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 and her husband are proud parents of three Maple Street graduates: Michael, Chris, and Tommy.
Kate graduated from Cornell University with degrees in English and Neurobiology & Behavior, and she received a Master’s in English Literature from Fordham University. In her professional life, she has written for clients like Columbia Neurosurgery, Orvis, and The Company Store. When she’s not writing, you’ll probably find her working out, reading, knitting, cooking, or laughing. Kate is mom to two of her all-time favorite people: her daughter and her son.
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. In 2021 she became School Operations Manager. Kristen is an amateur photographer, naturalist and mother to a current Maple Street student and two alumnus, the classes of 2022, 2018, and 2016.
University of Richmond, B.A. Psychology
Manhattanville College, M.A. Teaching & Specialization (K-6)
Harvard's CAEL Program, Certification in Advanced Educational Leadership
Beth joins Maple Street School after spending the last 20 years as part of an independent school in New Jersey. She brings a myriad of experiences, having served as a division head in an early childhood and elementary school setting and as a teacher of three-year-olds through grade 4. Beth believes it is her responsibility to truly understand each child’s gifts and empower them to optimize their strengths and passions educationally and socially to lead productive and fulfilling lives. Beth is the mother of three grown children and recently moved to Vermont to be close to family. She is thrilled to be part of such an incredible learning community, working alongside educators who believe that learning should be joyful.
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 students' 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.S Human Development and Human Services, Wheelock College
M.Ed Elementary Education, Lesley University
M.Ed Specialist in Reading, Lesley University
Katharine comes to Maple Street with robust experience as a lower school teacher and has worked at many schools including The Dorset School, The Pierce School in Brookline, Massachusetts, and Kipp Academy in Boston. Prior to her classroom work, she worked in Kenya and Nepal for education organizations. During her time in the Peace Corps, Katharine served as a Literacy and Education Volunteer in Mali, West Africa. An avid athlete, she can be found on a tennis court, strapping on nordic skis, or trail running.
Breana brings nine years of experience teaching Spanish at Arlington Memorial High School, where she also served as class advisor and student council advisor, coached soccer and track, and led a farm-to-school initiative. She taught all levels of Spanish, from Intro to AP, and led a trip to Spain with 20 students of all levels. Also worth noting, in 2019 Breana won the University of Vermont Outstanding Teacher Award. On a personal note, Breana has four children, who attend Sunderland Elementary School and MEMS.
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. 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. In 2020, she joined 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
Madame Lindenberg has taught French at Maple Street School since 2001. A native Vermonter who began learning French in elementary school herself, she is an advocate for early language education. Madame Lindenberg previously lived in Montréal and she ran a bed and breakfast in France for several summers. She has also taught in South Carolina and in New York City schools. Her son is a current Maple Street student.
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.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. University of Minnesota
B.S. Northern Vermont University
Lisa taught preschool at Northshire Day School before coming to Maple Street School. She recognized her passion for early childhood education after being a stay-at-home mom to her own young children. She is a nature-inspired teacher who believes that interest-based learning through play is the way to ignite a lifelong love of learning. She loves hiking, reading, tending her hobby farm, and spending time with her large blended family.
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.
Dan holds a BA in History from Middlebury College and an Ed.M. from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. Prior to Maple Street, Dan worked at Berkshire School, Hotchkiss School and most recently Millbrook School. His extensive educational experience includes teaching world history and advanced economics, creating an entrepreneurship program, coaching ice hockey and football, working in admissions and advancement, and finally serving as a Dean of Students and Assistant Head of School. An avid athlete and outdoorsman, Dan can be found fly fishing, golfing, skiing, hiking or playing ice hockey. Dan lives in Dorset with his wife, Elizabeth, who is a mental health counselor, and their three children, Annie, Will and Owen.
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.
Polly graduated from Williams College with a degree in Psychology. She received her Master’s from Bank Street College of Education. She has worked in a variety of educational settings - urban and rural, public and independent, and has taught an age range from Kindergarten to Masters candidates. Prior to being the librarian at Maple Street, she served as the Reading and Math Intervention Teacher at Sunderland Elementary School. When she’s not teaching, she can often be found reading, gardening, knitting, skiing or kayaking. She is the proud mother of a Maple Street “lifer”.
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.
Melissa Weston is passionate about joyful curiosity and is grateful to be a part of the Maple Street community. She is a former stay-at-home mom and has worked in childcare, retail, and hospitality. Most recently, she co-ran a local yarn shop and taught knitting to all ages. Melissa enjoys gardening, baking, and knitting and other fiber crafts. She shares a home in Manchester with her two young adult children.
B.A. Studio Art, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
MAT Art Education, Tufts University/School of the Museum of Fine Arts
MFA Studio Art, University of California, Davis
Susan White's experience in art education spans over three decades, allowing her to teach and develop curriculum for elementary schools, colleges, universities, and museums in Virginia, Massachusetts, California, and Wisconsin since 1991. She received her Masters in Art Education in Boston in 1997, and her MFA in Studio Art from UC Davis in 2001. One of her best semesters was spent in Florence, Italy, way back in 1990. Born and raised in Richmond, VA, Susan is a mixed-media artist, often incorporating drawing with textiles and found materials. She moved to Manchester, VT in 2016. When not planning for her next lesson, walking her dog, or hanging out with her family, she's probably in her studio.
MA, Private School Leadership, Teachers College Columbia University
MBA, Columbia Business School
BA, American University
Ms. Wilson recently received her dual MA/MBA from Columbia University in New York City. During her time at Columbia, Ms. Wilson researched and helped to write the new book Hiring for Diversity. Before graduate school, Ms. Wilson taught all grades and content areas from Kindergarten-8th grade in Boston, MA and Pittsburgh, PA. Her favorite content areas to teach are math, social studies and character education. During her undergraduate degree in Washington, DC, she studied Musical Theater and History. Ms. Wilson lives in Manchester Center with her sweet puppy companion, Winnie.
B.S. University of Maine
Mr. Wonsor received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine in Kinesiology & Physical Education with a concentration in Teaching/Outdoor Education. Prior to Maple Street school, Mr. Wonsor worked as a first grade teacher at Greenwich Country Day before making his way to Nashoba Brooks School where he served as the Physical Education teacher (grades 3-5), Athletic Program Manager, and Director of External Programs. He enjoys getting outside and being active with his friends and family. Some of his favorite activities are swimming, canoeing, biking, camping, hiking and skiing.
