At The Sharon Academy, faculty are dedicated mentors who foster a love of learning through personalized guidance, high expectations, and strong relationships.
They create a supportive, challenging environment where students feel known and empowered to grow into confident, engaged members of their communities.
School Leadership
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...
Head of School
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 has been 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.
Head of School
Andrew has a BA in Political Science from Kenyon College and a M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Vermont. He has als...
Middle School Director
Andrew Lane
Andrew has a BA in Political Science from Kenyon College and a M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Vermont. He has also completed coursework in History and Italian at Temple University Rome.
Middle School Director
With over 21 years of experience in finance and operations, Cathy, brings a steady, thoughtful approach to helping mission-driven organizati...
Director of Finance and Human Resources
Cathy Pelton
With over 21 years of experience in finance and operations, Cathy, brings a steady, thoughtful approach to helping mission-driven organizations thrive. Outside of work, she loves hiking, backpacking, kayaking, hunting, fishing, reading, knitting, and spending time with family and their dog.
Director of Finance and Human Resources
Laura (she/her) joyfully leads with a team of people dedicated to transformative education and to amplifying the voices of the community the...
Director of Advancement
Laura Perez
Laura (she/her) joyfully leads with a team of people dedicated to transformative education and to amplifying the voices of the community they serve. As Director of Advancement at The Sharon Academy, she brings nearly twenty years of nonprofit leadership experience to the work of connecting people, resources, and mission. Her passion is to be with her community, to listen to what people want and need, and to work to make those visions a reality. She believes that when schools are rooted in belonging and relationship, young people thrive, and that a community that invests in its students invests in itself. Laura holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a focus on the politics of poverty and community education as a force for social change, and a Master's in Business Administration with a concentration in strategic organizational leadership. In her spare time, she finds her greatest delight working side by side with her husband on their small Vermont farm and traveling with her children.
Director of Advancement
Staff
Student Support Staff
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 th...
Dean of Students
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. Since 2023, Blake has been Dean of Students, Advisor, and he shares his filmmaking skills teaching electives.
Dean of Students
Jen Davila started at The Sharon Academy as the School Counselor in February 2023. She earned a BA in Sociology/Social Problems from San Die...
High School Counselor
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.
High School Counselor
Rachel joined the high school team in 2024. She is an Army Veteran and Norwich University Graduate with a degree in Biology. She has worked ...
College and Career Advisor
Rachel Putney
Rachel joined the high school team in 2024. She is an Army Veteran and Norwich University Graduate with a degree in Biology. She has worked in Vermont at the secondary and college level, advising, mentoring, and instructing students. She loves animals and music and spends most of her free time reading. Rachel is passionate about helping students define and find their way to success.
College and Career Advisor
Sandra came to TSA after working as a SAP Counselor in New Hampshire. She received her B.S degree in Health Science with focus in Substance ...
Middle School Counselor
Sandra Pais
Sandra came to TSA after working as a SAP Counselor in New Hampshire. She received her B.S degree in Health Science with focus in Substance Abuse Counseling from Keene State College and worked for many years as a registered nurse in pediatrics. She is the mother of four and has four grandchildren. Sandra loves the strong sense of community she experiences living and working in Vermont.
Middle School Counselor
Academic Support Staff
Kimberly has a BA in Political Science and French from California State University and an M.Ed. in Curriculum Design and Instruction from th...
Academic Dean & High School French 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.
Academic Dean & High School French Teacher
Marie Conley is excited to join The Sharon Academy team. A native Vermonter, Marie has been an educator for the past 30 years and has worked...
Academic Center Teacher
Marie Conley
Marie Conley is excited to join The Sharon Academy team. A native Vermonter, Marie has been an educator for the past 30 years and has worked with students of all ages and grade levels across a variety of subjects. Her experience includes special education, math and literacy intervention, behavior intervention, social-emotional learning, and school counseling. She earned an associate degree in Occupational Therapy and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Bay Path University.
A lifelong learner, Marie especially enjoys sparking students’ curiosity and watching them make connections with the world around them. A self-described “fact collector,” she says she knows a little bit about a lot of things, which may be one of the reasons she loves teaching so much.
In her free time, Marie enjoys spending time with her family and two cats, writing, paper crafts, gardening, painting, and being creative. She is grateful to be at TSA and looks forward to connecting with the students and community of The Sharon Academy.
Academic Center Teacher
Jesse joined the TSA staff in the fall of 2024. She has a master’s degree in Education Administration and a Master’s in Education with a Spe...
Director of Academic Services
Jesse Dewey
Jesse joined the TSA staff in the fall of 2024. She has a master’s degree in Education Administration and a Master’s in Education with a Special Education Endorsement. Jesse has over ten years of teaching experience in Vermont and has served in academic leadership roles in secondary schools throughout the past two decades.
Director of Academic Services
John’s background includes competing as an AAU Jr. Olympic Champion, serving as a U.S. Army combat infantryman, and spending twenty years in...
Academic Center Coach & Middle School Homework Club
John Holloway
John’s background includes competing as an AAU Jr. Olympic Champion, serving as a U.S. Army combat infantryman, and spending twenty years in global business development before returning home to Vermont. He brings a straightforward, real-world perspective to TSA focused on mentorship, accountability, and practical growth, while working with students to bridge the gap between their intrinsic strengths and their daily academic responsibilities. When the weather permits, you will often find John having fun skiing the trees, and enjoying life with his wife and children. When the weather doesn't permit, you will often find John thinking about having fun skiing the trees, whilst still enjoying life with his wife and children.
Academic Center Coach & Middle School Homework Club
Operations Support Staff
Jen joined The Sharon Academy in 2022, having recently moved to Sharon from Randolph, VT, where she had been a preschool teacher for the pri...
High School Administrative Assistant
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. Jen coaches The Sharon Academy Varsity 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.
High School Administrative Assistant
Carl has a BA in Film Post-Production & Computer Graphics/Animation from Columbia College Chicago and is a TSA parent.
Information Technology Director
Carl Groppe
Carl has a BA in Film Post-Production & Computer Graphics/Animation from Columbia College Chicago and is a TSA parent.
Information Technology Director
Athletic Director
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. Grayson was named Athletic Director in the Fall of 2023.
Athletic Director
Misty joined TSA as Enrollment Manager in 2024 and became Enrollment and Marketing Manager in 2025. Before coming to TSA, she worked in elem...
Enrollment and Marketing Manager
Misty Evans
Misty joined TSA as Enrollment Manager in 2024 and became Enrollment and Marketing Manager in 2025. Before coming to TSA, she worked in elementary education as a librarian and previously in product marketing and footwear development at New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc. global headquarters. She is also a TSA parent and enjoys spending time with her family and exploring new places.
Enrollment and Marketing Manager
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, mo...
Director of Facilities
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.
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Director of Facilities
Susan served as the Executive Director of the Vermont State Craft Center at Windsor House as well as serving The Sharon Academy as one of it...
Bookkeeper
Susan Ogden
Susan served as the Executive Director of the Vermont State Craft Center at Windsor House as well as serving The Sharon Academy as one of it’s earliest board members. Susan has provided bookkeeping services over the past 25 years to various organizations in the Upper Valley. Susan is also a TSA Alumni parent to two graduates, Josh ‘01 and Hannah ‘04.
Bookkeeper
Enrollment, Advancement & Community Engagement
Katja Evans
Enrollment, Advancement & Community Engagement
Community Engagement & Student Internship Development
Ben Stroud
Community Engagement & Student Internship Development
Faculty
Middle School Faculty
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 sp...
English Language Arts Teacher
Hailey Elles
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.
English Language Arts Teacher
Kyle joined the Middle School in 2019. He earned his BA in Anthropology from St. Lawrence University then spent a period of time traveling a...
Math Teacher & Academic Support
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.
Math Teacher & Academic Support
Margaret joined the staff in 2021. She has a degree from the University of Vermont in elementary education, special education, and environme...
Special Educator & Math Teacher
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.
Special Educator & Math Teacher
Jannine joined the Middle School Staff in 2025. She has enjoyed teaching Spanish to all grade levels at both private and public schools, par...
Spanish Teacher
Jannine Thakur
Jannine joined the Middle School Staff in 2025. She has enjoyed teaching Spanish to all grade levels at both private and public schools, particularly middle schoolers and she has a passion for bringing her native language into the school setting in creative and engaging ways. Jannine is currently in a training program and working to earn her Certificate in Waldorf Education.
Spanish Teacher
Nora joined the Middle School team in 2025. She received her B.A. in Creative Writing from Hamilton College. She has served as an arts instr...
Art Teacher
Nora Boyle
Nora joined the Middle School team in 2025. She received her B.A. in Creative Writing from Hamilton College. She has served as an arts instructor at the Durham Arts Council and Extended Day Program Coordinator at the Carolina Friends School. Nora is the owner and editor of Lady Book Witch Press and is a freelance writer and editor.
Art Teacher
Maeve joined TSA in 2025. She received her licensure and Master of Arts in Teaching from Saint Michael's College. She grew up in Central VT ...
Social Studies Teacher
Maeve McCurdy
Maeve joined TSA in 2025. She received her licensure and Master of Arts in Teaching from Saint Michael's College. She grew up in Central VT and afterwards attended Smith College, where she received her BA in Anthropology and minor in African Studies with a concentration in Climate Change. Maeve has acted in many community theater productions, loves to sing, and is a big fan of historical fiction. She lives in Montpelier with her husband.
Social Studies Teacher
Linda holds a BS in Secondary Education in Mathematics from Southern Connecticut State University and a MA in School Psychology from Fairlei...
Applied Math Teacher
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.
Applied Math Teacher
Math Teacher
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.
Math Teacher
Halie holds a BA in Chemistry from Washington & Jefferson College in Pennsylvania, where she is originally from. She joined TSA in 2026 afte...
Science Teacher
Haile Tucci
Halie holds a BA in Chemistry from Washington & Jefferson College in Pennsylvania, where she is originally from. She joined TSA in 2026 after working as a training partner and chemist. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, gardening, reading, and spending time with her cats.
Science Teacher
High School Faculty
Ben joined the Middle School faculty in 2020 and the High School faculty in 2024. Ben graduated from TSA in 2015 and earned his BA in Mathem...
Math Teacher
Ben Gross
Ben joined the Middle School faculty in 2020 and the High School faculty in 2024. 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.
Math Teacher
Kimberly has a BA in Political Science and French from California State University and an M.Ed. in Curriculum Design and Instruction from th...
Academic Dean & High School French 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.
Academic Dean & High School French Teacher
Fallon joined TSA in 2016. She holds a BA in Literature and Philosophy from Bard College at Simon's Rock and an MA from Middlebury College's...
Health Teacher, Community-Based Learning and Path Program Coordinator
Fallon Abel
Fallon joined TSA in 2016. She holds a BA in Literature and Philosophy from Bard College at Simon's Rock and an MA from Middlebury College's Bread Loaf School of English. In 2022, 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 international travel, carpentry, backpacking, running, and theater.
Health Teacher, Community-Based Learning and Path Program Coordinator
Steve has taught physics and math at TSA since joining the community in 2010. He holds a BS in Physics and a Masters degree in Curriculum an...
Science and Math Teacher
Steve Basham
Steve has taught physics and math at TSA since joining the community in 2010. He holds a BS in Physics and a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Vermont. Steve shares his love of music with TSA by leading the TSA band through the elective program.
Science and Math Teacher
Gretchen has been teaching K-12 art and adult pottery classes since 2006, and joined TSA in 2026. She holds a BA from Prescott College and ...
Art Teacher
Gretchen Gould
Gretchen has been teaching K-12 art and adult pottery classes since 2006, and joined TSA in 2026. She holds a BA from Prescott College and earned her teaching licensure at Upper Valley Educator's Institute. Gretchen loves traveling with her husband and 3 children, as well as swimming, backpacking, skiing and volunteering in her community.
Art Teacher
Kayleigh earned her BS in History and MS in Curriculum & Instruction from Southern Illinois University. She held temporary positions at TSA ...
Division III Social Studies Teacher
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).
Division III Social Studies Teacher
As a 2004 TSA Alum, Spike officially joined the staff of the High School in 2012 as the first Writing Center Director. Spike holds a B.A fro...
Division II Literature Teacher
Spike Carter
As a 2004 TSA Alum, Spike officially joined the staff of the High School in 2012 as the first Writing Center Director. Spike holds a B.A from Marlboro College and Masters in Education from Upper Valley Educators Institute. Spike became the Division II Humanities Literature teacher in 2017.
Division II Literature Teacher
Tim joined the High School in 2026. He received BAs in Spanish and Political Science from the University of New Hampshire in 2020 and comple...
Spanish Teacher
Tim Rice
Tim joined the High School in 2026. He received BAs in Spanish and Political Science from the University of New Hampshire in 2020 and completed his teaching certification with Champlain College in 2026. Prior to TSA, he worked in banking and horse ranching. He lives in Springfield with his wife.
Spanish Teacher
Kate teaches high school biology. She holds a BS in Chemistry from Georgia Tech and a PhD in Biochemistry from UCSF. When not in the class...
High School Biology
Kate Verges
Kate teaches high school biology. She holds a BS in Chemistry from Georgia Tech and a PhD in Biochemistry from UCSF. When not in the classroom or lab, she enjoys spending time outdoors and hiking with her dog.
High School Biology
Emilee joined TSA in 2024, and she teaches French in addition to being an advisor. She received her B.A. from the University of New Hampshir...
French Teacher
Emilee Lenning
Emilee joined TSA in 2024, and she teaches French in addition to being an advisor. She received her B.A. from the University of New Hampshire, double-majoring in French and English Teaching. While in France, Emilee attended Université de Paris-Nanterre and earned a graduate certificate in Teaching French as a Foreign Language. While living in France, Emilee worked as an English Language Teaching Assistant at the Académie de Clermont-Ferrand. Emilee first discovered her love of French language and culture at age 9 and her love has only grown deeper over time.
French Teacher
Gabe joined the TSA team in 2025. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with an Economics Minor from Colgate University in 2...
Division II Social Studies Teacher
Gabe Allen-Fahlander
Gabe joined the TSA team in 2025. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with an Economics Minor from Colgate University in 2003. He earned his Teacher Certification in Secondary Social Studies from the Upper Valley Educators Institute in 2012 and then taught Humanities at the Compass School in Westminster, Vermont, where he also served as the Middle School Coordinator (2020- 23), Assistant Head of School (2023-25) and Interim Co-Head of School.
Division II Social Studies Teacher
Laura has guided the TSA Art Program over the past 2 decades as both a teacher, coordinator and director. She has a BA in Journalism from Ma...
Art Teacher & Director of Visual Arts
Laura DeCapua
Laura has guided the TSA Art Program over the past 2 decades as both a teacher, coordinator and director. She has a BA in Journalism from Marquette University and a Masters in Visual Communications from Ohio University. Laura is a professional photographer and has lent her skills and talent to TSA in many ways over the years. She also does marketing and photography work for the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and is currently a candidate for a Masters in Clinical Mental Health.
Art Teacher & Director of Visual Arts
Maria has a BA in English Literature from Middlebury College and a Teacher Certificate from the University of Vermont. Prior to starting her...
Division III Literature Teacher
Maria Piasecki
Maria has a BA in English Literature from Middlebury College and a Teacher Certificate from the University of Vermont. Prior to starting her teaching career at TSA, Maria served in the Peace Corps in Turkmenistan. Since joining the teaching team in the early 2000s, Maria has also served as the Musical Director of the Annual Interim Program and Exhibition Program Coordinator.
Division III Literature Teacher
Rob has been part of the TSA teaching team for over two decades. He holds a B.Ed. from De Montfort University in the UK. In addition to tea...
Science Teacher
Rob Stainton
Rob has been part of the TSA teaching team for over two decades. He holds a B.Ed. from De Montfort University in the UK. In addition to teaching Methods in Science, Chemistry and Environmental Science, Rob also teaches Kayaking and Sugaring at TSA. Rob served as the TSA Boys Varsity Soccer Coach for nearly a decade.
Science Teacher
Victor joined TSA in 2024 and holds a BS in Mathematics from UVM. He spent 4 years in the US Air Force Space Command and 33 years as a manag...
Math Teacher
Victor Milligan
Victor joined TSA in 2024 and holds a BS in Mathematics from UVM. He spent 4 years in the US Air Force Space Command and 33 years as a management consultant and executive in the financial and technology markets. From orbital mechanics to artificial intelligence (AI) to the science addressing climate change, Victor has seen the power of math fundamentals in tackling acute challenges and unleashing extraordinary possibilities.
Math Teacher
