Directory | Portsmouth Abbey School, Rhode Island

Aileen graduated cum laude from Williams College in 1996 as an economics major. After college, she spent five years in the business sector (management consulting and private equity) before entering the field of education. Her first teaching and coaching stint was at St. Sebastian’s School in Needham, MA in 2001, followed by a year at the Park School in Brookline, before returning to her home state and joining Portsmouth Abbey School in 2006. In her early teaching years, she completed her M.A.L.S. at Dartmouth College. At Portsmouth Abbey, Aileen has served in a number of roles including admission officer, mathematics teacher, dean of residential life, assistant to the headmaster, and currently as assistant head of school and dean of faculty. Her coaching gigs vary but have included girls’ varsity soccer, track and field, JV basketball and JV lacrosse – she enjoys them all. While at Williams, she was a four-year varsity starter on the women’s soccer team.

Mr. Andrei Baumann serves as the instrumental music director, leading the Sinfonia Orchestra, Chamber Music, and Modern Band programs. With a Bachelor of Music from The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and a Masters of Music in Piano Performance from the New England Conservatory, Andrei brings a lifelong passion for musical excellence to the Abbey.

Mr. Chris Benestad joins Portsmouth Abbey after 25 years of teaching at St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury, MA. He instructs courses in Geometry, AP Statistics, and Economics, serves as an affiliate in St. Aelred’s House, and coaches two seasons. Chris holds a BS in Science from the University of Scranton and a Masters in Mathematics Education from WPI. He has also taught at the College of the Holy Cross, Clark University, and Worcester State College.

A classics major at Assumption College, Lizzie has been the head of the Classics Department since 2008. After taking four years of Latin at her Jesuit high school in Scranton, PA, she then focused her collegiate studies on Latin authors such as Cicero, Ovid, Catullus, Virgil, and St. Augustine. She also continued her study of Greek, reading Plato, Euripides, and Homer. Her graduate work was a combination of reading Latin and Greek authors and learning successful techniques in the Latin classroom. She devoted much of her time to her master’s thesis, “An Introduction to the Underworld via Vergil’s Aeneid.” In her professional career, Lizzie has attended many conferences, institutes, and workshops. Most notable are the Classical Association of New England Summer Institute, American Classical League Institutes, and two AP workshops at the Taft School. The week-long workshops have sparked her love of teaching Caesar and Vergil at the AP level. At Portsmouth Abbey, Lizzie coaches cross-country and tennis; she has coached varsity girls’ basketball, softball, and track. She is an avid runner and has completed several marathons, three of them for charity. Lizzie has her coaching certification from The Road Runners Club of America and can train anyone to run 5K to marathons. She also enjoys photography and playing tennis. Her USTA tennis team recently qualified for Nationals in Arizona. During her sabbatical in 2018, she walked the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.

After graduating from Portsmouth Abbey School in 1977, Blake attended Dartmouth College before joining the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, working in an inner-city parish in Oakland, CA. He joined the Abbey faculty in the fall of 1987 for three years before earning his doctorate in philosophy, focusing on Emmanuel Levinas, a 20th-Century philosopher whose ethical philosophy was highly praised by St. John Paul II. After teaching philosophy at St. John’s University in New York City, Fairfield University, and Sacred Heart University in Connecticut, Blake decided to return to the holistic educational environment at the secondary school level. He rejoined the faculty of Portsmouth in 1996 and was Head of Community Service for over fifteen years. He also helped to create the School’s Humanities Program, teaching in that interdisciplinary program for 10 years. Blake served as the head of the Theology Department and director of Spiritual Life for eight years. He has also been involved in the School’s musical programs, currently serving as the liturgical director of the Schola, the School’s liturgical music ensemble. He has also directed the School’s pilgrimage to Lourdes and helped to foster Portsmouth’s developing friendship with the Manquehue Apostolic Movement in Chile. Blake lives on campus with his wife, Jillian Fenton, where they have raised their children, Fen ’15, John ’17, Lucia ’18, and Teresa '20.

Mr. Bragan received a B.F.A. in Acting (as well as a Teacher’s Certification) from Emerson College. He then worked for ten years as an actor and drama teacher in Boston and New York City. He also worked for several years as a crew member for the Off-Broadway show, Blue Man Group. Occasionally, he performs in plays during the summer. Most recently, he worked with the Boston-based group, Beau Jest Moving Theater Company, where he performed in Screwball, a live stage adaptation of Preston Sturges’ classic 1941 film, Sullivan’s Travels. Mr. Bragan received a master’s degree in acting from Trinity Repertory Conservatory (now the Brown/Trinity Consortium), where he was awarded the 2002 Claiborne Pell Scholarship for Excellence in the Arts. He acted in the Trinity Rep Summer Shakespeare project, providing free outdoor Shakespeare for communities in Rhode Island. His favorite roles include playing Marc Antony in Julius Caesar and Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Before accepting his position at Portsmouth Abbey, Mr. Bragan taught classes at Rhode Island College in addition to acting in plays at Trinity Rep and Second Story Theater. He directs three plays a year at the Abbey while also teaching Introduction to Literature Drama Workshop. His classes often incorporate acting techniques to help students in the creative processes of reading and writing, and to strengthen their skills as public speakers.

Robert Brett began his career in technology by working in assembly language programming, where he specialized in coding EPROMs (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) for graphics cards. His technical expertise soon expanded as he transitioned to providing support for Microsoft Outlook and Exchange, where he played a key role in troubleshooting and maintaining enterprise-level email systems. Bob’s career took a significant turn when he contracted for the United States Navy, where he contributed to a major digital transformation initiative. His work was instrumental in converting the Naval Library to a digital on-demand format, making it more accessible and efficient for users. He also spearheaded the development of the Naval Warfare Electronic Library (NWEL), building both the database and the website used to receive and manage field updates and urgent changes, ensuring critical information was always up-to-date and available to the fleet.

Abbot Michael. G. Brunner is a native of Rochester, New York. He graduated with a degree in sociology from Howard University in 1973, and subsequently spent 25 years in hotel management in New York, Washington D.C., Baltimore and Miami-Beach. He ended his career as the operations director of more than five hotels in Maryland. During this time, he continued to study non-Christian religions intensively.   Upon discovering Christian mystical tradition and writers in college; his response was …this is it! It is contemplation or nothing. Later, within Islam, Al Ghazzali, Attar, al-Hallaj, al-Arabi, Rumi and others put together for him the spiritual, mystical logic of the Incarnation. (Attar’s “Conference of the Birds” was especially meaningful.)   He ultimately returned to the Catholic Church and became Director of Religious Education and Youth Minister at an intensely multicultural parish in suburban Washington, DC.   Abbot Michael made his profession as a Benedictine monk at St. Louis Abbey in 1998 and returned to school to study philosophy at St. Louis University, and earn his master’s degree in theology at Aquinas Institute of Theology. After serving as Headmaster of St. Louis Priory School for seven years, he became pastor of Saint Anselm Parish. He was appointed Prior Administrator of Portsmouth Abbey in September 2018, and was elected the fourth Abbot of Portsmouth Abbey in January 2022.  He teaches Moral Theology and World Religions. 

Cat graduated from Portsmouth Abbey School in 2010, and she returned to work at the Abbey in 2014 due to the wonderful experience she had as a student. As Director of Residential Life, Cat works with student leaders, houseparents, and all other members of the community. Cat leads the advising, clubs, and residential life programs, and she creates a Student Life Curriculum each year that focuses on important topics like social media use, stress reduction, time management, goal setting, etc. Cat also serves as a Praesidium Guardian, and she teaches US History to Fifth Form students. In 2024, Cat won the Dom Peter Sidler Award for making exceptional contributions across multiple areas of school life, and she considers that moment to be one of the highlights of her career. Cat has been a houseparent for ten years, and she currently is the head houseparent in St. Mary’s, where she lives with her husband, Daniel ‘10, her two sons, Westley and Walker, and her dog and cat. In her free time, Cat loves to read, go to the beach, spend time with her family, and go on walks with Amelia Tracy ‘10, her former roommate at the Abbey and current coworker.

Daniel is a teacher, a lifetime resident of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, an avid reader, and a fan of showtunes. An alum of the school, Daniel met future wife Catherine Malkemus at freshman orientation. After graduating from Providence College, Daniel decided to come back to Portsmouth in the Fall of 2018. Daniel and his lovely wife live in Saint Mary’s with their sons Westley and Walker, their dog Fagan, and their cats Duck and Egg. Daniel has given lectures at the Linda Hall Library in Kansas City, as well as Northeastern University. His research focuses on the confluence between the republic of letters, the public sphere and the American church in the eighteenth century. Daniel is currently researching the relationship between Anglican Bishop Samuel Seabury and the vestry of Trinity Church in Newport RI. 

Mrs. Kaye Caplin has been a member of the Abbey community for over twenty years. Her children, Robert William Caplin, III '07 and Daniel Caplin '10 both graduated from the Abbey.

Zachery Cappelli joined Portsmouth Abbey School in the summer of 2023 as the head coach for boys’ varsity ice hockey. A graduate of Becker College in Worcester, Massachusetts, Cappelli has previously seen success at both the independent school and collegiate levels. An experienced leader in youth training and development, he has worked with students aged 12-25 to build their skills and knowledge of the game and understand the importance of conditioning and specialized cultivation of personal strengths and skill sets. Most recently, he served as the assistant men’s hockey coach at Nichols College, where he recruited student-athletes from North America and Europe to play hockey and helped lead the Bison to the 2023 Boston Landing Championship and the 2022 Worcester Cup Championship. Before his collegiate experience, Cappelli was the assistant coach at Winchendon School (NEPSAC) and the head coach and assistant athletic director at Hoosac School (NEPSAC), where his team captured the Holt Conference Championship. He is affiliated with the Broncos Hockey Club and the Little Rhody Hockey Club operating out of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He is the owner of Level Up Hockey Development, a skill development and consulting company geared toward helping hockey players improve and reach their goals.

Mr. Carnaroli is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he received his master’s degree in choral conducting. While at Umass, he served as a graduate teaching assistant, voice teacher, conductor with the University Chorale, and founder of the UMass Madrigal Singers. He also graduated cum laude from Western Connecticut State University, earning his bachelor’s degree in music education and voice. Mr. Carnaroli has been a high school music teacher for over a decade. He continues this work at Portsmouth Abbey where teaches courses in music, directs the choirs, and directs the music in the wonderful winter musicals. He has regularly appeared as a guest conductor at music festivals and various professional organizations. Most recently, he was the conductor of the Connecticut Chapter of the American Choral Director’s Association’s Middle School Honors Choir. In addition to being an active musician himself, he served as the founding director of “In Harmony”, an after-school program offering high-quality music education in underserved Rhode Island communities. Mr. Carnaroli also serves the Theater Department at Salve Regina University as the music director of their musical theater productions. Mr. Carnaroli and his wife, Meg, live on campus with their two children, Natalie and Raymond, and their adorable “pandemic puppy” Rosie. You can usually find the Carnaroli family playing catch, riding bikes, or walking with Rosie on campus.

Gersende grew up in Paris, France. She graduated from Universite Paris-IX Dauphine and received a master's degree in management and education. Gersende began her career as head of school of Mod'Spe, a business school specializing in fashion and textiles.  In 2007 Gersende moved to Rhode Island where she began teaching French at the Alliance Francaise de Providence, then at the University of Rhode Island.  In addition she taught French at Providence College and Rhode Island College, where she also served as the director of Study Abroad. Gersende loves teaching all aspects of the French language and especially cultural differences in the francophone world. She also likes racquet sports, in particular playing tennis in her spare time. “I like to laugh and make fun of myself, and I like to explore and go on hikes with my two daughters and my two energetic dogs!”

Since 1995 Clarence has held many positions at Portsmouth Abbey, including dean of discipline, head houseparent of two of the boys’ houses on campus, head varsity girls’ and boys’ basketball coach, and head junior varsity boys’ basketball coach. Currently, Clarence serves as the dean of students, a position he has held since 2000, and teaches Geometry and Precalculus Honors. He has also taught AP Calculus, AP Statistics, Algebra II and Algebra I. Clarence is the head coach of junior varsity boys’ soccer and varsity boys’ basketball. In addition, he has organized and participated in our Appalachia Service Project trips, where students raise funds to travel to Appalachia to work on renovating homes in West Virginia and Kentucky. Clarence lives on campus with his wife, Rhonda Mitchell-Chenoweth, and their two children, Clarence (CJ) Elijah and Siena Lena.

Mrs. De Marzio brings over fifteen years of experience in secondary and post-secondary education, guided by the belief that literature orients minds toward the True, the Beautiful, and the Good. Her passion for literature began in the children’s library of her small Pennsylvania town. Though she’s traveled widely, it is through books that she’s come to know herself and others. As an English educator, she seeks to inspire students to embark on similar literary journeys and commit to lifelong learning.  Before Portsmouth Abbey, Mrs. De Marzio spent eight years teaching at Wyoming Seminary, where she developed courses like Environmental Literature and The Tragic Muse, while serving as a houseparent, Writing Center Director, assistant cross-country coach, and yearbook advisor. Prior to that, she taught composition at the University of Scranton while pursuing her master’s in education and raising her three children, Dino, Iris, and Romola. She holds a BA in English and Women’s Studies from Montclair State University, where she later earned her master’s in English Literature. Her expertise lies in tragedy, Victorian, and Modern Literature. If she could have tea with any author, it would be a toss-up among Virginia Woolf, George Eliot, and Marilynne Robinson. Mrs. De Marzio is the assistant houseparent in St. Mary’s House, living with her husband Darryl and their children, and advises the student newspaper, the Beacon.

Born in Paterson, NJ, Dr. De Marzio attended Blair Academy, where he played varsity baseball, junior varsity basketball, and participated in theatre. Blair sparked his passion for learning and critical thinking. He earned a BA in philosophy with a minor in religion from Drew University and an MA in Elementary Education from Montclair State University. As Director of Field Services at the Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children, he developed philosophy programs in K-12 schools across the U.S. Dr. De Marzio then pursued graduate research linking philosophy and education, earning an M.Phil. and Ph.D. from Columbia University. His dissertation on the ethical role of teachers earned distinction, and he continues to teach a graduate seminar at Columbia on vocation and professional ethics. For 15 years, he taught philosophy and educational theory at the University of Scranton, serving as Chair of the Education Department and Director of Undergraduate Programs. He published extensively, edited two books, and led the Middle Atlantic States Philosophy of Education Society. He also hosted a radio show on the Grateful Dead. Before joining The Portsmouth Institute, Dr. De Marzio lived at Wyoming Seminary, where his wife Anne taught. He is thrilled to join Portsmouth Abbey, viewing the study of humanities as a way to explore the human condition and what it means to be made in the image of God.

Julia grew up in Darien, Connecticut, and graduated from Canterbury School in 2017. While at Canterbury, she helped the field hockey team capture the Western New England Championship in both 2014 and 2015 and win the New England Championship in 2016. In addition to field hockey, she also played lacrosse and ice hockey. Julia then went on to earn a B.A. in Communications with a Minor in Exercise Science from St. Lawrence University where she was a member of the field hockey team. Julia spent her summers interning alongside top trainers at Prentiss Hockey Performance in Stamford, Connecticut and coached FC United Field Hockey Club in Greenwich, Connecticut. Julia is the head houseparent in Manor House. In addition to being assistant director of athletics, Julia coaches varsity field hockey, girls' varsity ice hockey, and girls' varsity lacrosse.

Mrs. DeSousa has been a registered nurse specializing in Pediatrics for 16 years.  She has spent her entire nursing career working at Hasbro Children’s Hospital specializing in the treatment and care of children and adolescents.  Mrs. DeSousa has worked both in the inpatient medical/surgical setting as well as in the behavioral health setting. She is a Certified Pediatric Nurse as well as Pediatric Advanced Life Support certified.  In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, DIY projects and going to the beach. 

Stephanie Devaney, J.D. has taught English language and literature at the middle and high school levels for over two decades. She received her B.A. in Comparative Literature from Cornell University and an M.A. in Secondary English from the State University of New York. She taught high school French and English for several years before becoming interested in law. Shortly after, she earned her J.D. from Syracuse University, where she was the associate editor for the Syracuse Law Review. After serving as an attorney in the New York County Court for four years, she became an editor of legal education materials at a nationally-known publisher. Twelve years later, she moved back into the classroom to teach English at Saint John’s High School in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. There, she also served as the Middle School Book Club Moderator, the High School Mock Trial Team Coach, co-chair of the Parents’ Association, and helped lead a service immersion trip to Ecuador.  Stephanie is married to Stephen Devaney, physics teacher, and they have three children attending the Abbey this year. 

Stephen Devaney has been teaching high school Chemistry, Physics and Theology at Catholic high schools for more than sixteen years. A graduate of Phillips Academy Andover, Devaney earned his B.A. in Chemistry from Cornell University, a Master of Theological Studies from Providence College, a graduate certificate in Semiconductor Photonics from the University of Colorado-Boulder, and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from UCB. Prior to coming to the Abbey, Devaney taught science at Saint John’s High School in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, where he was chair of the department and the science club moderator, coached soccer and led the service immersion experience to Ecuador. In 2017, he received the Faculty Service Award selected by students. He teaches Physics at the Abbey in addition to serving as a houseparent and coach.   Stephen is married to Stephanie Devaney, English teacher, and they have three children attending the Abbey this year. 

Ryan was born and raised in Pawtucket, RI. He studied sports medicine at Merrimack College with a focus in athletic training and was also a member of the baseball team. In 2006, Ryan moved to Florida to pursue his master’s degree in exercise science from Florida Atlantic University, studying topics such as human physiology, sports nutrition, and strength and conditioning. While in southern Florida he had the opportunity to train some very talented athletes, including several professional football and baseball players and college football players who were preparing for the NFL combine. In addition, he spent a year working as the athletic trainer at both Blanche Ely and Nova high schools. After graduating from FAU, Ryan returned to Rhode Island. In January 2009, he began working at Portsmouth Abbey School, helping in the training room, with game coverage, and coaching junior varsity baseball in the spring. His role has expanded since then and has evolved into his current position as head athletic trainer.

Mrs. Stephanie Dwyer is Assistant Head of School for Development and Alumni Affairs. With 17 years of experience in the field of development, she has had the privilege of working across a diverse range of educational institutions, including colleges, non-profits, graduate schools, and secondary schools. Throughout her career, she has partnered closely with alumni, building meaningful relationships that contribute to the financial success and sustainability of the institutions she supports. Her work is driven by a passion for fostering connections that empower schools to achieve their financial goals and continue their mission of providing quality education.

After earning her Bachelor of Science and serving as captain of the women’s ice hockey team in 2017, Ms. Martha Findley gained several years of experience in sales. Most recently, she had the opportunity to work as a Recruiting Manager at a recruiting agency. In addition to her professional pursuits, she has coached girls varsity ice hockey at Notre Dame Academy for the past six years.

Previously Meghan served as the School’s Director of Admission from 2009-2015 and began her admission work at in 2001. Prior to the Abbey, Meghan was a member of the admission office at The Hill School - Pottstown, PA, Drexel University – Philadelphia, PA and Regis College – Weston, MA. In addition to connecting with prospective students and their parents and then leading them to be part of the Abbey community, Meghan serves as the Director of Parents Relations.  Meghan engages with students as an advisor and house affiliate in St. Mary’s House. After living on campus for the past nine years, she now resides in Bristol with her husband and they are proud parents of three Abbey alums, Matthew ’14, Andrew ’17 and Luke ’21. When not connecting with students and parents, Meghan enjoys reading, knitting, watching Providence College basketball, and spending time with her extended family.

After 12 years in secular schools, Thomas Foote joined Portsmouth Abbey in 2021, seeking a community that promotes enduring values in education, family, and the Catholic Church. A 2009 Amherst College graduate with a degree in economics, Thomas played lacrosse, served as a Newman Club officer, and worked with the UMass football team. He completed Columbia University’s Klingenstein Summer Program in 2012 and earned a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from Wesleyan University in 2018. Before joining the Abbey, he taught at Boston Collegiate Charter School, Suffield Academy, and Thayer Academy, teaching math, history, and English, while also contributing to school publications. Currently, Thomas is the defensive coordinator for the varsity football team. Over nine years, he helped Suffield to eight bowl appearances and four New England titles. In 2018, he was named Western New England Boys’ Lacrosse Division II Head Coach of the Year after leading Suffield to its first WNESSLA DII Championship in 15 years. He also coached Suffield's first All-American in over 20 years and their first Academic All-American. Thomas lives in St. Martin’s House with his wife Katie and their three sons.

Mrs. Ann Marie Forbes ’96, P'25 '26 '28 serves as Database Coordinator in the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs and as an Athletic Trainer. Ann Marie holds a BS in Athletic Training from Northeastern University and has been a per diem athletic trainer at the Abbey for the past eight years.

Sam grew up on the campus of Cardigan Mountain School, a junior boarding school, and graduated from Avon Old Farms School in 2011 before attending Bard College where he graduated with a degree in American Studies. At Bard, Sam played on the men’s lacrosse team and served as a captain for three seasons in addition to serving as the president of the college’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee during his senior year. After graduation he worked for Harlem Lacrosse, a non-profit lacrosse program serving at-risk and under-served middle school students, at a school in Boston. In addition to his role as Director of Athletic & Arts Recruitment and Associate Director of Admission, he coaches boys' varsity lacrosse and lives in St. Aelred’s House with his dog, Goose.

Derek was a Dean's List student and a four-year member of both the baseball and hockey teams at Holy Cross. In 1997 he chose to work at Portsmouth Abbey largely based on its strong academic rigor and for the opportunity to coach multiple sports at a high level. He is a two-time winner of the Sidler Award for excellence in teaching. Over 200 of his students have earned a "5" on either the AP US History or AP US Government & Politics Exam. He earned his 200th victory as the Head Baseball Coach at the Abbey in May, 2024. Abbey teams have won five league championships under his tutelage and he is a two-time EIL Coach of the Year. He also served as a coach at the 2022 USA Baseball/MLB High School All-American Game held at Dodger Stadium.

Mr. Gonzalez graduated from Florida State University in 2017 majoring in statistics, with a minor in mathematics. While at Florida State, he was a member of SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers) and a 4-year starter on the university club soccer team. He also coached his team during his final year.   After graduating from college, he played soccer at the semi-pro level in Tampa, Florida for two years while also trying out for the opportunity at a professional contract. Additionally, while continuing to play at a high level, he was employed in the field of athletic training and served as a local soccer trainer focused on the development of athletes from various ages and backgrounds.  Mr. Gonzalez moved to Rhode Island in 2020 and began working in the school systems helping students with autism spectrum disorder be successful in the classroom. His experience as a behavior technician influenced his decision to transition into the teaching field, where he felt his passion for aiding in the development of students both academically and athletically, would have a lasting impact.   At Portsmouth Abbey, Mr. Gonzalez will be teaching Algebra 2 and Spanish 2. He is also looking forward to coaching varsity boys' soccer. He will be an assistant house parent in St. Hugh's. 

Roberto Guerenabarrena has taught Spanish and coached soccer and squash at Portsmouth Abbey School since 1999. Over the course of his two decades at the Abbey, Roberto has found himself learning just as much from his students and colleagues as he has taught others. Originally from the Basque Country in northern Spain, his passion for education flourished when he arrived at Portsmouth Abbey and the school has become his home away from home. In 2002, he started the annual Summer in Salamanca Program as a way of introducing students to the culture and heritage of Spain. To date, he considers his travel with students and their work in Salamanca to be some of the most rewarding experiences for himself as an educator. Roberto is also the proud parent of two Abbey graduates, Margaret ’06 and Ander ’15.

Dr. Kristin Harper ’09 returns to Portsmouth Abbey as a teacher of Humanities, an affiliate in St. Brigid’s House, and a coach of field hockey and wrestling. Kristin holds a BA in Classics and Liberal Studies from St. Anselm College, an MA in Classical Languages, and a PhD in Classical Studies from the University of Missouri. She has been an instructor at Missouri State University for the past four years.

Before joining the Portsmouth Abbey School community, Kristine Hendrickson served as the senior associate vice president and chief communications officer at Salve Regina University in Newport, providing strategic leadership for the institution’s internal and external communication functions, including print, public relations, community, and government relations, constituent marketing, digital media, and university special events. During her tenure, she was also the primary spokesperson for the university, steering crisis communication efforts. Her professional background also includes broadcast production and reporting, conference and event planning, sponsorships, and exposition management. She has handled national and international publicity for large-scale events, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s first visit to Rhode Island. She received a bachelor's degree from Ithaca College and a master's degree from Universiteit van Amsterdam in the Netherlands. She has served as an adjunct faculty member at both Salve Regina University and the University of Rhode Island and was the advisor to Salve Regina’s student dance organization for many years. She is a member of the Public Relations Society of America and the PRSA Southeastern New England chapter. The Newport Gulls, a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL), inducted her into their Hall of Fame in 2019. 

Ms. Abby Hillebrecht recently graduated from Middlebury College with a BA in English and a minor in history. At Middlebury, Abby was a part of the three-peat national champion women’s lacrosse team. In addition, she studied abroad at Oxford University and had the privilege of viewing many rare texts, including a copy of Shakespeare’s Second Folio and a codex belonging to St. Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury. Abby also took classes at Yale University and recently completed a graduate certificate at the Columbia Publishing Course in New York. Prior to college, Abby attended The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut. She is excited to be back in the boarding school world at Portsmouth Abbey. Starting at the School in the fall of 2024, she teaches Introduction to Literature to Form III students and serves as an assistant in the Office of Admission. Abby also coaches Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse and JV Girls’ Ice Hockey and serves as a houseparent in St. Benet’s House. A lifelong ocean lover, Abby is thrilled she can finally see the water every day. She enjoys writing, reading historical fiction and nonfiction, playing sports, and spending time with her family and friends.

Grace Hobbes ’10  returns to her alma mater as the Ravens’ athletic trainer after serving in a similar role at Providence College for the last several years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from the College of Charleston and interned at Bryant University. From there, she pursued her M.S. in Nutrition at Stony Brook University, where she worked as a graduate assistant athletic trainer. Most recently at Providence College, Hobbes served as the assistant athletic trainer in multiple sports, including Division 1 women’s field hockey and basketball, men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs, cross-country and track and field. A BOC-certified athletic trainer, she holds certifications in CPR and AED, dry needling, COVID-19 contact tracing, Owens Recovery Science Blood Flow Restriction Therapy and IAR Manual Therapy. Originally from Bristol, Rhode Island, Hobbes graduated from Portsmouth Abbey in 2010. She is an assistant houseparent in Manor House, where she was a student prefect. She is excited to call the Abbey home again, this time with her husband, Tristan. 

Steph Johnson joined the business office in 2014 as the Student Billing Administrator. Steph demonstrated her professional knowledge and expertise quickly, which led to her promotion of Controller in 2018. As the Controller, Steph oversees all accounting operations, including the annual audit, bookstore, and payroll.  Steph lives in Vero Beach, Florida with her husband Mark, dog Murphy, and is our only remote employee.

Dr. Lavallee joined the Abbey in 2017 after over five years in higher education, most recently as a graduate professor of theology and director of doctoral studies in ministry at Barry University, Miami, FL. A Catholic theologian, he has published scholarly articles and book reviews, presented at numerous conferences, and held leadership roles in two theological societies, as well as on the editorial board of a peer-reviewed journal of moral theology. His research and teaching have involved community organizations, including the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and Hispanic ministries in Mobile, AL, and San Bernardino, CA. In 2017, he received the Community Engagement Educator Award from Barry University for advancing efforts in community engagement and education. At the Abbey, Dr. Lavallee integrates theological reflection with lessons in cultural competency, civic engagement, and service learning projects within the East Bay, Fall River, and New Bedford communities. He is passionate about holistic education within a community of teachers and learners. His courses focus on Christian theology, spiritual practices, social ethics, and the intersection of religion and culture, exploring historical and contemporary expressions of lived faith worldwide. Dr. Lavallee is Head of Community Service and lives on campus as an assistant houseparent in St. Martin’s with his wife, Katie Blais, and their sons, Henry and Augustin (Gus).

Deanna is originally from Western Massachusetts and found her love for Rhode Island while attending Roger Williams University, where she graduated with a B.A. in Communications and Media Studies with a Minor in Anthropology and Sociology in 2020. While at Roger Williams, Deanna worked in the Undergraduate Admissions Office as an assistant for the Admissions Processing Center, as well as a campus tour guide. Deanna joined Portsmouth Abbey in 2021 after serving a year as a social media and marketing Intern and receptionist for her father's business during the pandemic. In addition to working in the College Counseling office, Deanna is the coordinator for student activities, a houseparent in St. Brigid's, and the Girls JV Lacrosse head coach.

Fr. Edward is a monk of St. Louis Abbey currently resident at Portsmouth Abbey. He joined St. Louis Abbey in 2009 after completing a degree in Physics at Washington University in St. Louis. As a monk, he studied philosophy at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis and received a STB from Pontificio Ateneo Sant'Anselmo in Theology. He was ordained in September 2017, and came to Portsmouth soon after. He completed a Master's Degree in Mathematics for Teaching from Harvard University's Extensions School in the summer of 2020. He is currently teaching math at Portsmouth Abbey School, along with serving as the Junior Master in the monastery.

Prior to coming to Portsmouth Abbey in 2001, Shane worked with the N.C. Division of Water Resources and Division of Water Quality, and the Louisiana - Pacific Corporation for five years, where he served as regional environmental coordinator over facilities from Alabama to Maine. He also was assistant plant manager at the Roxboro Oriented Strand Board Mill.  Shane teaches Marine & Environmental Science and Chemistry and truly enjoys it, especially when he can relate a topic to his real-life experiences and can get a student excited about science or on the path to pursuing science. At the Abbey Shane is also the head coach for the boys' and girls' varsity golf teams and can often be found at Portsmouth Abbey's fantastic golf course, Carnegie Abbey. Shane and his wife, Susan, who teaches mathematics at Portsmouth Abbey, have four children, Keegan, Kaely, Shane ’18, and Meghan ‘15. Shane, Susan, and their family spend their summers camping on their 107-acre farm in upstate New York and traveling to North Carolina.

Susan teaches AP Chemistry, Chemistry, and Chemistry Honors at Portsmouth Abbey School. She is the faculty advisor for the Equestrian program, assistant coach for JV Girls’ Basketball, an advisor, and an affiliate houseparent in St. Mary’s. Since arriving at Portsmouth Abbey with her family in 2001, Susan has taught a variety of courses, including Green Chemistry, AP Statistics, Precalculus, Algebra II, and Geometry. Additionally, from 2005 to 2014, she worked as an evening adjunct chemistry professor at Roger Williams University. Before transitioning to education, Susan was an environmental engineer with the North Carolina Department of Air Quality and is a registered professional engineer in North Carolina. Susan engages in regular development opportunities or chaperones student trips. In 2024, she participated in the AP Chemistry Reading in Tampa, FL, and chaperoned the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles. Her favorite classroom projects have included research such as deploying and testing a kelp farm and conducting a biodiesel fuel experiment, which involved designing and constructing a glove box for anaerobic digestion. Susan is married to Shane, also a science teacher, and they are proud parents of four children: Meghan ’15, Shane ’18, Kaelyn ’21, and Keegan ’27.

Dr. Brendan McGrail has twenty-eight years of experience in various educational roles, including school leader, administrator, teacher, admission officer, college counselor, advisor, dormitory house counselor, and coach. He began his career in education as an Admission Counselor after earning his B.A. from Holy Cross. He served as the first Director of College Counseling at DeMatha Catholic High School, where he designed and implemented a college-counseling curriculum. He then returned to his alma mater, Phillips Academy Andover, as Senior Associate Dean of Admission. After four years at Andover, Dr. McGrail enrolled in the School Leadership program at Harvard University, where he also studied non-profit leadership at Harvard Business School. Following his studies, he became a Senior Dean and College Counselor at Polytechnic School in Pasadena, CA, later transitioning to the role of Dean of Students, where he helped manage the Upper School and oversaw the advisory program and school discipline, using these opportunities to teach decision-making and judgment. After ten years at Poly as a dean, history teacher, and coach, Dr. McGrail returned to the East Coast as an Upper School Dean and history teacher at Dwight-Englewood School. He also graduated from the Mid-Career Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2022, Dr. McGrail became the Director of Enrollment Management at Portsmouth Abbey, where he resides on campus.

After receiving his BA in English Literature with a Minor in Philosophy from Hobart College, Mr. Colin McKay worked at the Culver Academies in Culver, Indiana, teaching Humanities, coaching Boys Hockey, and serving as the assistant coach for the Girls Varsity Soccer team. After three years at Culver, he decided to move back to New England to be closer to family. Portsmouth Abbey's rigorous English and Humanities curriculum, love for the classics, and school mission of guiding students towards knowledge and grace felt like a perfect fit for his professional interests. Currently, he is working towards a Masters Degree in Liberal Arts from St. John's College, a Great Books school with locations in Annapolis, Maryland and Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Mr. Nick Micheletti '04 has been a classroom teacher, coach, and houseparent at the Abbey for sixteen years. He has taught all levels of Latin and Ancient Greek, and he has previously coached basketball in addition to Cross Country and Track, both of which he still coaches. He has served as the Head Houseparent in St. Leonard's for fifteen years. He has served as an academic administrator under varying titles for six years. He graduated from the School in 2004 and made contact with the school after graduating college - it is one of the great fortunes of his life that the Abbey needed a Latin teacher in 2008. He thought teaching would be something he might like to do, and the Abbey was the place where he wanted to do it. It has been a vocation from his very first week.

An alumna of the Abbey Class of 2005, Mrs. Micheletti graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University with a major in art history and a minor in the classics. She returned to the Abbey in 2009 to teach AP Art History, and went on to complete her M.A. in liberal arts at St. John’s College in the summer of 2015.  She currently teaches AP Art History and Fundamentals of Art. She has also previously taught Ancient History, Humanities, and US History. She loves helping students to discover the beauty of art and a highlight of each school year for her is the annual trip to a local art museum where students can view works of art in person.   Mrs. Micheletti has previously coached girls’ varsity soccer and basketball, and she is currently the co-head coach of the track and field program at the Abbey, all sports that she captained here as a student. She lives in St. Leonard’s with her husband, Nick '04, their daughters, Betty, Juniper and Maggie, their son, Amos, and their dog Mud Pie.  

Mr. Milmoe joined the Portsmouth Abbey faculty as the Director of Athletics in 2022 after working at some of the best independent schools in the country. A product of boarding school himself, Milmoe attended Lawrence Academy where he played football, wrestling, and lacrosse, earning 12 varsity letters during his high school career. He later graduated with distinction from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history, and earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Plymouth State University.  Despite spending time at independent schools on both coasts, as well as in the Midwest and South, his heart has always been in New England. “Working at Portsmouth Abbey is a dream come-true for me. A boarding school with student-centered learning and a moral mission is the best form of education in the country.”   Milmoe’s unique, fiery brand of enthusiasm makes participation in the Raven athletic program one of the highlights for students during their high school career.  Outside of work, Milmoe loves to connect with family and friends, quote his favorite movie (Jaws), and volunteer at the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. He lives on campus near the St. Hilda’s Turf Field. 

Elliott grew up in Wallingford, CT and decided to teach at an independent school because of his high school experiences at Avon Old Farms. He also finds joy in working with motivated young adults both in the classroom and on the field. Elliott joined the Portsmouth Abbey faculty after graduating from Williams College in 2007, where he received a B.A. in economics. While at Williams, he started on the football team for four years at defensive back and he captained an undefeated NESCAC championship team during his senior year. At Portsmouth Abbey, Elliott has taught various levels of Algebra II, Precalculus, and Calculus. He currently teaches AP Calculus AB. Athletically, Elliott is the head coach of the Varsity Football Team and the head coach of the Varsity Softball Team. In 2011 and 2017, Elliott was voted EIL Softball Coach of the Year by his peer coaches. Elliott also won the Dom Peter Sidler Teaching Award for excellence in teaching in 2011. In the summer of 2012, Elliott participated in the Klingenstein Summer Institute at Columbia University. Elliott has also been a houseparent since arriving at Portsmouth Abbey for all ages of students. He currently is an assistant houseparent in St. Martin’s, where he lives with his wife, Liz.  

Ms. Anna Moran was the Fenwick Scholar at the College of the Holy Cross. Through this scholarship she was able to research and write a thesis comparing Cervantes and Shakespeare, working with the original Spanish and English texts. She also was one of the leaders of The Society of Saints Peter and Paul, a club dedicated to building Catholic fellowship and hosting various Catholic speakers who connect their fields of study and their passions to their faith. She chose Portsmouth Abbey because she was attracted to its Catholic identity and community. She teaches Spanish, serves as a houseparent in St. Mary's, and assists with Girls JV soccer and sailing.

Mr. Michael Mullaney is Chief Financial Officer. He brings nearly a decade of experience as VP of Finance and Administration at Emmanuel College, following a long tenure at Catholic Memorial School. Mike earned a BS from Providence College and an MBA from Northeastern University.

A native of Rhode Island, Mark received both his B.A. and B.F.A., from The University of Rhode Island where his main concentration was photography. He was then accepted into the Photography Department at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he earned his M.F.A. in 1997. Mark has taught photography at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Salve Regina University. He has worked as an assistant to artists such as Bart Parker and Rita DeWitt at The Penland School of Crafts. Mark is also a skilled ceramist and an accomplished woodturner who has been published in various books, journals, and magazines. Mark has lived in the Abbey neighborhood since he was very young and loves it here. Having worked as a self-employed artist for many years, he is very happy to return to teaching!

Hailing from Dallas, Texas, Dare graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2019 majoring in Medicine, Health, and Society with a concentration in Health in Human Services. While at Vanderbilt he played four years on the Vanderbilt football team and captained the team his senior year. After College and spending a short time in the NFL, Dare transitioned into the workforce and started his career in health insurance, but with the coming of the pandemic decided to begin a career in Decentralized Clinical trials and Clinical Trial Regulations. He views this industry as the gateway to expanded medical care to underserved populations as it will reduce the cost of Clinical trials and thus allow medications for more rare diseases to make it past the clinical trials stage. At Portsmouth Abbey, Dare has coached Varsity football, JV Basketball and Track and Field. In 2023, he joined the Office of Development as the Assistant Director of the Annual Fund.

Nora joined Portsmouth Abbey School and the Office of Development & Alumni Affairs in 2015. She is responsible for the prospect research, data, and analytics for the Development and Alumni Affairs Office. Nora is also an affiliate in St. Benet’s House and an advisor to seven Form VI students. Nora lives in Portsmouth with her husband Michael and their six children, including Sean '21, Lisie '22, Tommy '24, and Mick '26.

Mr. Pacheco began his IT career with Westport Community Schools in the mid-1990s and later worked as a field service technician in the Bristol County area. In 2001, he was recruited by Portsmouth Abbey School’s second Information Systems Director after spending six months working part-time under the first I.S. Director. Though he initially turned down a permanent part-time offer, he was deeply impressed by the Abbey's community and environment, hoping to return one day. When the full-time opportunity arose in 2001, he eagerly accepted. In 2007, following his supervisor’s departure, Mr. Pacheco was promoted to Information Systems Director, a role he has successfully held ever since.

In addition to serving as assistant head of operations, John also serves as monastic cellarer for the monks of the Abbey of St. Gregory the Great. A member of the science department, John has been teaching and coaching at the Abbey since 1985. He has held many roles, including athletic trainer, houseparent, coach, dean of students, director of summer programs, monastic cellarer and member of the Board of Regents. John was a cum laude graduate of Bridgewater State College, and while earning his graduate degree there, he completed an internship in physiology/cardiac rehabilitation. John is also board certified in sports medicine as an athletic trainer and is board certified in naturopathy. He currently teaches Medical Physiology and Cardiac Life Support. John has also been appointed to the Board of Athletic Trainers for the State of Rhode Island. In past years, John has also taught Biology and Marine Biology.

Ms. Pietropaoli graduated from Providence College with an undergraduate degree in English and also completed her master’s degree in English at the University of Rochester. Her graduate work concentrated on modernism, and her thesis explored constructs of masculinity in WWI literature.   Between earning her degrees, Ms. Pietropaoli taught a wide array of humanities classes at a liberal arts school in western New York. In addition to her teaching, she coordinated high school student life, including student government and the service program.  She also directed the school’s drama program through seven production seasons. At Portsmouth Abbey School, she teaches humanities and English and is an assistant houseparent for St. Benet’s.   An avid fiddler and violinist, Ms. Pietropaoli has participated in orchestras and folk groups since high school.  In her free time, she enjoys reading, nature-walks, kayaking, and spending time in the peaceful quiet of the Adirondack mountains.

Haibo teaches all levels of Mandarin Chinese at Portsmouth Abbey School. He is a multi-level educator with experience teaching at middle and high schools and at the college level in China and the United States. A leading Chinese authority on population research, his book, Issues of Chinese Population Aging, is best known. Haibo’s experiences also include entrepreneurial management in China and post-doctoral research at Brown University. He holds advanced degrees from three countries: a Ph.D. from Renmin University of China (also known as The People’s University of China), which is one of the most prestigious universities in China; a M.B.A. from Bryant University; and a M.Phil. from Cairo Demographic Centre of the United Nations at Egypt. His other degrees include a B.A. from Jilin University, and an A.A. from Jilin Teacher’s College (presently named Beihua University) in China.

A Catholic University of America graduate, Lauren Revay earned an undergraduate degree in philosophy in 2020 and a Master of Arts in Theology from the University of Notre Dame in 2022. At Notre Dame, she participated in the Echo graduate service program and the McGrath Institute for Church Life. As part of her work with Echo, she apprenticed in the Office of Faith Formation at St. Mary of the Expectation parish in Houston, Texas, where she focused on Confirmation preparation for adolescents, young adult ministry, and the women’s study group. More recently, she served as a post-graduate academic fellow at the John Jay Institute in Pennsylvania.

With 18 years of dedicated coaching experience at Portsmouth Abbey School, Hugh Richardson has played an instrumental role in shaping the athletic development of students across several sports. Serving as the head coach for the Girls' Squash and Tennis teams, and as the JV Football coach, he has built a reputation for fostering teamwork, discipline, and skill. His commitment to student-athletes both on and off the field exemplifies the Abbey's values of excellence and sportsmanship.

Mr. Ruggiero enjoys the dual role of serving the Portsmouth Abbey Community as the manager of the bookstore and theatre technical director. He joined the drama department in 2019 and has worked with Mr. Bragan on many productions, such as The Play That Goes Wrong, Mamma Mia and Clue. A graduate of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, he received his bachelor's degree in fine and performing arts, then pursued his M.F.A. from Eastern Michigan University. While earning his advanced degree, he helped run a Playback Theatre company and worked alongside a colleague to teach men with learning disabilities about theatre and performance at Woodland Correctional Facility. Mr. Ruggiero has been the drama specialist at Everwood Day Camp in Sharon, Massachusetts, for the past ten years. He works with campers between the ages of three and 15 and has two weeks to put on a musical with them. His passion for education and drama comes through in all his lessons with the campers and in all that he does for the Portsmouth Abbey School community.

Brittany Semco joined Portsmouth Abbey School in January 2023 as the marketing and visual design specialist. Previously, she was the marketing and events manager for Jackson Hole Classical Academy in Jackson, Wyoming. She hails from Jamestown, Rhode Island. She attended Aquidneck Island Christian Academy and later graduated from Waynesburg University, where she double majored in public relations and graphic design. She also spent a semester abroad through the University of Virginia’s Semester at Sea program, where she studied classical architecture, contemporary literature and fine art photography in the Mediterranean. A college internship at Hasbro, Inc.’s Corporate Design Studio led to future work in graphic design for a printing press and marketing for CVS Health for two years. Her experience with independent schools began when she became the creative director for a public relations agency representing K–12 institutions throughout Southeastern New England. Her interest in school marketing was furthered when she joined the Jackson Hole Classical Academy community. Additionally, she grew her real estate and architecture photography business. Miss Semco is thrilled to be back in her home state. She looks forward to furthering the mission and vision of Portsmouth Abbey School through enhanced marketing strategies and exciting visual productions.

Margaret Sheppard ’06 grew up on the campus of Portsmouth Abbey and has joined the faculty to teach humanities and English. The education she received at the Abbey fostered an enduring passion for the written word and book history that she carries into the classroom today. After earning her B.A. at Saint Michael’s College, she founded Peace Paper Project, a hand papermaking program that used traditional book arts processes as forms of trauma therapy and empowerment. Her work has been exhibited internationally and is archived at the Library of Congress and the Haas Arts Library at Yale. In 2017, Margaret received her M.A. in English with a focus on the history of text technologies from Florida State University. She holds a Graduate Certificate in book arts from the University of Iowa, where she completed doctoral coursework. Previously, Margaret taught literature and rhetoric at the university level as well as AP Literature and English at Saint Andrew’s School in Florida and Millbrook School in New York. In addition to teaching, Margaret serves as a houseparent in St. Brigid’s and assistant coach for varsity field hockey and junior varsity squash. 

B.A. Mississippi College M.A. DePaul University M.F.A. University of Mississippi Ph.D. The Florida State University Dr. Gary Sheppard teaches U.S. History and serves as Communications Strategist in the Marketing and Communications Office. He also leads faculty training and support for the School’s Veracross learning management system. Gary has taught at both Florida State University and the University of Mississippi and has an extensive academic background, with multiple degrees, including a PhD in English from Florida State. He has published primarily long-form fiction in nationally-recognized literary journals, and has published select scholarly and journalistic works as well. Prior to joining the faculty at Portsmouth, Gary worked as Assistant Executive Director of Humanities Iowa, and later as Director of Communications at GrantWorks, Inc., Texas’s largest privately-held government services consulting firm. His prior consulting work included writing and publishing semi-annual reports to the U.S. Congress on behalf of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as well as project management and multi-state community outreach on behalf of the Appalachian Regional Commission, the MacArthur Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. He serves as an affiliate in St. Martin's House. He lives in St. Brigid's House with his wife, English/Humanities teacher and Portsmouth Abbey alumna, Margaret Sheppard '06, and his son, Emmett.

Mr. Troy Silvia graduated from Rhode Island College in 2013 with a degree in Community Health Education. During this time, he completed a 500-hour internship at Fidelity Investments as a Health Fitness Intern, where he conducted fitness assessments, designed exercise programs, and led group fitness classes. After his internship, he joined Rhode Island College’s men’s soccer coaching staff as an assistant coach, following his playing career, where he captained the squad his senior year, and earned Second Team All-Little East Conference honors. During his time coaching, the team achieved consecutive playoff berths. He later took an assistant manager position in retail, where he oversaw daily operations, handled banking duties, provided customer service, and monitored security. After eight years in that role, he transitioned to Portsmouth Abbey School as a housekeeper, where he was responsible for building maintenance, cleaning, snow removal, and assisting with parking for school functions. In September 2020, he decided to return to school, pursuing computer training at MTTI. After seven months of study, he contacted Portsmouth Abbey’s Information Systems Director, Victor Pacheco, to inquire about an internship in the Information Systems Department. Following a seven-month internship, he was offered and accepted a full-time position. He now provides desktop support for teachers and administrators and helps maintain the school’s network.

After realizing in sixth grade that she wouldn’t be the next Virginia Woolf, Kate chose to pursue a career that allows her to read and discuss brilliant literature daily. She earned an English degree from Wesleyan University and then worked in editing at a New York City publishing house. After earning her M.A. from St. John’s College Graduate Institute, she began teaching at Miss Hall’s School in Massachusetts. Kate returned to New York City, where she taught English and served as the English Department Chair at the Marymount School in Manhattan after a brief stint at the Waldorf School of Garden City. In 2002, the Smith family moved to Portsmouth Abbey, where Kate has taught English and Humanities and served as a houseparent. She has been involved in the School Committee, the Honors Committee, and currently serves on the Committee for Diversity and Inclusion. Kate enjoys developing curriculum and collaborating with colleagues to explore literary masterworks. She is the Associate Director of College Counseling and a member of NEACAC, NACAC, and ACCIS. A proud Moby-Dick enthusiast, she participates in the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s annual Moby-Dick Marathon. Outside of teaching, she loves skiing and summer afternoons on Second Beach. She lives on Cory’s Lane and is a proud mom of three Abbey alumni: Thomas '21, Sean '20, and Conor '17.

Diane Soboski joined Portsmouth Abbey as the Director of College Counseling, following her role as the Director of Admissions at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont, since 2018. She began her career in college admissions at Wheelock College in Boston and continued for ten years at the College of the Holy Cross, where she held various roles with increasing responsibilities. At Champlain College, she led a team managing over six thousand applications amid a competitive selection process. Her collaboration with colleagues in financial aid, scholarship, and student success was vital in supporting both institutional and student goals. At Holy Cross, she also focused on supporting international students and student-athletes, serving as the admissions liaison to the men's and women's tennis and track and field teams. Soboski has held several leadership positions within the New England Association of College Admissions Counselors (NEACAC), including president-elect of the Executive Board, and served as a representative for the New England Region of the National Association of College Admission Counseling. She earned her master's degree in higher education administration from the College of William and Mary and her undergraduate degree from Hamilton College, where she remains actively engaged as an alumna.

Dr. Sones joined the Math Department in 2016 after retiring as a Colonel in the United States Army. He taught, coached, and mentored at the United States Military Academy at West Point for over a decade, directing the introductory physics program and the nuclear engineering program while participating in various committees focused on curricular design and leader development. He remains connected with West Point as an admissions representative. He has contributed as a reviewer for four prominent university physics textbooks and has participated in national initiatives aimed at improving educational techniques through student-centered, activity-based learning in STEM disciplines. Dr. Sones has also received educational research grants as a Principal Investigator from the National Science Foundation, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. His work at West Point earned him a promotion to Professor of Nuclear Engineering, and prior to joining Portsmouth Abbey, he worked as an educational consultant in the Middle East. Recently, he taught engineering design to gifted students at Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth summer camps. Currently, Dr. Sones teaches pre-calculus and AP calculus, assists with the boys’ squash team and the coed sailing team, and serves as an affiliate house parent in St. Benet’s dorm. He lives in Newport with his wife, Jeannine, and their two daughters, Lily '21 and Georgia '23.

A lifelong Rhode Island resident, Ben graduated from The Wheeler School in 2016 and continued his academic journey at Connecticut College as a member of the class of 2020. He majored in history with a global concentration and served as the Film Coordinator for the Men’s Basketball Program. After graduating, Ben returned to Wheeler as a substitute teacher, covering any and all subjects for teachers absent during the pandemic. In addition, he coached Girls Varsity Soccer and Boys JV Basketball. As a member of the Office of Admission, Ben is excited to showcase all of the amazing things that make the Abbey a top independent school in New England. When he is not in the office he can be found connecting with friends or family, cooking, playing basketball, or re-watching some of his favorite shows and movies such as Seinfeld or Ocean’s Eleven. Ben currently lives on campus as an Assistant Houseparent in St. Aelred’s and coaches Boys JV Basketball.

After earning her undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame, Mary St. Thomas entered the field of educational publishing and worked on the editorial staff of Pearson Education in Boston. She moved from one book-related field to another, earning her Master of Library and Information Studies from the University of Rhode Island in 2023. She joined the library staff at Portsmouth Abbey in 2022 and took on the role of assistant director in 2023. She lives in St. Aelred’s with her husband Mike, the head of the English department, and their four children.

Mike was born and raised in Rhode Island and attended Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, where he ran track and cross country and played piano in the jazz band. He entered Providence College as an undeclared major and graduated in 2005 with a passion for literature, thanks to his teachers in the English and Western Civ programs. Mike then moved West to earn his M.A. in Literature from the University of Montana, where he wrote his thesis on William Faulkner's fiction. In 2008, he returned to Rhode Island and joined the English department at Bishop Hendricken. After eight years of teaching and coaching there, Mike began at Portsmouth Abbey in the fall of 2016. He served as Head of the Humanities program for two years before becoming English Department Chair in 2019. Currently, he teaches Fifth- and Sixth-form English and writes about literature and Catholic education, with work published in venues such as Commonweal, The Hedgehog Review, America, and Plough Quarterly. Mike lives in St. Aelred’s with his wife, Mary, and their four children, where he serves as head houseparent. He is also an assistant coach for the Cross Country and Track and Field teams. In his spare time, he enjoys running, playing piano and guitar, and rooting for the Providence College Friars.

As a member of Portsmouth Abbey’s Class of 2010, Amelia was excited to join the Office of Admission after graduating from Salve Regina University in May 2014. During her time at the Abbey, she enjoyed giving tours to prospective students and their families. As a Form VI student, she served as head of the Red Key Society, gaining insight into various aspects of the admission process. Amelia hopes her unique perspective as an alumna will benefit future students. In addition to her role as the director of financial aid, Amelia is one of the track and field coaches and serves as the head houseparent in St. Brigid's, where she lives with her husband, Christian, and their children, Pearl and Jay.

Mrs. Vesey served as the assistant librarian at Portsmouth Abbey for four years before becoming the director. She earned her degree in English from West Virginia University, where she was inducted into the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. She also holds an M.A.T. from Rhode Island College and has taught English and Language Arts in two Providence Catholic schools. Mrs. Vesey began her library career as a volunteer at Barrington Middle School Library, where she discovered her passion for library work. In addition to her directorial role, she enjoys working with students as the yearbook advisor. Her brother, Peter Perroni '87, is an Abbey alum.

Anita Vigerstol has joined the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs as the Director of the Annual Fund. She previously served for fifteen years as the Director of Advancement at Cataldo Catholic School in Spokane, Washington. Under her leadership, fundraising at Cataldo saw a significant and consistent increase in its fundraising programs year after year. In addition to her expertise in fundraising and constituent relations, Anita was responsible for all admissions, marketing, and special events, bringing with her a rich and diverse skill set to Portsmouth Abbey School. Anita has four children, all of whom attended Catholic schools through high school. She lives in Providence after her recent relocation from Spokane.

Ryan Walker graduated from the College of Charleston in 2013 with a degree in studio art.  He took the award for ‘Best Painting’ at the Young Contemporaries Student Show his graduating year.  To further his education, he then enrolled in the Schuler School of Fine Arts in Baltimore, Maryland.  This institution taught him the techniques of the old Flemish and Italian Masters in sculpture, watercolor, oil painting and charcoal. Ryan has enjoyed a successful career as a professional artist for the past six years with representation in multiple fine art galleries. In high school, Ryan was an accomplished athlete who played football, basketball, baseball, and golf.  He helped lead his baseball team to a state championship in 2008.  He then continued with collegiate baseball at C of C. “I come from a family of educators, and I’m passionate about sharing my love for art with others.  I believe anyone can develop an appreciation for art, and my goal is to help our students connect with techniques and mediums that will inspire and motivate them."

Matt arrived at Portsmouth Abbey School in 2014 to serve as director of development and was appointed assistant headmaster for advancement in 2020, acting headmaster in 2021 and head of school in 2022. He is a 1993 graduate of The University of Texas School of Law, a 1990 graduate of Princeton University, and a 1986 graduate of Cistercian Preparatory School in Irving, Texas. In 1998 Matt returned to his alma mater to serve as director of development and alumni relations at Cistercian Prep. Following that, he stepped into the same position at St. Mary's High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he eventually served as vice president for development. Matt is married to Paula Walter, Portsmouth Abbey's dean of student life, and they live on campus in St. Brigid's House. Their two sons both graduated from Portsmouth Abbey, John Patrick '18, and Matthew Thomas '20.

Paula has devoted 23 years to student life in independent school education. She provides leadership on student wellness and health and safety issues, serves as a certified Praesidium Guardian, and she is the International Student Advisor. Paula has presented at a TABS conference and she has been a member of a NEASC accreditation team. Paula previously coached basketball for 27 years, and served as a houseparent for boys and girls for 22 years. After 13 years at Fountain Valley School of Colorado, Paula joined Portsmouth Abbey in 2014. She is the proud parent of two Portsmouth Abbey School graduates, John Patrick ’18 and Matthew Thomas ’20.

After graduating from Portsmouth Abbey in 2012, Ms. Waterman attended the College of Charleston in South Carolina. She continued her studies in French, while also completing a concentration in public relations. She developed a passion for architecture and hand drafting while studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark.  While still in college, she began to spend her summers at Middlebury, to experience their immersive program. After graduating in 2016, Ms. Waterman moved from Charleston to Paris, where she received an M.A. from Middlebury Language Schools through the Université Sorbonne Paris 3 in 2017.   Upon her return from France, Ms. Waterman sought out a teaching fellowship to be mentored by experts in the field of education. She chose a fellowship linked with the University of Pennsylvania called the Independent School Teaching Residency. She taught French to middle school and high school students at North Shore Country Day School in Winnetka, Illinois while receiving constant mentorship and guidance as she completed her M.S. in Education, graduating in 2020. She moved back to New England and landed at The Park School in Brookline, Massachusetts, where she taught French to students in fifth, seventh and eighth grade.  At Portsmouth Abbey, she is the study skills specialist, teaches introductory-level French classes. and is an assistant houseparent in Manor House.

Amy Welshman joined Portsmouth Abbey School in September 2023 as the Admissions Coordinator after ten years at Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School. Her background includes experience in guidance and admissions, where she coordinated state testing, orientation, placement exams, and managed student records. In her current role, Amy is responsible for scheduling and organization within the Office of Admission, handling inquiries, and assisting prospective students and parents with the application process. She lives in Swansea with her husband, Derek, stepdaughter Daelynn, and their pets, Wicket and Anakin.akin.

Dave brings a broad background in science, engineering and teaching to the School. Upon receiving his bachelor’s degrees, Dave began a stint working for Chevron at their Richmond, CA, oil refinery as a design engineer before returning to graduate school. While in graduate school, Dave developed a lifelong interest in renewable energy as well as computer science. After finishing school, Dave worked in a startup computer company designing, building, programming and installing laboratory data acquisition systems. He then went on to build one of the largest hydroponic vegetable greenhouses in New England, which he ran for 15 years before returning to Information Technology. After building a substantial practice consulting for small- and medium-sized businesses, and serving as the chief information officer for a global company during its initial public offering, Dave went on to spend four years working with community health centers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island developing electronic health record technology. From 2005 to 2011, Dave also worked as an adjunct professor at the University of Massachusetts, where he taught graduate and undergraduate courses in the Charlton College of Business as well as developing and teaching curriculum for the master’s in sustainability program in the area of renewable energy. Dave has four children: Ben '15, Eli '16, Henry '18, and Martha '22.

Kale earned his bachelor’s degree from Thomas More College, where the core curriculum focused on great books and literature. His major coursework included Southern and Russian literature, Shakespeare, and Modernism, along with enough credits in philosophy and politics for minors in both. At Louisiana State University, he studied English Renaissance literature and American literature, particularly the political aspects of the novel, and wrote his master’s thesis on the poetry of contemporary Irish poet Seamus Heaney. After teaching, Kale worked in Los Angeles as a creative producer, collaborating on story development, and served as chief programmer for the Angelus Awards, a leading student film festival. He also wrote for a regional golf magazine and spent two years in student life at Thomas More College in New Hampshire. Returning to teaching in 2007, he received Portsmouth Abbey’s Dom Peter Sidler Award for teaching excellence. He became academic dean in 2010 and continues to teach Humanities, becoming dean of faculty in 2015. Kale enjoys playing golf, watching scripted television, and reading both fiction and non-fiction. A New Orleans native and avid foodie, he loves cooking, dining, and is passionate about football. He finds it thrilling to introduce students to great literature, stating, “Reading the classics and allowing them to delight and instruct the contemporary skeptic has been challenging and rewarding.”

Born and raised in Bristol, Rhode Island, Dr. Zins graduated from Portsmouth Abbey in 2004. She earned a B.A. in Art History, French, and Classics from the University of Rhode Island in 2008. Attracted to the interdisciplinary nature of art history, she pursued her M.A. and Ph.D. at Penn State University, focusing on Italian art from the medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. Her doctoral dissertation examined how the Order of Augustinian Hermits depicted their founder, St. Augustine, in 14th- and 15th-century Italian art. Supported by several grants and fellowships, her research took her to libraries, churches, and museums across central and northern Italy, fostering a deep love for Italian food, art, landscape, history, and culture. In 2016, Dr. Zins returned to Portsmouth Abbey to teach Humanities and Latin. Inspired by her own teachers, she is dedicated to cultivating an appreciation for the Western intellectual tradition in her students. In addition to teaching, Dr. Zins has served as a houseparent in St. Brigid’s House and has assisted in coaching the girls' varsity soccer and JV basketball teams. She lives in St. Martin’s with her husband, Steve, head of the Science Department, and their three children, Isaac, Elijah, and Abigail.

Dr. Zins is a seasoned research scientist with over 10 years experience in industry (Affymetrix, Inc.), government (Naval Medical Research Center), and academic (University of Michigan, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brown University) settings who fell in love with teaching during his doctoral work at Brown. He's published eight manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals, and his dissertation work is published in the Journal of Virology. Previous leadership roles include serving as President of Brown's Graduate Student Council, and he is an ordained Deacon in the Presbyterian Church of American (PCA). He was awarded Portsmouth Abbey School's Dom Sidler Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2017.