Department Heads

  • Jenna Larson
    Global History and Social Sciences Department Head

Jenna Larson

  • Lisa Brown
    English Department Head, Upper School English

Lisa Brown

I grew up in Bethesda, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, DC. As a girl I loved reading; I remember going to the school library one day with my 5th grade class and overhearing my 3rd grade teacher tell one of her students to ask me to suggest a book because “Lisa has read every book in here.” Now, clearly that wasn’t true and I squirmed and blushed, but I was proud. Better than being remembered as the kid who put glue on everyone’s stool in 7th grade art. In middle school and high school, though, I stopped reading as much, but I re-discovered my love for it in college. By some miracle of scheduling, I took an American literature and American history at once, and the proverbial light bulb went off. The relationship between what was happening in the country and the author’s story captured my interest and made me want to keep reading and exploring the world. More importantly, it made me want to create that moment for other kids. After graduating, I taught in Tijuana, then Southern California and Maryland before making my way to Beaver. The committed faculty, the creativity in the classrooms, discussions about great literature, and the excitement of kids having their own “ah-ha” moment as learners all energize me and push me as a teacher.

  • Tim O’Brien
    Math Department Head, Middle School Math

Tim O’Brien

  • Tina Farrell
    Performing Arts Department Head and Artistic Director

Tina Farrell

I am a Jersey Girl, originally from Trenton. I moved to Boston to pursue a BFA in acting at Emerson College, which led me to Europe to study mime and to L.A. to study acting for film. After graduating, I co-founded a Boston-based theater company in which I performed, and I oversaw the artistic vision and business management. While working with my own company, I acted professionally in Boston and choreographed and performed with a modern dance company, RedShift.  I realized that as much as I loved performing, I got more gratification from sharing my passion for theater and dance with others and watching them grow as artists. I began to teach in the classroom and to direct and choreograph plays in many Boston area schools and theaters.  Eventually, I connected with Beaver, directing and choreographing in the afternoon program for more than 10 years.

I left the States to travel and teach theater in Andalucia, Spain, where I lived and worked for two years, but the performing arts chair position at Beaver lured me back to the US. I am thrilled to be back at Beaver as chair of the performing arts department, and I feel lucky to have the opportunity to merge my skills, understanding, and passion for the performing arts with our independent and creative students.  Through exposing the students to a range of performing opportunities—both curricular and co-curricular—we allow them to find and express their voice in many different ways, and we encourage them to explore differing viewpoints and unfamiliar cultures.

  • Rachel Veto
    Modern Language Department Head, Upper School French

Rachel Veto

  • Sam Coughlin
    Science Department Head, Upper School Science

Sam Coughlin

  • David Ingenthron
    Visual Arts Department Head, Upper School Visual Arts

David Ingenthron

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