Welcome to Hackley!

Hackley School is pleased to welcome the following new faculty and staff to the 2013 academic year.

Lower School

Angela Alonso is our new Lower School Spanish teacher. A native of Seville, Spain, she competed for and attained a scholarship to attend Cornell University for one year, where he met her future husband, Steve Bileca, and decided to stay in the US to pursue a career teaching Spanish in independent schools. She so enjoyed her first appointment as a teacher was in the Bay Area in Northern California that she never looked back. She finds it extremely rewarding to help non-native speakers take the plunge into learning a second language and emerge with new linguistic abilities and just as importantly, insights into how other cultures and peoples live. She is thrilled to take on a new professional challenge teaching early language learners after teaching Middle and High School students for 21 years. She lives on campus with her husband and two children.

Corie Buonanno (Assistant Teacher), a native of Tarrytown and graduate of Marymount College received her Masters in Education from Fordham University. Mother of two Middle School age children, she has spent the last 13 years running Main Street Sweets, the ice cream cafe in Tarrytown, which she owns and runs with her my mother and sister, a role she plans to continue in her spare time. Prior to starting a family,Ms. Buonanno taught in the Harrison Central School District, Harrison, NY for several years, and is very happy to return to the classroom now that her children are older. She comments, “I am delighted and honored to have become a part of the Hackley family.”

Jane Dean came to Hackley last year as an assistant teacher in 3rd grade, and has been named a head teacher in the 2nd Grade this year. Born and educated near London, England, she relocated to the U.S. with her family in 2003, first to the west coast and later to New York. She has taught elementary school for seventeen years, working with every grade level between kindergarten and fifth. She has three children, two of whom are now at college and a daughter who is entering her junior year at high school.

Nancy Denious (Assistant Teacher) joins the Hackley community as a new fourth grade assistant teacher at Hackley, When not in the Lower School, she can be found on the sidelines of the JV field hockey and lacrosse games as the new assistant coach. She received my Master's degree in Elementary Education from Lesley University while student teaching at Buckingham Browne and Nichols School in Cambridge, MA. A graduate of Amherst College with a major in psychology, Nancy is originally from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Heather Dini (Assistant Teacher) is a new assistant teacher in the second grade, working with Jane Dean. She came to Hackley mid-year of the 2012-2013 year. Teaching represents a career change for Heather – she spent 16 years as a Licensed Veterinary Technician working mostly in an animal hospital in Rhinebeck, N.Y. Before Hackley, she taught at Devereux Foundation in Red Hook, N.Y teaching students with Autism. She has also worked at the Westchester Medical Center in the Behavior Health Center teaching students that were hospitalized due to suspension from school or due to emotional or behavior issues/ An animal lover with three cats, two dogs and two horses at home, she volunteered at the Newburgh Library with the Tail Waggin Tutor Program where children read to Therapy Dogs.

Nell Madigan (Assistant Teacher) is the new Assistant Teacher in Ms. Turton’s 3rd Grade class. She previously worked at City & Country School in Manhattan as a first and second grade Assistant Teacher. Nell has recently completed her M.S.Ed in grades 1-6 at Hunter College and received her B.A. from Barnard College in 2002. Between graduating from college and starting graduate school Ms. Madigan worked in the publishing industry as an editor. She is a new resident of Tarrytown where she resides with her husband and 14-month-old daughter.

Anna McKay (LS Librarian) says “There's nothing better than books and children! A school librarian is fortunate enough to see that gleam in students' eyes when they find information or literature of interest and immediately sit down right where they are to pour over it. I am thankful to join the Hackley community and to be a part of students' curiosity for literature and knowledge within the Santomero Lower School Library.” Ms. McKay comes to Hackey with various librarian experiences including; over ten years as a children's librarian at Darien Library (CT), and two years in independent schools in NYC while obtaining her library media specialist certification.

Nicole Myers (Assistant Teacher) graduated from Denison University in 2011 with a degree in Educational Studies. She then spent a year teaching preschool in Columbus, Ohio, before moving to Boston to participate in the Collaborative Internship Program at Lesley University. While at Lesley, she interned at Buckingham Browne & Nichols, an independent school in Cambridge, where spent half the year in first grade and the other half in fourth grade. She graduated in May with her Master's in Elementary Education and is certified to teach grades 1-6.

Alana Reidy (Assistant Teacher) joins Hackley as a 3rd Grade Assistant Teacher working and collaborating with Mrs. Harmon and the 3rd Grade team. She comes to Hackle from Garden City, Long Island and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary and Special Education from Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island. At Providence, she was the Treasurer of Sigma Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, an Education Honor society, a member of the International Reading Association Honor Society, a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and a Rhode Island Special Olympics volunteer. At PC, she completed an intensive student teaching program in a 1st Grade general education classroom and a 2nd Grade special education classroom, along with various practicum placements ranging from Kindergarten to 5th Grade. This fall she begins a Master’s degree in the Literacy Specialist program at Columbia University, Teachers College.

Middle School

Zachary Boboth is teaching 8th grade Middle School Math and also serving as our new Upper School Director of Boarding. Most recently, Mr. Boboth served as Mathematics Department Chair at Cushing Academy in Massachusetts, where he taught from 2009 - 2013. He graduated from Allegheny College with a BS (magna cum laude) in Mathematics. He loves planting the seeds of curiosity in middle schoolers, and is energized by their openness and sense of wonder. You can look for him around town exploring the hiking trails and squash courts when he’s not on campus.

Sally Rawlings has joined the Middle School Team as our new Administrative Assistant. With Marie Koutoulas moving on in her career, Ms Rawlings stepped into the position with flair in early July. She holds a BS in Marriage, Family and Human Development from Brigham Young University. She has previously worked with adolescents in school environments and she is eagerly anticipating getting to know and work with our students and families throughout the year. When she’s not in the office, you can find her engaged in world folk dancing, exploring new bookstores and enjoying the beach (in season!).

Chase Russell is teaching 7th and 8th grade Middle School Spanish. Mr. Russell comes to us most recently from the Colegio Técnico Sudamericano in Ecuador, a country he considers to be his second home. He is a graduate of Harvard University, where he holds a BA in Romance Languages and Literature. In addition to Spanish, he speaks Portuguese and Mandarin, and has spent time studying and living in Beijing, Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro. We are delighted to have this “citizen of the world” join our faculty and enrich our campus with his global experience.

Upper School

Michael Bass is the newest member of Hackley’s History Department. He will teach History 9: Cultures in Conflict and History 11: 20th Century World History. In addition, Mr. Bass will serve as one of the advisers to the Dial, Hackley’s school newspaper. Mr. Bass earned his B.A. in English from Wesleyan University. At Wesleyan, he also served as editor-in-chief of The Wesleyan Argus. He earned his JD from Fordham University and practiced law for several years before deciding the classroom was where wanted to be. Mr. Bass went back to school, earning a M.A. in Teaching Social Studies from Teachers College at Columbia University. Mr. Bass’ most recent teaching job, prior to coming to Hackley, was at Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn, NY where he taught an impressive array of Upper School history courses and advised Poly’s school newspaper.

Melissa Brennan joins the Upper School Computer Department. Ms. Brennan earned her BS in Information Technology and her MS in Education Technology from Pace University. Before coming to Hackley, Ms. Brennan worked at the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District as a computer teacher in their middle and high schools and as a K-12 technology coordinator. This year at Hackley, Ms. Brennan will teach Computers I, Computers II, and AP Computer Science.

Michael Canterino '03 returns to Hackley to join the Upper School English Department as a leave replacement teacher for Brigid Moriarty. He will teach two sections of English 10 and one section of English 11 during the first trimester of this school year. After graduating from Hackley School, Mr. Canterino studied English at Lafayette College. He then earned an MA in Writing from Manhattanville College and an MFA in Creative Writing from Mills College, where he taught literature and writing courses for two years.

Cassandra Hatcher joins the Health and Physical Education Department to teach several sections of Middle School PE and all sections of 10th Grade Health. A former collegiate soccer player, Ms. Hatcher will be a three season coach, working with the soccer, basketball and track and field programs. She has strong teaching and coaching experience in schools in North Carolina and New York. She holds a BS in Business Administration with Sports Management from Nazareth College, a BS in Physical Education from SUNY Brockport, and an MS in Health Education from East Carolina University.

Melanie Greenup is a new addition to Hackley’s Upper School English Department. Ms. Greenup will teach both English 10 and English 11 this school year. She holds her BA in Communications from American University and her MA in English Education from New York University. Ms. Greenup brings great experience to Hackley as a teacher and an administrator, having worked at Frederick Douglass Academy, Ardsley High School, Fieldston School and, most recently, Trevor Day School.

Jon Gruenberg joins the Upper School Math Department to teach Algebra I, Geometry and Pre-Calculus and coach basketball during the winter athletic season. Mr. Gruenberg earned his BA in Psychology from Yale University and his MAT from Teachers College, Columbia University. For most of Mr. Gruenberg’s teaching career, he taught at The Hewitt School in Manhattan. There, he taught both Middle and Upper School math, served as math department chair, worked as the school’s K-12 scheduler, and coached tennis, basketball, and soccer.

Wil Lobko joins the Upper School English Department to teach English 10 and English 12, and will also serve as one of the advisors to the Dial, Hackley’s school newspaper. Mr. Lobko earned his B.A. in English, with a concentration in creative writing, from Vassar College and his MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Oregon. Before coming to Hackley, Mr. Lobko taught at the University of Oregon, The Meadows School in Las Vegas, NV and at Saint David’s School in Manhattan.

Rafi Malkiel has joined Hackley’s Performing Arts Department to teach music in the Middle and Upper Schools. An accomplished trombonist and euphonium player with an impressive discography, Mr. Malkiel follows in the tradition of many other Hackley arts faculty who have been dedicated classroom teachers and working artists. His teaching experience spans many years and venues. He’s taught at several schools in New York City and, for many years, was an adjunct teacher in the 92nd Street Y’s music education program. He has performed throughout the world with various ensembles, bands and orchestras, including his own Rafi Malkiel Ensemble. Mr. Malkiel earned his B.F.A. from Mannes School of Music, his M.M. from the Manhattan School of Music and recently earned his D.M.A. from Stony Brook University.

Peter Wright is a new member of the Upper School Math department. He will teach Geometry and AP Calculus AB, coach soccer and basketball and work with the Upper School Math Team. Mr. Wright holds a BS in Mathematics from Union College. He taught, coached and served as a dorm parent for several years at Thomas Jefferson School in St. Louis, MO. At Jefferson, he taught Geometry, Algebra II and AP Calculus BC. In addition, Mr. Wright has a long affiliation with the Keewaydin Camps, where he has been a member of the camp staff or leadership team for more than a decade.

Willie Teacher joins Hackley’s Performing Arts Department to teach drama in the Middle and Upper Schools. Mr. Teacher (yes, he has heard many a joke about his wonderfully apt last name!) will also direct the Upper School theatrical productions, starting with this fall’s production of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He holds a B.A. in Communications from Temple University and an MFA in Acting from Brandeis University. Mr. Teacher is both a professional actor and an experienced teacher at the middle school, high school and collegiate level. Most recently, Mr. Teacher taught at and served as Theatre Program Director at Harlem School of the Arts. Mr. Teacher also joins the Hackley community as a parent since his son Enzi is a new student in Hackley’s sxth grade.

Administration

Susan Altman joins Hackley as Director of Auxiliary Programs, supporting our emerging Summer Programs as well as our relationships with communities far and wide through facilities rentals (Tina Fey’s movie Admission was filmed in part on the Hackley campus last summer) and busing programs which connect Hackley to an increasingly diverse range of communities spanning Manhattan, New Jersey and Westchester. Sue joins us from the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom where she completed her MBA at the Said Business School. At Oxford she also earned an MSc in International and Comparative Education. Her thesis dissertation, “Exploring the Gap in Female Undergraduate Student Leadership” was awarded a Distinction. As a graduate student there she also served as head coach and player for the Oxford University Women’s Basketball Blues, the equivalent of the university’s top women’s basketball team. Prior to Oxford, she served as a history teacher, assistant boarding housemaster and coach of Blair Academy’s Girls’ Basketball Team, leading the team in 2010-11 to a 23-3 record and the school's first N.J. Prep A tournament title. In Europe, she played professional basketball for teams in Germany and Ireland. Sue earned her B.A. in History at Columbia University where she also played NCAA Division 1 basketball as First Team All-Ivy and First-Team Academic All-Ivy. In addition to her role as Director of Auxiliary Programs, she will coach Girls’ Basketball at Hackley.

We are thrilled to announce that Margie McNaughton Ford ’85 has returned to her Hackley roots as Alumni & Development Associate, working closely with Haleh Tavakol ’84, Director of Alumni Relations & Alumni Giving. Margie is Hackley! Her parents, Randy & Mary Anne McNaughton were longtime Hackley faculty members. In fact, the gargoyle in the courtyard represents Randy. Margie lived and grew up on campus and attended Hackley with her brother Bill ’79. She was known for her warm personality, hard work, and athletic prowess. Following Hackley, Margie attended East Carolina University and then worked as a public relations and marketing professional for Schumacher & Co. After having children, Margie continued working as a freelance PR/Marketing professional. She is also a certified post-partum doula. In 2003, Margie’s younger brother, Michael lost his leg in Afghanistan through a land mine. Since then, Margie has been a committed fundraiser for injured veterans and their families, raising thousands of dollars a year to make their lives a little easier. Throughout her years as an alumna, Margie has served as a class rep, fundraiser, reunion/event organizer, mentor, and Alumni Board member. She is devoted to Hackley’s mission and looks forward to bringing her skills back to the hilltop. Margie lives in Yonkers with her husband, Tom, daughter Kileigh and son Sean. Welcome back, Margie!

(Click here for more Hackley Faculty News.)

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