Faculty and Staff Directory

Faculty & Staff Department Directory

Department

Last Name

Amy Carpenter

Ceramics and Sculpture Teacher

x647

MA College of Art & Design - BFA
MassArt & Harvard CE Programs
Jack Carroll

Middle School Science Teacher

Northeastern University - B.S.

Bio

Raised in Easton, Massachusetts, Jack was inspired to pursue a career in education by mentors in the summer camp world and by the special education teachers he volunteered alongside in high school. These early experiences instilled in him a deep appreciation for student-centered learning and the power of strong relationships. Drawn to the curiosity and excitement that define the middle school years, Jack has built his career around developing engaging and exploratory classroom environments where students feel welcomed and empowered to take academic risks. He believes that creativity and exploration should be central to the classroom experience and that learning flourishes when rooted in a supportive and inclusive community.

Jack most recently served as a 7th Grade Dean and Life Science teacher at Fay School in Southborough, MA, and previously taught high school chemistry at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, NH. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Human Services from Northeastern University and is currently pursuing his M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Management at Fitchburg State University. Outside of the classroom, Jack is an avid runner, enjoys playing intramural soccer, and loves spending time outdoors (especially with his new niece).
Debra Castro

Grade 1 Teacher

x617

Tufts University - B.A.
Lesley University - M.Ed.

Bio

Raised in Lexington, Massachusetts, Debra was drawn to education from a young age. Inspired by the dedicated teachers she had in elementary school, she pursued a career in education. Before joining Brimmer in 2005, she taught kindergarten in the Cambridge Public Schools and pre-kindergarten at the Cambridge Ellis School. She also had the opportunity to teach dual-language Spanish/English kindergarten in Framingham.

At Brimmer, Debra strives to create a warm, welcoming classroom environment where students and families feel seen, valued, and supported. She is passionate about encouraging curiosity, risk-taking, and growth, while keeping learning developmentally appropriate and joyful. By getting to know each child and family deeply, Debra works to highlight each student’s strengths and nurture areas for growth. She designs learning experiences that are responsive to students’ needs while fostering connection, collaboration, and community. Debra appreciates Brimmer’s strong sense of community and feels grateful to work alongside such wonderful children, families, faculty, and staff. Outside the classroom, she enjoys nature walks and family dinners with her father, husband, and two daughters.

Debra holds a Massachusetts Teaching Certificate for grades Pre-K–3. She has also completed training through Mindful Schools in both Mindfulness Fundamentals and Mindful Educator Essentials, and she has participated in Brimmer’s SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) Seminar.
Jessica Christian

Director of DEIB, Admissions Liaison

617-278-2324

Middlebury College - B.A.
New York University - M.A.

Bio

Jessica grew up in Northern New Jersey and is proud to be independent school–educated. Prior to joining Brimmer, Jessica worked for three years in admissions at her alma mater, The Dwight-Englewood School, in New Jersey, and for six years at The Spence School, in New York City. After receiving an M.A. in mental health counseling from NYU, Jessica spent time working as a psychotherapist at a small practice in New Haven, Conn.

For Jessica, independent schools have always been an environment in which she thrives and is her best self. At Brimmer, she appreciates the comradery among faculty and staff and enjoys the feeling of contributing and adding perspective to the Brimmer community.

When Jessica is not at work, she spends her time exercising, cooking, reading, building Lego sets, and raising her children.
Tess Cicala

Associate Director of Admissions

617-278-2320

Providence College - B.S.

Bio

Growing up in Connecticut, Tess attended the Wooster School from Kindergarten all the way through 12th grade, which fostered her appreciation for community, school spirit, and independent school education.

Tess’s passion for admissions grew during her time at Providence College after participating in their Admissions Ambassador program. She discovered her enthusiasm for sharing her school with others, and became dedicated to cultivating a welcoming and supportive environment for prospective students. She went on to receive her Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a minor in Economics.

Shortly thereafter, she made her return to Wooster School to begin her career in advancement. She worked in development and marketing, before ultimately landing in the admissions office. She coached Junior Varsity and Middle School volleyball where she gained invaluable experience working with students across different grade levels. Tess was drawn to Brimmer for its feeling of belonging and togetherness.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Tess enjoys reading, being active, and socializing with friends. She is thrilled to be apart of the dynamic team at Brimmer and continues to enjoy making new connections with students and families.
Joanne Clamage

Lower School Creative Arts Coordinator & Visual Arts Teacher

617-264-1421

MA College of Art & Design - B.A.

Bio

Joanne has a rich background in teaching and arts administration, having been in the profession for almost 45 years. Prior to starting at Brimmer in 2002, she was the lead teacher for art and music for the Nashoba Regional School District and taught Visual Arts in Stow, Massachusetts for 12 years. Joanne is a firm supporter of Brimmer’s innovative spirit in creating and presenting curriculum. She is proud to be a part of a collaborative PK-12 learning environment that is charged with energy and excitement for both teachers and students.

Joanne has participated in graduate-level coursework; Sign Language, “American Impressionism” at the Worcester Art Museum and “Global Art Traditions in the United States” at Primary Source. Joanne completed two 6-week training courses in Mindfulness in Schools and incorporates mindfulness techniques in her teaching practice.

Joanne has been a practicing Critical Friends Group Coach at Brimmer and has been trained by the National School Reform Faculty. She has been a workshop presenter and panelist at the New England Art Educators Conference and at several Very Special Arts Massachusetts events.

In her spare time, Joanne enjoys costuming, quilt making, basketry, and antiquing. Joanne has exhibited her fiber works in galleries in Boston and Rhode Island.
Louisa Connaughton

PK-6 Math Specialist, MS Math

x641

Williams College - B.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.
Carl Coombs

Assistant Head of School, Head of Lower School

617-278-2338

Carthage College - B.A.
Emerson College - M.A.

Bio

Carl began his career at Brimmer in 2008 and has worked across all divisions of the School. He currently serves as Assistant Head of School, a role he assumed in 2021, as well Lower School Head. Previously, he spent ten years as Head of Middle School, following seven years as an educator at Brimmer, where he served as the Middle School Humanities and Creative Arts Teacher and Grade 8 Dean.

As Assistant Head of School, Carl partners closely with the Head of School to advance the School’s vision and strategic priorities. He oversees PK–12 faculty and staff recruitment, manages the mentor program for new faculty and staff, leads the School’s Emergency Response Team, and works to strengthen the culture and climate of the faculty and staff experience. As Head of the Lower School, Carl oversees faculty, curriculum, and student life in PK–5, working closely with teachers and families to ensure that students build strong academic foundations while developing confidence, curiosity, and compassion.

Carl is passionate about personalized instruction, interdisciplinary collaboration, and character education. He believes in helping students discover their passions and take intellectual risks in a safe and supportive environment—learning as much from challenges as from successes. He is inspired daily by Brimmer’s exceptional faculty, motivated students, and mission to cultivate globally minded, empathetic leaders.

A dedicated professional, Carl is a member of the Association of Middle Level Educators (AMLE) and has attended several of their national conferences, as well as the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Art of Leadership institute and the NAIS School Leadership Institute.

Carl is also a proud Brimmer parent; his son, Brennan, is in the class on 2027. Outside of school, he is a certified spin instructor and enjoys traveling, reading, attending Broadway shows, and spending time with his husband and two children. He is also actively involved with organizations including the Matthew Shepard Foundation, amfAR, and Sandy Hook Promise.
Amanda Crater

Admissions Coordinator

617-278-2316

New York University - M.A.
New York University - B.F.A

Bio

Originally from Beverly, MA, Amanda spent 20 years in New York City and worked at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan and JCC Harlem for 12 years in a variety of managerial roles. Amanda is thrilled to be back in her home state and at Brimmer. Ms. Crater holds both a B.F.A. in Technical Theater and an M.A. in Arts + Humanities Education, both from New York University. A highlight of her career was working on Witness Theater, an inter-generational program bringing together Holocaust survivors and high school students to elicit, expose, and memorialize the moving stories of survival. She was drawn to Brimmer because of their global focus and D.E.I. work and is continually impressed by the faculty and staff and their dedication to the students.
Georgia Cronin

Kindergarten Teacher

x646

Wheaton College - B.A.
Fairfield University - M.Ed.

Bio

Georgia grew up in Greenwich CT. Her mother has been in education for over 30 years, so it was no surprise she wanted to also pursue teaching. Prior to Brimmer, Georgia taught abroad in Madrid, Spain. In addition, she worked at Brunswick School, Riverdale Country School, and Friends Academy, teaching grades K-3.

“Joy in teaching, joy in learning” is at the foundation of Georgia’s classroom. She believes students should enjoy the process of learning and take pride in their hard work. Georgia strives to create an inclusive, supportive, kind, and fun classroom! As an educator, Georgia spends a lot of time getting to know both her students and their families. By the end of the year a strong relationship is built with each student. Creating a sense of belonging in her classroom is a common theme through the year — each child feels they are seen, heard, cherished and loved.

The sense of worldliness at Brimmer is what draws Georgia to Brimmer. An avid traveler herself, she loves learning and sharing about other cultures and cities she has visited. A sense of community is so important to her, and she felt that sense of community the minute she stepped on the Brimmer campus. Outside of work, Georgia enjoys traveling, going to the beach, and a strong cup of coffee. She loves fashion and shoes — in fact she collects shoes!

Georgia holds a dual degree from Wheaton College in Early Childhood Education and Psychology. She holds her Masters in Special Education from Fairfield University and her teaching licensure in both Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Parker Curtis

Middle School History Teacher

x328

Wake Forest University - B.A.
University of Virginia - M.Ed.

Bio

As a Middle School History teacher, Parker aims to bring the past to life. He believes that history is living, breathing, fascinating, and begging to be questioned. He strives to make his students active agents in the classroom—encouraging each to take on the role of detective, to interrogate the source material, and to craft hypotheses and arguments. Ultimately, he wants them to find joy in history. He believes that history fosters a love for learning, a passion for discovery, the instinct to analyze, and the critical thinking skills that will prove useful for life.

Parker’s mother and grandmother were both teachers, and after college he felt called to the classroom as well. He holds a BA in history from Wake Forest University and an M.Ed in curriculum and instruction, with a concentration in social studies, from the University of Virginia. Parker has 14 years of independent school teaching experience, and in that time he has learned that it is crucial for teachers to be lifelong learners. He loves all the opportunities Brimmer presents for collaboration, interdisciplinary learning, and professional growth.

Parker grew up in New Jersey, but his family’s roots are in the greater Boston area. He is also a devoted fan of the Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins. In his free time, Parker enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, playing basketball, skiing, hiking, exploring the outdoors, and traveling.
David Cutler

U.S. History, Government, and Journalism Teacher

x625

Brandeis University - B.A.
Brandeis University - M.A.

Bio

As a 2002 Brimmer graduate, David loves working at his alma mater. He seeks to help students reach their fullest potential by encouraging them to take risks and learn from failure. His biggest goal is to help students take ownership of the learning, while making plain the real-world relevance of skills and knowledge. As Adviser to The Gator, among the most award-winning student news sites in the nation, David is most passionate about elevating student voice through ethical reporting and and decision-making.

His writing on education has appeared in The Atlantic, Edutopia, PBS NewsHour, HuffPost, and publications of the National Association of Independent Schools. His recent work on taking a cautious yet pragmatic approach to integrating AI into the classroom has sparked meaningful discussion across education circles. To explore more of his work, please visit his online portfolio: https://dcutler.pressfolios.com/
Sue Cuyler

Director of Marketing & Communications

617-278-2333

Colby College - B.A.
Clark University Graduate School of Management - M.B.A.

Bio

Sue joined the Brimmer community in 2018 as Director of Marketing & Communications bringing with her decades of experience working with organizations of all sizes to craft strategic marketing campaigns and create brand experiences. After attending Colby College and Clark University’s Graduate School of Management, Sue began her career as a management consultant before moving in-house to Primary Source, a nonprofit committed to educating global citizens, and KnowledgeLink, an international organization committed to ensuring access to educational opportunity around the world. Drawn to Brimmer’s global focus and dedicated faculty and staff, Sue is thrilled to be a member of such a strong and supportive community.

Sue sits on the Board of the Alray Scholars Program, a scholarship and mentoring program that helps Boston students return to college to earn their degree. In her spare time, she enjoys running, swimming, reading, travelling, and family time.

Faculty and Staff

Faculty & Staff Department Directory

Our Greatest Asset

Brimmer and May School