FACULTY
Notes Tatnall welcomes four new faculty members for 2014-2015 school year Dean Goodwin – Dean succeeds Dr. Peter
For Tatnall Teachers, the Learning Never St In April, Colleen Hoban, Lower School technology teacher, coorganized the first-ever EdcampDE. Referred to as an “unconference,” this professional development collaborative allowed teachers to
Bookman as the Upper School science teacher.
connect and share ideas, issues and innovations with fellow educators
He joins Tatnall from Christchurch School in
from around the tri-state area.
Virginia, where he was the director of Marine and Environmental Science. He received his bachelor’s
Upper School science teacher Josh Gates was busy this summer.
in science from the University of Salford in
He participated in a three-day physics teachers’ camp at St. Andrew’s
England and his Ph.D. from the University of
School, where he wrote three new interactive web simulations for use
Leicester in England. With more than 20 years of
in physics and AP physics and developed level one and two AP Physics
experience in independent schools, he has taught
courses for Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth. Additionally, he
a variety of science courses.
taught two programming courses for Tatnall’s summer camp.
Alanna Morris – As the new Upper School
Marc Scott, Middle School social studies teacher, was selected
history teacher, Alanna joins Tatnall from
as a National Endowment for the Humanities summer scholar and
Providence Country Day School. She received
participated in the one-week workshop titled, “Secret Culture, Public
her bachelor’s in history from Bates College
Lives: Slavery in the Colonial Chesapeake” in Edgewater, Maryland.
in Lewiston, Maine, and her master’s in
During the workshop, he visited the Maryland Archaeological
theological studies from Weston Jesuit School
Conservation Laboratory, Sotterley Historic Plantation and the
of Theology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. With
Maryland State Archives.
more than 10 years of teaching experience, she has taught a variety of subjects, from AP
Heather Brooks, Lower School librarian and reading teacher,
European History to Western Civilization and
attended her third EdmodoCon, an annual online educational
World Religions.
technology conference. Most recently, she spent her Labor Day
Mary Kate Newell – Joining as the new Lower School music teacher, Mary Kate brings
weekend at the Library of Congress National Book Festival in Washington, D.C.
a wealth of experience. She received her
In July, Upper School choral director
bachelor’s and master’s in music education
Wilson Somers studied choral conducting
from the University of Delaware and her Ph.D.
with Dr. Rodney Eichenberger at
from Temple University. She taught graduate-
his Choral Conductors Workshop in
level courses at Loyola University in Baltimore,
Alexandria, Virginia. Additionally, it
Maryland, and was an adjunct professor at the
was his honor to be placed as the final
University of Delaware. For many, Mary Kate
conductor in the workshop concert.
will be a familiar face on campus, as she has held numerous musical positions at Tatnall for
Preschool teacher Jeanne Poggi
the last 17 years.
participated in her third Teachers Write!
Richard Willard - Rick joins the Lower School
virtual summer writing camp for teachers
as full-time first grade associate teacher. He received his bachelor’s in science from Boston University, MBA from Drexel University and is
Wilson Somers, left, and Dr. Rod Eichenberger
and librarians. This online community believes that teachers who instruct writing should “walk the walk.” The course
certified to teach K-6. Rick is assisting in both
includes daily writing assignments, support from published authors
first grade homerooms and teaching a section
and the opportunity to develop relationships with fellow writers. As
of reading and math.
someone who has always aspired to publish a book, Jeanne shared her first piece with the community this summer.
24 | Tatnall Today