LEADERSHIP TEAM & FACULTY
Natalie Zajac
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
Outdoor Education: Recess Coordinator
Natalie Zajac has been working with children and families for over 20 years. At a young age she discovered her love for human development and the curiosities children develop about the world around them. She received at BA from Cal State LA in Child Development. She taught at Sierra Madre Community Nursery School for 6 years, where she worked closely with teachers and families to create strong communities for children. Natalie is a strong believer in building community and sharing experiences and knowledge about human development. She is very excited to join Friends Western School to continue to work closely with families to build strong foundations for children.
Tim Noonan
DIRECTOR OF OUTDOOR EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Fourth-Fifth Grade Teacher: "The Kameleons"
Originally from Massachusetts, Tim earned his B.A. in Early Childhood Education and English from Boston College. Prior to FWS, he taught second grade for four years at J. Erik Jonsson Community School (now the Momentous Institute) in Dallas, Texas, a school focused on employing research-based, brain-compatible teaching and learning practices while building relationships with children and families. Tim has been with FWS since 2011, where he has taught second through sixth grade. He strives to infuse character development, service learning, and vocational training into the children’s daily practices. His students run their own class business, using the funds to purchase classroom supplies and gym equipment, as well as to make charitable donations. Since 2019, Tim has served as the school’s Director of Outdoor Education, planning and implementing weekly “Park Day” trips that serve as the students’ P.E. and monthly “Exploration Days” where the students engage in the local community through hikes and service projects, as well as docent led programming from such organizations as Arroyo Foothill Conservancy and the Friends of the L.A. River. His students participate in an annual campout in Malibu. As Dean of Quaker Practices and Principles/School Culture, Tim facilitates the children’s weekly Morning Meeting as well as other community events such as Community Lunches, Membership Meetings, and the school’s donation drives. Tim is grateful to be part of the FWS community, where each individual’s uniqueness is noticed and celebrated.
Victoria Mualem
Second and Third Grade Teacher
Victoria Mualem is originally from Michigan and has her Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics from the University of Michigan. After graduating from undergrad, she moved to Minneapolis and worked as a preschool teacher. It was there she discovered her passion for teaching. She then went to Hamline University in Saint Paul for two post-baccalaureate degrees in teaching (k-12 ESL and Elementary education). In The Twin Cities she taught in the Minneapolis Public Schools where she worked as a classroom teacher and teaching English Language Learners. There she learned about The Responsive Classroom and found a philosophy of teaching that meshed with her own. She believes that everyone in a school should feel part of a community where they are supported. After 11 years in the Minneapolis Public Schools, she moved to California with her husband and two children (Bella and Levi) . Since living in Pasadena she has taught English language learners in San Gabriel USD and Reading Intervention in Alhambra USD. She is very excited to be working at FWS where the mission is so aligned with her philosophy of education. She loves teaching and believes schools need to help their students to be respectful, responsible members of society who care about each other and the world around them. In her spare time,Victoria enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading,playing music, going on long walks, and playing with her pet rabbit, Poppy.
Cameron Edwards
Kindergarten & First Grade Teacher: "The Hummingbirds"
Photo and bio coming soon!
Kindergarten & First Grade Teacher: "The Hummingbirds"
Photo and bio coming soon!
Andrew "Drew" Carroll
K/1 Assistant Teacher
Andrew holds a BFA in Acting from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where he spent 14 years acting and teaching. Among the several theatre organizations he taught with, he was the co-head of Education for Curio Theatre Company from 2016-2018, and during his tenure with the company, they were awarded the 2017 Victory Foundation Award for Outstanding Theatre Education Program. Andrew has spent the last 5 years as a Lead Health Educator with Public Health Management Corporation, where he taught comprehensive, consent-based Sex Ed to teens and young adults with Autism. Additionally at PHMC, he developed a LGBTQIA+ 101 curriculum that was implemented in many professional organizations throughout Philadelphia. As a Pasadena native, Andrew is thrilled to return to his home town to join the team at Friends Western School, where he looks forward to working with dynamic and exuberant learners both in and out of the classroom.
Jenny Pugh
2nd/3rd Assistant Teacher & Aftercare Coordinator
2nd/3rd Assistant Teacher & Aftercare Coordinator
Vanessa Viana
Spanish Teacher
Photo and bio coming soon!
Luke Davis
Art Teacher
Photo and bio coming soon!
Art Teacher
Photo and bio coming soon!