With the start of the school year, Choate welcomes its new faculty to campus. From administrators to teachers to librarians, the 18 new additions to our community are looking forward to getting to know Choate and its student body.
Look out for a feature on Ms. Jenny Elliott, Head of Student and Academic Life, next issue!
MR. JEFFERY ALLEN: New faculty member Mr. Jeffrey Allen is teaching third-formers in the English department. Excited to kick off the school year, Mr. Allen stated, “My goal is to make my students feel like they have a classroom community and feel comfortable expressing themselves.” Hailing from California, Mr. Allen was especially excited to come to Connecticut and experience the changing leaves of the New England fall.
MS. AZUCENA ALVAREZ ALONSO: Ms. Azucena Alvarez Alonso is a new Spanish teacher who received her B.A. from Universidad de Valladolid and later went on to earn her M.A. from West Virginia University. With extensive teaching experience in North America, Europe, and Asia, she is eager for her new position here at Choate. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Alvarez Alonso clears her mind through dance, particularly salsa and Latin dances and is excited to practice those very soon.
MR. ANDREW DICKSON: Mr. Andrew Dickson is the new Assistant Athletic Director and baseball coach. Mr. Dickson has significant experience in the field of baseball, having coached baseball at Yale University, Northwestern University, and Lafayette College previously. Mr. Dickson joined the Choate community because he loved the area and wanted to help student athletes find their path. This year, he is looking forward to experiencing a myriad of sporting events and integrating more into the Choate community.
MS. KARELYN SKINNR: Choate welcomes Ms. Karelyn Skinner as a new addition to the Math Department teaching Accelerated Algebra II, Advanced Precalculus, and serving as an the Boys’ Varsity Basketball Assistant Coach. Prior to joining Choate, she worked at Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy and came to Choate due to the inclusive community and passionate students and faculty. In addition to getting to know all the “talented and unique people within the community,” Ms. Skinner looks forward to experiencing her first Deerfield Day.
MS. JILLIAN K. FORGUE: Ms. Jillian K. Forgue is the new Associate Dean of Equity and Inclusion for Student Programming. She is also a Spanish 125 teacher and Girls’ Cross Country Assistant Coach. Ms. Forgue previously worked at Pomfret School where she taught Spanish, coached, and was part of the Equity and Inclusion team. On joining the community, Ms. Forgue noted, “I just really loved the environment, the commitment to equity, inclusion, and sustainability. I also love the motto ‘Be Undefinable.’ It is an encouragement for students to not be boxed into one label.”
DR. JULIE HAGEN: Choate welcomes Dr. Julie Hagen, the new Choral Director, who has been surrounded by music her whole life. Having loved music from a young age,” a career in music seemed a natural fit for her. She is excited about the campus’ commitment to sustainability and social justice issues, which are important to her as well.
Mx. KATE HENRICKS: Mx. Kate Henricks is a new addition to Choate’s English Deparment, teaching American literature, the Art of the Essay, and coaching swimming and Girls’ Water Polo in upcoming winter and spring terms. “I always wanted to be like the teachers that I had who fostered my love of actually being in a classroom,” Mx. Henricks answered after being asked about their motivation to become a teacher.
MX. KAMDEN HILLIARD: Choate welcomes Mx. Kamden Hilliard as a new member of the English Department who is particularly enthusiastic about creative writing. Mx. Hilliard was born in La Jolla, California, but calls Hawai’i home, where they graduated from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa with a B.A. in American Studies. An animal lover, Mx. Hilliard is an adviser in Nichols with their sweet and gentle (though seemingly intimidating) great dane and enjoys taking care of aquatic animals when not in the classroom.
DR. ERIN HOPKINS: Dr. Erin Hopkins is the third and newest addition to the Counseling team. She previously worked at Plainville School and was inspired to transfer to Choate because of its welcoming and vibrant environment. While she does not currently coach anything outside of her office, she is passionate about yoga, dance, and hiking. Above all, she is eager to meet all of her new students!
MR. WES JENKINS: As a new faculty member in the History department, Mr. Wes Jenkins teaches Honors United States History and Honors American Studies, coaches wrestling and track, and serves as an adviser in Memorial House. Prior to Choate, Mr. Jenkins worked at the Pomfret School and served as the Dean of Students in addition to teaching and coaching. “As a former dean, I am looking forward to getting back to the basics of teaching, coaching, and advising in the dorm,” said Mr. Jenkins. “I have always found these parts of the job to be rewarding and fun.”
MS. ABBY KANDEL: Ms. Abby Kandel, a new U.S. and World History teacher and coach for the Girls’ JV Soccer and Lacrosse teams, previously worked at Hawaii Preparatory Academy before she decided to come to Choate. “I knew of Choate, and I just knew how highly regarded it is. I wanted to really become a better teacher and be at a school that would challenge me as an educator.” Ms. Kandel is looking forward to both teaching and learning in Choate’s rigorous environment.
MS. CAHALEY MARKMAN: Ms. Markman is a new addition to the English department teaching third and fourth-formers global literature classes as well as serving as an adviser of The Choate News. Before joining Choate, Ms. Markman worked at Kings Academy and decided to come to Choate due to its mission in equity and inclusion. Excited by the way the English department has restructured the fourth-form global literature class., she looks forward to contributing to Choate’s mission of equity and inclusion in her classroom.
MRS. SYDNI MARMOR: Mrs. Sydni Marmor is a new advisor to the Bystander Education Program (BEP). Although new, Mrs. Marmor is not a stranger to Choate as worked as a part-time faculty last spring. “I admired being able to witness students with such passion, intelligence, and compassion to explore their identities with thoughtfulness and curiosity,” she said. Mrs. Marmor is looking forward to enjoying her favorite dining hall brownies, new initiatives of the counseling office, and getting to know the student body.
MS. SAM NELSON: Choate welcomes a new addition to the library staff, Ms. Sam Nelson, who will serve as the Assistant Director of the Library and an adviser in Nichols where she currently resides. When asked about what she is most looking forward to, Ms. Nelson said, “I’m excited for this work, and I feel excited to really get going once I get my feet under me because I want to help contribute to this community and maybe greater.” As an avid reader, it is difficult for Ms. Nelson to choose a favorite book, but one that has stuck with her over the years is Normal People by Sally Rooney.
MS. LAURA PACE: Ms. Laura Pace is Choate’s new addition to the Humanities department where she teaches U.S. History, coaches JV Field Hockey and JV Swimming afternoon, and is an adviser in Logan Munroe for third-form boys. Coming from Charlottesville, Virginia, she knew she wanted to begin her teaching career at a boarding school after attending a small one in Virginia. She was immediately drawn to Choate because of its kind and welcoming community and is excited to better know everyone.
MR. NOLAN SILBERNAGEL: Mr. Nolan Silbernagel is joining Choate this year as the new Assistant Director of Athletics and the Head of the Boys’ and Girls’ Swim teams. Mr. Silbernagel has previously worked at The Independent Day School as Assistant Director of Admissions and Xavier Highschool as the Swimming Head Coach. His favorite moment so far at Choate has been the School Meetings, and he is looking forward to the swim season!
MS. LEELA K. WOODY: Choate welcomes Ms. Leela K. Woody as a new member of the English department, Head of House of Library, and JV Volleyball Assistant Coach. Before joining Choate, Ms. Woody worked at a boarding school in Pennsylvania. What stood out to her about Choate was the continuous strive for growth perseverance through societal challenges the world has experienced recently. Her first few weeks have been busy and exciting, and she is looking forward to making more connections with the community.
