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
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
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
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 Cou...
Assistant Head of School and Director of Human Resources
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 and becoming the Assistant Head of School in 2022.
Assistant Head of School and Director of Human Resources
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...
High School 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.
High School 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 ...
Biology Teacher, 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.
Biology Teacher, 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
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 certificatio...
Academic Coach
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.
Academic Coach
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
Kim holds an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education and has served as the Afterschool Program Director in a Vermont-based Holistic ...
Academic Coach
Kim Trenholm
Kim holds an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education and has served as the Afterschool Program Director in a Vermont-based Holistic Education program. She has worked with students in a variety of settings, including summer programming and teaching in after-school programs. She is passionate about meeting students where they are academically and emotionally and guiding them through compassion and encouragement.
Academic Coach
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. 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.
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
Janice has worked at The Sharon Academy since its inception and in many capacities. She has been the Middle School Administrative Assistant ...
Middle School Office Manager
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.
Middle School Office Manager
Misty joined TSA as the Enrollment Manager in 2024 after working in elementary education as a Librarian. She is also a TSA parent and enjoys...
Enrollment and Marketing Manager
Misty Evans
Misty joined TSA as the Enrollment Manager in 2024 after working in elementary education as a Librarian. 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
With over 21 years of experience in finance and operations, Cathy, brings a steady, thoughtful approach to helping mission-driven organizati...
Director of Finance
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
Faculty
Middle School Faculty
Clare earned her BA in Science in Society at Wesleyan University, and a MS in Environmental Studies and Science Teaching Certification from ...
Science Teacher
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.
Science Teacher
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 received her licensure in Middle and Secondary Social Studies from Saint Michael’s College and continued in their Master of Arts in Te...
Social Studies Teacher
Maeve McCurdy
Maeve received her licensure in Middle and Secondary Social Studies from Saint Michael’s College and continued in their Master of Arts in Teaching program, graduating in 2025. Maeve believes that students need to be able to think critically and engage with the world and that her role as a teacher is not to tell students what to think, but to show them different ways of how the world has worked and how it could be in the future.
Social Studies 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
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
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 ...
Biology Teacher, 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.
Biology Teacher, College and Career Advisor
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, Work-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, Work-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
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
Christine joined the staff in 2025. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She ...
High School Art
Christine Jacobson
Christine joined the staff in 2025. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She has been an instructor in various educational settings throughout Vermont, New Hampshire and Colorado over the past two decades including courses such as Printmaking, Ceramic Arts, Mixed Media, Recycled Art, Food “Journeying”. Christine’s mission and objective through her work is to coordinate local resources through fellowship, mutual aid and creativity to the educational and sustaining benefit of each other and to the wider community.
High School Art
Christine joined TSA in 2022 and teaches Spanish and Block 3 at the High School and serves as an advisor. Christine has been teaching Spanis...
Spanish Teacher
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.
Spanish Teacher
Emilee received her B.A. from the University of New Hampshire, majoring in English Teaching; French and attended Université de Paris-Nanterr...
French Teacher
Emilee Lenning
Emilee received her B.A. from the University of New Hampshire, majoring in English Teaching; French and attended Université de Paris-Nanterre in a Teacher Certification Program. While living in France, she was an English Language Teaching Assistant at the Académie de Clermont-Ferrand. Emilee first discovered her love of the French language and culture at the age of 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
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
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
