Welcome

List of 13 members.

• 

  Bill Jacob 

  Creative Arts Department Chair, Middle & Upper School Drama Teacher

  Bio

  As a teacher, Bill believes in progressive education that emphasizes a student-centered, constructivist approach to active learning that stresses teacher facilitation, cooperative problem solving, and individual reflection. He is convinced by Carol Dweck’s research that classroom environment and teacher attitudes toward intelligence and learning influence the classroom experience and learning outcomes, and subscribes to Gardner’s theories about multiple intelligences and the need to adapt teaching approaches to support individual learning styles. Bill believes that good teaching begins with personal connection, understanding, and care, and that an understanding of the cognitive and developmental sciences, as well as current best practices, provides the tools necessary for a growth-minded approach to education.

  
  Bill has taught theatre, public speaking, and creative writing at Brimmer for over 20 years. He is also a cooperating practitioner with Emerson College and an adjunct professor in Lesley University’s Creative Arts and Learning program. Bill grew up in Italy and Venezuela and worked in New York City as a professional actor for several years before moving to Boston to work as a theatre artist and educator in Boston and Provincetown. His plays have been produced by the Speakeasy Theatre Company, Stage One of Providence, Harwich Junior Theatre, and Emerson College, and he has received numerous grants to write plays collaboratively with students in area schools, among others. For the last few summers, Bill has worked for Johns Hopkins University as a site director for the Centers for Talented Youth program in Monterrey, Mexico, Great Barrington, Mass., and Princeton University. He has enjoyed associations with Joe Papp’s Public Theatre, Soho Rep, the Ensemble Studio Theatre, and Delaware Rep, among others. He has toured nationally with Los Titeres de Chaciporra, a Lorca farce, and internationally with the Royal Theatre of Spain’s production of Life Is a Dream, and was a founding member of the street theatre group, Commedia 'del I.R.T.

  
  Bill holds a Massachusetts Certification in Drama (K-12) and English (5-12) and is a member of the American Association of Theatre Educators (AATE), the National Network of Schools in Partnership (NNSP), and the Actors Equity Association (AEA). On behalf of Brimmer’s CAP Program in collaboration with the Charles Sumner School of Roslindale, Bill has accepted the ARTS | LEARNING (2017) Outstanding Community Arts Education Collaborative Award and an Outstanding Community Service Award from Parents in Independent Schools Network (PIN) in 2004, 2011, 2012 and 2015. Bill has also received a Boston City Council Resolution (2009) Recognition for Sustained Community Service in the Arts, and an Outstanding Arts Educator in Drama award by the Massachusetts Alliance for Arts Education (1998).
• 

  Joanne Clamage 

  Lower School Creative Arts Coordinator & Visual Arts Teacher

  Bio

  Joanne has a rich background in teaching and arts administration, having been in the profession for almost 40 years. Prior to starting at Brimmer in 2002, she was the lead teacher for art and music for the Nashoba Regional School District and taught Visual Arts in Stow, Mass., for 12 years. Joanne is a firm supporter of Brimmer’s innovative spirit in creating and presenting curriculum. She is proud to be a part of a collaborative Pre-K-12 learning environment that is charged with energy and excitement for both teachers and students.

  
  Joanne has participated in graduate-level coursework; Sign Language, “American Impressionism” at the Worcester Art Museum and “Global Art Traditions in the United States” at Primary Source. This past year Joanne completed two 6-week training courses in Mindfulness in Schools.  

  
  For 13 years Joanne has been a practicing Critical Friends Group Coach at Brimmer and has been trained by the National School Reform Faculty. She has been a workshop presenter and panelist at the New England Art Educators Conference and at several Very Special Arts Massachusetts events. In her spare time, Joanne enjoys costuming, quilt making, basketry, and antiquing. Joanne has exhibited her fiber works in galleries in Boston and Rhode Island.
• 

  Rachel Wolf Heyman 

  LS Drama Teacher, LS Diversity Facilitator

  Bio

  Rachel is a student-centered educator who believes that educational theatre helps students to grow both creatively and as collaborative, confident citizens in the greater community. Her drama work in other states and countries has influenced her teaching and directing. She celebrates diversity in the drama classroom by using literature and scripts with global and multicultural themes. She loves teaching in a learning community that values the arts in education as much as she does. In addition to teaching Lower School Drama, Rachel facilitates the 5th Grade Diversity Lunch Bunch.

  
  Prior to joining Brimmer, Rachel taught drama and directed plays for many schools, theaters, and arts organizations throughout the Northeast. She enjoys Brimmer’s creative approach to teaching and learning, appreciates the close relationships of the faculty and students, and values the School’s focus on the Core Values of respect, responsibility, honesty, equity and kindness. 

  
  Rachel holds Massachusetts and New York State Certifications in Educational Theatre for grades Pre-K through 12 and is a member of the American Alliance for Theatre and Education (AATE). She is a trained Critical Friends Group (CFG) Coach, and is certified in Mindfulness Fundamentals. While at New York University, Rachel studied community theatre of the Caribbean through a course in Puerto Rico. She was a recipient of the Myoung-Cheul Chung Scholarship in Educational Theatre at New York University in 2006.
• 

  Kathryn Lee 

  Director of Innovation and Design, MS/US Arts Teacher

  Bio

  As a visual arts teacher, Kathryn aims to promote creative problem solving and foster creative confidence in her students. She works to create an environment where students are not afraid to take risks and are able to create things they never thought imaginable.

  
  Before joining the Brimmer team in 2010, Kathryn served as an art faculty member at St. George’s School in Newport, R.I., and Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, Conn., focusing primarily on photography, drawing, and jewelry making. Kathryn also spent several summers serving as art director for the American School in Switzerland’s Summer Language Program.

  
  Kathryn is passionate about the fine arts and loves nothing more than sharing her enthusiasm with her students and challenging them to instill creativity in their lives, both in the classroom and beyond. It gives Kathryn a tremendous sense of pride to encourage Brimmer students to see the world around them through a creative lens by using art history, cultural significance, and contemporary practices as inspiration.

  
  Outside of the classroom, Kathryn continues to express and develop her own ideas as a photographer and textile designer. She has found the work she does with her students at Brimmer inspirational to her own creative process and practices.
• 

  Max Holman 

  Middle & Upper School Music Teacher
• 

  Caroline Scheibe 

  Lower School Music, Choral and Band

  Bio

  In the music classroom, Caroline aims to guide students toward becoming tuneful, beautiful, and artful human beings. Her utmost hope is that students will leave her classes with a joyful appreciation for music-making in all its forms, and that they will seek out musical experiences in their adult lives. Caroline is certified in the First Steps in Music and Conversational Solfege methodologies developed by Dr. John Feierabend. She also holds a Massachusetts Initial Music Education License. 

   

  Caroline comes from a musical family, in which singing is an important part of family gatherings. She studied Music and had vocal training at Oberlin College, where she also completed her Masters in Music Teaching. Caroline now performs regularly with the Seraphim Singers, a semi-professional choir based in Brookline. 

   

  When she is not making music, Caroline enjoys trying out new recipes and spending time with her pet rabbits, Ramona and Amber. In the summer months she enjoys traveling to new places and spending time with family.
• 

  Andrea Underhill-Curtin 

  Middle School Drama & English Teacher

  Bio

  As an Arts educator, Andrea is inspired by the power of a good story. Whether you are studying or making, it is a gift to examine the people, places, and cultures that transport us from one place to another. Andrea encourages the use of the imagination, creativity and supports her students by asking questions to coach them in their learning. Her goal is to ignite critical thinking that results in their discovery of how they want to impact the world around them. 

   

  The most effective teachers Andrea had while growing up were the ones who gave her opportunities to explore her strengths and growing edges because both can be helpful guides in life. She holds a Masters in Theater Education from Emerson College, and is looking forward to continuing her learning with the Brimmer community.

   

  Andrea was born and raised in New England, predominantly NH, and has a strong affinity to Vermont- she chooses to abstain from the maple syrup argument. Outside of work, Andrea enjoys a good work out, baking, and of course attending live performances.
• 

  Eric Neudel 

  Upper School Photography & Digital Cinema Teacher

  Bio

  Eric Neudel has been an editor and producer of many PBS programs, including “After The Crash” for The American Experience, “Eyes On The Prize,” “The U.S. and The Philippines: In Our Image,” “AIDS: Chapter One” for NOVA, and “Vietnam: A Television History.” His independent films include “Steps” (1980) and “Fred’s Story” (1994). Eric directed the critically acclaimed Independent Lens film “Lives Worth Living,” served as a film envoy, film expert, and speaker for the US Department of State’s cultural exchange programs, including the American Film Showcase. He curated America’s Disability Rights Museum on Wheels which toured the country from 2015 to 2017. His newest film, The Wake Up Call (2021), is a feature length documentary soon to be released. Throughout Eric’s career he has worked to teach filmmakers about the technical aspects of writing scripts, capturing motion, and editing video, while also honing their skills as storytellers. 
• 

  Alex Ostergard 

  Director of After School Music, Music/Instrumental Teacher

  Bio

  Alex was born and raised in Florida. Their musical training began in middle school, when they joined the school band hoping to learn to play the music from their favorite video games. As nearly all of Alex’s role models were and are teachers, they wanted to be a teacher starting at an early age. Prior to joining Brimmer and May, Alex taught for the Music in General Studies department of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. 

  
  

  Alex believes that a music education can enrich every student, no matter their goals beyond school. They seek to broaden the musical horizons of their students by exposing them to music old, new, and from around the globe. Alex fosters each student’s creation of a unique musical identity by learning what music they enjoy, enabling student exploration, and incorporating their interests into programming. 

  
  

  Alex holds degrees in music theory, composition, and organ from Stetson University, the Eastman School of Music, and Indiana University. As a composer, they’ve won numerous awards, including the ASCAP/CBDNA Frederick Fennell Prize. They use their composing and arranging skills to prepare unique music for the bands at Brimmer and May. 

  
  

  Outside of work, Alex enjoys spending time with their partner, cooking, hiking, and composing. 
• 

  Christie DeNizio 

  Middle and Upper School Art Teacher
• 

  Amy Carpenter 

  Ceramics and Sculpture Teacher
• 

  Caitlin Johnson 

  Middle School English and Drama

  Bio

  Caitlin Johnson, born and raised in central Massachusetts, has been a theatre lover and maker for most of her life. She began her journey into theatre as a young student and followed the path which led her to a love of teaching. She holds a strong belief that theatre has the power to make someone a more empathetic and understanding person.

   

  Caitlin is a knowledgeable theatre artist, passionate about education, directing, and technical design. She has vast experience working with a variety of after-school programs throughout Massachusetts. She has worked as a head counselor at a summer theatre program for 6 years, teaching students ranging from 9-18 years old. Over the past 2 years, Caitlin has worked in the after-school drama program at Brimmer and May in both the Middle and Upper Schools. She has worked as a hair and makeup artist, costume design assistant, and recently assistant directed their production of Matilda Jr.

   

  Caitlin greatly admires the tight-knit community at Brimmer and has grown to love the welcoming environment it offers. She is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to teach at Brimmer and get to share her passion for the arts. She has always loved reading and writing and is enthusiastic about co-teaching 6th-grade English this fall with Carl Vallely. She believes that learning never stops, and is excited to grow alongside her future students.

   

  Caitlin is a recent graduate of Emerson College, majoring in Theatre Education with a concentration in Costume Design. She completed her student teaching at Framingham High School where she taught a variety of classes, including Honors Acting and Intro to Musical Theatre. She hopes to get a Masters's Degree in the future to continue her education in order to become the best teacher and artist she can be.
• 

  Julie Williams-Krishnan  

  Upper School Photography Teacher