• All
  • Staff
  • Middle School
  • High School
  • Faculty

Abra Ancliffe

Abra Ancliffe joined TSA in 2022 from Portland, OR. She received her BA in English Literature from Lewis & Clark College, her BFA in Printmaking from Pacific Northwest College of Art, and her MFA in Printmaking from Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia. Her print-works, books, drawings, and ongoing project, the Personal Libraries Library, have been exhibited nationally and internationally.

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Enrollment Manager

Andrew Lane

Andrew has a BA in Political Science from Kenyon College and a M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Vermont. He has also completed coursework in History and Italian at Temple University Rome. Watch Andrew talk about the Middle School faculty.

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alane@sharonacademy.net

Director of the Middle School,

Anne Bergeron

Anne has a BS in Education from UVM, an MA in English from U of Rhode Island, an MA in Eco-Literature from Goddard College, and certification in yoga. She came to TSA in 2018 after teaching throughout New England as well as in Asia. In 2011, she received a Rowland Foundation fellowship to integrate cultural diversity and wellness into secondary curricula. Anne likes to write, photograph, x-c ski, hike, garden, and spin wool from her own flock of sheep.

abergeron@sharonacademy.net

Academic Coach

Barbara Sirotkin

Barbara rejoined TSA in 2023 as the Middle School Spanish teacher; she was at TSA in 2021-22. Barbara holds a degree in Spanish from Boston University and a Masters from the University of Pennsylvania. She has also traveled to several Spanish speaking countries and used Spanish in her work as an attorney in New York.

MS Spanish

Ben Del Frari

Ben joined TSA in 2023 as a high school science teacher. He grew up in central New Hampshire and has always enjoyed science. Ben pursued Nursing in college and later completed a Master’s degree in Management. For the past two decades, Ben worked in several nursing and healthcare positions. He lives with his wife, three children, and dog in Sharon, Vermont.

Ben Gross

Ben joined the Middle School faculty in 2020. Ben graduated from TSA in 2015 and earned his BA in Mathematics from Northern Vermont University in Johnson, VT. Ben played basketball and soccer at TSA and continues to enjoy playing. He hopes to do some coaching and one day to earn a master’s degree.

bgross@sharonacademy.net

Mathematics,

Benjamin Diller

Ben joined the The Sharon Academy in August 2023 as the new Middle School Social Studies teacher. He earned his BA in Secondary Education from Alvernia University and his MS in Sports Administration from Lock Haven University. He has coached college soccer and served as a college athletic administrator and as a high school athletic director. He enjoys hiking, kayaking, and reading.

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Blake Fabrikant

Blake attended Skidmore and studied Film and Media at Arizona State University. He joined TSA in 2009 to coach JV Soccer and was hired as the Athletic Director in 2012. He coaches TSA varsity teams, winning VT Div. IV Basketball Coach of the year in 2018 for coaching TSA’s first Championship athletic team. Blake shares his filmmaking skills teaching electives as well supporting the Advancement Office to create films that capture the culture of TSA.

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bfabrikant@sharonacademy.net

Director of Athletics and HS Dean of Students

Brian Tonks

Brian earned his BS in Geology from Brown University and his MA in Data Analytics from Penn State University. He has served as a member of ISANNE LEADS 2013-2014 cohort of leaders for education and TSA Assistant Head of School. Brian plays bass guitar, games, and enjoys walking his dog.

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btonks@sharonacademy.net

HS Academic Dean, Mathematics

Carl Groppe

Carl has a BA in Film Post-Production & Computer Graphics/Animation from Columbia College Chicago and is a TSA parent.

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carlgroppe@sharonacademy.net

Information Technology Director

Christa Wurm

Christa has a BA in Outdoor Education with a Latin American Studies minor from the University of Massachusetts. She has worked at the Hulbert Outdoor Center and served as a member of ISANNE LEADS 2014-15 cohort of leaders for education.

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cwurm@sharonacademy.net

Equity and Wellness Coordinator

Christine Meagher

Christine joined TSA in 2022 and teaches Spanish and Block 3 at the High School and serves as an advisor. Christine has been teaching Spanish to students of all ages in Vermont for the past 6 years and is excited to share her love of travel and cooking at the high school level.

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Spanish

Clare Shamith

Clare earned her BA in Science in Society at Wesleyan University, and a MS in Environmental Studies and Science Teaching Certification from Antioch University, New England. She has been an Outdoor Instructor at Deer Hill and The Mountain Institute and a Science, Math, and Art Teacher at the Stratton Mountain School. Clare likes to read, write, run, climb, ski, bike, cook, garden, and spend time with her husband and dog. Watch Clare talk about teaching.

csmith@sharonacademy.net

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Science, Math

Emily Burkholder

Emily joined TSA in 2023. From childhood she has been fascinated with art and studied art in college. After a few children she took some workshops, studied under Caleb Stone of Gloucester, MA, and now focuses creating in watercolor and oils. Vermont’s landscapes, animals, and seasons inspire her. Her work has been shown in many regional galleries and festivals; she is an Associate Member of the New England Watercolor Society, a member of the Vermont Watercolor Society, and the ArtisTree Daily Artists.

MS Art Teacher

Fallon Abel

Fallon joined TSA in 2016. She holds a BA in Literature and Philosophy from Bard College and MA in English from Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School, with additional coursework at UMass Amherst and the University of Oxford. In 2023, she received a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching Research grant to research social-emotional learning in Finland. Prior to TSA, she taught high school English, led wilderness trips, and worked in residential mental health. She enjoys travel, carpentry, backpacking, yoga, running, and theater.

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fabel@sharonacademy.net

Wellness, Humanities, and PATH Coordinator

Georgia Beatty

Georgia joined TSA in 2023. She is a West Virginia native and holds a B.A. in English (Creative Writing) and German Studies from West Virginia University. Prior to TSA, she taught English at a secondary school in Salzburg, Austria, through Fulbright Austria. Georgia enjoys linguistics, writing poetry, playing guitar, painting, kayaking, bouldering, and hiking.

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College and Career Advisor

Grayson Levy

Grayson graduated from TSA in 2013 and joined the faculty in 2021. After high school, Grayson spent time in London with the professional soccer team Arsenal, learning how to be a coach, working with kids, and getting coaching certifications. Upon returning, he attended Roanoke College and graduated with a BS in Sport Management.

glevy@sharonacademy.net

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Assistant Athletic Director and Student Services

Hailey Neal

Hailey joined TSA in 2022 as the Middle School Language Arts Teacher, advisor, and ESP teacher. She has taught in the South Bronx and has spent three years teaching English in China.

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English Language Arts

Janice Stumpf

Janice has worked at The Sharon Academy since its inception and in many capacities. She has been the Middle School Administrative Assistant since 2020.

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jstumpf@sharonacademy.net

Middle School Office Manager

Jen Davila

Jen Davila started at The Sharon Academy as the School Counselor in February 2023. She earned a BA in Sociology/Social Problems from San Diego State University and completed her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Antioch University, Seattle. Prior to TSA, she worked as a Mental Health Clinician at the Clara Martin Center in Randolph, VT.

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School Counselor

Jen Tewksbury

Jen joined The Sharon Academy in 2022 having recently moved to Sharon from Randolph, VT, where she had been a preschool teacher for the prior six years. During the 2021-22 school year, Jen coached The Sharon Academy JV Girls Basketball team; she also coaches Special Olympics Basketball in the Summer. Jen and her husband Ben, along with their two children, enjoy golfing, skiing, hiking, and playing games together.

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Administrative Support Assistant

Kate Fabrikant

Kate has a BA in Child Development and Education from Hampshire College, a M.Ed. in Adolescent Risk and Prevention, and a CAS for School Counseling and Social Work from Harvard University. She joined TSA in 2008, was the School Counselor since 2009 before transitioning to work in Human Resources in 2020.

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kfabrikant@sharonacademy.net

Assistant Head of School and Director of Human Resources

Kayleigh Rodig

Kayleigh earned her BS in History and MS in Curriculum & Instruction from Southern Illinois University. She held temporary positions at TSA for two years before starting full-time in 2019 and was Director of Sharon’s public library for three and a half years. Kayleigh likes to bake, hike, garden, play tabletop games, spend time with her husband and son, and try to play the piano (started lessons at 31 having never learned how to play a musical instrument).

krodig@sharonacademy.net

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HS Social Studies Teacher

Kimberly Barnhart

Kimberly has a BA in Political Science and French from California State University and an M.Ed. in Curriculum Design and Instruction from the University of Vermont. In addition, she holds a Certificate of Proficiency from L’Universite d’Aix-Marseille and has completed coursework in Graduate Level French from Middlebury College.

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kbarnhart@sharonacademy.net

 

French

Kyle Paquette

Kyle joined the Middle School in 2019.  He earned his BA in Anthropology from St. Lawrence University then spent a period of time traveling and living abroad. Kyle enjoys board games, hiking, and improving his skills in the kitchen.

kpaquette@sharonacademy.net

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Academic Support and Math

Laura DeCapua

Laura has a BA in Journalism from Marquette University and a MA in Visual Communications from Ohio University. She spent many years as a professional photojournalist.

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ldecapua@sharonacademy.net

 

Director of Visual Arts

Linda Jagoda

Linda holds a BS in Secondary Education in Mathematics from Southern Connecticut State University and a MA in School Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University, She also studied at the Health Coach Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Linda started at TSA in 1997 after teaching math in Connecticut. She likes to jog, snowboard, ride her horses and motorcycle, garden, crochet, and spend time with her children and grandchildren.

ljagoda@sharonacademy.net

Mathematics

Margaret Gish

Margaret joined the staff in 2021. She has a degree from the University of Vermont in elementary education, special education, and environmental studies; she is working on a special education master’s. She has taught 1st and 6th-grade and seeks to meet students where they are, provide them with tools to regulate their emotions, and share their curiosity. Margaret enjoys distance running, cooking, hiking, and community theatre. Margaret is a 2014 TSA graduate.

mgish@sharonacademy.net

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Special Education, Math

Maria Duggan

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Business Manager

Maria Piasecki

Maria has a BA in English Literature from Middlebury College and a Teacher Certificate from the University of Vermont. Before TSA, Maria served in the Peace Corps in Turkmenistan.

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mpiasecki@sharonacademy.net

Literature, Exhibitions

Martha Tucker

Martha joined TSA in 2023 having worked for many years in Vermont schools. She brings a wealth of educational leadership experiences, most recently as Educational Director at Maplehill School and Farm in Plainfield, NH. Prior to Maplehill, Martha developed an independent special education school for adolescents and young adults with emotional and behavioral disabilities, served as Superintendent of the Caledonia Central Supervisory Union, and Curriculum Director for the Montpelier Public Schools.

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Director of Academic Services

Mary Newman

Mary was appointed Head of School in July 2020. Mary has a BA in Music and Spanish from Smith College and an MFA in Musicology from Brandeis University. She earned her Teaching Certificate from Upper Valley Teacher Institute. Since joining TSA in 2008, Mary was involved in administration as well as teaching. Prior to TSA in 2008, Mary worked at a music publishing company in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and taught at the Institute of Reading Development Santa Fe, New Mexico.

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mnewman@sharonacademy.net

Head of School

Patrick Mullins

Patrick Mullins came to TSA in 2022 from a background teaching math at the university level. He teaches Algebra in the High School math department and serves as an advisor and Block 3 teacher.

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Algebra

Paul Hurwitz

Paul joined TSA in July 2020. He is the father of Jacob TSA’12 and Abby TSA’14 and has over 30 years of facilities management experience, most recently at On The River Inn in Woodstock, VT. Paul is an avid skier; Killington is his ski “home”. He spends summer sailing Lake Champlain on his 15 meter Nacra catamaran and riding his motorcycle. He and his wife, Shari, live in Stockbridge, Vermont. He holds a B.S. in Business Management from New England College.

phurwitz@sharonacademy.net

802-282-1881

Facilities Director

Rob Stainton

Rob has a B.Ed. from De Montfort University in the UK. His focus is on Physical Education, English, and Outdoor Education; and has done professional development with a science focus.

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rstainton@sharonacademy.net

Chemistry, Environmental Science, Woodland Ecology

Ronald Johnson

Ron is a 2019 graduate of The Sharon Academy and JV Boys basketball coach. He joined the Middle School in January 2023. Ron graduated from Nichols College in Dudley, MA, then returned to Chelsea where he started a lawn mowing and landscaping business, joined the Chelsea Volunteer Fire Department, and plans to run for public office in Chelsea.

ESP and Afternoon Co-Coordinator

Shane Quintana

Shane joined the Middle School in 2023 as a Homework Club coordinator. He holds a BA in English from Castleton College and taught for three years at the high school level. During his free time, he enjoys reading, writing, backpacking, and basketball.

MS Homework Club Coordinator

Spike Carter

Humanities/Literature

Stephanie Davis

Stephanie holds a BS in Secondary Education and History, with a Minor in Anthropology from the University of Vermont. She started teaching humanities at TSA in 2008 but took a year off to be home with children and another as Director of the Writing Center. Stephanie likes to garden, bake bread, run, hike, snowshoe, and cross-country ski in winter.

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sdavis@sharonacademy.net

Humanities/History

Stephanie Nyzio

Stephanie joined TSA in 2023. She has a BFA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and an MFA from Purchase College SUNY. She recently retired after 25 years from her role as art educator in public schools. She and her husband designed and built a small, passive solar, semi earth integrated home in Bethel with the goal of regenerating a healthy ecosystem to support wildlife and independence. Stephanie enjoys all things art, nature, being active, and protecting the environment.

HS Art Teacher

Steve Basham

Steve has a BS in Physics and an MA in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Vermont.

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sbasham@sharonacademy.net

 

Science/Math

Tracy Gillespie

Tracy holds degrees from University of Maryland, Evergreen State College, and Boston University. She joined TSA in 2014 after teaching at several schools in NH and VT. Tracy plays with Seven Stars Recorder Ensemble, makes art, and sells cards and prints online and in local galleries. She enjoys hiking, kayaking, biking, and traveling, especially to Germany. Meet Tracy Gillespie

tgillespie@sharonacademy.net

 

Math

Wendy Spector

Wendy joined TSA in 2018. She spent ten years in marketing in the private sector, lived overseas in Asia for five years, and raised four boys to adulthood while working part-time and serving her local community in volunteer and elected positions. An avid skier, Wendy is a Mountain Ambassador at Killington.

wspector@sharonacademy.net

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Digital Communications Manager