During Convocation each year, Williston Northampton School recognizes the outstanding efforts of individual faculty members through the bestowing of Instructorships, and for members that have worked for 25 years at the school, a special faculty chair.
This year’s Convocation ceremony featured three instructorships and two chair recipients:
- The Sandra B. ’55 and Joseph C. Mesics Instructorship was given to science teacher Kirsten Blaesing.
- The Karin O’Neil Instructorship was given to English teacher M. Haas
- The Emily N. McFadon Vincent ’49 and Bob E. Vincent Instructorship was given to math teacher Jessi Johnson
- 25 Year Chairs were given to history teacher Sarah Klumpp and Director of College Advising Emily McDowell
Below are the remarks given by Dean of Faculty Chris Pelliccia for each of the honorees.
Good evening, Williston.
The start of a school year is always a time full of emotions. Students leaving home, perhaps for the first time. Meeting their new teachers, learning a new schedule, finding a seat on the first day that will be their seat all year. At Opening Meetings with the faculty, I proposed that students might arrive feeling a bit excited, nervous, curious, or apprehensive. So, I’ll ask you, students, how many of you have felt this way over just this last week? Those of you who felt or feel excited and curious, have you talked to your new science teacher, your new English teacher, about what’s on your mind? Those of you feeling a little nervous or apprehensive, have you found your advisor, a dorm parent, or a coach who you can confide in? I think the theme here is this: no matter what you’re feeling, there’s an incredible community of adults here to talk to, to confide in, to bounce ideas off of, and to know that no matter what you go to them with, that you will be seen, heard, and supported. This evening, I have the pleasure of recognizing five such individuals. However, I’d be remiss not to take a moment and recognize ALL the faculty sitting behind me, and I would ask you all to take a quick moment to do the same. [Applause]. With that said, I’d like to recognize three members of the faculty who have earned a Faculty Instructorship, and then two faculty who will be celebrating their 25th year at Williston.
The Sandra B. ’55 and Joseph C. Mesics Instructorship
The Sandra B. ’55 and Joseph C. Mesics Instructorship was established in 2001 to recognize a young faculty member’s initiatives in and out of the classroom.
Over my last ten years at Williston, and now this year as Dean of Faculty, I have had the privilege of working with some truly remarkable educators — teachers who not only bring expertise to their subject, but who also bring heart, clarity, and a deep commitment to their students’ growth. This afternoon, I’d like to recognize one such teacher, a valued member of our science department, coaching staff, and our residential community.
This teacher’s classroom is one of those places where learning feels alive. From the students carefully observing the stages of mitosis under microscopes to measuring the effects of temperature and CO2 on Elodea growth, or the excitement of unexpectedly finding butterflies lingering around the lab, science here is not something they just read about, it’s something they do. This teacher creates hands-on lab experiences that are thoughtful, rigorous, and deeply engaging. Students come away not only with knowledge but with a real sense of what it means to investigate, to wonder, hypothesize, and to discover.
Biology is hard, right? To the adults in the audience, I would ask: how many of you can remember the difference between a centriole and a centromere? Sympatric and allopatric speciation? Lytic or lysogenic phases? Yet to the students who were in this teacher’s classes last year, I know these terms – and many more – were thoughtfully explained, differentiated between, and placed into the greater context of the biological story to be told. What sets this teacher apart is their ability to explain these complex biological processes in a way that’s clear, logical, and memorable. More than a few students, and likely some in the audience right now, walked into their biology class unsure of science and walked out excited about it — a transformation doesn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of patience, clarity, and an unwavering belief in students’ ability to understand and succeed.
This teacher also shines in the relationships she builds. Whether during class discussions, lab groups, or casual conversations in Advisory, students feel comfortable, supported, and challenged in the best possible way. They know this teacher is in their corner: someone who listens, encourages, and genuinely enjoys working with them. One student writes, “This class has allowed me to appreciate the essence of biology and I’m more comfortable in asking questions since the teacher is both passionate and knowledgeable about the subject.” Another adds that this teacher has, “helped [me] when I was struggling with grade anxiety.” A third builds on this by saying, “I really like this class and feel like I could see myself taking biology later in life. I’ve found the class extremely fascinating.”
This connection with students extends beyond Scott Hall. In the dorm – “on dorm” in her parlance, she is a steady, positive presence. In the words of Dorm Head Christa Talbot-Syfu, “this teacher builds wonderful connections in the dorm. She is a great listener who meets students where they are and shows genuine curiosity about them, their culture, and their background.” Talking with her co-coach for both volleyball and basketball, Jes Rohan, JROH simply says, “She is just wonderful in so many facets of life…ya know?!”
In every setting, and from states as varied as Alaska, Virginia, and now Massachusetts, this teacher leads with thoughtfulness, clarity, and quiet dedication. She helps students see the world more clearly — both through a microscope and beyond.
It is my pleasure to award the Sandra B. ’55 and Joseph C. Mesics Instructorship to biology teacher, advisor, dorm parent, coach, and new sophomore class dean: Ms. Kirsten Blaesing.
Karin O’Neil Instructorship
Established in 2001 by alumni and friends, The Karin O’Neil Instructorship is named for former Associate Head Karin O’Neil who, until her departure that year, directed much of the School’s program for over 30 years and enabled the School to achieve great progress and to aspire to the highest levels of scholarship and engagement with student success.
As the year gets underway, I am especially looking forward to getting to work more closely alongside great teachers from departments beyond science. While I have heard good stories about the work going on in history, language, math, or art classrooms, I haven’t yet had the chances I’d like to step inside and witness them myself. For the purposes of this afternoon, I’ve heard tremendous things about one particular English classroom. I’d like to take a few moments to recognize a dynamic member of our English Department and a deeply valued presence on the field and in the dorm.
Reading the student feedback for this teacher is like a tour through all the things that should be going on in a classroom. Students report enjoying: doing regular group work, working up at the board, facilitating engaging and informative discussions, spending time doing free writes, and taking and consolidating clear and informative notes. Head of the English Department, Matt Liebowitz, says, “[This teacher] is a consistent positive force on the Schoolhouse 3rd floor, and each student is taught with genuine care. They are a wonderful collaborator, always striving to create an engaging and purposeful experience for the students.”
In researching other insight into the classroom for this speech, I came across the following student quotes, which speak to the effectiveness and engagement of this teacher. One student says, “I feel this class has helped me become a better writer, I get lots of feedback about my writing flow and structure which helps my writing improve every time.” Another writes, “[it was] such a great class, and I always looked forward to participating in this class. Their style of teaching and smile boosted my energy! You made me love English.” A third responded that their English class “has pushed me as a student but also has been a light-hearted class that I enjoy.” My favorite quote, however, has to be, “Sometimes [class is] a little stressful because they want me to do so much more than what I think is good.” They want me to do more than what I think is good. Because they know you are capable of more than what you had initially settled for. That belief in their students is pervasive in the comments and feedback that I see and hear about this teacher. And coupled with that belief, an unwavering persistence in pushing students to grow and develop as readers and writers.
Let’s look beyond the classroom. In the dorm, they immediately jumped in to be the dorm head of a newly created all-gender dorm: Logan House. There, Mr. Raffetto notes that they continue to lead as a steady, positive force – sharing late-night laughs, listening when it matters, and building the kind of relationships that make boarding life meaningful and memorable. On the field hockey field, co-coach Mrs. Klumpp says that this teacher, and I quote, “is THE BEST co-coach. They bring positive energy and a terrific sense of humor to every practice and game and find joy in being with the kids, cheering them on, and seeing their growth as athletes.” Ms. Marsland echoed all that about this teacher’s work in JV softball, and added that regularly incorporating Starbucks/Dunkin into practice is always a big hit with the team.
What makes this teacher stand out is not just how well they do their job – it’s how fully they embrace every part of it. They teach with passion, support students with care, twin with Mrs. Klumpp like clockwork, and do it with a smile on their face. Our school is stronger, more thoughtful, and definitely more fun because of them. It is my pleasure to award the Karin O’Neil Instructorship to English teacher, dorm head, advisor, and coach, Haas.
Emily N. McFadon Vincent ’49 and Bob E. Vincent Instructorship
The Emily N. McFadon Vincent ’49 and Bob E. Vincent Instructorship was established in 2007 by Emily N. McFadon Vincent, Class of 1949, and her husband Bob to recognize a young faculty member’s initiatives in and out of the classroom.
Whether students are writing their first lines of Python or troubleshooting a complex problem with their video game, this teacher has a way of breaking things down – clearly, calmly, and with just enough humor to keep things fun. To quote two of her students, one says, “It was super fun to code my own games in their entirety and gain more exposure to coding (which I intend to pursue in college.).” A second puts it succinctly, “I really like this class.”
That is, it’s not just about the code. It’s about the people. They create a classroom culture where students feel safe asking questions, are encouraged to take risks, and inspired to collaborate in group work. Whether it’s debugging together or designing an app as a team, students learn how to think critically and work collectively. Fellow Computer Science teacher and Academic Dean Ms. Polin adds, “[This teacher] has been a team player as a faculty member; she took on a brand new slate of computer science courses last year and completely redeveloped and updated them.”
Mr. Mailloux, the former head of the math department, adds, “[This teacher] has a hunger to grow as a professional, seeking out chances to be observed and think collaboratively about what could be done to enhance and improve her lessons and pedagogy. She has also wonderfully helped guide the school’s math team, and especially the annual Whitaker-Bement Girls in Mathematics Competition event we host. She does all this with a smile and a friendly attitude that helps students feel a sense of belonging.”
And if you’ve ever been down to the robotics lab, you’ve seen this teacher at their best. Under her leadership, our robotics team has grown not only in technical ability, but in confidence, communication, and sheer excitement for what they’re building. Ms. Lucia notes that this teacher helped incorporate team building games frequently and that she generously shared her personal collection of logic games and puzzles. Ms. Polin added that, “She rebuilt the robotics afternoon program, now serving a diverse group of students ranging from grades 7-12 all in the same program; no small task!”
Both coding and robotics require precision. A typo here and the code crashes. Incorrectly soldering a servo, and the robotic arms can’t pick up the competition ball. In track & field, hurdling, like coding and robotics, is also all about precision. Eight steps to the first hurdle, three-step between each subsequent barrier. Two years ago, I was lucky enough to coach with this teacher, and she was adept at guiding our hurdlers through the delicate balance of speed and precision, explosive movements and grace, tenacity and sportsmanship. Once again, just like in the classroom, her technical knowledge was equaled by her rapport with the student-athletes.
Unlike the climate-controlled robotics lab, the weather at Galbraith is variable. And I owe a debt of gratitude to this teacher for her efforts timing races in the most inclement of weather. Track really is about precision – a few tenths of a second one way or the other and we can’t have any confidence in the race times. Come meet day, this coach would stay atop the timing stand all meet, running our SprintTimer app, ensuring that we had accurate results for our athletes. Don’t accurately, quickly, and correctly – no small task.
At the end of a long day in the classroom, robotics lab, or on the track, this teacher would often end her evening in Hathaway House. Former Dorm Head Mr. Rilla speaks highly of her there, saying, “Our big mission was to make Hathaway feel like a family home and when it was successful it was because of this teacher. She invited students into her apartment for homemade dinner nights, she baked muffins and coffee cakes for them on her duty weekends, and her cat, Lila, served as an emotional support animal for so many of the girls.”
What impresses me most is the way this teacher combines deep technical knowledge with deep care for their students. She meets students where they are, challenges them to go further, and cheers them on every step of the way. Whether in the classroom, the robotics lab, or the dorm, students know they have someone who believes in their potential. It is for these reasons that it is my pleasure to award The Emily N. McFadon Vincent ’49 and Bob E. Vincent Instructorship to Ms. Jessi Johnson.
25 Year Chairs
One of the special traditions at Convocation is honoring faculty who have committed 25 years of their careers to Williston by presenting them with a Williston Chair. This year, we honor two outstanding members of the faculty.
Sarah Klumpp
First, I’d like to honor History and Global Studies teacher, field hockey coach, and Wold House dorm parent, Sarah Klumpp.
To describe Sarah with just those titles or responsibilities, however, is to miss what makes her great, and doesn’t capture what makes us so lucky that she has called Williston home for the last 25 years. Instead, I’d much rather let the words of her colleagues, students, and advisees do justice to her talents, vivacity, and impact.
Thinking about what we ask of our faculty: to teach, to coach, and to work in the dorms, I set out to learn about the impact Mrs. Klumpp has had in those three areas. Quickly, it was evident that at Williston, these three aspects cannot be separated, and what makes one effective and memorable in one, often shows up in the other two.
Mr. Doubleday speaks to Ms. Klumpp’s knowledge and tenacity in the classroom when he says, “Sarah is a master teacher who cares deeply about her students. She approaches her craft with professionalism combined with a great sense of humor. She is never afraid to speak her mind and frequently lets everyone know exactly what she thinks.”
Mr. Johnson builds on this by saying, “I should say something about the high standards she sets and maintains for both herself and her students and the ease with which she seems to balance everything that being a boarding school teacher requires. But honestly, I am just glad to call her a friend. And I know that whenever I get to sit at the same lunch table with her, the rest of my day is going to be just a little bit better.”
Over 25 years, Mrs. Klumpp has worked with a host of other history teachers, including serving as the Head of the Department. In that time, she has been a role model for others, evidenced best when Mr. Syfu says, “Sarah was a mentor for me when I first started teaching. She, like many teachers 20 years ago, would keep these huge binders to organize each lesson. Seeing those binders (and the constant changing of materials within the binders) helped me understand the bigger picture, and the important realization that lessons get revised all the time.”
A role model for her peers and an advocate for her students. Two students of hers build on this image of Mrs. Klumpp as a moral champion for her subject and her students. One writes, “My favorite thing about Mrs. Klumpp is how hard she advocates for her students and advisees. During my freshman year I found it hard to advocate for myself and I could always count on Mrs. Klumpp to help me speak up when I needed help!” A second follows up with, “I’ve been lucky enough to have Mrs. Klumpp as one of my teachers and 9th grade advisor. She welcomed me right into Williston like it had been my home for the past couple of years. She is the light in the room and her bright energy is contagious. She has helped me not only grow as a student but also as a person. Forever grateful for Mrs. Klumpp!”
Of her work on the field, Haas, who we just recognized moments ago, says, “Sarah Klumpp is one of the strongest, smartest, funniest, most inspirational people I have ever met. She is a key ingredient in the magic of Williston. Getting paired to coach field hockey with her was like hitting the jackpot. She’s a leader, friend, and mentor. She is a true gem!”
And to return to those three aspects of working at Williston – teacher, coach, and dorm parent – after a long day of teaching history out of those binders, a spirited conversation with Mr. Johnson at lunch, and field hockey practice with Haas, Mrs. Klumpp can be found as a steady and caring presence in Wold House each week. Wold House dorm head Mrs. Marsland says, “Sarah Klumpp is quite simply the best person to have on a dorm staff—team player, funny, empathetic, conscientious. For years she has been joining me in collecting silly gifts for “Woldentine’s Day”. She and I laugh until we cry as we watch students open these ridiculous presents. I just love working with her!” And the residents of Wold echo that. One writes, “I was so lucky to have Ms. Klumpp as my dorm parent for two years and as my advisor. I remember the first day I met her, her smile was seen from across the quad. Ever since then, she has helped me in every facet of my life and I’m beyond grateful for the relationship we have built. She is such an incredible person and I’m happy we get to honor her today. Thank you for everything Ms. Klumpp!”
While I could go on, I’ll end with just one more thought. Longtime colleague, co-coach, co-teacher of an Elizabethan England course, and friend, Sarah Sawyer astutely sums up Mrs. Klumpp when she says, “Sarah is an intelligent, funny, and loving friend who handles all the challenges of life and teaching with a noble spirit. She always reminds me to be fully alive and brave, and I’ve been honored to teach and coach with her all these years.”
To be fully alive and brave. A reminder we would all benefit from. Mrs. Klumpp – Sarah – for all that was said above, for all the other quotes and sentiments I couldn’t fit into this speech, and for everything you do for Williston, thank you, and congratulations.
Emily McDowell
We as a community are so fortunate to get to celebrate not one, but two, faculty members who are entering their 25th year. Next, I’d like to recognize our Director of College Advising, Mrs. Emily McDowell.
I have been lucky enough to know Mrs. McDowell for the past ten years. In that time, she has always been a staunch advocate of her students, supportive of her colleagues in the office, and an unwaveringly friendly face on the quad or in the dining commons. I’m afraid I would come up short in describing the impact that Mrs. McDowell has had on Williston, so again, I would like to turn to the words of her peers and her students to truly capture what she means, and has meant, to us.
Mrs. McDowell’s colleague in the College Advising Office, Mr. Cunha, starts off by saying, “Emily has an unwavering level of care and commitment for each student that she works with in the college process, and the same could be said of how she supports her colleagues in our office as well.” Building on that, Ms. Tancrell-Fontaine adds, “I would say working with Emily in the environment she has created has been such a pleasure. Her warm, nurturing, and inclusive personality instantly made me feel supported as I moved from teaching English to working in college counseling.”
And it’s not just with her colleagues. Mr. Lonergan highlights her unique connection with alums of all ages. He writes, “The thing that sticks out is how much she values her connection with the students. When visiting campuses, she really enjoys connecting with alumni at those schools, and she keeps in touch with recent and older alumni that she worked with. You can see this day to day in her enjoyment working with our current students, but it’s the fact that she remains in touch with so many alums from 15-20 years ago. For Mrs. King’s going away lunch at the end of last school year, our office went to Blue Door Gatherings in Holyoke, a lunch takeout spot and catering business, run by alum, Lauren Bowman. She not only stays in touch but supports our alumni. It’s pretty cool.”
I’ll admit, that in my relatively short time knowing Mrs. McDowell, I have mostly known her as a member of, and then Director of, what was then-called the College Counseling Office, and now the College Advising Office. While admirable in it’s own right, that’s a disservice to the myriad ways Mrs. McDowell has left her mark on Williston. To capture that, it’s best, instead, to turn to the words of Ms. Brousseau, who has known Mrs. McDowell for the entirety of her 25 years here. Ms. Brousseau writes, and I quote at length here, “Emily is a versatile, thoughtful and caring member of our community. She sees the best in everyone. Her contribution to Williston goes beyond the College Advising Department she has developed. She has shared her passion for art and culture while teaching Art History and more recently, Williston-led school trips. She’s a consummate learner, earning her Masters degree while juggling so much here.
“I’ve” – still quoting Ms. B here – “had the privilege to witness her coaching first-hand, starting a fledgling crew program when she first began, then transitioning to the pool deck for both swimming and water polo. I loved being neighbors with her in Mem East and could always count on her for support, mediating with students, and baking from scratch.”
She continues, “Emily and I have teamed up for several Why Not Speak Day workshops together and my favorite was our crafting paper tissue flowers for cancer patients at the local hospital. Emily always wants to make a difference no matter how small or large. She has a knack for knowing when you need a handwritten encouraging note. Her perspective is always one I seek out when I need personal or professional advice. She is a phenomenal role model, a strong leader and thoughtful colleague, and a friend.”
Throughout these quotes, you can hear the impact that Mrs. McDowell has made on her colleagues – adults in the community – and on students and alums. I’d like to read two final quotes that bring home this duality. Mrs. King, former Coordinator for Student Services in the College Advising Office who just retired last year, was ecstatic in her praise of working with Mrs. McDowell. She begins, and I quote, “I am so honored to tell Emily how amazing I think she is. The BOOC (pronounced “Boo_K”), the Best Office On Campus, was part of Emily’s creation. She made sure every day was filled with laughter, and why work felt like fun. Emily was a huge part of my kids’ lives and, like hundreds of other students, we’re so grateful.” And I’d like to end with a quote – a poem, really – from one of those kids, for whom Mrs. McDowell made an indelible difference in his life. The following are the words of Chase Tanguay, son of Mrs. King, and graduate of the class of 2015. The poem is title simply, “Mrs. McDowell”:
There are times in life where one must walk, and walk many of us do
We walk down twisted or straight paths, and we all end up in different places
The sights we see along the way are core to the journey
The relationships define the journey
We can skip, we can run, we can jump, and we can walk
But all the while moving through many of the paths of life
However, there are some who travel to the paths of others to help them along
These unselfish individuals are the pillars who support the way we live
Without people like you, the journeys of many others could not have been forged
You have made my life, like many before me, possible and achievable
Without your distinct help, many, including me, would have fallen off the path
Thank you
Mrs. McDowell – Emily – we are grateful for everything that you have given to Williston and for everything you have done for the literal thousands of graduates in the past 25 years. We are better for you being a part of this school and this community. Thank you, and congratulations.