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Faculty Awards
Mentors and Role Models
Perry Awards
The Perry Awards were established and endowed in 1995 by generous donors to honor the life and work of former faculty Les and Barbara Perry, who devoted thirty years to the students of Webb and served the school loyally and in many capacities. The Perry Awards serve as a tangible reward for a job well done and for extraordinary dedication to the growth and development of Webb students.
THE 2019-20 PERRY AWARD WINNERS:
Andrew Hamilton, Science
Since joining Webb in 2012, Hamilton has played an instrumental role in innovating Webb’s science program. Eager to ensure the success of the sophomore Integrated Physics & Chemistry (IPC) course, Andrew helped revamp the entire curriculum. He also wrote an entirely new astrophysics curriculum aimed at taking advantage of Webb’s observatory — further demonstrating his commitment to pushing the coursework and himself. Diving fully into the spirit of Webb’s Unbounded Days program, Hamilton took a busload of students all the way to the Arizona border in search of a weather balloon launched in Claremont — a symbol of his passion for and commitment to experiential learning. He is an amazing mentor to students, in his role as robotics coach and as an advisor to a group of WSC students.
Morgan Kapp, World Languages
Kapp’s dedication to her craft is evident within the walls of the Old Schoolhouse where her students not only explore the technical aspects of Spanish, but the culture, history, art, and current events of various countries around the world. Her classes model what it means to “fully immerse oneself” in the language. Her students navigate through her class with smiles on their faces and genuine interest in the subject matter. Furthermore, Kapp’s presence extends beyond the classroom: she is not only an excellent coach, but a vital role model for our female student-athletes. She pushes students to extend themselves both physically and mentally and exemplifies what it means to live a healthy, balanced life.
Scott Nichols, Digital Communications
If there is a camera pointed at you while on campus, chances are Nichols is behind it. In his role as director of digital communications, he works hard to capture the myriad moments that make up the Webb experience. The night sky over the observatory, sleek swimmers racing underwater, aerial shots of our 150-acre campus, friends studying together in the library stacks – Scott strives to document and share it all. Nichol’s dedication to and appreciation for the political process is no less steadfast. He was introduced to his first political candidate at the age of two, and more recently has sought to merge his two interests by photographing candidates during the 2020 election. Indeed, Nichols models passion, curiosity, and civic engagement to Webb students.
Michael Szanyi, Humanities
Watching him teach a sample class as part of the interview process, Webb knew Szanyi was made for this work. After teaching one psychology course, he was asked to staff the evening academic labs. Then to run the dance program. Anyone who has worked with Michael, who has experienced his kind spirit, his dedication to students, his thoughtfulness and creativity, and his tremendous work ethic, understands why we needed him to be part of this community. A full-time humanities teacher, head of Webb’s dance program, VWS head of dorms, WSC lead class advisor for the Class of 2021 – Szanyi wears many hats. And in July 2020, he added the role of Dean of Faculty to his hat collection. The spirit he brings to these roles is singularly wonderful, whether hosting a Britney Spears dance party for his dorm, prodding faculty to participate in Theme Days dress-up or giving a well-researched chapel talk on the WSC motto. He embodies the all-in Webb teacher.
Teaching Awards
Malick Mbengue, World Languages
Often seen around campus with an easygoing stroll and a bright smile that will make anyone’s day, this year’s McMillin Award winner has a certain...je ne sais quoi about him. Mbengue is always positive, enthusiastic, excited, and shows a genuine concern towards everyone he encounters. He carries this same energy into the classroom and helps his students see beyond passé composé contre imparfait, explaining when to use le subjonctif, and helping them understand the value of how learning a language connects them to so much more than just what is on the page in front of them. Mbengue uses French as a vehicle to help students see the value of connecting to different cultures, beliefs, religions and ways of life. On the soccer field, his passion for the game is palpable with every drill, practice and match he coaches. His players learn more than just soccer. As one of his player’s parent states: “Coach Mbengue has spent hours dedicated to the students on and off the field. He is a mentor and an inspiration to the students.” Though Mbengue certainly has une attitude décontractée (a laid-back attitude), his joie de vivre and passion for teaching have made his students, our faculty, and most importantly, our community, that much more vibrant and full of life.
Ardina Greco, Fine Arts
To enter the art room during Greco’s class is to feel the creative process alongside the calm and comfort of home. She brings a tremendous artistic expertise to her classroom, helping students navigate color, materials and meaning. She also brings a deep care for her students, as she helps them to imagine, to express and to create. Greco is also a gardener and a chef. Imagine her coaxing a small bud to flower in her backyard, with patience and encouragement. One can also imagine this same attention as she encourages her bread dough to rise or her pomegranate jam to thicken. This is how Greco approaches her work as an educator. Cooking rice in Jones Dormitory, listening to students process their college anxieties, explaining new cleaning protocols in the dorm lounge — these are also acts of teaching. And with the same attention that she guides students to think creatively and to express themselves artistically in her classes, she also helps them to discover the secrets of living a full, meaningful and balanced life in the dorms and around campus. Greco is all in, a real boarding school educator with incredible heart and a dedication to Webb’s values and mission.
The Laurence McMillin Excellence in Teaching Award was established and endowed by David Loo ’79.
Lisa Nacionales, Science
As the science department chair, Lisa has fearlessly led the charge in continuing to push the boundaries of Webb’s science curriculum. She has played a large role in helping the department understand what deep learning looks like in the science classroom. Additionally, Lisa has continued to help hone and develop the core curricula in Evolutionary Biology and Integrated Physics & Chemistry. Her colleagues describe her as “loyal,” “visionary” and “constantly thinking about innovating.” Fearless of how a lesson, demo or lab will go, she dives into every class with unwavering passion for the subject but more importantly, hope and confidence in her students that they will successfully answer each and every one of those challenges. Pushing them to think beyond just the content, Lisa interweaves issues of equity, social justice and human responsibility in the context of science into her units. In addition to keeping up with the vaccine race of 2020, Lisa has been an instrumental member of the Webb community. Beyond the classroom, Lisa has served as an advisor, dorm head, afternoon activity leader, and a powerful ally and advocate for the student and faculty delegation that have attended the People of Color Conference and Student Diversity Leadership Conference. Not only is Lisa constantly thinking about how to make the science curriculum truly unbounded, but she really is rewriting the script for what an unbounded teacher looks like. The James T. Demetriades ’80 Prize for Unbounded Thinking was established and endowed by James T. Demetriades ’80.
Jean E. Miller Excellence in Teaching Award
Brian Rogers, Humanities
Rogers joined Webb in 2011 as a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed educator, complete with an abundance of passion. He’s known for both an occasional grumble as well as some wickedly clever jokes. In the classroom, Brian oozes intellectual curiosity; his passion for reading and writing is palpable and infectious. Whether hosting a discussion of Truman Capote or a writing workshop for novice fiction writers, Brian encourages, provokes and celebrates his students. Brian models the passion of a life-long learner, as he takes up new areas of study — most recently online coursework on international relations — to contribute to his work as an educator — in this case, studying material to be added to his new course Press, Politics & American Power. As an advisor, his wry humor helps to buoy his advisees, who feel his deep care for them, and in the many casual conversations he has around campus, Brian engages our students, helping them to feel known, respected and valued. This award celebrates the many contributions he has made to our educational program and to our community in his time at Webb, and it is given with deep gratitude and affection.
The Jean E. Miller Excellence in Teaching Award was established and endowed by the Affiliates of The Webb Schools.
Thompson and Vivian Webb Award
John Choi, Science
Simply put, Choi is a master teacher. Master teachers can use their classroom as just one morsel of space to inspire students to want to learn more and to be better than just their individual selves. But he is much more than just a master science teacher. Choi encourages his students to think about issues of equity, service, social justice, and about being more than just individuals inside of the safe Webb bubble. He helps his students think about themselves as part of the whole class, the whole effort and the whole community. As one of his students says, “Mr. Choi is not only a teacher but an activist. He encourages me to assert my own identity and to be proud of who I am. He empowers me and so many others to keep fighting for the change we want and stand firmly with our beliefs.” Choi takes his multiple roles seriously and does not let himself get confined into just being a classroom teacher. John is a committed advisor, a dependable and deeply dedicated community service coordinator, and faculty advisor to the Empowering Student Voices Initiative. He was also appointed to the new position of diversity, equity and inclusion coordinator in which he will ensure that every member of the Webb community feels like they belong and are valued. In two short years, John has left an indelible mark on this community and gives each and every one of us hope that together, we can make change. The Thompson and Vivian Webb Award was endowed by Edmund L. Piper ’43.
