The Sugar Bowl Academy faculty provides a rigorous and supportive classroom learning environment that reflects a passion for the subject matter taught. Faculty members cheerfully serve as instructors, mentors, advisors, guardians and cheerleaders. Their contribution to the SBA community extends well beyond the class day.

Tracy Keller

Head of School

Tracy grew up ski racing in Vermont prior to attending Dartmouth College where she was a member and captain of the alpine ski team. After receiving a B.A. in Government and Political Theory from Dartmouth, Tracy moved westward to Sugar Bowl Academy where she began teaching and coaching. Most recently, Tracy completed her M.A. in Secondary Education from the University of Nevada, Reno. Her Dartmouth education, Masters' degree, and experience as a teacher and administrator have given her a strong foundation to lead Sugar Bowl Academy to the next level.

Bill Hudson

Executive Director Sugar Bowl Ski Team Foundation

Former U.S. Ski Team Member, National Champion, and Olympian, he currently oversees both the Academy and Ski Team programs. Bill grew up locally in North Lake Tahoe, and he hails from a family rich in skiing tradition-his mother Sally was on the 1952 U.S. Olympic Ski Team. Bill uses his experiences as both an accomplished skier and scholar (at Dartmouth College and the University of Utah) to ensure the Sugar Bowl Ski Team Foundation accomplishes its mission of developing the whole child: mind, body, and spirit.

Steve Ascher

Mathematics and Science Teacher

Steve holds a B.S. in Geology and Geophysics from Yale University and an M.S. in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Washington. He has taught math and science for over fifteen years and has considerable experience in university-level research. When not at SBA, Steve continues to teach on the snow and in the air as a ski instructor and professional glider pilot.

Andy Giordano

Dean of Students, Mathematics and Science Teacher, Dorm Parent

Andy holds a BS in Biology from SUNY Buffalo and an MS in Zoology from Washingto n State University where he studied evolutionary dynamics in natural populations. Andy taught several different university courses at both SUNY Buffalo and WSU and has been involved secondary education since 2005 and in science education for over nine years. In addition to math and science courses Andy teaches the Digital Photography and Leadership electives. Andy is also the Chair of the Advisory Program and a Dorm Parent. Since moving to Donner Summit, Andy has added alpine, nordic and backcountry skiing to his list of hobbies which includes hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing and photography. Andy's recent work can be viewed at http://andygiordano.photoshelter.com.

Kristen Lew

Dean of Residential Life, Mathematics and Science Teacher

Kristen grew up in California and Washington state before received a B.S. and M.S. in Microbiology from Washington State University. At WSU she was active in the molecular biosciences department, participated in scientific research for five years, and taught senior level laboratory courses. In her free time, Kristen enjoys hiking, backpacking, and spending time with her two dogs.

Kelly Farrell

Director of College Counseling, Art Teacher

Originally from New Hampshire, Kelly has an intimate relationship with all aspects of life in independent schools. After receiving a B.A. from Alfred University in upstate New York, Kelly went on to work as a dorm parent, academic advisor, college admissions counselor, and alpine ski coach in Colorado and, most recently, California. Kelly’s experiences in independent schools around the country will serve the Sugar Bowl Academy community well.

Peyton Jobe

Director of Communications, Spanish Department Chair

Peyton is a graduate of Davidson College (BA, Political Science) and The University of Maryland (MA, Spanish Language and Literature). He has taught languages at Washington and Lee University, The Fulbright Commission's language academy in Quito, Ecuador, and The University of Maryland as well as at independent and public secondary schools. He has served as an AP Spanish Language exam reader for Educational Testing Services and has recently published and presented formally on the subject of Mobile Assisted Language Learning. Prior to embarking on a career in education, Peyton was a writer for The Tennessean and The Orange County Review. Peyton enjoys good music and literature, learning about new trends and applications in academic technology as well as skiing, hiking, biking, fishing, and all things outdoors.

Aly Kendall

Spanish Teacher

Aly Kendall joins Sugar Bowl Academy as a part-time Spanish Teacher and student government sponsor. A graduate of Davidson College with a M.T.S. from Vanderbilt University, Aly has many years of language teaching experience at both the middle and high school levels.  She studied in Spain as an undergraduate and lived in Ecuador for two years where she taught at a bilingual high school as well as for the Fulbright Commission's English language academy in Quito, Ecuador.  Over the years Aly has enjoyed taking her Spanish language students on trips to Honduras, Costa Rica, and Spain.  Aly enjoys spending free time with her 12-year old son and her hound dog. Her hobbies include reading, outdoor recreation, and torturing her family with her novice violin skills.  

Andy Knox

Social Studies Department Chair

Andy was a member of the New Teachers Collaborative; a teacher licensure program based in Boston, MA, and has taught in high schools in Massachusetts, Colorado, and California since 2004. He earned a B.A. in Geography/Social Science from St. Bonaventure University and a M.S. in Geography from the University of Oregon. His passion for experiencing other cultures has taken Andy to over 30 countries around the world. He treasures the healthy lifestyle that living in the mountains provides and outside of teaching will spend as much time on a bike or skis as possible.

Joanne Knox

Director of Teaching & Learning, English Department Chair, Drama Teacher, Senior Project Advisor

Joanne earned a BA in English from St. Bonaventure University, a Masters in Teaching from the State University of New York at Cortland, and is currently working on a second Masters degree in Literature through Middlebury College's Breadloaf School of English program. Joanne has previously worked as a licensed secondary English teacher in New York, Massachusetts, and Colorado. When not teaching, Joanne can be found running, Nordic and alpine skiing, scuba diving, or traveling.

Corbin Prychun

History Teacher, Dorm Parent

Corbin grew up in San Diego before attending the University of California at Santa Cruz where he majored in History and Education. He returned two years later to obtain his Masters in Education and California Teaching Credential. Sports, traveling and history have always been Corbin’s main passions. He has been living on the coast his entire life and is looking forward to enjoying the mountains and the fresh set of outdoor activities that comes with it.

Ambrose Tuscano

English Teacher, Nordic Coach

Ambrose holds a B.S. in Biology and English (2001) from Davidson College. His primary academic focus is improving student writing. His spare time is divided between Nordic and Alpine skiing, whitewater kayaking, cycling, and trail running. He has also been editor-in-chief of American Whitewater magazine since 2002.

Scott White

Director of Food Services, Head Chef

A long time resident of Donner Summit, Scott has tremendous experience in the restaurant, catering, and private chef industries. He has worked for local haunts including Ice Lakes Lodge, Dragonfly, and Red Truck. A proponent of using fresh, local, sustainable, seasonal foods, Scott creates healthy and tasty meals for students, athletes, faculty, and staff. After earning his BA from the University of California, Davis, Scott moved to San Francisco, traveled the world, and now resides in Soda Springs, CA, enjoying all of the outdoor activities the Sierras have to offer.