz

October 22, 2024

This year, six new faces joined the faculty and staff at Branson. Here is a quick background on each of them.

Annabel LaBrecque

Rodrigo Diaz

Role at Branson

I teach Modern World History and US History Honors.

Background

I was getting my Ph.D. at UC Berkeley when I realized that I wanted to teach history more than I wanted to research it.

How have your first few weeks at Branson been?

Hectic, in a good way. It has definitely been a lot of newness, as this is my first time teaching at a high school rather than in a university setting. I love being on campus and, overall, it’s been very positive.

What made you want to come to Branson?

I really like how Branson focuses on you guys — the students. I really like how the focus is on giving students as many opportunities to learn as possible. Coming from a large academic institution [UC Berkeley] where it is easy to get lost in big ideas, big bureaucracy, it’s nice to be in an environment that is smaller where we all get to learn together.

How has your experience with Branson students been so far?

It’s been awesome. You all are very talkative and engaged — much more so than I was in high school with my teachers. You’re being your totally authentic selves and, especially in history class, it produces great dialogues and great discussions.

How has your experience with faculty been so far?

Everyone flags me down and says hi while passing. They often go out of their way to help with things. Even members of Branson faculty who don’t know me yet will try and help.

Sum up your time at Branson so far in 3 words

Exciting, promising and warming.

Elizabeth Bejarano

Rodrigo Diaz

Role at Branson

I am an English teacher. I teach three ninth-grade English classes and Children’s Literature, an elective.

Background

I have lived in New York City for the last 10 years doing my Ph.D. at NYU. I was a graduate teaching assistant, usually pre-19th century British literature. I’ve also taught a few courses at UC Santa Cruz and NYU. This is my first high school teaching role.

How have your first few weeks at Branson been?

The weather is amazing and the campus is so beautiful. Living here feels like living in paradise. I’m also really impressed by the students. Everyone here will rise to a challenge given to them, and I’m having a great time getting to know everyone.

What made you want to come to Branson?

By the end of my Ph.D., I realized I didn’t want to go into academia for several reasons. One reason was that, over the years, I saw that many of my incoming college students had gaps in their education that they should’ve received in high school. This led me to believe I could make a bigger difference by teaching at the high-school rather than college level.

How has your experience with Branson students been so far?

Everyone is friendly, welcoming and eager!

How has your experience with faculty been so far?

I feel like I have already ingrained myself in the faculty community. Of course, I have to shout out the English department because of our great conversations. Sometimes, we talk so much that people have to leave the room to get work done!

Sum up your time at Branson so far in 3 words

Sunshine-y, hectic, stimulating.

Michael Connors

Rodrigo Diaz

Role at Branson

I teach two sections of freshman physics and two sections of sophomore chemistry.

Background

I was born and raised in the Bay Area. My first full year of teaching was last year at Novato High School, and a few years before that I student-taught at San Rafael High School. I majored in neurobiology at UC Davis.

How have your first few weeks at Branson been?

My first few weeks have been nice. I really like my department and my students.

What made you want to come to Branson?

Being from around here, I know that Branson has an immaculate reputation. When I got here and had my interviews, I was just blown away at their level of friendliness and generosity. From that point, I knew it was a place that I wanted to teach at.

How has your experience with Branson students been so far?

Compared to my other school, I have interacted with students very infrequently outside of class. Here, you all are so proactive and are a joy to teach.

How has your experience with faculty been so far?

Because this is my first year teaching chemistry and physics, and not biology, I have come to the faculty with lots of questions. They all are super helpful and kind.

Sum up your time at Branson so far in 3 words

Fun, remarkable, home.

Jasyn Chidester

Rodrigo Diaz

Role at Branson

I am our school athletic trainer.

Background

Before Branson, I worked at Stanford Children’s Hospital and I was contracted to Carlmont High School [in Belmont].

How have your first few weeks at Branson been?

Everybody is super fun and accommodating. I think it’s been a wonderful transition.

What made you want to come to Branson?

First and foremost, my best friend [Karl Schmidt] works here. That was the initial thing that brought me over, but after seeing the way the community operates, I knew this was the place for me.

How has your experience with Branson students been so far?

It’s been great. Students are equally as welcoming as everyone else.

How has your experience with faculty been so far?

Everyone is kind and curious. They’ll ask fun questions about you and you can ask fun questions about them.

Sum up your time at Branson so far in 3 words

Fresh, fun and warm.

Denisse Melgar

Rodrigo Diaz

Role at Branson

My title is associate director of college counseling. I’m one of the folks who works with students through the college counseling process.

Background

Right before this, I was doing the exact same thing at Marin Academy. I was there for two years. Before that, I worked in the undergraduate admissions office at New York University.

How have your first few weeks at Branson been?

Honestly, my first few weeks have been great. The students I’ve met so far are super energized, and when meeting the affinity leaders I was very impressed. Seeing students ready to go after a summer without school is really nice to see.

What made you want to come to Branson?

I was excited about a few things. One, the team here is very experienced. To name names, Matt Lane is very well known in the college counseling world, and the rest of the team has also been here for a while. Also, I love Branson’s idea of making sure the student is doing well and thriving. That’s super important to me.

How has your experience with Branson students been so far?

They’ve all been so nice! I did a summer essay-writing program with a few rising seniors, and they came in ready to go, ready to be vulnerable and ready to share ideas.

How has your experience with faculty been so far?

It’s been cool to engage with the faculty. They’ve been very helpful and super kind.

Sum up your time at Branson so far in 3 words

Refreshing, exciting, positive.

Jenya Jawad

Rodrigo Diaz

Role at Branson

As a special events coordinator, I manage the daily calendar here at Branson. I also manage larger events and help sort out the logistics of the events.

Background

I am from the East Bay and I worked for the city of El Cerrito. I helped plan special events and did various other things for the city. Before that, I planned events and some other things for the Department of the Navy in Hawaii.

How have your first few weeks at Branson been?

My first few weeks have been great! I recognize many people from sports and the student leaders I have met are very welcoming and kind.

What made you want to come to Branson?

I coach girls soccer at Marin FC, and because I knew students and coaches who are here, I wanted to come. It seemed like an amazing institution and contributing to that seemed like an incredible opportunity.

How has your experience with Branson students been so far?

Talking to and being around this next generation of decision-makers has been fantastic. It feels like there is so much curiosity and empowerment around here.

How has your experience with faculty been so far?

Most of my interaction with faculty has been with the leadership, obviously. I am in deans’ alley so I talk to the deans a lot. Lots of people will come in and check in on me, on how I’m doing and such. Everyone is very supportive.

Sum up your time at Branson so far in 3 words

Enlightening, encouraging, exciting.