Class on a hikeFaculty

Teacher TraceyTracey Cahill

Tracey Cahill is our K-1 teacher. She has a wealth of experience both in public schools and Montessori schools. She completed her teaching credential and her M.A. in Early Childhood Education at CSULA. When Teacher Tracey talks about education she speaks of community and connections, of multiple intelligences and of following ideas that emerge from the child's experiences and activity in the world.

Teacher GlenGlen Gabel

Glen has three years of teaching experience, an M.A. in Education from Portland State University and a B.A. in English with a minor in film from USC. He taught the 5-7 grade class at FWS in 2007 and has returned as the 2-5 grade teacher. He brings great enthusiasm for our school:

"The staff plan curriculum that engages all aspects of the child's mind. One on one education and mentorship happen every day; with small class size teachers tailor curriculum to the students' needs. The students feel "ownership" over their education and this creates a tight-knit community. Before coming to FWS I had only read about this kind of thing; being a part of it has been wonderful. Many schools teach children to learn; Friends Western School goes beyond that, we teach children to love learning."

AbiraAbira Ali

Abira Ali is an arts educator, artist and designer. Abira currently works with Friends Western School as an art teacher for classes and a variety of weeklong sessions. These intensives included the beginning of Atomic Physics for Kids, a workshop that has evolved into Tiny Universe, a theme for her continuing science and art workshop series. Abira founded and currently directs the Wisdom Arts Laboratory, a collaborative art’s education collective that shares the campus with Friend Western School. Abira is an advocate for the arts as a vehicle for education, problem solving, citizenship, self-understanding and spiritual growth.

Abira’s illustrations and collages have appeared in the New Yorker, Mirabella, Nickelodeon Magazine, and Flaunt among others. Her illustrations for The Big Bazoohley written by Peter Carey and published by Henry Holt and Company were called “witty and charming” by the New York Times Book Review. Abira’s work is currently represented by SPACE gallery in South Pasadena.