New faculty and staff officially arrived on campus last week for orientation and joined the full faculty and staff this week for professional development work in preparation for the start of the school year. We are thrilled to welcome this group to IMS; they bring with them a wide range of skills and expertise: 


 
Sandy Charlap is coming to us from The Kildonan School. As previously noted in the Ascend announcement, she will be working with students on the Lower Campus providing support with one on one Orton-Gillingham instruction. Ms. Charlap was on the faculty of The Kildonan School from 1994 until this past June. She is a graduate of Fort Wright College in Spokane, WA and earned her MFA from Yale University. 


Christine Maraia will be assisting on the Lower Campus in addition to working with the  Ascend Program on the Upper Campus. Ms. Maraia comes to us most recently from Wilson Preparatory School in Norwalk, CT. She previously worked at The Kildonan School for fourteen years. Ms. Maraia earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree from Columbia College in Chicago, IL. Ms. Maraia will be coaching, in addition to living on campus and working as a member of the Residential Life team. 


Frank Sorrentino will also be joining the team to help with the Ascend Program on the Upper Campus. Mr. Sorrentino comes to us most recently from Kildonan, where he has been since 2010. Mr. Sorrentino has a bachelor’s degree from the University of New York at Buffalo. He will also serve as an advisor and coach on the Upper Campus. 


Mackenzie Marks, who has already been a part of the Lower School after-school program, will be the new Assistant Teacher in the Early Childhood Classroom. Ms. Marks is an experienced child care provider and will be primarily working with pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students. Ms. Marks has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Northwestern Connecticut Community College. 


Sarah Hyland will be joining the English department and 5th grade, teaching two sections of English in grade 7, and 5th grade math. Ms. Hyland comes to IMS most recently from The Phebe Anna Thorne School at Bryn Mawr College, where she has been a literacy and math specialist. Prior to that role, Ms. Hyland has taught multiple grade levels at schools in the United States and abroad. She is a graduate of Manhattanville College and earned her M.Ed. from Lesley University in Curriculum and Instruction. 


Eliza Statile is a recent graduate of Bates College. She will be joining IMS as an academic intern and the Assistant Director of Athletics. Ms. Statile will also coach three seasons of athletics, live on campus, work in the dormitory, and serve as an advisor. Ms. Statile has experience as a teaching assistant, tutor, and mentor to middle and high school students. She also led outdoor programs at Bates and is certified in Wilderness First Aid. 


Anne Tabora, having just completed her master’s degree in education from Boston University, will be joining our science department and will serve as an additional athletics trainer to support Max Abendroth in the Athletics Office. Ms. Tabora earned a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Missouri State University prior to pursuing her master’s degree. In addition to teaching 6th and 7th grade science, Ms. Tabora will be living on campus, working in the dormitory, and serving as an advisor. 


Casey Gramaglia has recently  moved to IMS with his family from Thailand where he taught English for the past several years. Mr. Gramaglia will teach two sections of English, coach, and be the new Director of Outdoor Adventure and Education. Mr. Gramaglia has extensive experience leading learning and backpacking expeditions around Thailand. He will live on campus with his family and work as a member of the residential life team. Mr. Gramaglia earned his bachelor’s degree from Eugene Lang at New School University and is pursuing a master’s degree in International Education from Keele University in the UK. 


Joy Al-Nemri will be joining IMS in the humanities department, teaching two sections each of English and history. Ms. Al-Nemri is a recent graduate of Bard college. While at Bard, Ms. Al-Nemri worked as a writing fellow and Arabic Tutor in the Learning Center. She also served as a Peer Counselor in the Office of Residential Life. Ms. Al-Nemri will be living on campus, working in the dormitory, coaching, and serving as an advisor. 


Elizabeth Skoglund will be a new part-time counselor at IMS as Eleanor Bradley transitions to part-time (and expands her family!). A graduate of Middlebury College and the University of Pennsylvania, Mrs. Skoglund has most recently worked at the Housatonic Youth Services Bureau. She has also worked previously at Hotchkiss and Berkshire, and she lives at the Millbrook School with her family. 


Charles Brown will be re-joining IMS as the new Senior Associate Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, and 8th Grade Dean. Mr. Brown has most recently been working at Kildonan as a teacher, coach, and the co-Dean of Faculty. He is the father to Gates (rising Kindergartener). Mr. Brown earned his bachelor’s degree from the College of Charleston and earned his master’s degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Brown worked previously at IMS for six years and we are thrilled to welcome him back. 


Kevin Briggs joins us in the Lower School as our science and Spanish teacher. He will also teach one Upper Campus math class. Kevin lives locally in Millerton and has most recently worked at the Kildonan School. Please join me in welcoming Kevin to IMS!