Ethel Walker School
Boarding School Life
Relationships and memories that last a lifetime
Walker’s community is built on relationships that are nurtured and strengthened both in and out of the classroom. Our residential faculty create a healthy family atmosphere that allows our students to thrive, as they meet the challenges of adolescence head on. We provide a variety of shared experiences and expectations that enhance the building of these special relationships creating memories that last a lifetime.
At Walker’s, you are never more than a few steps away from someone who is an integral part of your daily life.
Friends, residential faculty and classroom teachers feel like family at Walker’s. Our dedicated residential faculty will take the time to get to know you well and will notice when you need extra support or encouragement.
Frequently Asked Questions
We often hear similar questions from families thinking about a boarding school experience. At Walker’s, students have the opportunity to begin boarding in seventh grade and continue through twelfth grade and in the postgraduate year. Programming varies depending on whether students are in the Middle or Upper School. Because every family’s situation is unique, there may be other questions that you have about boarding at Walker’s. Please direct your additional questions to Director of Residential Life and Student Activities Mallory Pasquariello at mpasquariello@ethelwalker.org.
How will my roommate be determined? Can I pick my roommate?
For new students, we will carefully match you with a roommate based on your responses to a roommate questionnaire which asks you to share your sleep patterns, study habits, and interests. Returning students are allowed to choose their roommates before the end of the year.
How many students are in a dorm?
Dorms range in size from 30 to 60 students.
Are dorm rooms furnished?
Each student is provided with a desk, dresser, and a twin XL bed/mattress. Bathrooms in Smith and Lucy Jean House are ensuite and are shared by two rooms (four students). In Cluett Dorm, there are hallway bathrooms that are shared by the adjacent rooms (four students). Each building has a common room and a kitchen.
What amenities do the dorms have?
Each building has a common room and a kitchen. All dorms have a supply of games and books that students may borrow. Cluett Dorm has a pool table and air hockey game. Lucy Jean House has a piano adjacent to a common space with a working fireplace.
What do I need to bring to campus for my dorm room?
Anything that makes your room feel like home! Students should bring their pillows, blankets, comforters, towels, shower caddy, desk lamp, fan, alarm clock, laundry bag, and lock box to store any valuables. Students should also bring learning materials, including any electronics and chargers. Please reference the Boarding Student Packing List page for more complete information. Irons are not allowed and refrigerators may be used with prior permission from the Dean of Students office.
What are proctors?
Proctors are student leaders in the dorms who plan fun activities in your dorm, monitor study hall, and are available to help you navigate your schedule, as well as work as a mentor and friend. Proctors create inter-dorm competitions, themed weekly activities, and evening fun. Along with residential faculty, proctors will celebrate your birthday and your many accomplishments.
What is the difference between Residential Faculty and Dorm Affiliates?
A residential faculty member is a faculty or staff member who lives in faculty-designated apartments in the dorm buildings. Residential faculty members act as students’ go-to’s for anything they may need in the dorms outside of school day hours.
Dorm affiliates are faculty or staff members who live on or near campus, and are on call for different areas of student life, such as monitoring evening study hall in the library.
In Their Words
Not only do I live with my classmates, but our dorm parents are also our coaches, teachers, and advisors, giving students the chance to have endless support even when they are away from home. Dorm life is full of never-ending laughter and joy, truly making Walker’s my home away from home.
—Averi R. '24
Residential Faculty and Dorm Affiliates
Ben Barker
Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair, 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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Abigail Barrett
Math Faculty
Abigail Barrett, born in Florida and of Jamaican heritage, has been a math teacher for one year. During her studies at Williams College and Yale Divinity School, she has explored her various academic interests, including Mathematics, Chemistry, and Philosophy. She looks forward to continue her journey of education in the classroom, as she helps students to find their love of learning.
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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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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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Ashley Bonet
Middle School Science Faculty
After receiving her Master’s in Public Health from the University of Connecticut, Ashley joined Teach for America and taught in Hartford Public Schools for the last eight years as a science and STEM teacher. Ashley also served as science coach for new science teachers and taught science education courses through Teach For America and the John Hopkins Master’s program during this time. She was Teacher of the Year at Kennelly School and served on the Union Board in Hartford for two years. She is very passionate about partnering with the community and organizations to promote STEM education. She participates and encourages students to also be involved in service learning with Knox Community Gardens and the Aloha Foundation as well as works with CCSU, UCONN, TFA, CT Center for Advanced Technology and Manufacturing, LEGO, and Talcott Mountain. She additionally assisted with elementary and middle school running club, girls basketball and softball, after-school science programming, and has helped to organize and run middle school trips to Washington, DC and Vermont. Ashley has also been the STEAM Specialist and Lead Teacher for the Horizons summer program at The Ethel Walker School for the past two summers.
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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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Colin R. Griggs
Assistant Director of Admission
Colin R. Griggs joined the Walker’s community during the summer of 2022, and he comes to Simsbury with more than 15 years of experience working in the New England boarding school community. After spending the first four years of his professional life in Connecticut at Indian Mountain School and Marianapolis, Colin moved to Maine where he spent nine years at Hebron Academy. While at Hebron, Colin coached over 400 athletic contests in soccer, basketball, and tennis and earned more than 200 victories as a head varsity coach. Colin also spent time in the Alumni and Development Office, Dean of Students Office, and as an Assistant Athletic Director among many other positions. During 2019, Colin moved again with his family to High Mowing School where was was both the Director of Athletics and Residential Life and the head coach of the girls’ team for the Black Rock FC Residential Academy. Colin lives on campus with his wife, Sarah, and their two sons, Raleigh and Henry.
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Chris Hague
Math Faculty
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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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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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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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.
Dr. Emma Mitchell
Science Department Chair, Physics Faculty
Emma received her Bachelor’s degree in physics from Vassar College in 2009, where she also was senior editor of the college newspaper. She taught physics and chemistry at her alma mater, Emma Willard School, before earning a Ph.D. in applied physics at the University of Virginia in 2016. Her Ph.D. research was in laboratory astrophysics and astrochemistry, focusing on thermal and radiation processing of frozen water in astronomical environments. As a graduate student, she was awarded fellowships by both the NASA Earth and Space Science Program and the NASA Virginia Space Grant Consortium. Emma lives with her rescue border collie, Davy.
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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 daughter.
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Jill Mountford
Athletics Associate for Operations and Varsity Lacrosse Coach
Randall Shō Northrop
History Department Chair, History Faculty
Randall joins Walker’s from Beaver Country Day School in Brookline, MA, where he taught Global History and Social Sciences. At Beaver, Randall also served as the grade dean for 9th and 10th grades, facilitated students of color and affinity groups, and coached the BVR Model UN team. Raised in Okinawa, Japan, he is passionate that students see themselves as a part of an interconnected local and global community, full of rich and complex narratives.
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Mallory Pasquariello
Director of Residential Life and Student Activities
Mallory is a graduate of Roger Williams University with a bachelor’s degree in art history and a triple minor in architecture, business management and English literature. She also has an M.A. in Museum Studies through the distance learning program at the University of Leicester. Previously, Mallory served as teller supervisor and customer service representative for Northwest Community Bank in New Hartford where she has gained a wealth of experience in customer service and organization. Here at Walker’s, Mallory serves as the Director of Residential Life and Student Activities. She is also a housefaculty member in New Dorm.
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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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Olivia Piper
English Faculty
Olivia Piper is an English teacher, a writer, and a New Englander. She grew up in the Farmington Valley, and is very excited to be coming home after two years spent in Virginia earning an MFA in Creative Writing from Hollins University. Olivia also holds a master’s degree in English & Language Arts Education from Boston University, and a bachelor’s degree in both English and Journalism from The University of Connecticut. Previously, Olivia spent three years working as an English Literature Instructor with Hartford Youth Scholars, and has worked as a writing instructor in the academic summer programs at both The Loomis Chaffee School and The Kingswood Oxford School. Additionally, she worked as a Public Ally through Americorps, serving the state of Connecticut as the Academic Coordinator of the Higher Heights Youth Empowerment Program.
As a journalist, Olivia worked as a staff writer for both The Valley Press and The Valley Life Magazine covering the Farmington Valley, and as a News Production Intern with WNPR. As a writer, her work, which is anchored firmly in a deep reverence for girlhood, has previously been published in The Connecticut River Review, Funicular Magazine, Black Fox Literary Magazine, Devastation Baby, and Sky Island Journal, among others. In 2024, she was a finalist for The Jack McCarthy Book Prize through Write Bloody Publishing. Olivia also has a background in the theater, having directed Little Women, Brownstone, and Almost, Maine during her time at UConn. In addition, she worked with The Avon Old Farms School as a co-director during their 2017-2018 theater season.
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Katelyn Rodriguez
Art Faculty and Middle School Coordinator
Katelyn Rodriguez is an Afro-Latina artist based in Simsbury, Connecticut, passionate about using her voice as a social justice advocate and educator in the arts. Katelyn earned her bachelor’s degree in Illustration and Art History from the University of Hartford in 2020. She believes the power of self-exploration through different art mediums is one of the most vital storytelling methods, allowing people to create and leave a poetic mark on the world that she strives to assist young people with. While in her undergraduate years, she studied fine arts and curatorial work in both Miami at the annual Art Basel and New York at the New York Academy of Arts, strengthening her skills as an artist. In 2023, she obtained her master’s degree in Teacher Leadership from Central Connecticut State University, enhancing her knowledge in equity, justice, anti-racist teaching, innovative instructional approaches, and implementing restorative practices in the classroom. Katelyn is dedicated to Walker’s mission and is committed to enriching the student experience and cultivating a love of learning for youth.
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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. 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 girls 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 develop and teach an interdisciplinary elective course in Arctic Studies at Walker’s. Julia also co-developed and now co-teaches Honors Biochemistry, Walker’s research-based science course that allows girls to search for new antibiotics in response to the worldwide antibiotic resistance crisis. Julia has also held several administrative roles at Walker’s including science department chair and co-dean of faculty, and she currently serves as dean of studies.
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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 ProfileImportant Phone Numbers
Main Desk
+1-860-408-4467
Nurse
+1-860-408-4289
Counselor
+1-860-408-4284
Dean of Students
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m-4:00 p.m.
+1-860-408-4324
Residential Life
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m-4:00 p.m.
+1-860-408-4237
Administrator on Duty (AOD)
Monday-Friday after 4:00 p.m., weekends
+1-860-821-3080
Cluett House Faculty On Duty
Monday-Friday after 4:00 p.m., weekends
+1-203-707-1154
Lucy Jean House Faculty On Duty
Monday-Friday after 4:00 p.m., weekends
+1-860-266-5861
Mountain View House Faculty On Duty
Monday-Friday after 4:00 p.m., weekends
+1-860-266-5864