Meet the Newest SMS Teachers and Staff!

Ms. Bullock is joining St. Mary’s as a Resident Faculty Advisor with a background in outdoor science, storytelling, and youth mentorship. A graduate of Penn State University, Ms. Bullock is a passionate writer and intuitive reader who brings humor, heart, and presence into every space she holds. Her professional experience spans youth development, outdoor education, and global student support. At Camp Campbell Outdoor Science School, she co-led daily programming for students ages 7–17 and launched “Regulation Station,” a wellness space designed for emotional reset and nervous system regulation. Prior to that, she worked as an Administrative Assistant at Penn State’s Intensive English Communication Program (IECP), where she supported international students and staff through warm, organized communication and culturally responsive hospitality.  She is committed to helping students feel safe, seen, celebrated, and empowered to show up as their most authentic selves.




Gustav Coetzee

Gustav Coetzee was born in South Africa and began his professional career as a research and development scientist. After several years in the scientific field, he transitioned into education and has been teaching science for the past four years. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Zoology, along with a graduate degree in Aquatic Ecosystems Health. He also completed a teacher preparation program at a university in Washington, DC, and is licensed to teach science in both Washington, DC and Oregon.  Gustav has taught at private and international schools in Thailand, where he worked with students from diverse cultural backgrounds and nationalities. Passionate about the outdoors, he often brings his love of nature into his teaching. He strives to foster a growth mindset in his students and uses a positive attitude to encourage curiosity, resilience, and a love of learning in the science classroom.

 

Alec was born and raised in the small island town of Ketchikan, Alaska. Growing up in the rainforest of Southeast Alaska continues to be the most influential experience of his life, developing his love for nature, outdoor sports, close-knit community, and adventure. After high school Alec spent a year living in Queensland, Australia on the Great Barrier Reef, where he immersed himself in scuba diving and sailing. His passion for travel kept him moving for another year, as he worked and traveled throughout South America. During his travels he began to speak Spanish and developed a passion for learning about new cultures through experience and conversation. He moved to the Rogue Valley to attend SOU in 1998 where he immediately fell in love with the rivers, mountains and people of Southern Oregon, including his college sweetheart wife. Alec studied abroad at the University of Guanajuato in central Mexico where he honed his language skills and developed a profound love for the country. After graduating, he spent another year living in central and South America before returning to Alaska to work as a Spanish teacher, journalist for NPR and as a sea kayak expedition guide for several years. Alec and his wife moved to Nuevo Leon, Mexico to teach middle school Language Arts at a bilingual Catholic school for two years before returning to the Rogue Valley to raise their family. He earned his MS in Education from SOU, and most recently worked as a Spanish teacher at Ashland Middle School. Alec is passionate about truly connecting with students, building their language skills, and sharing his experiences with them in the classroom as a way to motivate them to learn language and discover the Spanish-speaking world. He truly believes every student brings unique value to the classroom that can be celebrated to make learning a joyful endeavor in a rich educational community. When he is not in the classroom, you will find him with his family on the slopes of Mount Ashland, kayaking Southern Oregon’s rivers, or playing music with his band around the region. Alec currently spends his summers working on a Master of Arts in Spanish Language Teaching at the University of Guanajuato. He could not possibly be more excited to be joining the staff at Saint Mary’s School.

Mr. Gustafson is joining St. Mary’s as a Residential Faculty Advisor.  He grew up in Ashland and is an Ashland High School alumni. Throughout high school, he was a compassionate and high achieving student athlete. He involved himself in the Rogue Valley community by personally participating in and leading fundraising events, raising over $10,000 for the Asante Rogue Regional Natal Intensive Care Unit in Medford. He also graduated as valedictorian and led the boy’s soccer team to the state semifinals his senior year as a 4 year varsity player and 2 year captain, receiving multiple all state titles and the prestigious Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year award. His high achieving academic and athletic record resulted in him receiving an offer from the University of Washington to play Division 1 soccer, where he spent the next 2 years of his academic and athletic career. In these two years, Mr. Gustafson worked towards a psychology degree in hopes to help fellow athletes after he pursued a professional career in soccer. Loving a smaller community and more personal learning environment though, Mr. Gustafson decided to transfer schools. He played soccer and studied psychology the remainder of his student athlete experience as a Brown University Bear in the Ivy League. After receiving his bachelor’s degree and wrapping up his last season of collegiate soccer, Mr. Gustafson realized his passion for helping others overwhelmed his desire to play the sport professionally, leading him back home to the Rogue Valley where he then obtained his Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) license at Rogue Community College. He is now working part-time at Asante Rogue Regional’s Emergency Department as an Emergency Services Technician, building patient care experience so that he can apply to Physician’s Assistant (PA) school and one day become a PA.