Introducing MC's Newest Faculty & Staff Members
We are grateful to the sixteen new employees who have joined our community as faculty and staff.
Debra Dharmer - English
A native New Yorker, adopted New Englander, and current Californian, Debra has passed the quarter of a century mark in her teaching career. She graduated from SUNY Stony Brook with her Bachelor’s degree (double major in English and History). From there she earned her teaching credential from Framingham State College and then a Master of Fine Arts (fiction and poetry concentration) from the University of San Francisco. Her teaching career has included middle, high school, and college students in public, private, and charter schools as well as adult ELL. She is returning to Marin Catholic after a one year departure to work with her parish school; this will be her fifth year at MC. Her conversion to Catholicism in 2018 came with a divine call to commit to Catholic education so as to fully integrate her faith and work. Having taught here for four years previously, she is incredibly excited to be back with MC’s vibrant and faith filled community.
Colleen France - Theology
Colleen is a California native, raised in Southern California with her three siblings. She attended the University of San Francisco, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and certificate in the Classical Great Books Program from the Saint Ignatius Institute. Her passionate professors sparked her love of truth, beauty, and goodness and equipped her for the wonderful journey ahead. She has never stopped studying theology, philosophy, and psychology.
She began her path into teaching at Ross School, assisting children with various learning differences. After four years and much prayer, she continued her studies at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at Catholic University of America in Washington,DC, where she earned a master’s degree in theological studies (MTS). Being immersed in the life and writings of St. Pope John Paul II, she grew in appreciation of the dignity of every human person and the great gift of creation. She was called back across the country to Marin Catholic, where she taught Theology and served as the department chair. As Providence would have it, she met her awesome husband, Del France, who just so happened to be the Physics teacher and football coach…yet more proof that theology and science truly do go hand in hand!
They have been married for 19 years and have 4 amazing sons. Being a wife and boy mom has been her greatest gift and most exciting adventure.She is humbled and grateful to be welcomed back to Marin Catholic and excited to learn alongside her students and Big Cats. Her goal is always to first love and then teach. When she is not falling in love with new art and music, she is probably driving her boys down the 101 with a few black iced teas or walking her black lab, Philip. She is a self-proclaimed homebody who loves to read, hike, cultivate relationships, and encourage others to become who God has made them to be.
Del France - Science, Frosh Football Coach
Del was born and raised in Washington state. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Physics from Santa Clara, he joined the MC community, teaching Physics, Astronomy and starting our AP Physics program. He also coached JV Football. At Marin Catholic, Del found Faith, Hope and Love. He was baptized, confirmed and received First Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil in 2006 and married the love of his life, Colleen, that June. Their three oldest sons will be students at MC this fall (John-Paul ’26, Christian ’27, and Seamus ’29). Del took a break from education to pursue a career in business, earning an MBA from the Haas School. He is grateful to return and put out into the deep at Marin Catholic. Del will be leading students to Jesus Christ through Honors Physics and Freshman Football. When he is not on the football field or in the physics classroom, he enjoys spending time with his family, fly fishing, snow skiing and helping his four sons pursue their passions.
Micah Gruenwald - Italian
Micah Gruenwald is excited to begin his first year at MC, where he will be teaching Italian for the first time. Micah is a graduate of UC Davis where he earned a degree in Economics and Music, as well as a minor in Philosophy. After graduating, he taught music at Lower Lake High School, a small rural school located north of Marin. There, he directed the marching band, jazz band, and choir, fostering a strong music program in a community with limited resources.
Although Micah is transitioning professionally away from music, he’s always happy to jam with fellow musicians. Outside the classroom, he enjoys cooking, driving, and exploring new places. As someone new to the area, he welcomes any recommendations for local sights, activities, or hidden gems.
Angelique Kofman - Admissions Assistant
Angelique, is a New York native who parlayed her Economics degree from Binghamton University into a dynamic, decade long career on Wall Street, including international banking and extensive time in Private Wealth Management at Goldman, Sachs & Co. After stepping away from finance to focus on family, she planted roots in Marin County. Here she dedicated her energy to volunteer work with the Mother's Clubs, PTAs, PTOs, SPARK, and the Larkspur Corte Madera School District. Angelique's prior experience at Hall Middle School, coupled with her natural talent for fostering connections, makes her very excited to join the Marin Catholic Admissions team. When she's not connecting with others, she cherishes time with loved ones, travel, hiking, and biking (of the stationary kind!).
Nina Anderson Legg - History
Nina was born and raised in El Paso,Texas. She attended Texas A&M University where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication. While in graduate school, Nina taught communication classes and worked for the advising office in the College of Liberal Arts. After graduating from university, Nina worked for several non-profit organizations. While she enjoyed her work, she missed the classroom and decided to become a certified Social Studies teacher. She taught high school history, government, and economics in Austin,Texas and College Station, Texas. She also taught communication courses at Austin Community College. Nina has earned the NISOD Excellence Award and the Presidential Scholar Teacher Recognition Award.
Most recently she was an Instructional Assistant Professor of Communication for Texas A&M International University. A desire to get away from the Texas heat led Nina and her husband to move to Marin County. Nina is excited to join the Marin Catholic History Department and looks forward to spending her free time enjoying the beautiful weather. In addition to loving the outdoors, Nina loves to read, travel, hike, and is trying to improve her gardening skills.
Most recently she was an Instructional Assistant Professor of Communication for Texas A&M International University. A desire to get away from the Texas heat led Nina and her husband to move to Marin County. Nina is excited to join the Marin Catholic History Department and looks forward to spending her free time enjoying the beautiful weather. In addition to loving the outdoors, Nina loves to read, travel, hike, and is trying to improve her gardening skills.
Garrett Martin - English
Garrett was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, growing up in the East Bay before later moving to the Peninsula. After graduating from St. Ignatius College Preparatory, he attended Boston College where he graduated summa cum laude, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and English and minor in Theology. At BC, he involved himself by working as a Writing Specialist in the English department’s Writing Center, serving on the Philippine Society’s executive board, mentoring high school students in their faith journeys through BC’s Ever to Excel program, and playing on the university’s club volleyball team. Prior to teaching at MC, he completed his full-practicum and teacher education program at an all-boys Jesuit school in Boston, where he also completed one of his pre-practica. Garrett is excited to return to the Bay Area and join the English Department at Marin Catholic! Outside of the classroom, he is likely spending time with his family (including his Bernedoodle puppy and mini English bulldog!), taking a HIIT workout class, or trying a new restaurant.
Ruvianne Mercado - Theology
Ruvianne (Ruvi) studied with the Western Dominican Friars at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in their concurrent MA program for Philosophy and Theology. There, she discovered her love of the writings of Catherine of Siena. She was also working for the Dominicans in fundraising, but desired to join them on the frontlines, showing and teaching Christ to students. When she's not thinking about philosophy or theology, Ruvi loves playing the guitar and singing sacred music with her friends. She also loves art and is currently learning how to write iconography.
Carolyn Mock - Communications Assistant
Carolyn grew up in Marin County. After graduating from Marin Catholic in 2019, she attended the University of California at Santa Cruz. There, she earned her BA in Medical Anthropology and a BA in Community Studies, all while working as a videographer in the university’s Admissions Department. Carolyn also worked as a reporter and later an editor at a newspaper, conducting research for her senior thesis, and playing lots of intramural volleyball. She has lived in San Francisco for the past couple of years and has been working as a freelance videographer and editor, and is now very excited to be joining the Marin Catholic community as the new Communications Associate! Outside of work she enjoys spending time in San Franciscan parks, playing volleyball, dancing, reading, working on her own videography and photography projects, and watching movies with friends.
McKenna Musket - Counselor
McKenna was born and raised in the East Bay and graduated from Heritage High School in Brentwood. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Civic Communication and Media from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, graduating as a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. After college, McKenna returned to the Bay Area and worked with the San Jose Earthquakes on the Group Sales and Experiences team, serving as the K–12 liaison. In this role, she coordinated school group outings and fundraisers to create lasting memories for students. She later joined the University of San Diego as the Regional Admissions Counselor for Northern California, where she advised prospective students and evaluated admission applications from across the region, including Marin Catholic! Outside of work, McKenna enjoys exploring the Bay Area and attending local sporting events with her friends and family. She is excited to support Marin Catholic students and be part of the MC community!
Kirstin Schmidt - Counseling Intern
Kirstin is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in School Counseling at Saint Mary’s College of California, where she has distinguished herself as a dedicated and high-achieving graduate student. Originally from suburban Chicago, she earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona and later completed her teaching credential at San Francisco State University. Kirstin spent ten years teaching elementary school before stepping away to raise her three daughters. Throughout that time, she remained actively involved in education as a parent volunteer, PTA board member, and community advocate. For the past 12 years, she and her family have lived in Mill Valley, where she continues to be deeply engaged in both school and community life. Outside of her graduate work and internship, Kirstin enjoys cheering on her daughters at their events and exploring Marin’s many beautiful outdoor spaces. She is excited to bring her experience, enthusiasm, and strong academic foundation to her role as a counseling intern.
Celia Shinn - Academic Support Center
Celia is a recent graduate from Bard College in Red Hook, NY, where she majored in literature with a concentration in theology. During her time in undergraduate school, she worked in the student-run tutoring center and tutored students in 100-level courses. She studied abroad for two terms at Oxford University under the one-on-one tutorial system, which further solidified her love for a close-knit learning style that prioritizes each students’ needs. At Bard, she also founded a student-run literary magazine, Feeding the Crows and contributed to the college’s print newspaper, the Bard Observer. She was raised in Seattle and is now the fourth generation of her family on her father’s side to live in the Bay Area. She is so excited to start a new adventure in the Academic Support Center at Marin Catholic!
Diego Sinisterra - Spanish
Diego is a Spanish teacher with over 15 years of teaching experience, including 11 years at the college and university level in Colombia and four years in California high schools. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Communication and a Master's in Journalism, both earned in his native Colombia. In addition to teaching Spanish, Diego has extensive experience as a professional journalist and photojournalist and has taught photography, journalism, and editorial design. His classes emphasize cultural immersion, faith integration, and storytelling through language and visual media. As a practicing Catholic, Diego is dedicated to nurturing his students’ academic, creative, and spiritual development. He is excited to be part of a Christ-centered school community committed to forming compassionate, intellectually curious young leaders.
Sister Karol Augustine - Math
Sister Karol Augustine was born and raised in the suburbs of Boston. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Divinity from Saint John’s University in Minnesota. A math teacher for fifteen years, she has taught high school mathematics in Chicago, Washington, D.C, Phoenix, and Lansing. Prior to entering the convent, she also worked as a Natural Family Planning Coordinator for the Diocese of Rockford, Illinois. A member of the Catholic Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, she made her first profession of vows in 2021. She is excited to join the Mathematics Department at Marin Catholic.
Tyler Willis - Art
Tyler Willis was born and raised in Marin County, graduating from Marin Catholic in 2010. Following high school, he pursued an Architecture degree at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. Post-graduation, Tyler worked in the real estate development industry in Silicon Valley for approximately nine years before establishing his own art studio in San Francisco. In addition to teaching,Tyler maintains his professional art practice in San Francisco, utilizing a diverse range of media such as sculpture, graphite, charcoal, and oil/acrylic paint. Through the creation of layered textures and colors, he crafts portraits that harmoniously blend photorealism, technical sketching, and abstract expressionism. Tyler is excited to be back teaching at his alma mater.
Rachel Yarnold - Counselor, Women's Basketball Coach
Rachel grew up in the East Bay and graduated from San Ramon Valley High School. She went on to attend the University of Rochester, where she played collegiate basketball and earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology with minors in Business and Historical Engineering. Since 2011, Rachel has worked in the tech industry as a marketing leader, with roles at companies like Fitbit and 1Password. She specializes in building high-performing teams, streamlining processes, and driving impactful results. Rachel is the Head Coach of the Marin Catholic Women’s Varsity Basketball Team and is excited to contribute to the larger academic community at MC. In her free time, she enjoys walking her dog, Harper, and coaching a travel basketball team based in San Francisco.
675 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Kentfield CA 94904 Phone: 415-464-3898 | Email: admissions@marincatholic.org
