Faculty: Teachers, mentors, neighbors. Small class sizes and the availability of one-on-one help from teachers are
key benefits
of an Oakwood education.
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Faculty
Natalia Armoza |
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Natalia Armoza has been Business Manager since 2006. She has a BA in history from SUNY Albany, an MPS in Industrial Labor Relations from Cornell and an MBA in International Business from St. John's University. She lives in Gardiner, NY, with her husband Alex Brosowsky, an administrator at The Albany Academies, and their two children and two dogs. Natalia is fluent in both English and Spanish. |
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narmoza@oakwoodfriends.org |
Peter F. Baily |
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Peter Baily has been Head of School since July 2000. He is a graduate of Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia, and he attended Earlham and Nasson Colleges. He holds a Master's degree in English literature from Bryn Mawr College and taught Upper School English at The Vershire School in Vermont, University High School in San Francisco, and The Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore. Beyond the classroom, he has chaired two English Departments and a school-wide K-12 curriculum committee, and he has coached horseback riding and women's crew. Prior to moving to the Hudson Valley, Peter served as Head of Oak Lane Day School and as Interim Head at the Quaker School at Horsham, both in suburban Philadelphia. He is a member of Poughkeepsie Friends Meeting, and he currently serves on the boards of Robert C. Parker School, Friends Seminary, and Friends Council on Education. His work at Oakwood weaves together many strands of his personal and professional background, and he is especially pleased to be in an environment with long-standing Quaker traditions. Peter lives on the Oakwood campus with his two dogs and enjoys spending time in the surrounding countryside, on foot and on his bike. |
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pbaily@oakwoodfriends.org |
Jenna Bauer |
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Jenna Bauer is the Coordinator of Oakwood's Super Summer Fun Camp, and she has just moved to the campus from her home in St. Louis, MO. She and her two cats live on the campus. Jenna is an artist and has experience as a community arts program administrator, and she is excited about living to the Hudson Valley because of its rich tradition of visual art and its proximity to New York City. Jenna earned her BFA in painting from Webster University in 2000 and is a graduate of the CAT (Community Artist Training) Institute. She has twice been a summer day camp director and has worked with children in numerous settings, including an inner-city, community arts education program that she founded. |
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jbauer@oakwoodfriends.org |
Anna Bertucci |
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Anna Bertucci is the Assistant Head for Academics and Student Life and the Head of the Upper School. In addition to her administrative responsibilities, Anna teaches World History, European History, and Art History. Anna received her MA in Educational Leadership from Teacher's College, Columbia University and her BA in History of Architecture and Art from University of Illinois in Chicago. Recently, she participated in the Friends Council on Education Institute for Engaging Leadership in Friends Schools. Before joining the faculty at Oakwood in 1999, Anna taught history for three years in Brooklyn and worked at the Field Museum and Art Institute in Chicago. Anna lives on campus with her husband Stephen and their sons, Soren and Oskar. |
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abertucci@oakwoodfriends.org |
Charles Bullard |
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Charles Bullard divides his time between the Academic Support Center and the ESL program. He holds an undergraduate degree in English from Bucknell and a master's degree in Education from Teachers College, Columbia. Prior to joining Oakwood in 2006, Charlie taught in the Greenwich, CT, public school system. He is the Assistant Coach for the Varsity Baseball Team and a dorm parent. He is currently beginning his second master's degree program, through the Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College. |
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cbullard@oakwoodfriends.org |
Karen Butt |
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Karen Butt began working with middle school students in the academic support center in 2002. She holds a bachelors degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and has taught special education in private and public schools. Prior to coming to Oakwood, she worked at the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, and was the Director of the Learning Center at Storm King School across the Hudson River. Karen has taught all ages from birth to grade twelve but enjoys middle school the most. She and husband Rex, a professor at Bronx Community College, live in Poughkeepsie and have two adult children. |
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kbutt@oakwoodfriends.org |
Charlie Butts |
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Charlie Butts has been at Oakwood longer than any current faculty member and has worn many hats since arriving in 1981. He has taught 9th and 10th grade English, Senior Anthropology, and served as Director of Athletics for 13 years and Dean of Students for 3 years. In addition to his current administrative responsibilities, Charlie is the Director of Athletics, teaches English and History, coaches girls varsity basketball and softball. He is a dual graduate of Colgate University with a B.A. in History and M.A.T. in Social Studies. He enjoys golf, Mayan studies, and spending time with his cats. |
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cbutts@oakwoodfriends.org |
Randi Chalfin |
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Randi Chalfin has been Oakwood's art teacher since 1999. Before coming here, she lived in New York City for 20 years. She is a graduate of Teachers College at Columbia University and resides on campus with her husband Hugh and son, Gabriel, who will be attending Sarah Lawrence College as a Freshman in the Fall of 2010. Randi has exhibited her work nationally and internationally, and is currently interested in social and political collaborative art. She enjoys, yoga, gardening and her new found love, kayaking. |
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rchalfin@oakwoodfriends.org |
Chad Cianfrani |
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Chad Cianfrani teaches physics, robotics, serves as technology coordinator and coaches both girl's varsity soccer and ultimate frisbee. He lives on campus and serves as a dorm parent. Chad is a graduate of Perkiomen School in Pennsylvania, an independent school much like Oakwood, and holds both an undergraduate and Master's degrees from Brown University in Mechanical Engineering. Prior to coming to Oakwood in 2004, he worked in the world of finance and technology. Chad and his wife Sue love to garden, bike and hike in the Hudson Valley. Now they can be found spending time with their newest addition, baby Henry. |
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ccianfrani@oakwoodfriends.org |
Simon Culley |
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Simon Culley came to Oakwood in 2005 as middle school math teacher and varsity boys' soccer coach. He has 10 years of experience teaching math, science, and physical education both here and in England. Born in Zimbabwe and raised in England, Simon graduated from the University of Portsmouth, England, with a major in Mechanical Engineering. He also holds a post-graduate Certificate in Education from Exeter University, England. Simon and his wife, Jessica, have a young son, Ethan. Jessica teaches middle school science in Hyde Park and they all live on campus with their cat, Elmo. |
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sculley@oakwoodfriends.org |
Bill Doolittle |
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Bill Doolittle teaches science and coaches cross country. After receiving a BS in Environmental Studies from Tufts University, he went on to obtain both an MS and PhD in Ecology from the University of Tennessee. Bill has been a researcher, public health agent, and water treatment plant operator. His ecology classes collect water quality data for the Changing Hudson Project of the Institute of Ecosystem Studies, to which he is a consultant. Bill has taught at Oakwood since 1984 and enjoys bicycling, kayaking, snorkeling, restoring boats, visiting family, and teaching practical jokes to his grandson. |
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bdoolittle@oakwoodfriends.org |
Nancy Doolittle |
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Nancy Doolittle serves as the Associate Director of Development and Alumni Relations. She received her B.A. from Tufts University, majoring in English and sociology, and her M.S.S.W. from the University of Tennessee with a concentration in clinical treatment. She has held a variety of positions at Oakwood since arriving here in 1984 including School Counselor, Coordinator of the Community Service Program, Director of the International Program, Middle School Dean and Middle School Head. Nancy enjoys life on campus with her husband, Bill. Their three adult children, Tim, Pete, and Amanda, grew up on the Oakwood campus. The Doolittle family spends summers in Naples, Maine, with her extended family, including two grandchildren and finds relaxation in gardening, sewing, reading, and boating. |
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ndoolittle@oakwoodfriends.org |
Michael Gallo Farrell |
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Michael Gallo Farrell has been at Oakwood since 2000, teaching photography and middle school art and serving as faculty advisor for the yearbook. He has been a professional photographer and artist for 25 years, continuing to work professionally and regularly exhibiting his work in galleries. Michael is also affiliated with the Mill Street Loft, a non-profit arts organization in Poughkeepsie. He is the Associate Director and the Director of Photography of the Art Institute of the Mill Street Loft, a portfolio development program for advanced high school artists. In addition, Michael is the sponsor for the Art Institute's chapter of the National Art Honor Society. He lives in Hyde Park with his wife, Barbara, and two cats. They are avid gardeners, vegetarian culinary artists, and consumers of art. |
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mfarrell@oakwoodfriends.org |
Lacey Fredericks |
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Lacey Fredericks is head of the math-science department. She came to Oakwood as a student teacher in 1996 during her senior year at Vassar, and liked Oakwood so much that she couldn't leave after receiving her B.A. in mathematics. Lacey teaches Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus, (AB and BC) and topics in mathematics. She lives near the campus with her husband Glenn, and their two young children, Elias and Adele. Lacey has spent summers teaching math at Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Summer Programs, as well as exploring her abilities as a nursery school teacher. |
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lfredericks@oakwoodfriends.org |
Denise Gralton |
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Denise Gralton became Assistant Business Manager in fall 2006. She has over 20 years experience in book keeping and accounting in a variety of firms. Denise lives in near the campus with her Maltese, "Little Bit," whom she freely admits she has spoiled rotten. |
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dgralton@oakwoodfriends.org |
Katie Rose Hillegass |
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Hailing originally from the woods west of Minneapolis, Katie Rose Hillegass teaches all levels of French in the Upper School and coaches Girls Varsity Cross-Country with Bill Doolittle. She holds a Bachelors degree in French and Biology from Stanford University and Masters degrees in French Literature from NYU & the Sorbonne. In her spare time she is working on a doctoral dissertation at NYU and is a member of the Pawling Cycle team. She also loves working in her vegetable garden, trying to teach her therapy-certified chocolate lab to speak and learning how to navigate the world on her new motorcycle. She lives in a farmhouse in Pawling, NY with her partner Jay, their talking dog, five chickens and 40,000 honeybees. |
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khillegass@oakwoodfriends.org |
Caitlyn Hopkins |
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Caitlyn Hopkins is the co-coordinator of the Middle School after-school program. She grew up in the area and attended school in the Spackenkill District. In May 2010 she graduated from Mount Saint Mary College with a degree in Secondary Math Education and is currently working on her Masters in Educational Psychology through Marist. |
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chopkins@oakwoodfriends.org |
Lauren Hoyt |
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Lauren Hoyt is the Director of College Counseling and a dorm parent in Reagan. She grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, and graduated from the Ellis School, an independent day school for girls. Lauren holds an undergraduate degree in Anthropology from Bryn Mawr College and a Masters Degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Ohio State University. Prior to her arrival at Oakwood in 2006, Lauren had worked professionally in the residential life departments at both Bryn Mawr College and Vassar College. Lauren lives on campus with Nora Landon and enjoys cooking, gardening, and being outside as much as possible. |
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lhoyt@oakwoodfriends.org |
David Kehlenbeck |
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David Kehlenbeck came to Oakwood in 2008 and currently teaches Precalculus and Geometry. He graduated from Noble and Greenough School in Boston and the University of Virginia, where he earned his degree in Russian and East European Studies and was very involved with an a cappella singing group. A native of Boston and avid Red Sox fan, David lives on campus, serves as a dorm parent in Craig, and coaches Boys' JV Soccer. |
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dkehlenbeck@oakwoodfriends.org |
Telma Koch |
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Telma Koch has taught Spanish full time at Oakwood since 1996 and developed the Spanish program currently in place. She received her BA/MA in English Language and Linguistics from the Universidad de Chile and her EdM in Language Teaching and Learning from Rutgers in 1997. Before coming to Oakwood Friends, Telma taught English as a Second Language (ESL) in Santiago, Chile, her homeland. She also held a full-time position at UNIACC School of Arts in Santiago. Besides teaching all levels of Spanish, Telma also works as an advisor and life sports coach. She has a variety of interests including traveling "anywhere" and learning "anything" from architecture and drawing to piano playing and German. Telma lives on campus with her son Isaac Andrew. |
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tkoch@oakwoodfriends.org |
Joanne Kowalczyk |
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Joanne Kowalczyk has been at Oakwood since 1984 working with students, parents, faculty and administration in a variety of roles. Currently, as Assistant Head for Operations, she oversees maintenance systems and the dining service, two essential elements in the life of the Oakwood community. Off campus, Joanne remains busy with her husband Ron, her three children and eight grandchildren. In rare quiet times, she loves to read, garden and spend time with friends. |
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jkowalczyk@oakwoodfriends.org |
Nora Landon |
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Nora Landon has been teaching Upper School English since arriving at Oakwood in 2005. She graduated from Bryn Mawr College, where she majored in Latin and minored in English, and Smith College, where she received a Masters of Arts in Teaching English. A native of West Virginia, Nora lives on campus with Lauren Hoyt and enjoys reading (especially poetry and nonfiction), film, rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and exploring the Hudson Valley (and beyond). |
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nlandon@oakwoodfriends.org |
Peggy Lewis |
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Peggy Lewis serves as Oakwood's School Counselor. She has a BA in English and Secondary Education from the University of Maryland and a Masters Degree from Adelphi University, School of Social Work. Her daughter Mariah graduated from Oakwood in 2009. She is a member of the Poughkeepsie Meeting and active with the First Day School. She is married and lives in Poughkeepsie with her three teenagers. She enjoys hiking, biking and kayaking in the Hudson River Valley. |
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plewis@oakwoodfriends.org |
Barbara Lonczak |
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Barbara Lonczak is the Director of Admissions. She has had extensive experience working with a variety of non-profit organizations in outreach, fund-raising, donor relations, communications, event planning, and advocacy roles. Over the span of the past decade, she has worked for Historic Hudson Valley in Tarrytown, Kingston-Newburgh Enterprise Corporation, and the Liberty Partnership Program for Youth Development at Orange County Community College. She is an honorary board member of Trestle, Inc., which helps fund arts projects in public spaces in the City of Newburgh, NY. Barbara studied in both Spain and Mexico during high school and college. She has a BA in Liberal Studies from the University of Montana. Barbara and her husband John are the parents of Will '06, Ted '08 and Kip '11. |
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blonczak@oakwoodfriends.org |
Susan Masciale-Lynch |
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Susan Masciale-Lynch is Associate Director of Admissions & Financial Aid. She graduated from Georgetown University with a B.S. in Psychology and earned a M.Ed. through the Education Department at the College of New Rochelle. Prior to coming to Oakwood in 1997, Susan taught at the Kildonan School and Cheshire Academy. She has served Oakwood in a variety of capacities including Director of the Academic Support Center, College Counselor, cross country coach and dorm parent. She lives locally with her husband, Sean, an artist and teacher at St. Luke's School in Connecticut, and their two young sons, Eamon and Finn. |
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smascialelynch@oakwoodfriends.org |
Patricia Meade |
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Patricia Meade works with Upper School students as the Director of the Academic Support Center. Pat holds undergraduate degrees in English Education and American Studies from Siena College and earned a M.S. in Education from SUNY New Paltz, with permanent New York State teaching certification in the field of Special Education. She has worked with students with special needs since 1995 in a variety of public and private institutions. Prior to teaching, Pat worked as a publication specialist and as a freelance writer. She and her husband Rory live in Hyde Park and have two grown children. |
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pmeade@oakwoodfriends.org |
Elaine Miles |
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Elaine Miles is the Director of Development and Alumni Affairs. She joined the Oakwood Friends community in 2001 after ten years as Director of Membership for the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce. Elaine holds a Masters degree in education from Brooklyn College and began her career as an elementary school teacher in New York City. After moving to the Hudson Valley in 1978, she served as Administrator of the Mid-Hudson Hebrew Day School and later as Coordinator of Adult Student Services and Corporate Education Programs at Marist College. Elaine is the mother of three adult children, and she currently lives on campus with her cats, Marvin and Millie. |
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emiles@oakwoodfriends.org |
Stephen Miller |
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Stephen Miller teaches history, religion and philosophy. He received his BA in Religious Studies and Philosophy from the College of William and Mary in Virginia and his MA in Philosophy from New York University. Before coming to Oakwood Friends in 2001, Stephen taught at Dutchess Day School and at two public high schools in Brooklyn. Stephen also currently teaches part-time at Marist College. Stephen lives on campus with his wife, Anna, and their sons, Soren and Oskar. He is involved with several active social service learning clubs on campus, and he is the coach of girls varsity tennis. |
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smiller@oakwoodfriends.org |
James Minio |
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James Minio, Academic Support Center teacher came to Oakwood in 2008 following a year as a teaching assistant at the Windward School in White Plains. He holds an undergraduate degree from Siena College in Economics and Computer Science and a Masters Degree in Professional Studies from Manhattanville College, with a concentration in Special Education. In addition, he is an accomplished martial artist, and continues to spend his summers as a waterfront director. He also plays tennis in a group he's been playing with for several years once a week and he coaches the Boys Varsity team here at Oakwood. James lives on campus with his cat, Lala. |
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jminio@oakwoodfriends.org |
Camisha Oates |
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Camisha Oates teaches technology courses, provides software, website and database support for administrative offices and helps oversee Craig Dorm. She is currently working on two bachelor's degrees, one in Commercial Art (graphics design) and one in Theology. In her spare time, she serves as honorary "mother" to her large extended family as well as to the students in her dorm. |
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coates@oakwoodfriends.org |
Julie Okoniewski |
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Julie Okoniewski serves as Community Outreach Coordinator. She oversees the community service program, assists with grant writing and outreach and teaches an elective in political advocacy skills, as well as co-facilitates a year-long Leadership and Service Learning Internship for juniors. She holds a BA in Community Development from NYU and an MS in Urban Affairs from Hunter College. Previously, she was Legislative Director for Nydia Velázquez, Congresswoman from New York City. Julie has designed and directed the Summer Youth Advocacy Program here on campus since she instituted it in 2004. This two-week residential program is free for Hudson Valley and New York City low-income, minority youth who learn about political advocacy through the arts during their stay at Oakwood. She lives in Reagan dorm along with her husband Gerardo, their new son Samuel, and their dog Penelope. |
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jokoniewski@oakwoodfriends.org |
Marissa Parra |
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Marissa Parra came to Oakwood in 2003 to teach Spanish. She also has taught at Coleman High School, Woodstock Spanish School and "Medical Spanish" courses for Benedictine Hospital, Kingston Hospital and St. Francis Hospital, in addition to being a translator for the Ulster County Mental Health Clinic. After receiving her bachelor's degree in Spanish literature from a private university in Buenos Aires, she taught Spanish before moving to this country in 1990. Marisa once toured in Yugoslavia with an Argentinean folk dance team. She is the mother of Mauro '07 and is a dorm parent in Craig. |
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mparra@oakwoodfriends.org |
John Platt |
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John Platt, Chairman of the Humanities Department, teaches English and American literature. He received a BA in English from the University of Denver and a graduate degree in literature from Drew University. Before coming to Oakwood in 2000, John was Chairman of the English Department at the Pingry School in Martinsville, NJ. Currently, he is the director of the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools New Teacher Institute and Instructional Skills program. He also runs workshops for teachers on subjects such as behavior management, cooperative learning, and learning styles. Having presented programs for teachers at several NAIS conventions, John has been asked to work as a consultant to over twenty-five independent schools over the past several decades. He is a veteran teacher of thirty-five years, and he lives on campus with his wife Mary, a certified yoga therapist and professional storyteller. |
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jplatt@oakwoodfriends.org |
Mary Platt |
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Mary Platt is the Director of Peaceful Postures Yoga Center at Oakwood Friends School, which opened in January 2010. She teaches yoga to the Middle School as part of their Physical Education program, to upper school in workshops for the sports teams and in the yoga winter life sport, and offers public classes to the outside community. Also a professional storyteller, Mary teaches a story theater residency each trimester for the ninth grade drama class and shares stories on special occasions with the entire Oakwood community. She holds a B.A. in English Literature and Drama from Hebrew University in Jerusalem (1975). She is a nationally certified yoga instructor (RYT 500) and certified yoga therapist. Mary has lived on the Oakwood campus with her husband, John, since 2000. |
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mplatt@oakwoodfriends.org |
Pete Sanfilippo |
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Pete Sanfilippo teaches Middle School Physical Education and is one of the Middle School Heads. He is the Athletic Director, boys varsity basketball and baseball coach, and serves as an Administrator on Duty. As a graduate of Spackenkill High School, Pete participated in varsity football, basketball and baseball and grew up in the Town of Poughkeepsie. He holds a BA degree in Physical Education from SUNY Cortland and has been a member of the Oakwood community since 2004. He coaches varsity football at Spackenkill High School during the Fall season as a complement to his work at Oakwood. Pete resides on campus with his wife Cara Sanfilippo, who is a licensed mental health counselor. |
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psanfilippo@oakwoodfriends.org |
Caitlin Schattman |
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Caitlin Schattman is an English and health teacher in the Middle School as well as the co-coordinator of the Middle School after-school program. Caitlin grew up in Vermont and was a boarding student at Williston-Northampton in Massachusetts during her high school years. She graduated from Vassar College with a degree in Psychology and Education. Caitlin originally joined the Oakwood community as an intern last spring, and her mentor was Humanities Department Chair John Platt. She is a dorm parent in Newlin, where she lives with two large cats that are on a long-term loan while their permanent custodian, also an Oakwood teacher, attends graduate school in New York City. |
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cschattman@oakwoodfriends.org |
Sasha Skulsky |
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Sasha Skulsky, Oakwood 2004 and Bard College 2008, is our Assistant Director of Admissions. A three-season varsity athlete during her career at Oakwood, Sasha studied Psychology during her college years and was involved in a wide variety of projects with the Bard athletic department. Sasha lives in Reagan Dorm, and she serves as a Dorm Parent and coach in addition to her duties in the Admissions Office. |
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sskulsky@oakwoodfriends.org |
Miriam Straus |
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Miriam Straus teaches Middle School Science. A native of northern California, where her family runs a dairy farm, Miriam holds degrees from UC Davis (crop production and processing), Cal State Sonoma (elementary teaching credential), and Marist (psychology). She has taught in a variety of school and outdoor education settings and she founded a small business growing and marketing organic mushrooms. She is also an accomplished maker of fine artisan cheeses. She lives with her husband and three children in Salt Point. |
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mstraus@oakwoodfriends.org |
Vince Vincent |
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Vince Vincent joined the Oakwood faculty this year as Music Director and a dorm parent in Craig. He received his BA in Music from Vassar College and just completed his MM in Opera Performance with Yale University. Vince began his career in music at age 8 with a theater company on Long Island where he worked for ten years. During his time at Vassar he served as the conductor for the Vassar College Camerata Choir and assistant conductor to the Vassar College Choir and community choir Cappella Festiva. Vince has performed as a singer at Songfest, Aspen Music School and Festival and recently completed a summer with Central City Opera. Vince has performed various opera roles and concerts in various cities in the US, Europe and China, and he will continue to develop his operatic career while serving the students at Oakwood. Vince also enjoys reading, cooking and playing with his adorable new puppy, Riley. |
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vvincent@oakwoodfriends.org |
Debra Wilsey |
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Debbie Wilsey is our School Nurse. She and her husband Tom live here in the Spackenkill School District, from which their children graduated. Debbie received her nurse's training at Ulster County Community College and Ulster BOCES. Debbie enjoys the work environment of a school community and the regular contact with students. Her husband Tom, who is a professional official for nearly every sport played in the Hudson Valley, is a frequent visitor to our campus and an enthusiastic fan of Oakwood teams. |
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dwilsey@oakwoodfriends.org |
Gary Zwick |
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Gary Zwick is the Dean of Student life, teaches World History II, and coaches Girls' Varsity volleyball. Gary holds a dual undergraduate degree from SUNY Cortland in Secondary Education/Social Studies and in History. He has been a ski instructor and a summer employee of the Empire State Games, where he worked with Pete Sanfilippo. Gary lives on Oakwood's campus and serves as a weekend crew chief. |
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gzwick@oakwoodfriends.org |
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