Faculty Fun Facts

Titan Faculty: Outside the Classroom

Showing their flare for turning a thorn into a rose, a number of Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Faculty and Staff learned new hobbies or found simple ways to enjoy life during COVID-19.

Paul Bloomfield Chair, Fine & Performing Arts “Since COVID-19 hit last spring, I had the sudden urge to get on a motorcycle again. It had been 20 years, and it seemed the right time. I got an old Triumph sports bike and gradually relearned how to ride. It was a bit scary at first for sure, but addictive. I had ridden for many years in the United Kingdom, where I was even a full-time motorcycle courier for two years in London. Now in winter here in New England, I’ll occasionally go out in sub 32-degree weather if the sun is out while I await spring.”

Fabienne Dubois Chair, World Languages “I am excited I completed the training to get the certification to become an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) rater, which will help me evaluate studentspeaking skills in any language class. I started learning Mandarin. I also listen every day to ‘The Bible in a Year’ podcast and to a Spanish podcast while walking. Three of my goals in one.”

Jon Brook Faculty, World Languages “I have never done so much home repair and renovation in my life! I installed windows and an exterior door, finished a shed that I started in 2019, built two small decks and re-sided part of the garage and living room wall. I’m no Bob Vila (or Property Brothers, for the younger reader) but it all looks good, doesn’t leak and hasn’t fallen apart! Working with my hands and body got me out of my head and helped keep me relatively sane since March.”

Diana Cost Chair, Science “During the summer I took a Cornell University Birdwatching course. I can now identify six new types of birds and have discovered that we have nesting great horned owls, titmouse, cardinals, spotted woodpeckers, turkey vultures, blue jays and turkeys on my property.”

Mark Fischer Chair, Mathematics “During lockdown the Fischer family worked on our French skills by listening to lots of French language ‘emissions’ over the internet. I told my girls my computer had a tech issue and it would only play cartoons in French. Knowing this was their only option, they fell for it. In addition, to take the edge off of the news cycle, I started listening to the news from France (it was still depressing—not really a solution for tranquility). Anyway, we hammered the language skills and may have made just a little progress.”

Charlie D’Avanzo Faculty, Science “Our son hung out with us for a while as fall turned to winter to escape the desolation of dealing with COVID-19 in Philly and we watched ‘The Mandalorian.’ ‘Star Wars’ came out in May 1977, which was the year I began my teaching career at Amherst Regional Junior High School. My first lessons (crafted on something called carbon paper) featured characters based on ‘Star Wars’ and offered hints to answer my science questions. So, watching ‘The Mandalorian’ (especially that last episode!!) brought the story full circle for me!”

Kelsea Lewis Faculty, Science Ms. Lewis and her husband hosted an aviation discussion in Alumni Memorial Library and on Zoom in February. They covered such topics as how to become a pilot, airplane physics, effects of altitude and more.

Erik Kindblom Dean of Academics & Institutional Analysis “I wouldn’t call it a hobby or a new skill, but I often bring a plastic shopping bag with me when I go for a walk or run and pick up trash along the way. My walks and runs often take me past Crystal Pond. Much of the trash around Crystal Pond is not easily reachable, and I would tell myself to save it for another day. That day was April 4, 2020. I grabbed two large contractor size garbage bags and (daughter) Emma ’17, and we enjoyed a half day of warm sun and garbage collecting.”

Amy Mathison Faculty, English “During COVID-19, I cultivated a sourdough starter that has birthed many loaves of delicious crusty bread. This activity has taught me so much about science, patience and gluten. While I had always been a novice baker, the time at home gave me an opportunity to perfect my ‘go-to’ recipes.”

Sean Valentine Office of Advancement, Director of Stewardship & Donor Relations “I finished a wooden dollhouse kit for my daughter’s Christmas present. It needed everything: assembly, paint, shingled roof, fixtures, etc. I started in April and finished a week before Christmas, working roughly three hours a week.”

John Lombard Faculty, Mathematics “Luke and I have a 27-foot archery range in our basement that has been getting a lot of use since the start of the pandemic. The competition between the two Lombard men can get intense. Luke is using my old bow (40 pounds of pull) for the first time this year. We only shoot one arrow per target for five targets because we are so close to the targets. Luke shoots his bow with a three-finger/ traditional technique, and I use a mechanical release device to send my arrows to the target.”

Mike Mannix Dean of Residential Life “I’ve become a skilled at-home barber. My shop includes all the candy it takes to keep a 4-year-old from screaming at me.”

Trevor Portlock Faculty, Science “Ever since Hugo was born, I have picked back up the guitar and been playing with him every day. I have finally graduated from Mel Bay’s Classic Guitar Method 1 book to book No. 2. It was fun playing Christmas tunes on the guitar for family over the holidays as well.”

Jeff Vartabedian Faculty, Health “Since COVID-19 started, I found myself spending more time fishing and hiking with the family. Also, I had time to improve my juggling, and even a do little more cooking.”

Erika Whipple Athletic Department, Head Athletic Trainer & Assistant Director of Athletics “I have learned to make masks with a couple different patterns.”

Stuart Whitcomb Director of the WMA Middle School “To stay sound in both mind and body, I have been building new mountain bike trails on campus—an arduous task made more challenging by our unforgiving New England soil. Understanding my plight, Mr. Easler purchased a tool for me to try: a Rogue Rake/Hoe. Made of half-inch steel and weighing in at 5.5 pounds, it is best described as a bulldozer on a stick.”

If These Walls Could Talk

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A snapshot of the office walls of Stuart Whitcomb, current Director of the WMA Middle School and longtime teacher, coach and dorm parent on campus. 1 Map A 17th-century French map of northeastern North America reminds me of Maine and Prince Edward Island, where I go to unwind and recharge with my family.

2 Large photograph print This is a prized possession— a print by WMA artist and Fine & Performing Arts Department Chair Paul Bloomfield. I find myself staring into it all the time. It is brilliant.

3 Hurley A gift from my brother for reaching 50 years old, it is a hurley—the stick used in the Irish game Hurling.

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4 Crowns As Director of the Middle School, I have come to realize two things: People love a good “dad joke” and people snap to it if you are wearing a crown. I have two of each, depending on the mood of the room.

5 Photographs on file cabinet True influencers in my life— the 2013 WMA Girls’ Varsity Basketball squad and the students of Woodburn Success, a dropout recovery program in Oregon. They taught me (again and again) the importance of persistence, resilience and forgiveness.

6 The scary pile of papers These papers, resistant to my horizontal filing system, revolted to create their own vertical filing system.

7 The whiteboard This whiteboard is where good ideas are picked apart to ensure they are, in fact, good ideas. This one is a good example of a bad idea.

8 Glasses and notepad A nod to a bygone era, I still use paper ... and I can’t see the paper without my “cheaters.”

9 Coffee cup Frankly, I find this shocking. Only one coffee cup?

10 Mask The No. 1 must-have accessory for the 2020–2021 season.