As Proctor prepares to welcome new and returning students to campus for the start of the academic year, our community also welcomes new faculty and staff to Andover. This group of educators has been working hard to get to know Proctor during new faculty orientation. Please welcome these new community members to Proctor. Learn more about them below!
Ellie and Luis Mendoza | Spain Co-Directors
What most excites you about joining the Proctor community?
Ellie and I (Luis) are so excited to take over such a longstanding Proctor program and look forward to carrying on its tradition.
If you could take part in any of Proctor's off-campus programs, which would it be?
Well, in fact, we are directing the program in Segovia!
What is one of your favorite pastimes?
We both love to ski. Ellie was a competitive mogul skier growing up, and I (Luis) try to keep up.
What is your favorite movie?
Hook is one of our favorites, and our dog is even named Bangarang, which is the rally cry of the Lost Boys.
What is a random fun fact about you?
We have visited Tangier, Morocco.
Callie Dwyer | Mathematics Department Faculty
What most excites you about joining the Proctor community?
The most exciting thing about Proctor is the community itself. I have already met so many amazing people and I am looking forward to being a part of such a great group!
If you could take part in any of Proctor's off-campus programs, which would it be?
Ocean Classroom!
What is one of your favorite pastimes?
Lacrosse is my favorite pastime!
What is your favorite movie?
Blindside
What is a random fun fact about you?
I have two middle names.
Holly Buresh | Ocean Classroom Lead Instructor
What most excites you about joining the Proctor community?
I love being back in the Proctor community and taking part in teaching in nature!
If you could take part in any of Proctor's off-campus programs, which would it be?
Obviously Ocean Classroom!
What is one of your favorite pastimes?
Sports and puzzles
What is your favorite movie?
Remember the Titans
What is a random fun fact about you?
I have random hiccups. Iykyk.
Caroline Feeney | Mountain Classroom Instructor
What most excites you about joining the Proctor community?
I am most excited about spending time with our students exploring new places and new ideas along with my co-instructor, Jeffrey! I am also very excited to meet all the people that contribute to such a wonderful, experiential, student-focused community.
If you could take part in any of Proctor's off-campus programs, which would it be?
I am lucky enough to already be instructing Mountain Classroom this year. If I could join any other trip it would be Ocean Classroom. I grew up in the ocean in San Diego and would love to learn how to sail some day.
What is one of your favorite pastimes?
I love reading and I am always looking for new book suggestions!
What is your favorite movie?
Princess Bride
What is a random fun fact about you?
My favorite food is mustard. All kinds. Yes, I am open to debate if mustard can actually be considered a favorite food.
Kate Piacenza | Admission Associate
What most excites you about joining the Proctor community?
I'm excited to meet students and experience the boarding school environment.
If you could take part in any of Proctor's off-campus programs, which would it be?
I would take part in Ocean classroom because I love spending time near the ocean and would want to learn more about sailing.
What is one of your favorite pastimes?
Going to the beach with my family.
What is your favorite movie?
Remember the Titans because I would watch it every Saturday morning with my dad growing up.
What is a random fun fact about you?
I love to surf!
Vanessa Wassenar | Director of Resource Management
What most excites you about joining the Proctor community?
Proctor offers the environment and opportunities that I wish I had had for learning, in all parts of my life, when I was Grades 9-12. It’s irresistible!
If you could take part in any of Proctor's off-campus programs, which would it be?
Oceanography has been a huge part of my life so OCEAN CLASSROOM without question.
What is one of your favorite pastimes?
I love to travel and swim, walk, read, and chill outdoors.
What is your favorite movie?
Same Time Next Year is my favorite movie. It reminds me that close relationships, whatever form they take, can continue year after year with proper “care and feeding.”
What is a random fun fact about you?
I’ve gone 2000 meters down in the deep sea submersible Alvin off the California coast, near the edge of the tectonic plate that created Catalina Island.
Justin Sperry | USSA FIS Coach
What most excites you about joining the Proctor community?
The opportunities to try new things that Proctor offers, and the amazing group of people that make up our school!
If you could take part in any of Proctor's off-campus programs, which would it be?
Ocean classroom - I've always been fascinated by going to sea. Outdoor classroom is also an amazing opportunity to explore some of this beautiful country.
What is one of your favorite pastimes?
In my spare time I love to backcountry ski, ride and work on my bikes, hike, read, and cook.
What is your favorite movie?
Time Bandits
What is a random fun fact about you?
I once appeared in a movie that was produced, written, and directed by an Academy Award winner. It didn't win an Oscar.
Allie Clarke ‘16 | USSA FIS Coach
What most excites you about joining the Proctor community?
I am excited about many things, but I think it’s the small parts of daily life at Proctor that most excite me, like saying hi to everyone during dish duty, coming together at assembly and pretty sunsets over the library and pond.
If you could take part in any of Proctor's off-campus programs, which would it be?
I am somewhat afraid of sailing but would love to go on ocean classroom.
What is one of your favorite pastimes?
Currently my favorite pastime is riding my bikes!
What is your favorite movie?
My favorite movie is Little Miss Sunshine.
What is a random fun fact about you?
As Students at Proctor Alicia Barry and I split a waffle (made by Edna) and an omelet every Wednesday.
Additional new members to the community include Nathan Chipman P’22 (USSA/FIS Coach, Carr House), Jeffrey Prado (Mountain Classroom Instructor - above), Matthew Ecklund (Ocean Classroom Lead Instructor), and, of course, Head of School Brian Thomas.
