Meet the Directors of the Center for Advanced Experiential Learning
Nicole Ackerson, Ph.D
Dr. Nicole Ackerson joined the Science Department staff at Berkeley in 2008 and has been the Department Chair since 2010. She holds a doctorate in Medicine, as well as master’s degrees in Pathology and Psychology. Before becoming a teacher, Dr. Ackerson was a successful research scientist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the field of lymphatic development and cancer research, where she earned several internationally recognized awards, such as the Susan Komen Young Researcher Award, an R99 grant for novel research, and invitations to speak at several Gordon Research Conferences. During her tenure at Berkeley, Dr. Ackerson has published several papers in the field of science education and has won numerous science education awards and recognitions, including recognition as the only two-time recipient of the Vernier Technology Award. Dr. Ackerson has been the Director of the Berkeley Health Sciences Institute and the Berkeley Premedical Institute since their inception.
Vincent Cimmino, B.S.
The Berkeley Technology Institute is led by Vincent Cimmino, who brings both academic and industry experience to the program. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems Management from Bridgewater State University, along with a double minor in Mathematics and Computer Science. Mr. Cimmino taught high school mathematics from 2003-2022 and has been teaching computer science since 2019. He has been a member of the Berkeley Preparatory School faculty since 2022 and founded the Berkeley Technology Institute in 2025. His professional background includes experience as a Help Desk Technician and a Supplemental Instructor for CS101 during his college years, as well as hands-on familiarity with the CompTIA A+ Certification. Bringing a strong emphasis on experiential learning and real-world application, Mr. Cimmino is committed to helping students build practical, industry-relevant skills while exploring future opportunities in technology.
Carlo DiNota, M.B.A.
Carlo DiNota, MBA, is the Director of Berkeley’s Lasher Center for Business & Entrepreneurial Studies and the founding Director of the Lasher Business Institute, which is entering its seventh year. He joined Berkeley in 2005 and previously served for a decade as Director of Berkeley’s Summer and Auxiliary Programs. Mr. DiNota teaches a number of business and personal finance classes and holds degrees from Villanova University, New York University, and Western Governors University. Prior to Berkeley, he served as a Department Chair and Grade Dean at The Maimonides School in Massachusetts, taught at Cardinal Hayes High School in New York, and served as a Yonkers (NY) City Council Member.
Corey Estes, B.S.
Corey Estes began teaching at Berkeley in 2008 and is now the parent of two alumni. He is currently the Eighth Grade Class Sponsor, Head Middle Division Track and JV Cross Country Coach, as well as the Director of the Berkeley National Security Institute. As a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a teacher of U.S. History, Mr. Estes has always taken a keen interest in the U.S. government and its functions. He believes this institute provides students with an in-depth understanding of the National Security Council and its responsibilities.
Christine Ortega Gaurkee, M.Ed, M.T.S.
Christine Ortega Gaurkee is an Upper Division teacher in the History and Religious Studies Department and an author who has been a member of the Berkeley Preparatory School community since 2003. An accomplished writer and scholar, Ms. Ortega is the author of “All You Want to Know But Didn’t Think You Could Ask: Religions, Cults, and Popular Beliefs,” and has published numerous academic and educational articles over the past 25 years, addressing topics such as religious literacy, adolescent spiritual development, and inclusive pedagogy. She has also written and presented extensively on equity and belonging in schools. Since 2017, Ms. Ortega has also served as the faculty sponsor of the school newspaper, fostering student voice, curiosity, and responsible journalism.
Sandrine Guez, J.D.
Sandrine Guez is a practicing attorney and educator who has worked at Berkeley since 2003. In 2014, Ms. Guez founded the Berkeley Bridge Program and began serving as Berkeley’s Transition Counselor, supporting students as they navigate academic and organizational challenges. Ms. Guez graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Johns Hopkins University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in English. She was a Varsity Basketball Scholar-Athlete and received UAA All-Academic recognition. In 2018, she earned her Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law, graduating Summa Cum Laude from the Honors Program. She earned Highest-Grade Designations in ten courses, the Dean’s Excellence Award, recognition as a Phelps Dunbar First Year Appellate Advocacy Competition Finalist, and the William F. Blews Pro Bono Service Award. While in law school, she served as a Digest Writer for the Stetson Law Review, worked as a faculty research assistant, completed a federal judicial externship, and worked as a paralegal at Gulfcoast Legal Services—an organization on whose board she now serves. Ms. Guez is most passionate about teaching students how to advocate and applying those same skills in her own advocacy for others.
Chris Marshall, M.F.A.
Christopher Marshall, M.F.A., is an actor, director, and teacher. He has been seen most recently in Tampa Rep’s “Straight White Men,” as Frederick Treves in “The Elephant Man,” and as Werner Heisenberg in “Copenhagen.” Mr. Marshall also directed their award-winning production of “All My Sons,” as well as “The Dreamer Examines His Pillow.” Off-Broadway: Atlantic Theatre Company and PTP/NYC. Regional and international theatre includes: Milwaukee Rep, ACTTheatre, Utah Shakespearean Festival, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, American Players Theatre; Riverside Theater, Aurora Theatre (Best Cast, “Betrayal,” SF Guardian 2004), Disk Theatre (Prague), and the Gdansk Shakespeare Festival (Poland). He has also directed in both Los Angeles (LA Times Critic’s Pick, “With Their Eyes”) and in Europe with Transversal Theatre Company. Mr. Marshall is a Co-Founder of Sketchbook Theatre in New York City, where he directed Romeo+Juliet, and is the Artistic Director of OnSite Theatre Collective. He is the Performing Arts Department Chair and the Director of Upper Division Theatre and Film, and he has been working at Berkeley Preparatory School since 2015. Mr. Marshall earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of California, Irvine, and a bachelor’s degree in Theatre/Psychology from Middlebury College. He can next be seen in “God of Carnage” at Tampa Rep and “The Shark is Broken” at Jobsite Theatre.
CD McLean, M.A.L.S.
CD McLean has been working at Berkeley since 2001. She started as the Upper Division Librarian, and the next year was promoted to Library Director. Mrs. McLean has written articles for national library magazines, peer-reviewed journals, and newspapers such as The Arizona Republic and the Arizona Daily Star. She served as President of the Association of Independent School Libraries, an international organization, and won its prestigious Marky Award as Librarian of the Year. Additionally, she has presented at numerous conferences. Since 2010, Mrs. McLean has also served as the faculty sponsor of Berkeley’s Upper Division student newspaper, fostering student voices, curiosity, and responsible journalism.