Former Faculty & Staff

CHERYL BRUUN

Former Gradehead and Lower School Faculty Coach

cheryl.bruun2@gmail.com

News has reached Shady Hill that retired math teacher Jean Menapace passed away. Our sincere condolences to her family and friends.

Anne Atheling TTC ’52 writes: Living on Coolidge Ave., I often pass or walk through the campus, recalling close to 30 year of fond memories at SHS: Head of School from Ed Yeomans to Joe Segar, Apprentice 1951-2, Grade 2 teacher 1952-4, proud parent of SHS grads: George Wendell ’70, Emily Fagan ’75 and Edith Wendell ’80

Megan Porter writes: I miss the SHS community tremendously! I am still teaching middle school in Marlborough, MA. Currently I am teaching math in 8th grade, but I’ve taught every grease and level in the past 6 years. Our daughter Stella is in 6th grade now and thriving at a wonderful school that focuses on math and science. Josh, my husband, is working for Microsoft. We have a wonderfully naughty dog named Link. All is good in our world.

Hilary Laing writes: I continue to work in the role of early childhood literacy specialist and I coach teachers around literacy practices in a public school in Minneapolis. It is challenging and rewarding in good ways for me at this point in my career. I always think fondly of my days teaching at SHS- best colleagues ever! My 3 young adult children, who all graduated from SHS live far away, so I miss them but have fun places to visit! Olivia ’09 is a therapist in Somerville, MA. Pierce ’12 is a mechanical engineer living in Santa Monica, CA. Serena ’14 is a food scientist living in San Francisco. One photo is of my 3 kids at Serena’s graduation from Tufts University in May ‘22. The other photo is of me, Olivia, and Sarina Tcherepnin hiking in the Adirondacks- July ‘22.

Monica Kucich writes: Incredibly grateful for my 28 years at Shady Hill, I’ve set out on a new adventure! I’m teaching STEM to the sixth graders at the Charles River School in Dover, MA. It feels exciting to try something new, but also hard to be away from my SHS home. Don’t be strangers! You can find me at mkucich@gmail.com.

Serena Wilkie Gifford writes: Still living in Cambridge, MA with husband Porter ’79 and enjoying family life with Suzannah Gifford ’12, a teacher in Maine, and old and in second grade at Moses Brown School in Providence. She’s thriving and it’s such a treat to watch her grow. I keep in touch with my fellow TTC alumni, Mimi Roterman TTC ’07 and Ann Helm O’Brien TTC ’07 David Smith ’59 writes: My wife Suzi died in July of 2021; she had been in care for 2 years for Alzheimer’s and dementia, and she died peacefully one evening. I have now published 4 children’s picture books, and I’ve done a lot of traveling to schools and conferences to talk with teachers about the books and about how to use them in the classroom. I’ve also been doing lots of school visits to talk with children about the people of working with terrific teachers. Other science units now used in elementary school deal with matter, grades 3-5 and energy, grade 4. We have 8 (beloved) grandchildren: three very tall men 19-23 and 4 girls and a boy ages 7-13. I love going to their plays and various athletic events. My volunteer work includes fund-raising for my college and recruiting and supporting mentors for incarcerated men and women getting their college degrees behind bars. These joyful activities counterbalance to some extent reports of terrible adult behavior that saturate the news.

Abbott Gifford ’14, who will start medical school this summer. Also this summer, I’ll be settling into a new job as head of school at Birches School in Lincoln, MA.

Becca Hunsicker TTC ’07 writes: For the past 15 years, I’ve been teaching seventh grade history at Wheeler School in Providence, RI. Wheeler is a great fit and I really enjoy my students. In 2016, I adopted my daughter, Gemma, from China and love being a mom! Gemma is now eight years the world. Life is strange and lonely without Suzi, but I am figuring out how to put a life together.

Sally Crissman writes: In 2000, I went to work for one year at TERC, (a not-for-profit math and science research and development organization), 23 years later I’m still at TERC, currently developing and field testing a 3rd grade science unit that introduces students to the mechanism of natural selection. I love seeing the lessons play out in public school classrooms and

Heather Booth writes: After living in Seattle for several years, I decided to make a change and moved to Denver in June, 2021. I live in a historic neighborhood near the state capital. I love the sunshine, the mountains and seeing live music at Red Rocks in the summer. I’m still a devoted Auntie to my four nieces and nephews and dog mom to Gary, a rescue pup. I work as a remote employee for the University of Washington where I was recently promoted to a new role as an Operations Manager. I enjoy my job and work with a great team. Hope this finds the SHS community well. I still enjoy the many friendships I made during my time there. Enid Wetzner writes: After leaving SHS, my further education included earning a Master’s degree from Tufts Eliot Pearson School, a post-graduate internship in dyslexia assessment, and acquiring Orton-Gillingham certification. My work included doing educational research at UMass Boston; acting as curriculum adviser at the Haitian Multicultural Day Care Center; and being a teacher, curriculum consultant, and interim Director at Beacon Hill Nursery School. Finally in 2001, I took a job teaching reading in the Newton Public Schools; I retired from that position last July. Currently I have a private practice in my Newton home tutoring reading. Throughout these years I have continued to study classical piano, read, garden, and grandparent Sadie (14), Siena(8), and Ivy (7) who live in MA and RI. My years at SHS were formative and inspiring. I have fond memories of my wonderful colleagues as well as children and families I was lucky to know.

Will Crissman ’92 , TTC ’04 writes: I’m in year five as head of school at Tenacre in Wellesley and it continues to be an exciting adventure. My wife, Michele, and I have three daughters and the younger two, Maisie and Charlotte, are in 6th grade and 1st grade at Tenacre. Our oldest, Eloise, is in 8th grade at Dana Hall.

I still get excellent counsel from my mom (Sally Crissman) and my teaching and leadership continues to be influenced by the amazing teachers I had as a student at Shady Hill and as colleagues. School was always a joyful place for me as a kid and I’m honored to be able to pass it forward to my students now. Bruce Shaw writes: Sandy and I continue our much quieter lives in Essex on the North Shore. Having put my consulting work behind me a couple years ago, just pre-pandemic, we have had more time for relaxing activities (biking, hiking, x-country skiing, reading, gardening, painting and ceramics and, of course, family). I’ve continued my three volunteer stints as museum docent, a writer for a migraine association, and a site visitor for a foundation; Sandy reads to children regularly in the Gloucester public schools. The pandemic stopped our travel, which in recent years included Scandinavia, Machu Picchu, Egypt and Costa Rica. We’d like to start that up again! We are both well. I’ve had lunch regularly with various former SHS colleagues—always special. Here’s a picture of the two of us with our fast-growing grandkids: Asa (11), Saskia (9), and

Thaddeus (13).

Jerry Hakes writes: SHS was for me a supportive and formative experience, and I was there for 40 years. When my wife Jane and I left for the warmer climate of Texas, I took a job teaching fourth grade at an independent school north of Houston. I was there in various capacities from the fall of 1994 until I retired in 2010. I began there teaching fourth grade, the only grade 1-6 which I did not teach at SHS. Later I moved up to teaching 5th grade English. To get that position, I had to teach a grammar lesson. I took some fifth graders parsing through the first lines of “The Jabberwocky.” An interesting exercise. Jane died in 2006 but I stayed on until 2010, before moving to Cape Cod. Last summer I had a heart attack and moved in with my daughter Beth and family. I have many fond memories of SHS. The students were lively, smart, and fun and I had good friends on the faculty, who were likewise lively, smart and fun. I’m in touch with Bob Lawler and David Smith. I would love to hear from former students and friends.

Kate Lanou writes: I miss Shady Hill and all it encompasseskids, colleagues, families, rituals, teaching, academics, community! However, I love my life after SHS as well. I spent a magical year at the Farm School preparing for a life of farming after a career in teaching. Thus far, I have spent 4 years milking cows or making cheese in Ipswich and Little Compton, and the rest of the time growing organic vegetables back in Athol and now in Amherst. I am happy to hear from old Shady Hill friends - lanoukb@ gmail.com. We have room for a visitor or two, should you be in the area.

Todd Nelson TTC ’79 writes: I’m retired from education, having worked in five different states as a teacher and administrator. Last year I published a book of essays about life here in Down East Maine: Cold Spell: the view from the end of the peninsula (Down East Books, October, 2022). Other freelance writing keeps me busy and amused. I’m connected with numerous former students and colleagues— which is lovely. SHS remains the best years of my career and I often feel nostalgic about it!

Annette Raphel writes: Shady

Hill is still making a positive impact even so many years after we left in 2000, still thrilled to have been part of such an inspiring school. Both of us went off to eventually head schools, and the culture and educational excellence that we appreciated at Shady Hill were standards for us at our subsequent schools, Ruth Gass TTC ’87 at Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School and Boston’s Jewish Community Day School and Annette’s headships at The School at Columbia University and Belmont Day School. We remain good bi-coastal friends, and recently Ruth’s connection with an idealistic Israeli who wanted to open the first progressive non-religiously affiliated independent school resulted in an invitation for both of us to consult with the school. It is now a reality in year 5, serving 280 children from Pre-K to grade 5! In January, Ruth and I spent ten days near Tel Aviv. Ruth helped Zarkor think about their upcoming middle school and school-wide science curriculum and Annette spent time observing and teaching math classes. Thank goodness the school is bilingual with a Hebrew and an English teacher for each class of 20 children. We hosted a parent evening about math and science education at progressive schools. Here we are with the leadership team (division heads Hila Mizrahi and Lior Misrachi and the principal Maayan Chiprut). We will happily continue to work remotely with the school. We are grateful that the extraordinary experiences we had at Shady Hill will continue to inform and enrich a new school. We are both grandmothers and the aspirations that our children (Shady Hill graduates Andy Gass ’94 and Ali Gass ’91 and Jordan Raphel ’00!) and that we have for our grandchildren, have been influenced by their positive early learning experiences and our secure knowledge that their educational foundation has served them well both professionally and personally. Ruth Gass TTC ’87 adds: My daughter, Ali, who is the founding director of the new Institute of Contemporary Art in San Francisco will host an evening for Bay Area alums at this new museum in April. She has been working with Betsy Ginsberg on planning the evening where Ali will talk about the current exhibits. Shady Hill arts made Ali into an art historian and museum director! Both of my kids, (Ali and Andy), have been shaped by their years at SFS. They each live in the Bay Area, and hence my migration to SF. They each send their kids (2 apiece) to progressive schools. The standard is always “how much is this school like SHS?”

Felicia Kaiser writes: Hello Shady Hill!! I am enjoying my new role as a science coach with the Boston Teacher Residency Program. It’s a gift to support teachers as they are just beginning their teaching careers. My family is doing well. David is enjoying his new role as a school librarian here in Jamaica Plain and our boys are having great years in second grade and Kindergarten - lots of LEGO and messy baking projects! With all the brokenness in the world, I am grateful for the gifts of health, community, and love. I have deep appreciation for my time teaching at Shady Hill and wish everyone well!

Jane Hardy writes from Arizona saying that although she and her husband love living in Maine, they enjoy escaping the ice and mud for 3 months each winter. She says the Lincolnville Historical Society is nearly a full-time job and reports having just successfully concluded a $350,000 capital campaign to restore their historic 1851 schoolhouse that is home to their office and museum. She also has volunteer leadership roles with the Lincolnville Improvement Association and the Penobscot Bay Stewards, a wonderful, 6 week long environmental and cultural adult education program.

Megan Janson Szarnicki writes: This year marks my tenth year since moving from Cambridge to San Francisco. I worked at The Carey School for one year and taught Kindergarten at Town School for Boys for six years and taught third grade. In 2020, my husband, Tim, and I moved to Washington, DC for a year. While he attended graduate school, I taught third grade at The Langley School in McLean, Virginia. Since returning to SF, I have been staying home with our one year old daughter, Mary. We will be welcoming her sibling in early June. Mary and I went for a hike with SHS legend Hilary Laing this Fall. It had been nine years since we were filling the sensory bin in B South with Perler fuse beads but it felt as though no time had passed. I also see Katherine Hesko and her family regularly. She hasn’t been able to get rid of me just yet. I miss everyone at Shady Hill and hope to visit some day soon!

Jeanne McDermott writes: Life is in some ways very simple. I’m treasuring the fact that I’m part of a four generation family. My parents -- both 96 years old -- are alive and able to enjoy life, despite serious diagnoses. Ted and I have two grandbabies -- Kai Wing-Choi Finch (age 2) and June Ming-Choi Finch (6 weeks old). Jeremy Finch and his wife Stephanie live in Watertown and Nate Finch and his partner Jenna live in Waltham. We see each other often. Besides that? Lots of art and biking!

Gita Mithal writes: I was in Chicago with Divakar Mithal ’94 and his family, wife Leena, and kids Maya 7 1/2 and Vikram 4 years old. Divakar is a pediatric neurologist and his wife Leena is pediatrician specializing in infectious diseases. Prabhakar Mithal ’97 and his wife moved to Atlanta a year ago. Prabhakar is a urologist/ surgeon. My husband Arvind is the head of the Computer Science department at MIT and hasn’t decided to retire quite yet. I am enjoying life as a grandmother very much. We also travel to India every year except during the three pandemic years. Marshall Carter writes: I’m happily carrying on as head of school at Atrium School, six years now. Louisa ‘21 is in her second year at Phillips Andover, writing satire for the newspaper, rowing crew and playing ice hockey, and thriving in the classroom. Lori and I recently got married and moved to Watertown, into the house one of my SHS students grew up in! I recently had lunch with Bruce Shaw, and also came back to SHS to coach TTC apprentices on the job search process. Nice to stay connected to SHS, 25 years after first arriving there to teach.

Sandi TTC ’10 and Nathan Tanaka TTC ’13 write: Sandi TTC ’10, 2011-2015 K gradehead and Nathan Tanaka TTC ’13 are happily working at Prospect Sierra School in El Cerrito, CA. Nathan is in his 4th year as their middle school division head, while Sandi is in her 6th year as one of the first grade teachers. Fun fact: she’s had the most magical year of leading first grade with SHS alum, Emma Banta ’09! Nathan and Sandi are also the proud (and exhausted) parents to Pax (4) and Porter (1.5). Cheryl Bruun writes: After 38 wonderful years at SHS, I retired in June of 2021. My husband Rich and I have become “snowbirds”, spending our winter/spring in the remarkably beautiful southwest desert. We live in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains in Tucson, AZ, where we golf, hike, and explore off-road in our Jeep. Judith Austen lives nearby and we get together from time to time. Fall/Summer finds us in a small town close to Stonington, CT and Westerly, RI where we live along the Pawcatuck River and enjoy boating, fishing, golf and hiking. Working at SHS was an incredible experience for me. The long-standing and important relationships formed with so many incredibly talented and dedicated teachers as well as inquisitive, curious children and their caring families enriched my life and helped to make me the person I am today. I am intensely grateful.