The Ethel Walker School
Faculty and Staff Directory
The passionate people who inspire our students
Every day, our talented faculty and staff arrive ready to engage with students who inspire them. Students are at the center of everything we do.
Teresa Arnold
Director of Stewardship and Operations
TJ brings over a decade of experience in advancement to her role as Director of Stewardship and Operations. Her background is deeply rooted in the arts. A proud Duck, TJ holds a Master of Science in Arts Administration with a concentration in Cultural Community Development from the University of Oregon, and concurrently earned a Graduate Certificate of Nonprofit Management. She also holds a Bachelor of Fine Art from UConn. Prior to embarking on a career in advancement, TJ owned and operated a Latin and ballroom dance studio and held roles as Assistant Manager of Administration for the 2010 Decennial Census Norwich office and Shift Manager for VIP Services at Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort.
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Je Banach
Advancement Research Manager
Je Banach joined The Ethel Walker School in 2013 with experience in the fields of education and development, law, and arts and culture. She received her B.A. from Manhattanville College, majoring in English (with a concentration in writing), philosophy, and religion. In addition to her work as Advancement Research Manager, she is a practicing writer. A recipient of the New Boston Fund Fellowship in Fiction, Je has written for many academic and popular venues, including The Paris Review, Vogue, The Atlantic, Granta, Oprah Daily, TIME, ELLE, Story Magazine, Oxford University Press, and Bookforum. She is the author of more than one hundred teaching and reading guides to works of world literature for Penguin Random House, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and Grove Atlantic. Je was also a longtime contributor to Harold Bloom’s literary series. In 2013, she was awarded the state’s Artist Fellowship for Prose by the CT Office of the Arts. As an original member of the Residential Faculty in Fiction at the Yale Writers’ Workshop (fka the Yale Writers’ Conference), she ran a fiction workshop, taught seminars in literary discourse, and led a live Q&A session with The New Yorker‘s fiction editor Deborah Treisman. As a disabled person, she often does advocacy work via her writing around narratives of health and disability in order to create dialogues that can lead to research and cures.
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Ben Barker
Visual Arts Faculty
Ben Barker earned a B.Sc. (Hons) in Environmental Sciences from the University of East Anglia in England and is a graduate of the Connecticut Film Industry Training Program from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT. Ben spent over 20 years in the environmental industry conducting laboratory analysis, mobile laboratory site investigations and indoor air quality studies. He is a State of Connecticut Department of Health Services-certified Environmental Laboratory Director. After leaving the scientific arena, Ben pursued his life-long love of photography and film by working in locations management for film and television productions in New York City and Connecticut. He is also a seasoned and qualified soccer coach, having coached the game for 15 years. Over that period he has coached all youth ages from two to 18 years old.
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Clarissa Basch P'15
Director of College Counseling, Co-Director of Community Partnerships
Clarissa Basch has served as Walker’s Director of College Counseling since February 2004, where she guides students through the process of investigating, applying to, and selecting colleges.
Before joining Walker’s, Clarissa spent 17 years as a college admissions officer at Drexel University, Endicott College, and Hampshire College. She was lured to “the other side of the desk” because of the opportunity to work directly with students on their post-Walker’s plans, and to be part of this vibrant boarding school community. With professional colleagues at colleges and universities all over the country, she loves to welcome them to Walker’s when they come to meet with her students in the fall.
Clarissa is an avid exerciser who swims and helps guard at the Walker’s pool on weekday mornings. She is an active volunteer for numerous organizations in the greater Hartford area and at Walker’s serves as one of the faculty advisors to the Community Partnerships program. Clarissa put her college counseling know-how to use with her daughter (Walker’s Class of 2015), and both survived the experience intact. Following graduation, her daughter enjoyed a wonderful gap year in England as an English-Speaking Union Scholar before enrolling at Susquehanna University, from which she graduated in 2020. Her son graduated from UConn in 2023. Clarissa lives on campus with her husband.
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Brett Benzio
Assistant Head of School for Athletics, Co-Curriculars, and Equestrian
Brett Benzio hails from sunny South Florida where she was a multi-sport athlete in high school. In her four years at Jensen Beach High School, Brett was a state champion in basketball and volleyball – winning the State Tournament MVP in volleyball and Player of the Year in both basketball and volleyball as a senior. JBHS inducted Brett into their hall of fame in 2013. Brett chose to pursue basketball in college and was a four-year starter at Tulane University. During her time in New Orleans, Brett solidified her impact on the program in the record books and most impressively as the second woman in school history to score at least 1,000 points and pull down at least 1,000 rebounds. After completing her collegiate career, Brett continued playing professionally for MB Slovenka in the Czech Republic and DJK Brose in Germany.
As an athletic professional, Brett has both collegiate and prep school experience. As the director of operations for the Harvard women’s basketball team, Brett was instrumental in managing the program’s travel, events, and day-to-day operations. Brett gained more collegiate experience as an assistant coach for the women’s basketball program at the University of Vermont, where she was the compliance liaison, marketing director, and academic advisor for athletes in the program. With a combined seven years of experience at the New Hampton School and Lawrence Academy, Brett has had the opportunity to familiarize herself with operations within NEPSAC.
Brett holds a BS degree from Tulane University in Management and a MBA from Lynn University in Athletic Administration and Media & Marketing Management.
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Dr. Melissa Bernardo
Science Faculty
Melissa joined Walker’s in 2017 after completing her Ph.D. in Biology from Wesleyan University. Her dissertation dealt with nutrient-mediated manipulation of host-feeding behavior by a parasitoid. Melissa has taught a range of topics at the university level and brings her knowledge and enthusiasm to Walker’s chemistry, biology and environmental science classes. She also coaches volleyball and softball.
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Dr. Ilkiz Bildik
Math Faculty
Kristen Blatt
Barn Manager
Kristen is a 2011 graduate of Centenary University where she earned a B.S. in Equine Studies with a concentration in Equine Business Management. While at Centenary, she competed on the IHSA team. During her tenure at Centenary, the team won two National championships. Upon graduating from Centenary, Kristen worked as barn manager at Coole Park Farm in Millbrook, NY, where she had been for eight years.
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Randi Booth
Director of Community/External Riding and Co-Head IEA Coach
Randi grew up on a large horse farm and was raised by horse professionals. She has been showing since she was a small child, and for the past 25 years she has been a manager and trainer of children and adults at all levels in the hunter, jumper, equitation, and eventing disciplines. She has worked and ridden for nationally known judge and trainer Carol Malony, for hunter rider/trainer Maryann Steiert Charles, and for Olympic 3-Day Event Gold Medalist J. Michael Plumb.
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Paul D. Breault
Controller
Paul joined Walker’s in November 2022 as the School’s Controller. Previously, he served as the Director of Finance and Operations at The Greenwood School (Putney, VT) and the Chief Financial Officer at The Academy at Charlemont (Charlemont, MA). He holds an M.B.A. from Bay Path University and a B.S. in Business Management from Westfield State University.
Leila Cancellieri
Librarian
Leila joined Walker’s in 2018 on a part-time basis from Manchester Public Library where she worked as a Sunday librarian and was formerly a librarian in the children’s area. Leila holds a master’s degree in Library Science from Southern Connecticut State University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Connecticut.
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Isabel Ceballos P'29
Assistant Head of School for Faculty and Academic Affairs
Isabel Ceballos was born in Medellin, Colombia, and raised in Connecticut. She earned her B.A. and M.A. in Modern Languages with a concentration in Spanish Language, Literature & Culture from Central Connecticut State University. She is currently working on her Ed.D. in Leadership and Learning in Organizations from Peabody College Vanderbilt University. Isabel Ceballos has been a member of Walker’s Language Department since 2013, and is the founding executive director of Horizons at The Ethel Walker School, the first all-girls Horizons program in the country.
Named one of Hartford Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2016, and a recipient of The Thelma Ellis Dickerson Community Bridge Builder Award, Isabel is an active member in the community. She serves on the Board of The Aurora Women & Girls Foundation, and is a member of the United Way Community Engagement Committee.
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Mary Beth Conley
Director of Academic Support
Mary Beth joined The Ethel Walker School in the fall of 2007. During this time she has taught Psychology, AP Psychology, and Advanced Psychology and has also partnered with the school counselor to teach the Wellness section of the 9th Grade Seminar. Since the fall of 2011, Mary Beth has served as the Director of Academic Support which has enabled her to combine her background in counseling psychology with her understanding of brain-based learning strategies.
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Liss Couch-Edwards '07
Associate Director of Marketing and Communications
Liss graduated from Walker’s in 2007, and after earning her B.A. in Art History and Film Studies from Mount Holyoke College, she joined Walker’s Visual and Performing Arts faculty. She holds an MFA in Illustration from The University of Hartford’s Hartford Art School. Liss later worked as the graphic designer at Hartford Stage, a Tony Award-winning theatre company, and has been a freelance graphic designer for schools, non-profits, and small businesses in New England. She returned to Walker’s in 2022 as a member of the Marketing and Communications department, now holding the role of Associate Director of Marketing and Communications. Liss lives on campus with her husband, John Monagan, Walker’s history faculty, and their two children.
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Travis Daly
Director of Theatrical Arts
Travis Daly is a theatre director, educator, and leader whose work centers on creating an inclusive and creative learning environment that celebrates the transformative power of the arts. His teaching philosophy focuses on cultivating ensemble through creativity, imagination, and collaboration. In every classroom and rehearsal space, he encourages students to explore their own artistic voices while building confidence, empathy, and trust in themselves and one another.
Travis designs his classes as an exploratory laboratory for the arts, where students learn through active participation and creative discovery. His approach invites learners of all styles to find connection through movement, storytelling, and play. By guiding students to make bold artistic choices and collaborate with others, he helps them develop critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills that extend beyond the stage.
Before joining Walker’s, Travis served as the artistic head of an education program at a professional theatre company for nearly two decades, where he developed and directed large-scale productions, educational residencies, and original works for students across the community. His background includes years of teaching and directing for schools and community programs, helping young artists grow in their confidence and creativity while strengthening their connection to the larger arts community.
In addition to his work in professional theatre, Travis also served as the Artistic Director for a public school district, where he created and oversaw the artistic vision for all theatre productions across the elementary, middle, and high school levels. He produced multiple shows each year, managed production budgets, and collaborated with students, staff, and community members to produce high-quality performances that brought the entire district together. During his time there, he built a successful program that emphasized creativity, teamwork, and inclusion both on and off the stage.
Travis is an MFA candidate in theatre at the University of Idaho, currently completing his final semester. He also holds a Master of Arts in Educational Theatre, Storytelling, and the Arts from Adelphi University, where he received the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement, and a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he graduated summa cum laude.
Jerome Davenport
Grounds
Bethany Davis
College Counseling and Testing Coordinator
Bethany joins Walker’s College Counseling team as an administrative assistant. While earning her B.S. in Aviation Business Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Bethany helped manage top private golf course pro-shops, golf tournaments and women’s leagues and later transitioned back to Embry-Riddle to work in the registrar’s office as an academic evaluator. Upon her return to Connecticut, she joined the College Counseling Office at The Master’s School where she worked as the college counseling assistant/student data coordinator. Bethany’s love for horses began right here at Walker’s at the age of 5 when she attended the Summer Riding Experience, which led to getting her first horse and she has been riding ever since.
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Elisa Del Valle
Assistant Head of School
Elisa Del Valle is a transformational educator and a deep believer in young people. She was raised in East New York, Brooklyn, and molded by resilient ancestors: strong women who, despite hardship, yielded joy, and her own three children, who remind her each day that she is here to be taught by them. It is from these wisdom guides that she has learned the most about unconditional love, the power of sisterhood, and education.
Elisa’s relationship to work is an embodied practice rooted in her own liberation and the liberation of others. She defines her work not by what she is against, but by what she is for and the world she wants to be part of. She moves in the world as a complex human, modeling vulnerability, radical love, transparency, curiosity, and accountability for the communities she is a part of. Students are her greatest motivator for this work, and they are who keep her spirit light.
At Walker’s Elisa serves as the Assistant Head of School. Before she arrived at Walker’s in 2016, she spent 12 years working in higher education in residential life, student activities, leadership development, and new student orientation at Mount Holyoke College and Wesleyan University. While at Mount Holyoke, Elisa utilized her passion and graduate degree in Social Justice Education to design a more inclusive curriculum for the residential student experience. At Wesleyan, she pursued her passion for systems change work on Michael Roth’s Presidential Task Force for Equity and Inclusion.
Elisa attended an all-girls high school in New York City before attending Smith College in Northampton, MA. As a first-generation college student, she majored in Government and minored in Spanish, traveling to Cuba in her Junior Year. While working full-time at Mount Holyoke College, Elisa also attended graduate school full-time at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where she graduated with a Master’s in Social Justice Education.
Elisa is the recipient of the Inaugural Ally Award at Mahogany L. Browne’s Black Girl Magic Ball in New York City and an Edgar Beckham Helping Hand Award recipient from Wesleyan University.
Elisa is currently a trustee for the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS).
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Tom DiMartino
Director of Facilities Operations
Rolando Dorta Lopez
Environmental Services
Mimi Duran P'18
Associate Athletic Director, Director of Summer Programs
Mimi Duran brings over 30 years of coaching experience in both independent and public schools. She began her tenure at Walker’s in the fall of 2007, where she has spearheaded a highly successful field hockey program. Under her leadership, the team has won seven CISAC League Titles, six CISAC Tournament Titles, and the Class C WNEPSAC Championship Title in 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. Walker’s teams have also participated in the NEPSCA Field Hockey Tournament in the years 2007, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Duran’s achievements include receiving the Founders League Nadal Sportsmanship Award, as well as being inducted into the Connecticut Field Hockey Hall of Fame and The New Agenda Northeast Hall of Fame. She holds a Level 2 Coaching Certification from the United States Field Hockey Association (USFHA) and is a member of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA), where she serves on the Scholastic All-American Committee, the Scholastic Committee, and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Additionally, she is a member of the Connecticut Field Hockey Coaches Association and serves as a USFHA NEXUS coach.
Duran has also taken teams on international trips to compete in Europe and South America. Many of her former players have achieved All-State and Regional All-American recognition, with several going on to play and captain collegiate teams at the Division I, II, and III levels. Notably, a number of her alumnae have pursued coaching careers at both the high school and collegiate levels, earning induction into the Connecticut Field Hockey Hall of Fame as players and coaches. In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Mimi Duran serves as the Associate Athletic Director. She holds a Masters degree in Professional Sports Management from Georgetown University.
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Sarah Edwards
Financial Aid Specialist
Sarah Edwards joined Walker’s in the fall of 2022 in the role of Financial Aid Specialist. Sarah has held leadership roles in secondary school admission and financial aid for the past 23 years. In 2009, Sarah founded a consulting firm to support independent schools implement mission-aligned financial aid policies. She served as Director of Admission and Financial Aid at The Derryfield School in Manchester, New Hampshire and previously led the Admission and Financial Aid Department for Boston University Academy in Boston, Massachusetts. After graduating from Phillips Exeter Academy, Sarah earned a B.A. from Syracuse University, magna cum laude. She has taught English in Fukuyama, Japan before beginning her career in independent schools. Sarah just completed her term on the SAU 16 public school board in Exeter, New Hampshire. Sarah lives with her husband, Adam, and two teenage sons in Exeter, New Hampshire, where she enjoys mountain biking and other outdoor adventures.
Rachel Feldman
Math Faculty
Rachel Feldman is a graduate of Bowling Green State University in Ohio, where she earned her degree in Secondary Mathematics Education (grades 7-12). She then continued her education by earning her Master’s degree in Learning Design from the University of Illinois while also beginning her teaching career in Chicago. She has taught a wide range of students at the middle and high school levels, including courses in Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry, and College Algebra. She loves to teach using hands-on, real world applications that emphasize cooperation and problem-solving. She is excited to have joined such a dedicated and inspiring community at Walker’s!
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Patricia Fisher
Environmental Services
Pat was the recipient of the Frenchie Kahawaiolaa Award in 2022, an annual honor recognizing outstanding performance and a positive, professional demeanor among staff and faculty. A dedicated member of the Environmental Services Department, Pat has also contributed to Walker’s community as a House Parent for the Summer Riding Experience and as a nanny for former Head of School Susanna Jones.
Beyond her work at Walker’s, Pat is a Certified Nursing Assistant and holds American Red Cross CPR certification for adults, children, and infants. She also maintains her Connecticut Real Estate Broker’s License and brings a rich background in the arts as a former member of both the New Haven Ballet Company and the Connecticut Regional Ballet Company.
Marissa Forde P'28, '31
Visual Arts Faculty
Marissa, a Simsbury native, joined the Walker’s community in the winter of 2011 after beginning her teaching career in the local public school system. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in studio art with a focus on Illustration from Jacksonville University, and her master’s degree in education from the University of Hartford. She holds certifications in both art education and elementary education. Marissa teaches multiple visual arts classes, including Middle School Art, Drawing and Painting, Studio Art, Ceramics, and AP Art. Marissa is passionate about engaging girls in art by encouraging her students to explore how artistic creations are born through the solving of problems.
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Katie Franklin
Advancement Executive Assistant
Katie joined The Ethel Walker School in November of 2025 after spending more than five years at Trinity College where she worked in both the Career & Life Design Center and the Advancement Office. Before entering the world of education and philanthropy, she studied cultural anthropology at Central Connecticut State University and went on to earn a master’s in forensic anthropology at the University of Edinburgh — where she grew to cherish Scotland.
Katie lives in Avon with her husband and their dog, Laddie, who has confidently appointed himself as head of the household. On weekends, you can often find them hiking local trails and testing out creative vegetarian recipes at home.
Chris French
Major Gifts Officer
Christopher French was raised in Simsbury, Connecticut. He earned a B.S. in Political Science at Providence College. Chris has built a career anchored in excellent independent schools. He worked closely with alumni, parents, and friends at Choate Rosemary Hall, where he began his career. Eleven years as Director of Development at The Hotchkiss School followed. Chris was then appointed Director of Development at Trinity College in Hartford. In 2025, Chris concluded 13 years with Trinity College as Director of Principal Gifts and International Advancement and joined the Walker’s community.
“The most meaningful aspect of our work in Advancement is helping alumnae and parents connect in substantive ways with the mission of The Ethel Walker School,” Chris says. “Walker’s is its people. Alumnae and parents can have a profound impact here.”
Chris resides in Cheshire, Connecticut with his wife Carey. They have two grown children, Sam and Clare.
Mark Fuller
Director of Technology
After graduating from the University of Rhode Island, Mark studied at Richmond College in London where he met his wife. Settling in Houston, Texas, Mark worked at The Emery/Weiner School as a teacher, network administrator and then finally as a director of technology. Throughout his career at The Emery/Weiner School, Mark transformed it from one that used little technology to one where every member of the staff and student body now leverage technology to work and learn.
Mark also spent two years teaching adults technical skills ranging from Word and Excel to web development and programming. He has worked with special needs children in first and second grade, taught sixth, seventh and eighth grade digital literacy, and taught video editing to high school students.
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Mike Galvin P'14
Facilities/Grounds
Clive Gardner
Environmental Services
Christopher Garrity
Chief Financial and Operations Officer (CFOO)
Jeff Gonzalez
Middle School Science/STEAM Faculty
Beatriz Gonzalez P'24
Spanish Faculty
Betty joined the World Languages faculty at Walker’s to teach Spanish 1-4. A native Spanish speaker, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Manizales in Colombia, with a focus on educational psychology.
Bringing over 12 years of teaching experience, Betty has worked as a Spanish teacher for PreK-8 grades in private schools in Torrington and Bristol, Connecticut, and has also taught English as a Second Language. Additionally, she has served as a bilingual tutor for several years with the Bristol Board of Education.
Betty has received training in the Comprehensible Input teaching methodology, which allows her to combine her expertise in psychology and education to create engaging, effective, and inclusive learning experiences for diverse students. Passionate about language and culture, she enjoys sharing her mother tongue and Colombian heritage to inspire and enrich her students’ learning journeys.
Shannon Gorsky
Equestrian Trainer
Shannon Gorsky is thrilled to be a part of the Walker’s team. She grew up locally in Connecticut, riding, showing, and participating in IEA as both a rider and a member of the National Youth Board. She then went on to attend Stonehill College with a major in business management where she also competed and was a captain of their Varsity IHSA team. Since then, Shannon has continued training and riding in Connecticut as well as coaching IEA for the past few years where she has qualified multiple riders for national finals. She absolutely loves IEA and the team component that it brings to the sport. As a trainer, Shannon emphasizes the importance of creating confident riders through staying positive and building foundational skills. She also highlights the significance of building a partnership with your horse and taking care of our equine partners through good horsemanship and respect.
Colin R. Griggs
Assistant Director for Enrollment and Financial Aid
After nearly two decades in the boarding school world, Colin R. Griggs joined the Admission team at Walker’s in July of 2022. His experience includes leadership roles in admission, athletics, student life, and residential life, and has since landed firmly in admission. Griggs has worked closely with Walker’s Financial Aid Committee since 2022 and moved into his role as Assistant Director for Enrollment and Financial Aid starting in the summer of 2025. He enjoys helping families learn about the opportunities that Walker’s can offer them through the financial aid process.
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Chris Hague
Math Faculty, Interim Director of the Middle School
Before joining the Walker’s community, Chris worked as a middle and upper school math teacher at King’s Academy in Amman, Jordan and All Saints’ Day School in Phoenix, Arizona. Chris studied Sports Psychology at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario where he published two journal articles for the Sports Coaching Review and Psychology of Sport and Exercise. In his free time, Chris is a passionate runner and triathlete.
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Elizabeth Hall
Groom Staff
Jeannine Hamill
Bookkeeper and Office Manager
Allie Harris '13
Advancement Communications Coordinator
Allie Harris ’13 joined The Ethel Walker School Advancement Team in 2019. She graduated cum laude from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester in 2017 where she majored in English Literature and wrote for print magazines and social media. At Walker’s, Allie was Head of Day Students and Head of Cicerones as well as a member of the Varsity Equestrian Team.
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Kim Harris-Thacker P'24, '27
History Faculty and Archivist
Kim Harris-Thacker P’24, ’27 is The Ethel Walker School’s archivist, as well as a faculty member in the history and English departments. She is a well-published magazine writer and essayist with a keen interest in history and community, and in connecting the past and the present through the medium of story. Born and raised in Wyoming, Kim has retained a love of the outdoors, which she shares with her husband, Walker’s Upper School English teacher Dr. David Thacker, and their two daughters, Molly and Liesel, who are current and former Walker’s students.
Lexie Hart
Groom Staff
Laurie Hine P'16
Senior Administrative Coordinator to the Office of the Head of School
Dan Hoskins
Grounds and Maintenance
Sam Hotchkiss
Latin Faculty
Sam Hotchkiss makes his triumphant return to Connecticut, the land of his birth, to teach Latin at The Ethel Walker School. While away, he received a B.A. in Classics from Reed College, an M.A. in Classical Languages and Literatures from the University of Chicago, and another M.A. in Latin and Classical Humanities from UMass Boston, where he also obtained his Massachusetts teaching licensure. He taught Latin for two years at the public high school in Needham, Massachusetts, and got his first taste of independent school teaching at the College Preparatory School in Oakland, California. He loves the twelve-bar blues, the Italian sonnet, and the intricate rhythms of Greek and Latin poetry. He lives on campus.
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Nishette Isaac
Dean of Students
Nishette joined The Ethel Walker School in 2016 from the Collegiate School in New York, where she served as the school’s librarian for three years. She went on to serve as Walker’s Director of Digital and Library Services and Assistant Dean of Students before assuming her current role as Dean of Students.
While Nishette began her career as a librarian with the New York City Department of Education and at several independent schools in New York City, her work has evolved into student life leadership. As Dean of Students, she provides a supportive, safe, and enriching environment that fosters growth, development, and accountability in the student experience. Nishette sets the tone for a student-centered experience, demonstrates a strong commitment to a diverse student body, and plays a vital role in promoting and upholding the mission and values of the school.
She earned her B.A. in anthropology from Hofstra University, her M.S. in teaching from Fordham University, and her M.L.S. from Pratt Institute. Born in Saint Lucia, Nishette moved to the United States at the age of 10. She serves on the Board for Horizons at The Ethel Walker School, is a member of The Deans’ Roundtable, and is an active member of the Shelflives Book Club.
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Hillary Johnson '06
Assistant Director of Admission
Hillary joined the Walker’s Admission team in the summer of 2025, bringing with her a deep commitment to education and a personal connection to the school. A proud Walker’s alumna, Hillary knew the time was right to return to her alma mater and pursue her long-held passion for supporting students and families through their educational journeys. Hillary holds a Bachelor of Arts from Union College and a Master of Arts from New York University. Prior to joining Walker’s, she spent many years working in the public school systems of the Upper East Side of Manhattan and West Hartford, Connecticut, where she pursued a specialization in Special Education with a dedicated focus on addressing unique educational needs of students with disabilities and learning differences. Her background in education has equipped her with a strong foundation in student support and a keen understanding of diverse learning needs. As a student at Walker’s, Hillary was both a day and boarding student and served as captain of the varsity tennis and varsity soccer teams, embodying Walker’s values of leadership, perseverance, and teamwork. Off campus, Hillary enjoys cheering on her children at hockey games and going on long runs with the family’s golden retriever, Gordie. She lives in nearby West Hartford with her husband, their four children, and Gordie.
Chris M. Johnson P'25
Database and IT Specialist
Chris comes to The Ethel Walker School with over 25 years of professional and volunteer experience working with students in a diversity of settings. Outside of his role fixing all things that plug in and power on, Chris has been a teacher, a pastor, a Little League coach, a web designer, an actor, a radio DJ, a camp director, and most importantly a husband and a father to four kids. Chris spent 11 years at The Raymond Hill School in New Britain, CT as their Technology Teacher and Tech Coordinator and recently comes from the business world in IT working in the transportation industry. Chris has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Alliance University and a Master’s of Theology from Bethel Seminary.
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Jillian Jones '19
Advancement Associate
Annie Keating-Scherer P'30
Counseling and Wellness Educator
Annie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her MSW from New York University’s Silver School of Social Work, as well as her BFA in Theatre from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Annie has been working as a therapist since 2007 and loves supporting adolescents and their families on their journeys of self-exploration, healing and growth. In addition to being a school-based clinician, Annie is the founder and clinical supervisor of long-established group psychotherapy practice in West Hartford. She has worked in college mental health, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs, often with a special focus on recovery from eating disorders. Annie specializes in Mindfulness-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (M-CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and is also a certified yoga and mindfulness teacher. In her free time, Annie loves hiking, reading, going to the theatre, and hanging out with her awesome family and two rescue dogs.
Cynthia Krohn
Math Faculty
Cynthia started her teaching career in college, teaching math and history for two summers at Breakthrough Manchester (New Hampshire) to middle school students. After college, she worked as a Girl Scout professional in Pennsylvania for three years before heading to graduate school at the University of New Hampshire to become a social studies teacher. She taught middle and high school at public, private, and online schools for the next 13 years before becoming a math teacher in 2017 at Oldfields School in Maryland. Cynthia loves helping students to feel more confident in math and to see the beauty in finding different ways to solve a problem. She has also served as assistant Varsity softball coach for five years at Oldfields School and one year at Sandy Spring Friends School.
Outside of school, Cynthia is an avid choral singer, with international choral tours to England and Wales (2005), China (2007), Finland and the Baltics (2017), and most recently Germany and the Czech Republic (2024). She also enjoys knitting — check out her collection of scarfs and shawls when the weather gets cooler! She lives with her cat, Ruth Bader Ginspurr, and enjoys a good game of cards.
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Lexi Kulik
Special Events Manager
Lexi joined The Ethel Walker School’s Advancement Office in December of 2025. She brings over six years of experience from Trinity College, where she supported advancement campaigns and later worked in the President’s Office managing major institutional events. Her professional background also includes event work in the wedding industry and with Make-A-Wish, where she discovered her passion for bringing people together through meaningful events.
Lexi earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations from Westfield State University and her master’s degree in Public Policy and Law from Trinity College. She currently lives in Avon and is deeply committed to championing female empowerment and connection through her work.
Nilda Legassa P'23
Spanish Faculty
Nilda has been an active member of the Walker’s community for several years, initially as a dedicated parent of a 2023 graduate. She now brings her extensive experience to the Walker’s faculty after retiring from a remarkable 35-year career in sports television. Throughout her career, Nilda covered some of the world’s most prestigious sporting events, including multiple Summer and Winter Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowl, FIFA World Cup, Wimbledon, Roland Garros, the U.S. Open Tennis and Golf Championships, The Masters, and the WNBA. For 25 years, Nilda worked in Spanish-language television, where she was deeply involved in various aspects of production. Her career is distinguished by her commitment to mentoring young production professionals and coaching on-air talent. In the summer of 2024, Nilda contributed to NBC Sports’ Olympic coverage producing soccer games and the Paralympic triathlons, winning a Sports Emmy. At Walker’s, Nilda teaches both middle school and upper school Spanish. Her transition to the Walker’s community reflects her enthusiasm for new challenges and her dedication to education.
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Ana Lopez Franco
Environmental Services
Karim Mabrouk
French Faculty
Karim joins Walker’s faculty on a full-time basis this year as a member of the World Languages faculty specializing in French; previously he served on the faculty on a part-time basis. Karim will teach French 1B, 2, and 4 this academic year. He is fluent in French and Arabic and has focused some of his work on teaching French for diplomacy and international affairs. Previously, Karim was a Graduate Fellow and Visiting Lecturer at Trinity College (Hartford, CT), an instructor at Yale University, and he held various teaching and administrative roles at the University of Connecticut. He is a Ph.D. candidate (ABD) at the University of Connecticut in French Language & Literature. He holds Master of Arts degrees from UConn in both International Studies and French Culture Language & Literature and a Graduate Certificate in Human Rights Studies. Karim earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in both International and French Studies from Iona College. Karim is a JV soccer coach and will coach swimming in the winter.
Laurie MacAlpine P'08
Music Department Chair
Laurie MacAlpine came to Walker’s in 1998 and has expanded the music program to address the needs of a growing student body. She earned her bachelor’s degree in science with a minor in vocal music from Ladycliff College and went on to receive her master’s in music composition from The Hartt School, University of Hartford. An accomplished musician, she studied composition and theory with Arnold Franchetti, classical guitar with Janet Marlowe, and piano with Bridget de Moura Castro. Before coming to Walker’s, Laurie owned her own piano and classical guitar studio for 10 years and started four independent music programs for home school associations in Connecticut. She has conducted several children’s choirs in churches throughout Hartford and is currently the cantor at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. At Walker’s, she has expanded the music program to include a gospel choir and a chamber choir (Voce Felice), Upper and Middle School orchestra, a handbell choir, and chamber ensembles. In October 2006, she was awarded The Natalie Galbraith Mitchell Chair in the Humanities for her work at the school. She is currently a member of Simsbury Town Band in the clarinet section.
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Brennan Maine '09
Program Director of Horizons at The Ethel Walker School
Brennan Maine ’09 leads with purpose to uphold a transformative program that uplifts under-resourced students from Hartford. She specializes in strategic program development, impact-driven story-telling, and collaborative fundraising that amplifies Horizons mission and message.
She is a proud Dial, former athlete who is interested in promoting the arts and riding her bicycle!
Sophia Martin
Environmental Services
Colin May
Technology Support Specialist
Colin May joined The Ethel Walker School in October 2023 as an IT Support Specialist in the Information Technology department. He earned a B.S. (Honors) in Computer Science with minors in Information Technology, Information Systems, and Data Science & Analytics from Marist University. Before joining Walker’s, Colin spent two years providing both consulting and in-house IT support at The Marvelwood School. Prior to that, he worked as a Copy and Print Marketing Supervisor at Staples, where he developed strong customer service and technical troubleshooting skills during the COVID-19 pandemic. Colin enjoys helping faculty, staff, and students with their technology needs and ensuring a positive and supportive experience across campus.
Olivia McKinstry
Groom Staff
Justine Medic
Math Faculty
Justine Medic is a mathematics teacher with a passion for helping students build confidence and curiosity in the classroom. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in educational leadership. Before joining The Ethel Walker School, she spent several years teaching at an independent boarding school, where she developed a deep appreciation for the unique connections formed in a residential academic community. After taking time to raise her three children and work as a full-time mathematics tutor, she returned to the classroom at Walker’s, where she has taught Geometry, Algebra I and II, Precalculus, and Calculus.
Dr. Emma Mitchell
Science Department Chair, Physics Faculty
A graduate of an all-girls independent secondary school, Emma earned her bachelor’s degree in Physics from Vassar College and her Ph.D. in Engineering Physics from the University of Virginia. Her doctoral research was in laboratory astrophysics and astrochemistry, focusing on thermal and radiation processing of frozen water in astronomical environments. She has received fellowships from both the NASA Earth and Space Science Program and the NASA Virginia Space Grant Consortium. She has been teaching at Walker’s since 2016. Emma also serves as President-Elect of the American Modeling Teachers Association, a non-profit organization that provides professional development in the Modeling Instruction guided-inquiry approach to teaching science. In her free time, Emma is also a passionate cook and baker.
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Kellie Molander
Director of Annual Giving
John Monagan
History Faculty
John Monagan grew up in Waterbury, Connecticut, where he attended Chase Collegiate School from 6th-12th grade. From Waterbury, John headed south to attend Johns Hopkins University, where he majored in history. After four enjoyable years in Baltimore, John’s years in private school led him to The Ethel Walker School, where he taught history and English. John spent his first four years at Walker’s teaching 6th-9th grade history and 6th-7th grade English. He has also spent time running student activities. John earned his Master of Science degree from Drexel University in Sports Management while working at Walker’s. He previously served as Walker’s Athletic Director for nine years and continues to teach in the history department. John is the head coach of the varsity basketball and softball teams and lives on campus with his wife and two children.
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Jill Mountford
Assistant Athletic Director for Operations, Varsity Lacrosse Coach
Jill Mountford joined Walker’s in the fall of 2023 as head coach of the varsity lacrosse team after graduating from Bentley University with a Bachelor in Science in Management. Coach Mountford also coaches at the club level for Nor’easter Lacrosse. She has a USA Lacrosse Gold Coaching Certification.
Coach Mountford also serves as the Assistant Athletic Director for Operations within the athletic department. She lives on campus with her dog Bentley and serves as a dorm parent and upper school advisor.
Megan Mulhern
Dean of Curriculum and Academics
Megan Mulhern is an experienced English teacher previously holding faculty positions at Westminster School, YK Pao School in Shanghai, China, The Lawrenceville School, and The Emma Willard School. Since joining Walker’s in 2019, she has held the positions of English Faculty, English Department Chair, and Dorm Head. In her current role, Megan oversees our academic program and curriculum. With a focus on student growth and girls’ education, she provides support and guidance to students as they navigate their courses at Walker’s. She also teaches English and serves as an advisor.
Megan holds a B.A. in Literatures and Cultures in English and Education Studies from Brown University and an M.A. from Middlebury’s Breadloaf School of English.
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Kristen Myshrall
Director of Counseling and Wellness
Kristen is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in working with adolescents and their families. She obtained her M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Central Connecticut State University and has advanced training in TFCBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), IFS (Internal Family Systems), and DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy). Before joining Walker’s, Kristen worked in as a clinician in an outpatient clinic, as well as in a middle and high school. She transitioned to residential life as a therapist, and then a clinical director, of a therapeutic group home for adolescent females. Additionally, she has experience working with people experiencing homelessness and young adults with severe and persistent mental illness. Kristen is passionate about working with adolescents who have experienced trauma, are experiencing school related stress, LGBTQIA+ related issues/concerns, family difficulties, anxiety, depression, complex mental illness, suicidal ideation, those involved in DMST (Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking), and those engaging in injurious behaviors. Prior to becoming a therapist, Kristen received a B.S. in Marine Science from Eckerd College, M.S. in Geology from the University of Kansas, and a Ph.D. in Geoscience from UConn. She was a professor of Geoscience at UConn and conducted research across the global, which led to multiple publications and presentations. A desire to work more in depth with students led to a change in careers. Kristen is thrilled to return to an academic setting to provide mental health support to students.
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Kristin Nicolle
Head Athletic Trainer
Kristin Nicolle has 21 years of experience as a Head Athletic Trainer in private schools. She began her career at the Madeira School in McLean, VA, where she started the athletic training program. Kristin started at Walker’s in fall 2004.
While working at Walker’s, Kristin was house faculty for two years and Dorm Director of Smith dorm for one year, a Middle School advisor, Middle School physical education teacher, assistant Middle School basketball and softball coach, Middle School Wellness teacher, and Assistant Athletic Director. Kristin continues as the Head Athletic Trainer.
Kristin has a Master of Education degree from Springfield College in Sports Injury, Prevention and Management and is a Certified Athletic Trainer through the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification. Kristin is also a licensed Athletic Trainer in the state of Connecticut.
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Randall Shō Northrop
History Department Chair, Executive Director of the Capabilities Approach
Randall Shō Northrop serves as History Department Chair and Executive Director of the Capabilities Approach. He holds an MSt in Global and Imperial History from the University of Oxford, where he focused on cultural, intellectual, and transnational history. Before joining Walker’s, Randall taught Global History and Social Sciences at Beaver Country Day School in Brookline, Massachusetts. At Beaver, he also served as grade dean for 9th and 10th grades. At Walker’s, Randall leads the integration of the Capabilities Approach across the curriculum, ensuring that every student’s learning experience nurtures leadership, innovation, and a commitment to social impact. In the History Department, he works to create inquiry-driven courses that center girls’ voices, connect past and present, and empower students to understand — and shape — the world around them. He has taught a variety of courses at Walker’s, including Advanced Microeconomics, Advanced Macroeconomics, Global History, Media and Society, Inequalities in the United States, U.S. History, etc. Randall serves as the faculty advisor for the Model UN club, the Asian Student Collective, and coaches cross country. He lives on campus with his wife, Julie Relyea, and their daughter, Adeline.
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Brendan O'Dwyer
History Faculty
Brendan earned his B.A. from SUNY Purchase and his M.A. from Wesleyan University. After receiving his master’s degree, Brendan joined the Walker’s community as a full time faculty member in 2015. In addition to teaching in the History Department at Walker’s, Brendan has coached soccer, basketball, skiing and tennis. He lives with his wife and three children in Litchfield.
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Gretchen Orschiedt
Assistant Head of School for Advancement
Gretchen was appointed Walker’s Assistant Head for Advancement in October 2016. Coming from Trinity College, she served as Director of Development and, more recently, as Director of Principal Gifts and International Development. Prior to Trinity, Gretchen’s career in education includes over a decade of fundraising at Cornell University and over a decade of work in admissions at Cornell University, Ithaca College, and her alma mater, Wells College.
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Erin Ott P'32
English Faculty
Erin holds a Master of Arts in English Literature and Bachelor of Arts in English, Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hofstra University. She has worked extensively with students on composition and literature, and she has assisted students with honing their skills to write at the college level. Erin is also a Middle School advisor.
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Nick Panatsas
Facilities
Mallory Pasquariello
Director of Residential Life and Student Activities, Senior Class Dean
Mallory Pasquariello brings more than a decade of experience in student life, academic support, and community leadership to her role as Director of Residential Life and Student Activities at The Ethel Walker School. Since joining Walker’s in 2012, she has held multiple positions of increasing responsibility, including Assistant to the Deans Office, Dorm Parent, and Dorm Head. In addition to her administrative leadership, she contributes to the academic program as an Art History teacher.
In her current role, Mallory oversees the residential life program and student activities, guiding students in their personal growth while fostering a vibrant and inclusive boarding community. She also serves as Senior Class Dean, supporting students through the pivotal transition to college and beyond. Known for her ability to foster meaningful connections, she emphasizes student leadership, engagement, and the development of lifelong skills that extend well past the classroom.
Mallory holds a B.A. in Art History from Roger Williams University, with minors in Architecture, Business Management, and English Literature, and an M.A. in Museum Studies from the University of Leicester.
Passionate about empowering the next generation of female leaders, Mallory encourages students to “try everything,” embracing Walker’s spirit of discovery and the transformative experiences that come with boarding school life.
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Marion Paterson P'17, '19
Senior Director of Development and Engagement
Marion joined the Development Office in 2014 as Campaign Manager. A 12-year student of the all-girls’ Roland Park Country School in Baltimore, she then graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College and then a master’s degree from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. She was then the personal assistant to a conservation architect in Edinburgh, where she met her husband, Guy. Marion lived and worked at the St. Denis and Cranley School, and all-girls’ boarding school in Edinburgh for four years before returning with Guy to the United States. While raising her two daughters here in Simsbury, she managed two businesses from home. Marion held numerous board positions and was then president of the Simsbury Newcomers Club. With both daughters attending Walker’s, she fell in love with the community here and is thrilled to be on campus with them and working for the advancement of the School.
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Amy Paul P'16, '18
Senior Associate Director of Admission
Amy received her Bachelor of Arts from Syracuse University and her Juris Doctor from Boston University. She worked as an attorney in a general practice in Hartford for several years before taking a position as a full-time parent caring for her three children. She is committed to volunteering in her community, served as co-board chair of Horizons at The Ethel Walker School, is involved in local politics, and serves on a mental health board. Amy was the president of The Ethel Walker School Parent Association and served on the School’s board of trustees when her daughters Georgia ’16, and Holly ’18 were students at Walker’s. Her work in the Admission Office has been a seamless transition due to her deep affection for Walker’s and her involvement over the years. Amy lives in Avon with her family.
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Dr. Suzanne Piela P’22, '28
Science Faculty
Suzanne joined The Ethel Walker School in the fall of 2007 and since then has taught AP Biology, Advanced Biology, Honors Biology, General Biology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Honors Biochemistry, Equine Science, and an independent study in Microbiology. Suzanne earned her B.S. in Biology at the University of Notre Dame and her D.V.M. at the University of Minnesota. She also did a small animal internship in medicine, surgery, and emergency medicine at Rowley Memorial Animal Hospital in Springfield, MA.
Suzanne practiced as a small animal veterinarian for 10 years before transitioning to teaching. Prior to her role at Walker’s, she worked as a park naturalist and taught ecology at the elementary level, and worked as a middle and high school science and math tutor.
Suzanne is currently the Science Department Chair, coaches JV Tennis, and loves to ride at Walker’s barn when she has time.
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Max Putnam
English Faculty
Maxwell Putnam received an MFA in poetry/non-fiction from Sewanee: The University of the South’s School of Letters. Former Associate Poetry Editor at the Northwest Review, his work can be found in Frontier Poetry, Notch Magazine, American Songwriter, and elsewhere. Prior to his position at The Ethel Walker School, Maxwell taught upper school English and Writing at Friends Seminary in New York City.
Sandra Quinlan P'16
Chemistry Faculty
Sandra joined The Ethel Walker School in the fall of 2006 and, since then, has taught many courses in the science department, including Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, Biology, Honors Biology, Physics 9, Honors Physics 9, Physics 11-12, and Human Biology (Middle School). In addition, she served as the Junior Project Coordinator for over 15 years. Sandra earned her master’s degree in Chemistry from Syracuse University and spent the early part of her career working in the pharmaceutical industry. Sandra was a research assistant in Discovery at Pfizer, then a research scientist in Process Development at Bristol-Myers Squibb for 11 years before transitioning to teaching.
Sandra is currently co-teaching a new course, Research in Molecular Genetics (Stan-X class) and has developed and maintained a research fly lab on campus.
Morgan Ramos
FLIK Executive Chef
Francisco Ramos
Grounds Supervisor
Melissa B. Regan P'13
Director of Alumnae Relations
Melissa joined the Advancement team at Walker’s in July of 2024. Having spent the last 12 years in alumni relations at Trinity College and The Frederick Gunn School, she is excited to return to her roots as a fundraiser in her role as initially Major Gift Officer and currently as Director of Alumnae Relations. Melissa grew up in Simsbury and her connection to Walker’s runs deep. Her daughter, Chelsea, attended both the middle school and high school and graduated in 2013. Melissa’s husband, Tom, is a member of the board and they have a son, Colin, and a mini golden doodle named Daphne.
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Hannah Reid
Registrar, Learning Specialist
Hannah joined the Walker’s community in 2023 as the school registrar. She is familiar with the boarding school world, having worked at both Northfield Mount Hermon and the Fay School, and also as a graduate of nearby Suffield Academy. Hannah began her career working in the admissions office at NMH before returning to school at Harvard where she earned an Ed.M in Mind, Brain, and Education. After graduate school, Hannah worked as a learning specialist at Fay and returned to NMH several years later as an academic coach. Since relocating back to Connecticut in 2019, Hannah has tutored students at Westminster in addition to teaching a group of remote 5th graders at Renbrook during the pandemic. Hannah lives in Simsbury with her husband, three sons, and a plethora of pets.
Julie Relyea
History Faculty
Julie Relyea earned her B.A. in Education and Religious Studies from Saint Michael’s College and a Master of Theological Studies in Comparative Religion from Harvard Divinity School. Her teaching journey began in China through the WorldTeach program, followed by teaching roles in Maryland and Massachusetts, where she also led gender equity initiatives and taught yoga and mindfulness. While at Harvard, she worked with the Religions and the Practice of Peace Initiative, coordinating speaker series and helping to develop programs focused on interfaith understanding and peacebuilding. In 2022, she joined the Walker’s community, where she now teaches World Religions, Philosophy, Ethics, Psychology, and 7th Grade Geography. For co-curriculars, she teaches yoga and personal fitness. She lives on campus with her husband, Randall Northrop, who also works at Walker’s, their daughter, and their family dog.
Human Resources
Human Resources/Benefits
Monique Restituyo P'27
Campus Store Assistant
Katelyn Rodriguez
Art Faculty and Middle School Coordinator
During her undergraduate studies, Katelyn expanded her artistic and curatorial experience through programs in Miami at Art Basel and in New York at the New York Academy of Art Summer Residency Programs. These opportunities further strengthened her technical skills and broadened her perspective as an artist.
In 2023, she completed her master’s degree in Teacher Leadership at Central Connecticut State University, focusing on equity, justice, anti-racist pedagogy, innovative instructional practices, and restorative approaches in education.
Katelyn is deeply aligned with Walker’s mission and is dedicated to enriching the student experience, fostering creative growth, and inspiring a lifelong love of learning.
Krystyna Rosa
Environmental Services
Carol Ross P'18, '19
Executive Director of Horizons at The Ethel Walker School
Carol received a BAS from the University of Minnesota, Duluth and an M.Ed. in Secondary Education from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. She brings over 20 years of experience in education and nonprofits including as an administrator for Upward Bound, teaching English as a second language in Beijing, Los Angeles, and Tulsa, and most recently as a Learning Specialist for The Cobb School, Montessori. She was a founding member of the Horizons at The Ethel Walker School staff and is also the proud parent of Walker’s alumnae Madeline ’18 and Emily ’19.
Gianna Russillo
Assistant Director of Admission
Gianna Russillo graduated from Boston University where she majored in anthropology with a concentration in health and medicine and worked for the Admissions Office. She previously worked in the Admission Office at the Forman School. Gianna grew up in the independent school world, both as a faculty kid on a boarding school campus and as a graduate. In her free time, you can find Gianna out for a run, taste-testing any and all desserts, or hiking all over New England!
Pamela Safford '81
Assistant Head of School for Admission and Enrollment
Pamela holds a B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology from Carleton College and an M.S. from the University of Pennsylvania. Previously, she was the Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid at The Country School in New Canaan. Pamela has also been employed as Dean of Admission and Financial Aid at Deerfield Academy; Associate Head for Communications, Enrollment and Planning at Concord Academy; and Director of Admission at Northfield Mount Hermon School. Pamela is a founding trustee and former chair of the board for the Association of Independent School Admission Professionals (AISAP) and she currently serves on the board of the Enrollment Management Association (EMA). Committed to supporting professional development among her peers, Pamela regularly presents at various national conferences including IECA, NAIS, SSATB, and TABS.
Sebastian Duque Salazar
Environmental Services
Christine Sanni
Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Liaison
Christine Sanni is an accomplished communications professional with extensive experience advising leaders, growing effective teams, and developing, executing, and measuring the impact of strategic communications and marketing plans for top universities and nonprofits. Throughout her career, she has prepared university and nonprofit leaders and luminaries alike to engage effectively with the press, donors and prospective donors, alumni, and members of the public.
Early in her career she worked in publishing and successfully booked authors on national media tours. Her placements included the Wall St. Journal, People Magazine, Good Morning America, and National Public Radio (NPR). She leveraged this work to move into higher education and partnered with scholars and practitioners at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she mounted a successful partnership with NPR to broadcast “Talk of the Nation” live from campus.
During her tenure at Tufts University, she created, implemented, and completed the university’s first integrated communications and marketing plan to advance the business objectives of the university. This included developing a marketing plan for Tufts’ successful $1.5 billion campaign, as well as enlisting the support of deans for the centralization of recruitment marketing for all graduate programs.
Sanni has held leadership positions at Carthage College, Newman’s Own Foundation, and Trinity College. The client list for her company, Christine Sanni Communications, includes Harvard University, MIT, Beth Israel Lahey Health, Chicago Theological Seminary, Lee Memorial Health Systems, and Northeastern University.
Sanni holds a B.A. summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Tufts University and a M.A. in English Literature from the University of New Hampshire. She has taught English and Composition at the college level.
Jo Seaver '99
Director of Show Riding and Head Trainer
A proud Walker’s alumna and Ethel Walker Scholarship recipient, Jo Seaver ’99 brings more than 20 years of experience as a professional trainer, rider, and mentor. Owner and head trainer of Six Hearts Farm, LLC — a hunter/jumper program she founded for riders of all levels — Jo has guided students to success from local competitions to national finals. She has also trained with leading professionals, including Linda Langmeier, Missy Clark, and John Brennan, and previously coached Walker’s Interscholastic Equestrian Team and helped host major IEA and USEF shows on campus.
An accomplished competitor herself, Jo has earned top placings in hunters and jumpers at premier events such as Capital Challenge, Kentucky Summer, HITS Ocala, and the Winter Equestrian Festival. Her students have achieved recognition at every level — from CHJA and New England Finals to Junior Hunter Finals, Pony Finals, and the ASPCA Maclay National Championship.
Jo leads Walker’s riding program with the same dedication she brings to every arena — developing confident, capable riders and a community rooted in teamwork, discipline, and excellence.
Nicole Sellew
English Faculty
Nicole Sellew grew up in Connecticut. She graduated from Dartmouth College in 2021, where she studied English, creative writing, and film and media studies. She received her M.Litt. in creative writing from the University of St Andrews in 2022 and is now studying for her Ph.D. She teaches English and theater, and she is both a novelist and a playwright. Her debut novel will be published by Clash Books in 2025, and her writing for the stage has been performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, among other places.
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Dr. Chris Semk
World Languages Department Chair, French Faculty
Chris is the chair of the Language Department and teaches both French and Latin. He earned his Ph.D. in French literature from Indiana University and taught at Yale before joining Walker’s. Chris coaches cross country and advises the Middle School Garden Club, the French Club, and Wings (Gender and Sexuality Alliance). He is actively involved in the community and serves on the board of directors of A Place to Nourish your Health (APNH), a community health organization in New Haven, and the Hartford Karma Thegsum Chöling, a Buddhist meditation and study center in the city’s West End. Chris lives in Hartford with his partner Jonathan.
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Dr. Julia Sheldon P'20, '23
Science Faculty
Dr. Julia Sheldon P’20, ’23 began teaching science at Walker’s in 1998. Her childhood fascination with the natural world led her to love science and eventually to pursue a degree in chemistry at the University of California at San Diego. During her time at UCSD, Julia became a certified SCUBA diver and worked in a research lab studying fish physiology at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Julia also discovered a passion for teaching through serving as a teaching assistant and mentoring low income, first-generation college students in the Ronald McNair program at UCSD. After college, Julia continued her research and teaching at Yale University, where she earned a Ph.D. in bioorganic chemistry while studying the interactions between DNA and the proteins that begin the cellular process of transcription.
At Walker’s, Julia is passionate about engaging students in science by encouraging them to observe the environment around them and to explore how science can help them understand and improve their world. A highlight of her career was being named a National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow, which allowed her to travel on an expedition to the Arctic and to develop and teach an interdisciplinary elective course about Climate Change at Walker’s. Julia also co-developed and co-teaches Honors Scientific Research in Antibiotic Discovery, Walker’s research-based science course that guides students to search for new antibiotics in response to the worldwide antibiotic resistance crisis. In addition, she has held several administrative roles at Walker’s including Science Department Chair, Co-Dean of Faculty, and Dean of Studies.
Julia has embarked on several more educational travel experiences over the past few years: two visits to the Galapagos Islands with National Geographic, a safari to learn about climate change and sustainability in Tanzania, and an expedition to Antarctica with a cohort of female and nonbinary leaders in STEMM with Homeward Bound. She uses these experiences in the classroom to help her students to become engaged and informed citizens of the world.
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Claudia Silva P'17
Director of Health Services
Ryan Smith
Facilities/Grounds
Cheri Soule
Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair, Director of Dance
Cheri Soule is the Director of the Dance Program at Walker’s. She teaches modern, jazz, ballet, composition, and improvisation in both the Upper and Middle School programs. In addition to running the dance program she is the advisor to several student-run dance clubs on campus as well as the 10th Grade Class Dean. She received an MFA in Dance from Smith College, a B.S. in Dance from SUNY Brockport, and a B.A. in Fine Arts from Eastern Connecticut State University. Cheri has danced professionally with The New England Dance Theatre and The Judy Dworin Performance Project. She has also served on the faculty at Springfield College and as visiting artist at Trinity College. Her favorite part about being at Walker’s is the chance to teach, rehearse, and collaborate with such enthusiastic young dancers.
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Liana Sowa
Advancement Database Manager
Liana joined The Ethel Walker School as an intern in the Advancement Office and later transitioned into the role of Advancement Database Assistant. She holds a bachelor’s degree in editing and publishing and recently earned a master’s degree in library and information science from Simmons University, with a concentration in information organization. In addition to her current role, Liana volunteers in the School’s archives and also subs in the Children’s Department at the Farmington Public Library. She brings a strong attention to detail and a passion for building functional systems. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, running, and weightlifting, as well as hiking with her dog.
Maggie W. Spear
Assistant Director of College Counseling
John Sway
Environmental Services
Tanya Szuluk
Director of Equestrian Operations
Dr. David Thacker P'24, '27
English Faculty, English Chair, and Director of Community Partnerships
Dave joined Walker’s in 2018 from Florida State University where he was completing his Ph.D. in Creative Writing and teaching English. He has enjoyed teaching for the past 11 years at the university level but was thrilled to join Walker’s where he spends more time focused on teaching and getting to know his students. A published poet, Dave earned a B.S. in English, summa cum laude, from Weber State University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from The University of Idaho. Dave is passionate about community partnerships and is the director of Walker’s Community Partnerships program.
Read Full ProfileJulianna Thompson P'26, '29
Registered Nurse
Justin Treado
Environmental Services Manager
Masha Vdovenko
Digital Communications Associate
Masha Vdovenko joined Walker’s in 2025, bringing a passion for storytelling, creativity, and design to the school community. A 2024 graduate of the University of Connecticut with a degree in Digital Media and Design, Masha uses art as a platform for meaningful conversation. Her senior animation project earned the department award for Best Social Commentary, and another of her works received a Silver award at the Annual CADC Awards.
While in college, Masha gained hands-on experience working as a Graphic Design Assistant at the UConn Visitor Center, creating visual content to connect with prospective students and families. She also worked with UConn’s Digital Media and Design Department to promote their programs, manage social media campaigns, and animate their new application video—a project that inspired her to apply her creative skills in educational spaces.
Growing up right in Simsbury, just around the corner from Walker’s, Masha is excited to bring her skills back home to a community she has always admired. At Walker’s, she manages social media, the website, photography, videography, and graphic design.
Dr. Meera Viswanathan
Head of School
Meera joined Walker’s from Brown University, where she was an associate professor of Comparative Literature and East Asian Studies. A lifelong educator and scholar, Meera holds her undergraduate degree, her M.A. and a Ph.D. from Stanford University. Meera was born in Madras, India and emigrated at age five to Los Angeles.
At Brown, she earned the Barrett Hazeltine Award for Outstanding Teaching, and the John Rowe Workman Medal in the Humanities. She delivered Brown University’s Convocation Address, has received several National Endowment for the Humanities grants and awards, and has been both a visiting scholar and professor abroad. Meera has served as a reviewer for the National Endowment for the Humanities, on the review board of the journal, College Literature, and on the board of the Community Preparatory School in Providence. She is a Trustee of the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey. She has frequently led seminars locally and nationally about developing curriculum and resources on Asian literature. Meera has studied and speaks a number of languages including Japanese, French, German, Latin, Classical Greek, Old English and Old Norse.
Meera and her husband, Dr. Eric Widmer, resided at Deerfield Academy during his 12-year tenure as Headmaster. While there, she taught English for a year while on sabbatical from Brown. At the behest of King Abdullah II of Jordan, Meera and Eric co-founded King’s Academy in Madaba, Jordan, the Middle East’s first co-educational preparatory boarding school with financial aid. There, she taught and served as the curriculum’s principal architect and dean of faculty. King Abdullah II personally awarded Meera the King Hussein Medal, Jordan’s highest honor, for her endeavors.
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Jennifer Wall P'22, '24
Math Department Chair, Math Faculty
Jennifer Wall, a private math tutor for middle, high and college students, joined Walker’s in 2016 as a member of the math faculty. Jennifer is a graduate of the College of New Jersey and the New York Institute of Technology where she earned her master’s degree in instructional technology. Previously, Jennifer was a math teacher at Northern Valley Regional High School in New Jersey. She served as a long-term substitute at Walker’s during the 2011–2012 academic year where she taught AP calculus, AP statistics, honors calculus and trigonometry.
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Holly Westfall
Admission Office and Database Manager
Ken Whelihan
Assistant Director of Riding and Senior Trainer
Ken took his first formal horseback riding lesson in 1967. Much of his youth was spent trotting along behind his mom, dad, sister, and brother. During college, he worked at an international jumper sales barn run by two-time puissance record holder Barney Ward. Over the years, Ken has worked with numerous Olympians and his students have been successful at national and regional finals. He qualified for and competed in the U.S. selection trials for the Barcelona Games in 1992 and has been an “R” judge for over three decades. A popular clinician and winning competitor, Ken will help serve as an ambassador for Walker’s in the equestrian community.
Ken lives with his wife, Dr. Vicki June, DVM, and his two dogs in Otis, MA. When not riding horses, or teaching, giving clinics, judging horse shows, or competing, you would probably find him napping at home with a dog or two on his lap.
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Eve White
Associate Barn Manager
Eve is a hardworking, passionate individual that is very excited to join The Ethel Walker School equestrian facility. She has been in love with horses since she was younger and has been working with them for over 15 years. She is thrilled to increase her knowledge and join such an incredible group of trainers and staff. Along with equestrian knowledge, Eve also adores a variety of art and is extremely well known for her love of animals and her students. She has just left a classroom of her own and has many equine lessons she has taught under her belt. Eve cannot wait to grow with such an incredible school.
Read Full ProfileStacey Wollman '04
Weekend Nurse
Maria Zarrillo
FLIK Food Service Director
Maria joined Walker’s in August 2021. During Maria’s almost 28 years with FLIK, she has held many positions following in her great-grandfather, parental grandfather, and father’s shoes, which includes Sous Chef, Chef Manager, Catering Manager, and most recently Director of Food Services. She has worked at Eversource, Hamilton Sundstrand, and Pratt and Whitney in both the East Hartford and Middletown plants. Maria holds an associate degree in business management with a concentration in food and beverage. A native of Niagara Falls, New York, Maria is an avid Buffalo Bills fan. She is proud to be such a huge part of what fuels our students to be the best they can be every day through quality food and nutrition.
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