Meet The Staff of St. Margaret's School

A message from our Head of School

Welcome to the St. Margaret's Episcopal School website. Whether you are a member of this community or interested in learning more about us, I hope you will find this information helpful.

Since 1995, St. Margaret's has been a leading co-educational Episcopal school specializing in the education of your learners in the Coachella Valley. For the past fifteen years, we have truly lived our mission of providing a challenging, balanced curriculum in a supportive, nurturing environment.

St. Margaret's students are mentored by our expert faculty and challenged with a strong academic curriculum. Small class sizes provide our students the opportunity to gain a new-found confidence, to think critically and globally, to express themselves, and to develop good study habits and organizational skills.

St. Margaret's is proud of its rich academic offerings, enhanced by our outstanding enrichment programs. We offer fine arts, Christian/character education, service learning, Spanish, physical education, competitive sports, and weekly chapel for individual spiritual growth. These programs help us teach the "whole child," and provide students with the much needed outlets for discovery and creativity, and new opportunities to succeed. Classrooms are fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including computer stations, SMART Boards and a computer/media center.

The success of our graduates accentuates our commitment to nurture young hearts and minds. Graduates of St. Margaret's Episcopal School soar in high school, college and beyond.

For our students,
Dr. Rich Cansdale

Dr. Rich Cansdale
Head of School
rcansdale@stmargarets.org

Dr. Cansdale has over 30 years of experience in teaching and education administration. He received his M.A. from San Francisco State University, Ed.S. from Point Loma Nazarene University, and a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from United States International University.

Most recently, Dr. Cansdale was the Area 3 Superintendent K-8 of the San Diego Unified School District. He led five schools in the district that received national recognition. In 1996 he received Yale University's coveted Patrick Francis Daly Award for excellence in educational leadership. Dr. Cansdale brings to St. Margaret's a broad scope of experience from the classroom through the administrator's office which definitely meets our school needs. That experience coupled with an exemplary professional record, peer recognition at every level, and a contagious enthusiasm for educating our youth, makes us very proud to have Dr. Richard Cansdale in our school family!

MEET OUR TEACHERS FOR THE 2010-2011 ACADEMIC YEAR

 

Patti Whittle
Pre-School Director
Teacher-3 year olds
pattiw@stmargarets.org

Mrs. Whittle returns for her ninth year here at St. Margaret's Episcopal School. Mrs. Whittle and her husband, Michael relocated to our desert from Arizona to be closer to their family. During her prior 18 years of educational experience, Mrs. Whittle worked in Scottsdale, Arizona as the Administrative Director of La Casa de Cristo Christian Pre-School for seven years. She has an extensive knowledge of, and background in, child development and education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal studies from University of California at Riverside with an emphasis on early childhood studies. Mr. & Mrs. Whittle reside in Palm Desert.

 

Patricia McKissic
Pre-School
Teacher-4 year olds
patriciam@stmargarets.org

Mrs. McKissic returns for her seventh year teaching Pre-kindergarten here at St. Margaret's Episcopal School. Prior to joining our staff, she had more than seventeen years of primary education experience, with an emphasis in pre-kindergarten classroom teaching and special programs. Mrs. McKissic holds a certification in early childhood development from College of the Desert. She resides in Indio with her two high school age children.

 

Sandra Shaw
Kindergarten
sandras@stmargarets.org

Ms. Shaw returns for her tenth year teaching kindergarten here at St. Margaret's Episcopal School. Prior to joining our staff, Ms. Shaw had been a teacher and child development specialist for the early childhood education program at the College of the Desert's Child Development Center. Ms. Shaw received her Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff and her Master of Science degree in education from the University of LaVerne in California. She also holds a certification in early childhood development. Ms. Shaw's joy of teaching these students is evident every day in her classroom, as is her genuine love of children and their enthusiasm to learn.

 

Amy Spano
First Grade
amys@stmargarets.org

Mrs. Spano returns for her third year teaching here at St. Margaret's Episcopal School. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Rollins College in Florida. Mrs. Spano holds both a Florida Certified Teaching Certificate, along with a California Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and recently completed her work toward her Clear Credential. She taught at the San Carlos Catholic School in Monterey, California for one year after moving from the Orlando area in Florida. Mrs. Spano has created an excellent classroom transition for students between kindergarten and second grade. She enjoys horseback riding, swimming and hiking, and has a great love of animals. She also has an extensive collection of children's literature, which she happily shares with her class. Mrs. Spano lives in Palm Desert with her husband J.D.

 

Peyton Sursa
Second Grade
psursa@stmargarets.org

Mrs. Sursa will be moving into our second grade classroom here at St. Margaret's Episcopal School. She brings a wide variety of primary teaching experiences and comes highly recommended from her previous principal in Lafayette, Indiana. Who states, "Her classroom style is positive and productive and parents respect and admire her. She would be an enhancement to any education setting that would be lucky enough to employ her. I would welcome the opportunity to hire her again if she and her husband would return to the Lafayette area. She is definitely a great hire!" Mrs. Sursa has a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education from Purdue University and holds a California Preliminary License in both elementary; K-6. An additional bonus for us is the fact that Mrs. Sursa is already familiar with our SMES family and worked extensively with us this past year.

 

Yesenia Aguilar
Third Grade
yeseniaa@stmargarets.org

Mrs. Aguilar returns for her second year teaching here at St. Margaret's Episcopal School. Mrs. Aguilar is a highly qualified teacher with seven years of fulltime teaching experience. She came to us as an experienced elementary teacher who has a love of teaching third grade. Mrs. Aguilar spent six years teaching in the Los Angeles Unified School District at two schools. Mrs. Aguilar also served as the parish youth minister at the St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church in Huntington Beach, CA. Mrs. Aguilar holds a California Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential. She is looking forward to this exceptional opportunity.

 

Cheryl Mayfield
Fourth Grade
cherylm@stmargarets.org

Mrs. Mayfield returns for her fifteenth year of teaching here at St. Margaret's Episcopal School. She has extensive experience in teaching at all grade levels in both public and private schools in California and Oregon. Mrs. Mayfield holds a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Southern Oregon State College. One needs only to enter her classroom to see her enthusiasm for teaching and her ability to make the learning process enjoyable to children. Students and families alike praise her warmth and enthusiasm for teaching years after they have left her classroom. Mrs. Mayfield and her husband Grant reside in Palm Desert. They have two grown daughters and three grandchildren.

 

Lisamarie Westengard
Fifth Grade
lisamariew@stmargarets.org

Mrs. Westengard returns for her tenth year teaching here at St. Margaret's Episcopal School. Along with an overseas study in Portugal, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. Prior to joining our staff, she taught in other private and public schools in the desert. Mrs. Westengard assists her students in learning how to create a consciousness of math patterns and stresses the value of content using outlining strategies. In addition to providing a strong academic base, Mrs. Westengard prides herself on fostering a nurturing learning environment for her students. Mrs. Westengard lives in the desert with her husband Marc. They have two children in college.

 

Greg Hepner
Chaplain Christian Education & Middle School Mathematics Teacher
gregoryh@stmargarets.org

With over 37 years of experience in ministry and church related education, Dr. Hepner returns for his ninth year at St. Margaret's Episcopal School. He has graduate degrees in literature, management, theology, and ministry, with an undergraduate degree in physics and mathematics. He holds a secondary education teaching credential in physics, general science, and mathematics from Pennsylvania. As an adjunct professor, he taught undergraduate and graduate courses in Bible as literature, pastoral theology, and counseling at the University of Maryland and Trinity College of Graduate Studies. A long-time Anglican, he is a former youth minister, parish pastor, and retired Navy/Marine Corps chaplain. He has taught language arts, psychology, Christian education, mathematics, and physical science at the middle and high school levels, and was also a high school principal.

Denise Cross
Middle School Sciences & Art Instruction
denisec@stmargarets.org

Ms. Cross returns for her fourth year here at St. Margaret's Episcopal School. Prior to joining our school faculty, Ms. Cross taught sixth grade science for six years in the Las Flores area. She received her Bachelors Degree in communications from California State University, Fullerton, and is currently working on her Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She also holds a Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential for grades K-12. While she taught middle school classes, Mrs. Cross was active in extra-curricular programs offered at her schools, served as a PAL advisor, and was an Outdoor Science Camp leader for two years. A former colleague wrote, "As a teacher, she won the hearts, minds and respect of nearly every one of her students." Mrs. Cross and her family reside in Palm Desert.

Julie Houze
Middle School Social Studies & Language Arts and Student Council Advisor
julieh@stmargarets.org

Ms. Houze returns for her fifth year teaching middle school classes here at St. Margaret's Episcopal School and will continue to serve as Student Council Advisor. Ms. Houze has extensive teaching experience in both public and private schools in Nevada and Ohio. She currently holds active credentials in those states, as well as California. Her classroom style is clear, consistent, friendly, respectful and engaging. Ms. Houze holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from California State University, Chico and has just completed her Masters in Education at Sierra Nevada College in Lake Tahoe. She resides in La Quinta with her son.

 

Diane Miller
Office Manager
dianam@stmargarets.org

Mrs. Miller has been on our faculty since 1996 and has taught virtually every class from kindergarten to fifth grade as well as physical education. She has also taught in the Desert Sands School District where she served on the Science Committee as a Science Mentor Teacher. Mrs. Miller holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree in education, both from California State at San Bernardino. She has served on numerous boards, including the Vestry for St. Margaret's Episcopal Church and the California Science Implementation Network at the University of California at Irvine. Mrs. Miller has two grown children and three grandchildren. She resides in Palm Desert with her husband Jeff and their son.

 

Renae Madore
Physical Education Instruction and Athletic Director
renaem@stmargarets.org

Ms. Madore returns for her tenth year teaching physical education for all classes from kindergarten through the eighth grade here at St. Margaret's Episcopal School. Ms. Madore has coached our girls' interscholastic team in volleyball, basketball, and our all school track team. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in physical education with an emphasis on teaching from the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Her experience ranges from work in the medical field to teaching with over ten years of child development experience. She has a strong background in athletic training, has instructed tennis, and served as a lifeguard, as well as other forms of recreational activity. Ms. Madore instills the principles of good sportsmanship to our students and brings a great deal of her knowledge and experience to our program.

 

Cynthia Esser
Spanish Instruction
cynthiae@stmargarets.org
Mrs. Esser returns for her tenth year of teaching Spanish for all classes from Preschool through eighth grade here at St. Margaret's Episcopal School. Through the use of visual aids, hands-on games, conversation and special school presentations, Mrs. Esser gives her students a well-rounded program where they enjoy learning the nuances and language of another culture. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Loyola Marymount University in Westchester California with an emphasis in Chicano studies. Mrs. Esser also holds a teaching credential for bilingual, cross-cultural language and academic development. Prior to joining our faculty, she has worked in public and private schools both in the Coachella Valley and in La Mirada school district. Mrs. Esser resides in Rancho Mirage with her family.

MEET OUR SUPPORT STAFF

 

Tina Maize
Admissions Officer
tinam@stmargarets.org

Mrs. Maize returns for her tenth year on the staff of St. Margaret's Episcopal School. Prior to joining our staff, she worked in the real estate development business for over sixteen years. Mrs. Maize holds an Associate of Science degree in sociology from College of the Desert. For our school, she provides a multitude of services. She oversees all school events, volunteer and fundraising programs, provides school tours to prospective families, facilitates enrollment contracts, maintains our website, and provides updates to the school board. She is also overseeing the advertising & marketing for the school. Mrs. Maize has been in the desert since 1968. She currently resides in Palm Desert with her husband Bruce and their two children.

 

Fred Gardner
Campus Administration
fredg@stmargarets.org

Mr. Gardner returns for his thirteenth year of service here at St. Margaret's Episcopal School and for most of us, needs no introduction. Mr. Gardner was set to retire at the end of the 2001-2002 school year. But, thanks to a strong emotional tie he shares with the students and faculty, we are pleased that he will be staying with us "just one more year." Mr. Gardner has been an educator for over thirty years in the Los Angeles school district. He originally came to the desert to retire, but ended up here at St. Margaret's where he has served as Middle School Administrator and was the advisor for our first Student Council, last year. He has also been responsible for record-keeping and services for both campuses including, attendance, supervision, discipline, disaster preparedness, and the hot lunch program. He has one grown daughter and grandchild and two younger daughters. Mr. Gardner resides in Palm Desert and now has the time to get back in touch with his tennis and golf game.

St. Margaret's Episcopal School consistently exceeds the expectations of parents and students. We invite you to visit our campus to discuss your child's education future or email us at school@stmargarets.org.