Faculty and Staff Directory

Faculty & Staff Department Directory

Department

Last Name

Chris Hardman

Science Teacher & Director of STEAM Program

617-278-2321

University of Bradford, UK - B.S.
University of Leeds, UK - M.Ed.

Bio

As a Science Teacher in the Upper School, Chris’ teaching philosophy emphasizes making and doing, hands-on investigative science in the lab, and analyzing data to make connections.

Born and raised in the north of England, Chris started his career in education in London, where he taught physics and chemistry and coached soccer for four years. While looking for a change of scenery, Chris was offered a job at Brimmer starting in 2002. He deeply values the relationships throughout the Brimmer community and still keeps in touch with students he taught in his first year at Brimmer 16 years ago.

Chris is a member of the National Science Teachers Association, the National Association of Independent Schools, and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. In his spare time, he loves traveling the world and being in the outdoors mountain biking, sea kayaking, and sailing, as well as spending time with his wife and two kids.
Claire Harrison

MS/US Administrative & Operations Manager

617-278-2349

Brown University - B.A.

Bio

Claire joined the Brimmer community in June 2022 as the Director of Extended Day and Assistant Camp Director. Originally from Rhode Island, she attended the Wheeler School and earned her bachelor’s degree in Work, Organizations, and Economic Sociology from Brown University.

After spending a wonderful 2 school years and 3 summers in Auxiliary Programs, she is very excited to embark on this new role as the Middle and Upper School Administrative & Operations Manager. Claire has a passion for organization, systems, and problem-solving—skills that will undoubtedly enhance her success in this role. She is also deeply impressed by how Brimmer fosters a close-knit community of supportive parents, dedicated colleagues, and, above all, remarkable students.

Outside of school, Claire enjoys long walks, shopping, exploring new travel destinations, and cheering on her favorite teams at sporting events.
Hali Hellmuth

Grade 4 Teacher

617-566-7462, Ext. 616

Middlebury College - B.A.
Boston University - M.Ed.

Bio

As a teacher, Hali seeks to coach students as they realize their potential in academic and socio-emotional areas and aims to embrace, celebrate, and cater to the individual needs of each student. Hali believes that global education in all academic areas is a top priority for every educator. A native New Englander, she was inspired to become a teacher after writing and producing a PSA about education for a local TV station.

Early in her career at Brimmer, Hali served as a member of the accreditation panel for Greenwich Academy in Connecticut and an account executive in the advertising industry.

What appeals most to Hali about Brimmer is the strong sense of community and commitment among the staff, parents, and the students. Teaching at Brimmer has always given her the freedom and support to create and enhance her curriculum. According to her, the strong relationships she forms with the children and their families is a result of the continual support of the Brimmer staff and administration.

Hali holds a Massachusetts Teaching Certification and is a member of Pi Lambda Theta at Boston University. An avid animal lover, Hali volunteers for Natick Public Schools doing Technology Awareness and enjoys painting, creative writing, music, mountain biking, and hiking in her spare time.
Julian Hickman

CFO

617-278-2370

Bentley University - B.S.
Bentley University - M.S.

Bio

Julian had his first experience with the world of education early in his career while working at a local CPA firm where he focused on non-profits and independent schools. A native of Martha’s Vineyard and graduate of Bentley University, Julian joined Brimmer after serving as Director of Finance at Oath Pizza, where he drove growth and operations in a competitive startup environment.

As Brimmer’s Chief Financial Officer, Julian oversees the business office and Brimmer’s facilities. He blends finance and operations to ensure that resources are protected and deployed effectively to achieve the School’s mission of developing lifelong learners.

Outside of Brimmer, Julian enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing golf, and getting back to Martha’s Vineyard as much as possible.
Katie Hodes

Early Childhood Assistant Teacher

Wheaton College - B.A.

Bio

As a 2024 graduate of Wheaton College, Katie is thrilled to be joining the Brimmer and May community! Katie has wanted to work with kids since she was a kid herself. She strives to create an environment in which all students feel safe, accepted, and excited to learn. By fostering a space where students feel encouraged to make mistakes, ask questions, and share ideas her hope is that they will take ownership of their own learning and strive to be the best students they can be!

As an assistant to the Early Childhood team, Katie is looking forward to learning from the amazing teachers at Brimmer as well as the students. She hopes to be an educational role model to the students at Brimmer as her Early Childhood educators were to her!

Outside of school Katie loves spending time with friends and family either exploring nature, singing karaoke, or anything in between. Having just moved from Florida, Katie is looking forward to exploring her new home of Boston!
Max Holman

Middle & Upper School Music Teacher

Rutgers University - B.M.
Yale School of Music - M.M.

Bio

Max believes in the power of the arts to improve personal wellness through practiced self-expression. As a teacher, he challenges students to listen intently, think critically, and perform bravely. As a mentor, he builds bridges for students to develop lasting relationships through making music together.

Max spent four years in Norfolk, Virginia where he taught at the secondary and university levels and freelanced as a conductor, singer, pianist, and harpsichordist. The year prior, he lived in Madrid, Spain, where he taught English, studied Spanish, and sang in several choirs.

Outside of music, Max enjoys cycling, hiking, cooking, traveling, and playing fetch with his cat, Estrella.
Rupa Houndegla

Mathematics Teacher

617-278-2351

University of Colorado Boulder - B.S.
Marquette University - M.S.

Bio

Teaching is something that Rupa takes pride in and is very enthusiastic and passionate about. Her teaching philosophy is that no student should be left behind and that every child in our society needs an opportunity to be successful. As a teacher, Rupa is passionate, caring, and nurturing, but also demanding and challenging. She constantly strives to improve her teaching style to meet the needs of diverse students. Growing up in India, her heart was always in teaching, even if her background was in engineering.

Prior to joining Brimmer in 2006, she was a mathematics instructor at the University of Portland and Portland Community College in Oregon. She likes working at Brimmer because of the closeness of the School’s community and its Core Values. She enjoys sharing her knowledge about math with her students and helping them overcome their fear or insecurity about the subject.

In her spare time, Rupa loves to explore the world, take short trips with her kids, listen to music, and watch the news to keep in touch with what is going on around the world.

Faculty and Staff

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