Welcoming New Faculty | News | Portsmouth Abbey School, Rhode Island

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Welcoming New Faculty to the Abbey

The start of a new academic year always brings fresh energy to campus, and this autumn Portsmouth Abbey School is pleased to welcome several distinguished educators to its faculty. Each arrives with a unique set of experiences, from decades in the classroom to years on the playing field, from guiding students in the mountains of Europe to pursuing a monastic vocation. Together they reflect the School’s commitment to cultivating intellectual curiosity, deepening faith, and fostering the growth of the whole person.

	Señora Elsa Tonone de Sala Elsa joins the World Languages Department after nearly three decades of teaching. Formerly Department Chair at Saint Mary’s Hall in San Antonio, she brings both breadth and depth to the classroom. With degrees in International Relations, Bilingual-Bicultural Education, and Spanish language and Culture, she is eager to immerse students not only in the mechanics of language but also in the traditions and perspectives that shape it.
	Stanley Dunbar, Jr. Stanley comes to Portsmouth as Head Football Coach and Assistant Director of Admissions. A former collegiate athlete at the University of Rhode Island and founder of Breakthrough Elite Football in Providence, he has built his career around leadership and mentorship. His experience spans community engagement, admissions work, and high school and club coaching. At the Abbey, he will strengthen both the football program and the admissions team while developing scholar-athletes of character.
	Will Pittman Will, who will teach Humanities and Introduction to Literature, is a graduate of Washington and Lee University. His recent work as an English teaching assistant in northern Spain, combined with his background leading outdoor adventure expeditions, shapes a perspective rooted in both global awareness and love of the natural world. In addition to teaching, he looks forward to sharing his interests in music, literature, and the arts with the Abbey community.
	Father Benedict Maria, O.S.B. Already well known within the Abbey community, Father Benedict begins his first year of teaching Basic Theology. Originally from India, he trained as a software engineer before discerning his vocation as a Benedictine monk. His formation at St. Louis Abbey deepened his devotion to the monastic life while also awakening his artistic talents in mosaics and rosary-making. His move into the classroom offers students the chance to encounter theology through both study and lived experience.

These new faculty members arrive with talents that span continents and disciplines, united by a dedication to teaching and to the mission of Portsmouth Abbey. Their presence reminds us that the Abbey is both rooted and renewing: a place where tradition is honored and fresh perspectives continue to shape the education of our students.