Faculty News Conroy brothers: Peter ’09, Jack ’06, Will ’11 and Chris ’07
GFA welcomes Jack Conroy ’06 as Head Varsity Wrestling coach this winter with Jeff Morrison as his assistant. Jeff created the varsity program in 1989 and has been the head coach for 20 years. He also created and coached the middle school team. Jeff is excited to have Jack take the head coaching role with his knowledge and energy. Jack was a National Prep All-American and New England Champion at GFA and then continued his wrestling career at Bucknell University.
Debbie Worth taught Middle School math and retired her math props (including the jelly bean jar) after 29 years at GFA. She is headed to retirement with her husband in the Philadelphia area. Patience Fanella coached five years of GFA families through the college process. She says, “I’ll always remember those students who were initially unsure of themselves and then rose to the occasion, thoughtfully researching campuses and writing beautiful essays. I was particularly impressed with students who recognized that a gap year experience would add value to their undergraduate education. I am so grateful for the time I was able to be part of this dynamic community.”
Jack will also coach MS Wrestling, Soccer and Lacrosse and assist with the Boys Varsity Lacrosse team. When not coaching, Jack will be an athletic intern and sub for Upper School Environmental Science.
Faculty News
Transitions: GFA said good bye to teachers Beth Butler, Carmelita Carlberg-Nangle, Huck Laughner, Anna Penchuk, Dave Thompson, Debbie Worth and Nicole Yates last spring. In addition, Director of College Counseling, Patience Fanella, moved on to a new life in Switzerland. Mr. Michael Pina (right) is the new Director of College Counseling and arrived from the west coast this summer with his wife and four daughters.
Michael Pina with wife Saba and daughters Ililta and Laila (who will be entering GFA’s 6th and 4th grades.)Inset Pina twins Asmara and Desta.
Anne Hoover, first grade teacher, was able to visit Alaska this summer as part of the Faculty Enrichment Travel Grant Program. She reports, “After many years of teaching my first graders all about the state, its geography, culture, people and wildlife, using various texts and illustrations, I finally was able to experience this magnificent place with my own eyes. I’ve now got so many stories to tell and adventures to share, and am able to verify and validate so many of my students’ questions and thoughts because of my experience.”
Upper School English teacher Ginny Balser visited Turkey on a Faculty Enrichment Travel Grant. “I had hoped for insights into the history and modern culture of the country, an understanding of how a successful, stable, modern, secular Muslim state works, suggestions of Turkish literature and film in translation to use in my courses, and connections to one or more schools in Turkey that might result in an electronic cross-cultural connection for my students. The trip was all of that and much more.”
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