About

Faculty & Staff

If you know the department that a person is associated with, use that option for your search. If you know only a last name, use the rightmost option, which is a pop-up alphabetical menu.

Select a department or last name:

  • Photo of Jenniqua Bailey
    Jenniqua Bailey
    Athletics
    Year Appointed: 2024
    (860) 408-3066
  • Photo of Sephora Batoh
    Sephora Batoh RN
    Student Health Center
    School Nurse
    Year Appointed: 2022
    (860) 408-3080
    Université de Yaoundé - B.S.
    Labouré Collège - A.S.N.
    Chamberlain University - B.S.N.
    Université de Yaoundé - M. Biochem
  • Photo of Nicholas Cary
    Nicholas Cary
    History
    Co-Director of Student Activities
    Year Appointed: 2020
    (860) 408-3755
    Tennis
    Tufts University - B.A.
    Lesley University - M.A.
    Bio
     
    Prior to Westminster, Nick served as a history teaching apprentice, advisor, tennis coach and dormitory proctor at Berwick Academy and as a Humanities Department Fellow at Culver Academies, where he was a dorm resident, faculty mentor and varsity tennis coach. He also worked for two years as assistant coach of Men’s Tennis at his alma mater, Tufts University, and was the varsity tennis coach at Belmont Hill School in 2019, where he graduated in 2012.

    While at Tufts, where he earned a B.A. in political science, Nick was team captain of Men’s Tennis during his senior year and also served as a part-time admissions tour guide. For a number of years, he worked as a teaching professional for junior and adult tennis programs at Charles River Country Club. 

    In addition to teaching in the History Department at Westminster, Nick serves as head coach of First Boys’ Tennis and is the dorm head in Memorial Hall. His interests include playing golf, board games, pro-bono dog sitting, and watching sports and movies.
  • Photo of Julie Collins
    Julie Collins
    Administration, Business Office
    Chief Financial Officer
    Year Appointed: 2018
    (860) 408-3030
    Boston College - B.S.
    Bio
     
    Julie joined Westminster following a 20-year career at Deerfield Academy. After serving as assistant controller for nine years and controller for five years, she was appointed director of business services where she was responsible for oversight of daily operations of the Finance Office, which included seven staff members and three campus store staff. She managed Deerfield’s budgeting process and collaborated with Deerfield’s operations team, including facilities, food service, human resources, information technology and security. Among many other responsibilities, she assisted with tax-exempt bond issues, participated in the campus master planning process and was a liaison with the Advancement Office. 
     
    Before Deerfield, Julie spent six years as the manager of budget and decision support for Baystate Franklin Medical Center and six years in the audit division of Coopers & Lybrand. She earned a B.S. in accounting from Boston College and certification as a CPA. 
     
    Julie lives in a faculty home on Winterset Lane with her two dogs. She is frequently joined on dog walks by her husband, Jim, and two sons, Ryan and Ben. Julie’s interests include running and volunteering as a board member at a community arts center.
  • Photo of Siobhan Dale
    Siobhan Dale
    English
    Year Appointed: 2022
    Cross Country
    Swimming & Diving
    University of Connecticut - B.A.
    The New School - M.F.A.
    Bio
     
    Siobhan Dale grew up in two home cities — Christchurch, New Zealand and Storrs, Conn. She attended high school at Edwin O. Smith where she was an active member of many communities including the girls’ basketball team and the girls’ swimming and diving team. After graduating high school, Siobhan attended Fordham University and swam for one year on the Division I swim team. She transferred to the University of Connecticut where she earned her bachelor’s degree in English literature.
     
    While at the University of Connecticut, Siobhan was a member of the club swim team and the co-editor in chief of UConn’s international literary magazine Long River Review. After graduating from UConn, Siobhan studied poetry at The New School and earned her M.F.A. in creative writing.
     
    Before coming to Westminster, Siobhan served as the East Hartford High School boys’ and girls’ assistant swim coach.
     
    At Westminster, Siobhan is a corridor supervisor in Cushing Hall, and is the head coach for the boys’ and girls’ swimming and diving team and the head coach for the girls’ cross-country team. Siobhan loves watching movies, hiking and traveling — especially to visit her family in New Zealand. 
  • Photo of Kelly Donahue
    Kelly Donahue
    Science
    Year Appointed: 2020
    (860) 408-3739
    Soccer
    Trinity College - B.A.
    Boston University - M.S.Ed.
    Bio
     
    A graduate of Northfield Mount Hermon School, Kelly earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at Trinity College, where she was inducted into the National Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society as well as the Phi Beta Kappa Society, and served as an undergraduate organic chemistry researcher and biology researcher, a science supplemental instructor and a sports communications assistant. Recently, Kelly’s undergraduate work in Trinity College’s organic chemistry laboratory was published in a scientific journal. At Trinity, Kelly was also a varsity athlete on the Women’s Soccer team and was honored as a NESCAC Division III All-Academic. In 2019, she served as a teaching fellow at Taft Summer School, where she co-taught chemistry, taught public speaking, coached soccer and mentored dorm students. Most recently, Kelly received her master’s in education degree from Boston University.

    At Westminster, Kelly helps coach the Varsity Girls’ Soccer, teaches multiple levels of biology, and is corridor supervisor in Kelter House. In her free time, Kelly enjoys spending time with family and friends, and heading to the beach. She lives on campus with her husband, Jackson, and their black lab Ellie.
  • Photo of Jeanne Griffith
    Jeanne B. Griffith
    Library
    Librarian
    Year Appointed: 2013
    (860) 408-3814
    Wellesley College - A.B.
    Bio
     
    Jeannie brings a great deal of experience as a teacher and tutor in public and independent schools to her role as a librarian. In previous positions, she has taught reading, writing and study skills, tutored students in biology, taught science and health for students in kindergarten through eighth grade, and developed and taught courses in biology and study skills for a summer enrichment program. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences at Wellesley College, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and was awarded the Lucy Branch Allen Prize for excellence in biological sciences.
     
    At Westminster, Jeannie is an assistant librarian. Previously, she served as an office assistant in the admissions office and a biology tutor. She also was a dormitory parent with her husband, history teacher Charlie Griffith, for 11 years. They are honorary members of the Class of 2014. She is the faculty advisor to The Bibliophiles, our student book club. Jannie served as the director of student activities for nine years. 
     
    Jeannie and Charlie have three children, Kathryn ’11, Tommy ’14 and Jack ’17, and live in a faculty home on campus. In her free time, Jeannie enjoys reading, walking and needlepoint.
  • Photo of Michael Isakoff
    Michael Isakoff MD
    Student Health Center
    Consultant Medical Director & Pediatrician and Pediatric Oncologist & Hematologist
    Year Appointed: 2023
    (860) 408-3080
    University of Michigan - B.S.
    New York University School of Medicine - M.D.
    Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital - Pediatrics Residency
    Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute - Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship
  • Photo of Thomas Johnston
    Thomas Johnston
    Visual and Performing Arts
    Concert Band and Jazz Band Director
    Year Appointed: 2020
    University of Hartford - B.M.
    Central Connecticut State University - M.M.
    University of Hartford - M.Ed.
    Bio
     
    Tom served as the band director at Farmington High School for 36 years, where he grew the program from 50 band students to nearly 200 in five band ensembles. He organized national and international music trips, managed and chaired many regional and All-State bands, was a trained mentor music educator, organized districtwide band festivals, was the pit conductor for musicals, and was named in 2011 the Connecticut Music Educators High School Music Teacher of the Year. Before that, he was the band teacher at Irving Robbins Middle School for two years, where he oversaw a band program with 130 members.
     
    Tom holds bachelor’s degrees in music education and saxophone performance and master’s degrees in music education and educational technology. He lives in Farmington with his wife Wendy. His son, Ben, graduated from the University of Maryland and is working for a defense contractor in northern Virginia. Tom performs in a concert band, a jazz band, and a saxophone ensemble called Brown Paper Sax. He is a board member of the Nutmeg Symphony Orchestra and has raised money for the ALS Association of Connecticut since 2005. Tom also teaches flute, clarinet, and saxophone to students in person and online. Tom is passionate about fitness, UConn Basketball, the Red Sox, and is a lover of dogs. Both Tom and his wife Wendy volunteer with the nonprofit Healing Meals out of Simsbury.
  • Photo of Michael Lawler
    Michael Lawler
    English
    Head of the English Department
    Year Appointed: 2020
    (860) 408-3796
    Soccer
    Lacrosse
    Donald H. Werner Chair in English
    Harvard University - A.B.
    Middlebury College - M.A.
    Bio
     
    Following graduation from The Roxbury Latin School, Mike earned a bachelor’s degree in English with a language citation in French from Harvard University. While at the university, he was a four-year member of the varsity football team, which was the Ivy League champion in 2007 and 2008. He was also a NFF Hampshire Honor Society inductee and a Pforzheimer Foundation Public Service Grant recipient in support of his work at the Cambridge Youth Enrichment Program, an experience that inspired Mike to become a teacher. In 2016, he earned a master’s degree in English literature from Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English.
     
    Prior to his Westminster appointment, Mike served two years at The Roxbury Latin School as an English teacher, football and lacrosse coach, associate director of college guidance, associate director of The Penn Fellows Program and associate director of admission. Before that, he spent six years at St. Sebastian’s School teaching English, coaching football and lacrosse, and serving as associate director of college counseling. He also spent four summers teaching English at The Steppingstone Academy. Mike was a board member of Adams Montessori School for four years, taught one year at Duxbury Public Schools and spent a fall as a high school English language assistant teacher in France.
     
    At Westminster, Mike teaches English and is the dorm head in Squibb House, where he lives with his wife, Maddy Reavey, an advertising strategist, son, Wes, and Roux, their lively wheaten terrier. His interests include reading, writing, outdoor exploration of all kinds, yoga and meditation and traveling whenever possible. 
  • Photo of Lu Ann Longo
    Lu Ann Longo
    Support Staff
    Mailroom Clerk
    Year Appointed: 2024
    (860) 408-3767
  • Haley Mate
    Athletics
    Year Appointed: 2025
  • Photo of Patrick Owens
    Patrick Owens
    Mathematics
    Executive Director, Horizons at Westminster & Hartford Partnerships
    Year Appointed: 2023
    (860) 408-3006
    Basketball
    Georgetown University - B.S.
    University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education - M.S.Ed.
    Bio
     
    After growing up in and around the Hartford area, Patrick attended Georgetown University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and psychology. While serving as a teaching assistant in the math department, he developed a passion for education and, upon graduating, secured a position as a teaching fellow through the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. Following his fellowship, Patrick spent nine years working as a math teacher, basketball and tennis coach, and dorm head at Milton Academy. He also served 10 years as the co-director of the SPHERE Summer Program, an academic enrichment program for Hartford students.
     
    At Westminster, Patrick serves as the Executive Director of Horizons & Hartford Partnerships, teaches math, coaches basketball, and lives in Squibb House with his Swiss Mountain Dog, Hank.
  • Photo of Rachel Russell
    Rachel Russell
    Visual and Performing Arts
    Director of Dance
    Year Appointed: 2022
    (860) 408-3072
    Photography
    Dance
    The Hartt School, The University of Hartford - B.F.A.
    Bio
     
    While growing up in Houston, Texas, Rachel trained as a professional ballet dancer and attend the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts until moving to Hartford to attend The Hartt School at the University of Hartford, for her BFA. Before coming to Westminster, Rachel danced with Ballet Hartford and ran her professional photography business, Rachel A. Photography. In recent years, Rachel’s photographic work has been published in both “Dance Magazine” and “Hartford Style.” In the fall of 2021, she started working as a dance teacher and choreographer at Westminster before being named a faculty member for the 2022-2023 academic year. 
     
    As of Fall 2024, Rachel is the Director of Dance. She teaches dance as an academic class as well as coordinate the Dance Afternoon Program. As a member of the visual arts faculty, Rachel teaches Introduction to Photography, Advanced Photography, AP 2D Art & Design (Photography). 
     
    In her free time, Rachel enjoys playing with her doodle Maisie, hiking, biking, [Solidcore] (a type of Pilates) classes, and traveling — always with a camera in hand!
  • Photo of Shana Russell
    Shana Russell
    College Counseling
    Associate Director of College Counseling, Chapel Coordinator, John Hay Advisor
    Year Appointed: 2020
    (860) 408-3013
    Tennis
    Trinity College - B.A.
    Lehigh University - M.Ed.
    Bio
     
    Shana brings to Westminster extensive experience working in college counseling and competitive college admissions from around the globe. She is a graduate of Trinity College with a B.A. in English and earned an M.Ed. in international counseling from Lehigh University. She started her educational career in college admissions, working as an assistant director of admissions at both Washington University in St. Louis School of Law and then Trinity College. After five years, she made the move to college counseling, serving as a college counselor at Taipei American School, then director of college counseling and AP® coordinator at Asia Pacific International School in Seoul and head of college counseling at Dubai American Academy. Shana has also recently written the curriculum for a new certificate in college counseling for Lehigh University.
     
    At Westminster, in addition to her work in college counseling and as a former English teacher, Shana is the faculty advisor to the John Hay Society, the Chapel Coordinator, an advisor, and the Third Girls’ Tennis head coach. Shana, her husband, Michael and their sons, Teddy ’26 and Ripley, live in Squibb House where she is a corridor supervisor. They have two dogs, Campbell and Ginger, and one wonderfully oversized cat named Rowdy. Shana and her family love to travel, play games together and hike in the Berkshire mountains.

    If you are interested in learning more about Shana’s story, please watch her chapel talk.
  • Photo of Emily Sullivan
    Emily Sullivan
    Admissions
    Director of Financial Aid and the Davis Scholars Program, Associate Director of Admissions
    Year Appointed: 2020
    (860) 408-3051
    Lacrosse
    James Madison University - B.S.
    Jacksonville University - MBA
    Bio
     
    Emily received a bachelor’s degree in health administration at James Madison University (JMU), where she also served as captain for the Women’s Lacrosse team. While at JMU, Emily earned VASID ALL-State Honors and the JMU Athletics Department's Unsung Hero award along with other team honors. She went on to earn an MBA at Jacksonville University with a concentration in marketing while competing on the Women's Lacrosse team and serving as a team captain for the Dolphins.
     
    Prior to Westminster, Emily spent two years as an assistant women's lacrosse coach at Sacred Heart University, where she worked with both the offensive and defensive units and specialized in coaching the goalkeepers. In addition to her on-field duties, she was also the coordinator of the team's social media, alumnae relations and travel. Emily also serves as a head coach for the CT Grizzlies lacrosse club. In addition to working in Westminster’s Admissions Office, she serves as head coach of Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse and lives in Gund House with her husband and dog Reggie. Her interests include hiking, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
  • Photo of Darryl Turbacuski
    Darryl Turbacuski
    Technology
    Data & System Support Specialist
    Year Appointed: 2022
    (860) 408-3056
  • Photo of Sara Ugalde
    Sara Ugalde
    Admissions
    Associate Director of Admissions
    Year Appointed: 2022
    (860) 408-3784
    Hockey
    Middlebury College - B.A.
    Bio
     
    A graduate of the class of 2010, Sara has a deep connection to Westminster and the hockey program. Sara was a member of the varsity team from 2006-2010. She was a member of two Founders League championship teams in 2009 and 2010 as well as a captain of the Division I New England Championship team in 2010.
     
    Sara’s accomplishments at Westminster extended beyond the rink. She was a two-year captain of the ice hockey and softball teams during the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Sara was also recognized with a Head of School Award in 2010 as one of the community’s outstanding members.
     
    After graduating from Westminster, Sara attended Middlebury College where she was a four-year member of the varsity hockey program and graduated in 2014. During her time at Middlebury, Sara amassed 82 points over her 109-game career. Her teams appeared in two NCAA Frozen Four tournaments. She was part of two NESCAC Championship teams in both 2011 and 2012 and was recognized as a First Team All-NESCAC player in 2012.
     
    After graduating from Middlebury Sara pursued a college coaching career. She has worked at Colby College, Williams College and Trinity College. Her primary responsibilities included overseeing all recruitment efforts, player development, special teams and video breakdown. Her commitment to hockey also landed her a position as an assistant coach of the Connecticut Whale, a professional women’s hockey team.
     
    In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Sara works in the admissions office.
  • Photo of Christopher White
    Christopher White
    Year Appointed: 2021
    (860) 408-3000
    Soccer
    Lacrosse

Contact Us

995 Hopmeadow Street
Simsbury, Connecticut 06070

P. (860) 408-3000
F. (860) 408 3001

Explore Our Website

Get Social

Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students
In keeping with our support for a diverse community, Westminster abides by all applicable federal and state laws and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national and ethnic origin, ancestry and/or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Westminster admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. 
© Copyright 2025 Westminster School  |  Privacy Policy
AP® and Advanced Placement® are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission.