Putney Directory

Spanish Teacher, Boy's Soccer Head Coach, and Latin Dance Evening Instructor

Old Girls Dorm Liaison

B.A. Universidad Internacional UNINTER
M.A. Cleveland State University

Phone: 802-387-6240
Email: aalmazan-vazquez@putneyschool.org
Departments: Athletic Department, Modern Languages

Me llamo Abelardo Almazán-Vázquez. Soy de México. Soy profesor de Español.

I was born and raised in the beautiful town of Cuernavaca Morelos, México. I hold a B.A. in Teaching Spanish as a Second Language from Universidad Internacional UNINTER in Cuernavaca, México, and I also earned a Masters in Spanish and Latin American Studies from Cleveland State University.

I coach the Boy’s Soccer team, and I teach Latin Dance (Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia).

I’m proud to say that my experiences in life have been amazingly embraced years and years of Putney students. A place like this truly values what one has to offer. It’s unlike other schools because I’m able to actually do what I love, the way I like, without too many boundaries and restrictions.

Curiosity brought me here. The constant opportunities to reinvent myself as a human being keep me here. It’s incredible how much you can grow and learn with every class.

I also serve as one of the Diversity Committee members. I’m proud to give a strong voice to our students from underrepresented and minority groups. One of my goals has always been to find opportunities to create dialogues across the divide and build bridges, not walls.

College Counselor

B.A. Smith College

Phone: 802-387-7325
Email: KBaldwin@putneyschool.org
Departments: College Counseling

Putney is a place deeply connected to the land and to making human connections. It is a place for young people to nurture their spirits as well as their minds. It has been a privilege to be surrounded by these seasonal forces of nature and human exploration; shifting and growing together.

Plant Staff

Phone: 802-387-6231
Email: gbarber@putneyschool.org
Departments: Plant Staff

Director of Admission and Financial Aid

B.A. Tufts University
M.A. Columbia University Teachers College
Ed. M. Columbia University Teachers College
Ed. D. Columbia University Teachers College

Phone: 802-387-6218
802-387-6219 (Admission Office)
802-387-6278 (Fax)
Email: jbarrengos@putneyschool.org
Departments: Administration, Admission Office

Putney is a community of learners that offers permission for us each to be ourselves and to pursue our best selves. Like the startling quality of the beautiful Vermont sky, I am often delighted and surprised when I run into this generous reality again and again

Before my service at Putney, I worked at Moses Brown School, Milton Academy, CITYterm at the Masters School, Miss Porters School, and The Independent Day School. They are all caring schools that pursue excellence in their work with children and families. And they deploy varied educational designs in their work. Putney’s difference centers on its purpose; we’re all about creating a space through which students can take substantive responsibility for themselves and their community. At Putney, leadership means actually participating and voting as members of our admission committee, or on our board of trustees. Most schools are afraid of sharing authority with students and we see it as a terrific vehicle for their learning and responsibility.

Dance Program Director

JR Dorm Faculty

B.F.A. SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance

Phone: 802-387-7326
Email: jbatten@putneyschool.org
Departments: Art Department

Gray House Dorm Faculty

Phone: 802-387-6241
Email: abaum@putneyschool.org
Departments: Adjunct Faculty

Nurse

BSN, RN, Simmons College

Phone: 802.387.6221
Email: mbennett@putneyschool.org
Departments: Health Services

Chef

B.A. Albany State University

Phone: 802-387-6230
Email: lberkson@putneyschool.org
Departments: Dining Services

Plant Staff

B.A. Marlboro College
M.A. Marlboro College

Phone: 802-387-6231
Email: pblair@putneyschool.org
Departments: Plant Staff

I graduated from Marlboro College with a Master’s degree in philosophy in 2009. I greatly enjoy working with material objects, attending to the nuts and bolts (literally) of the school, and helping whenever I can. For me, I consider every day Work Day.

The community at The Putney School feels like a large, extended family, with all the ups and downs, joys and sorrows that one would find in any large family.

Enrollment Management Coordinator

Phone: 802-387-6270
Email: mbliznak@putneyschool.org
Departments: Business Office

Visual Arts Teacher and Michael S. Currier Gallery Coordinator

Gray House Dorm Faculty

B.A. Evergreen State College
M.F.A. Rhode Island School of Design
Certificat de diplome, Ecole Des Beaux Arts, Paris, France

Phone: 802-387-7312
Email: sbrearey@putneyschool.org
Departments: Art Department

I am continually amazed by what Putney offers in the arts, academics, agriculture and beyond. Here, the students have a voice and their voice is heard.

It’s wonderful.

Students seem genuinely happy as do the faculty and staff.

Development Operations Associate

Phone: 802-387-6213
Email: abrehm@putneyschool.org
Departments: Alumni & Development

In this world of the 24 hour news cycle and “internet influencers” I believe it is increasingly important to prepare students to meet the uncertainty they will face. Resiliency and critical thinking are the best resources we can have to meet the challenge of an ever changing world. Putney has excelled at cultivating these skills throughout its history with hand-on projects and I am excited to be a part of this important work.

A native Vermonter and mother of three, I am a database nerd who uses my talents to support educational initiatives. When not working, I enjoys playing with my dogs Ingrid and Han, gardening, and cooking for family and friends.

Math Teacher and Cross Country Coach

Huseby Dorm Faculty

B.S. State University of NY
M.S. University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Phone: 802-387-6247
Email: lbrennan@putneyschool.org
Departments: Athletic Department, Math Department

I came to Putney as a teaching intern out of grad school for civil engineering.  Once I settled in here I fell in love with the school and the profession. Helping a student get past a math-phobia or to gain new appreciation for math is the BEST!

I haven’t worked anywhere other than Putney and I’m not sure I ever could. The way we approach teaching math is unique and challenging and I feel strongly that it is truly beneficial to the students. I’m not sure I could adhere to the “teach to the test” model.

I live in Huseby dorm with my husband, our little daughter, our son, and our Alaskan husky. I have a BS in Forest Engineering from SUNY ESF and an MS in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Water Resources Engineering and a certification in Fish Passage Engineering from UMass Amherst. At any given time I’d rather be outdoors and love to hike, backpack, bike, XC ski, ice skate, and run – I’m the Cross Country Running coach as well as the coordinator of the Putney Outdoor Program (POP). When indoors I like to knit and sew. I grew up on a hog and beef cattle farm in upstate NY and enjoy the proximity to the campus farm.

Executive Chef

B.S. Utah State University
M.L.A. Boston University

Phone: 802-387-6251
802-387-6230 (Kitchen)
Email: mbrennan-sawyer@putneyschool.org
Departments: Dining Services

After beginning to work in the food industry and wanted to return to my homeland in Southeastern Vermont. I found the opportunity to work here in a setting where I could prepare imaginative food using the products from our own farm while engaging with a community of students and adults in a creative expansive educational environment. I have been trying to figure out what keeps me here for 31 years…I think I’ll stay a few more.

College Counseling Assistant

B.A. Vermont College
M.L.I.S. University of South Carolina

Phone: 802-387-6298
Email: vburns@putneyschool.org
Departments: College Counseling

I came to Putney as a day student and graduated in ’99. I came back to Putney to work in the library and decided to pursue a degree in Library Science. After leaving to become a cataloger, I returned again to work in the college office because I missed the community and there is no place more beautiful to work.

Students can really try just about anything here. While other schools are constantly cutting back their art departments, Putney is always offering more.

I currently split my time between my various professions and interests: as a cataloger, working on projects for the Library of Congress; as a visual artist, creating embroidery and encaustic pieces, as well as teaching embroidery workshops; as a world traveler; and as an assistant in Putney’s college office.

Director of Technology & Library Services and Humanities Writing & Research Teacher

B.A. University of Massachusetts, Amherst
M.L.I.S. University of South Carolina

Phone: 802-387-7324
802-387-2305 (fax)
Email: kchampney@putneyschool.org
Departments: Administration, Technology Department

I’ve spent the last nine years at The Putney School teaching the junior year Writing and Research class, coordinating the ninth-grade seminar, and leading the library and technology programs

I was born and raised in Eastern Massachusetts and spent my college years in the Pioneer Valley around Amherst.

After working as a technical writer for an electronics company, spent twelve years in Maine, first working as a National Endowment for the Humanities fellow for the Maine Folklife Center doing audio preservation, folklore and oral history work, and then as a Librarian and Technology Director at John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor.

Outside of work, I hike, play music on a daily basis and lots of other stuff.

Nurse

Triage Nurse

B.A. Lafayette College
R.N., A.D.N. Vermont Technical College

Phone: 802-387-6221
Email: cmckenny@putneyschool.org
Departments: Health Services

Chance brought me to Putney!

I first came here to work as a triage nurse when one of my friends was the head of the Health Office. Working in that role led to a second part-time position as a morning RN on campus.

I stay because I love the energy of this place, the creativity of the students, and the commitment of the faculty and staff. Everyone here truly believes in the mission of the school.

Annual Giving Manager

JR Dorm Liaison

B.A. Dartmouth College
M.Ed. Antioch University New England

Phone: 802-387-6248
Email: ccuerdon@putneyschool.org
Departments: Alumni & Development

Admission Office Manager

Phone: 802-387-6201
Email: acunningham@putneyschool.org
Departments: Admission Office

There’s a stronger sense of purpose and meaning in the work I do at Putney than I’ve experienced in other jobs I’ve held. I still get that feeling when prospective families come to visit and I can see them light up as they’re exploring all of the new possibilities here.

I’m always learning things I wouldn’t have guessed about my colleagues and the students. This person speaks a handful of languages, that person plays accordion. Maybe these things shouldn’t surprise me. It’s a rich community in that way.

As for my hidden talents? When I’m not in the office, you might find me playing flute with various ensembles in New England.

Tutor, Center for Teaching and Learning, Mountain Biking Instructor, and Faculty/Staff Trustee

B.A. Kenyon College
Ed.M. Antioch New England Graduate School

Phone: 802-387-6223
Email: mdall@putneyschool.org
Departments: Athletic Department, Center for Teaching & Learning

French Teacher and Language Department Chair

New Boys Dorm Liaison

B.A. Middlebury College
L.E.A., ESIT
D.E.S.S. Université de la Sorbonne

Phone: 802-451-6806
802-387-2305 (fax)
Email: jdanielski-chatal@putneyschool.org
Departments: Department Heads, Modern Languages

Plant Staff

Phone: 802-387-6231
Email: jdavey@putneyschool.org
Departments: Plant Staff

History Teacher, Long Fall Coordinator, and Rowing Coach

Noyes Dorm Liaison

B.A. Mount Holyoke College
M.A. Michigan State University

Phone: 802-387-6226
802-387-2305 (fax)
Email: kdawley@putneyschool.org
Departments: Athletic Department, History

I loved working with students at Michigan State, a massive university where I taught lecture classes with 100 kids, but I wanted more time to work with more closely with students, so I thought about working at a boarding school. That’s when I found Putney – it had rowing and knitting and cows and I thought I’d found heaven. I’m continually surprised by the incredibly cool work I get to do with students. It’s so amazingly awesome to teach and create curriculum and work with students in surprising and super interesting ways.

ESOL and French Teacher

JR Dorm Faculty

Licence d'Anglais, Bordeaux University, France
Maitrise d'Anglais, Bordeaux University, France

Phone: 802-387-6233
Email: mderouault@putneyschool.org
Departments: International & ESOL, Modern Languages

I’m constantly amazed at how talented The Putney School students and faculty are. We also have a lot of smart people here and a growth mindset for everyone. Even more, I love how community is valued, and how much people offer each other help when things get tough.

I grew up in Bordeaux, France, and still consider it my home-town. I visit every summer, and enjoy the beautiful architecture, surrounding landscapes, huge ocean waves, the cuisine and wines.

I have also had a lifelong love of England and English, language and languages, big ideas and the people who have them. In my twenties, I lived in the UK for 4 years, completed my B.A. and Master’s degrees remotely, moved to the US (Minnesota), got married, travelled to about 20 countries for a total of 18 months and eventually relocated to Vermont.

I have been a faculty member and a dorm head at The Putney School since 2003.The environment is beautiful and it’s a great place to raise a kid. My son was born here and will, I hope, be a Putney student too.

Director of College Counseling and 12th Grade Class Dean

Gray House Dorm Faculty

B.A. College of the Atlantic

Phone: 802-387-6227
Email: jdesmaisons@putneyschool.org
Departments: College Counseling

Putney somehow manages to brilliantly balance progressive thought, meaningful action, community intention and artistic celebration. Each individual is seen, heard, valued and challenged to be his or her best self.

Before working at Putney, I would visit once a year as a college admissions counselor. Every year I found myself more and more drawn to the place and the people. What keeps me here is the authentic, creative, forward-thinking, and joyful nature of all that happens in this community.

I studied psychology at Stanford University for two years before transferring to College of the Atlantic where I finished my degree combining literature, psychology and the arts. After starting a family, I worked as an associate director in college admissions for ten years.

While pursuing my graduate degree in counseling, I realized that I was much more interested in working directly with teenagers on the high school side. Guiding students through the complex, and sometimes overwhelming, process of figuring out what follows high school, is work that is meaningful and rewarding, particularly with the students who very intentionally choose to be at The Putney School.

Math Teacher

Huseby Dorm Faculty

B.S. Smith College
M.S.Ed University of Pennsylvania

Phone:
Email: edixon@putneyschool.org
Departments: Math Department

I’m excited to teach and learn practical math and computer science here at Putney. I love conference block and having time throughout the day to work with students on projects they are excited about. I’m most passionate about encouraging underrepresented groups to pursue math, engineering, and computer science.

I grew up at the mouth of the Connecticut River. At Smith College, I studied engineering and got really interested in energy systems. After college, I worked within the oil and gas industry designing compressed air energy storage plants. In 2017, I made it back to Putney and taught math. Since then I’ve been teaching computer science and working in a maker space in Connecticut. I’m excited to be back north where my dog Hobart can be off-leash, I can learn to cross country ski in my backyard, and get to know a new spot on the Connecticut River.

Director of Center for Teaching and Learning

A.L.B. Harvard University
M.Ed. Harvard University Graduate School of Education

Phone: 802-387-6223
Email: mdoherty@putneyschool.org
Departments: Center for Teaching & Learning

I was attracted to the Putney School because I wanted to work in an educational community where differences are respected, embraced, and seen as resources to be used, not obstacles to overcome. 

At The Putney School, we embrace and celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity – the idea that there is great variation in how we learn and process information. Here we know there is no average learner, there is no normal. 

I have worked with students who learn differently for almost thirty years. The brain is a highly dynamic organ and I am fascinated by the neuroscience of learning. Adolescence is a critical stage of brain development. I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to work with Putney students to help them understand how to shape their brains during this incredible period of neuroplasticity.

Assistant Plant Manager

B.S. Johnson State College

Phone: 802-387-7366
Email: mdoran@putneyschool.org
Departments: Plant Staff

After many years working in environmental consulting, mountain resort planning and permitting, and property management, it was time to put life behind a desk aside and take on a new challenge. The you-never-know-what-the-day-will-bring nature of maintaining The Putney School’s buildings and grounds has proved to be a rewarding change and a pan of the beautiful vistas all around campus is sufficient to alleviate the stress from most any day.

Baker

A.A. Culinary Arts, Newbury College

Phone: 802-387-6230
Email: adougan@putneyschool.org
Departments: Dining Services

Science Teacher, Boy's Lacrosse Coach, and Girl's Soccer Coach

Keep Dorm Faculty

Phone:
Email: tdowling@putneyschool.org
Departments: Athletic Department, Science Department

Being new here, my days are full of surprises. I’m currently enjoying to get to know the natural world here – mushrooms are abundant, birds are active, foxes are running around the fields.

As a teacher, I began as an environmental/outdoor/ecology educator working along the coast of Maine for nearly five years. I entered a more traditional classroom as math and science faculty at North Country School. After studying educational leadership with the Klingenstein Center (Teachers College Columbia University) last year, I just arrived at Putney eager to learn and teach alongside curious students and knowledgeable faculty. Outside of the classroom, I’m likely to be found riding a bike, running a trail or skiing in the backcountry. I’m chipping away at life goal to ride my bike 50 miles in all 50 states and hike all 115 peaks above 4,000 ft in the northeast.

Health Services Coordinator

Phone: 802-387-6254
Email: sdunbar@putneyschool.org
Departments: Health Services

I am a perpetual student, mom, gardener, home chef, athletic trainer, nurse, health coach and EMT. I love to travel, learn about different cultures, spend time outdoors and be active. I love Vermont and all the beauty that surrounds us here.

My first visit to The Putney School was in 1993 to visit my sister who was a student here. After that I lived in the area and had many friends that worked and lived at The Putney School. I was always amazed by how welcoming the community was and is. As someone who has attended and worked in schools most of my life, I have been intrigued by the progressive education model of Putney and the important role that the students play in running the school and making decisions about their education.

I just got here and am very excited and grateful to be a part of the community.

Tutor, Center for Teaching and Learning

B.A. Keene State College

Phone:
Email: cfairchild@putneyschool.org
Departments: Center for Teaching & Learning

After helping roommates, friends and neighbors with their math homework, I realized that I needed to become a math teacher.

I have a background in horse training and Centered Riding, I am bit of a horse whisperer… and a kid whisperer, too. My students say, “it just makes sense when you explain it.”

Whatever it is, I don’t scare my students, I make them laugh and they learn without fear of judgement.

I graduated from Putney School, and when I was ready to teach, I knew I didn’t want to teach anywhere else. Putney’s fundamental beliefs are my beliefs. I think that the Putney experience works because I see incredibly fine young men and women graduating off the hill, year after year.

Academic Dean and Math Teacher

B.S. University of Wisconsin

Phone: 802-387-7352
Email: kfealstaub@putneyschool.org
Departments: Academic Office, Administration, Math Department

Tutor, Center for Teaching and Learning

Assistant Girls Soccer Coach

B.A. University of Pennsylvania

Phone: 802-387-6223
Email: aferry@putneyschool.org
Departments: Center for Teaching & Learning

The strong sense of community is what brought me to Putney, and the opportunity to work with such interesting students, and such a dedicated and competent team of faculty and staff is what keeps me here.

Putney embraces and celebrates students’ varied interests and diversity of learning styles, which I really appreciate.

I continue to be surprised by the beauty of this campus. As the seasons change each year I am inspired by this wonderful and natural setting. I am also continually inspired by the creativity of the students.

I grew up in Philadelphia and went to college at the University of Pennsylvania where I played soccer and got a B.A. in Environmental Studies in 2009. After college, I lived in Wyoming and worked as a tutor and soccer coach for some time before moving to Vermont in 2013.

I love spending time with family and friends, playing soccer, snowboarding, gardening, and finding other reasons to be outside. I live with my lovely wife and wonderful daughter in Westminster West.

Summer Arts Admissions Manager

Evening Arts Animation and Digital Design Teacher

B.A. University of Central Florida
M.F.A. Miami International School of Art & Design

Phone: 802-387-7335
Email: dfolgar@putneyschool.org
Departments: Art Department, Summer Programs

Alumni Relations Manager

White Cottage Dorm Faculty

B.A. Kalamazoo College
J.D. University of Minnesota

Phone: 802-387-6273
802-387-6277 (fax)
Email: afrye@putneyschool.org
Departments: Alumni & Development

I knew as soon as I discovered Putney that I wanted to work here: it’s the natural beauty of the place, the authenticity of the people, the combination of idealism and dirty fingernails of its educational vision. I stay because I continue to feel connected to all of those things. From the food to the reflective and educational conversations during our opening meetings every year, to the purposeful nature of our work with the students, Putney is exceptionally REAL.

This is a good life.

I’m a Michigander who has happily relocated to the welcoming hills of southern Vermont. I am most happy when I’m outdoors, whether moving through the world on a bike, on a surfboard, on skis, or in the water, thwacking a tennis or softball, walking with my dog, or simply reading and listening to the birds. The Putney students and alumni give me many things to love about my work, and because they are always changing and growing and asking good questions, they keep that work interesting and engaging, for which I’m very grateful.

Math Teacher

Old Boys Dorm Faculty

B.S. Marlboro College
M.A. Marlboro College

Phone: 802-387-6247
Email: dgarcia-galili@putneyschool.org
Departments: Math Department

I’ve spent my life looking for community and trying to build it; it brought me here as a student and it keeps me here as a teacher.

Everyone here, students and adults alike, wants you to to succeed. Whether you’re a kid or a teacher, everyone here is rooting for you.

Putney is different from the other schools where I’ve worked because at the highest level (administration, board) the school believes that the kids mean well, want to learn, and if we can mostly get out of their way and just offer some gentle guidance, they’ll do good things. Teachers often think that elsewhere, but it’s great to see it as a driving force in the institution.

I grew up in New Jersey and Israel. In my sophomore year of high school I came to Putney as a boarding student. After graduating, I worked at Mount Snow, attended Marlboro College where I worked for their Outdoor Program and completed a degree in physics with a focus on astronomy and computational methods. From there I continued to work in outdoor education for the better part of a decade before coming full circle. My old advisor from Putney helped me get a taste of classroom instruction, and after deciding that it was a good fit I completed my MA in Marlboro College’s Teaching for Social Justice program. My wife and I moved onto campus in the fall of 2015, and we now live in the same dorm as I did when I first arrived here as a 16-year-old student.

Kitchen Staff

Phone:
Email: agonzalez@putneyschool.org
Departments: Dining Services

Plant Manager

Phone: 802-387-6231
Email: mgrieco@putneyschool.org
Departments: Plant Staff

I was born in Brooklyn, raised in Ohio with some time overseas, and in Vermont since 1981. I had been a general contractor in the area for over 20 years before taking the position of Plant Manager here. My experience as a builder and a businessman have prepared me well for this often challenging job. My other interests are skiing and snowboarding, biking, singing, and playing guitar and bass.

Dean of Students

B.A. in English, Carleton College
Ed. M. Harvard Graduate School of Education

Phone: 802-387-6242
Email: kguttentag@putneyschool.org
Departments: Administration, Dean of Students Office

There were many compelling factors that drew me to Putney—the Fundamental Beliefs, the work program, the arts emphasis, the “curriculum is everything we do” approach to learning. After my first visit to campus, the top draw was clear: the students. They were vibrant, curious, funny and edgy, complex, and confident. They explained, reflected, probed, and they listened. I emerged with the impression of a student body that feels a tremendous sense of ownership, not only of their own experience at Putney but of the place itself, and what it can and should represent and offer to students and to the broader community. I knew immediately that these were the kinds of students with whom I wanted to work, learn, laugh and grow.

My professional trajectory has been anything but linear. After a brief stint in publishing, I spent five years in college admissions before moving to Chad and serving in the Peace Corps. Upon return, I worked in the non-profit world for two years before realizing that I was ready to return to education, and following graduate school, began what became an eighteen-year career as a dean in student life at Middlebury College. I’m thrilled to be shifting my focus to younger adolescents and to do so in a community that is committed to creating the optimal conditions for student growth and development.

Admission Counselor

B.A. Cornell College
M.A. SIT Graduate Institute, World Learning

Phone: 802-387-6203
Email: jharger@putneyschool.org
Departments: Admission Office

Director of Finance

B.A. Saint Michael's College

Phone: 802-387-7302
802-387-6277 (fax)
Email: sharkins@putneyschool.org
Departments: Business Office

Athletic Director and Travel Coordinator

Noyes Dorm Faculty

Phone: 802-579-6551
Email: rhockertlotz@putneyschool.org
Departments: Athletic Department

Academic Office Assistant

Spanish Teacher

Phone:
Email: CHodgman@putneyschool.org
Departments: Academic Office, Registrar Office

I was born and raised in Honduras, Central America. I graduated from the school of laws and practiced law prior to moving to North Carolina in 2002. I first began working with youth in the USA as an Americorps member working with College Foundation of North Carolina and minority groups to promote access to higher education. I came to live and love Vermont while studying at the School of International Training and graduated with a Masters in Sustainable Development with a concentration in Monitoring and Evaluation. I then returned to North Carolina and worked for almost a decade with youth leadership projects for a social justice organization and then made a career change into university research. After a few years of coordinating and assisting research at UNC Chapel Hill, I decided to go back to my loving roots: working with youth! I am very excited to be part of a very artistic and multi-talented community here at The Putney School.

Director International Student Program and ESOL Teacher

New Boys Dorm Liaison

B.A. Miami University
M.A.T. School for International Training

Phone: 802-387-6233
802-387-2305
Email: lholmes@putneyschool.org
Departments: Admission Office, International & ESOL

History Department Chair and History/Humans in the Natural World Teacher

B.A. Oberlin College
M.A. Union Institute and University

Phone: 802-387-6226
Email: nhoskins@putneyschool.org
Departments: Department Heads, History

Director of Summer Programs

B.A. Hampshire College

Phone: 802-387-6234
802-387-6216 (fax)
Email: thowe@putneyschool.org
Departments: Summer Programs

Registrar and Girls Lacrosse Coach

B.A. University of Vermont

Phone: 802-387-7321
Email: ahubbard@putneyschool.org
Departments: Academic Office, Athletic Department, Registrar Office

Coming from a Montessori community, I was attracted to Putney’s commitment and culture of teaching and seeing students through a wider lens. I realized through parenting how differently we all learn and that nurturing children to discover and believe in their unique skills can create greater engagement with the world around them.

Being a part of the energy on the campus and witnessing students open up to new ideas and challenges makes Putney an inspiring place to work.

Whenever I get cross-eyed from working with spreadsheets too long, I head out of my office and hear about what cool things students are up to and the details of my job make sense again.

Tutor, Center for Teaching and Learning

B.A. Hartwick College
M.A. University of Toronto
M.A. North Central College

Phone: 802-387-6223
Email: ljankiewicz@putneyschool.org
Departments: Center for Teaching & Learning

The opportunity to teach students one-on-one in the Center for Teaching and Learning, after having been a classroom English teacher for 24 years, is what brought me to Putney. I was excited to take on a new role as an educator. The fact that my eldest son was a student here at that time was an added bonus.

I love what I do; I find working with Putney students and faculty very fulfilling.

I was born and raised in New Hampshire. I received my B.A. in English from Hartwick College, my M.A. in English from the University of Toronto, and my M.A. in Education–Curriculum and Instruction from North Central College. I have taught high school English in public and private schools in New Hampshire, Missouri, Idaho, Illinois, and Vermont. My husband, Richard, and I have two sons: Henry ’17 and Ian ’21.

Development Operations Manager

bCRE-Pro Blackbaud University
A.S. Northwestern CT Community College
B.S. Southern Vermont College

Phone: 802-387-6217
Email: ejohnson@putneyschool.org
Departments: Alumni & Development

I love a good cause and I’m passionate about working as a database administrator for an organization that is so focused on sustainability.

I have been working in fundraising since 1995.

I’m a wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and mother of a 7-year-old. I enjoy spending time outdoors and spinning, weaving, felting, and quilting.

Fiber Arts Teacher

Huseby Dorm Liaison

Phone: 802-387-7320
Email: mjohnson@putneyschool.org
Departments: Art Department

Plant Staff

Phone: 802-387-6231
Email: hjohnson@putneyschool.org
Departments: Plant Staff

I’m one of the housekeepers here at Putney. I am a mom of three kids who enjoys watching movies, 80s rock, and taking photos, sewing, reading, watch movies, and spend time with my family and friends.

Head of School

A.B. Harvard University
M.A. Yale University

Phone: 802-387-6211
802-387-6259 (fax)
Email: ejones@putneyschool.org
Departments: Administration, Head of School's Office

My husband and I met in Botswana, and have worked in boarding schools on three continents. We love the way of life these communities can offer to teenagers and adults alike. For someone fascinated by progressive theory and practice, as I am, there is no better place in the world than Putney. I feel very lucky to be a part of it.

In most cultures in most periods of history, adolescents have not been considered ‘children’ as they are now in the US. They have been working, contributing to their families and communities. I believe it’s a great gift to adolescents to allow them to be useful, to be genuinely needed. At Putney, students work alongside us on the farm, in the kitchen, and in the woods. Usually it’s a lot of fun; sometimes it’s also very hard. That is invaluable. “I also believe that one of the best gifts that a parent can give their child is to put them in the company of smart adults who like teenagers. One of the aspects of Putney that most delights me is that the adults really want to spend time with the students. They want to learn with them and to work and play with them. Putney alumni tell me that they remember their years here as the single most pivotal, transformative time in their lives. It was a time when they felt respected and they learned to think, ask good questions, and participate fully. That suggests that Putney is a far cry from the kind of school that teaches students how to quickly and correctly answer questions on a multiple choice test.

English and Visual Arts Teacher

B.A. York University, UK

Phone:
Email: gjones@putneyschool.org
Departments: Art Department, English Department

I came to Putney late in life, and though Putney makes it all seem intentional in retrospect, of course I didn’t plan it that way. I started out not knowing what I wanted my life’s work to be. Would it be writing, or singing, or playing the piano? I got into teaching while waiting for an answer, and after spells in the UK, Botswana (where I met and married Emily), Connecticut, Chiang Mai Thailand, Portland Oregon (where I trained and worked as a mental health therapist), I pitched up here, incidentally discovering that a painter was what I was all along fated to be.

Math Department Chair and Math Teacher

Old Boys Dorm Liaison

B.A. Williams College
M.S. University of Washington, Seattle
Ph.D. University of Washington, Seattle

Phone: 802-387-6247
Email: mkeim@putneyschool.org
Departments: Department Heads, Math Department

I teach at Putney because here I have the opportunity to teach math the best way I know how, rather than the way everyone does it.

I grew up in Minnesota, came to New England for college, and started teaching high school math in Guinea. Then I came to Putney for round one: (1999-2001), followed by graduate school in quantitative ecology and then by four years in the energy industry. I returned to Putney in 2012.

I teach math because the experience of watching someone use their brain to figure something out is one of the most beautiful things in the world, and I don’t mean beautiful in a metaphorical way, but in the most concrete sense.

I love dogs, reading, being outside, and my family.

Director of Theater

BS New York University
MA New York University
Ph.D. University of California, Irvine

Phone: 802-387-7332
Email: GKessler@putneyschool.org
Departments: Art Department

I have worked as an actor, performance artist, playwright, director, and educator in New York City, Los Angeles, and Vermont. Before coming to Putney I taught at Temple University, Marlboro College, Neighborhood Schoolhouse and New England Youth Theater. I currently serve on the Board of Directors at Main Street Arts in Saxtons Rivers and have been seen in local productions of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Chicago, Charles Henry’s Final Curtain, Equus, and Jesus Christ Superstar. I live in Dummerston with my partner and our adorable goats. I am excited to share my love of theater with the students here at Putney.

Business Office Assistant and School Store Manager

Phone: 802-387-6270
Email: tkneeland@putneyschool.org
Departments: Business Office

What always surprises me about this place is that it seems we all have a common goal to be kind. To each other, to the greater community and to the earth. I see it often and although it should not be surprising, it does reveal its presence here in so may ways.

I’ve been at the school for 12 years as the assistant director of summer arts and now as manager of the school store. Before here, I managed two other local retail shops. When I’m not at Putney, I enjoy cooking, growing things in the garden, being with my family and exploring.

Dean of Faculty and English Teacher

B.A. Williams College
M.Ed. Teachers College, Columbia University
M.A. Bread Loaf School of English, Middlebury

Phone: 802-387-7328
Email: kknopp@putneyschool.org
Departments: Administration, English Department

I believe that experience is the best teacher. My classroom offers endless cycles of experience and reflection, practice and feedback. I am interested in how to cultivate both creativity and critical thinking as students find their authority as learners. Writing—the generating, exploring and constructing of ideas with language—is an essential tool for all types of progressive education. Agency is at the heart of happiness, so helping students authorize their own learning is joyful.

Trimester Abroad Liaison

B.A. City College, NY
M.F.A School of Visual Arts, NY

Phone: 802-387-6241
Email: 1756145792@qq.com
Departments: International & ESOL

Putney cultivates free and open thinking. Imagination is encouraged here and imaginations are kept engaged.

I’m here because I love building a bridge between Putney and China.

I’m continually amazed by the synergy and inspiration that occurs when students and teachers learn together, sharing different cultures.

Nurse

Phone: 802-387-6221
Email: mlillie@putneyschool.org
Departments: Health Services

Ceramics Teacher

B.A.A. Boston University

Phone: 802-387-6244
Email: nlindenfeld@sover.net
Departments: Art Department

What brought me to Putney was a phone call in March 1998 asking if I would be willing to fill in for the ceramics teacher who got ill and had to stop teaching. I had been a full-time potter in Brattleboro and the idea of teaching ceramics to teenagers at this infamous progressive high school intrigued me so I said yes.

What keeps me here 21 years later is the rush that comes from facilitating the discovery of young people’s creativity, sharing my passion for clay, giving back what I have learned and accomplished, continually learning from my students, and being in a growth-ful, stimulating, challenging environment among vibrant young people.

In 1983, I co-founded the Brattleboro Clayworks, a potter’s collective in Brattleboro, Vt. Since then, I have been a professional potter offering a line of colored clay items. In 2004 I set up my own studio in my home in West Brattleboro where I currently do my clay work.

I have also taught a number of colored clay workshops at craft centers around the northeast where I have had the opportunity to share my enthusiasm for the unusual and exciting technique involving working with colored clays.

Science Teacher and Science Department Chair

Keep Dorm Liaison

B.A. Temple University
M.Ed. Temple University

Phone: 802-387-6253
802-387-2305 (fax)
Email: glittledale@putneyschool.org
Departments: Department Heads, Science Department

I’m a former dairy farmer, bicycle frame builder, art restorer and jewelry maker. I got an undergrad degree in physics with a math minor as an adult, followed by masters in teaching secondary school science and math.

I graduated with the Putney class of ’76, worked as the farm manager from 1986-1990, and have been teaching science here since 1998.

What surprises me about this place is its generosity of spirit.

Putney has the courage to do things differently. Placing importance on a wide range of endeavors, students work with their hands as well as minds, often integrating the two.  Most importantly, students here are encouraged to develop genuine agency.

White Cottage Dorm Head

Wesleyan University, Psychology major and an African Studies minor

Phone:
Email: mlyons@putneyschool.org
Departments: Adjunct Faculty

Director of Communication and Marketing

B.A. Smith College

Phone: 802-387-6258
Email: dmadden@putneyschool.org
Departments: Administration, Communications

Chef

Phone: 802-387-6230
Email: dmiller@putneyschool.org
Departments: Dining Services

Director of Development

B.A. Middlebury College
M.S. Antioch University New England

Phone: 802-387-6272
Email: hmontgomery@putneyschool.org
Departments: Administration, Alumni & Development

As both a longtime Putney staff member and twice-over Putney parent, it’s a real privilege to watch this small institution wrestle with its own and the world’s challenges. Though I didn’t go to Putney myself, my experience as staff member, alumnus, parent, and volunteer at other educational institutions repeatedly reveals just how powerful this tiny organism is, and how worthy of financial support that is essential to fulfilling its mission. It is also a great joy to interact with alumni, parents, and friends who continue to underscore the impact of time spent at Putney as a springboard to a life worth living and to making the world a better place.

Director of Equity and Inclusion

Keep Dorm Faculty

B.A. University of Vermont
J.D. New York Law School
M.S. TESOL CUNY- Lehman College

Phone: 802-387-6263
Email: LMunoz@putneyschool.org
Departments: Administration

I came to Putney for the opportunity to formally engage in the vital and necessary work of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Learning and teaching through the lens of community, inclusion, and sustainability are important to me, and I look forward to incorporating these beliefs in my work with students, faculty, staff, and families.

At Putney, your authentic self is welcomed and celebrated so you can thrive. It means feeling that you can take your mask off, be yourself, and feel comfortable contributing.

Sculpture Teacher

Noyes Dorm Faculty

B.A. The American University of Paris, France

Phone:
Email: rnava@putneyschool.org
Departments: Art Department

Plant Staff and Co-Director of Work Program

Phone: 802-387-6231
Email: hnorwood@putneyschool.org
Departments: Plant Staff

History Teacher

Noyes Dorm Liaison

B.A. University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
M.A. University of Montana
Ph.D. University of Montana

Phone: 802-387-6226
Email: poconnor@putneyschool.org
Departments: History

I came to Putney because the school embodies my core values as a teacher: trust in students, an emphasis on exploration, and a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration. My goal in all courses is to help students pursue the big questions that matter to them. Along the way, they will begin the humbling, lifelong process of confronting history’s biggest questions: what suffering has engendered our privileges? What has been lost that cannot be recovered? What can we learn from the past to lead just lives?

Before I came to Putney, I taught courses on the history of capitalism, law and politics, and slavery and emancipation at the University of Montana. I have mostly focused on American history, but I am always pushing myself to learn about other areas and topics.

I began my career teaching secondary English, and I am delighted to work with teenagers again. When not teaching, you can find me riding my bike around town, baking bread, and listening to sad old country songs.

Mental Health Counselor

Old Boys Dorm Head

B.A. Champlain College
M.A. University of Montana

Phone:
Email: koconnor@putneyschool.org
Departments: Health Services

My role at Putney is to support students in navigating life’s challenges. One of the ways I help with this is to figure out what is most important to you, and how you can make this a bigger part of your daily living. At times, we all feel stuck, lost, or uncertain—this is normal. Yet moments of difficulty can also function as opportunities for connection and hope.

My past work in college mental health, in both the rural west and metro Detroit, has provided a wealth of experience with diverse client populations. I aim to integrate multicultural considerations into all aspects of my work and achieve this by utilizing a social justice framework emphasizing the intersectionality of diversity and personal empowerment. I encourage students to continue their work outside of the session by practicing new skills, expanding insights and reflections, and exploring values, all of which build the resilience necessary for sustained human flourishing. I am an advocate for accessible and effective treatment options for every student.

I was raised in western New England and am thrilled to have returned home to join the Putney community.

Science Teacher

New Boys Dorm Faculty

Phone: 802-387-6253
Email: rolivan@putneyschool.org
Departments: Science Department

Putney believes in community and, therefore, every member of the community.
Hola, I’m Rosi, I’m Mexican. I’m a chemical engineer from Instituto Tecnológico de Zacatepec in Mexico. I’ve been at Putney for four years. I teach Math and Science. I’m also one of the New Boys dorm heads, and member of the Sustainability Squad.
I love weaving, traveling, and exploring different cultures and foods.
Improving waste management systems is one of my main interests. I’m a board member of the Rich Earth Institute, an organization that works with fertilizer from urine to create clean rivers and sustainable farms.
What keeps me here at Putney is the idea of learning new things and the possibility of implementing projects. 

English Department Chair and English Teacher

Huseby Dorm Faculty

B.A. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
M.A. Bread Loaf School of English, Middlebury College

Phone: 802-387-6260
Email: zparker@putneyschool.org
Departments: Department Heads, English Department

I love how there is no such thing as a classic Putney student. Each community member becomes fully themselves here–but there is no “type.”

I came to Putney as an intern right out of college but moved on after a year to teach in Boston. After that, I traveled and studied in Central America for a year before landing in Istanbul where I taught in a bilingual Turkish school for a while.

Always on the lookout for another adventure, I couldn’t resist an invitation to help launch a new semester program, so I joined the founding faculty at the High Mountain Institute in Leadville, CO.

A couple of years later, with the arrival of my daughter, the pull of living near grandmothers became powerful, and I found myself back in Vermont–where I have remained, more or less, ever since, raising my family, teaching at Putney, and putting down roots.

I miss living outside of the US though, and recently we spent a year adventuring and teaching in Almaty, Kazakhstan. I love literature as much as I love exploring other places and languages (after all, it’s more or less the same thing!) and in the summer can often be found floating in cold water, reading a book.

History Teacher and Director of Afternoon Activities

White Cottage Dorm Liaison

B.A. Vrije Universiteit, The Netherlands
M.A. Dartmouth College

Phone: 802-387-6255
802-387-2305 (fax)
Email: lpasterkamp@putneyschool.org
Departments: History

I came to Putney via Norway, where I heard about this special place from the sister of a Putney alumn. Her words to me were: “If you want to teach, then I know the place for you.” That was Putney. And that was 38 years ago.

I am originally from The Netherlands where I finished my college degree with majors in Geography and Economics. I left my country in search of a place with more space and wilderness and eventually landed in Putney where I was hired as an intern at The Putney School.

I loved the school and the community and ended up staying here and not returning to my home country. I went back to school part time and got my Masters in Liberal Studies at Dartmouth College, with a focus on European History. True to the nature of boarding schools I have done a myriad of jobs at Putney over the last 38 years: most importantly teaching European History; directing the Evening Arts Program, serving as a faculty trustee; and directing the Afternoon Activities Program and the Work Job Program.

Even after all this time, the amazing talents of the students and the dedicated teachers continue to surprise me.

Teacher, Elm Lea Childcare

Phone: 802-387-8585
Email: awhaley@putneyschool.org
Departments: Daycare

Putney’s commitment to finding joy in the natural world, in hard work and in the creative process brought me here and keep me here. 

Admission Counselor

B.S. Bates College

Phone: 802-387-6243
Email: bquarrier@putneyschool.org
Departments: Admission Office

Spanish Teacher, Community Service Instructor, and Co-Director of Work Program

New Boys Dorm Faculty

B.A. Lake Forest College
M.A.T. National Louis University

Phone: 847-873-5022
Email: eramon@putneyschool.org
Departments: Modern Languages

As a high school student, I started off in Chicago Public schools where, while I met many life-changing teachers, I was also one of thousands. It wasn’t until I started playing viola that I felt myself begin to develop a sense of who I was. Pursuing this musical skill led me to many local orchestras in the city, which in turn helped me stand out enough to be awarded with the Daniel Murphy Scholarship.

By then, I had a strong sense of who I wanted to be, but was still discovering how to get there. However I knew what I didn’t want to be and this gave me a decent view into the school that would help me best.

Enter Putney, the high school with the cows and obligatory work program, that would eventually help me form a big chunk of who I wanted to be (and who I did become!) I’m a very proud, and fortunate, Putney alum and it was through the lessons that I learned here, that I began to appreciate my cultural identity and heritage.

Fast forward through college, where I received my BA in Spanish, and through grad school, where I received my MA in Teaching and Education. It’s funny how it all came full circle. I am able to now give back those lessons I learned to students who might feel the same way I did, in the same place I did.

The respect for each student’s individuality brought me to Putney as a student; being able to emulate the same as a teacher keeps me here.

Also, the fresh sourdough bread helps!

Farm Staff

Phone: 802-387-4730
Email: pranney@putneyschool.org
Departments: Farm Staff

As a seventh generation dairy farmer, I have a deep love for working with animals and for being outdoors. Working at the Putney School has given me the opportunity to do what I love while passing on my experience to others.

Accounts Payable and Business Office Assistant

B.A. University of Southern Maine

Phone: 802-387-6210
Email: brogers@putneyschool.org
Departments: Business Office

My parents are Putney alumni, they met here and we have been coming here since I was very little. My Dad, John Rogers ’47, designed JR and the Wender Arts building, working with students on those projects. My Mom, Harriet Rogers ’49, was the Alumni Director from ’92 through ’07. I feel as though I have Putney in my blood, was raised “Putney” and just love this place!

Assistant Music Director

B.M. & B.A. Keene State College
M.M. Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University
A.D. Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University

Phone:
Email: dross@putneyschool.org
Departments: Music Department

It has been really wonderful to work closely with some really gifted, self-motivated, and passionate young people. The students here keep me energized for music. Putney has a musical heart and you can see that in the sing program and in the flurry of daily life in the music building.

I am continually surprised by the down to earth traditions of Putney. From the farm to the costumed parade with a giant puppet to the hand-drawn diplomas… I anticipate learning of many more quirks in the coming year!

I grew up in New England and after spending some time away in Baltimore and Los Angeles, I was happy to return. I have been involved in music my entire life and have worked in classical and jazz, in concert and recording, performing as well as mixing and engineering, and the whole time I have been actively teaching and in education. I am so lucky to work in music that it is difficult to separate work from play. In my free time, I have an interest in literature and philosophy which I pursue as a hobby and have also been known to swing a ping-pong paddle from time to time.

Gardener and Farm Assistant

Recreational XC Skiing

B.A. University of Massachusetts, Amherst
M.S. Antioch University New England

Phone: 802-387-4730
Email: kross@putneyschool.org
Departments: Farm Staff, Science Department

English Teacher, Gym Rats Teacher, and Faculty/Staff Trustee

Old Girls Dorm Faculty

Phone:
Email: gsalazar@putneyschool.org
Departments: Athletic Department, English Department

I am a transplant from the Deep South and fell in love with Vermont when I attended graduate school at UVM in Burlington. I love to hike and go on outdoor adventures, read as much as I can, go see live music, practice yoga, and of course, spend time with my dog, Jude. We are loving life at Putney thus far, and I am extremely excited to continue to immerse myself in this wonderful community.

There is a spirit of creativity and community here that seems pretty special. As a newer faculty member, I am constantly being asked by my new colleagues to share my opinion or perspective as I am learning about Putney and how it functions, to lend a pair of fresh eyes. I find this to be a testament to Putney’s motivation to constantly strive for progress and improvisation in the work that is done here–which is extremely refreshing and invigorating.

Admission Counselor and Associate Director of Financial Aid

B.A. Marlboro College
M.S. Marlboro Graduate Center

Phone: 802-387-7313
Email: msardinas@putneyschool.org
Departments: Admission Office

Printmaking Teacher

B.A. Sarah Lawrence College
M.F.A. Vermont College of Fine Arts

Phone:
Email: hschmidt@putneyschool.org
Departments: Art Department

Associate Dean of Students

Old Boys Dorm Head

B.S. Shaw University
M.Ed. The University of Scranton

Phone: 802-387-6256
Email: kshaw@putneyschool.org
Departments: Administration, Dean of Students Office

I started my career at a rural school that was riddled with systemic and educational injustices. I knew then it was my calling to be an advocate for students. I enjoy working with teenagers and helping them navigate through life, relationships, and choices. My background to do this work and love for students have brought me to Putney. The Putney mission, values, and fundamental beliefs are all concepts that I strongly believe in. I am excited about being able to hold space, provide opportunities for growth, and hear students’ voices about their individual needs.

I work with Essential Partners, an organization that teaches how to impact the world through a Reflective Structured Dialogue Approach. In my role, I am excited about the possibility to hold dialogue spaces and involve students in facilitating conversations across differences of identity, belief, personality, and perspectives. Being in a progressive community allows students the freedom to explore and express their hopes and fears within the world. I am humbled to be a part of the process and collaboration with students.

Chinese Teacher

B.A. Shanghai Theatre Academy
M.F.A. Vermont College of Fine Arts

Phone: 802-387-6240
Email: csilver@putneyschool.org
Departments: Modern Languages

I value Putney’s environment of learning. Teaching takes place by doing, everyone works to set a good example for themselves and for others around them.

This place is filled with love, caring, synergy and creative energy. There is room here for each individual to grow and shine. Creativity is fully supported and cultivated.

English Teacher

B.A. Columbia University
M.A. Bread Loaf School of English, Middlebury College

Phone: 802-387-6260
Email: jsmith@putneyschool.org
Departments: English Department

My husband Randy and I came to Putney in the fall of 1999 as an adventure! We have stayed because we love the school and way of life.

I love that everyone at Putney — every adult and every adolescent — is both a student and a teacher.

I grew up in Seattle, Washington, and learned to love hiking, skiing, climbing and being outdoors even in the rain. For me a good day is any day spent outdoors. I was a late bloomer as a reader, but it is one of my favorite pastimes now along with cooking and gardening.

My most recent obsession is the Boston Bruins and NHL hockey. Along with my husband and 13-year-old son, we spend a lot of time cheering our team! For me, following the Bruins through the season is like reading a great novel: being surprised, delighted and grieved by the twists of the story and character development.

As I begin my 20th year at The Putney School, I am as excited as ever to begin a new school year!

Assistant Head of School/ CFO

Phone: 802-387-6245
Email: rsmith@putneyschool.org
Departments: Administration, Business Office, Head of School's Office

I came to The Putney School by chance, but the strength of the community has kept me here for nearly 20 years. People are really passionate about the school.

I was born in Seattle and lived in the Northwest most of my life. I graduated from the University of Washington, survived the DotCom boom, came to Putney for one year in 1999 and never left.

I live in Goodlatte with my wonderful wife Jenny, and amazing son Emmett.

Director of Elm Lea Child Care and Early Childhood Educator

Phone: 802-387-8585
Email: rosie.smith@putneyschool.org
Departments: Daycare

Communication and Marketing Associate

New Boys Dorm Liaison

B.F.A. Maryland Institute College of Art

Phone: 802-387-6238
Email: lstewart@putneyschool.org
Departments: Communications

I originally came to Putney for an internship with Summer Programs. Immediately, I knew this was a place I wanted to continue to work at rather than just in the summers. I fell in love with the landscape, school, and community and ended up staying here.

Every day in my job is different, I am constantly moving around campus, working with faculty, staff, and students. I feel so fortunate to have a unique hand in documenting what goes on at the school from day-to-day. 

Horse Program Manager

B.S. University of Vermont

Phone: 802-387-2150
Email: cstickney@putneyschool.org
Departments: Farm Staff

I’m a lover of children and animals. I live for my family and the joy I get from sharing with students the physical and emotional bond that can exist between humans and horses, not to mention the amazing feel of connecting with a horse by riding it. 

Farm Manager, History Teacher, and Girls Basketball Coach

B.A. Union Institute and University

Phone: 802-387-4730
Email: pstickney@putneyschool.org
Departments: Athletic Department, Farm Staff, History

I was raised on a family farm in Saxtons River, and came to teaching mid-career. I enjoy the contrasts between the finite world of agriculture and the infinite opportunities in the classroom.

At Putney, I have the opportunity to work in agriculture within a vibrant learning community. My dreams have come true.

Lunch/ Dinner Chef

Phone: 802-387-6230
Email: jtevolini@putneyschool.org
Departments: Dining Services

The captivating green mountains and the people brought me here, along with the farm to table attitude and the organic thought process brings a real community feeling.

I was born in a small town in southern Italy came to America in 1965, living in southern Connecticut until the mid-80s and working in restaurants, colleges, and institutions. I moved to Vermont in 1985 and have been at The Putney School since 2005.

Music Department Director

New England Conservatory of Music

Phone:
Email: ethomas@putneyschool.org
Departments: Art Department, Music Department

I am thrilled to have a chance to add my voice to the Putney community along with my son. William, Hercules (our Great Dane), and I will be on campus for the first time this fall term.  Several convergences bring us to Putney. My sister’s children graduated from here, and I was very impressed to discover Putney’s progressive teaching approaches when I visited the campus for their dance recitals, art shows, and graduations. When I was teaching at Phillips Andover, one of my mentors, Sue Lloyd, was a graduate of Putney and author of The Putney School, a progressive experiment; we built our Andover world music curriculum with suggestions from Sue’s expertise. It is exciting to be at the source of her inspiration. Who wouldn’t want to be in a place where the entire community makes music together?

Farm Assistant, Math Teacher, and Assistant Boys Basketball Coach

Keep Dorm Liaison

B.A. Williams College

Phone: 802-387-4730
Email: mvercillo@putneyschool.org
Departments: Athletic Department, Farm Staff, Math Department

I was drawn to Putney for its holistic approach to teaching and learning, especially how it uses the farm, and manual labor in general, as an essential piece of an education. The opportunity to teach students in this way on the farm and in the gardens, as well as in the classroom, is what keeps me excited to work here.

The students are the most inspiring and surprising thing about this place. They take charge of their learning, manage to make beautiful art, complete their coursework, and contribute to the functioning of the school — doing everything from milking cows to washing dishes and serving on the admissions committee — all on the same day.

Nowhere else are students so vital to the physical operation of the school.

I grew up in a suburb north of NYC, but have fallen for the  woodsy scenery of western Massachusetts, where I attended Williams College, and of southern Vermont.

In college, I majored in math but became interested in agriculture and did a farm internship in Italy after graduation. I am so happy to be able to combine both of my interests in my position at the Putney School.

Science and Humans in the Natural World Teacher

Gray House Dorm Faculty

Phone: 802-387-6237
Email: averney-fink@putneyschool.org
Departments: Science Department

Art Department Chair, Director of Evening Arts, and Photography Teacher

B.A. Brown University

Phone: 802-387-6249
Email: lweinstein@putneyschool.org
Departments: Art Department, Department Heads

Librarian

Old Boys Dorm Faculty

B.A. Union Institute and University
M.L.I.S. Simmons College

Phone: 802-387-6229
Email: swiles@putneyschool.org
Departments: Library Department

Our family was drawn to Putney 14 years ago just before my second daughter was born. We loved the idea of living in the hills of Vermont in an intentional, international community that focused on sustainability, the arts, and community.

I was born and raised in Vermont and while I’ve lived away at various times of my life, I have always returned. I am an avid reader and knitter. I have two children who are both students at Putney.

Assistant to the Head of School

Old Boys Dorm Liaison

B.A. William Smith College
M.S. Antioch University New England

Phone: 802-387-6211
Email: kwolfe@putneyschool.org
Departments: Head of School's Office

Science Teacher

JR Dorm Liason

Phone: 802-387-6237
Email: dzweig@putneyschool.org
Departments: Science Department

I love working with teenagers (especially Putney students) because they give me hope we are truly capable of “achieving a society worthy of the name.” My students push me to be a better teacher, but also a better person. One of the most important aspects of my pedagogy is that if you give students the proper resources, just a little guidance and a real sense of agency, then they are capable of way more than most adults would ever assume.

English Teacher

Keep Dorm Liason

Phone: 802-387-6260
Email: nzweig@putneyschool.org
Departments: Department Heads, English Department