Get to know our newest faculty and staff members—joining Beaver in the 2024-25 school year—below!
Edward Henry – US Global History & Social Studies Teacher
I’m coming from… most recently Moses Brown School. Hail from California.
When I’m not at work you can find me… reading speculative fiction in the park or exploring a new eatery in the city.
My favorite thing about Boston is… delicious variety of food across the city and the view of Back Bay from the Mass Ave. bridge
Book I’m reading… Monk & Robot duology by Becky Chambers.
TV Show I’m binging… Babylon 5.
My favorite food is… anything chocolate or chilaquiles.
My favorite Olympic sport to watch is… summer: rowing. winter: curling,
What excites you most about teaching at Beaver? Hm… this is a difficult one to narrow down but I’m eager to jump into the mindset: make excellent mistakes, launch, test, & refine. I am energized by the embrace of a holistic education, where the classroom is merely an extension of the outside world and vice versa.
Becca Wallach – MS Visual Arts Teacher
I’m coming from… I grew up outside of Boston. I had been teaching high school visual art at a charter school in Hyde Park for several years. Most recently, I have been raising my two babies and I’m looking forward to being back in the classroom this year with middle schoolers.
When I’m not at work you can find me… honestly, I feel like I’m always cooking* and spending time walking the neighborhood, in parks, woods, and playgrounds. *No one told me that (one significant aspect of) being a parent is preparing agazillion meals for tiny people who rarely eat much of those meals. So when I’m not doing that, it feels really good to be outside. I also really enjoy thrifting… alone.
My favorite thing about Boston is… proximity to very good hospitals… and the laws here that allow women to access care for their bodies.
Book I’m reading… I’m reading the Whole-Brain Child. I suggest The Happiest Kids in the World. That one’s a short read with some nuggets that feel very important. I’m in this genre for now.
Movie I’ve seen the most… Speed; I was an early Keanu fan.
My favorite food is… Dim Sum. I like the energy, the variety, the mystery, the pace. I also could eat shrimp for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
My favorite Olympic sport to watch is… track and field. I’m surprising myself with this basic answer, but so many of the foot races were just INCREDIBLY exciting to watch.
What excites you most about teaching at Beaver? Beaver values and encourages risk-taking and that’s a wonderful environment for teachers and students, alike. Like, how great it is to feel like you’re supported and doing alright every time you choose to try, test, hypothesize, experiment, or go out on-a-limb?
Mike Marroquín-Castillo – MS Director of Engagement and Inclusion
When I’m not at work you can find me… running or practicing yoga.
My favorite thing about Boston is… it’s rich history.
Podcast I recommend… Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness.
Movie I’ve seen the most… Nightmare Before Christmas or Devil Wears Prada (a close second)
My favorite food is… Pollo Campero.
My favorite Olympic sport to watch is… women’s basketball.
What excites you most about working at Beaver? It’s going to be a dam good time (haha)
Matthew Mandy – Athletics Coordinator
I’m coming from… Sandwich, MA.
When I’m not at work you can find me… On the beach or playing basketball.
My favorite thing about Boston is… the food (specifically Italian in the North End).
Book I’m reading… The Heart of Leadership by Joshua Freedman
TV Show I’m binging… Breaking Bad.
My favorite food is… Shrimp Scampi.
My favorite Olympic sport to watch is… Mens 5v5 basketball.
What excites you most about working at Beaver? I am excited to learn from all of my colleagues and gain experience in a larger department and school.
Cara Hanig – Director of College Counseling
I’m coming from… Framingham. I previously worked as Director of College Counseling at Dana Hall.
When I’m not at work you can find me… in my garden, walking my dog, or at Orange Theory.
My favorite thing about Boston is… the amazing variety of food and outdoor spaces in which to eat it.
Podcast I recommend… I know it’s cliche, but a good true crime podcast is right up my alley.
Book I’m reading… Currently reading The Island of Missing Trees.
TV Show I’m binging… We just finished Letterkenny and are working our way through Brooklyn 99.
My favorite food is… Tteokbokki (Korean spicy rice cakes)
My favorite Olympic sport to watch is… trampolining.
What excites you most about working at Beaver? Every student with whom I’ve interacted has been fascinating! Curious, interested in the world around them, and full of energy. I can’t wait to work with them as they explore life after Beaver.
Russell Bollag-Miller – US English Teacher
I’m coming from… a Master’s program at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education.
When I’m not at work you can find me… spending as much time outside as possible, preferably in mountains.
My favorite thing about Boston is… how fun and easy it is to explore by bike.
Book I’m reading… Mink River by Brian Doyle.
Movie I’ve seen the most… I have rewatched Akira Kurasawa’s Seven Samurai more times than I can count.
My favorite food is… the spiciest Chicken Vindaloo I can convince a restaurant to serve me.
My favorite Olympic sport to watch is… rock climbing.
What excites you most about teaching at Beaver? I am thrilled to be joining a community that embraces trying out and building new kinds of learning experiences.
Alycia Scott-Hiser – Computational Thinking and Computer Science Teacher
I’m coming from… Many years at Noble and Greenough School in Dedham, but originally from Normal, Illinois. (yes, seriously!)
When I’m not at work you can find me… At my “tiny house” in the woods of Heath (western MA)
My favorite thing about Boston is… It’s NOT Normal, Illinois.
Podcast I recommend… Hard Fork, a show “about the future that’s already here”.
TV Show I’m binging… Just finished Loot, a comedy on Apple TV. Maya Rudolph is brilliant.
My favorite food is… Sushi and ramen.
My favorite Olympic sport to watch is… Judo – my daughter competed for many years.
What excites you most about teaching/working at Beaver? The opportunity to deeply explore computational thinking through collaborations with enthusiastic colleagues and curious students. And the cool vibe of the place; forward thinking, passionate and real world.
Kaitlin Carson – Sports Performance Coach
I’m coming from… Originally from Melrose, MA and have been working at Brandeis University.
When I’m not at work you can find me… on the beach!
My favorite thing about Boston is… the great restaurants.
Book I’m reading… The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
TV Show I’m binging… Below Deck.
My favorite food is… French fries.
My favorite Olympic sport to watch is… Beach Volleyball.
What excites you most about working at Beaver? I’m really excited to meet the kids and help them gain confidence by teaching them how to properly exercise!
Tingting Xing or Xing Laoshi – US Chinese Teacher
I’m coming from… Beijing / Nice / Alice Springs / Wanganui / Northampton, MA / NMH
When I’m not at work you can find me… at playgrounds, gymnastic & music classes, festivals, parks, museums, and wherever my daughter can have fun.
My favorite thing about Boston is… its size and facilities.
Book I’m reading… none at the moment, the last book I manage to finish is The Three-Body Problem.
Movie I’ve seen the most… The Lord of the Rings – travelled in NZ for 8 months to feel the Middle Earth.
My favorite food is… hot pot – make your own food puzzle.
My favorite Olympic sport to watch is… synchronized swimming (the longest I can watch with the little one).
What excites you most about teaching at Beaver? Exploring different ways of shaping teaching & learning environments with a comfortable amount of support and to see how the kids grow in these environments.
Kathy Tarnoff (aka KT) – US Administrative Coordinator
I’m coming from… MGH’s Center for Disaster Medicine.
When I’m not at work you can find me… hiking, walking the pond or the arboretum, taking a yoga class, cooking.
My favorite thing about Boston is… the fall – the city seems to come alive with events and activities.
Book I’m reading… The Island at the Center of the World by Russell Shorto.
TV Show I’m binging… The Bear.
My favorite food is… anything Mexican.
My favorite Olympic sport to watch is… Women’s soccer.
What excites you most about working at Beaver? The people, everyone is extremely kind, fun and helpful!
Elisha Cho – Assistant Director of Upper School
I’m coming from… Pingree School.
When I’m not at work, you can find me… gardening, taking my son to soccer, playing Chutes and Ladders, and traveling.
My favorite things about Boston are… oysters, beaches, and summer, among many others.
Book I’m reading… 5 AM Club which I would love to join one day.
TV Show I’m binging… Betty, la Fea: la historia continúa.
My favorite food is… tteok-bokki. Toda la vida.
My favorite Olympic sport to watch is… tennis.
What excites you most about working at Beaver? Students-first, student-centered mindset.
Jenna Larson – US Global History & Social Studies Teacher
I’m coming from… Buckingham, Browne, and Nichols.
When I’m not at work you can find me… with my two kids under 3!
My favorite thing about Boston is… the history!
Book I’m reading… currently working through Sarah J Maas books and Fareed Zakaria books.
TV Show I’m binging… The Office, but a show I love that I’m binging now is Fleabag.
My favorite food is… anything with truffle…I’m going through a truffle kick.
My favorite Olympic sport to watch is… the obscure track and field events.
What excites you most about teaching at Beaver? The curriculum and collaborating with colleagues and students.
Goldie Abaee – Librarian & Educational Technology Specialist
I’m coming from… I have lived in 8 countries in 3 continents and grew up in 3. I am Persian-Canadian and proud of my diverse background and cultures.
When I’m not at work you can find me… watching documentaries, cooking, baking and painting.
My favorite thing about Boston is… its rich history, architecture, diversity and people.
Book I’m reading… Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl.
TV Show I’m binging… Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Movie I’ve seen the most… The Godfather I & II.
My favorite food is… hard to say just one, but rhe perfect cheeseburger comes to mind.
What excites you most about teaching/working at Beaver? The BVR community and strong sense of belonging