B.S. Fordham University
Mrs. Alfano received her bachelor’s from Fordham University in English Literature with a minor in Economics. She worked as a college administrator and in the finance sector in NYC and Bermuda. She received her teaching certificate through Teach-Now in Washington DC. She, her husband, and their three children (one recent Maple Street School graduate and two current Maple Street School students) live in Dorset.
B.S. St. Lawrence University
M.S. University of New Hampshire
Mr. Barclay joined the faculty at Maple Street as its first Director of Athletics and teacher of physical education in 2004. In 2009, he moved into the Admissions office, while continuing to coordinate the physical education and athletics programs. Previously, Mr. Barclay was a teacher and department chair for P.E. at the Ambrit Rome International School in Rome, Italy, and he was Director of Athletics at Far Hills Country Day School in Far Hills, NJ. He also held full time teaching and coaching positions at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, NH, Pace Academy in Atlanta, GA, and St. Christopher’s School in Richmond, VA. Mr. Barclay and his wife, Beth, have three children, including two recent MSS graduates and one current 8th grade student.
B.S. Southern Vermont College
Kristen has been involved with Maple Street School since its conception, and officially began her career at Maple Street School in 2006 teaching upper and lower school science. She was delighted to join the administrative team in 2014 as Assistant to the Head of School. Kristen is an amateur photographer, naturalist and mother to a current Maple Street student and two alumnus, the classes of 2016, 2018 and 2022.
B.S. Lock Haven University
M. Ed. The College of Saint Rose
Kelli Calder has over 25 years of teaching experience, having taught in both residential and public schools in Vermont as a special educator before coming to Maple Street School. As the Student Service Coordinator, she is responsible for the Educational Support Team and implementing special education services. Mrs. Calder works collaboratively with faculty at Maple Street School, parents, and the BRSU to ensure that student’s needs are met. She has been affiliated with Maple Street School for 14 years, as both a parent (since 2005) and a faculty member (since 2011).
B.S. University of Vermont
Prior to joining Maple Street School in 1999, Ms. Chaffee was a classroom teacher at the Bahrain Bayan School in Isa Town, Bahrain. She has also held elementary teaching positions at the Dothan Brook School in Hartford, Vermont; the Mater Christi School in Burlington, Vermont; Fletcher Elementary School in Fletcher, Vermont; and the St. John Fisher School in Portland, Oregon.
B.A. Middlebury College
M.A. Castleton State College
Mr. Chamberlain received his bachelor degree from Middlebury College in English with concentrations in US History and Nautical Studies. He went on to receive his Masters of Arts degree in teaching from Castleton State. He has worked in many educational settings, both public and independent including Burr and Burton Academy, Manchester Elementary School, and Stratton Mountain School. He also served as an international teacher in the World Teach program in Sakonnakhon, Thailand teaching middle and high school level English classes at the Rajabhat Institute.
B.A. Drew University
Linda Cowperthwaite earned her B.A. in Psychology from Drew University with a concentration in Early Childhood Special Education. Linda spent time working in marketing before teaching middle school math and Latin at a private school in NJ. She has most recently served as Learning Center support at BBA where her two children currently attend. Linda and her family live in Manchester where she also enjoys hiking, skiing and teaching yoga. Linda’s niece is an alumna of Maple Street School.
B.A. Middlebury College, M.Ed. Seattle University
Mrs. Haviland received her bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College in 1989 and her master’s in educational administration from Seattle University. She spent four years teaching math at Frankfurt International School before moving back stateside to join us at Maple Street School. Throughout her teaching career, Mrs. Haviland has woven her interests in leading wilderness trips and coaching into her school days after her being in the math classroom. She has coached soccer, field hockey, cross country, lacrosse and basketball and loves all types of backcountry trips. She and her husband built a high ropes course at a former school. She is passionate about working with students on issues about the environmental and equity and inclusion. Ms. Haviland and her husband, John, like to travel and explore the outdoors. They, along with their spoiled black lab, live in Dorset.
B.A. Mount Saint Mary’s University
M.Ed. University of Maryland
Jonathan came to Maple Street in 2014, moving to Vermont from Maryland with his wife Lisie and their four children, Nathaniel, Max, Andrew, and Rosie. Prior to moving to Vermont, Jonathan served many different roles at his Alma Mater, St. Vincent Pallotti High School in his hometown of Laurel, MD, for 16 years. He spent 10 years teaching art and technology at the high school level before moving into the position of Assistant IT Director. His older two children, Nathaniel and Max, are graduates of Maple Street (2018 and 2020), and his two youngest, Andrew and Rosie are current students (5th and 1st.) When not at Maple Street, the Jacobs’ enjoy hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, and exploring all that Vermont has to offer.
B.A. Bates College
M.Ed. Harvard Graduate School of Education
Kelsey Kinsella comes to Maple Street from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, having recently completed her master’s studies in the art of learning and teaching. This year, she joins our faculty as the supporting teacher for grades K-8. Prior to her arrival at MSS, Ms. Kinsella received a bachelor’s degree in art history and German language from Bates College and was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to Austria in 2017. She has worked as a teacher and educator for three years, serving at such institutions as Mass MoCA and the Harvard Bridge Program. She and her husband, Zach - a 2013 graduate of Stratton Mountain School - now live in Manchester, Vermont.
B.A. Brown University
M.Ed. New York University
Ms. Lindenberg taught French at the Aiken Preparatory School in South Carolina for two years and in New York City schools while at NYU. In addition, Ms. Lindenberg studied French at the Université de Montreal for a year taking non-degree courses in French before coming to Maple Street in 2001. Lizzie’s son is a current Maple Street student and a star of the school’s Chess Team.
B.A. Pennsylvania State University
M.Ed. University of Maryland
Ms. Mackey received her bachelor’s degree from Penn State and then went on to receive her master’s degree in education from the University of Maryland. Ms. Mackey has extensive experience as a high school science teacher, teaching at Walt Whitman High School in Maryland and Stratton Mountain School in Vermont. She has served as an instructional design consultant as well, integrating her knowledge of science into a holistic curriculum and serving as the coach of the science bowl team. She is an avid athlete having coached and played lacrosse, tennis and golf, and her community service passion is habitat for humanity.
B.A. Carleton College
M.A. Columbia University
M.Ed. Teacher’s College Columbia University
Ph.D. Teachers College Columbia University
Post Doc Institute for Psychoanalytic Training
Dr. Mikheev began her tenure as Maple Street School’s fourth Head in 2019. She came to Maple Street from her position as Head of the Lower School (grades Pre-K-5th) at Sewickley Academy in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, just outside Pittsburgh. Dr. Mikheev holds a Ph.D in school psychology from Columbia University’s Teachers College, as well as a Master’s in Independent School Leadership from the Klingenstein Center at Teachers Columbia University. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Russian Literature from Carleton College and her Master’s Degree in Slavic Languages and Literature from Columbia University. She has worked in all levels of education, from Pre-K through college. She has supervised curriculum efforts in Pre K/K programming, science, social studies, math, Readers and Writers Workshop, conflict resolution, differentiated instruction, and assessment. She has taught toddler classes, wellness to middle schoolers, and educational assessment practices to graduate students. Dr. Mikheev and her husband, Artem, live with their four children in Manchester, two of whom attend Maple Street School.
B.S. Music Education, Roberts Wesleyan College
Mrs. Paul received her degree in Music Education K-12, from Roberts Wesleyan College. She taught private lessons and tutored in the public school setting for one year before teaching Music, Band and Chorus at Grace Christian School and The School of Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales (both in Bennington, VT) for a total of 10 years. She has also had the pleasure of teaching private piano, guitar, voice and saxophone to many students over the past 12 years.
Mrs. Paul joined the Maple Street faculty in 2017. She loves to read, tend to her blueberry bushes, play soccer and learn new instruments. She lives with her husband, 2 sons, a cat and a Corgi dog in Shaftsbury.
B.S. Skidmore College
M.Ed. SUNY Albany
Ms. Putnam received her bachelor’s degree from Skidmore College in education studies with minors in psychology and dance. Ms. Putnam has worked at the Greenwich Country Day School in both the second and third grades. She is an avid dancer and talented baker, and is passionate about creating a joyful learning environment where elementary students can be not only academically strong, but strong in character as well.
B.A. Pacific Lutheran University
Jeff has brought more than 20 years of business management and finance experience to his position as Director of Finance at Maple Street School. Jeff and his wife and two children moved to Manchester from Seattle, Washington in 2020. His career has focused on finance and business management in the manufacturing industry. He has always had a desire to work in education, “so this opportunity with Maple Street School is a perfect fit for my next chapter,” he said. When not at Maple Street, Jeff and his family enjoy all things outdoor, from skiing and hiking, to camping and mountain biking.
M.Ed., B.S. University of Vermont
Joy Stewart taught kindergarten at the Arlington School for eight years before coming to Maple Street. She has also served as the upper school math teacher and chair of the math committee. Joy is currently the school’s Dean of Faculty and is also responsible for creating the school’s complex academic schedule.
B.S. University of Rhode Island
Ms. Thompson joins the Maple Street School faculty after having taught first and second grade for 11 years at The Mountain School of Winhall. While there, she also served as a Title I and ESL tutor. Prior to The Mountain School, she taught kindergarten and first grade at Manchester Elementary-Middle School. Ms. Thompson is also a learning team leader and helps design programs for students who need differentiated instruction. She has special interests in teaching place-based environmental science and Asian studies. Before moving to Vermont, Ms. Thompson worked in several different educational settings in Rhode Island.
B.A. St. Lawrence University
MFA The New School
Mr. Welch received his bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University in English and then went on to receive his master’s degree in creative writing. He has taught at Melrose High School, The Renaissance Charter School, and Portland Community College. He continues to write and publish fiction and is passionate about the outdoors.
