• Welcome to the Sonoma Valley High School Science Department.

    The science department offers a variety of courses : Earth science, lab biology, advanced biology (anatomy & physiology) chemistry, and physics. There are also AP courses in: biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science. In addition, we offer many agricultural course which include: Earth, biology, chemistry, plant and soil sciences, viticulture, and agricultural business. Currently, there are two science related clubs: astronomy and electronics.

Science Department



Science / Department Head Michelle Purvis mpurvis@sonomaschools.org
https://www.sonomaschools.org/Domain/1256

Phone:

Email: mpurvis@sonomaschools.org

Michelle Purvis, Science / Department Head

Department(s): Science

Degrees and Certifications

Experience

Responsibilities

Interests

The Living Earth / AP Environmental Elizabeth Bakh ebakh@sonomaschools.org
https://www.sonomaschools.org/Domain/1214

Phone:

Email: ebakh@sonomaschools.org

Elizabeth Bakh, The Living Earth / AP Environmental

Department(s): Science

Degrees and Certifications
B.S. in Biological Science from UC Davis in 2020. Teaching Credential from UC Davis in 2021

Experience
Taught Living Earth and Physiology at Dixon High School

Responsibilities

Interests
Hiking, cooking, family, travel, art, music, dinosaurs

Lori Bisordi

Lori Bisordi 

Ag Science / Ag Mechanics

Science, Visual, Performing & Industrial Arts

Ag Science / Ag Mechanics Lori Bisordi lbisordi@sonomaschools.org
https://www.sonomaschools.org/Domain/1483

Phone:

Email: lbisordi@sonomaschools.org

Lori Bisordi, Ag Science / Ag Mechanics

Department(s): Science, Visual, Performing & Industrial Arts

Degrees and Certifications
Associates of Science in Viticulture from Santa Rosa Junior College, Bachelors of Science in Agriculture Science with an emphasis in education, single subject credential in Agriculture, and Agriculture Specialist Credential.

Experience
Student Teacher Chico High School (Agriculture Welding and Fabrication) and Petaluma High School ( Agriculture Mechanics and Sustainable Agriculture Biology)

Responsibilities

Interests
Spending time with family and friends, being outdoors (hiking, fishing, camping, jeeping, and dirt biking), agriculture, and fabrication

Kathryn Gialketsis

Kathryn Gialketsis 

Ag Science / Floral Design

Science / Visual, Performing & Industrial Arts

Ag Science / Floral Design Kathryn Gialketsis kgialketsis@sonomaschools.org
https://www.sonomaschools.org/Domain/1484

Phone:

Email: kgialketsis@sonomaschools.org

Kathryn Gialketsis, Ag Science / Floral Design

Department(s): Science / Visual, Performing & Industrial Arts

Degrees and Certifications
B.S. Environmental Science and Management, UC Davis; Masters in Education, UC Santa Barbara; Masters in Sustainability Leadership, Arizona State University; Cleared Single Subject Science Teaching Credential, UC Santa Barbara; Cleared Career Technical Education Credential in Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ventura County Office of Education

Experience
Science Teacher at Seaside High School; Science Teacher at Isbell Middle School; Agriculture Teacher at Santa Paula High School; Science Teacher at Altimira Middle School; Industry Experience at Ventura Land Trust, SEEAG, Recology, BAWT

Responsibilities

Interests
Adventuring in the outdoors (trail running, hiking, camping, backpacking), traveling, spending time with family

Chemistry / AP Chemistry Ernest James ejames@sonomaschools.org
https://www.sonomaschools.org/Page/3429

Phone:

Email: ejames@sonomaschools.org

Ernest James, Chemistry / AP Chemistry

Department(s): Science

Degrees and Certifications
BS Chemical Engineering, U.C. Davis; MBA, Harvard Business School; Credential, Sonoma State

Experience
45 years at senior manager levels in Chemical Manufacturing specializing in supplying ultra-pure chemicals to the Semiconductor, Aerospace and RF communication industries; Have taught for 6 years since retiring from business, most recently at Windsor High School.

Responsibilities

Interests
Traveling with my wife, Peggy. Enjoying my new grandson, Cooper. Culinary expeditions around Sonoma County, being in the woods.

Chemistry / Physics / AP Physics Dean Knight DKnight@sonomaschools.org 933-4010 x5248
https://www.sonomaschools.org/Domain/1236

Phone: 933-4010 x5248

Email: DKnight@sonomaschools.org

Dean Knight, Chemistry / Physics / AP Physics

Department(s): Science

Degrees and Certifications
BS Physics 1966, MS Nuclear Engineering 1969, Teaching Credential Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Mathematics

Experience
Graduate TA UC Berkeley (1969-71), Teaching Summer courses Lawrence Hall of Science, Science Department at Sonoma High since 1972, Develop Science kits in the field of magnetism and electricity and electronics 1991 to present

Responsibilities

Interests
Radio Astronomy, Electronics, Ethnic Dance

Kate Miller

Kate Miller 

Science

Science

Science Kate Miller kmiller@sonomaschools.org
https://www.sonomaschools.org/Domain/1482

Phone:

Email: kmiller@sonomaschools.org

Kate Miller, Science

Department(s): Science

Degrees and Certifications
B.S. in Microbiology and B.A. in Psychology from UC San Diego. Teaching credential from Sacramento State.

Experience
Taught Biology, Chemistry and Earth Science at Union Mine High School in El Dorado, California (5 years)

Responsibilities

Interests
Photography, reading, hiking

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