Bárbara Benítez-Meléndez joins the modern languages department to teach Spanish. Bárbara earned her bachelor’s degree from Interamerican University in San Juan and her master’s degree from Middlebury College. A veteran instructor in experiential education programs, Bárbara has most recently taught both Spanish and English language skills at both the middle school and high school levels.
Julia Coffey-Esquivel, who earned her bachelor’s degree from Vassar College and her master’s degree in public health from Emory University, joins Milton as an associate director of college counseling. For four years, Julia served as an assistant director of admission at Haverford College, where she led Haverford’s multicultural recruitment initiatives. While completing her graduate work, she volunteered for both the Emory and Haverford admission offices, and for the past year, Julia has worked on the epidemiology team at Boston’s Fenway Institute.
Vanessa Cohen, a new member of Milton’s mathematics department, earned her bachelor’s degree in physics at University of Missouri-St. Louis and both her master’s degree and her doctorate in astronomy at the University of Maryland. Vanessa has spent the last seven years at the Garrison Forest School in Maryland, where she taught math, physics and astronomy. In addition, Vanessa served as a lead dorm parent and class advisor to the ninth grade, founded the school’s gospel choir, and advised the Black Student Alliance. Vanessa will live with her family in Hallowell House.
Nicole Darling, a member of Milton’s Class of 1997, returns to Milton as a member of the visual arts department. Nicole earned her bachelor’s degree in history at Vassar College and a diplom in photography (MFA equivalent) at Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, Germany. Nicole taught art and served as diversity director at the Linden Hill School for three years, and for the past five years she has served as the art department chair and a photography teacher at the Forman School. While at Forman, Nicole also coached the alpine ski team, served as a dorm parent, and traveled with students to Japan. She has shown her work in Germany, Japan and the United States. Nicole will live in Robbins House.
George Duryea, who taught science in Milton’s Middle School last year, joins the Upper School science department as a sabbatical replacement. George earned his bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Trinity College. After stints at Genzyme and the Judge Group, George served as science teaching apprentice at the Park School in Brookline and then came to Milton to teach both seventh and eighth grade science. George will teach physics and chemistry and coach track in the spring.
Mark Heath, who earned his master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania while teaching government and economics at Milton as a teaching fellow, joins the history and social sciences department as a full-time teacher. A graduate of Harvard University, where he participated in the Undergraduate Teacher Education Program, Mark leads Milton’s Model United Nations program and serves on the curriculum committee. He will live in Norris House.
Zeynep Isvan, who joins the mathematics department, earned her bachelor’s degree in physics at Boğaziçi University in Istanbul, Turkey, and then earned both her master’s degree and doctorate in physics at the University of Pittsburgh. After serving as a teaching assistant at the University of Pittsburgh and mentoring undergraduates at the Brookhaven National Lab, Zeynep spent three years at Choate Rosemary Hall, where she taught math, led directed studies in quantum mechanics and quantum information, advised both day and boarding students, and served on the Sustainability Committee and the Diversity Education Committee.
Joanna Latham joins the science department on a part-time basis to teach chemistry. A graduate of Northeastern University, Joanna earned her master’s degree in geology at the University of Idaho. After working for over a decade as a geologist, Joanna has spent the last 10 years teaching at the collegiate and secondary level, including stints at Northeastern University, the University of Southern New Hampshire and Wellesley High School.
Tori Lockwood, a graduate of Wellesley College, joins the mathematics department. Tori began her teaching career as teaching fellow at Phillips Academy Andover, where she lived in a girls’ dorm, and has spent the last two years teaching math at Interlochen Arts Academy, where she also coordinated peer tutors in math and science. A member of the softball team and the alpine ski club while at Wellesley, Tori will also coach the ski team at Milton.
Joanna Novick, who joins the Cox Library staff as a librarian, earned her bachelor’s degree from Emerson College, her master’s degree in history from Providence College, and her master’s degree in library and information science from San Jose State University. For 11 years, Joanna taught history at the secondary level, both at the Darrow School and Gann Academy. For the past two years, Joanna has served as reference and information literacy librarian at Mount Ida College.
Patrick Owens, who earned his master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania while teaching math at Milton as a teaching fellow, will now join the mathematics department as a full-time teacher. A graduate of Georgetown University, Patrick has taught Honors Statistics, Precalculus, and Honors Algebra II at Milton, and he has also coached basketball, tennis and soccer. Patrick will continue to live in Goodwin House.
Rachel Pedersen joins Milton as a participant in the University of Pennsylvania Resident Masters in Teaching program. Rachel earned her bachelor’s degree in physics and philosophy at Bates College and her master’s degree in physics from Brown University. At Bates, Rachel served as teaching assistant in both the philosophy and physics departments. Rachel also sailed for Bates for four years and earned four varsity letters as a member of the Bates swimming team. In addition to teaching physics in the science department, Rachel will coach sailing.
Beth Reardon joins Milton Academy as a librarian in the Cox Library. Beth earned her bachelor’s degree at Rhode Island College and her master’s in library science from the University of Michigan. For the past 33 years, Beth served as the upper school librarian at the McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In addition to her work in the library at McCallie, Beth served as a class dean and coached the academic bowl team.
Olivia Robbins joins Milton as a participant in the University of Pennsylvania Residency Master’s in Teaching program. At Princeton University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English and a certificate in European Cultural Studies, Olivia won awards for her poetry and essays, co-chaired the Pace Council for Civic Values, and served as co-president of the Princeton Women’s Mentorship Program. In addition to teaching in the English department, Olivia will support Milton’s dance program.
Claire Shea, a new member of the modern languages department, earned her bachelor’s degree in Spanish and anthropology from Wellesley College and her master’s in Spanish from Middlebury College. Claire began her teaching career at the Sturgis Charter School, where she led trips to Costa Rica and Spain and taught in the International Baccalaureate program. She has spent the last year in Jamaica, teaching at the American International School of Kingston. In addition to working in the modern languages department, Claire will provide support for Milton’s dance program.
Murielle St. Paul, the new assistant director of academic support in Milton’s Academic Skills Center, earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Hartford and her master’s degree from the University of St. Joseph. After teaching at the Grove School and Franklin Academy, both in Connecticut, Murielle has spent the last three years at the Forman School, where she has served as a learning specialist, a volleyball and tennis coach, and a dorm parent in both boys’ and girls’ dorms.