Retiring DR. LINDA SISCO Dr. Linda Sisco joined the faculty of the MBS Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL) in 2010 after working in the public-school setting for 25 years as both a Special Education Teacher and Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant.
DENISE ELLIOTT Denise Elliott joined the Morristown Beard community in 2001 on a parttime basis in the Development Office before becoming a full-time employee as Assistant to the Head of Upper School. Her office has always been a friendly and welcoming place where students and faculty alike feel at home. At MBS, she helped coordinate the faculty and staff early bird swimming group in Rooke Pool for many years. Outside of work, Denise is an avid skier, and she has worked in ski security on the slopes at Shawnee Mountain. She is the proud mother of two MBS graduates: Charles, Class of 2003, and Spencer, Class of 2006.
“There were so many people who helped me transition to MBS when I arrived, but I
can’t think of anyone who was more instrumental in helping me join the community than Denise. She was always there to remind me of the important details I needed to know, and her flexibility as we navigated the various challenges associated with the pandemic helped our office continue to run smoothly. It will be hard not to see her each morning,
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but I'm so happy for her to enjoy a well-deserved retirement.
— Ryan Liese, Head of Upper School
“Denise has been an absolute gem to work with in the Upper School office. Her
kindness, empathy, and nurturing nature have made a difference in the lives of hundreds
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of students, as well as her fellow colleagues.
As a CTL faculty member, Linda has supported both Middle and Upper School students with a focus on identifying strategies to maximize student success. She taught a 6th grade quarter class called Focus on Learning and Tech for eight years and has supported Middle School students during the afterschool Guided Homework program. Linda has also worked with the MBS Mentor/ Mentee program designed to support new MBS faculty. In addition, she was instrumental with initiating and implementing the Summer Start Program and has taught in this program for nearly 10 years. Linda has made numerous presentations to parents and faculty over the years on topics such as Executive Functioning in Middle School, Organization and the Adolescent Brain, Accommodating Learning Differences in the Classroom, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Dyslexia. Outside of school, Linda enjoys spending time with her family and pets, which have included dogs, cats, and parakeets.
“What’s so notable about Linda is her guidance, gentle understanding, and connections
with students and faculty alike. As a life-long learner it is not surprising that when asked, “What are your plans for retirement?”, Linda smiles and replies, “Explore, I’m going to
— Rocio Romero, Director of Academic Scheduling & Analytics
“Ever since I came in eighth grade, I remember the excitement of going through the
explore........everything,” once again showing us how to tackle the next phase. While she will no longer be found in South Wing, her spirit and impact will remain with the CTL as
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well as throughout campus continually shaping how we support one another.
— Katie Pepper, Learning Specialist
Upper School. The transition seemed scary at first, but one of the first faces I saw was Ms. Elliott. Her vibrant spirit and energy quickly calmed my nerves while touring the Upper School. Since that day she has been a happy face on campus, and even when my day started off slow when I came in late, she still put a smile on my face. I wish her
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nothing but the best.
— Annie Sherman ’22
“Linda exemplifies the perfect balance that a teacher needs when supporting students; when to assist, when to encourage, and when to ask hard questions. She is simultaneously positive in her outlook and honest with her concerns. Linda believes that all students have the potential for greatness if they receive the right amount, frequency, and
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Ms. Elliot is one of the kindest people on campus. No matter how long you’ve known
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type of support. Her impact on the welcoming culture of the CTL cannot be overstated.
— Kim Pottratz, Director of Center for Teaching & Learning
her, or how many times you have been in to see her, she will always greet you with a kind smile. Throughout my seven years at MBS, she has been a consistently calming
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presence and I will be sad to see her go, but I wish her the best in the future.
— Anjalika Shah ’22
“I’m not the type of person who is always punctual, so my encounters with Ms. Elliott have been frequent. Her kind demeanor and friendliness were the perfect start to
mornings that started with unexpected traffic or accidentally missing my alarm. I’m grateful for the small actions that Ms. Elliott has done over the past four years and wish
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her the best as she enters the next steps in her life.
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Crimson Spring 2022
— Tyler Zakhary ’22
“Linda Sisco was a consummate professional, and it was my honor to be able to call her a co-worker and mentor these last two years. Linda’s professionalism was only
usurped by her sheer grace of character and care for her students and the Morristown Beard community. Thank you, Linda, for all that you have done, and I wish her the best in
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retirement.
— Brandon Jefferson ’09, Learning Specialist
