Meet Our New Teachers, Leaders, and Achievers WINTER 2021
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Meet our 2021–2022 Class of Teachers, Leaders, and Achievers
Dr. Jeff Barudin, who relocated to this region from St. Louis, is a member of our Performing Arts department. At Lindenwood University, Jeff was a Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies. His experience also includes teaching K–12 music students. He earned his bachelor's degree at Penn State and his graduate degrees at the University of Michigan.
Andrew Fehnel joined the Sanford Buildings & Grounds team last spring. Previously, Andrew owned and operated his own stonemasonry business. He and his wife Ali are parents of Gia ’33 and Emmy ’35
Nathania François is our Assistant Director of College Counseling. Nathania came to us from Bates College, where she was Senior Assistant Dean of Admission and Assistant Director of Diversity Enrollment. Nathania previously served in a similar role at Wentworth Institute of Technology. She earned her bachelor's and master’s degrees from Salem State University.
Samantha Stuart is an Upper School chemistry teacher, who relocated to the area from Hawaii. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Rosemont College and a master’s degree in science education from the University of Scranton. Before moving to Hawaii, Sam taught chemistry at Westtown School. Sam’s daughter, Kat Coulter ’35, is in our preKindergarten class.
Dr. Xabier Fole Varela, a native of Spain, teaches Upper School Spanish. Xabier earned his undergraduate degree at Universidad Francisco de Vitoria in Madrid. His studies in the United States have included two masters’ degrees from City College of New York and a PhD from Georgetown University, where he also taught for several years.
Matt Wilson, who has been an assistant coach for our baseball and boys’ basketball teams, expanded his role at Sanford by joining our Upper School administrative team as our Dean of Students. A graduate of the University of Delaware, Matt was an administrator at North East Middle School for 16 years. Matt’s daughter Madeline is a member of the Sanford class of 2026.
Nicki Liss is teaching Lower School art. A graduate of Temple University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Photography and a PreK–12 teaching certificate, Nicki is also a part-time artist.
