Woodside Priory School » Boarding

Meet the Staff

Residential Faculty members (or "RF's" for short) are the adults who watch over the boarding students after school, in the evenings, and on the weekends. The Dean of Residential Life and RF's all live on campus, and many live in apartments attached to the dorms. Nearly all are teachers or coaches, and they know first-hand what students experience all day.

Each student has a residential advisor in the boarding program and an academic advisor in the school program - two adults who will watch over him or her in all aspects of high school life.

2009 - 2010 Staff

Kendra Anderson

Kendra Anderson received her BA in Communications & Media Studies, with a concentration in Journalism from Fordham University in New York, NY. While attending Fordham, she studied dance at Alvin Ailey's and Broadway Dance Center, and had the honor of working with some of the most renowned artists in the dance world. Upon graduating from Fordham University, she received her MA in Museum Communications at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Since finishing school, Ms. Anderson worked in the education department at the San Jose Museum of Art, engaging students aged K-12 in Visual Thinking Strategies. She also taught and choreographed tap, jazz, lyrical, and acrobatic dances at a dance studio in Redwood City. In addition to being a Residential Faculty member, Kendra teaches dance at the Priory.

Julie Batista

Julie Batista completed her BA at CSU East Bay in Electronic Art, concentration in Multimedia, and has spent several years working in the graphic design industry. She was a substitute K-12 teacher for two years before finishing her Single Subject Credential in Art. She also taught beginning art at the YMCA and several elementary school GATE programs in Santa Clara County. She enjoys traveling and exploring new places, galleries, museums, trampolining and karaoke.

Matthew Lai

Matthew Lai grew up in Kansas and graduated from Stanford University with a BA in Science, Technology & Society and a MA in Sociology. From 2001-2004, he worked at Priory as a Residential Faculty member, taught Middle School Health and Physical Education, and coached Cross Country and Track & Field. After leaving Priory, Matthew moved to New York to attend Columbia Law School where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. While in law school, he represented children in cases involving special education, juvenile immigration, child abuse, and foster care. He also represented women in domestic abuse cases and assisted the U.S. Attorney's Office in the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children. Prior to returning to the Priory to become the Dean of Residential Life, Matthew was an attorney at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP in New York specializing in Securities Litigation. In his free time, Matthew enjoys running, cycling, and swimming.

Adam Siler

Adam Siler graduated from the University of Virginia in the spring of 2004 with degrees in Philosophy, American Politics, and Religious Studies. Following graduation, he taught English in northern Greece at a small boarding school as an International Teaching Fellow. Upon completion of his fellowship, he matriculated to Stanford University where he graduated with a masters degree in Education. This year Adam will be teaching "Morality and Social Justice" and "Introduction to Philosophy" as well as spreading his passion for politics and philosophical debate to the student body.

Alex Thayer

Alex grew up in Utah, Massachusetts, Arizona and Connecticut. She graduated from Dickinson College (Pennsylvania) in 2005 with a BA in Studio Art and Art History and finds herself grateful to live in the gorgeous Bay Area. Before coming to the Priory she worked teaching Middle School Special Education, substituting for grades K-8, and tutoring at SCORE Educational Center. Now in her second year at Priory, Alex will be working as a Residential Faculty member, teaching AP Art History and Middle School Art, and supervising the Student Garden. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, yoga, cooking, traveling, learning new languages, and spending time with friends.

Malachi Thurston

Malachi was born and raised in nearby Oakland, CA. He attended Marin Academy and The Hotchkiss School during his high school years. After graduation, Malachi went on to compete for several colleges playing NCAA basketball. The journey was not yet over as he continued to play on the semi-professional level over the course of three years. After leaving the sport in 2007, Malachi continued healthy living while starting his own private fitness business and is currently finishing his BA in Human Development. He enjoys sports, movies, eating, and spending time with friends and family. Alongside his RF responsibilities, Malachi coaches middle school flag football and varsity basketball at The Priory.

The Campus Community

The On-Campus Community includes 5 administrators, 16 faculty members, 3 staff, and 5 monks in addition to all of the Resident Advisors and 48 boarding students. The most recent additions to the housing on campus are the Anselm and Benedict House apartments (connected to the dorms) in 2001 and the Maas Family Commons, adding 7 units of faculty housing in 2003.