Faculty and Staff Directory
Ojai Valley School is located on two campuses in Ojai, CA.
- The Lower Campus (grades PK-8) is located at 723 El Paseo Road.
- The Upper Campus (grades 9-12) is located at 10820 Reeves Road.
- Please call (805) 646-1423 for information or access the staff directory below.
- The results are being filtered by the character: S
Ms. Sandoval leads the high school boarding program as the Dean of Residential Life and Weekend Coordinator, and also serves as a Resident Counselor and girls soccer coach. She lives in the Grace Hobson Smith House dorm with her husband and three daughters, Gia, Maiya and Nayelli. Ms. Sandoval previously worked in the Health Center. She is an alumna of both campuses (L02, U06) and attended the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising after graduation from OVS.…
Mr. Schude joined the high school faculty in August 2024 and has since added a range of visual arts courses to his schedule. In 2026-27, he will be teaching Photography I, Photography II, AP Photography, Video Production and Yearbook. Mr. Schude brings more than two decades of experience as a professional photographer, having worked in the fields of advertising, editorial and fine art with prestigious clients that include Apple, Vanity Fair, Esquire, Smithsonian and SFMOMA.…
Ms. Shain is returning to the middle school Language Arts classroom after teaching in Alaska and Washington. She hold a Bachelor’s degree in Government and a Master’s in History from Eastern Washington University, as well as a teaching certificate in English Language Arts. Originally from Ventura, Ms. Shain previously taught at OVS and is happy to be returning to a place she loves.…
Dr. Shepherd joined the high school faculty in August 2024 and teaches science courses across the grade levels, including Biology, AP Biology, AP Physics1, and AP Environmental Science. She also serves as a resident counselor in Hermes Hall. Dr. Shepherd earned her BA in Biology from the University of Toledo, Ohio, and her Masters in Education from the University of St.…
Ms. Shilo joined the Lower Campus faculty in August 2023. She previously taught 6th grade English, Science, and Drama at Matilija Middle School in Ojai. She also taught at Meiners Oaks Elementary School and San Antonio Elementary School in Ojai, and worked as a Special Education Instructional Assistant. Ms. Shilo has BA in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Spanish language from Pepperdine University.
Mrs. Smith teaches Second Grade and has been part of the Ojai Valley School community since 2021. A lifelong learner, she holds four associate degrees in Early Childhood Education, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Liberal Arts, and Humanities. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Studies from California State University Channel Islands and a PK-3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction Credential.…
Mrs. Spence joined the high school faculty in August, 2026 to teach AP Language and Composition, English 11, and Theater. She holds a B.F.A. in Acting from the California Institute of the Arts and an M.A. in English from the Middlebury Bread Loaf School of English. Mrs. Spence has created theatre programs at two of her previous schools, as well as teaching English.…
Ms. Stidham joined the high school faculty in August 2026. She will be teaching World History, AP World History, Government and Economics, and Theater. Ms. Stidham earned a BA in Theatre Business and minored in History at the University of Redlands, where she also served as an outdoor trip leader for four years. She earned her teaching credential in Theatre Arts from Cal State University, East Bay.…