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Magnolia Acosta – Administrative Coordinator
macosta@salemacademycs.org
Ms. Acosta is Salem Academy’s Administrative Coordinator having worked at the school since its inception. Ms. Acosta was born in Santiago, Dominican Republic, but has lived much of her life in Salem. She attended Salem High School and North Shore Community College in Beverly. She has four children all of whom have attended public schools in Salem.
Jennifer Banville - Administrative Asst., External Affairs
Ms. Banville, a native of Salem, has returned to the North Shore under the role of Administrative Assistant of External Affairs at Salem Academy Charter School. She has acquired her Bachelor of Science in Communications from Endicott College in Beverly, MA and now lives by the beach in Marblehead. Ms. Banville is a former employee of Northshore Magazine, as their Events Marketing Coordinator, assiting the editor with website development, editorial and photography for the magazine. She has most recently returned from a seasonal stay in California's South Lake Tahoe region working as an all-purpose staff member at the Stanford Sierra Conference Center, supporting Stanford University and their Alumni. She is excited to join the team at Salem Academy for the start of the 2010-2011 school year.
Shawn Berry – English Teacher - First Form Leader
sberry@salemacademycs.org
Mrs. Berry has been involved in working with children from infancy to middle school. Originally from the Finger Lakes region of New York State, she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Ithaca College. She was the Owner/Director of The Children’s Roost Early Childhood Center for children from infancy to early elementary school. She designed the center in order to provide a safe, nurturing care environment while students developed a strong foundation of positive early learning experiences. While completing the Masters Degree program in Elementary Education at Lesley University, Mrs. Berry worked as a classroom paraprofessional and Special Education teacher in Middleton and Topsfield. In 2004 she joined the Lowell Community Charter Public School. While there, she had the opportunity to be both a 4th grade classroom teacher and reading facilitator for grades 3-8. Now in her fifth year at Salem Academy she teaches First Form English Language Arts and is Form Leader for the grade 6 team.
Jeff Bigler – Science Teacher
Mr. Bigler grew up in Corning, NY and earned his Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemical Engineering and Biology at MIT. He is married with two daughters and traveled to Antarctica on his honeymoon. Mr. Bigler spent thirteen years working in the biotech and software industries before becoming a chemistry teacher in 2003. At Peabody High School he was Chairman of the Science Fair, served on the school Instructional Support Team and designed the school website. While teaching at Waltham High School, he was advisor to the Diversity Club and served on the district’s website design team. He is currently developing a workshop on Inquiry-Based Lab Experiments, which he hopes to present at the biennial ChemEd Conference and the AP Annual Conference in 2011. Mr. Bigler plays viola professionally with Symphony by the Sea and the New England Philharmonic and served on the Philharmonic’s board of directors from 1999-2003. He also performs with the North Cambridge Family Opera Company, and is the dance foreman (teacher) for Red Herring Morris and Banbury Cross Children’s Morris. Some of his other interests include caving, scuba diving, coffee roasting, bicycling, travel, amateur radio, computers, trains, and coins.
Ana Brea – Spanish Teacher - Second Form Leader
Curriculum Team Leader
abrea@salemacademycs.org
Ms. Brea was born in the Dominican Republic. She obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Massachusetts College of Art in Boston, and more recently completed her diplomado in Education from APEC University in Santo Domingo. She has over ten years of experience as a teacher, having taught English as a Second Language in the D.R. and Puerto Rico, and Art in the D.R. She has also taught Spanish for the Global Child program in North Andover, MA. Ms. Brea is Board certified as a Spanish teacher and as an art teacher. Throughout her career, she has also been painting and has worked in Stage Design.
Anne Brobst - Athletic Director, Spanish Teacher
Ms. Brobst spent most of her life in Columbus, OH before moving to Massachusetts. She completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish Literature at Kenyon College in Gambier, OH. At Kenyon, she participated in both soccer and softball at the varsity level, in addition to helping run sports clinics for members of the Gambier community. She currently lives in Middleton, MA where she coached girls’ soccer last Fall and Spring. Ms. Brobst is passionate and enthusiastic about teaching the Spanish language to her students, as well as instilling the life-long values that come from playing competitive athletics.
Stephanie (Coats) Callahan – Head of the Lower School
Ms. Callahan hails from Scotia, NY. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from Boston University, she joined Teach For America. During that time, she also completed a Master of Arts degree in Education from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Ms. Callahan returned to Massachusetts to join KIPP Academy Lynn’s founding staff in 2004. She joined Salem Academy in 2007 as the Dean of Students and is now the Head of the Lower School. Ms. Callahan loves traveling, running, painting, and of course – the World Series Champion Yankees.
Jessica B. Callanan – Dean of Students
jcallanan@salemacademycs.org
Ms. Callanan grew up in Upstate New York and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science, with a minor in System Engineering, from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1998. Ms. Callanan is an avid athlete and played four years as a pitcher for the Army softball team during her time at West Point. She served in the US Army as an Engineer officer for five years, during this time she earned a Master of Arts degree in International Relations from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. Ms. Callanan taught high school history in New Jersey, in both private and public schools, for the past five years and joins the SACS team in the midst of completing her certification in school leadership at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. She loves to run, read, travel and spend time with her husband and two children. Ms. Callanan is excited to join the Salem Academy team for the 2010 – 2011 school year.
Gregory Cate - Math Teacher
gcate@salemacademycs.org
Mr. Cate completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics at The College of the Holy Cross under an ROTC scholarship and was commissioned as an ensign in the United States Navy. After a tour in the submarine force on the USS Tennessee (SSBN 734) and shore duty at Naval Submarine School, he received his M.S. in Education from The University of New Haven and taught in the math department at James Hilhouse High School in New Haven. Mr. Cate lives in Reading with his wife, Brianne and is excited to join the staff at Salem Academy Charter School.
Eleanor Corcoran - English Teacher
Ms. Corcoran was born in Haverhill, MA and attended the University of Vermont. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a minor in English. After graduation, Ms. Corcoran took on a year-long fellowship at the MATCH Public Charter High School in Boston, MA, where she fell in love with teaching. She enrolled in the MATCH Teacher Training Program to pursue a career in education. Ms. Corcoran will be teaching seventh grade English at Salem Academy. Aside from reading and discussing history and literature, Ms. Corcoran loves to travel, hike, ski, and meet new people. Most of all, she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends.
Marissa DeSisto - Learning Specialist
Marissa DeSisto graduated from Salem State College with her BA in English. She then fulfilled a role as a receptionist for the Private Bank at Bank of America. Ms. DeSisto enjoy learning and helping others achieve goals in all learning environments, especially with helping others discover the joys of reading. Ms. DeSisto is originally from Revere and currently lives in Beverly. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, canoeing, cooking and reading.
Teague Desmond – English Teacher
tdesmond@salemacademycs.org
Mr. Desmond originates from the tranquil sea town of Rockport MA. He grew up just down the street from where Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson would hike along the Atlantic coast and enjoy a spot of tea. Soon after transferring from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Mr. Desmond received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Salem State College. Upon graduation, he taught creative writing before becoming a learning specialist at Salem Academy. A licensed ELA teacher, he is delighted to be in the classroom fulltime implementing our new scope and sequence and bringing his love of literature to the community. Mr. Desmond also enjoys music (and an occasional spot of tea.)
Michael Fu - Math Teacher
mfu@salemacademycs.org
Mr. Fu was born in New York City and studied information systems and programming at SUNY Stony Brook, and later earned his Masters of Education from Pace University. He has six years of teaching experience in high school mathematics in Queens New York and brings his love and enthusiasm for teaching to the community at Salem Academy. He aims to connect the understanding of mathematics to the pursuit of higher education and success for his students. Mr. Fu will be teaching AP Calculus, Pre-Calculus and Physics. His favorite past times include playing basketball, traveling, photography, tinkering and building computers / gadgets and is a kid at heart often squeezing in time for videogames and comic books.
Grace Geden – Art Teacher
ggeden@salemacademycs.org
Ms. Geden received a BA in Studio Art from Marymount College, Tarrytown, New York. She continued her studies in fine arts at the Art Students League in New York as well as the Art Alliance and Guild of Creative Art in Red Bank, New Jersey. In 1982 she attended a highly specialized art restoration program in Florence, Italy in collaboration with the Uffizi Gallery. In 1984 she received a graduate teaching assistantship from Massachusetts College of Art where she taught drawing and painting at their satellite school, Nantucket School of Art and Design. Ms. Geden was a Special Education teacher’s assistant at Gloucester High School for seven years before coming to SACS. She worked closely with students in academic support and mainstream settings. She also taught specialized art instruction for gifted and talented students as well as elementary and middle school art. Ms. Geden is thrilled to be back for another year at Salem Academy.
Denise Granniss - English Teacher, Dept. Chair
dgranniss@salemacademycs.org
Ms. Granniss is delighted to be a Salem resident, even in October, and has been bringing her love of books, writing and drama into classrooms for over 12 years. She has spent the past 10 years teaching English, British Literature and Drama courses at Reading Memorial High School. Ms. Granniss graduated Magna Cum Laude from SUNY New Paltz with a BA in Secondary Education English and earned her MA in Secondary Education with a concentration in teaching writing from nearby Salem State College. She has served on the Massachusetts High School Drama Guild, the Huntington Theater Education Advisory Panel and as Massachusetts’ Director for the National Shakespeare competition for Teens. She and her husband, Chris, are the proud but tired parents of a “Salts” third grade student and an adorable 5- year-old.
Pat Hansen – Math Teacher/Learning Specialist
phansen@salemacademycs.org
Ms. Hansen returns to Salem Academy for her fourth year as a math and Special Education teacher after a number of years in the Computer Industry. She received a BA in Math from Salem State College and MS in Teaching with a major in Math from the University of Florida early in her career in the Computer Industry. In making the transition to teaching she received a M.Ed. in Special Education from Salem State in 2005.
Rachel Hunt - Head of School
rhunt@salemacademycs.org
Ms. Hunt is a Salem resident and former teacher at the Collins Middle School in Salem. She graduated from Wesleyan University in 1995 with a BA in sociology and 6-12th grade teacher certification in history and social studies. She went on to earn a M.Ed. at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2000 specializing in administration and planning. She has taught and trained teachers in public schools in the U.S. and abroad. Ms. Hunt is fluent in Spanish and is the lead founder of Salem Academy.
Sarah Jamo – Math Teacher - Second Form Leader
Mrs. Jamo attended the University of Maine where she received a BA in secondary education. She played softball for the University of Maine and is now coaching at Merrimack College in North Andover MA. Previously she has taught at Saint Mary's school for the 06-07 school year. She now resides in North Andover with her husband Benjamin and is excited for another school year at Salem Academy Charter School.
Katie Lindley- Learning Specialist
klindley@salemacademycs.org
Ms. Lindley has recently completed a Masters degree in Special Education: Moderate Disabilities Prek-8 from American International College. She has worked as an Inclusion Aide in Cambridge, MA with students ranging from the first through the eighth grades and looks forward to aiding the students of Salem Academy Charter School in their journey to become successful learners.
Katy Loomis- 8th Grade Learning Specialist
kloomis@salemacademycs.org
Ms. Loomis was born in Poultney, VT. She attended the University of Maine in Orono, ME earning a Bachelor’s of Art in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She most recently graduated from Simmons College in Boston with a Master degree in Special Education, K-8 Moderate Disability. Ms. Loomis will join Salem Academy as the 8th grade Special Education teacher. She is very excited to be joining the 8th grade team and to become a member of the SACS community.
Chelsee Lowe - English Teacher
clowe@salemacademycs.org
Chelsee Lowe graduated from Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC with a BA in English and received her Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has worked and volunteered in a variety of schools including Real Alternative High School in San Francisco, Cambridge Rindge and Latin in Cambridge, MA, and Monument High School in South Boston. Also, during the 2005-2006 school year before heading off to graduate school, she work as a paraprofessional at Salem Academy. Chelsee is a native of the North Shore and is happy to be returning to SACS!
Christopher Maniachi - Social Studies Teachercmaniachi@salemacadmeycs.org
Mr. Maniachi earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a focus on American History and Geography from Framingham State College and completed a Masters of Liberal Studies focusing on History from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. He is currently working towards his M.Ed in Special Education from Fort Hays State University. Mr. Maniachi has taught history at Waltham High School and Wellesley Middle School, and has served as a Special Education teaching assistant in Wellesley, Bedford, and Carlisle. He has several hobbies including martial arts, working out, sports memorabilia collecting and reading. He is looking forward to sharing his passions of history and lifelong learning with his students at Salem Academy Charter School.
Kirsten Miller – Upper School Learning Specialist
kmiller@salemacademycs.org
Ms. Miller was born in Philadelphia, PA and grew up in Franklin, MA. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Secondary Education from Westfield State College and is pursuing a Masters of Education in Teaching Students with Moderate Special Needs from Lesley University. Before coming to Salem Academy Charter School, Ms. Miller taught United States History for two years at Chelmsford High School and for two years at Farr Academy in Cambridge, MA. In her spare time, Ms. Miller enjoys traveling. She has spent time in France and has family all over the United States. Ms. Miller also enjoys spending time at the beach, being with her family and friends, and reading a good book.
Amanda Morin –Speech-Language Pathologist
amorin@salemacademycs.org
Ms. Morin was born in Franklin, NH. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New Hampshire and Master of Science degree from the MGH Institute of Health Professions. Both degrees were in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Ms. Morin has considerable experience working with people of all ages, in both school and hospital settings, with speech, language and swallowing disorders. Ms. Morin was a part-time contracted speech-language pathologist at Salem Academy Charter School in 2009 and eagerly returns this year as a full-time team member.
Shamus Mruk – History Teacher
Mr. Mruk has devoted the past six years to student development and teaching. He is certified in ninth to twelfth grade history by the Commonwealth. Mr. Mruk achieved his Bachelor of Arts at Assumption College and his Master of Arts at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. His studies focused on United States, Latin America, and Post-World War II history. Additionally, Mr. Mruk has been known to coach various team sports.
Beth Murphy – Reading Teacher
Beth Murphy is a lifelong resident of the North Shore having grown up in Beverly, and currently residing in Hamilton with her husband Steve and their two children; Kevin 7 and Kyleigh 5. Having worked in business for several years after graduating from Salem State with a B.A in English, Mrs. Murphy returned to Salem State and earned a Masters degree in Education. Mrs. Murphy worked several years as a middle school ELA and Social Studies teacher before coming to Salem Academy. In addition to her Master’s degree, she is certified in Wilson, and has been trained in the Linda Mood-Bell reading program Visualizing and Verbalizing. She is enthusiastically returning for her 5th year at Salem Academy as the Reading Teacher. “My goal as a teacher is to find a way for each of my students to reach their personal goals in an environment that helps them realize that they have to power to succeed.”
Beth O'Brien - Upper School Adjustment Counselor
Ms. O’Brien is excited to return to Salem Academy in her new role as the Upper School Adjustment Counselor for the 2010-2011 school year. She is passionate about supporting the growth and development of adolescents by providing high quality counseling services within school settings. She earned her undergraduate degree from Oberlin College and her Masters Degree in Education and Counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Prior to graduate school, Ms. O’Brien taught Special Education for five years at Gateway High School in San Francisco, CA. She is looking forward to her second year supporting Salem Academy students to be healthy and positive members of the school community. In her spare time, Ms. O’Brien enjoys playing in a basketball league, spending time outdoors and watching Top Chef.
Sean O’Neil – Executive Director
soneil@salemacademycs.org
Mr. O’Neil has many years of experience as an English teacher and an administrator at public and private schools including Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School, Cambridge School of Weston, Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School, and Lawrence Academy. He has a B.S. in Business Administration from Rider University and M.A.T in English from University of Notre Dame. He has particular interests in curriculum development, progressive education, and arts education and has served on the Boards of several performing arts organizations on Cape Cod. Mr. O’Neil and his wife, Nancy, have two daughters.
Chyna Onembo – Upper School Learning Specialist
conembo@salemacademycs.org
Ms. Onembo has been fascinated with learning and teaching since she was a small girl. She was born in Broadway, NJ where she resided until she attended the University of Connecticut. She took pride in becoming a part of the UCONN Husky community, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History. After graduation Ms. Onembo spent the summer living on Nantucket and naturally fell in love with Massachusetts. That fall she enrolled in a Graduate School Program at Salem State College where she completed a Masters degree in Education with a focus in Middle School Humanities. After obtaining her Masters degree Ms. Onembo traveled to many places in the world that she had always wanted to explore. After returning to Massachusetts she was excited to start her career in education. Ms. Onembo will be returning for her second year as the High School Paraprofessional at Salem Academy. In her free time she enjoys reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
Erica Pelletier- Athletic Instructor
Ms. Menzia came to Salem in 1994 to attend Salem State College where she earned her MA in English and minored in philosophy. She loves teaching athletics during Choice Block and Extensions. Ms. Menzia enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for soccer by coaching the SACS soccer team. In her spare time she can be found with her dog, Daisy - the deaf Jack Russell, and her family. What really gets her engine revved up is a great NASCAR race.
Robert Pelletier - History Teacher
Curriculum Team Leader
rpelletier@salemacademycs.org
Mr. Pelletier is a recent graduate of Boston University's School of Education where he earned a Bachelors of Science in Social Studies Education. Having grown up in Salem, he is delighted to be returning to the community. He has enjoyed summers serving as an instructor at Salem State College's SEA Program. Mr. Pelletier also attended a charter school as a middle schooler and is excited to once again be a part of a charter school.
Sarah Pickens – Lower School Adjustment Counselor
spickens@salemacademycs.org
Sarah Pickens, LICSW, joins the Salem Academy community this school year as the Lower School Adjustment Counselor. Originally from Indiana, Ms. Pickens received dual undergraduate degrees in Counseling and Sociology from Grace College, Winona Lake, IN. She then earned her Masters of Social Work degree from Boston College. Ms. Pickens spent the past four years at Germaine Lawrence, an Arlington, MA residential treatment program and school for adolescent girls facing challenges related to mental illness, trauma and learning difficulties. She has extensive experience facilitating group therapies, including those emphasizing how adolescents can learn to cope and manage stressors in an effective and positive manner. In her spare time, Ms. Pickens enjoys cooking, reading and spending time with her friends and family.
Dara Puckett - Learning Specialist
Dara Puckett is very happy to be joining the Salem Academy Charter School faculty this year. She was born and raised in Colorado, then moved to Flagstaff Arizona where she graduated from Northern Arizona University with a degree in education. After recently being married, she is excited to begin exploring all Massachusetts has to offer. Mrs. Puckett enjoys outdoor activities and especially the beach. She looks forward to a rewarding year at Salem Academy.
Sarah Ramondt - Health & PE
Ms. Ramondt is from Atlanta, Georgia and earned her Bachelors of Education in Health Promotion and Behavior from the University of Georgia. Ms. Ramondt recently earned her Masters of Education in Counseling and Psychology from Cambridge College and is also a certified D&A Counselor. Ms. Ramondt has taught high school Health & Wellness and Physical Education in the public school system for the past few years. Her last experience was at Minuteman Career and Technical High School in Lexington, MA. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out on the lake, going for a run, bike ride, playing with her dog and snowboarding in the winter.
Ludys Rodriguez - Food Services Coordinator
Allison Rourke - Science Teacher
Ms. Rourke grew up in Wellesley, MA, and currently resides in Salem. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Zoology from Connecticut College in 1997 and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Simmons College in 2004. She comes to Salem Academy from the Marblehead Veterans Middle School where she taught 8th grade Science and also started the school’s first engineering club. In addition to her classroom teaching experience, Ms. Rourke has been an educator with both the New England Aquarium and the UMASS Boston Upward Bound Program. More recently, she worked with Teachers21, a nonprofit organization focused on improving teacher quality in Massachusetts. She also has extensive research experience, which includes a trip to Kenya in the summer of 2006 to study Sykes monkeys. When she isn’t in the classroom, Ms. Rourke’s hobbies include running, cooking, dance and theater. She is a member of Salem’s Wicked Running Club and the Wellesley Players theater group. This is her second year at Salem Academy Charter School.
Meg Russo – Math Teacher - Third Form Leader
mrusso@salemacademycs.org
Mrs. Russo is excited to begin her third year teaching at Salem Academy. She earned her degree at Boston College and has been teaching math and science for over ten years. She continues to further her education through her graduate work at Salem State College. Before she began teaching Mrs. Russo worked as an engineer gaining real world application experience in the math she now teaches. Mrs. Russo enjoys music, gardening, swimming, and especially loves spending time with her husband and their three children.
Todd Schumacher – History Teacher
tschumacher@salemacademycs.org
Born in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Schumacher grew up in California, Egypt, Massachusetts and Pakistan before earning a degree in Environmental Biology and Religious Studies from the University of Colorado. He worked in the fields of youth development and education while serving with both the Peace Corps in Central America and AmeriCorps in Washington DC. He has a Masters degree in Media & Public Affairs from George Washington University and has taught at schools in Belize, Washington DC, India and North Carolina before coming to Salem, where he lives with his wife and daughter.
Jocelyn Sheahan – Science Teacher
jsheahan@salemacademycs.org
Mrs. Sheahan earned her B.A. in Outdoor Education with a minor in Earth Sciences from Central Michigan University. Soon after completing her degree, she spent six months backpacking in Alaska studying local environmental issues as part of Lesley University's Audubon Expedition Institute. She completed a Master of Science in Environmental Studies degree, focusing on Environmental Education at California State University. She has worked as an educator at various outdoor and environmental centers around the U.S. She also spent six months teaching conversational English to students in Japan. Mrs. Sheahan, along with her husband, daughter and their dog, live in Salem. She is excited for another year at Salem Academy Charter School.
David Shiels – Math Teacher
Curriculum Team Leader
dshiels@salemacademycs.org
Mr. Shiels completed a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and an MSc in Public Policy Economics at the University of Hull in England. In his graduate work, he focused on research and statistical analysis of the link between unemployment and criminal activity. Upon graduation, Mr. Shiels worked as a Business Analyst of a large financial services company. He then completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Education at the University of Manchester where he taught in a wide range of schools and colleges. Before becoming a teacher at Salem Academy, he taught Mathematics and Computer Science at a sports college in England, specializing in differentiating learning outcomes to meet the needs of mixed ability groups. He is a founding faculty member of Salem Academy Charter School
Susana Sinclair- Social Studies Teacher
ssinclair@salemacademycs.org
Mrs. Sinclair grew up in Beverly and Salem Massachusetts. She earned her BA in Psychology from Bridgewater State College and her MSW from the Smith College School for Social Work. She practiced as a licensed independent clinical social worker in the state of New Mexico in mental health agencies and ran a private practice. Mrs. Sinclair became a teacher several years ago and earned her MAT from Simmons College. Prior to joining the team at SACS, Mrs. Sinclair taught seventh grade social studies and sixth grade Reader's Workshop at Prospect Hill Academy Charter School in Somerville, MA. She has been working with young people and their families for over eleven years. Mrs. Sinclair loves to travel, swim, hang out with her family and take her dog Palomita on walks.
Dan Smith – Science Teacher
dsmith@salemacademycs.org
Mr. Smith was born in Belleville, PA and attended Penn State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Crop and Soil Sciences in 2005. He then taught middle school science in Philadelphia for two years as a Teach For America corps member. During those two years, he completed a Masters degree in Education at the University of Pennsylvania. Having a lifelong passion for soccer, Mr. Smith coached three teams in the Philadelphia area before moving to England in 2008 to pursue a Masters degree in Sport Psychology at the University of Exeter. Upon returning home from England in late 2009, Mr. Smith continued coaching soccer for the Mifflin County Soccer Club in central Pennsylvania while substitute teaching in the Mifflin County and State College Area public schools. Mr. Smith is excited to start his first year at Salem Academy where he will teach 8th grade Introduction to Physical Science and 8th grade Technology and Engineering.
Guillermina Ana Solano Franco– Spanish Teacher
gsolano@salemacademycs.org
Ms. Solano was born in Sevilla, Spain. She obtained her Diplomatura in Education and her two Masters Degrees, one in Philosophy and Science of Education and another in English Language and Literature from Universidad de Sevilla (Spain), Then she earned her Phd in Translation and non Verbal Communication from the same Universidad de Sevilla. She is a Civil Servant in Spain and has more than twenty years of experience as a teacher, having taught English as a Second Language in Public Schools in Sevilla and Huleva (Spain) and she has also been classroom teacher in different Elementary Schools in Spain. Ms. Solano has also worked at the Department of Education for two years in Sevilla. Between 2005 and 2008 she came to EEUU as Visiting Teacher in a two-way program in a Middle School in Chelsea, Massachusetts, then she returned to Spain and after being there for two years working as an English teacher, she returned to work at the Salem Academy Charter School where she hopes to transmit the Spanish culture and language to her students. She likes reading, walking and traveling.
Andrew St. Pierre - Lower School Learning Specialist
Mr. St. Pierre attended Keene State College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science, while completing a Teacher Education program with a focus in History. Mr. St. Pierre’s first exposure to teaching was in rural New Hampshire and southern Vermont where he taught U.S. History and Civics, before moving back to his hometown of Salem, MA in 2008. Mr. St. Pierre started his career at SACS as a substitute teacher and since has fulfilled various teaching roles throughout the school as well as coaching positions in cross country, track and basketball. This year Mr. St. Pierre is eager to take on the position of the Middle School Paraprofessional and is looking forward to more coaching opportunities. Additionally, Mr. St. Pierre will continue to study at Salem State in hopes of obtaining his Masters degree in Education. In his free time he enjoys playing the guitar, acting, long distance running and serving on the Board of Directors for Youth Rising, a non-profit youth leadership group based out of Salem, MA.
Linda St. Pierre – Special Education Coordinator
lstpierre@salemacademycs.org
Ms. St. Pierre is a Salem resident and former teacher at the Horace Mann Lab School in Salem. She has worked in the field of Special Education in private and public settings since earning her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education at Salem State College in 1979. She completed one year of graduate study in Educational Psychology at the University of Minnesota in 1990. Ms. St. Pierre is a founding faculty member of Salem Academy.
Dayla Stoerzbach – Music Teacher
dstoerzbach@salemacademycs.org
Ms. Stoerzbach, originally from Texas, grew up with a love for music which developed into a passion for teaching. After completing her Music Education degree at Baylor University, she pursued a Masters in Viola Performance at Boston University and graduated in May of 2009. Before teaching music at Salem Academy, Dayla taught a Music Education methods class at Boston University, viola lessons for the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Intensive Community Program, and violin classes with the Community Strings program for inner-city youth in Lawrence, MA. In 2008, Ms. Stoerzbach played on a John Mayer produced track with the Boston String Quartet. She loves living on the North Shore, teaching music at Salem Academy, and performing in the Boston area.
Susan Tully - Science Teacher
Curriculum Team Leader
Ms. Tully is a Massachusetts native who attended Stonehill College. She graduated with a degree in Biology and went to work at the Joslin Diabetes Center in the genetic research department. After two years of working in the lab, she decided to go on to Simmons College for her Masters in Teaching. Ms. Tully previously taught Biology, Earth Science, and Math at Arlington High School and the Pingree School, where she also coached successful basketball, volleyball, softball, and science teams to victory. Ms. Tully is a passionate environmentalist, and will be teaching both Biology and Environmental Science this school year. In her free time she enjoys running, playing basketball, biking, hiking, reading, and baking.
Lynn Welbourn - College Counselor
Mrs. Welbourn earned her Bachelor of Arts from Bates College (completing it in three years!) and then went on to get her Masters degree from the University of Vermont. She has worked at the college level in admissions at the Ohio State University and Bates College as well as in student services at the University of Maine at Augusta. Mrs. Welbourn has supported students in the role of dean at the George School, as college adviser at Ipswich High School and as an independent college consultant prior to joining the faculty of Salem Academy. She volunteered with the school for two years before assuming the role of college counselor in 2008. She has three grown children and lives with her husband in Wenham where she enjoys bicycling, knitting, snowshoeing and having coffee with friends.
Julie Wolf – School Nurse
jwolf@salemacademycs.org
Ms. Wolf has been working with children and families throughout her professional career. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Social Science from Washington University. From there, she worked internationally through the United States Peace Corps, focusing on environmental health and agriculture. Upon her return to the states, Ms. Wolf obtained her Masters degree in Sociology from Colorado State University, completing her thesis on the study of care work and emotional management. She moved to Massachusetts in 2005 and served as the Director of Children’s services at a shelter in East Boston. In 2008, Julie returned to school to pursue nursing and has been practicing as a registered nurse since 2009. She believes in a holistic approach to wellness, incorporating environment, nutrition, emotion and physical health, and is excited to be joining the team at Salem Academy.