MEET THE EDTEACH TEAM

Oliver Forsythe P'33 | Director of Technology

Oliver Forsythe became our Director of Technology at Far Hills Country Day School in July 2021. With more than a decade of experience, Oliver leads the Technology Department with conviction and tackles technology updates and challenges with patience and care. Oliver has modernized our approach to technology in the classroom for our students and updated the user experience for our faculty, staff, and parent communities.

Oliver first entered the Far Hills Country Day School community in 2009 when he signed up to be a substitute teacher. He then officially started as an intern in the technology department and worked his way to becoming the Director. While on his path to becoming Director, he has worked part-time in the Business Office running reports and spreadsheets, part-time in the Maintenance Department on snow cleanup duty, as well as coached three seasons of athletics (most notably coaching the hockey team to an undefeated season in 2018—Go Falcons!). You could say Oliver has taken the necessary steps to learn the many aspects that make Far Hills great.

Oliver is a member of the NJAIS Tech Steering committee, which supports member schools by working on best practices, EdTech tools and focusing on professional development to increase teaching and learning using technology. Oliver also serves on the Faculty and Staff Belay team, working with the students on Far Hills Country Day School’s ever-popular Ropes Course.

At home, you can find Oliver outside with his wife and daughter doing numerous activities or searching on the web for the next tech gadget that will assist in the classroom.

Jason Winch | IT Administrator

Jason Winch joined Far Hills Country Day School as the IT Administrator in 2021. He loves the community and family feel here at the school. Before coming to Far Hills, Jason worked for Hopatcong Schools for eight years as a network admin, in Mount Olive for 15 years as an educational specialist, and in Somerset Hills for three years as a data admin. Jason holds an associate degree in applied science, focused on electronics, from Lincoln Tech. In his spare time, Jason is an avid bowler. Along with his daughter, Katie, he coaches bowling. They have attained the silver level in coaching, which is like a master’s degree. It is Jason’s dream to own a bowling training facility to guide current and future bowlers in the sport.

Patty Sullivan | Library/Tech Support

Patty Sullivan has been an educator at Far Hills Country Day School for more than 25 years. During her tenure, she has served as a Preschool Assistant, Grade 3 Teacher, Grade 4 Teacher, Coach, Director of Instructional Technology, and now Library/Tech Support. Patty holds a bachelor of arts from the University of Massachusetts and a master of arts from Fairleigh Dickinson University. When not working with Far Hills students, Patty enjoys cooking and reading on the beach.

Mike Shapack | IT Systems/Support Specialist

Mike Shapack is Far Hills Country Day School’s IT Systems/ Support Specialist. Mike’s IT work experience includes Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations, semiconductors, and surgery centers. At Far Hills, you’ll find Mike involved in IT infrastructure, classroom technology, Chromebooks, iPads, Promethean Boards, various Cloud applications, the Performing Arts Center booth, printers/copiers, and the Learning Commons. He enjoys helping the many Far Hills constituencies—students, teachers, staff, and parents— with their technology needs. Mike holds a bachelor of arts from UMass Boston and when he’s not in the halls of Far Hills, you’ll find him spending time with his daughter, jogging, playing racquet sports, traveling to interesting places (he’s been to Nepal, Thailand, Turkey, and Greece!), and grilling.

Lauren Kelly | STEAM Teacher

The newest member of Far Hills’ EdTech team, Lauren Kelly started her role as the STEAM Teacher in the 2022–23 school year. Lauren holds a bachelor of science in psychology and a bachelor of science in animal behavior, both from Towson University. She’s currently working on her master of education in curriculum and instruction: technology leader, anticipating completion in June of 2023. She has 16 years of teaching experience in the sciences and is an Apple Certified teacher and member of the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA). When not teaching, you can find Lauren hiking, bird watching, and spending time with her family.