Staff Biographies:
Mrs. Heather Evans graduated with a combined degree in Physics and Education from the University of York in England and she also holds a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education. She comes to Greenfield with experience developing and teaching mathematics and physics courses in both public and private schools in the UK and the US. As a coach, she has led middle and high school math teams to state championship level. In her spare time she enjoys skiing, jogging, reading, travelling and spending time with her family. Mrs. Evans joined Greenfield Schools especially to help start and coordinate the Math & Science Academy. Her international teaching experience has helped MSA develop world class expectations. She’s currently pursuing an advanced certificate in educational leadership.
Ms. Darcy Albanese joined the Math & Science Academy in its inaugural year. After undergraduate studies as a dual major in Biology and Economics, Ms. Albanese pursued a doctorate in dentistry at Columbia University. She later turned her attention to teaching, earning a Masters degree in Education from the University of Massachusetts. She has shared her love and fascination with the natural world with middle school and high school students, working both in public and private school sectors teaching general science and biology. Additionally, she has experience as a craft stylist and brings this background to the classroom by creating a number of hands on activities that combine art and science. For nearly 15 years, she and her family have made Franklin County their home.
Mr. Michael Carriveau graduated cum laude from Westfield State University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. While at Westfield, Mr. Carriveau was inducted into the Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society. He has eight years experience teaching middle and high school in Western Massachusetts. In 2010 Mr. Carriveau received his Masters of Education shortly before joining the staff of the Math and Science Academy. A college athlete, he enjoys helping students hone their athletic skills as well as sharing an extensive background in American and world civilizations and many other subjects.
Mrs. Meridith Pavlosky graduated summa cum laude from Clark University in Worcester, MA, with a bachelor's degree in communications and English. She brings MSA an extensive background in student literature, youth book clubs, and public speaking, and is helping our academy to plan and develop library resources. Before teaching, she had a successful career in business communications including a decade of award-winning medical device sales. Mrs. Pavlosky enjoys reading everything she can get her hands on, writing fiction, and spending time with her family.
NEW FACES AT MATH & SCIENCE THIS YEAR
GRADES 4 AND 5—LOWER SCHOOL TEACHERS
Ms. Kathy LaPorte graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech & Language Pathology. In 2004, she returned to college, earning a Teaching Certification for grades 1-6. She has 7 years experience teaching grades 5 and 6 in Texas. In 2010, Ms. LaPorte moved to Western Massachusetts to be closer to her daughter, who attends UMASS Lowell. After a short time substituting for Greenfield Schools, she was a unanimous choice for joining Greenfield’s teaching staff. Her grade 5/6 teaching background includes all subjects, particularly math, science, and project- based, inquiry-based learning in all areas.
Mrs. Jacki Pinger joins the Math and Science Academy with the introduction of grades 4 and 5. She graduated from Union Institute and University with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and completed her Master's degree in curriculum and instruction. She worked for 3 years as the technology teacher at Greenfield Middle School and last year taught fifth-grade math and science. She is a life-long learner and encourages her students to develop an unquenchable thirst for learning. With many interests to share, Mrs. Pinger takes time to teach robotics for all students.
UPPER SCHOOL TEACHERS
Mr. Garth LaPointe has fifteen + years experience teaching math throughout northern New England in public and private secondary and middle schools. Mr. LaPointe received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Maine in Business Administration and worked in the banking and credit industry before following his parents’ lead and becoming a teacher. He is currently enrolled in a Masters in Education program at AIC. As the Math & Science Academy expanded this year, Mr. LaPointe is picking up a few grade 6 and 7 mathematics classes. He and his family have lived in the Pioneer Valley for fifteen years. His pastimes are following the accomplishments of his three children as they finish their school years, almost any activity that gets him outside, and participating in or coaching a wide variety of sports.
A native Spanish speaker, we welcome Mrs. Patricia Marks-Sund this year to teach Spanish lessons to grades 6 and 7, and once weekly Spanish classes to grades 4 and 5. Mrs. Mark-Sund’s bachelor’s degree is from Pan American/University of Texas in Elementary Education with a minor in Bilingual/ESL Education. She completed her Master of Education degree from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.
An educator at public, private, and charter schools, she is experienced teaching elementary, bilingual, and Spanish at all levels. She has taught middle and high school Spanish. Her goal is to make learning Spanish a fun experience through games, songs, food, and projects. Currently, she is pursuing an advanced degree in science education.
Mrs. Marks-Sund enjoys gardening, baking, relaxing, and traveling or cruising the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
INTEGRATED ARTS
Greenfield is an area rich in art and artists. Our schools are fortunate to find talented, well-educated adults who work part-time instructing in a variety of arts area that are integrated into our Math & Science Academy program. Our part-time integrated arts instructors work in tandem with Greenfield arts teachers at middle and high schools.
Mrs. Randi Humphrey graduated from Toccoa Falls College in Georgia with a B.S. in Music Education. She is a soprano and also plays flute, oboe, saxophone, piano, and guitar. She has taught private lessons at the Springfield Conservatory of Music in voice, flute, saxophone, and piano. She has also directed many children's musical plays and choruses. In her spare time she enjoys walking, reading, playing and singing music, and spending time with her family. She joined the Greenfield Public Schools last year as a part-time integrated arts instructor at the Discovery School at Four Corners (Greenfield’s first innovation school). She is working toward a Masters degree in Music Education.
Ms. Lindsey Victoria graduated from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA, with a degree in Studio Art. This is her third year teaching at Greenfield High School. For a second year, her GHS schedule allows her to teach art part-time Fridays at Math & Science. She is currently pursuing her Masters at the University of Massachusetts. Her interests are painting, reading, and hiking with her husband.
Mrs. Sheila Damkoehler joined Greenfield as a part-time instructor in world cultures, drawing on an extensive background in museum studies. She earned a B.S. in Medical Technology; is a fiber artist; was a small business owner promoting Global Education through the arts; and loves making connections between Art, Literature, Science, and History. She will soon earn a Master of Arts in Museum Education from Tufts University and is most interested in making cultural experiences more accessible to families. She also is a part-time enrichment instructor at Four Corners’ Discovery School. At MSA, World Cultures is integrated with and supports the art program.
Page last updated:
May 1, 2013
