We have enjoyed a wonderful first week of school. A rainy Tuesday and
yesterday’s visit to the Close by the former president of Iran did not
deter us from setting things in motion for the new academic year.
It was very nice to see so many of you at the opening coffees and our
Cathedral Service on Tuesday morning. And, we thank you for your
flexibility and patience with yesterday’s adjusted schedule.
Last week, before the girls arrived, we welcomed new faculty and staff
and began the process of orienting them to National Cathedral School
and life on the Close. We are delighted by the energy and spirit of our
new colleagues and have enjoyed being reunited with old friends. I
think you will appreciate the following biographical information about
new faculty and staff in advance of meeting them in person.
Our new faculty and staff:
Thomas G. Brereton joins us
from the Miami Valley School in Dayton, OH, where he spent the past 19
years as headmaster. Previously, he served Miami Valley as college
counselor, director of development, director of admission, and social
science department chair. Tom received his bachelor’s degree from
Cornell University and his master’s from Colgate University. Tom is our
interim Middle School director.
Ann Dubois is coming from the
German School in Potomac, MD, where she taught middle and high school
English. Prior to that, she taught English at Good Counsel High School
in Wheaton. Ann earned her bachelor’s degree from Stanford University,
a master’s from the Teachers College at Columbia University, and a
second master’s from Columbia’s Graduate School of Business. Ann will
be teaching Middle School English.
Elizabeth A. Dudrow joins us
from the Stuart School in Princeton, NJ, where she taught history for
the past six years. Elizabeth holds a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin
College and her master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of
California, Berkeley. She will be teaching Upper School history.
Nancy Ehrlich taught science
for six years at Cabin John Middle School in Montgomery County, MD.
Prior to that she taught at both Montgomery Blair High School and
Tilden Middle School in Montgomery County. She received her bachelor’s
degree from Swarthmore College, a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University,
and her Certificate in Secondary Science Education from George
Washington University. Nancy will be teaching Middle School science.
Pamela Kogan comes to us from
the Princeton Review where she was an SAT teacher. Pamela also worked
for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency where she developed
building design and operations guidance in order to protect indoor air
quality. She received her bachelor’s degree from Washington University
in St. Louis. Pamela will be a Lower School science teacher.
Celeste Malone is joining the
admission office as assistant director. She was most recently nearby at
Beauvoir where she served as an associate teacher for the past two
years. She also worked for Vanguard Educational Consulting where she
helped prepare high school students for college admission exams and the
college application process. Celeste has a bachelor’s degree from Brown
University and is working toward a master’s in school counseling from
Johns Hopkins University.
Lauren Miller comes to us from
the U.S. Embassy in Paris where she was the Editor of The Franco-File,
a weekly newspaper for the Embassy community. Prior to that, she was at
Boston College as the senior assistant director in the Office of
Undergraduate Admissions. Lauren received her bachelor’s degree from
the College of the Holy Cross. Lauren is the administrative assistant
in the College Guidance office.
Geoffrey Schramm joins NCS from
the National Endowment for the Humanities where he was the assistant
web content editor. He has taught English at the college/university
level for the past nine years. Geoffrey holds a bachelor’s degree from
George Mason University and a master’s degree, Ph.D., and Women’s
Studies Teaching Certificate from the University of Maryland. Geoffrey
will be teaching Upper School English.
Laura Taylor taught math for
two years at Greensboro Day School in Greensboro, NC. She was also a
coach and student council advisor. She received her bachelor’s degree
from Duke University. Laura will be teaching Upper School math.
Joanne Thomas joins us from
Holton-Arms where she was an IT support/technology specialist and a
Lower School technology coordinator. She earned a bachelor’s degree
from Howard University and a master’s from Hunter College in New York
City. Joanne will be the Middle School technology coordinator.
Ellen Twomey was the director
of women in science and engineering and the head of academic computing
at the Westover School in Middlebury, CT. Prior to that, she was
the head of pre-engineering and a pre-engineering teacher at Brother
Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, MI. She received her bachelor’s
degree from the University of Michigan and her master’s from DePaul
University. Ellen will be our Upper School technology coordinator.
Emily Vargyas joins us from
Williams College where she received her bachelor’s degree this year.
She is a graduate of Sidwell Friends School. Emily will teach Upper
School English.
Toni Watson comes to us from
the University of Maryland where she is completing her master’s degree
in arts in mathematics. While at the University of Maryland, she has
been an instructor and teaching assistant in the mathematics
department. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Howard University.
Toni will be teaching Upper School math.
I’m pleased to share with you that this summer our search for a new
director of admission and public affairs culminated in the appointment
of Kathy McNamara, who joined
us in June 2005 as director of communications. I am delighted that
Kathy has enthusiastically agreed to serve NCS in this important way.
Her experience at the college level with admissions outreach will serve
us well as we carry our message into the greater DC area and as we
welcome families to the Close. The close connection between the
communications office and the admission office will support our efforts
to clearly express our mission broadly and effectively.
As noted above, Celeste Malone joined
admission as assistant director. In addition, I am very happy to
announce that Maureen Miller returns in the position of assistant
director of admission for middle and upper schools. Maureen will be
taking on significant new responsibility for recruitment and
interviewing of prospective families.
Martha Membrino will move this
fall to the communications and public affairs office as associate
director. Martha has served most effectively as assistant to the
director of the upper school since 2003. She has a rich
background in writing and editing, and brings significant management
experience to this new role. Megan Meringolo, the veteran in communications, is assistant director of the office.
On behalf of the faculty and staff, I welcome you to the 2006-2007
academic year and look forward to seeing you in the days ahead.