Faculty Bios

Administration

Head of School: Michelle Rosenfeld Hughes began as administrator in 2001 and assumed the Head of School position in 2009. Michelle came to High Meadow School to help create and implement the middle school program after working for 12 years as a middle grades teacher and team leader in the Red Hook Schools.  Michelle’s additional roles are teacher and parent of 2 High Meadow School students. Michelle received a BA in Visual Arts from SUNY, New Paltz and a MA in Elementary and Museum Education from Bank Street College of Education. Michelle is certified by the New York State Department of Education  (NYSED).

Lower School Coordinator: Doris Gonzalez Easton came to High Meadow in 1986, the parent of 3 children. She soon found herself, as many High Meadow School parents do, participating in the life of the school in many capacities. Doris was appointed as a teacher in September 1988. Doris taught 1st /2nd Grade and served in a part-time administrative role until 2009 when she became the full time Lower School Coordinator. Doris received a BS in Educational Studies from Empire State College and Completed Orton-Gillingham course work from Neuhaus Institute for Multisensory Learning.

Finance Director: Susanne Warren came to High Meadow School as the parent of a Pre-Kindergarten student in 2000. Since that time, Susanne has worn many hats including Class Parent, Fundraising Chair, aftercare staff, classroom assistant and office support staff. Now, with 3 children at High Meadow School, she has made the transition over the last two years to Finance Director. Susanne received a BA in American History and Political Science from SUNY, Albany.  Over the last 20 years, she worked in the field of corporate communications until she began creating business plans and annual reports for start-up companies. The next logical step was to create budgets and manage cash-flow for those same companies which led to her current role at the school.

Upper School Coordinator: AnnMarie Callan joined the teaching staff at High Meadow School in 1988 and has taught in numerous capacities. AnnMarie brings her many years of teaching, work in a variety of administrative capacities, experience coordinating events and intimate knowledge of the history and philosophy of High Meadow School to this position. For more on AnnMarie’s credentials see her teaching description. AnnMarie received a BS in Music Education from Hunter College.

Classroom Teachers

Pre-Kindergarten: Kathy Flannery came to High Meadow School as parent of 2 students and was quickly recruited to take over the after-care teaching position.  Kathy was hired as a Pre-Kindergarten assistant in 2002 but her calm demeanor and true insight into the workings of the young child’s mind were immediately evident and she quickly rose up through the internship program and was appointed to Lead Teacher in September 2006. Kathy provides a nurturing and stimulating environment in which to induct children into the world of schooling. Kerry Pharmer became Kathy’s Pre-Kindergarten Assistant in 2008.

Kindergarten: Cindy McNabb began as Kindergarten Assistant, interned for 3 years and was promoted to Head Kindergarten Teacher in the Spring of 2009. Cindy is a trained Montessori teacher who has years of experience working with young children. She also received initial training in Language Enrichment in preparation for taking the helm in Kindergarten. Sandy Petersen became Cindy’s Kingergarten Assistant in 2010. Sandy comes with many years of experience working with young children.

1st Grade: Kristin Schroder was hired as kindergarten teacher in September 1999 after many years of teaching kindergarten in New York City. Kristin’s class hums with activity; whether children are at the workbench or writing letters in foam, children are actively learning through work and play. Kristin received a BS from Empire State College and an MS in Elementary Education from Hunter College. She is a certified language therapist and is also certified by NYSED. Patrick Linsey became Kristin’s First Grade Assistant in 2008. Patrick also serves as High Meadow School’s Physical Plants Coordinator.

2nd Grade: Carrie Patch Knudsen began as an assistant in the 2nd grade and in a short time revealed her natural calling for teaching. Carrie has a true interest in developing a classroom of independent and reflective learners. Carrie began an internship with Doris Gonzalez Easton (the Lower School Coordinator) working in the 1st grade in 2006 and then began as lead teacher for part of the day in 2007. Carrie took over as Lead Teacher for first grade in the fall of 2008 before transferring to Lead Teacher in second grade in the fall of 2009. Carrie begins her first full year as Lead Teacher this Fall. Carrie received a BA from Hamilton College in English and an MA from Bank Street College of Education in Literacy and General Childhood Education. Carrie is certified by the New York State Department of Education (NYSED).

3rd Grade: Barbara Piombino came to High Meadow School as the parent of 2 students and began teaching in September 1987. Barbara’s children are all grown now but Barbara is still at High Meadow School challenging children to see the world from many perspectives: the poetic, the social, the ethical and the scientific.  Barbara co-created the Sacagawea Bird Sanctuary with the assistance of former High Meadow School teacher DeWitt Nelson. The Sacagawea Bird Sanctuary has become an enormous asset to High Meadow School’s science program. Barbara received a BA in Psychology and Education and a MA in Elementary Education from SUNY, New Paltz and is certified by NYSED. Barbara is assisted in the classroom this year by Lori Gross, who bring years of experience in educating young people.

4th Grade: Jackie Katzen joined the High Meadow School staff in 1995 and has a background in the social work field. Jackie creates a collaborative and engaging classroom environment, bringing to it her love of literature and the mountains. Her class is regularly on the Shawangunk trails, working with Mohonk staff on environmental science themes throughout the year or gathered in a circle discussing and mapping their latest literary adventure. Jackie received a BA from Rutger’s University in Psychology and a MA in Elementary Education from SUNY, New Paltz and she is is certified by NYSED (French, Special Ed., Gen. Ed. K-6). Jacinta Bunnell, a popular childcare specialist and teaching artist joined Jackie in 2010 as her Classroom Assistant.

5th and 6th Grade Math & Science: Betty Plichta joined High Meadow School in 2002 from the progressive magnet schools of Manhattan. Betty delights in creating projects and studies that integrate the concepts and ideas of multiple disciplines and engaging children in solving complex problems. Students are actively learning in Betty’s class, whether they are building “green” structures or a scale model of the parthenon. She received a BA Elementary Education and Psychology from Queen’s College and a MA in Educational Psychology from Marist College. Lucy Passarelli joined Betty in 2010 as her Classroom Assistant. Lucy has worked as a classroom assistant since 2005.

5th and 6th Grade Humanities: Allyson Uzzle, the 5th and 6th grade humanities and drama teacher began as a teaching assistant in 2001 and moved through High Meadow School’s Internship Program to become a 5th and 6th grade Lead Humanities and Drama Teacher in September, 2006. Ally has a love of language and the humanities and weaves historic themes throughout the literature and writing projects she chooses for her students. Ally’s strong background in Dramatic and Visual Arts allows her to naturally integrate those forms into subject matter. Ally received a BFA from University of Connecticut in Drama and a Master’s Certificate from London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. Amy Weiss joined Ally as her Classroom Assistant in 2010. Amy has been working in a variety of capacities at High Meadow School since 2002.

7th and 8th Grade Humanities: AnnMarie Callan has taught at many different levels and in many capacities since joining High Meadow School in 1994. Since founding the Pre-Kindergarten Program, AnnMarie has continually challenged herself as an educator to learn more and do more to build the culture of learning at High Meadow School. AnnMarie engages children’s thinking, encouraging them to make connections, effectively express themselves and enjoy “jamming on an idea”. AnnMarie received a BA in Music Education from Hunter College.

7th and 8th Grade Math & Science: Peter Laves joined High Meadow School in 2010 after many years teaching in both New Jersey and Poughkeepsie.  Peter studied Physics for his bachelors degree at Rutger’s University then pursued a Master’s degree in teaching math at the secondary level in Bard College’s MAT Program. Peter brings his knowledge in both of these disciplines as well as a personal knowledge of our Shawangunk mountain range to the 7th and 8th grade curriculum this year. Kate Hover joined Peter as Classroom Assistant in 2010 and brings years of experience working with students in the theatre.

Arts and Special Areas Teachers

Art: Tracy Leavitt came to High Meadow School as parent of a student and was appointed to the Visual Arts position in September 2003. As an artist herself, Tracy explores many media in her own work and brings this broad knowledge to the Art Barn, where students can be seen on any given day engaged in printmaking, painting, sculpting wood or clay or weaving. Tracy received a BFA from the Portland School of Fine Arts in Portland, ME.

Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth Grade Dance: Elena LaDue has studied dance with Alvin Ailey and Susan Slotnick among others and has taught Dance for 12 years in a variety of venues. Elena is a High Meadow School Alumna and parent of students at the school si it can be said that she has the school in her bones.

Lower School Music

Fre Atlast is a professional drummer, Founder of the Elder Drumming Project and Conductor of the Birds of a Feather Percussion Orchestra.  Fre joined High Meadow School in September, 2007 though she has participated in residencies at High Meadow School for many years.

Debbie Lan returned to High Meadow School to teach 3rd and 4th grade Voice and to lead the High Meadow School Gatherings each week.  Debbie is Founder of Grenadilla, a band for children. Debbie has played with many musicians both renowned (Robbie Dupree) and locally renowned (Dog on Fleas, Barbara Dempsey and Co.).  Having received training in early childhood music education, Debbie also runs music programs for toddlers in many of the local Pre-Kindergarten programs.

Upper School Music

Upper School Music is divided into three ensembles from which students can choose:

Guitar Ensemble: Ken McGloin is a professional musician who plays with numerous bands in the Hudson Valley and beyond. Ken is the Founder of Face the Music, a company that uses music as a staff development tool with institutions, companies and organizations. Ken brings years of teaching experience from his experiences as an independent musician and former Music Director at Poughkeepsie Day School.

Percussion and Instrumental Ensemble (PIE) and 4th Grade Drama: Ike Shaw is best known locally as one of the coordinators of the Wayfinder Experience School Programs. In addition to the Wayfinder Experience Programs at High Meadow School, Ike is a drama teacher in the 4th grade and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Music Education and Administration. This pursuit led to Ike’s hiring to bring his knowledge of how to excite kids about, well, anything, and his impressive musical prowess to High Meadow School’s Band Program.

Voice Ensemble: Sarah Perrotta joined High Meadow School in 2007 to teach choral music. In addition to the Lively Choral Program she has created, she is Musical Director of Student Bands, and teaches individual lessons. Sarah received a BFA from Crane School of Music and is an up and coming professional singer-songwriter in her own right.

5/6 Drama: See Allyson Uzzle above.

7/8 Drama: Amy Poux has been working with students in theatre programs for 20 years. She founded a not-for-profit that brought Arts into under served schools across New York City and most recently she founded High Meadow Arts- to bring affordable arts programming to after school programs, and arts residencies to schools around the region. She received a degree in Drama Education from Empire State College in New York City.

Physical Education: Tanya Milano returns this year as school-wide PE instructor and outdoor educator. Tanya brings her years of running recreation and outdoor education programs to the PE Program, nature trail and organic gardening programs at High Meadow School. Tanya received a Master’s degree in Environmental and Outdoor Education from Antioch College.

Spanish: Georgina Aragon took a year’s leave for Spain this year. Barbara Foerster, her replacement, brings many years of teaching Spanish and ESL at middle school and college levels.  Amy Weiss will be teaching Spanish to grades PK – 4 and assisting in the 6th grade. Amy has immersed herself in this role of Spanish teacher through workshops, travel to South America and Language Immersion programs.