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New Faculty Faces on the Hilltop
With the start of the new school year comes some new staff and faculty faces on the Hilltop. Please join us in welcoming these new—and returning—St. Luke’s faculty and staff.
Rebeca Bataller-Spanish Teacher
Rebeca Bataller grew up in Alicante, Spain, where she received her BA in English Literature and Linguistics from the University of Alicante. After spending one year in Germany, she moved to the United States and completed a MA in Spanish Linguistics from New Mexico State University, and a PhD in Foreign Language Education with emphasis on second language acquisition and pragmatics from the University of Iowa.
For the last seven years, Rebeca worked as an Assistant Professor at the University of Southern Mississippi, and at Gettysburg College, where she taught Spanish and Foreign Language Education courses. She recently relocated to New York City.
Jay Blau-Middle School Math Teacher
Jay Blau has been teaching middle school math for the past 22 years. He completed his BA in Education, with a minor in Russian Lit, at Goddard College and his secondary math certification at Johnson State College in Johnson, Vermont. Before taking the job at St. Luke’s, Jay taught in Strafford, Vermont; Hanover, New Hampshire; Westport, CT and Montclair, New Jersey. He spent this past year teaching math and robotics at the Miami Hebrew Academy in Miami Beach.
In his spare time, Jay maintains a blog, writes poetry, and plays guitar. Jay currently resides in Bridgeport, CT and splits time with his ex-wife raising their five children who range in age from six to twenty. Born and raised in Higganum, Jay is delighted to be coming home to the Constitution State. Jay will be teaching sections of 7th grade Pre-Algebra, and 8th grade Algebra 1. He will also oversee the Middle School Odyssey of the Mind program.
Zach Brusko-Computer Science Teacher
Zach Brusko will not only be teaching computer science, but he’ll also be an assistant coach of MS cross country and varsity ice hockey. Zach taught computer science at Bayside Academy in Daphne Alabama, he spent 13 years at The Hill School in Pottstown, PA teaching computer science, working as the school’s registrar and class scheduler, and coaching various levels of boys' and girls’ ice hockey.
Zach received a BS in computer science from Hobart College and is currently working on an MEd in Instructional Technology from Texas Tech University. Zach lives in Ridgefield.
Rafael Castro-Spanish Teacher
Rafael comes to us with over 25 years of language-teaching experience. Prior to SLS, he taught at Francis W. Parker School in Chicago and the Friends School of Baltimore. He received his Master of Arts in Teaching from Georgetown University and has lived in Spain, Mexico and Japan.
Rafael comes to us with over 25 years of language-teaching experience. Prior to SLS, he taught at Francis W. Parker School in Chicago and the Friends School of Baltimore. He received his Master of Arts in Teaching from Georgetown University and has lived in Spain, Mexico and Japan.
Rafael is new to Connecticut and lives in Norwalk with his Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Copper.
Beth Garrabrant-Donor Stewardship and Major Gifts Officer
Beth Garrabrant joined the Development team in March 2015 and hit the ground running, laying the groundwork for productive relationships with colleagues, parents, past parents and alumni.
Beth joined SLS after five years with New York City based, Teach For America (TFA), where she most recently served as their Director of National Foundation Partnerships. Prior to TFA, Beth worked at the Center for National Interest (formerly The Nixon Center), as an intern in the Office of Senator Arlen Specter, and as a Graduate Teaching Fellow at Yale.
Beth received her BA from Lehigh University and her MA in European and Russian Studies from Yale. She and her husband, Drew, reside in Darien, CT and welcomed their first child, Grace in July. Beth will return from maternity leave in mid-October.
Nicole Guido-Assistant Athletic Trainer
Nicole Guido joins Anna Knechtel in the athletic training room. Nicole graduated from Quinnipiac University with a degree in Sports Medicine. She had many clinical experiences during her career including football at Yale University, women's soccer at Quinnipiac University as well as coverage at The Hopkins School.
Nicole Guido joins Anna Knechtel in the athletic training room. Nicole graduated from Quinnipiac University with a degree in Sports Medicine. She had many clinical experiences during her career including football at Yale University, women's soccer at Quinnipiac University as well as coverage at The Hopkins School.
At the recent National Athletic Training meeting in St. Louis, Nicole was chosen to present a case study on Accessory Soleus Extraction in a Male Cross Country Athlete. Originally from Long Island, Nicole currently lives in Norwalk.
Alvin Hamilton-Upper School Math Teacher
Alvin Hamilton will be teaching Geometry, Algebra 2, and Statistics, coaching the chess club, and serving as a co-advisor at St. Luke’s. He earned a B.A. in Mathematics with minors in Physics, Chemistry, and Germanic Languages from the University of Pennsylvania, graduating summa cum laude, and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
Alvin Hamilton will be teaching Geometry, Algebra 2, and Statistics, coaching the chess club, and serving as a co-advisor at St. Luke’s. He earned a B.A. in Mathematics with minors in Physics, Chemistry, and Germanic Languages from the University of Pennsylvania, graduating summa cum laude, and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
For the past 29 years, Alvin taught at Wooster School in Danbury and served as Math Chair, Director of Studies, Academic Dean, and de facto Assistant Head of School at various times. Prior to that, Alvin served in the Peace Corps in Zaire and worked as a systems programmer for IBM in Wappingers Falls, NY. He lives in Newtown with his wife, Beth, and their daughters Grace (22), Paige (20), and Blair (18). His avocations include chess, bridge, and other games of all stripes, genealogy, walking, reading, and paying for college.
Ross James-English Teacher
After graduating from Skidmore College in 2001 with a BA in English, Ross began his career in education here on the Hilltop, teaching middle school English from 2002-2006. While here, he met his wife-to-be, Beth, ran the middle school newspaper, completed his MA in Curriculum and Teaching through Michigan State University’s summer program in France, and developed strong ties with faculty and staff that would eventually bring him back to St. Luke’s.
After a stint of international teaching at the St. John’s School in Vancouver, B.C., Ross returned east and taught high school English for six years at Suffield Academy in Suffield, CT, where he co-ran a girl’s dormitory and served as the school’s yearbook advisor. During this time, Ross and Beth had their three children—Rylan, Claire, Eleanor. Wanting to return to the day school world, Ross then accepted a middle school English position at the King School in Stamford, CT, before relocating with his family to Bethel and eventually returning to high school teaching at St. Luke’s. In his spare time, Ross enjoys spending time with his family, writing, playing guitar, and enjoying the outdoors.
Brian Mathias-Director of Squash
Brian Mathias was appointed our Director of Squash at the beginning of this past school year. Brian has been working hard to increase programming and opportunities for all members of the SLS community, and will continue that work moving forward. Brian comes to us as an experienced squash coach, serving as the executive director and founder of SquashRX—a business that provides squash programming around NYC—as well as the head professional at the River Club. Brian spent four years playing professionally after he finished his collegiate days as a student-athlete at Cornell University. Brian’s wife Lucia, and two kids, EJ and Emily reside in Stamford.
Zach Pearce-Humanities Fellow
Zach Pearce is a familiar face on the Hilltop but is taking on a new role this year teaching 10th grade English and history. Zach was with us last year as our Sports Information Specialist and also served as the yearbook advisor for the 2015 Caduceus. In addition to teaching, he will be a 9th grade advisor and Middle School coach. Zach is a 2008 SLS alumnus and received a BA in English from Union College.
Zach served a year as a corps member with City Year—New York, a nonprofit Americorps organization dedicated to ending the dropout crisis—and found working with 10th graders in Elmhurst, Queens was an inspiration to pursue teaching.A Norwalk native, Zach now lives in Stamford.
Jason Peck-Director of Theatre Arts
Jason Peck will oversee the after school theatre program at SLS, teach two sections of eighth grade Acting and one section of Upper School Acting. He received his BFA in Acting from the University of Southern California and holds a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from the Florida State University/Asolo Acting Conservatory. Jason is also a Certified Meisner Acting instructor and last summer traveled to the South of France to become certified in Roy Hart vocal technique.
Jason’s theatre credits includes work at Tim Robbin’s Actor’s Gang Theatre, Florida Repertory Theatre, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, Kirk Douglas Theatre, Theatre Raleigh, and the Off-Broadway Mint Theatre. His television and film credits include: NYPD Blue, Family Law, King of Queens, In Her Shoes, The District, George Lucas in Love, and a recurring role for three seasons on Roswell.
He recently moved to Ridgefield from Los Angeles is excited (and nervous) about the winter. He lives with his wife, Alana, and their two beautiful children, Ilia (5) and Holden (3). In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, river rafting and adventures with his family.
Bruce Strothenke-Chief Technology Officer
Katonah resident Bruce Strothenke has a range of public and private sector experience in the IT world. Most recently, Bruce was the Director of IT at the NY School for the Deaf. Prior to that, Bruce worked in financial services, management consulting, and at several engineering firms. He was also the first Director of IT at NY's Carmel Central School District, where he built their technology program from scratch.
Bruce has been an instructor at Columbia University Teachers College where he taught graduate classes on using technology in education. Bruce has an undergraduate degree in Computer Science as well as an MBA. He is a Boy Scout leader, plays guitar and bass, and once managed IT for the Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center (aka-the site of the original 1969 Woodstock festival). His son, Calvin is a sixth-grader at Wooster School in Danbury.
Charlotte Zimmerman-Science Teacher
Charlotte Zimmerman will be teaching Physics and Chemistry, coaching volleyball and ice hockey, and serving as an Upper School advisor. She graduated from Carleton College with a B.A. in Physics. While at Carleton, she conducted research in optics and her project is currently under review for publication. Charlotte worked as a teaching assistant for the physics department at Carleton for three years.
She also taught with the Teaching Opportunities in Physical Science program out of MIT in the summer of 2014. She currently lives in South Norwalk and enjoys running, rock climbing and baking.
St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 40 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Leading with Humanity curriculum builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.
