Live Like Fred: Faculty Edition

The Frederick Gunn School welcomed the following new faculty to campus for the start of our 2022-23 school year.

Tyler Sheikh, Associate Director of College Counseling

Tyler previously served as Head Men’s Soccer Coach at Bates College and is Head Coach for Boys Varsity Soccer at Gunn. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Quinnipiac University, where he played Division I Men’s Soccer, and earned his master’s degree in education from the University of Connecticut.

Andres Sovero, World Languages Faculty

Andres teaches Spanish and serves as an Assistant Coach for Boys Thirds Soccer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Western Connecticut State University and a master’s in higher education administration from Northeastern University. Prior to joining Gunn, Andres managed student support services programs for students in grades 6 to 12 and higher education at Central Connecticut State University.

Eric Hunt P’23 ’24, IDEAS Lab Faculty

Eric teaches courses in engineering and Advanced Computer Science, and is Head Coach for Boys JV Hockey and JV Baseball. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Saint Michael’s College, where he played club soccer and ice hockey. He previously taught math and computer science and coached boys soccer and ice hockey at Brewster Academy, where he was a lead mentor on the school’s FIRST® Robotics team.

Julie Haesche, Learning Specialist, Center for Academic Excellence, and Yoga Instructor

Julie received her degree in holistic health from Southern Connecticut State University, where she was captain of the Varsity Sailing Team and a member of the all-female vocal ensemble. She earned her certification as a life coach and learning specialist from Landmark International and is a member of the International Association for Yoga Therapists. In addition to her work in CAE, she is an Assistant Coach for Life Fitness and Outdoor Leadership, and owns a small business, Washington Wellness.

Leah Peluchiwski, English Department Faculty

Leah teaches freshman English and an elective for upperclassmen, America and the Immigrant Experience. She is also an Assistant Coach for Girls Varsity Skiing and Varsity Softball. A graduate of the Latin School of Chicago, Leah holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame in the Program of Liberal Studies. She majored in film, television, and theater, with a concentration in television and a minor in business economics. Leah previously taught 10th grade humanities and coached sailing and swimming at Culver Academies, a boarding school in Culver, Indiana.

Luis Muller, Mathematics Department Faculty

Luis teaches PreCalculus and Geometry and is an Assistant Coach for JV Baseball and Boys Thirds Basketball. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Elon

University, where he was the executive producer of a student-run television sports debate show, hosted his own radio show and podcast, and mentored high school students in a college preparatory program called Elon Academy. He also played for the NCAA Division I Elon Phoenix Baseball Team.

Blake Hollinger, Associate Director of Admissions

A graduate of Salisbury School, Blake holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Hamilton College, where he was captain of the Men’s Lacrosse Team in his senior year. He earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Shenandoah University’s School of Education. Prior to joining Gunn, Blake was in charge of Upper School Admissions and coached varsity football and lacrosse at Landon School in Bethesda, Maryland. At Gunn, he is an Assistant Coach for Boys Varsity Lacrosse.

Sarah Hunt P ’23 ’24, English Department Faculty and Special Projects/Educational Technology Support, Center for Academic Excellence

A graduate of Tilton School, Sarah graduated from Saint Michael’s College with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a minor in English. She earned a master’s degree in education with a concentration in educational leadership from the University of New England. She previously served as Director of Interim Studies at Brewster Academy and founded her own educational consulting firm, Purposeful Development, in 2021.

Ellissa Popoff, History Department Faculty

Ellissa teaches history and is an Assistant Coach for Girls Varsity Crew. A graduate of Tabor Academy, Ellissa holds a bachelor’s degree in history and psychology from Williams College and a master’s degree in psychology from Connecticut College. Prior to joining Gunn, Ellissa spent a decade living and working in schools in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Most recently, she taught in the Social Sciences Department at Tilton School, where she was an Assistant Coach for Girls Varsity Ice Hockey, a dorm parent, and ran the grade 12/post-graduate level program.

Julie Petrillo ’18,

Teaching Fellow

Julie teaches Pathways, a freshman course that is part of the Center for Citizenship and Just Democracy’s four-year curriculum, and is an Assistant Coach for Girls Varsity Crew and Girls Varsity Ice Hockey. Julie holds a bachelor’s degree in educational studies with a minor in English from Trinity College, and was a four-year member of Trinity’s NCAA Division III Women’s Rowing Team.

Sean Milano, Mathematics Department Faculty

Sean teaches Calculus, Algebra II, and Geometry and is an Assistant Coach for Coed Ultimate Frisbee. Sean holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Williams College, where he played football and was a three-year starter at strong safety. Prior to joining Gunn, he worked at Canterbury School in New Milford for 11 years, teaching math and coaching football and baseball.