Introducing Eaglebrook's New Faculty!

There are some new faces on campus this fall. Here is a quick introduction to our nine talented new faculty members:

Aidan Prior comes to Eaglebrook from Maine where he has served as a head counselor at Camp Timanous in Raymond, ME, since 2012. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree Computer Science from Colorado College. While at Colorado College, Aidan was vice-president and captain of the rugby football club. At Eaglebrook, Aidan will teach mathematics, computer science, and assist in Eaglebrook’s new state of the art Innovation Lab. Additionally, Aidan will be an out of dorm advisor in Eagles Nest. Aidan enjoys woodworking, skiing, and the outdoors. Aidan lives in an on-campus apartment. 

Alex Bogel will be a member of the English Department. In addition to teaching, Alex will serve as a coach and an advisor in Taylor House. Alex most recently served as a Development Manager at The Reach Project in Ithaca, NY, and before that as the Academic Dean at nearby Stoneleigh-Burnham School in Greenfield, MA. Prior to his roles at Stoneleigh-Burnham School, he spent eight years teaching English at Athol High School in Athol, MA. Alex holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from University of Massachusetts Amherst. He lives in nearby Shelburne, MA, with his wife, Eaglebrook Advancement Director Schuyler Bogel, and their twin girls who currently attend Stoneleigh-Burnham School. 

Jack Faulstick is a recent graduate of nearby Amherst College where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He was a four year member of the college’s football team, as well as the college’s track and field team. The Massachusetts native who attended Wilbraham and Monson Academy will teach, serve as a dormitory advisor in Flagler House, and coach football this fall. Jack has been a business analyst at RsSense, an intern at Triptyk Studios, and a student assistant to the sports director at Amherst College where he managed gameday operations for the men’s and women’s ice hockey and lacrosse teams. Additionally, Jack spent four years tutoring and coaching students on the Amherst Regional High School football team. 

Jillian Soucie is joining the Eaglebrook community in a wide variety of roles. She will teach a few electives and be part of the Academic Skills Department while also acting as an on-call School Counselor. She will also be an advisor in Halsted House with her fiance Tory Buck. Jill comes to Eaglebrook from Hawlemont Regional School in Charlemont, MA and Mohawk Trail Regional School, in Buckland, MA where she served as a school counselor for both schools. Prior to serving as a school counselor, she was the After School Program Director at Colrain Central School in Colrain, MA. Jill holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Eastern Connecticut State University and a Master of Education degree in Counseling from University of Massachusetts, Boston. 

Karen Pleasant joins the History Department and will teach US and World History.  Karen will also coach and serve as an advisor for Halsted House. Karen comes to the Hill from the Stoneleigh-Burnham School in Greenfield, MA, where she spent 11 years as the History Department Chair, coordinated the International Baccalaureate program, and led the debate and public speaking team. Prior to her time at Stoneleigh-Burnham, Pleasant spent nearly a decade at the Northfield Mount Hermon School where she taught history and science. She holds a Bachelors of Arts degree from Skidmore College where she was a double major in history and political science and earned her MAT, with a concentration in history, from Smith College. She and her husband, Tod, who is Eaglebrook’s Technology Project Manager, live off-campus in Greenfield, MA, with their dog, Darwin.

Leif Riddington is Eaglebrook’s new Director of Secondary School Advising. He took over the department from Karl J. Koenigsbuaer who, after 45 years at Eaglebrook, and 22 years as the Dean of Placement, retired at the conclusion of the 2020-2021 academic year. Leif most recently served as an educational consultant and managed the placement process for families from the United States, Korea, and China. Additionally, Leif spent 10 years serving as the Director of Secondary School Placement at The Bement School in Deerfield, MA, from 2008 until 2018. While at The Bement School, Leif served in a variety of roles including the director of strategic initiatives, English Department Chair, dorm parent, and coach. Prior to his time at The Bement School, Leif taught at Four Rivers Charter School and Beaver Country Day School. Leif is no stranger to Eaglebrook, as he began his teaching career here, where he taught English, served as a dormitory advisor, coached soccer, squash, and ultimate disc. Leif is a graduate of Northfield Mount Hermon and the University of Massachusetts where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree and Master’s degree in English education. Leif and his wife and two kids live in nearby Sunderland, MA. 

Tod Pleasant joined the Eaglebrook community this past year as the Technology Project Manager. He will also manage the AV booth in the Assembly Area this year, and will assist in our new Innovation Lab. Prior to Eaglebrook, Tod spent over a decade at Stoneleigh-Burnham School in Greenfield, MA, where he served as the Director of Technology. Tod lives off-campus with his wife, Karen, a member of Eaglebrook’s History Department in Greenfield, MA, with their dog, Darwin. 

Vittoria Valentine comes to Eaglebrook from Virginia. She is a recent graduate of The William & Mary College where she received her Bachelor of Science degree. At the college, she held roles as a teaching assistant and a researcher in the chemistry department. Additionally, the Virginia native was a STEM camp counselor from 2015 - 2017. Science isn't Vittoria’s only passion as she is equally passionate about foreign languages and is fluent in French, Italian, and Python. Vittoria will teach Earth Science as well as a few Innovation Lab electives that focus on programming and electronics, and serve as a dormitory advisor in Eagles Nest. In her free time, Vittoria enjoys using makerspaces, anime, hiking, biking, snowboarding, art, and cooking. 

Vivek Bhave comes to Eaglebrook from San Diego, CA, where he most recently served as an instructor at the Elite Educational Institute. He was an onsite teacher for students taking computer science, microeconomics, and statistics. Vivek joins the Mathematics Department and will also teach a debate elective. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and History from University of California Berkeley. Additionally, Vivek spent a few years completing graduate coursework at the London School of Economics. Vivek lives in an on-campus house at the bottom of Pine Nook Road. 

Some employees are in new roles: 

Ruth Koenigsbauer joined the Secondary School Advising Office as the Associate Director of Secondary School Advising. She most recently served as the English Department Chair. Tim Winslow is the School’s new Assistant Director of Athletics. He has already begun working alongside Director of Athletics Luke Williams. Tim will continue coaching Football, Varsity hockey and Lacrosse, and will also continue teaching history. Jeff Lamb is now the Chair of the World Languages Department and Nicole Lavin-Williams is now the Chair of the English Department. On the residential life side of things, Wiley Robinson will serve as the Mayer House Dorm Head for the 2021-2022 school year and Emily Luker will serve as the Eagles Nest Dorm Head as Karl & Ruth Koenigsbauer moved out of the dorm and into an on-campus residence. David Goodrow was appointed Dorm Head of Flagler House. Sarah Weiskittel will serve as the Outdoor Program Coordinator, which includes organizing weekend outdoor activities and other School events including Mountain Day and Ski Day. 
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271 Pine Nook Road   |   P. O. Box 7   |    Deerfield, MA 01342   |   413-774-7411