to see our teaching teams.

The Stanwich School
Lower School Teaching Teams 2015-2016
At Stanwich, we pride ourselves on having an exceptional faculty and
are proud to introduce our teaching teams for the 2015-2016 school year.
We have many new placements and positions this year, which is a reflection of our faculty’s commitment to continued professional growth and
development. — Meaghan Mallin, Associate Head of School and Head of Lower School
Wildwood Cottage
Ilana Grady: Director of Wildwood Cottage and Assistant Head of Lower School
While Ilana will continue her role as Assistant Head of Lower School, she will also take on a more
focused role of leading this incredible team of teachers at Wildwood:
PreK: Head Teachers Traci Oh and Erica Silbert
Both returning PreK teachers, Erica Silbert and Traci Oh bring with them years of
experience and a true understanding of and passion for early childhood education.
They look forward to welcoming our youngest learners into the magical world that is
Wildwood PreK, where a lifelong love of learning begins.
Kindergarten Head Teachers: Paula Brock and Jaime Falk
We are excited to welcome our new Kindergarten teaching team, Paula Brock and
Jaime Falk, who will offer our young learners enthusiasm, nurturing, and great teaching talent. Though this is will be the first year of head teaching for both, Jaime and
Paula each bring with them early childhood experience as well as experience teaching both Kindergarten and Grade 1 at Stanwich. Jaime and Paula look forward to a
Kindergarten year where each child reaches new academic heights, while being
immersed in the joy and wonder of learning.
Peggy Dickinson: A veteran educator, we feel blessed to have Peggy at the heart of Wildwood Cottage.
Peggy will be a vital asset to parents as an administrative resource, but will also lend her teaching gifts
to our children as she runs the library and values programs at Wildwood.
Kerry Gotschall: Kerry Gotschall will take on the role of Wildwood music teacher this year, working
with both our PreK and Kindergarten. Kerry has worked in the music department of Stanwich for many
years, and will bring a great sense of joy and enthusiasm to our youngest musicians.
Lower School Teaching Teams 2015-2016
Primary House
Grade 1
Head Teacher Keith Radcliffe with Associate Teacher Megan Peterson
Head Teacher: Jenn Giametta with Graduate Associate Alex Fornaciari
We are proud to introduce our Grade 1 teaching team. Our Head Teachers, Keith
Radcliffe and Jenn Giametta, bring with them years of Stanwich experience and a
great sense of collaboration. Keith is a longstanding and beloved Grade 1 teacher
who brings a smile to all that he does. Jenn has loved teaching Grade 6 English
here for many years, but has longed to return to working with younger ones, and is
thrilled for the year ahead. We feel blessed to have Alex Fornaciari staying on at
Stanwich after completing his Associate Teaching program and look forward to him
bringing his trademark enthusiasm and ability to connect with students to our first
graders. Rounding out the team, we are pleased to introduce Megan Peterson, who
joins Stanwich this year as an Associate Teacher, after years in the corporate world
in a career in marketing. Meagan has sought out a career change that allows her to
make a positive impact on young people. No doubt our first graders are due for an
exceptional year!
Grade 2
Head Teachers Kate DiMinno and Brian Miller
How lucky our second graders are to have both Kate DiMinno and Brian Miller as
their classroom teachers this year. Kate and Brian are both experienced second
grade Stanwich teachers, who work to bring out the best in each student every
single day. They are both gifted educators who exude joy and warmth in the
classroom. Learning will surely come alive for our second graders, as Kate and
Brian offer exciting lessons, delivered via lively and dynamic teaching each and
every day.
Grade 3
Head Teacher Daniel Combatti with Associate Teacher Betsy Pacey
Head Teacher Lindsey Wohl with Associate Teacher James Ramaley
Our Grade 3 students have a stimulating year of learning and growing ahead, all in
the talented and dedicated hands of our Grade 3 teaching team. Danny Combatti
and Lindsey Wohl, both experienced third grade head teachers, are looking forward
to an exciting year, where learning comes to life and students strive to be their best
in all of their endeavors. They are joined by Associate Teachers Betsy Pacey and
James Ramaley. Betsy is in her second year of our AT program, having just completed a successful year of teaching in Grade 4 and James joins us as a new Associate Teacher, who brings with him great coaching experience and enthusiasm for
the year ahead. This fine team of teachers will come together to offer our Primary
House leaders a year to remember.
Intermediate House
Grade 4: Head Teachers Michelle Boccuzzi and Michael DiMinno
As our fourth graders enter the Intermediate House, they could not be in better hands
than in those of Michelle Boccuzzi and Michael DiMinno. Our fourth graders will be
blessed by having two experienced, passionate and energetic head teachers, who set
the bar high for our students both personally and academically, and help them to
reach that bar through a learning environment rich with kindness, support, and humor.
The first year of IH is sure to be an exceptional one for our fourth graders.
Grade 5
Olivia Barbieri: Homeroom Teacher/Math • TJ Ramirez: Homeroom Teacher/History
Christi Wong: Homeroom Teacher/English • Amy Kerekes: Science
Will Colombo: Associate Teacher for Grades 5 and 6
Our Grade 5 students have the benefit of a strong, cohesive, and collaborative team who understand this age range, and the importance of the student-teacher connection in setting each child up to achieve personal excellence. Returning Grade 5 teachers
TJ Ramirez, Christi Wong, and Amy Kerekes are joined this year by Olivia Barbieri, who we are excited to welcome as a Head
Teacher, after her past years of proven experience in our Associate Teacher program and in covering maternity leaves. Rounding out the team will be Will Colombo, Associate Teacher and Stanwich Alumni, who will offer his teaching talent and support in
various capacities in grade 5 and 6. This dynamic team will offer our fifth graders an exciting educational journey this year, as
well as provide them a supportive environment as our children begin their journey into early adolescence.
Grade 6
Joanne Mineo: Homeroom Teacher/History • Craig Colavito: Homeroom Teacher/Math
Jen Gilch: Homeroom Teacher/English • Amy Kerekes: Science
Will Colombo: Associate Teacher for Grades 5 and 6
We are thrilled to introduce our Grade 6 teaching team and look forward to the fantastic year that our Grade 6 scholars
have ahead of them. Returning veteran teachers Joanne Mineo and Amy Kerekes are joined this year by new team members Jen Gilch and Craig Colavito, creating a strong and dynamic team. We are pleased to welcome Jen back to Stanwich,
as she was once an Associate Teacher here. Though she enjoyed a teaching assignment elsewhere, her heart stayed with
Stanwich and we look forward to having her bright smile and joyful nature lighting up the classroom once again this year.
Craig, who previously taught our Lower School Math Enrichment class, is excited to move into a homeroom teaching role
this year, and we look forward to him bringing his kind nature, math expertise and innovative teaching methods to our
Grade 6 students. Rounding out the team will be Will Colombo, Associate Teacher and Stanwich Alumni, who will offer his teaching talent and support in various capacities in grade 5 and 6. Together, this team is sure to offer our Lower
School leaders a tremendous year of growth, academically and beyond.
Lower School Teaching Teams 2015-2016
Additional Lower School Faculty Changes to Note
Linnea Davis: Maternity Leave Coverage – Lower School Art and Grade 6 History
We are blessed to have Linnea Davis, who recently completed our Associate Teaching program, covering two Lower School maternity leave placements this year. Linnea, who recently earned her master’s
degree, has established herself as a beloved and well respected teacher. Linnea will begin the year
teaching Lower School art while Leanne Leblanc finishes up her maternity leave. Following this leave,
Linnea will move into a leave replacement for Joanne Mineo, Grade 6 history, as Joanne departs to have
her second child in mid-October. Linnea has spent much time collaborating with both Leanne and
Joanne to ensure a smooth transition for your children. Her love of both art and history, as well as her
strong teaching ability, makes her a great fit and we feel very lucky to have her in these roles.
Libby Kappler: Lower School Math Enrichment
Libby is thrilled to be moving into the position of Lower School Math Enrichment teacher. After
teaching Grade 5 math with great dedication for these past years, Libby is excited for this change and
extremely enthusiastic about the year ahead, working with students in Grade 2-6 through this special
program. She brings with her a true passion for math and a great ability to teach in ways that are
innovative, and help children to stretch their minds and think outside the box.
Cristin Robb: Student Service Coordinator
We are pleased to welcome Cristin Robb, a veteran Stanwich teacher, into the role of Student Services Coordinator. Cristin’s continual growth professionally, and solid understanding of learning profiles,
made her a natural fit for this role. Cristin will be a support to parents and teachers in creating plans
to offer both enrichment and support for our students as needs arise. She will also work to coordinate with our learning specialists to be sure we are meeting the needs of each student in our care.
Nikki Miller: Student Assessment Coordinator
Nikki Miller, veteran Stanwich teacher, is excited to move into her new role as Student Assessment
Coordinator and will work in tandem with Cristin and the Student Services team, as well as our
Admissions department, to ensure that the school is using assessment tools and data effectively and
successfully. Nikki has long demonstrated an interest this facet of administration, and looks forward
to collaborating with faculty and parents in the year ahead.
Beth Kiefer: Director of Associate Teachers
Beth Kiefer, veteran Stanwich teacher, will move into a new role this year, as she takes the helm of
our esteemed Associate Teacher program. Beth’s years of experience in the classroom and penchant
for administration will enable her to provide important guidance for our Associate Teachers, in collaboration with their mentors.