Meet Our Faculty

  • As a child and young adult, the outdoors was central to my life. Very early in my career I held jobs with the Audubon Society, the US Forest Service, and the Appalachian Mountain Club. And then I hit a moment when I felt I wanted to focus more on teaching and began working at boarding schools, teaching English and working as an administrator. On the side, I also wrote novels and engaged in a lot of advocacy and consulting work around gender inclusion at schools. All of these components, as disparate and disjointed as they may seem, gave me the expertise I rely on as I direct the Mountain School.

    Work and life at the Mountain School allows me to unify components of my work and self that have long felt quite separate. I was drawn to the Mountain School as a place that says: physical labor is learning; time outdoors is crucial to intellectual development; the classroom is a site of discovery - all at the same time.

Director | English | Core Seminar | Residential Life | Advising | Weekends

  • As a teenager, I gained basic experience in education while instructing, then directing, an academic speech and debate summer program, before tutoring math during the pandemic. In 2023, I graduated from Hamilton College, where I studied mathematics and economics. While there, I cultivated an appreciation for the outdoors, working as both a backpacking trip leader and rock climbing instructor. Outside of these roles, I spent my time foraging and wandering the woods around campus. When deciding between independent schools to begin my career, I immediately fell in love with the Mountain School––a unique place with interesting faculty and students where my interests and education could all meld together.

Math | Economics | Residential Life | Activity Leader | Weekends

  • I love connecting with graduates and others who are passionate about the experience and learning available here. Seeing where our students apply TMS knowledge and reflect on the lessons, mindset, and habits they obtain is interesting to me. My career is focused on connecting people to each other, creating networks, and helping demonstrate paths taken by graduates. From my start as a reunion host at Middlebury College, my excitement has always been about getting to know communities across generations, bringing people back to campus and keeping them involved and informed. I earned a M.Ed. in higher education administration in Boston and have worked at a variety of New England private schools and colleges in alumni relations and annual giving.

    A school with an emphasis on understanding and appreciating the natural world around us and equipping students with knowledge and tools to appreciate and advocate for it resonates with me. I am an avid outdoors person who does not take for granted the beautiful surroundings I live, work, travel through, and play in. Understanding the history of land, its original Western Abenaki inhabitants and their way of life, and being good stewards of land are important aspects of the education here. Taking care of place and all people is something we do collectively as a community of faculty and students. The philosophy of this school and the resulting positive impact on young lives makes this a unique and special place to work.

Director of Alumni and Donor Relations | Weekends

  • Aron grew up in New England, walking trails in the Town Forest and attending the local public school. For 20 years he worked for an array of nonprofit organizations across the country: Aron has built houses and playgrounds from New England to the Southwest. He has championed equitable access to quality education in statehouses from Louisiana to California. He has managed financial accounting and day-to-day operations at schools, construction companies, and artisan bakeries.

    In 2022, Aron was thrilled to return to New England and join the Mountain School team where he could apply his varied experience in service to a place of learning that aligned with his passion for environmental stewardship and living in community. He is the Registrar and Data Manager but also loves to wash dishes in the kitchen and load wood into the boilers.

Registrar and Data Manager (remote)

  • Like my parents before me, I've always been drawn to 4 things: education, the outdoors, people's stories, and working with my hands. Little wonder then that I studied the intersection between humans and their environment in college and graduate school (human and physical geography, climatology), while connecting to people through conversation, music, and carpentry. Teaching—particularly outdoor education—was a natural choice in profession, as it often allowed me to bridge many of my interests. That decision, having introduced me to driven curious students, impassioned colleagues, and the inner workings of our environment, continues to be one of the most rewarding choices I've made.

    The late Stephen Jay Gould once said that we cannot win this battle to save species and environments without forging an emotional bond between ourselves and nature as well—for we will not fight to save what we do not love. That saying resonates with me, and I've long sought to help forge that bond, both for myself and for others. There are a lot of ways to do this—research, stories (some new, some lost for too long), investigations, contextualization, deep curiosity, presence—but nothing really surpasses immersion in the outdoors. There has never been a more important time to seek the connections between humans and the environment—to see ourselves as a part of not apart from the natural world—and the Mountain School provides the framework for all that to happen. That's why I'm here.

Environmental Studies | Outdoor Program Leader | Advising | Weekends

  • Elizabeth Morgan DiGirolamo is an experienced educator and learning specialist. She holds a double major in American Studies and Spanish from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a MA in Latin American Studies from the University of California, San Diego, and a certificate in educartional therapy from University of California, Irvine. Her career has spanned various arenas and roles including as a teacher of Spanish in university, high school, and middle school classrooms, a school-based social worker and case manager in the Oakland and San Francisco Unified school districts, an instructional designer for language learning platforms and L&D departments in the corporate sector, and as the founder of The Independent Learner where she provides personalized education services that promote student autonomy. At the Mountain School Elizabeth not only serves as the Spanish teacher, the campus learning specialist, a member of the Student Support Team, a resident dorm faculty member, and a student advisor, she is also an alumna of TMS.

Spanish | Academic Support | Residential Life | Activity Leader | Weekends | Advising

Emily Cass

  • At the Mountain School I am the chair of the math department, an advisor, dorm head, and a member of the Student Support Team. From a young age mathematics has been a passion of mine, whether I was learning my multiplication tables in elementary school or the complex ideas of multivariable calculus, solving equations and proving theorems lit a fire inside of my mind. I not only enjoyed understanding mathematics for myself, I wanted to help others see the beauty and excitement in math that I did. I tutored my peers in high school, college, and pursued a degree in mathematics and secondary education in college. My career goal for a while now, has been to bring joy and engagement to the mathematics classroom, or at least remove some of the dread that students feel when solving equations. In college I took classes in leading a classroom, developing lessons and assessments, developmental psychology, as well as sociology. The culmination of all of these educational experiences has helped me support the many students I have had the pleasure of mentoring, and will be utilized to mentor scholars of future TMS semesters.

    There are many aspects of TMS' curriculum that appeal to me. I appreciate our focus on how to care for our climate at a time when our environment is hurting most and as a society we need to think of various innovations to foster creative solutions. Also, at TMS we focus on a lower tech way to live and encourage students to connect with nature as much as possible during their time here. Social media and technology in general can have harmful impacts on people's mental health and I wholeheartedly believe in being mindful about the way we use devices. Lastly, I appreciate that my connection with students at TMS extends beyond the classroom and to dorm life, weekend activities, farm work, culinary activities, or just on the walk down to breakfast.

Math | Residential Life | Activity Leader | Weekends | Advising

  • I grew up working on my family's farm in western New Jersey, where we negotiated rural life within the New York Metropolitan area. Since then I've worked as a landscaper, a housekeeper, a dishwasher, a community activist, a bookseller, an organic certification administrator, and an educator. Through it all, I have stayed curious about how we live our lives as part of both social and ecological communities. I earned an M.A. in American Studies with a focus on Environment, Science and Technology and Native American Studies and a Ph.D. in Historical Geography, completing field research in the Southwestern United States, Mexico, and Colombia. My favorite thing to do is to learn about the world alongside my students, and I've been lucky to work with learners from kindergarten to retirement age in a variety of contexts, including the University of New Mexico, the University of California, Berkeley, and Dartmouth College. 

    I joined the faculty at the Mountain School because I wanted the opportunity to explore challenging questions about the human experience with students in a way that was rooted in place and community. What are our responsibilities to one another and to the earth? How can we execute them in ways that are kind and just and intelligent? These questions relate to our whole selves, both in and beyond the classroom. I love teaching about post-WWII city planning in the morning and then talking with the lunch dish crew about their own neighborhoods or connecting a challenging reading about farm policy to particular crops as we harvest together on the farm. These collaborations provide essential tools to meet the complex challenges and opportunities of our shared future. 

US History | Advising | Activity Leader | Weekends

Gwynne Durham

  • Gwynne Durham is a multifaceted professional who serves as a Livestock Manager, LGBTQ+ Student Coordinator, Advisor, and Residential Life staff member at the Mountain School, where she brings her diverse skill set to various roles supporting students and the university community.

    In her role as Livestock Manager, Gwynne oversees the care and management of livestock, ensuring their health and well-being. This position requires a deep understanding of animal husbandry and agricultural practices, highlighting her expertise in this field. As the LGBTQ+ Student Coordinator, Gwynne is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ students. She provides resources, support, and advocacy, helping to create a campus culture that respects and values diversity.

    In addition to these roles, Gwynne serves as an Advisor and is part of the Residential Life team at TMS. Her responsibilities include offering guidance to students, facilitating residential programs, and contributing to the overall student experience on campus. Her commitment to student welfare and inclusivity is evident in her varied responsibilities and her proactive approach to student engagement and support. Gwynne Durham's contributions to TMS make her a vital part of the school's community, ensuring a welcoming and nurturing environment for all students.

LGBTQ+ Student Coordinator | Livestock Manager | Advising | Residential Life

holly shore

  • Holly Shore is the Office Manager at The Mountain School of Milton Academy, located in Vershire, Vermont. In her role, she handles various administrative tasks including managing transportation logistics and coordinating standardized testing for students. As part of her responsibilities, she assists with arranging student transportation to and from major terminals like the Dartmouth Coach in Lebanon, NH, and the Amtrak station in White River Junction, VT​.

    If you need to contact Holly Shore or require assistance with transportation and other administrative matters at The Mountain School, she can be reached via her school email at holly.shore@mountainschool.org​.

Office Manager | Transportation Coordinator | Standardized Testing Coordinator

  • Ilona Tipp is a versatile and passionate educator and musician with a diverse background in multiple musical styles. She has extensive early training in classical bel canto, later expanding to include jazz, blues, folk, R&B, pop, singer/songwriter, and various other genres. She holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees from the New England Conservatory in Boston, and she also serves as Associate Professor in the Voice department at Berklee College of Music.

    In her role as a Voice Teacher, Ilona combines technical proficiency with artistic expression, helping her students develop their own unique voices. She is also actively involved in residential life and weekend activities, contributing to the vibrant community at The Mountain School and beyond.

    Outside of her professional life, Ilona is devoted to her two cats and her spouse, author and teacher Alex Myers. She enjoys gardening, yoga, hiking, and reading fiction.

Residential Life | Weekends | Voice Teacher

  • Jocelyn Hard is a dedicated chef and advisor at The Mountain School of Milton Academy, located in Vershire, Vermont. The Mountain School is renowned for its semester-long programs for high school juniors, where students live and work on an organic farm, engaging in a holistic educational experience that combines rigorous academics with hands-on learning in environmental sustainability and community living.

    As a chef at The Mountain School, Jocelyn Hard plays a vital role in ensuring that students and staff enjoy nutritious, locally sourced meals that support the school's commitment to sustainable agriculture and healthy living. In addition to her culinary responsibilities, Jocelyn also serves as an advisor, providing guidance and support to students as they navigate the unique challenges and opportunities of their semester at the school​ (The Mountain School)​​ (The Edible Schoolyard Project)​.

Chef | Advising

  • From a very young age, I wanted to work with children and ended up getting degrees on  teaching French to Foreigners as well as North American Civilization with a focus on Post Colonial Literatures. In 9th grade in Guadeloupe, when my school year was over, I used to “teach” with my former teachers. Before I accepted the job at the Mountain School, I asked a couple of friends whether they thought I’d survive here, coming from the completely different settings of New Jersey, the Caribbean and  France, via MA. They reminded me of my extracurricular involvements like being on the school council, chaperoning every activity under the sun, including spending the night at school to support the 9th grade lock-in, or  spending my summers working for the Middlebury Language Immersion Program for years in, and in Paris before that. I had taught French my whole adult life and organized yearly immersion trips to France and Québec. All of these came together and were exactly what I needed for my career at the Mountain School as a dorm parent, advisor, or a French only classroom teacher and more. 

    Maybe it was the fact that that Brigitte Savard, the French teacher at the time, Comfort Halsey Leckerling and I all wore red boots when we met. Seriously though, after the trauma of the toy plane that brought me to Lebanon from Boston, and requesting  Mountain School find a different way to get me home, I fell in love with this winter wonderland—quite odd for an islander— dorm life, small classes, conviviality, a family feel and winner of it all, an interview with Liana, the farm manager, in what used to be the potting shed, in French. That was “la cerise sur le gâteau” (the icing on the cake). When I visited Brigitte’s French class and saw the playful yet strong curriculum she had in place for her students, I could easily picture myself in that classroom. Another aspect that charmed me was the opportunity to interact with students outside the classroom, like the harvest kitchen, peeling garlic together (my favorite). I made the right choice despite my mother’s opinion about this « farm school » in Vermont. 

French | Activity Leader | Weekends

  • I educate from a place of hope and inspiration in response to the socio-ecological predicament we are facing as a result of the fundamental contradiction between dominant human cultures and the inherent logic of Earth itself.

    My work is informed by a long history with The Mountain School. I attended the school in Spring 2010, worked as a Graduate Resident from 2015 to 2017, and served on the Advisory Board from 2018 until my current appointment as a classroom instructor in 2021. Attending The Mountain School inspired a lifelong dedication to understanding the Earth and humanity’s relationship to it. As an undergraduate student at Dartmouth College, I studied Environmental Earth Science and worked on the Dartmouth Organic Farm. As a graduate student at New York University, I studied Food Systems and was a founding member of the Food Studies Graduate Students of Color affinity group.

    I am inspired by the opportunity to cultivate the skills of ecological literacy and systems thinking in the motivated, openhearted students who attend this school. Most of all, I am inspired by the joy that emerges from paying close attention to the Earth, to each other, and to ourselves.

Environmental Studies | Core Seminar | Residential Life | Website + Social Media Coordinator | Activity Leader | Weekends

  • Kollin Bickelman is the Facilities Assistant at The Mountain School of Milton Academy in Vershire, Vermont. In this role, he supports the maintenance and operational aspects of the school's facilities, ensuring a safe and functional environment for students and staff. Kollin's responsibilities likely include assisting with general upkeep, repairs, and the smooth running of the school's physical infrastructure. His role is essential in maintaining the quality and efficiency of the school's facilities, contributing to the overall well-being and experience of the Mountain School community.

Farm | Facilities

  • Liana Horster is a faculty member at The Mountain School of Milton Academy, a residential farming program located in Vershire, Vermont. At The Mountain School, she serves as the Farm Manager and also teaches Core Seminar. Liana plays a crucial role in the school's educational and agricultural programs, emphasizing hands-on learning and sustainable farming practices.

    Liana is deeply involved in integrating agricultural education into the high school curriculum. She manages the school's farm operations, which include seasonal rotational grazing and holistic land management practices. These methods aim to maintain healthy soil, promote biodiversity, and produce nutrient-dense food. Her work at the farm aligns with her commitment to regenerative agriculture, focusing on sustainable and ecologically sound farming techniques.

    Liana lives in Vershire, Vermont, where she continues to contribute to the local community through her educational and farming endeavors. Her work not only impacts her students but also promotes sustainable practices that benefit the broader community and environment. Liana's efforts at The Mountain School and her collaborative projects with the Abenaki Nation illustrate her commitment to education, sustainable agriculture, and community development.

Farm Manager | Core Seminar

Lucretia Witte

  • As a child, I experienced public, parochial, private, homeschool, and finally boarding school. I've always believed that students and families should be able to choose learning environments that resonate with their values and learning style. After years of teaching experience, I went to policy school and studied educational outcomes from a wide variety of institutions and pedagogical approaches. I became convinced that experiential learning is one of the most impactful methods of education and I am passionate about making sure that all students have access to experiential learning if they choose it.

    I believe that nature has the ability to heal and nourish us all, not only physically, but mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I love living in a place where stepping outside my door is an education about climate, ecosystems and our opportunity as stewards. I believe that the best way for me to make a difference in the climate emergency is to facilitate the leaders of the future experiencing these firsthand benefits of nature themselves so they are inspired and equipped to take action on behalf of the earth. I also love working with my smart, compassionate, humorous and genuine colleagues. It's wonderful to be a part of the TMS community.

Director of Admissions, Enrollment & Financial Aid

Lynn Murphy

  • Lynn Murphy is an elder of Abenaki descent and accomplished craft instructor who serves as an advisor and educator, deeply engaged in sharing and preserving her Native American heritage. Based in Vermont, Lynn has a rich background in cultural studies, with a focus on Native American traditions. Prior to her work at the Mountain School, Lynn taught middle school science at Waits River Valley School in East Corinth, Vermont, where she integrated ethnobotany into her curriculum, connecting students with both her Abenaki culture and their own familial traditions.

    As a skilled craftsperson, Lynn is proficient in traditional basket making, beadwork, knitting, and crocheting. She is dedicated to teaching these crafts and the cultural significance behind them, often leading workshops and community programs. Her work emphasizes the continuity of Abenaki culture into the modern day, challenging stereotypes and highlighting the vibrant, living traditions of her people​ (Thetford Historical Society)​.

    Lynn has also been involved in various educational initiatives, such as helping with the production of educational videos to help Vermont educators incorporate Native American culture into their teachings. Her efforts aim to ensure that Abenaki culture is represented accurately and respectfully in educational materials and public discourse​​.

Craft Instructor | Advising

matt severson

  • All of my work life has been in kitchens and restaurants, since the age of 16. Washing dishes, bussing dishes, cooking, serving, baking, cleaning, owning and managing, I can't seem to escape working with food.

    I found TMS with a random Google Earth search of my new neighborhood upon relocating to VT. No kidding! And here I am... fortunate to be able to work with and support locally grown foods for our students and faculty.

Chef

Maurizio Odermatt

  • Maurizio Odermatt is a distinguished chef currently working at The Mountain School in Vershire, Vermont. With roots in Bavaria, Maurizio has established himself as a master baker and culinary expert. Before his tenure at The Mountain School, he was associated with the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont, where he managed the Kaffeehaus Bakery and Deli. His work at the lodge involved crafting authentic Austrian pastries, breakfast items, and various baked goods, bringing a taste of Europe to Vermont​ (55+ Life)​​ (Boston Calendar)​.

    In addition to his time at the Trapp Family Lodge, Maurizio has also been involved in culinary events in Boston, such as the "Brunch Culture" series at Liquid Art House, where his Bavarian baked goods were a highlight​ (Boston Calendar)​. His commitment to high-quality, authentic European baking and his ability to blend traditional techniques with local ingredients have made him a respected figure in the culinary community.

    At The Mountain School, Maurizio continues to apply his expertise, contributing to the vibrant and diverse food culture of the school, ensuring that students and staff enjoy nutritious and delicious meals.

Chef

  • Mina is the school nurse at the Mountain School. Growing up on a small island in Maine, she spent much of her youth learning and teaching on the water. In tenth grade, her love of marine biology led her to the Island School (another semester program located in the Bahamas), and she has sung praises for high school semester programs ever since.

    Mina is passionate about both the medical and education fields. Because of this, she has worn many different career hats. She has taught youth sailing classes, led outdoors trips, been an educator aboard tall ships and, after finishing her Masters in Teaching, worked as a classroom Biology teacher. She has also worked as a Wilderness EMT, the medical officer aboard schooners and, most recently, spent 12 years as a maternity nurse in both Maine and New Hampshire.

    Mina is thrilled to be back in the school setting, especially as part of a semester program. She believes that place-based education, and the opportunity to study away from home in high school, are critical to inspiring the next generation. She loves caring for the Mountain School students and faculty to help keep the community safe and healthy!

School Nurse

  • Nick Bennett serves as the Facilities Manager at The Mountain School of Milton Academy, a position in which he plays a crucial role in maintaining and overseeing the school's infrastructure and physical environment. His responsibilities include managing the maintenance staff, ensuring the school's facilities are safe and operational, and coordinating various projects related to the upkeep and improvement of the campus.

    The Mountain School, located in Vershire, Vermont, is known for its commitment to combining rigorous academic programs with a focus on environmental sustainability and community living. As the Facilities Manager, Nick Bennett's work supports the school's mission by ensuring that the physical campus remains a conducive environment for learning and growth.

Facilities Manager

  • In a way I have always known I would become a social worker whether I knew it consciously or not. I took a long meandering path to arrive where I am now at TMS but social work, education, and working with young people has always been at the core for the work that inspires me. At this point in my life I can say I have been working with young people for over half my life and loving every second of it. I hold a BSSW in social work from MSU Denver, a MSW from Fordham University, and a non-clinical license for the state of Vermont. As someone who holds a core value in the endless journey of education there is no better place for me to be than this place: the Mountain School.

    After receiving my MSW during the pandemic I was looking for a change; something that felt challenging and exciting. When I saw the job posting for the Mountain School I knew that this could be a place with real potential to learn, grow and do what I love. Being on a farm and interacting with nature on a daily basis hugely impacted my decision to work here. After having been in more "traditional" school settings for years, this felt like an inspiring change and opportunity to work with like-minded people who also care about young people and education as much as I do.

School Social Worker | Student Support | Head Advisor | Core Seminar | Weekends

  • Raised in the Boston suburbs, Rachel has always loved cultivating community through the outdoors. She is a proud Fall 2016 alum of the Mountain School and carries a profound gratitude for TMS’s impact on her sense of self and commitment to building a more just world.

    During college, Rachel found her passion in public service, from running a volunteer tax clinic to clearing trails at local nature preserves. Most recently, Rachel worked on farms in Vermont and California through Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF). Tending to 90 newborn lambs in Vermont and learning to drive an excavator in California, she rejoiced in the opportunity to work outdoors and reconnect with the spirit of TMS. 

    As Admissions Associate, Rachel assists with all aspects of the admissions and enrollment processes by planning school visits, organizing virtual programming, and serving as a general resource for admissions-related questions. Rachel also supports communications work, including TMS's website and social media.

Admissions Associate (remote)

  • My education in the arts began when I was fourteen: I attended a selective public arts high school, where I majored in studio art and art history, and loved every minute of it. This early exposure to the arts pushed me to study at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). There, I took advantage of SAIC’s interdisciplinary model, picking up formal training in printmaking, fiber and material arts, painting and drawing, woodworking, and bookmaking. I also took a handful of classes in the writing department, leading me to pursue my MFA in Creative Writing at Washington University in St. Louis two years later. While in Missouri, I volunteered at Bohlen Family Farms, a Black-owned farm aimed at addressing food scarcity in North St. Louis. I mostly weeded (and weeded and weeded) but also learned the joys and value of tending land. Two seasons on the farm affirmed my belief that the labor of growing food should be as much a part of a person’s education as the study of art and literature.

    I fell in love with TMS by way of Farm Crew. I joined Liana, Gwynne, and a handful of TMS alum and local kids, to tend to the farm during the summer of 2023. The season was historically rainy, miserable, and full of drama–lightning strikes, floods, power outages, slugs–but I had the best time. Everyday, my Farm Crew colleagues impressed me with their genuine investment in our work, stewardship of the land, and enthusiasm for herding escaped livestock after hours; likewise, the generosity and sense of abundance at the heart of TMS’s community blew me away. By mid-July, I started naming the pigs, thus dispelling any notion of leaving.

Studio Art | Assistant Farm Manager | Graphic Designer | Advising | Weekends

steve

  • Steve Cleek is the Facilities Assistant Manager at The Mountain School in Vershire, Vermont. In his role, he is responsible for managing the Commons Work Program, overseeing various facilities projects, and contributing to the school's forestry and sugaring operations. Steve's involvement in these diverse areas highlights his versatility and commitment to maintaining and improving the school's infrastructure and environment. His work ensures that the facilities at The Mountain School are well-maintained and that students have a safe and supportive living and learning environment.

Facilities Assistant Manager

  • I’ve always approached teaching with a sense of adventure. In 2009, I took off for my first teaching job in Arizona—a state I had never visited before—and discovered the joys of backpacking and long hikes. In another bright chapter, I worked as a wilderness guide in a recovery center in North Carolina. After completing my PhD in English Literature and teaching at the college level, I returned to high school teaching, which felt rewarding but not particularly adventurous! I was inspired to work at the Mountain School because it integrates my diverse instructional experiences into one purposeful role. Most importantly, it lets me teach a little closer to the rhythms of nature and community.

English | Advising | Residential Life | Activity Leader | Weekends

  • Growing up in Maine and Connecticut, I could always count nature as a friend, and the world around me was filled with history, folklore, and tall tales that illuminated the powerful connections between people and place. I’ve been fortunate to be able to further explore these connections while living in the deserts and mountains of Southern California and now in the Upper Valley.

    After graduating high school, I obtained a BA in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Folklore and Mythology from Sarah Lawrence College, a Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from the University of Toronto, and an MS in Youth Development from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. As a Pell Grant recipient and first generation college student, I have experienced the transformational power of education, and am excited to work at The Mountain School - a place uniquely able to offer a transformative, holistic education tied deeply to this sense of location and community. TMS inspires me to envision a more ecologically-minded future and ask how we might, collectively, tell the story of a place.

    Prior to The Mountain School, I worked in college admissions and served in multiple educational and administrative positions at boarding and day schools around Southern California, including as a college counselor, dorm parent, and international student coordinator.

Assistant Director | Residential Life | College Counseling | Activity Leader | Weekends | Advising

  • I have spent the last 35 years in the food service industry. From working along the coast of Maine in seasonal kitchens and fisheries, to gardens and blueberry barrens I have always been inspired by working landscapes and the communities that thrive and struggle within fields, forests, and waterways. The interest in place and food led me to start a wood fired bakery, catering company and grist mill that sourced grains, wheat, oats, corn, buckwheat, and rye from New England, New York, and Québec. I worked with small diversified family farms and food hub distributors for the vegetables, meats, and grains that I used. When I learned about The Mountain School and the values learning as an ecological responsibility I was inspired all over again. I am so honored to teach the Culinary Arts in this working landscape and to help build community around the Mountain School’s table.

Kitchen Manager | Culinary Studies | Advising | Activity Leader