New Teacher Bios - Carlthorp School

 August 1, 2015 Dear Parents, At Carlthorp School we believe that everything we want for our school and especially for our students begins with hiring great teachers. Our process begins with identifying outstanding candidates and ends with a rigorous process designed to ensure a strong cultural match. Considering this diligence, it is with tremendous pride and pleasure that we present to you the teachers joining our team for the 2015­2016 school year. We are grateful to the Board of Trustees for their unwavering support in our pursuit to identify, hire, and retain the very best teachers. We also want to thank the faculty and staff members who helped us to identify, interview, and recruit the outstanding teachers you will meet below. While our new teachers represent a diverse group with a wide range of experiences, each has a proven track record of success in their professional lives. Like everyone within our community, these professionals have each indicated the school’s mission and Code of Conduct as testaments to the way they choose to live their lives. We have enjoyed watching these newest teachers work collaboratively with their grade­level teams, and we are confident that they will be ready to “hit the ground running” come September. We ask you to join us in welcoming them to our community and offering the support that every employee needs to adapt to a new work environment. Respectfully, Dee Menzies
Tim Kusserow Jason Anklowitz ​
Internal Faculty Changes Internal “shifting” among our faculty is a positive step when done correctly. It increases innovation and adds new energy in the classroom. It fosters cohesion and increases collaboration among our faculty, which brings greater alignment to our academic curriculum and a deeper understanding of our students and their families with teachers who have already established a connection. In sum, it benefits all members of the Carlthorp School community. Most of the internal shifts that will be occurring may be “old news” by now, especially since many of these teachers spent time last school year in the classrooms where they will be teaching. They are listed below: Mr. Ron Burwick ​
(4th) ­­ will switch classrooms and teach with Mrs. Laurie Anderson Ms. Kristen Cook ​
(Music, K ­ 3rd) ­­ Music, K ­ 6th Mrs. Sheridan Geller​
(5th) ­­ 3rd grade teacher with Ms. Julia Ho Mrs. Sachi Hillson​
(Library) ­­ 5th grade teacher with Mrs. Sharon Brewster Mrs. Nicky Meyer​
(3rd) ­­ Carlthorp School Librarian Mrs. Suzanne Schneider ​
(Health/PE) ­­ Chair of the PE Department Mr. Brent Vernon​
(multiple classrooms) ­­ 6th grade teacher with Dr. Nadia Shields, Mr. Tom Marine, Ms. Kelly Kuolt, and Ms. Ausra Venckus. (Adding a fifth teacher to the 6th grade classrooms will support our existing program, assist with secondary school application process, and allow us to expand our newer initiatives like the “service learning” curriculum.) ​
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New Faculty Members nd
Ms. Molly Mateus​
is excited to join Mrs. Elaine Hobert in 2​
grade. Growing up in Woodland Hills, she attended St. Mel Elementary and Louisville High School. She graduated from UC Davis with a B.A. in Spanish and then went on to the University of San Francisco, where she earned her Elementary Teaching Credential and Master’s Degree in Education. Ms. Mateus taught for one year in the Bay Area before returning to Southern California to be near family. Ms. Mateus taught 2nd grade at Saint Francis de Sales School in Sherman Oaks, CA, for the past two years. She keeps abreast of new teaching strategies so that she can apply them in the classroom and looks forward to participating in Carlthorp’s professional development opportunities in critical and creative thinking through our partnership with the Rossier School of Education at USC. Ms. Mateus also appreciates the benefits of collaborating with colleagues so that each of her students can achieve his or her best. In fact, knowing that she would be working at Carlthorp, Ms. Mateus visited Ms. Hobert’s classroom several times last year and even attended the 2nd Grade Heritage Night performance, which she especially enjoyed. A positive, enthusiastic person, Ms. Mateus is possessed of an ever­growing love for teaching and making a difference in the lives of children … an intrinsic quality that was passed along from her mother, a well­respected educator and guidance counsellor in Los Angeles. She has an infectious smile, a fun personality, and a joyful demeanor that complements our 2nd grade team. Ms. Mateus lives in Santa Monica where she enjoys running, trying new restaurants, and spending time with friends and family, including her fiancé. Mr. Dylan Porter​
is eager to join Ms. Janeth th​
Zavaleta in 5​ grade and participate in the grade­level’s “hands on” learning adventures. He is a University of Kansas graduate who earned his B.S. in elementary education and a Master’s Degree in Education with a specialty in curriculum and instruction. His passions of teaching, traveling, and public service came to fruition when he was accepted as a Peace Corps volunteer. Mr. Porter was sent to Moldova where he served as an English teacher to local students. Following his two­year commitment in the Peace Corps, Mr. Porter continued to follow his passions by teaching at independent schools in the countries of Kenya, Nepal ​
(Mount Everest is in the background of the attached photo!)​
, and the Czech Republic before moving back to the U.S. This summer, Mr. Porter and his fiancée returned to Nepal to conduct education needs assessments for schools that were lost in the devastating earthquakes last year. Because of these international experiences and his focus on serving others, he will have a special light to shine on the 5th grade curriculum with its exploration of new frontiers, the founding principles of our country, and students’ exploration of Civil Rights and the goal of justice and equality for all. Mr. Porter’s character makes him an ideal role model for our students. He has a calm and benevolent disposition that embodies the spirit of the Code of Conduct. After spending last year teaching at an elementary school in Santa Clarita, Mr. Porter is excited to transition to life in Santa Monica. He enjoys reading, running, yoga, hiking, swimming, cycling, and travelling. Mr. Jack McHugh​
is thrilled to co­teach with Ms. Kristen Cook in the music department as they assume responsibility for the K­6 music program, which includes our after­school Chorus and the exciting launch of an Orchestra! Mr. McHugh certainly has the background to help us reach our goals. He attended the prestigious Delbarton School in New Jersey and then Northwestern University where he earned a B.A. in Music with a specialty in instrumental and choral music education. Perhaps even more impressive, Mr. McHugh knows how to play ​
every instrument in an orchestra! Mr. McHugh is a proud alumnus of the Northwestern University Marching Band, where he played in and directed the trumpet section for four years. He has extensive experience on all brass instruments in classical, jazz, and modern styles. Also at Northwestern, Mr. McHugh directed an a cappella group, and he performed in numerous choral events and operas. Most recently, Mr. McHugh taught grades 2 through 12 at Dulwich College, a British independent day school in Shanghai. While there, he co­directed five choruses, two th​
orchestras, and headed the 4​
grade beginning wind program. In addition to his musical pursuits, Mr. McHugh enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, running and skiing. Ms. Molly O’Hara​
will join the Physical Education Department this fall. She brings a wide range of experience that began at Penncrest High School (Delaware County, PA) where she participated in physical education class every day and, at a relatively young age, realized her passion for PE and the significant role that it can play in an academic curriculum. Ms. O'Hara pursued her goal of becoming a PE teacher by enrolling at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania where she received a B.S. in Health and Physical Education (K­12) and a teaching certificate. She excelled both academically, making the Dean’s List, and on the playing field as the captain of the lacrosse team, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Lacrosse Athlete of the Year, and the 2nd all­time leader in goals and points. For the past four years, Ms. O’Hara has worked with a broad age range of students. She has classroom experience at both the elementary level (K­5) and middle level (6­8) as a Health and Physical Education teacher. She has also worked with young adults as a community health educator. Coming from a background rich in athletics, Ms. O’Hara transitioned from a top college student­athlete into her teaching role as an Assistant Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse Coach at The Episcopal Academy (Newtown Square, PA). Fostering the growth and intrinsic motivation of her players continues to spark her enthusiasm. Ms. O’Hara also thrives at creating and teaching lessons that nurture personal social skills and is eager to integrate this concept of “wellness” into our Physical Education curriculum. While Ms. O’Hara is an accomplished athlete, she considers herself a teacher first. Her passion for athletics is only surpassed by her desire to teach children how to be successful in physical education, which includes the mental and social components of perseverance, overcoming failure, sportsmanship, “winning with class,” and teamwork. She is committed to prioritizing these valuable traits as components of the Physical Education experience. Outside of teaching, she enjoys living an active lifestyle that includes snowboarding, training at the local gym, and hacking at a golf ball! Mr. Chris Lemieux​
is excited to teach in the P.E. Department at Carlthorp. He grew up in Manchester, NH, and graduated from the University of Vermont (UVM) with a B.S. in Physical Education. While there, he competed on the track and field team as a decathlete ​
(can you name all ten events?)​
serving as the captain of the team for two years, and winning the decathlon, which led to an America East Conference Championship for his team. Significantly, Mr. Lemieux also helped his school win another conference title ­­ in the classroom! His 3.8 (out of 4.0) GPA helped UVM win the Academic Cup for the best overall combined GPA among its student­athletes three of the four years he was there. In addition, Mr. Lemieux served as the president of UVM's Student Athletic Advisory Council where he represented and advocated for all the student­athletes. During his time at UVM, he realized that becoming a PE teacher was his professional calling because it combined two of his passions ­­ working with young people and movement. Additionally, Mr. Lemieux attended the University of Illinois and earned his M.A. in Kinesiology. While there, he was a teacher’s assistant in his academic department, as well as a volunteer assistant track coach. Teaching the dance activities class and winning the indoor BIG­10 championships were highlights of his time in graduate school. Mr. Lemieux is a committed teacher, a tremendous athlete, and an enthusiastic person who seeks to inspire students to fully appreciate "movement" as an intricate component of becoming a “life­long” learner. He comes to us after teaching in Johnson, VT, where he was the sole K­6 PE teacher and an avid skier on the weekends. Since there is no snow in Santa Monica, he plans to start learning how to surf immediately! Miss Ausra Venckus​
is joining Miss Kelly Kuolt in 6th grade. She graduated from Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy in La Canada Flintridge. From there, she attended UCLA where she had a double major in International Development Studies and History. She continued her education at Columbia University's Teachers College, where she earned her M.A. in Elementary Inclusive Education and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. For the last three years Miss Venckus taught at St. Martin of Tours School in Brentwood, where she was the Mathematics Department Chair. She taught Advanced Math to 5th through 8th grade students, was a 3rd and a 6th grade homeroom teacher, and coached the Academic Decathlon Logic Team to excel in the California State Finals. Prior to her experience at St. Martin of Tours School, she worked in New York City public schools in the Upper West Side and in East Harlem. Miss Venckus also had the opportunity to travel to Seoul, South Korea, where she first began as an English teacher to children in grades 1­8 at an independent school. While her classroom experience began in Seoul, the genesis of her passion for education sprang from scouting. Miss Venckus continues to volunteer with the Lithuanian Scouts Association, a branch of international scouting dedicated to young people of Lithuanian ​
descent.​
She enjoys enabling youth with wilderness survival abilities, backpacking experiences, and leadership skills. This summer, Miss Venckus was honored to serve on the field at the Special Olympics World Games as the liaison to the Lithuanian delegation. Her commitment to serving others and the real­life experiences that she brings to the classroom are closely aligned to the goals set forth in the 6th grade “service learning” curriculum. Be it on the field, in the wilderness, or in the classroom, Miss Venckus cherishes an environment that allows youth to be self­fulfilled individuals inspired to act as useful citizens. Mr. Morgan Boepple​
(rhymes with “opal”) is very excited to bring his experiences to 4th grade and is eager to become part of the Carlthorp community. His calm and kind demeanor will be welcomed and appreciated. A native of San Jose, California, he attended Bellarmine College Preparatory and then Santa Clara University, where he graduated with a major in English and a minor in French. He also holds a multiple subject teaching credential from his alma mater. Mr. Boepple’s teaching career began in the San Jose Unified rd​
th​
School District where he taught both 3​
and 4​
grades for six years. Cutting his teeth in the challenging and rewarding environment of an inner­city school, he grew to love this age group and realized the significant role he could hold for his students. Following his years in the San Jose Unified School District, Mr. Boepple took the th​
opportunity to teach 4​
grade at the Taipei American School in Taiwan for six years. This school is one of the most prominent independent schools in the region and Mr. Boepple became one of its highly­respected faculty members. The adventure of teaching in such a vibrant and vastly different academic environment was an exciting experience that served to strengthen his passion and skills. He also greatly enjoyed the opportunity to travel and learn. Mr. Boepple excels at helping his students discover their individual strengths while also helping them set and reach their goals. He is an experienced 4th grade teacher who seeks to establish a genuine and respectful rapport with both his students and their parents. His openness and friendly demeanor form the foundation for his strong communication skills. Outside school, Mr. Boepple enjoys weightlifting, running, playing guitar, and honing his culinary skills. Ms. Regina “Gigi” Niekrash​
is excited to return to Carlthorp and re­join the 4th grade team. Ms. Niekrash is a University of Maine graduate with a B.A. in history and a minor in elementary education. She continued her education at Southern Connecticut State University, where she earned her teaching credential and Master’s Degree in history. During her three years at Carlthorp, Ms. Niekrash had the opportunity to grow as a teacher and become an integral part of our community. She first worked as a library assistant, then th​
as a 4​
grade associate teacher with Mr. Burwick, and, th​
ultimately, as a 5​ grade co­teacher with Ms. Zavaleta. However, Ms. Niekrash is also remembered for her enthusiastic and upbeat personality, and as a person who earned the respect and admiration of students, colleagues, and parents. Ms. Niekrash returns after a one­year hiatus during which she taught 5th grade in a “high needs” Achievement First Charter School in Bridgeport, CN. We respected and supported her decision to serve under­privileged students in a challenging learning environment. We are confident that this professional experience will only make Ms. Niekrash a better teacher and we admire her courage in taking a risk, working outside her comfort zone, and overcoming the numerous obstacles that face teachers in this type of environment. We are grateful for her experience last year and welcome the insight that she can share with our entire community. Outside of school, Ms. Niekrash enjoys SoulCycle, reading, cooking, and watching football, especially the Patriots. Ms. Niekrash is thrilled about returning to the warm weather, close friends, and especially the Carlthorp Community! ​
Additional New Classroom Teachers Three teachers will be taking a planned maternity leave during the 2015­16 school year. They are: Mrs. Haley (Jorgensborg) Skiba (K), Mrs. Jeanne Comly (1st), and Ms. Meghan Gallivan (2nd). In preparation, we have hired three teachers to replace them during their temporary absences. Notably, these three teachers will be present at Carlthorp School for the ​
entire​
school year. Our intent is to limit any disruptive effect that any teacher’s departure might otherwise cause on both student learning and communication with parents. We believe that this approach will guarantee a smooth and seamless transition both for this school year and as we prepare for the future. We are excited to reintroduce Mrs. Nora Gorczyca (K) and to introduce Ms. Jessica Garrabrant (2nd) and Ms. Jenny Morgan (1st). Mrs. Nora ​
Gorczyca​
(or “Mrs. G.”) spent half the year in 2nd grade with Mrs. Hobert and will cover for Mrs. Skiba (K) to begin the school year. She is thrilled to return to Carlthorp in September as she established many positive relationships with the teachers and families, quickly assimilating into the Carlthorp community. Mrs. G. is a Los Angeles native and attended Agoura High School where she was a varsity cheerleader and diver. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.S. in Nutritional Sciences. She then returned to Los Angeles and earned her Elementary Teaching Credential and Master’s Degree in Education from Pepperdine University. Mrs. G has thirteen years of experience teaching in both public and private schools in the Los Angeles area. She has implemented academic curriculum and social/emotional guidance for Kindergarten, 2nd, and 3rd grades. Throughout her career, she has researched, designed, and implemented new areas of curriculum. One of her greatest passions as an educator is adding a deep level of differentiation throughout the curriculum in order to meet the unique needs of all her students. In order to further her education, Mrs. G. constantly seeks professional development opportunities in the areas of gifted education, brain development, reading, classroom management, and technology. Mrs. G. lives in Santa Monica with her husband and their dog named Baby. She enjoys reading, exploring different neighborhoods, and spending time with her friends and family. Ms. Jessica Garrabrant​
is excited to join the 2nd grade team in September and fill in for Ms. Gallivan later in the year. A native of Morris County, New Jersey, she was a three­sport student athlete at Morris Knolls High School. Ms. Garrabrant went on to play college basketball at Montclair State University where she received her B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics. She then attended Caldwell College. There, she earned her teaching credential in elementary education. Most recently, Ms. Garrabrant taught 4th ­ 8th grades at Lacordaire Academy in the Archdiocese of Newark. She was determined to apply new teaching strategies in each grade with a focus on Language Arts, Reading, Literature, Health, and Religion. She was also very involved with school functions, coached soccer and basketball for the upper school, and was in charge of the middle school running club. Ms. Garrabrant’s versatility across many subjects and her coaching experience will be extremely useful this school year. Developing a caring, trusting relationship with all her students remains a core goal, as does being able to learn from her new colleagues and to share her ideas with them. An avid marathon runner, Ms. Garrabrant also enjoys yoga, hiking, the beach, trying new restaurants and, of course, spending time with friends and family. Miss Jenny Morgan​
is excited to partner with our 1st grade team as she prepares to cover for Mrs. Comly. She is a proud Southern California native, born and raised in Palos Verdes, who graduated from Pepperdine University with a B.A. in Theater and Television. Shortly thereafter, Miss Morgan felt the call to work with young people, which led her to USC’s Rossier School of Education, where she graduated with an M.A. in Education. Miss Morgan has a broad range of teaching experiences that will benefit our students. While completing her M.A., Miss Morgan taught a summer kindergarten readiness program. She also th​
th​
began teaching a 6​ and 7​
grade study skills course at Rolling Hills Country Day School, which she continued to do for three years. However, most recently, Miss th​
th​
Morgan taught 11​
and 12​
grade English Language Arts at YES Prep East End (Houston, Texas), an urban charter school that serves mostly underprivileged students. This experience has provided Miss Morgan with a unique perspective and a grateful understanding of how fortunate we are to belong to the Carlthorp community. For the past fifteen years, Miss Morgan has also served as a counselor with the Youth Citizenship Seminar (YCS) held at Pepperdine University every June. YCS provides scholarships to 275 high school juniors and gives them the opportunity to interact with outstanding and motivational leaders. They also have the chance to discuss with the leaders and other students at YCS the progress and the challenges our country faces. This experience also inspired Miss Morgan to follow her passion and to pursue teaching as a career. Miss Morgan is excited to return home and to be closer to her family. Outgoing, positive, and energetic, she looks forward to bringing her strong work ethic and her motivational skills to the classroom. She strives to make all students feel valued and appreciated. In her free time, Miss Morgan enjoys spending time with family and friends, riding her beach cruiser on the strand, and enjoying the California sunshine!