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Employee Directory

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Department

Grade Level

Last Name

Nicole Samuels

Upper School Counselor

(949) 509-9500 x4304

Chapman University - B.A.
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology - Psy.D.

Bio

Dr. Samuels is a proud alumni of TVT who earned her B.A. in psychology at Chapman University, and completed her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Samuels spent several years providing clinical care and consultation in community mental health and pediatric settings, and most recently completed a child psychology postdoctoral fellowship at The Guidance Center in collaboration with Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Samuels highly values the bio-psycho-social approach to mental health and utilizes “the whole child” perspective to inform her clinical work.

When Dr. Samuels is not providing therapeutic care, she enjoys being a ‘fur-mom’ to two cats and one dog, baking sweet treats, and has a passion for interior design.
Michael Sardo

Teacher/11th Grade Level Leader

(949) 509-9500 x4344

Northwestern University - Ph.D.
College of William and Mary - B.A.
Northwestern University - M.A.

Bio

“Mature historical knowing teaches us to…go beyond our own image, to go beyond our brief life,
and to go beyond the fleeting moment in human history into which we have been born.” ~Sam
Wineburg.

Dr. Sardo believes that studying history is valuable not only because it helps us understand where
we’ve come from, but also because it requires that we see the world from perspectives beyond our
own. Dr. Sardo completed a B.A. in government and philosophy from The College of William and
Mary in Virginia, before earning a M.A. and Ph.D. in political science at Northwestern University,
where he wrote a dissertation on political responsibility in the history of political thought. He
previously taught at Occidental College, UC Irvine, and Northwestern’s Center for Talent
Development, and has published scholarly articles and book chapters on the history of political
philosophy, responsibility, and global justice.

Outside of the classroom, Dr. Sardo spends his time reading, hiking and visiting the beach with his
wife and daughter, playing tabletop miniatures games, and cheering for the Buffalo Sabres.
Alexander Segal

Teacher/Department Chair/9th Grade Level Leader

(949) 509-9500 x5173

University of California, San Diego - B.A.

Bio

“Music is a team sport. We all succeed together!”

Mr. Segal inspires student growth in a collaborative, creative, and performance-driven environment. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of California, San Diego with a bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Computing in the Arts and Music. OC Parenting Magazine named Alex Segal as one of the "Top Teachers of 2022.” He is a member of the Association for Popular Music Education (APME), Audio Engineering Society (AES), Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI), and National Association of Composers, USA (NAC-USA).
Erica Stemmler

Learning Specialist/Learning Center Coordinator

(949) 509-9500 x5151

Emory University - B.B.A.
California State University, Fullerton - M.S.
California State University, Fullerton - Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

Bio

Ms. Stemmler started her teaching career as a Montessori Preschool teacher at UCI. She went on to write curriculum for the Education Department at The Segerstrom Center for the Arts. She earned her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Master's of Science in Special Education from California State University at Fullerton. She served as a lead teacher for multiple grades for IUSD. She is a Certified National Geographic Educator and completed the IMSE Impact Comprehensive Orton Gillingham program.