VA Welcomes New Teachers for 2019-20

Mr. Dan Allen - History Teacher & Head Coach, Boys’ Varsity Hockey

Allen joins VA in 2019 after a three-year stint with Saint Michael’s Purple Knights in Burlington, VT as their top assistant. While at Saint Michael’s, Dan helped in all aspects of the program. Along with recruiting high-level players, he was responsible for game preparation including player development, tracking and monitoring student-athletes’ academics, assisting with fundraising efforts, and implementation of on-ice drills, specifically faceoff plays and the power play. While with the Purple Knights he also served as the Director of Hockey Operations for the CSB (Chittenden South Burlington) Hockey Club, a coach for USA Hockey Team Vermont Selections and a coach at the Elite Hockey Training Center during the summer. He holds a USA Hockey Level 4-certification.

As an undergraduate, Allen competed at Salve Regina for one season in 2008-09 before transferring to Western Connecticut State University where he finished his playing career. He served as an assistant captain for two years and captain as a senior, he was also named a Northeast Collegiate Hockey Association (NECHA) All-Star as a sophomore and earned All-New England accolades as a senior. He graduated in 2013 with a degree in history.

Ms. Ella Brewer-Jensen - Computer Science & Robotics Teacher

Ella comes to Vermont Academy from Chapel Hill, NC where she worked as an administrative assistant for the UNC Department of Neurosurgery for a year. She graduated from Davidson College in 2018 with a B.S. in physics with an interdisciplinary minor in archaeology, and she is excited to be joining another academic community where passion for lifelong learning flourishes. She is a strong proponent of experiential learning, and as a teacher, she hopes to incorporate hands-on and minds-on applications to help engage students in science. 

Outside of the classroom, Ella enjoys participating in lively philosophical discussions with family and friends about ethics, history, psychology, cosmology, and a wide variety of other topics. Her favorite activities include exploring different places and cultures through travel and archaeological excavation, being outdoors hiking or climbing trees, reading, and singing anything from opera and musical theater to classical art songs, choral masterworks, and a cappella arrangements.

Ms. Katrina Czechowicz - Science Teacher

Katrina was the principal investigator and researcher on an alternative energy-focused STEM grant at Bergen Community College in New Jersey. Her interest in experiential learning methods led her to develop a new, hands-on Kids Chemistry curriculum for grades 1-5. Most recently Katrina worked as an Educational Consultant at Promethean which ignited her passion for technology and interactive teaching. 

She recently moved from Westchester, NY to the beautiful Vermont Academy campus in Saxtons River with her fiancé Devon, his 60-gallon tropical fish tank and their adorable kitten Greyson. It was their dream to move to Vermont ever since visiting and skiing in Brattleboro, VT. She is very excited to begin teaching Biology and Chemistry at VA in the fall. Katrina was the co-organizer for a cycling Meetup in Brooklyn called NYC Culinary Explorers, planning scenic routes and good eats.  Katrina enjoys Zumba and cooking new HelloFresh recipes. Most of all, she loves spending time with her fiancé Devon and their kitten Greyson. 

 

Ms. Tonia Fleming - Director of Annual Giving

Tonia comes to Vermont Academy after eight years as a Development Officer at Springfield Hospital/Springfield Medical Care Systems.  While there, she implemented a Grateful Patient Program and significantly grew its revenue from private foundations. Prior to that role, she worked for non-profits of varying sizes, including the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and the Great River Arts Institute. 

Tonia has an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE).  She lives in Chester, Vermont with her family and rescue dog Ozzie. Tonia’s son Jeremy is a Vermont Academy alumnus (Class of 2018) who was as thrilled as his mother was to have her joining the Vermont Academy community.  

Mr. Jeff Gaudet - Director of Technology

Jeff Gaudet will be joining Vermont Academy in 2019.  After spending 4 years in Colorado as the Director of Technology with The Montessori School of Denver, Jeff is looking forward to returning to Vermont where he lived for 15 years before moving out west. Jeff began his career in educational technology with Greenwich Academy in CT.  He spent many years at Stratton Mountain School and operating his own consulting business here in Southern Vermont before moving to Colorado.  Jeff is looking forward to bringing new technology initiatives to VA. Jeff has a BS in Marketing from Franklin Pierce University.

Jeff enjoys his time playing hockey and lacrosse but has developed a new passion, rock climbing. When Jeff is not on the ice or on the rock, he is most likely hanging with his PIC (Partner in Climb), his dog Cooper.  

Mr. David Naughton - History Teacher and Head Coach, Crew

David Naughton is the new head rowing coach and history teacher, originally from Lake Tahoe, California. He is the product of an actor father and a stunt-double-skiing mother, having inherited a joy of athletics and the arts. In addition to teaching and rowing, David is a member of the professional theater actor’s union, Actor’s Equity.  

Undaunted by a challenge, David walked on to Cal Berkeley’s Division 1 crew program and won a National Championship in his novice year, later becoming a captain of the team. Over his tenure, he competed in the Head of the Charles and the Henley Royal Regatta and was invited to compete for a seat in the United States Under-23 championship boat.

With a background in political science from Cal-Berkeley and a deep passion for learning and teaching, David is honored to become part of VA’s History department and head crew coach. His young family and dog share in his gratitude to be part of this beautiful, thriving community.

Mr. David Petrie - Director of Communications & Marketing

David comes to us with over twenty years of experience in advertising, communications, and marketing. For the last 17 years, he directed advertising for a nationally recognized educational publisher in Western Massachusetts. He brings extensive experience in print, web, and email promotions. He also has not-for-profit experience, as he managed all of the communications for the Brattleboro Retreat almost 20 years ago. He lives in Brattleboro with his wife, four children, and three dogs. He’s thrilled to have a commute that is all in Vermont and is looking forward to becoming part of our community while helping to spread Vermont Academy's stories far and wide.   

Mr. Warren Samuels - Director of Enrollment Management

Warren comes to Vermont Academy by way of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where he served as the Director of Enrollment at Teton Science Schools. While at Teton Science Schools, Warren helped the school halt a six-year enrollment decline and increased enrollment in each of his last two admissions cycles. Prior to his five years living in the Tetons, Warren was an Assistant Director of Admissions at Concord Academy in Concord, Massachusetts where he also served as a dorm parent and coached lacrosse and skiing.

Warren brings a passion for advancing a school's mission and impact through strategic enrollment management. He looks forward to bringing a relationship-driven and data-informed approach to the enrollment efforts at VA. Warren is also passionate about schools that make meaningful change in student's lives. A NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) semester graduate, Warren believes that character education and outdoor education can make a big impact on a student's future success in life. He is thrilled to be a part of Vermont Academy to help bring about this impact in students.

Warren has moved to Vermont Academy with his wife Nikki, one-year-old son, Cooper, and their two old dogs and one very vocal cat. Nikki and Warren are expecting their second child in October. Warren enjoys spending time with his family either at the lake or hiking in the mountains. He is also an avid fly-fisher, backcountry skier and general outdoor enthusiast.

Mr. Dan Weintraub - History Department Chair & Teacher

Dan comes to Vermont Academy after a six-year stint as a history teacher, department chair and varsity soccer coach at Kimball Union Academy. He has worked in independent and public schools for close to three decades. In addition to his work in the classroom, Dan is an internationally licensed soccer coach, a touring singer-songwriter, a storm chaser, and a published author. Dan's 2011 book entitled "The Bodhisattva on the Sideline" examines youth athletics from a Buddhist perspective. Dan lives in Chester, Vermont and has two children:  Hannah (18) and Eli (16). Dan is absolutely thrilled about his appointment to chair the history department at VA and looks forward to meeting students and colleagues alike!

Others with new roles this year:

Mr. Chris Ardito - Admissions Operations Manager

Ms. Christy Catsos - Head of Learning Skills

Ms. Meredith Friel - 12th Grade & PG Class Dean

Mr. Brian Gilloran - Dean of Student Life & 10th Grade Class Dean
Mr. Karen Henry - Assistant Director of Admissions & History Teacher
Mr. David Hodgson - Assistant Head of School for the Student Experience 

Ms. Liz Jackson - Spanish Teacher & Global Experience Coordinator

Ms. Gwen Ostiguy - Executive Assistant & Office Manager for the Head of School and Advancement.  Gwen will continue to work on Accounts Payable as well.
Ms. Jillian Seaton - Assistant Director of Admissions