Employee Directory

"I like to help students see literature's density and complexity as exciting rather than intimidating. The parts of the text that make us say 'what the heck is going on here?' are the ones we should be diving into, not running away from."

Dr. McNellis received her Ph.D. in English in 2011 from the University of California, Irvine, where she specialized in critical theory and 20th century American poetry. She received a B.A. from Cornell University in 2004, where she was enrolled in the College Scholar honors program and pursued an interdisciplinary course of study focusing on literature, religious studies, and philosophy. Before TVT, she taught at UCI, Orange Coast College, Irvine Valley College, and in the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth program. She is the author of The Blank Caught Fire (Horse Less Press, 2013) and Impossible Loves (Rock Paper Tiger Press, 2011).

In her spare time, she enjoys knitting, cooking, and soundly defeating her enemies at pub trivia.

My aspirations: To model commitment and openness. To cultivate text skills, thoughtful values, and self-expression in students. To help the next generation find their roots and wings.

While studying for his Ph.D. in rabbinic literature, Dr. Moss founded and directed The Cincinnati Klezmer Project, a wedding and bar-mitzvah band featuring Yiddish music. Upon graduation, he taught in the religion department of Wright State University and the rabbinical school of Hebrew Union College. He lived on campus for 16 years as Residential Faculty at American Hebrew Academy, a Jewish boarding school in North Carolina. He taught core courses in Tanakh and Talmud. (“The Talmud is exercise equipment for a critical mind.”) He also taught popular elective courses in World Religions, Jewish Music and Hasidism.

He inspired by the high energy of the student body and the school’s commitment to fostering diversity and character.

Dr. Moss and his wife Gina live in Irvine have two grown sons. In his spare time, Dr. Moss is still exploring and getting his bearings on all southern California has to offer! He likes to listen to music, practice piano, and write.