Meet the Middle School Teachers
To learn more about our teachers and their approach to teaching at The Sharon Academy, we invite you to watch these brief videos.
Meet the Integrated Curriculum Teachers
Meet Clare Smith, who teaches science; Emotional, Social, and Physical wellness (ESP); and Study All. |
Meet Fallon Abel, who teaches Social Studies and Emotional, Social, and Physical wellness (ESP). |
Meet Hailey Neal. She teaches Language Arts. |
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| Clare earned her BA in Science in Society at Wesleyan University, an MS in Environmental Studies, and a Science Teaching Certification at Antioch University, New England. Professionally, 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. | Fallon earned her BA in Literature and Philosophy at Bard College at Simon’s Rock and her MA in English from Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College. She also completed graduate coursework at UMass Amherst and University of Oxford. She began teaching at TSA in 2015 after teaching high school English in western Mass for 3 years. Fallon has also worked as a professional wilderness trip leader and in residential mental health. She enjoys international travel, carpentry, backpacking, yoga, running, and theater. | Hailey joined TSA in 2022 as the new 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. |
Meet the Math Teachers
Meet Ben Gross, who coordinates the Homework Club and teaches Math. |
Meet Tracy Gillespie, one of TSA’s Algebra teachers. |
Meet Kyle Paquette, Academic Support and Pre-Algebra teacher. |
| 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. | Tracy holds an AA from University of Maryland, a BA in Liberal Arts from Evergreen State College, and a MAT in Mathematics Education from Boston University. She joined TSA in 2014 after teaching at Upper Valley Waldorf School in Quechee, VT; Dublin School in Dublin, NH; and The Mountain School of Milton Academy in Vershire, VT. Tracy plays Medieval and renaissance tunes 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. | After graduating from St. Lawrence University with a degree in Anthropology Kyle spent a period of time traveling and living abroad. After returning stateside in 2018 Kyle sought to serve a community in a meaningful way. When he found TSA he was blown away by how different it was compared to his own school experience and was thrilled to join in 2019. In his spare time, Kyle enjoys board games, hiking, and improving his skills in the kitchen. |
Meet Linda Jagoda, who teaches pre-Algebra. |
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| 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 for 5 years at Coginchaug High School in Connecticut. In her free time, she likes to jog, snowboard, ride her horses and motorcycle, garden, crochet, accompany her granddaughter to local playgrounds and hang with her adult children. |
Meet the Administrators
Meet Andrew Lane, Middle School Director |
Meet Janice Stumpf our Administrative Assistant |
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| Andrew has a BA in Political Science from Kenyon College and an M.ED. from the University of Vermont. Andrew began at TSA as a Social Studies teacher in 2001 and has been an administrator since 2016. | Janice has worked at The Sharon Academy since its inception and in many capacities. She has also been a member of ISANNE Business Managers since 2009 and served as President of the organization in 2016. Most recently, Janice served as TSA’s Director of Human Resources until 2020, when she became the middle school’s Administrative Assistant. |