Faculty Directory

Joined The New School in 2017
B.A. Sociology, George Mason University
M.P.A. in Nonprofit Management, Long Island University

What do you enjoy most about your days?

I enjoy the time when everyone is heading to Morning Meeting and getting settled in the gym because I get to spend time chatting with students and my colleagues. I love the chance to catch up with everyone. When I’m at home, I enjoy chatting with my friends while they play games on their streams, playing games (I love a good cozy game like Stardew Valley or Animal Crossing), and crocheting.

Operations Manager
Joined The New School in 2021
B.A. English, University of Mary Washington

What do you enjoy most about your days?

At school, I experience the most joy when my students are engaged in a lesson I planned. I also appreciate the sense of humor of our students: I feel like each day here is filled with laughs. At home, my favorite days are when my wife, daughter, and I are all in the backyard. My wife actually enjoys pulling weeds, I love planting seeds, and my daughter always intercedes (in the best way).

Joined The New School in 1995
Prince George’s Community College

What do you enjoy most about your days?

I enjoy working and I love helping people, especially young people. The students come to my office to joke around, have serious conversations, or when they just need a quiet place for a few minutes. I have lots of fun hanging out with my twin sister and our grandchildren, and watching old Western shows is relaxing on the weekends.

Joined The New School in 2021
B.A. Earth Science and Education, University of Oregon

What do you enjoy most about your days?

I love how each day the students bring great energy, enthusiasm, and wonder to class. I get to learn alongside the students as we dive deep into different topics and play lots of games. My love of games continues outside of school. I spend most of my time playing and coaching ultimate frisbee on nationally-ranked teams!

Student Voice Coordinator
Joined The New School in 2021
B.A. International Studies, Russian Studies, and Mathematics, Vassar College

What do you enjoy most about your days?

My days are most fulfilling when I can help students recognize the many intersections between their school subjects, like how data analysis shows up in government classes or how supporting an argument with evidence is an important discipline in mathematics. My happiest days are bookended with time spent with my family, my friends, my cats, or adventuring on my own.

Joined The New School in 2008
B.A. Mathematics, Vassar College (concentration in Italian and teaching certification in secondary school mathematics)
M.A. Pure Mathematics, George Washington University

What do you enjoy most about your days?

I love getting to know the students during ET and lunch. The little insights I have in those moments can come back into my classroom to add the extra something that allows kids to click with the lesson. In the evenings, I love being greeted in my driveway by an enthusiastic chorus of “Mommy!” After family time, I enjoy ending the day curled up with a good book.

Community Coordinator
Joined The New School in 2006
B.S. Sociology, James Madison University (minor in Gerontology)

What do you enjoy most about your days?

At school, I enjoy working with students to help them find new strategies for learning and accomplishing personal and community goals. I enjoy traveling, hiking and gardening, but most of all, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, and my adorable cat River.

Wellness Coordinator
Joined The New School in 2018
B.A. International Affairs, George Washington University
M.S. Positive Psychology, University of Pennsylvania

What do you enjoy most about your days?

The best part of being at The New School is teaching happy, engaged students who are exploring the world and diving into new challenges. I also love hiking, traveling, meditation, writing, and enjoying new foods with family and friends.

Dean of Students
Joined The New School in 2013
B.A. Linguistics and English, University of Mary Washington
M.A. Secondary English Education, George Mason University
M.A. Linguistics, George Mason University

What do you enjoy most about your days?

I love talking with students about words: how we use them and how they evolve over time. I also relish showing prospective families around our campus and getting to celebrate our community and the work we do here. When I’m not at The New School, I spend an inordinate amount of time playing ultimate frisbee, but I also love getting out in nature and crossword puzzling…sometimes doing both activities at once.

Sustainability Coordinator
Joined The New School in 2015
B.S. Geology, The College of William and Mary (minor in Hispanic Studies)
M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction, Concordia University of Portland (concentration in Environmental Education)

What do you enjoy most about your days?

My favorite things during the school day are getting students excited about nature, sharing science-related jokes and memes, and hosting the textiles club. I love exploring interdisciplinary topics in my classes, especially ones that tackle important environmental and public health issues. Outside of school, I volunteer as a Virginia Master Naturalist and on my local parks and recreation advisory board, and I love sharpening my nature observation skills using my iNaturalist app while contributing to citizen science. I also enjoy taking walks/hikes with my daughter, having soul-affirming hangouts with friends, and savoring a good salted caramel gelato with some Netflix.

Joined The New School in 1989
B.A. Sociology, Southern Connecticut State University
M.P.H. Yale University

What do you enjoy most about your days?

I love being around the kids and my funny, brilliant colleagues. They inspire me and make me laugh! Outside of school I do puzzles constantly—unless I have a chance to be with my kids and grandkids, who are the light of my life.

Joined The New School in 2021
B.A. Government and International Politics, George Mason University
M.A. Political Science, George Mason University

What do you enjoy most about your days?

I teach because I really enjoy working with students. In helping them to achieve their scholarly potential, I get to learn with them. Outside of class, I put a good deal of attention into exploring new concepts and hobbies as well as playing around with instruments and games like D&D.

Administrator
Joined The New School in 2017
B.S. Chemistry, Virginia Tech

What do you enjoy most about your days?

Our students are the best part of my job. I love connecting with them through my classes, which I try to make equal parts challenging and fun. Of course I’ve got to be intentional to bring the energy: most mornings before school you can find me walking my dog, running or doing yoga, and enjoying a delicious breakfast.

Website Coordinator
College Advisor
Joined The New School in 2019
B.A. Psychology and Literary Arts, Brown University
CTLE Certificate, College Advising, Columbia University

What do you enjoy most about your days?

I love watching students fall in love with literature. I take each novel and place it in its broader historical and cultural context, and then we discuss and play with the characters, the plot, and the setting until we find ourselves both within and without the story. At home, I love to curl up on the couch with my three children and three pets to unwind with a movie and a big bowl of popcorn.

Curriculum Support
Joined The New School in 2011
B.S. Social Science Education, Florida State University (Summa Cum Laude)
M.S. Social Science Education, Florida State University

What do you enjoy most about your days?

I am reminded every day how much I love teaching, especially when students reimagine history, their faces brightening with intrigue and curiosity. My interactions at school, like the history I teach, are gratifying because of the human connections we establish here; it’s really a unique place. When I’m not teaching, I’m with my spouse and our own little human, dreaming of travel, sunshine, and social progress.

Joined The New School in 2024
B.A. Environmental Science and Linguistics, University of Mary Washington (in progress)

What do you enjoy most about your days?

As the school substitute, I have a unique opportunity to see each student in all of their classes and witness how excited they are to engage in their favorite subjects. When I get home from school, I enjoy taking my dogs on walks in the woods and I often sneak off into the wilderness on the weekends.

Student Voice Coordinator
College Advisor
Joined The New School in 2022
B.A. Arts Education, Virginia Commonwealth University

What do you enjoy most about your days?

During school, I enjoy getting to know the students and seeing their personalities, interests, and passions shine through their artwork. Outside of school I enjoy working out, spending time with loved ones, playing video games, reading, and of course creating my own artwork occasionally!

Joined The New School in 2006
Bachelors of Commerce

What do you enjoy most about your days?

As an accountant, I enjoy problem-solving—analyzing data and finding solutions. At home, I love spending time with family and unwinding, whether cooking a nice meal or relaxing with a movie or a TV show. It’s all about balance!

Joined The New School in 2023
B.S. Deaf Education and ASL, Stephen F. Austin State University (minor in French)

What do you enjoy most about your days?

What I enjoy the most is walking around the school using ASL with students and seeing the new signs they have learned. Their passion for learning brings a smile to my face. After school, I catch up with family and friends, drink some tea, and reflect on and give thanks for a wonderful day.

Director of Technology
Joined The New School in 2006 (former student!)
B.A. Music and Physics, Marlboro College

What do you enjoy most about your days?

I get a lot of satisfaction out of helping people solve problems. Whether it’s technology or teaching, I like to break complex ideas down into simple concepts so that students and teachers can feel empowered to find their own solutions. When I’m not at school, I love tackling projects around the house and in the yard. I love the exercise and the sense of accomplishment (and the opportunity to listen to audiobooks) that come with good hard work.

Joined The New School in 2008
B.S. Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, Osmania University
B.Ed. Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, Osmania University

What do you enjoy most about your days?

When I’m at work, I often lose track of time and end up in a “state of flow.” I love the satisfaction and productivity derived from that state, which then becomes an important ingredient for a pleasant evening or night at home. This pattern is a big reason why I am in my 17th year at The New School. On days when I don’t find that flow, the encouraging administrators, awesome colleagues, enthusiastic students, and, last but not least, my loving family keep me going! Every day of mine becomes a pleasant day with my “extended” family.

Joined The New School in 2001
B.A. History, College of William and Mary
M.A. Social Sciences, University of Chicago

What do you enjoy most about your days?

Every morning I’m greeted by students and faculty who are sincerely happy to see one another, and there’s a fresh spirit of possibilities as we begin each new day. I love rounding off the day in the kitchen experimenting with a new recipe, which often gets mixed reviews from my kids, I’ll admit. But I remind myself then of what Truman Capote said: “Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavour.”

Joined The New School in 2015
B.A. Drama and Film, Anglian Rusking University
PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education), Middlesex University
M.F.A. Production Design, George Washington University

What do you enjoy most about your days?

I enjoy working with students who share my passion for the theatre. It’s incredible to see them grow and develop their skills in so many ways. And I am grateful to work with people who are equally passionate about engaging young minds. After a day of teaching, I love to spend time with my family and two cats, go for walks through the neighborhood, or put my feet up and dive into a murder mystery, fantasy, or science fiction book or film.

Joined The New School in 2005
B.A. Psychology, Universidad Javeriana – Bogota

What do you enjoy most about your days?

Every day at school I enjoy a feeling of belonging and working with a purpose; I especially enjoy the connection with my students and their excitement about learning and growing in the use of the Spanish language. Outside of school, my favorite moments are shared with my husband and my children; I love the outdoors and enjoy any chance that I have to run, hike or bike in nature.

Joined The New School in 2024
B.A. American Studies

What do you enjoy most about your days?

I love coming to school every morning because of the energy my students and the faculty bring each and every day. No two days are alike, but progress, hope, learning, mutual admiration, and respect are constants. Once at home, my focus is devoted to my family and being outdoors in nature as much as possible.

Joined The New School in 2001
B.A. Liberal Arts, St. John’s College
M.A. International Policy Studies, Monterey Institute of International Studies

What do you enjoy most about your days?

While I’m drinking my morning coffee, I love to read–not the daily news, but usually a science fiction or fantasy novel. What’s going to happen next? I begin the day with adventure. Then I head out the door in a similar frame of mind: How will things play out? What’s around the next corner? How will my students surprise or delight me today?