Donna Rabin
AP Literature and Composition, sophomore English
New this school year, English teacher Donna Rabin teaches three sections of Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature and Composition, as well as two sophomore English classes.
With one year at Tamalpais High School, 12 years at an international high school in San Francisco and five years teaching in Paris, Rome and the Czech Republic, Rabin brings extensive experience to Redwood.
“I feel really lucky to be teaching AP Lit,” Rabin said. “It’s different because it’s about teaching students to be insightful readers and writers. I can focus on literature I love and let students explore at their own pace.”
Rabin hopes to make her biggest impact through one-on-one connections with students.
“Seeing kids have those ‘breakthrough’ moments, especially students who come in thinking they aren’t good at English, is one of the best parts of the job.”
Additionally, Rabin enjoys playing the violin, watching movies and exploring the outdoors.
Matthew Post
Statistics, Algebra 1-2
With a background in music and math, Matt Post brings a creative twist to his statistics and algebra classes. After earning a degree in music and teaching piano lessons for years, Post realized he wanted to make a bigger impact.
“I started teaching piano lessons and realized how much I enjoyed it,” Post said. “Then, when COVID happened, I saw how many schools needed math teachers.”
Post works to break the stereotype that math is boring or intimidating.
“The first thing I try to do is make sure students don’t hate walking into math class,” he said. “I like to play music as they come in and make the classroom a place where it’s okay to make mistakes.”
Post hopes students leave his class feeling prepared and confident.
Katie Wiltshire
AP Secretary
After 20 years as a 911 dispatcher in the Washington, D.C. area, including during the 2002 D.C. sniper attacks, Katie Wiltshire has stepped into a new role as the AP secretary.
“I handled calls during the D.C. sniper attacks while my husband, who was a police officer, responded,” Wiltshire said. “It was a rewarding career but also stressful, so moving into education has been a big change in a good way.”
Wiltshire now manages AP testing accommodations, disciplinary letters, parking logistics and supports student activities and leadership.
she said. “Even if some kids are referred here for disciplinary issues, I want them to feel comfortable coming to us for help.”
Outside of work, Wiltshire and her husband love to travel and spend time with their three grown daughters.
“I treat students the way I’d want someone to treat my own kids,” she said. “With respect and support, knowing everyone makes mistakes.”
Kindra Lee
Library Specialist
After working in public relations, living abroad and raising a family, Kindra Lee found her calling in libraries. She earned her master’s degree in library science from San Jose State in 2019.
“I knew I wanted to be in a school setting,” Lee said. “When I worked as the evening library specialist at Redwood, I hoped this position would open up. After the library renovation, it felt like the perfect opportunity.”
Before Redwood, Lee worked as the library specialist at Tamalpais High School.
“Tam’s library is smaller and has a traditional, academic vibe,” she said. “Redwood’s library is modern and bigger, thanks to the recent renovation.”
Lee said her goal is to make the library a welcoming space for everyone.
“Librarians don’t know everything,” she said, “but we know how to find the answers to anything.”
Lee believes students should feel comfortable coming to the library with any kind of question.
A devoted fan of historical fiction, Lee supports every reader’s interests, from novels to graphic novels. She strives to make the library a place where all students feel seen.
Susan Gallagher
Academic Workshop
After a career in human resources and raising two daughters who have now graduated from Redwood, Susan Gallagher found her passion for teaching later in life.
“When my kids were in elementary school, I started volunteering in classrooms and coaching youth sports,” Gallagher said. “I realized I loved working with students, so I went back and got my teaching credential.” “There’s a lot of pressure on students here,” she said. “I hope I can be a calming influence, someone who reassures them it’s all going to work out.”
Gallagher has now been teaching for seven years, including three years at White Hill Middle School in Fairfax as a resource teacher. She joined Redwood this fall, drawn by the chance to work with older students as they prepare for college and life beyond high school.
Beyond the classroom, Gallagher enjoys playing pickleball at Piper Park and practicing her golf swing at the Bay Club. Above all, she wants students to feel comfortable coming to her for support.
“I want them to know I have their back,” she said. “I want them to feel heard.”
