Department: Physical Education
Rennae Ross
rross@sfprep.orgSchool Health Coordinator. Rennae has been providing service to the Prep community as a health care coordinator/provider since obtaining an EMT-B certification in 1992. She has been on the faculty at Prep since 1990 as a PE teacher and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education. Throughout her career at Prep, Rennae has coached numerous sports, including soccer and dance at the Varsity level, and has coached teams to 3 State Soccer Championships and 2 State Dance Championships.
Rennae is a certified official for the NMOA in the sports of Spirit (Cheer and Dance) and Track & Field, and she spends many weekends officiating high school athletics. After 30+ years of involvement in youth soccer in New Mexico, Rennae was elected President of the New Mexico Youth Soccer Association, the state’s largest youth sports organization, with over 20,000 youth players. Rennae previously served as a volunteer EMT & firefighter for the Ilfeld Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department. In addition, Rennae has served as coordinator for Prep’s COVID-19 protocols and response. Rennae is a parent to two Prep graduates, Chris Holden (‘96) and Catie Holden-Rohloff (‘99).
Department(s)
“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” – Phil Jackson
Lis Desmond
ldesmond@sfprep.orgP.E., Middle School Track and Field Coach. Lis has taught and coached middle and high school students for 19 years. Lis grew up in the Chicago area and attended St. Lawrence University in Upstate New York. Upon graduation, Lis immediately moved to Santa Fe to pursue her interests in outdoor education and the visual arts. She is a certified USA Triathlon coach of a youth triathlon and track and field team outside of school, and she also holds certification as a USAT Level 1, USATF Level 2, and ASCA level 1 swim coach. Not only does Lis enjoy teaching and coaching kids, but she is also a five-time Ironman competitor, former river guide, expeditionary backpacking leader, and a motivated athlete. When Lis isn’t running around with the P.E. students at school, she can be found running around some more with her husband, daughter, and two rambunctious dogs.
Department(s)
Marissa Chrysler
mchrysler@sfprep.orgPE, Health, Life Skills. Marissa graduated with a Bachelor and Master of Arts in Spanish from the University of Colorado with an emphasis on language acquisition, cultural studies, and educational methods and theories. She is also currently completing a master’s in clinical mental health. Marissa has worked in both private and public schools in California and Colorado. Marissa is passionate about traveling and has studied abroad in the Dominican Republic, Spain, Italy, and Costa Rica. She has also led several international student trips. Apart from teaching, Marissa enjoys Salsa dancing, yoga, and spending time with her family.
Department(s)
Larry Petry
lpetry@sfprep.org
Todd Kurth
tkurth@sfprep.orgDirector of Athletics. Todd has been a classroom teacher (math and biology) and multi-sport coach for over thirty years in both day and boarding schools in New Hampshire, the D.C. area, the United Kingdom, and New Mexico. He has coached football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball, baseball, and diving. In 2001, he was named the New Mexico State Coach of the Year for soccer. Todd serves on the New Mexico Activities Association by-laws committee and has acted as District Chairman throughout his career. Born and raised in Santa Fe, he was valedictorian for the class of 1981 at Santa Fe Prep and received a Bachelor of Arts in biology from Williams College. Todd is an avid cyclist and outdoor enthusiast.
Department(s)
Jean “Parka” Kithil
jkithill@sfprep.org
David Caldwell
dcaldwell@sfprep.orgAssistant Athletic Director, Middle School Athletics Director, Varsity Swim Coach, Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, Middle School PE teacher. Dave received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from James Madison University. His professional background is in coaching. Dave has coached for over 30 years at the club, high school, and college levels in multiple sports. The NFHS named Dave the Women’s National Coach of the Year for swimming and diving 2017-2018. Dave enjoys his free time biking and spending time with his family.
Department(s)
“I believe a teacher helps students to understand how they learn, what works, and what doesn’t. The most important aspect of this process is to work with students within a structure that each student builds; they are self-reliant and can direct themselves to achieve.”