New faculty 2020-21 from l-r: Amanda Hall, Mark Nadeau, Christina Fontana 

As we begin what will be an unusual and unprecedented year we are excited to welcome three new faculty members to our Portsmouth Abbey Community: Amanda Hall, Christina Fontana, and Mark Nadeau. All three of these individuals bring their expertise and experience to the classroom and student life.

Amanda Hall joins the modern language department. Amanda graduated from Youngstown University with a major in Spanish and a minor in education. Upon graduation, she lived in Chile for a year. Amanda was living and teaching Spanish in Madrid when COVID-19 cut short her tenure there. Amanda will be living in St. Mary’s as a houseparent as well as coaching basketball and softball. This is Amanda’s first time living in New England, and she is excited to explore Newport and the surrounding areas.

Christina Fontana will be joining the science department teaching biology and chemistry. A native of Bristol, RI, Christina brings seven years of teaching experience to the classroom and holds a Masters of Education and Science from Roger Williams University. Christina and her dog, Bella, will be living in St. Benet's House. Outside of the classroom, Christina loves to dance, do arts & crafts and play tennis, which works out well as she will be coaching tennis as well as girls’ soccer this fall.

Mark Nadeau will be officially joining the visual arts department after serving as a long-term substitute this last year. Mark received both his B.A. and B.F.A., from the University of Rhode Island where his main concentration was photography. Mark has taught photography at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Salve Regina University. A lifelong Portsmouth, RI,  resident, Mark enjoys working on his own art outside of the classroom; he is a skilled ceramist and an accomplished woodturner who has been published in various books, journals, and magazines.