Each year the Proctor community changes as seniors graduate, some faculty move on, and others retire. As we gear up for students to arrive over the next week, we wanted to introduce you to some of the new faces students and parents will be seeing this year and to evolving roles for those faculty you know so well!
Erikka Adams - Librarian
Why Proctor?
The engagement of the staff in becoming better, more student centered educators. The feeling of community promoted in all aspects of the school. The fact that teaching students how they learn and how to become independent and responsible learners is at the core of all.
How have your experiences prepared you to work at Proctor?
My strong interest and work in student voice and restorative justice. My passion for and involvement with service learning, nationally and internationally. My love of travel and how education shaped me. And just how my love of learning and my curiosity has led me to so many unique experiences, helped me succeed, and pushed me to always keep seeking and asking.
Favorite Pastimes?
Reading and writing are core. Baking cooking and eating are forms of art. I always have a garden. And for fun I dabble in all things outdoors and active - swimming, running, kayaking, road biking, hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, frisbee golf, bocce, badminton. I love to be outside.
Water, Coffee, Lemonade, or Chocolate Milk?
Water
Ideal Vacation - Caribbean Island, White Mountains, New York City, Coastal Maine, or Big Sky Country?
Coastal Maine
Fun Fact:
I know how to tap dance (kinda) and am looking to continue lessons from where I left off (way too long ago now).
Timbah Bell - Mountain Classroom Instructor
Why Proctor?
Proctor's willingness to innovate and bring education outside of the classroom is what attracts me to work here. I think that it is invaluable to give students the opportunity to develop themselves as learners and as community members away from digital distractions. As a result I will be working with Mountain Classroom this year after a terrific stint with Ocean Classroom in 2014.
How have your experiences prepared you to work at Proctor?
My work as a sailing instructor at the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School is focused on providing students with a physically and mentally challenging experience for their personal growth. My hope and plan is to create a similar experience for students on Mountain Classroom. My time spent traveling around the US on backcountry expeditions, working on farms in multiple regions, and pedaling my bicycle from coast to coast will all serve me well in finding exciting exploits in our Mountain Classroom road trip.
Favorite Pastimes?
I love to swim, bicycle, garden, and eat delicious food.
Water, Coffee, Lemonade, or Chocolate Milk?
Water
Ideal Vacation - Caribbean Island, White Mountains, New York City, Coastal Maine, or Big Sky Country?
Coastal Maine
Patrick Coffey - Arts Department and Student Activities
Why Proctor?
The Proctor education structure allows for growth in many directions while still holding all teachers to the highest standard. The support that exists within each department as well as across the entire campus is impressive; this place is set up to give both students and teachers the greatest ability to succeed.
How have your experiences prepared you to work at Proctor?
Plenty of life experience. In the past I have transitioned from the photography business, to coaching with the US Biathlon Team for 5 years, moved in to the outdoor industry, and now am seeing it come full circle back to teaching photography. I can't wait to share my passion for this subject as well as apply my diverse background to coaching, teaching and eventually advising the students here at Proctor.
Favorite Pastimes?
Nordic skiing is a clear winner in my world. I also fell in love with mountain biking while living in Park City, UT. Trail running is also a favorite of mine, and I'm looking forward to getting back into climbing once again with the climbing wall on campus along with being so close to Rumney, NH.
Water, Coffee, Lemonade, or Chocolate Milk?
Chocolate Milk
Ideal Vacation - Caribbean Island, White Mountains, New York City, Coastal Maine, or Big Sky Country?
White Mountains
Fun Facts:
In 2001 I was part of an 8 person team that : rollerskied the 1,523 mile Alaska Highway and I had open-heart surgery in 2001 to repair a leaky bicuspid aortic valve (all good now!).
Kyle Connolly - Social Science Department Faculty
Why Proctor?
I love the idea of the supportive, casual, demanding culture that takes place in the classroom, on the fields and in the dorms. Balancing many different ideas into one consistent message that is directed at student growth is an exciting component of the Proctor model.
How have your experiences prepared you to work at Proctor?
Teaching at St. Johnsbury Academy and working in the residential program at the Tabor Academy Summer Program are both experiences that I will certainly draw on to help inform my decisions here.
Favorite Pastimes?
I love soccer. I played through college and have continued to coach the sport since. I also really enjoy some good hiking in the Whites as well as camping out under the stars. If I can do it with my wonderful Coonhound, Maggie, then all the better.
Water, Coffee, Lemonade, or Chocolate Milk?
Water
Ideal Vacation - Caribbean Island, White Mountains, New York City, Coastal Maine, or Big Sky Country?
Big Sky Country
Fun Fact:
I have an identical twin brother who lives in Boston and is completing his masters degree in International Relations. I was born and raised an hour north of Montreal in Canada.
Spencer Corkran ‘09 - Technology Department
Why Proctor?
The importance of meta-learning (learning to learn) and emphasis on individual student support without being overly structured. The breadth of courses and activities is also a huge draw.
How have your experiences prepared you to work at Proctor?
As a Proctor Academy alumnus, I am extremely attached to the spirit and community the school has fostered, and I want to give back to that community in return for all it has done for me.
Favorite Pastimes?
I love skiing, bicycling, and consuming vast amounts of media. Recent favorites include DotA, True Detective, A Song of Ice and Fire, The Wire, Dwarf Fortress, Amèlie, Snow Crash, Diablo, The Legend of Drunken Master, Rick and Morty, Nethack, and This American Life.
Water, Coffee, Lemonade, or Chocolate Milk?
Lemonade
Ideal Vacation - Caribbean Island, White Mountains, New York City, Coastal Maine, or Big Sky Country?
Secluded Caribbean Island
Junior De La Hoz - Multicultural Coordinator
Why Proctor?
The diverse learning community! Proctor seems to get the best out of kids to reach their ultimate potential
How have your experiences prepared you to work at Proctor?
Coming from and growing up in a inner city, will help me understand the different types of students and backgrounds we have a Proctor. My experience as a student and three years working at a boarding school will help me work well with students at proctor.
Favorite Pastimes?
I Like cooking! Spending time with my nephew Jay, my niece Abbygail, and I love shooting hoops in an empty gym by myself!
Water, Coffee, Lemonade, or Chocolate Milk?
Water
Ideal Vacation - Caribbean Island, White Mountains, New York City, Coastal Maine, or Big Sky Country?
Caribbean Island
Fun Fact:
I own about 40 pairs of sneakers!
Ilyena Kozain ‘10 - Admissions Counselor
Why Proctor?
Community. The idea that fostering close relationships between students and teachers is vital to a student's success. That every student is recognized for his/her individual strengths and valued for their differences. That in a small school where everyone knows everyone, we are able to really connect, come together, and move forward as a learning community.
How have your experiences prepared you to work at Proctor?
Being an alumni gives me a wonderful perspective that is enormously helpful with prospective families.
I've always sought experiences that fall outside my comfort zone and that is where I've learned the most. Communicating that concept, and the idea that only through trying new (uncomfortable) things can we really find out where our true passions are, make Proctor a natural fit for me.
Favorite Pastimes?
Traveling... preferably somewhere new and rugged. Doing anything and everything outside (namely: skiing, hiking, crewing, and kayaking). Spontaneous adventures with family and friends.
Water, Coffee, Lemonade, or Chocolate Milk?
Water
Ideal Vacation - Caribbean Island, White Mountains, New York City, Coastal Maine, or Big Sky Country?
White Mountains
Fun Facts:
I am deep in puppy love with 10 week old Golden Mountain Dog: Nova (half Golden Retriever and half Bernese Mountain Dog). I was born and raised in Germany, thoroughly Americanized in high school-college, and over the past year fell in love with the lush, beautiful 'pearl of Africa', Uganda. I am the huge biochemistry nerd; the molecular mechanism behind soap blows my mind.
Sean Woods - Math Department Faculty
Why Proctor?
Proctor has an incredibly unique community that drives the educational model as a whole. I believe the model is set up in a way that utilizes multiple areas as a platform to teach. From academics, athletics, outside programs, and so on, the daily aspects of Proctor life help push the students to achieve personal growth and self-awareness. The learning does not just happen in the classrooms. I believe the students' daily experiences and the relationships built between teachers, faculty, staff, classmates, etc., are what drive the students to learn.
How have your experiences prepared you to work at Proctor?
Although I have never been a part of a boarding school, my past experiences from high school and college will translate well to my work with students here at Proctor. I recently graduated from Bates College in 2014 and I know what is expected from a student who also plays three sports, volunteers, is learning an instrument, and so on. I can be a resource to students who need help managing and balancing all of these aspects of their lives because it can become overwhelming. For students here at Proctor, they seek to become well-rounded individuals who develop multiple passions and I would love to help in anyway I can.
Favorite Pastimes?
I love all activities that involve the outdoors, but skiing in particular. This includes all forms of skiing with alpine, nordic, alpine touring, etc. I also love to mountain bike, kayak, run, and play soccer.
Water, Coffee, Lemonade, or Chocolate Milk?
Coffee
Ideal Vacation - Caribbean Island, White Mountains, New York City, Coastal Maine, or Big Sky Country?
Big Sky Country
A few other members of the community have shifting roles as well.
Karin Clough - Interim Assistant Head of School
Proctor will undertake a search over the next year to look at both internal and external candidates to permanently fill the position of Assistant Head of School, Karin Clough will step into the position this year after serving as a member of Proctor’s English department for the past seven years. Karin will continue work with the Student Life Team, teach a section of English, coach girls’ hockey, and oversee Senior Project. Karin’s leadership roles extend well beyond Proctor to her work at Bowdoin College for six years as Director of the Women's Resource Center and in the college's Dean of Students' office; earning a J.D. from the University of Tennessee School of Law; administrative and teaching experience at other schools, including the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa, Kenya. All of these experiences, combined with her wisdom, firmness, and community-oriented approach to Proctor give me full confidence that Karin will be a significant asset as we step into the 2015-16 school year.
Jill Jones Grotnes - Arts Department
Jill joined the Proctor community last year as a member of the Athletic Department and will now shift her role to teaching art and coaching. Jill brings a wealth of classroom experience from the Tilton School and coaching experience as both a high school and NCAA head coach.
Lauren Cole-Johnson - Learning Skills Department
After a few years away from Proctor, Lauren rejoins her husband Erik Cole-Johnson at Proctor as a member of the Learning Skills department. Lauren previously served as a Learning Specialist before pursuing her teaching degree and teaching at nearby Bradford Elementary School for the past few years. Learning Skills Department Chair, Jen Fletcher, couldn’t be more excited about having Lauren back on the team!
It is going to be a great year ahead with loads of new energy mixing with veteran faculty and staff that make Proctor such a fantastic place to work.
