Williston is welcoming in 16 new faculty members for the upcoming academic year, who will serve critical roles on campus as teachers, administrators, dorm parents, and coaches. The new group of faculty is a mix of educators, from first-time teachers joining our Teaching Fellowship program to lifelong educators and a new Director of Financial Aid + Admission. Additionally, we’re proud that three alumni are among our new faculty members.
“I’m really excited about the energy, enthusiasm, and great collaborative thoughts they have all had so far,” said Dean of Faculty Chris Pelliccia, shortly after the group had begun their new faculty orientation. “We bring in folks that are brand new to teaching, but also veteran teachers, so there is a great mix of tenure and experience. I’m encouraged to see our new faculty members jump right in to get involved. We’re bringing some awesome new energy and ideas to the faculty here.”
Along with the completely new faculty members, Williston is welcoming back to campus Steve Hoyt ’95, Emma Merrill ’22, and Natalie Stott ’22, alums that are now joining us as faculty members. Pelliccia noted how special have the trio was during orientation.
“It shows the pride int he school that folks have when they graduate from here,” he said. “They want to come back and give back—that was a common thread in all three of the alums. That’s pretty special.”
Below are bios of each of our new faculty members:
Mike Armstrong, Science
Mike has taught, coached, and engaged in residential life in the Connecticut River Valley over the past few years. He most recently taught earth science at the Eaglebrook School and environmental science and chemistry at Loomis Chaffee. Mike received his bachelor’s from Williams College, where he studied Geosciences and History and played on the hockey and lacrosse teams, and then a master’s from Boston College in earth and environmental sciences. At Williston, Mike will teach physics, chemistry, and environmental studies, as well as coach hockey and lacrosse.
Minji Cho, Math
Minji started her teaching career at the Bement School (where she had also been a student), teaching mathematics and serving as the Asian Affinity Group Advisor. Most recently, she taught mathematics and Boston University Academy. She has a bachelor’s in economics and mathematics from Smith College. Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, Minji is fluent in Korean. Minji will be teaching geometry and algebra, living in Sawyer House, and coaching basketball and track & field.
Emma Gajda, English Fellow
Emma holds a bachelor’s in English with a specialization in writing, rhetoric, and literacy studies from the University of Massachusetts. While at UMass, she served as a footnote editor for the History of Education Quarterly and worked as a Strategic Initiatives Assistant for the Center for Educational Assessment. Additionally, Emma worked as a Smith College Mindich Fellow, a literacy tutor in Springfield, and a substitute teacher in Easthampton. Emma will be teaching English, living in Pitcher House, and coaching soccer and skiing.
Kate Gartrell, Visual Arts
Kate has taught studio art and art history at both the high school and college levels for 16 years, primarily in the Boston area. She earned her bachelor’s in religion from Vassar College, and an master’s in painting and drawing from American University in Washington, D.C. Kate will be teaching a variety of art courses throughout the year, coach volleyball, and assist with art and music intensive.
Steve Hoyt, Academic Support
Steve has spent the last five years working in different capacities at Williston, and, for the last two years, also worked at the Hilltown Cooperative Charter School in Easthampton. Steve has his bachelor’s from Union College in American Studies and a master’s from the University of Connecticut. Prior to his career at Williston, Steve worked in his family distribution business for 18 years until 2021. A 1995 graduate of Williston, Steve and his wife Molly live locally with their family, including two graduates and one current student. Steve will be an Academic Specialist, and coach football, basketball, and lacrosse.
Devin LaSane, Director of Admission and Financial Aid
Devin LaSane is excited to join Williston as the Director of Admission and Financial Aid. Prior to Williston, Devin served as the Director of Admissions, Enrollment and Financial Aid at Allen-Stevenson, a TK-8 all-boys school in New York City. Inspired by her students, Devin made the transition from the classroom to admissions, eager to help families understand the benefits of boys’ education. In her role at Williston, she looks forward to introducing students and families to a vibrant and inclusive learning community with the same enthusiasm. Devin holds a bachelor’s in political science and ancient Greek from Wellesley College, and an master’s in educational leadership, politics and advocacy from New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development.
Tyler Lucey, Music
Tyler is excited to serve as Director of Music at Williston. Growing up in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, he was heavily involved in local music programs before later earning a degree in music from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont. Prior to arriving at Williston, he served as Director of Music at Xavier High School in Middletown, Connecticut, and as Choral Director at Bellows Free Academy in Fairfax, Vermont. Tyler will be leading our musical groups—Teller Chorus and Instrumental Ensemble—while living in Swan Cottage, assisting with art and music intensive, and serving as musical director for the winter musical, Legally Blonde.
Stephen Mayfield, Science
Stephen taught chemistry and AP chemistry at Westminster School after completing a teaching fellowship at Culver Academies. He earned his master’s in teaching chemistry at Teachers College, Columbia University and holds a bachelor’s in chemistry from Williams College. Stephen personally enjoying running and swimming as a way to stay active and enjoy nature. The joy he has from playing Dungeons and Dragons contributed mightily towards making fantasy writing a creative outlet in his free time. At Williston, Stephen will be teaching chemistry, living in Ford Hall, and coaching water polo and track & field.
Aidan McGovern, Science
Aidan grew up in Western Massachusetts, then went to college at Florida Institute of Technology where he completed a bachelor’s in astronomy and astrophysics, and a bachelor’s in physics. Before teaching, Aidan worked as a patent examiner for the USPTO, and as a financial literacy teacher. Aidan will be teaching a variety of physics courses and living in Sawyer House. Outside of the classroom Aidan will coach the ski team along with the Ultimate team, both of which he has competed in for multiple years.
Emma Merrill, Admissions Fellow
Emma attended Bowdoin College, where she earned a bachelor’s in mathematics with a minor in sociology and played defense on the women’s ice hockey team. Originally from Portland, Maine, she graduated from Williston in 2022 and is excited to return to campus as an Admissions Fellow. Emma will be living in the upstairs of the Health & Wellness building, and will coach varsity soccer, hockey, and lacrosse.
Bailey Plaman, Science
Bailey just finished a doctorate program in chemical biology at Harvard University, where they taught an introductory biology class for five years. Bailey’s research there focused on a protein machine that grants gram-negative bacteria intrinsic resistance to antibiotics. Bailey also holds a bachelor’s in chemistry and Spanish from Amherst College, where they played ice hockey and softball. Bailey will be teaching biology and chemistry, coaching ice hockey and track & field, and living in Conant House.
Mark Sims, Computer Science
Before coming to Williston, Mark taught math and computer science at The Hartsbook School in Hadley. Mark holds a bachelor’s in physics from Duke University, an master’s from Harvard Divinity School, and a master’s in computer science from the University of Massachusetts. When not teaching, Mark can be found playing bass in a Brazilian band or on his road bike enjoying the spectacular cycling available in Western Mass. Mark will teach calculus and computer science, coach hiking and climbing, and live off campus.
Rebekah Skoog, French
Rebekah spent the last 10 years in Missoula, Montana, where she completed her doctorate in cultural anthropology with a focus on language learning. She also served as Director of Learning Solutions at Accelerate Montana, where she worked to make education more accessible. Prior to her time in Montana, Rebekah taught French and co-directed theatre activities at Tilton School in New Hampshire and served as a French Teacher and Global Studies Mentor at Greens Farms Academy in Westport, Connecticut. She earned her master’s through Middlebury College and her bachelor’s from Bowling Green State University. Rebekah will be teaching various levels of French, living in Mem West with her family, and coaching climbing & hiking.
Natalie Stott, Math Fellow
Natalie graduated from Williston in 2022 before attending Amherst College, where she earned a bachelor’s in economics and psychology. At Amherst, she served as both a tutor and teaching assistant in mathematics and was a goaltender on the women’s hockey team. Natalie will be teaching a variety of math courses, living in Pitcher House, and coaching hockey and softball.
Kelly Willis, Spanish
Kelly brings 21 years of experience as an educator and administrator at Charlotte Latin School in Charlotte, North Carolina. She began her tenure as a Lower School Spanish teacher before becoming the Director of Global Studies. Kelly holds a master’s in elementary education from Binghamton University and a bachelor’s in international studies from Elmira College. Kelly will be teaching various levels of Spanish, living in Mem East with her family, and coaching volleyball and golf.
Chad Worley, Math + Science
Chad joins Williston as a math and science teacher. Chad has been teaching for over a decade in a variety of roles, and has earned a master’s in chemical and biological engineering from Tufts University. Chad will be teaching physics and geometry at Williston, and coaching fitness. New to Easthampton, Chad and his family are excited to fix up their nearby house and explore the area on bikes.