Williston Welcomes 11 New Faculty Members

Justin Brooks, Upper School History Teacher
Justin taught World History at Phoenix Country Day School (Phoenix, Arizona), where he also served as the Upper School Coordinator for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Prior to working in Phoenix, Justin taught at Yale University as a Teaching Fellow and in the Hartford public school system as a substitute teacher. Justin has received research fellowships to study at Oxford University (Oxford, United Kingdom), the University of Melbourne (Melbourne, Australia), and Cambridge University (Cambridge, United Kingdom). In addition, Justin holds a B.A. with Honors from College of the Holy Cross, an M.A. with distinction from Columbia University, a M.S. with distinction from the London School of Economics, and an M.A. and an M.Phil. in History from Yale University.

Eva Camacho-Sánchez, Upper School Spanish Teacher
Eva was born in Spain and came to the United States after graduating from college in 1998. While living in Washington, D.C., for 10 years, she taught Spanish and served as Curriculum Developer and Language Proficiency Tester for a range of institutions, including the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, Smithsonian Institute, U.S. Department of Defense, and the U.S. Department of State. She has worked as a translator and interpreter for clients such as the Children’s Hospital of Washington, George Washington University Hospital, National Education Association, Federal Trade Commission and the Institute for Global Communications. Upon moving to Northampton in 2010, Eva became a full-time artist, exhibiting her work nationally and internationally, while also teaching in art schools and other institutions globally. Her work can be found in museums and galleries around the world.

Eva received a B.A. in Educational Sciences from the University of Córdoba, Spain, a legal translation and interpretation certificate from George Washington University, and a translation certification from the USDA Graduate School in Washington, D.C. Eva is also currently enrolled in a 150-hour ELE course (Español como Lengua Extranjera) from the Universidad Europea Miguel de Cervantes, and in 2021, she returned to teaching Spanish to group classes at the International Language Institute in Northampton, where she also designed the medical curriculum for Bay State Hospital.

Jesus Lopez Diez, Middle and Upper School Spanish Teacher
Jesus has taught multiple levels of Spanish Language and Literature, including the AP Language and Literature courses, for the past 21 years. Most recently, he taught at Dana Hall School (Wellesley, MA), and before that at Deerfield Academy (Deerfield, MA) and Milton Academy (Milton, MA). Over his career, Jesus has been involved with all the elements of independent day and boarding schools, including coaching soccer and tennis at various levels, and coordinating community service projects. Prior to teaching in independent schools, Jesus taught at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Jesus holds a B.A. and M.A. in Spanish Philology from the Universidad de Salamanca in Spain, and was an Erasmus Student at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. He completed additional graduate studies in Hispanic Literatures and Linguistics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Maggie Haas, Upper School English Teacher
Maggie studied English and poetry at Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs, NY). They worked as a barista for four years and, to this day, can barely function without their morning coffee. In 2019, Maggie’s poem “Sestina” was published in The Moth Magazine and was shortlisted for The Moth Poetry Prize, one of the biggest prizes in the world for a single unpublished poem. For the last three years, Maggie has worked in the Student Life Office at Millbrook School (Millbrook, NY). Maggie is the child of two teachers and being in the classroom is a dream come true. Maggie is excited to be living in Logan House with their wife, Chelsea, and their beloved cat, Walt Whitman.

Scott Halligan, Director of Choirs
Scott Halligan is an active teacher, cellist, singer, and choral conductor. He has been a music teacher at Longmeadow High School (Longmeadow, MA), Mohawk Trail Regional High School (Shelburne Falls, MA), and Turners Falls High School and Great Falls Middle School (Turners Falls, MA). His students have been frequently selected to perform in the Western District and All-State Music Festivals, and his choirs have won gold medals at the MICCA Choral Festival. Scott is the former Music Director of Double Edge Theatre, with whom he appeared in acclaimed performances regionally, nationally, and internationally. He has also appeared at the Noise Pop Music Festival in San Francisco and has toured as a soloist in Japan. Scott has also worked as a Dance Accompanist at the Juilliard School, and he was Music Program Director for pediatric inpatient behavioral health at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. He is an Albert Schweitzer Lifetime Fellow, and a member of the Advisory Board of Hilltown Youth Theatre. He has presented workshops for educators at the Massachusetts Teachers Association Summer Conference, and he has been published in the New York Times. Scott holds a BM in cello performance from the University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA) and a MM in cello performance and improvisation from the New England Conservatory of Music (Boston, MA). He is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association for Music Education, the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association, the Massachusetts Music Educators Association, and the American String Teachers Association.

Pamela Maddock, Upper School History Teacher
For several years, Pam has been teaching American Studies and History at the University of Sydney. She also taught Writing Studies classes, classes in the School of Education, and interdisciplinary “great books” classes. She was awarded a Dean’s Citation for Excellence in Teaching for fostering a culture of curiosity in the undergraduate classroom. Prior to teaching at the university, Pam taught social studies at Marblehead High School in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Pam has a B.A. in History from Yale (New Haven, CT) and a Ph.D. in History from the University of Sydney (Sydney, NSW Australia). With research interests in the social history of medicine and the history of public health, she is writing a book on the way the U.S. Army approached disease control in different racial, geographic, and military contexts between 1850 and 1920.

Sara Reid, Girls Varsity Soccer Coach
Sara comes to us from Westover School (Middlebury, CT) where she served as the Athletic Director and Varsity Girls Soccer Coach. She is currently working on her Master’s in Athletic Administration from Grace College (Winona Lake, IN), as well as pursuing her U.S. Soccer Coaching D License. After graduating from Westminster School (Simsbury, CT), Sara went on to play soccer for Acadia University (Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada) where she received a B.S. in Recreation Management.

Jessica Rohan, Middle and Upper School
Jessica began her teaching career as a Special Educator in the Chicopee Public Schools District. For the last 10 years, Jessica has taught Humanities and English at Wilbraham & Monson Academy (Wilbraham, MA). Over the course of her tenure, Jessica spread her love of learning in a multitude of ways by creating activities for her students including the Debate Club, Knitting Club, Student Council, and Book Club. Jessica holds a B.S. in Psychology from Saint Michael’s College (Winooski Park, VT) and a M.Ed. in Education from Elms College (Chicopee, MA).

Bryce Shattie, Upper School Math Teacher
Bryce taught Math and Physics last year at Westover School (Middlebury, CT). Previous to that, he was a professional pilot for over 10 years, flying in the Air Force Reserves and commercially for SkyWest Airlines. Bryce is a graduate of Westminster School (Simsbury, CT) and holds degrees in Mathematics and Geography from the University of Vermont (Burlington, VT). While at UVM, Bryce also played on the baseball team.

Anne Zager, LCSW, School Counselor
Anne worked as an outpatient therapist at Behavioral Health Network (Springfield, MA) and previous to that as a clinician at Swift River Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center (Cummington, MA). She held social work intern positions at Simmons College Counseling Center (Boston, MA), Boston Children’s Hospital, and Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program. In addition to her clinical experience, Anne has worked in the performing arts for over 15 years and as a Licensed Massage Therapist for over a decade. Anne holds a BA in Theater and Communication from Truman State University (Kirksville, MO) and an MSW from Smith College School for Social Work (Northampton, MA). She is a graduate of the Hakomi Institute’s Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy training (Princeton, NJ).