Kent Ferguson - Click for bio

Roger Himovitz
Roger still remembers crossing the bridge with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Alabama, and equally remembers his many experiences in Viet Nam. A passionate believer in the power of education and of ideas, he has served as a consultant and advisor and supporter to many schools. At this time his main focus (after his family) is the incredible Canyon at El Capitan just north of Santa Barbara, where he is co-coordinating the efforts to blend a conference center, educational facility, place of healing, and a world-class destination resort reaching from sea to mountain top with many thousands of acres in between! Roger has visited New Zealand and has been, for several years, deeply supportive and attentive to the birth and development of the School Down Under.

Wendelin Wagner
Wendelin has a degree in psychobiology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She taught general science classes at the Santa Barbara Middle School for eleven years. These direct experience-style classes featured rocket launches, chemical experiments, gravity studies, fieldwork in biology, and cross-discipline projects combining statistics, geometry and construction skills. For over a decade she played a key role in the organization and leadership of all-school student cycling and hiking adventures. Wendelin is the Co-founder and Program Director of the School Down Under and also teaches biology. The SDU website and DVD movie are current products of her penchant for digital storytelling. Ever drawn to wholistic educational practice, Wendelin considers development of the life of the spirit as integral to a proper education. She encourages students to examine their own mind and sets aside several weeks each year for solitary meditation retreat.

Barry Brailsford
Barry was born on the wild west coast of the South Island of Aotearoa New Zealand, beside the Mawhera River and beneath the mountain Tuhua. He graduated MA (Hons) from Canterbury University, was a member of the NZ Archaeology Association Council and a Principal Lecturer at the Christchurch College of Education. In 1990 he was awarded an MBE for his contribution to education and Maori scholarship. A request from the people of the earlier pre- Maori tribes of New Zealand for him to tell their story resulted in the ground-breaking book, Song of Waitaha. His books are historical, mythological and spiritual; they explore the peaceful resolution of conflict. More recently his work has taken him overseas to share his stories with a wider public. Click for Barry's Web Site

Cushla Denton
With a background of a Social Science degree obtained while her three children were growing up, Cushla has spent the last 10 years living and working with Barry Brailsford. They founded StonePrint Press Ltd, primarily to publish Barry’s books but which has also taken on other authors. Cushla’s role is probably best described as P.A. to Barry. She acts as the intermediary between him and the world which frees him up to write, arranges his talks and tours, oversees the running of StonePrint and can whip up a batch of scones and endless cups of tea for the many visitors who find the way to their mountain home!

Steve Charles
Father of two girls, Steve has successfully conducted his own manufacturing business and personal investments for decades. Now, wanting to do more towards the betterment of youth, he has become SDU's Operations Manager, Chief Financial Officer, and West Coast Admissions Director.

Phil and Ellen Atkins
Ellen and Phil Atkins have had a long love affair with the ‘wild west coast’ of New Zealand’s South Island. During their 28 years at Gentle Annie they have raised a family of four, all now young adults. Ellen has a degree in Education, has taught primary school and together she and Phil home-schooled their children during their younger years. Phil’s background is in horticulture and park management. He has combined this knowledge with his innate love of plants and of the creative mind to develop the 1000 acres at Gentle Annie so that others, younger and older, can experience its unique and diverse environment.

Tim Buynak
Tim has helped a wide variety of groups and individuals over many decades to achieve their goals and dreams. He served as President and Trustee of the Board for the Santa Barbara Middle School and is a Trustee of the Kokopelli Educational Foundation. Tim and his wife Glorianna have, for many years, been quietly developing Namaste Santuario as an urban farm and sanctuary through ecologically sound methods of building, growing and tending to the land as a demonstration for the community. Professionally, Tim is an attorney, currently President of Hatch & Parent, a 60 attorney California law firm.

Michael McCaffrey
Michael graduated from U.C. Berkeley in the top 3% of his class and top 5 in the English department. After holding student teaching positions in the Bay area Michael attended the Harvard Graduate School of Education to get his Masters in Education and a teaching credential in English Literature for grades 5-12. He will be receiving extra training in cross-cultural/urban teaching and in teaching to special needs students. His emphasis is on ‘mainstreaming’ students with disabilities into ‘regular’ classes for the benefit of all. He hopes to one day be a part of an approach to education where the special attributes of each individual are fostered and nurtured.

Jenner Werling
Jenner recently recieved her Masters in Education and a Teaching Credential from U.C. Santa Cruz. She also holds a B.A. from Humboldt State University with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies: Language, Art and Culture and a minor in Linguistics. She has been a part-time lecturer at Humboldt for the course ‘Creative Drama for Teachers’. In addition, she has taught guitar classes both privately and in schools. She enjoys performing music and has produced a live CD of mostly her original songs.

Brian McDonald
Brian graduated from UCSB with a B.A. in Political Science and a Minor in Global Peace and Security but his passion lies in the outdoors. He has worked with Santa Barbara City to design and create sustainable public parks. When he is not in NZ teaching surfing, organic gardening or economics, Brian runs his own organic farm at El Capitan Canyon in Santa Barbara. Brian is an energetic problem solver and Eagle Scout.

Barbara Maré
A poet and publisher, Barbara runs White Stone Publishing at Highden. She is an editor and "word person" with a Master of Arts in Art History from Auckland University and a Diploma in Museum Studies from Massey University in New Zealand. For five years she was Registrar at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney. Barbara serves as the school archivist, librarian and assistant teacher at Highden.

Suchitra Davenport
Suchitra Davenport has a B.F.A. in Fine Arts and has been trained in various counseling and healing modalities. She worked for many years at The School in Rose Valley near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During this time she also sustained a private healing/counseling practice and taught various workshops on creativity and spirituality. Suchitra cares deeply about students and seeks to use her varied interests and skills, which include education, psychology, art, philosophy, anthropology, meditation, yoga and various healing techniques, to draw forth from each student their highest and best expression. It is her joy to fan the inner flame and help connect all students, whatever their needs may be, with their own unique qualities, strengths and creativity.

Alex Dryer
Raised near the humble farm country of Wisconsin, Alex brings to her work a genuine down to earth attitude. Beginning her travels and interest in the outdoors early on, Alex participated in Outward Bound and worked on a farm in upstate New York before graduating from Clark University with a B.A in geography and international development. Her undergrad work in soil studies, naturally brought her to her present interest in sustainable agriculture and just economic fair trade. In San Francisco she worked on the Food First campaign, a think tank for sustainable agriculture while also working with the Organic Consumers Association. Alex tutors in topics such as economics and globalization, and runs the organic farm at SDU.

Wayne & Linda Henderson
For many years Wayne has been the master gardener at Highden. He has a love of the property and, perhaps especially, for the 1800 rose plants which he tends year round. He and Linda care greatly about the environment, improving the surroundings, and raising their four children. They nurture and maintain the Highden property, supporting the school by creating a workable environment in which to study and live.

Josh Ferguson
Josh was named ‘All-California’ for his high school basketball skills, was Captain of the football team, and gained varsity letters in five sports. After graduating with honors from Albright College he started his own business, Mile High Automation LLC in Denver, CO. In addition, he is currently pursing his MBA from Denver University. Josh’s technical knowledge and Wendelin’s artistic eye created the SDU web site.