The Vanguard - School bids farewell to departing faculty
Grace Wang P ’25 left Brookline High School and came to the Upper School (US) as a math teacher in 2021. She wanted to join the US community for more than the opportunity to teach math, she said.
“One of the reasons I came to BB&N was the unique opportunity to teach at the place where my daughter goes to school.”
Ms. Wang has enjoyed being able to experience the US firsthand alongside her daughter.
“I really appreciated being part of and learning about the community that is educating my daughter,” she said. “Along the way, I met and became friends with many amazing colleagues.”
This past year, Ms. Wang taught Algebra 2, Geometry, and Calculus AB. Ms. Wang has also taught Geometry Honors and Precalculus AB in previous years.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Wang discovered her love for fencing and became the program coordinator for the fencing team. She was the team representative and, in this role, was the main point of contact between families, coaches, and the school.
Ms. Wang will return to Brookline High School this fall as a math teacher. In the future, she said she wishes to travel.
“Ultimately I would like to retire and travel the world, but that is many years from now.”
—Sari Goldberg ’27
Ms.
Wang
Mr. Kelly
Soccer
The “Circus,” an affectionate nickname for the history teachers in Room 272, lost another member this spring. Upper School (US) History Teacher Jenna Larson departed from the US to teach at Beaver Country Day School this fall. The Circus was a highlight of her time at the school, she said.
“I cherished the many laughs and nerdy conversations with my colleagues in that space. Their deep intellect and genuine compassion for students are truly admirable as well. If you need a place to relax, process, or just chat about interesting topics, or nothing at all, the Circus is there for you.”
Ms. Larson taught Global History I and II and advised a group of freshmen. She enjoyed building relationships with students in her classes and advisory, she said.
“The students are pretty great. Many students are sincerely curious about the world around them, and those conversations in and outside of the classroom were always enjoyable.”
For Ms. Larson, the support from fellow US teachers was special.
“I always felt deeply supported by my faculty colleagues and my students, who welcomed me warmingly into the community, showed compassion during my journey through pregnancy and motherhood, and shared in the laughter and challenges along the way,” she said. “Their kindness and camaraderie significantly enriched my experience while there, and I am immensely grateful for it.”
At Beaver, she will continue to teach history but with an interdisciplinary approach.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Beaver Country Day School, where I’ll have the opportunity to develop and teach some innovative and interdisciplinary classes. I’m looking forward to embracing the new challenges ahead and using my passion for curriculum design in a dynamic way.”
Ms. Larson said she hopes to have impacted the US during her time there.
“I hope my legacy reflects my desire to foster a compassionate and supportive community where everyone’s well-being and dignity are upheld through genuine efforts towards equity, for both teachers and students.”
—Chloe Taft ’25
Math
“Home” is how departing Admissions Associate Kaeghan Kelly ’10 will remember the Upper School (US).
After graduating from the US in 2010, Mr. Kelly studied biopsychology at Hobart College and planned to go to medical school until he changed his mind late in his senior year. In 2014, Mr. Kelly returned to the school as a soccer coach.
“After about two weeks of coaching those boys at BB&N, the middle school boys, and the thirds boys, I just fell in love with coaching,” he said.
Mr. Kelly went on to hold a variety of positions at the school: He coached Boys’ Varsity Soccer (BVS) and Varsity Golf, taught psychology for five years, and was the sports information director for a short while. It was his work in the Admissions Office, though, that remained a constant throughout his 10 years at the school.
“I always took pride and felt rewarded in my own work when I offered a different perspective on an applicant that swayed a little bit of a decision,” Mr. Kelly said about his role in Admissions.
Mr. Kelly will miss being a resource for US students.
“I tried to help them on their own path in whatever way that I could, academically, athletically, socially, artistically. Whatever way that I could be of service to them just brought me a lot of joy. I will probably miss that the most.”
As BVS coach, Mr. Kelly worked to teach his players leadership skills. He strived to create a positive, welcoming community, he said.
“I would tell the senior leaders of the varsity team, in particular, to go out of their way to say hi to anybody that they knew played soccer over the years,” he said. “That willingness to put yourself out there, be kind, be a good person, smile at somebody in the hallways and acknowledge them, I feel is a super important legacy.”
This fall, Mr. Kelly will work at Fessenden, a K-9 school in West Newton, as an associate director of secondary school counseling. He also plans to coach their soccer team.
“I will remain eternally grateful for BB&N,” Mr. Kelly said. “BB&N took a chance on me, as a student and as an employee, and helped build the foundation of my character, academic interests, and career. I’m very grateful for that.”
