Charles Sachs, Head of School
Colgate University, BA; Middlebury College, MA
Quote: "The child is the Father of Man”
— William Wordsworth
After college graduation, Charlie Sachs began teaching English language
as a Peace Corps volunteer. He returned to the United States to teach
dyslexics and thereafter worked in several outstanding boarding and day
schools around the country.
In his 37 years in education, Charlie has taught French, English, and
history at the Middle and Upper School levels and coached lacrosse,
alpine skiing, squash, rowing, and tennis. Over 17 years, he has served
as head of three different independent schools.
Charlie’s family includes his wife Kim and four very active and fun
young men aged 14 to 26. Whenever possible, Charlie takes full advantage
of the recreational, social, and cultural opportunities of Park City. email >
Tess Miner-Farra, Assistant to Head of School
Wells College, BA; University of Utah, MA
Quote: "It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers." - James Thurber
Raised in Manhattan and then upstate New York in a family of writers,
teachers and avid readers, Tess studied English and Philosophy at Wells
College, then started her teaching career in the English department at
Phillips Andover Academy in Massachusetts, where she coached soccer,
xc-skiing and directed a freshman girls' dormitory.
In 1996 at the
University of Utah, Tess completed a Masters degree that she started at
Middlebury College's Bread Loaf School of English, married husband John
and moved back to NY to teach English and History at the National Sports
Academy in Lake Placid. During the next six years, Tess taught every
level of secondary English, SAT Prep, served as the Director of College
Counseling, Faculty liaison to the Board, and Academic Dean.
After the
birth of their first daughter, the family moved to Maine in support of
John's work and Tess spent the next six years at home with Lina and
Hanna, teaching College Composition and coordinating a college-readiness
program at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. The Farras
returned to Utah in 2008 and in 2009, Tess brought her independent
school experience to Park City Day School, along with her two daughters,
who now enjoy the extraordinary benefits of a PCDS education.
Tess, John, Lina and Hanna take full advantage of the spectacular Utah weather, hiking, trail running, camping and otherwise "keeping up" with the newest member of the family, a border collie mix named "Roxy." email >
Janice Brewster, Assistant Head of School, 3-9
University of Utah, BS
Quote: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life
you have imagined.” —Henry David Thoreau
After graduating from the University of Utah, Janice Brewster began
her teaching career in Jackson Hole, WY, working at a residential school
for students with severely and profoundly handicapping conditions.
After returning to Utah, she taught in a variety of settings, including
the Jordan School District and parochial schools.
Over the past 25 years, Janice has taught reading, honors English and
language arts, and has coached volleyball, basketball and cheerleading.
She is passionate about children and loves to help each child discover
his or her unique talents and gifts.
An avid gardener and novice decorator, Janice likes to spend time
with her sisters, daughter and son-in-law. When she’s not working, she
can be found walking, watching movies, and learning to play the guitar.
email >
Joanne Staral, Assistant Head of School, EC - 2
University of Wisconsin-Madison, BS
Quote: “You must be the change you want to see in the world.”
—Mahatma Gandhi
Encouraged to enter the world of education by an inspirational high
school instructor, Joanne Staral began her teaching career at the middle
school level in Madison, Wisconsin. She came to Park City with a strong
background in child development and reading, and had the opportunity to
work with an amazing group of students at the middle and elementary
school level. Nearly three decades later, she now puts her teaching
expertise to work for first graders at the Park City Day School, where
she enjoys the challenge and creative freedom of the independent school
setting.
Joanne’s teaching approach emphasizes engaging activities that bring
learning to life and collaborative projects that teach children to work
cooperatively in the classroom. She has a passion for educating her
students about the earth and the significance of “treading lightly” as
we go about our daily lives. Joanne co-founded the greenhouse program at
the Colby campus and looks forward to expanding the instructional reach
of the gardening program in the future.
Away from the classroom, Joanne likes to ski, bike, fly fish and hike
in the beautiful mountains surrounding Park City. email >
Melanie Pickens, Academic Dean
Brigham Young University, BA
University of Tennessee, MS
Quote: ”When life hands you lemons, make orange juice and leave them
wondering how you did it.” --Anonymous
Melanie Pickens began teaching as a middle school history teacher in
Texas. During her eleven years in the classroom, Melanie has taught in
five states, in both public and private settings, to a wide range of
students, including gifted and special needs students.
After completing her Master’s degree in Educational Administration
and Supervision, Melanie served as the Middle School Dean of Students at
an independent school in Memphis and as the Director of Educational
Technology, Summer Programs and After School Programs at Park City
Academy.
Melanie enjoys spending time with her daughters.
Whenever possible they love to take advantage of the recreational
opportunities in the Park City area. email >
Jim Zimmermann, Middle School Coordinator 
Washington University, BA University of Pennsylvania, MS
Quote: "You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of
focus." —Mark Twain
A native Missourian, Jim Zimmermann graduated from Washington
University in St. Louis with a degree in Biology (and a wife—not your
typical combined degree program!). Graduate school brought Jim and his
wife Linda to Philadelphia, where Jim studied early developmental
biology at the University of Pennsylvania; his research there culminated
in a graduate degree in Molecular Biology.
After engaging in scientific research in both Denver and Salt Lake
City, Jim moved into the field of education. He is now in his ninth year
of teaching Middle School, with subjects having ranged from math to
science to history to Latin.
A board game enthusiast, Jim has hosted a Middle School Strategy
Games Club and co-sponsored a Chess Club. This is Jim's third year of
serving as Middle School Division Director. Jim and Linda have two sons,
Will and Eric, who are in the 4th Grade and love baseball, Star Trek
and adventure stories. email >
Elaine Minahan, Early Childhood Coordinator
University
of Kansas, BA
Quote: “Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.”
—Maori Proverb
A native of Kansas, Elaine Berns ventured West to explore the
mountains of Utah “just for a ski season.” Ten years later, she still
enjoys the friendly community and outdoor lifestyle of Park City.
Elaine has a background in Montessori philosophy and eight years
teaching experience in Early Childhood education. In her classroom,
children will find a supportive environment that fosters creative
learning and a sense of independence. A solid understanding of
curriculum and early childhood philosophy, a joy for learning, and a
passion for music are gifts Elaine shares with her students.
When she is not with young people in the classroom, you can find her
singing on various stages in town with two local bands, The Detonators
and Lash LaRue. She also enjoys yoga, skiing, and hiking on the trails
with her terrier mutt, Lucy. email >