Faculty
Jennifer Arthur, Third Grade Co-Teacher 1991
B. A. Colby College
M. Ed. Lesley College
“When I first came to GUS in 1991, I was struck by how supportive the students were of each other in all activities, either in the classroom or on the recess field. Almost twenty years later, I still feel that GUS students are special in this way.”
Annie Barton, Sixth Grade Sports, Coach 2003
B. A. University of Vermont
M. S. Boston University
“What’s not to like?! This is the first job that I have had where I have really enjoyed coming to work every day. Although a snow day is never a bad thing . . .”
Amy Billings, Kindergarten Co-Teacher 2010
B. S. Springfield College
Linda Bowden, Fourth Grade Co-Teacher 1980
B. A. Colgate University
“The environment at GUS provides and encourages genuine learning for children and adults. The collaborative nature of our co-teaching model is enlivening and essential for making my lessons and activities meaningful for students.”
Kathleen Bracken, Fourth Grade Co-Teacher 2005
B. S. University of New Hampshire
M. S. Emerson College
“To learn to live to teach is what I love about working in a GUS classroom!”
Babette Brackett, Math 6 & 8 1995
B. S. New York University
M. Ed. Cambridge College
M. Ed. Lesley College
“I love to teach at GUS because the students are so highly motivated to learn, creative, curious, and have fun in their work and in their play. This is also true of all of my colleagues.”
Ruth Cardona, Spanish 1-6 2006
B.A. Universidad Externado de Colombia
M.A. Instituto Torcuato Di Tella, Argentina
“ĄHola amigos! Teaching Spanish at Glen Urquhart means bringing part of my culture to these wonderful children who learn something they have never learned before. I love how little kids light up when I see them for the first time after a break and how I can help them realize that learning a second language can be fun and interesting.”
Patricia Clark, Music K-5, Assemblies 2006
B. A. University of Montana
M. Music, Arizona State University
“I am grateful to teach at a school with such a gifted and passionate faculty and with such enthusiastic and creative children who love to sing! “
Catherine Cobb, Art K-4 1988
B. A. Middlebury College
M. A. Lesley College
“What I have always appreciated about teaching at Glen Urquhart is being part of a dynamic learning environment where the commitment to imagination, risk taking and individual expression takes place daily within a unique spirit of community.”
Sarah Currie, English 7, Writing Lab 6 & 7 2008
B. A. Connecticut College
M. Ed. Lesley University
“I love GUS because by working here I am connected to others, and I am part of a community that is continually growing, engaging, and collaborating. At school, I depend upon the students for my own learning as much as they do upon me.”
Laura Day, American History 8, Community Service, Coach 2008
B. A. Regis University
M.A.T. Simmons College
“Working with faculty that challenge me every day, while teaching students who ascribe what they learn to help change the world, is my dream. I have that dream at GUS.”
Christine Draper, Social Studies 6 & 7 1999
B. S. Gordon College
M. Ed. Lesley College
Ed. D. University of Massachusetts at Lowell
“The emphasis on teaching children rather than covering content; the creative, collaborative and passionate colleagues; the highest degree of intellectual freedom I have ever experienced — these are the reasons I love to teach at Glen Urquhart School.”
Bruce Emerson, Athletic Director, Life Skills 6 1992
B. S. University of Massachusetts
“Teaching at GUS allows me the opportunity to really get to know and build a relationship with a student and his/her family, which gives me the ability to really understand what is best for each student.”
Elizabeth Flannagan ‘85, Third Grade Co-Teacher 2005
B. S. Salve Regina University
“I have been a student…a Grand Friend….and a teacher on Grand Friends’ Day. Having the distinct privilege of being part of such a wonderful school and its traditions has been a true honor. GUS is a community you never want to leave behind (and I haven’t!) Thank you GUS for all you have given me.”
Evan Heymann ’99, Sixth Grade Sports and Coach 2009
B. A. Western New England College
“I like teaching at GUS because I feel at home among the active and curious minds of the students and faculty.”
Barbara Kelley, Kindergarten Spanish and Spanish 7 & 8 1993
B. A. Oklahoma State University
M. A. Monterey Institute of International Studies
“I love hearing the friendly ‘holas’ from students walking through the
school. The K-8 Spanish curriculum offers exciting opportunities to create community around a common theme. I love teaching in a school where we think carefully about how and why we do every little thing. My colleagues make each day exciting and creative.”
Barbara Kelly, Second Grade Co-Teacher 2007
B. A. Long Island University
“I don’t know a lot of people who can say they love coming to work each day – but I am one of them! I am very fortunate to be part of such a caring, creative group of educators at an incredible school.”
Lindsey Kravitz, Fifth Grade Co-Teacher 2008
B. A. Connecticut College
“I love teaching at GUS because I can teach about our world and the land around us, and the students eat it up enthusiastically.”
Donna Krohn, Dance and Drama K-6, Dance 8 1980
Diploma, Laban Studio
Masters in Dance Studies, City University, London
“I am proud that Glen Urquhart honors and supports all of the arts and makes them part of the curriculum, not ‘tacked on’ at the end of the day. It allows all students to participate in every discipline and not only to be exposed to the arts but also to learn and grow through them.”
Rachel LaBrecque, First Grade Co-Teacher 2007
B. A. University of Massachusetts
M. Ed. Lesley University
“Glen Urquhart School is not your normal, everyday school. It is filled with a sense of community, cohesiveness and splendor!! I will never forget the first time I walked down the hall to the first grade. The beauty was on the outside with the butterfly garden and on the inside with the student’s artwork. I feel very lucky to walk every day down this same hall and just enjoy the beauty that this school offers!”
Jennifer Mallette ‘88, Science 7, Science Curriculum Coordinator, Life Skills 7 2002
B. A. Middlebury College
M. Ed Lesley College
“At GUS people work to adapt the program to meet student’s needs as opposed to seeking students who fit our program.”
Brendan McEachern, Fifth Grade Co-Teacher 2007
B. S. Syracuse University
M.Ed. Salem State College
“Glen Urquhart students are so eager to learn. They continue to challenge me to teach them something new every day. GUS allows me the flexibility to get creative, inventive, and to try new approaches in teaching material.”
David Pruden, English 6; Language Arts Coordinator 2004
B. A. Michigan State University
M. S. Lesley University
“It is the physical as well as the collegial environment which inspires me to work at GUS. Being surrounded by such natural beauty, while having the opportunity to work with such a creative and supportive faculty, refreshes and motivates me on a daily basis. I am fortunate to work in such a dynamic setting.”
Beth Riley, Computer 6, 7, 8, Technology Coordinator 1999
B. S. Boston University
M. Ed. Northeastern University
Ed. M. Harvard Graduate School of Education
“Over the past 10 years it has been my pleasure to support our GUS faculty as they learn to embrace educational technology in a myriad of ways that empower both good teaching and learning. This has been an exciting time to forward innovative educational ideas within such a receptive and creative community.”
Kelly Schwenkmeyer, English 8, Writing Lab 8 2005
B. A. Xavier University (Ohio)
M. Ed. Lesley College
“I feel alive working at GUS because I pass through an art gallery every morning when I get my coffee, my colleagues have traveled the world, and the students are fearlessly creative and spunky.”
Therese Sellers, Latin 7 & 8 2004
B. A. Harvard College
Diplome de L’Ecole, Ecole des hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales
Ph. D. Boston University
“I love teaching at a school where they tap their own maple tree for syrup every year and share their campus with a beekeeper.”
Merelyn Smith, Math Department Chair, Math 7 1979
B. S. Gordon College
M. S. University of New Hampshire
“The respect, warmth, openness, and support of administrators, colleagues, students, and parents in the community make coming to school an enjoyable experience.”
Andrew Soracco, Science 6 & 8 2010
B.S. University of Geogia
Dawn Southworth, Art 5-8 1996
B.F.A. Massachusetts College of Art
“I LOVE teaching at GUS – Year after year, I never cease to be amazed by the unbridled enthusiasm for learning and discovery.”
Cheri Sperr, Math Workshop 6, Math Lab 7-8 2000
B. S. Gordon College
M. Ed. Lesley College
“The GUS community engages in learning as a series of dialogs in which teacher and student each expand the world of the other. Students learn, and I learn too! This is why I like teaching at GUS.”
Carol Stewart, Academic Support Coordinator; Language Arts Coordinator, Grades K-3 1987
A. B. Smith College
M. S. University of Pennsylvania
“It is inspiring to work with such a dedicated, generous group of colleagues. Cooperative and never competitive, they share time and expertise, as well as materials, ideas and new technology. The children’s experience is greatly enriched by the teachers’ collaboration. It is truly a wonderful community in which to work. Each day I’m intellectually challenged by challenging kids’ intellects, and I’m overjoyed to work in a place where learning is so joyful!”
Peter Stewart, Music 6-8 2004
B.M.E. Mount Union College
“Teaching for me is sharing my love of music and combining it with my love for children. GUS lets me share both in a creative way.”
Sandra Thoms, Kindergarten Co-Teacher 1988
B. S. Wheelock College
M. Ed. Antioch College
“After 21 years at GUS, I still feel every week holds moments of delight, challenge, stimulation and opportunities for growth and introspection. Being a part of the lives of five and six year olds is energizing and refreshing.”
John Thomsen, Band 2007
B. A. Long Island University
Masters in Performance, University of Lowell
“I enjoy teaching at GUS because of the high amount of enthusiasm from the newest to most senior members of the faculty. It inspires me to do a better job and definitely has a positive trickle down effect on the students.”
Danielle Thorn, First Grade Co-Teacher 2010
B. A. Tufts University
M. A. T. Tufts University
Jemma Tory, Drama 7 & 8 2006
B. A. St. Lawrence University
M.F.A. Emerson College
“I love working at GUS because of the genuine support the staff has for each other. Each faculty member is passionate about the role they have here. That passion is reflected in the students’ willingness to learn, create, and explore.”
Maureen Twombly, Second Grade Co-Teacher 2010
B. A. Northeastern University
Cecily Vaughan, K, 2 & 3 Science, Library 1985
B. S. Skidmore College
“I love having the beauty of the outdoors come into every room through the windows. I love interacting and learning with my students.”