By Caleb Kim ’26
As the new school year approaches, many changes are fast approaching. From a new class of students to the new Wade Academic Center, students will see a fresh Bellarmine! At the center of this change will be the set of incoming teachers and staff, so the Bell Online contacted Mrs. Earwood, the Assistant Principal of Academics, on this matter. According to her, the Science, Counseling, and Religious Studies Departments will all see new staff, with new changes also being made in Bellarmine’s Administration, Academic Resource Center, and Pinkston Fellowship. For a fuller, more comprehensive list with staff descriptions provided by Mrs. Earwood, please check below:
The Science Department is excited to welcome Preethi Sundaresakumar! Preethi comes to us most recently from the Nueva School in San Mateo. She has a Masters in Biological Sciences from San Jose State University, and prior to being a teacher, she was a visiting researcher at Stanford University, where she conducted research on DNA repair and breast cancer. Preethi will teach Biology and Chemistry, and she is excited to be involved in the many service opportunities we have here at Bellarmine.
The Counseling team welcomes Elizabeth Valencia, a bilingual high school counselor with extensive experience; she currently works at Presentation High School. Her positive and energetic personality will be an asset to our students and the school community. In her free time, Elizabeth loves to spend time with her husband, their 8-year-old son, enjoys walks on the beach, and is also an avid Pilates enthusiast.
Bellarmine welcomes Jasper and Jacobi Mitchell as our two Pinkston Fellows. Jasper and Jacobi are twin brothers and graduated from Morehouse College. Originally from the south side of Chicago, they are dedicated musicians, servant leaders in their campus community, and active members of their faith community back home. They have sung the national anthem at a Chicago Bulls game 4 times!
The Religious Studies Department welcomes Analisa Fuentes. Ana comes to us from Cristo Rey San Jose. Originally from Bakersfield, Ana graduated with a degree in Religious Studies from Santa Clara University in 2016. She was a member of a Christian Life Community while there. Since 2022, she has worked at Cristo Rey San Jose as the Director of Student Activities, the College Spring Coordinator, and a Religious Studies Teacher. She has a passion for teaching, a love for Jesuit spirituality, and a desire to accompany young people into a hope-filled future.
Please join us in welcoming Jubenal Rodriguez as the Assistant Dean. Jubenal brings a decade of experience in education, student support, and has a background in developing and implementing IEPs. A bilingual speaker, Jubenal is excited to return to a faith-based school setting where he can continue his work with purpose and heart.
Change of role: Mrs. Jennifer Johnson takes on the role of Director of ARC.
So Bells, let’s welcome our new teachers and staff with our Bellarmine spirit!