by Helynna Lin '18
Dr Smith-Nichols
Dr. Smith-Nichols is joining our science department from Moravian Academy in Bethlehem, PA where she taught Biology and Physics. Carol Smith-Nichols brings a wealth of experience from the elementary level through the collegiate level. She is teaching Advanced Chemistry and Honors Chemistry. She is living on campus and will coach tennis and squash.Her life is also much richer by her three cats Muffin, Nomar, and Xau.
What’s your favorite part about teaching?
My favorite part of teaching is when I hear a student say “aha!” or “hmmmmm”. That means to me that either they’ve understood something really well (a lightbulb has gone off!) or they’re pondering the next step, asking themselves, what if? Either way, it’s very satisfying! I also really like seeing my students outside of the classroom, whether that’s in the dorm or the dining hall, it’s nice to get to know them as people and not just students.
Are there any customs, traditions, or trends at St. Mark’s that strike you as unusual or especially fun?
I really enjoyed the blessing of the animals in chapel early in October. It was fun to see everyone with their dog (or pictures of their animals), walking up the aisle through the chapel. Definitely a highlight of my first few months here.
What is your favorite food or drink in the dining hall?
In the dining hall, I really like the chilled water with lemon slices. I know that sounds silly but it’s always refreshing and reminds me of my native California.
What’s your favorite article of clothing and why?
My favorite article of clothing is my Birkenstocks! I lived and worked in Germany and a German tradition that I love is that you have a pair of shoes that are your outside, traveling shoes but also a pair of inside, at-work, thinking shoes. When you get to work you change your shoes. Everyone in my lab wore Birkenstocks at work so they remind me of being in a space where I’m thinking. Instead of a thinking cap, my Birkenstocks are my thinking shoes. Besides, I don’t have to tie laces!
Favorite musician?
My always, eternal, forever favorite musician is Neil Young. He’s a Canadian (I’m half Canadian) who now lives in Los Angeles, where I grew up. His music always spoke to me about justice and environmentalism, and he’s always reinventing and discovering himself.
Mr. Ahlgren
Mr. Ahlgren is the Assistant Director of College Counseling. He has been a counselor, teacher, and coach at Gilman School (MD), University Liggett School (MI), and Casady School (OK). Most recently he has served in the financial aid office at Johns Hopkins University. His professional commitments include serving NACAC as a national delegate (2006-2008) for the Potomac Chesapeake ACAC, where he also served as Chair of the Membership Committee. From 2002 through 2005, he has been a Mentor and committee member in the Camp College program for New York State ACAC and Michigan ACAC. From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Ahlgren was director and faculty member for NACAC’s Tools of the Trade program for new college counselors. More recently, Carl has also served on the Board of Directors and as Board Secretary for ACCIS. Mr. Ahrlgren lives on campus.
What’s your favorite part about teaching?
I am not teaching an academic class this year, but one of my favorite fall duties is reading and reviewing application essays for VI Formers. I've learned so much about the seniors, but also about St. Mark's and the richness of student experiences here.
Are there any customs, traditions, or trends at St. Mark’s that strike you as unusual or especially fun?
I've heard about Neon, and I've read about Broadway Night, which I am really looking forward to. I also especially like the contrast between the formality of Chapel with the easy going informality and humor of School Meetings.
What is your favorite food or drink in the dining hall?
I really liked the three flavors of wings we had a few weeks ago! I also like a lemonade-iced tea combo. It's great that there's fresh spinach every day.
What’s your favorite article of clothing and why?
As I was leaving Baltimore, a good friend gave me some very colorful socks as a going-away present. I guess this might be my favorite right now.
Favorite musician?
Whenever I'm on a long drive, I end up listening to Son Volt. That's my go-to music I suppose... but recently I've started listening to Alison Krauss, who I am starting to like very much.
Ms. Kosow
Ms. Kosow is the Assistant Dean of Students, Director of Student Life. She is coming to St. Mark’s from Tilton where she was the Media Integration Specialist and worked in the Dean of Students’ office, organizing student activities and leadership, as well as helping to oversee Residential Life. Ms. Koscow will be coaching field hockey and tennis. She is also the House Head of Gaccon.
What’s your favorite part about teaching?
My favorite part of organizing weekend activities is the opportunity to interact with the entire student body and learn about individual interests. Already I have learned that we have students who sing acapella, dominate on the knockerball field, create amazing works of art and more. My goal is to integrate these individual interests into the weekend activities offerings.
Are there any customs, traditions, or trends at St. Mark’s that strike you as unusual or especially fun?
I am really looking forward to being a part of Groton Week!
What is your favorite food or drink in the dining hall?
Flik dining creates wonderful dishes, but so far my favorite has been their mussel and shrimp dinner.
What’s your favorite article of clothing and why?
Although I willingly live in New England, I am not a fan of cold weather and therefore anything polar fleece is my best friend in the winter. I own fleece sweatshirts, sweatpants, jackets and even fleece sheets and blankets. My favorite fleece item would definitely be my Patriots jacket.
Favorite musician?
That all depends on my mood. I enjoy working out to Beyonce, relaxing with James Taylor, hanging by the pool with Jimmy Buffet and working in the office while listening to Thomas Rhett.
Ms. Finnerty
A SM alum, Ms. Finnerty is a graduate of Bowdoin College where she majored in psychology and french. While at Bowdoin, Colleen was a field hockey and ice hockey captain. She is joining us from Holderness School in Plymouth, NH where she taught French and coached field hockey and ice hockey. At St. Mark's Ms. Finnerty is teaching French and Psychology, and coaching field hockey, ice hockey, and softball. She is living in Gaccon along with her dog Buckeye.
What’s your favorite part about teaching?
I enjoy watching my students develop a sense of self-worth and pride in their achievements, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant they may be. Each person brings a different experience and perspective to the classroom, and their learning is impacted by those experiences. I hope to provide a space where students can share their experiences, take risks, and expand themselves and their thinking beyond what they previously thought was capable.
Are there any customs, traditions, or trends at St. Mark’s that strike you as unusual or especially fun?
Having graduated from St. Mark's, none of the traditions strike me as unusual. As a day student, I became especially fond of Cloister Ball, playing daily as I waited for my ride home. I still love a good game of Cloister Ball!
What is your favorite food or drink in the dining hall?
Flik does a wonderful job in the dining hall, and it may be too early to declare a favorite meal. However, I am a sucker for a good potato chip, and those warm chips in the Dining Hall are amazing.
What’s your favorite article of clothing and why?
When dress code hours are over, you will rarely see me around without a hat on my head. I own upwards of 35 hats that I have accumulated over the years. What started as an easy way to tame the 'whispies' of my hair has become my comfort zone.
Favorite musician?
I love Hootie & the Blowfish. They come together again in August of each year to play one concert in South Carolina, the state in which they met and formed. Hopefully, I make it to the concert one year!
Mr. Corliss
Mr. Corliss is a graduate of Tabor Academy where he was a 4 year rower and captain of the crew team. He then went on to Wesleyan University where he earned his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Biology. Caleb has been teaching Middle School science as well as 9th grade Environmental Science and upper-level science electives at the Darrow School and most recently at Harpeth Hall School in Tennessee. At St. Mark's Mr. Corliss is teaching Advanced Biology and Advanced Environmental Science, as well as coaching crew and basketball. He is living in the Coe along with his wife and their puppy named Pip.
What’s your favorite part about teaching?
My favorite thing about teaching is the opportunity to see students grow and feel empowered by their progress.
Are there any customs, traditions, or trends at St. Mark’s that strike you as unusual or especially fun?
So far at SM, I think I'm most surprised by the animal heads in the dining hall. I love seeing the younger faculty children get excited about them (or roar at them), but there's also something creepy about having them around all the time.
What is your favorite food or drink in the dining hall?
So far, my favorite dining hall food item is ice cream sandwiches, though there was a dinner where I took the last one and felt pretty bad about it.
What’s your favorite article of clothing and why?
My favorite articles of clothing are jeans lined with flannel. I'm waiting to be able to wear them comfortably in cold weather.
Favorite musician?
My favorite band has got to be Annie Clark aka St. Vincent. She's not the hero we deserve, but she's the hero we need.
Mr. Valitutto
Mr. Valitutto has come to St. Mark’s from Kent School in Connecticut where he taught math, ran the math team, and oversaw the weekend activity program. Additionally, he has coached football, intramural basketball, and track. Mr. Valitutto is a graduate of Alfred University where he majored in math and chemistry. At St. Mark's Mr. V is teaching math and coaching football and basketball. He will also be the House Head of Coe, where he lives with his wife, Leah and cats Lucky and Sunny.
What’s your favorite part about teaching?
My favorite part is getting students to challenge themselves with difficult questions and seeing them realize that the lessons learned in math class extend beyond the classroom.
Are there any customs, traditions, or trends at St. Mark’s that strike you as unusual or especially fun?
I haven't had a chance to see too many traditions in action yet, but I appreciate how we gather as a school every day.
What is your favorite food or drink in the dining hall?
Hmm... probably the sugar cookie squares.
What’s your favorite article of clothing and why?
My shiny purple suit - it looks great (obviously!) and brings up lots of great memories.
Favorite musician?
Tricky one... I guess I'd have to say the Decemberists.
Ms. Zhu
Ms.Zhu is an Admission Counselor and Assistant Director of Community and Equity. Before moving to the U.S., she was an ESL teacher in Hong Kong for 5 years. She has completed her Masters in Language & Literacy from Harvard Graduate School of Education last Spring. Ms. Zhu has travelled extensively throughout her life, and most recently has gotten to know SM through her work Envoys. She loves Zumba and K-pop dance. She is living in the Main Building.
What’s your favorite part about teaching?
Getting to know each student and see them develop their potentials.
Are there any customs, traditions, or trends at St. Mark’s that strike you as unusual or especially fun?
I love the chapel talks, especially when students are sharing their personal stories.
What is your favorite food or drink in the dining hall?
Chicken parmesan, sesame chicken, gluten-free cookies
What’s your favorite article of clothing and why?
One-piece dress, because you don't need to think about what else you need to wear in order to match it .
Favorite musician?Jason Mraz and Ed Sheeran (if they count)
Jason Mraz and Ed Sheeran (if they count)
Mr Gayle
Mr. Gayle is joining us as an Assistant Director of Admission. He is from Jamaica and studied Anthropology, African Studies, theatre and music at Macalester College and has a particular interest in global education. He has just completed his Master's in International Training and Education at American University. Mr. Gayle is an upbeat, outgoing educator who is excited to embrace all aspects of boarding school life at St. Mark's. He is living in Coe.
What’s your favorite part about teaching?
I work in Admissions so I'm not formally teaching at St. Mark's (at least not yet!) however, I thoroughly enjoy interacting with my advisees and sharing our process of transitioning to St. Mark's together. My favorite part so far of being in admissions is experiencing our current community and then meeting prospective students and families that seem like they would be a great fit here. I also like seeing prospective students’ eyes light up when I am telling them about St. Mark's, who we are and what we have to offer.
Are there any customs, traditions, or trends at St. Mark’s that strike you as unusual or especially fun?
Even though I was unable to attend because I was at admissions fairs off campus, I always thought that the Blessing of the Animals chapel would be interesting, fun and entertaining. Hopefully, I will be able to witness it in the future. Since students constantly talk about Groton night, I'm interested to see what that's all about! Weekly chapel services and seated meals were customs I haven't really practiced since I was in boarding school back home in Jamaica- so, it was interesting trying to get re-acclimated to those customs.
What is your favorite food or drink in the dining hall?
The food is quite good here so it's hard to pick one meal. That hasn't been working out too well as I may need to double up on the exercise. Weirdly enough, I really like the flavored water and the spread of veggies (I'm not known to be a healthy eater!).
What’s your favorite article of clothing and why?
It was a stylish ring that was gifted to me by a store owner on the beach in California. She liked my energy so gave me the ring for free. I say this, but I misplaced it recently while traveling for admissions. :( So now, my favorite article of clothing is my St. Mark's belt.
Favorite musician?
Beyonce! Queen Bey is really a sensation of our time. We literally have to bow down when we think of how amazingly talented she is (Okay, maybe I'm over-reacting). I also like Joyous Celebration and Soweto Gospel Choir- both South African singing groups. Overall, my Pandora has eclectic mixes as once a song has a good vibe or beat, I will enjoy it! :)
Mr. Kuklewicz
Mr. Kuklewicz is our Chief Financial and Operations Officer (CFOO). As such, he oversees the School’s business, financial, investment, facilities, human resources, risk management and operational functions. A graduate of the University of Maryland, and a Certified Public Accountant, Mr. Kuklewicz has served for the last eleven years as Chief Financial Officer for The Langley School in Northern Virginia, where he was responsible for the finances and operations as well as some major construction projects. Before becoming Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Kuklewicz served as the Controller at Langley. He lives on campus with his wife, Kathleen, daughter, Libby, and their dog, Cora.
What’s your favorite part about teaching?
I'm working in the business office as the Chief Financial & Operations Officer.
Are there any customs, traditions, or trends at St. Mark’s that strike you as unusual or especially fun?
I enjoyed learning about the cloister ball game.
What is your favorite food or drink in the dining hall?
The ice-cream.
What’s your favorite article of clothing and why?
My running shoes: because they make me want to run or work out!
Favorite musician?
Favorite "Old" Artist: The Police. Current: The Killers.
Ms. Moreno
Ms. Moreno is joining our Modern Language department and will teach three sections of Spanish. Ms. Moreno was a professor at George Washington University and Worcester State University and lives in Southborough with her family. She received her Masters in Spanish from Fundacion Universidad de la Rioja and Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
What’s your favorite part about teaching?
Learning. You learn when you teach and you learn from your students.
Are there any customs, traditions, or trends at St. Mark’s that strike you as unusual or especially fun?
The dogs walking in the chapel was pretty unique.
What is your favorite food or drink in the dining hall?
Chickpeas with squash soup.
What’s your favorite article of clothing and why?
Flannel pajamas in the winter.
Favorite musician?
Leonard Cohen