About Us

Faculty and Staff

Faculty & Staff Department Directory

  • Photo of Kim Tolpa
    Kim Tolpa
    Lower School Director of Academic Services
    617-278-2356
    Denison University - B.S.
    Southern Methodist University - M.S.
    Harvard Graduate School of Education - M.Ed.
    Bio
     
    Kim joined the Brimmer team in the Summer of 2020 as the Director of Lower School Academic Services. She came to us from another local independent school where she worked for twelve years, first as a third-grade teacher and more recently as a Learning Specialist. Prior to joining Brimmer, she also worked for a company as an Executive Function Coach to support students of various ages with executive functioning vulnerabilities, and further back in her journey she worked at independent schools in Texas in grades K to 2. 
     
    Kimberly is a life-long learner, who believes in the importance of staying on top of current research in the field of education. After meeting training and practicum requirements, she has been certified by the Academy of the Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators at the Associate Level since 2016 and the Certified Level since 2020. Her educational background also includes a Master’s Degree in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Southern Methodist University and an Ed. M. in Language and Literacy from Harvard Graduate School of Education, in addition to more recent graduate-level coursework at Lesley University. She believes in the importance of a growth mindset approach to learning, allowing students and teachers alike to build resiliency and achieve success. 
     
    Kim has lived in the greater-Boston area since 2008, and while she misses living directly in the city, she does NOT miss trying to park in the city. She enjoys spending time with her two growing children and can often be found on sports fields with them or playing outside in the yard. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, running, skiing, or doing yoga. 
  • Photo of Louisa Connaughton
    Louisa Connaughton
    Lower School Math Specialist, MS Math
    x641
    Williams College - M.A.
    Simmons College - M.S.
    Mount Holyoke College - M.A.
    Bio
     
    Louisa believes passionately in the capacity for all students to learn and understand mathematics. As a math educator, she strives to create inclusive spaces where children (and adults!) can experience the joy, wonder, and excitement of engaging in mathematical thinking. 
     
    Louisa has been a classroom teacher for over 20 years, with experience teaching in grades PK to 6. She comes to Brimmer following 10 years teaching 4th and 5th grade at Buckingham Browne & Nichols school in Cambridge, MA. Louisa holds Masters' Degrees in Elementary Teaching and Teaching Mathematics. 
     
    Outside of the classroom, Louisa enjoys spending time outdoors, especially hiking in the White Mountains with her family and friends. She also enjoys running, biking, and playing ultimate frisbee. Louisa lives in Belmont with her daughter and husband.
  • Photo of Ina Patel
    Ina Patel
    LS Director of Teaching & Learning, Admissions Liaison
    Case Western Reserve University - B.A.
    Boston University - M.P.H.
    Boston College - M.Ed.
    Bio
     
    Ina’s teaching philosophy is guided by the belief that learning should be fun, innovative, and hands-on. Every child can learn and can be inspired to learn. Her background in science has helped develop a robust Lower School science program full of hands-on learning to foster 21st-century skills. Ina enjoys working at Brimmer because of its commitment to develop and to ensure every child’s love of learning and belief in global engagement.

    Ina also assisted in the development of the design program and implemented design thinking and the design process into the School’s STEAM curriculum. Her passion for global education led her to engage the Lower School in projects that focused on global concerns such as scarcity of water, deforestation, and cultural tolerance. During the summer, she directs Eco-Adventures, Brimmer’s outdoors adventure camp.

    Ina holds a Tufts University TEEP Certificate (School of Engineering) and is certified by the state of Massachusetts to teach grades 1-6. She is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools and serves on the Brimmer Board of Trustees and Retention Committee. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring new places all over the world and having adventures in the great outdoors.
  • Photo of Namrata Schmottlach
    Namrata Schmottlach
    PK-5 Teaching Assistant
    Padma Kanya - B.A.
    Tribhuvan University - M.A.
    Bio
     
    Namrata Schmottlach is a PK-5 Teaching Assistant at Brimmer. Mrs. Schmottlach holds a B.A at Padma Kanya Multiple Campus, Kathmandu, Nepal and a M.A. at Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal. Most recently, she was a Preschool Teacher at Blue Horizons at MIT Stata Childcare Center, Cambridge, MA.

Our Greatest Asset

Meet the people who work every day to create the best educational experience possible for Brimmer students. Read more about our faculty and staff in their bios.

    • Our dynamic and dedicated teachers at Brimmer and May are the heart of our community.

Brimmer and May School

69 Middlesex Road
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
As an inclusive private school community, Brimmer welcomes students who will increase the diversity of our school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, or any other characteristic protected from discrimination under state or federal law, in the administration of our educational policies, admissions practices, financial aid decisions, and athletic and other school-administered programs.