Sasha is an accomplished educator with over 25 years as a teacher and school leader. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Drake University in Theatre and a master’s degree in teaching from Concordia University as well as earning credentials to teach secondary Theatre, Speech and English.

She began her career teaching private piano lessons and later expanded into Early Childhood Education (including Kindergarten) and high school. In 2002, she founded the Education Department at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, creating a wide range of programmes for children and adults, including a master class with Broadway star Idina Menzel, a class for seniors to write and perform their own life stories, an early childhood programme called, “Wiggle, Giggle, and Grow,” where three-four year olds developed imagination and social skills through theatre, and a unique, collaborative programme with Arlington Pediatric Therapy to provide social-emotional development for teens and young adults with learning differences through theatre entitled “Flourish in the Footlights,” the latter two which have been running for more than 20 years. She oversaw a youth orchestra, three summer camps, more than 50 classes per term, while increasing enrolment year after year across all programme.

After relocating to California in 2007, she became the principal of Hilldale School in Daly City. For nearly 20 years, she has led the school’s growth, more than tripling the enrolment and focusing on supporting the needs of gifted and twice-exceptional learners through advanced material, accelerated pace, deep thinking and differentiation. During her tenure, she has provided both parent talks and professional development inside and outside of her school on a host of topics including differentiation, giftedness and twice-exceptionality. As Head of School, Sasha fosters a nurturing environment which promotes academic, social, and emotional development with the understanding that “fair is not equal” and “giftedness” is just another form of neurodiversity, which deserves both attention and support. Accountability, empathy, and respect are valued, taught and practised alongside creativity, critical thinking and having a growth mindset.

In addition to her work, she serves on the board of two organisations: The National Independent Private School Association and The Dyslexic Learning Project. Sasha is passionate about helping students and parents navigate the challenging road of giftedness and twice exceptionality so that the next generation can fully share their gifts with all and thereby improve the world.