Meet Maria Nunes
Upper School Division Head
My latest obsession is Titus Kaphar, a young African American painter and sculptor who explores the power of representation in historical narratives. His work broadened my perspective on the need to amend, but not avoid, the retelling of difficult moments in history.
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about Meet Maria Nunes
Meet Robert Sapienza
Security Guard
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about Meet Robert Sapienza
Meet Eric Figueroa
Security Guard
If I had a superpower, I would love to fly so I could travel the world and experience different places and cultures.
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about Meet Eric Figueroa
Meet Paul Scheuring
Security Guard
I'm the first and last person the children and parents see in the day so I want to forge an environment of safety, but also kindness and happiness by wishing them a good morning or asking asking them how their day was. I like to create smiles because they're contagious and hopefully last all day long!
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about Meet Paul Scheuring
Meet Ramon Perez
Elevator Watchman
My favorite space at Packer is the elevator because I can talk with students and my colleagues, who make me laugh, and make my day pleasurable every day!
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about Meet Ramon Perez
Meet Jansen Po
Associate Director of Pre and Lower School Admissions
Our students encourage me to be an activist instead of a bystander; to reimagine a cardboard box and old bottle caps as a robot; they show me shortcuts around the building when I find myself in a dead end (both literally and figuratively).
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about Meet Jansen Po
Meet Dr. Jennifer Weyburn
Head of School
It is such fun to work with students. I learn so much from them. They often come at issues with different ways of thinking from mine. I cherish this more and more as I grow older.
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about Meet Dr. Jennifer Weyburn
Meet Celeste Tramontin, 2019 PA Excellence in Teaching Awardee
Upper School English Teacher
Literature gets to big questions of how you want to live your life, how literary characters can act as a litmus test for what it means to be a human in the world … Literature becomes an instructor's manual for how to live and how not to live.
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about Meet Celeste Tramontin, 2019 PA Excellence in Teaching Awardee
Meet Erik Resurreccion
Assistant Head of Pre and Lower School
I love having the ability to make a teacher's work feel a little easier, whether it is connecting them with professional development, communicating with families, working with students, or sharing words of encouragement.
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about Meet Erik Resurreccion
Meet Sara Goin-Cloird
Middle and Upper School Admissions Coordinator
My colleagues are caring. Many of them care deeply, and I feel a kinship like nothing I’ve felt in the workplace before.
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about Meet Sara Goin-Cloird
Meet Lindsay Velazco
Lower School Science Teacher
I hope to teach students persistence, inventiveness, skepticism, that failures are part of the process, how to answer their own questions, learn from mistakes, and work together.
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about Meet Lindsay Velazco
Meet Annette Hernandez
Pre and Lower School Psychologist
On a regular basis I learn about the power of forgiveness from the students. Children can be deeply disappointed with someone but they can also be resilient and quickly remember why they love that person.
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about Meet Annette Hernandez
Meet Denise Schwed
Director of Pre and Lower School Admissions
I have spent the bulk of my professional life teaching and working at Packer. I started here as a young teacher and loved it so much I never left!
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about Meet Denise Schwed
Meet Adam Choice
Associate Director of Middle and Upper School Admissions
We have some of the most dynamic, well-rounded students in the entire city, and I hope they continue creating, challenging others and being a strong voice for the issues they support in the broader world.
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about Meet Adam Choice
Meet Sharon Melady
Lower School Science Teacher
I hope that our youngest scientists quickly learn that no matter their age or size, they can make a difference. The smallest things they do can lead to big changes.
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about Meet Sharon Melady
Meet Sarah Meadows
Preschool Music Teacher
I hope to teach my students about collaboration and working as a team. Music is such a wonderful way to bring people together and create shared experiences.
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about Meet Sarah Meadows
Meet Tom James
Upper School Math Teacher
I hope my students come to appreciate the value of learning in a caring, supportive, and mutually challenging community.
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about Meet Tom James
Meet Susan Moore
Director of Annual Giving
Together with my wonderful parent volunteers, we encourage the many members of the community who love Packer to make a gift in support of our school.
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about Meet Susan Moore
Meet Craig Kennedy
Superintendent of Building and Grounds
I don’t think that there are many schools where the students and parents know the members of the Operations Staff as well as they do at Packer. Those relationships are very rewarding.
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about Meet Craig Kennedy
Meet Amy Hand
Mathematics Department Head
It’s an honor to teach alongside people who are so committed to their students’ learning, who love math so much, and who are so passionate about developing their teaching craft.
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about Meet Amy Hand
Meet Elena Megalos
Middle School Core Teacher
Our field trips enable us to connect with objects (and buildings) that have endured centuries and will outlast us. They bring the past to life and make it tangible.
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about Meet Elena Megalos
Meet Anne Marie Mignatti
Middle School Science Teacher
The Middle School Science Fair is the most rewarding part of my job. Students can discover and follow a passion in science and take their learning as deep as they are willing to go.
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about Meet Anne Marie Mignatti
Meet Ian Rumsey
Mathematics Department Head
When faced with a challenging problem, I hope that my students will have the tools to tackle it and the persistence to push through to a solution.
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about Meet Ian Rumsey
Meet Meghan Clark
Middle School Computer Science Teacher
I want all my students to understand that it is okay to fail. I want them to be able to push through difficult problems and feel a huge sense of accomplishment and pride when they’re finished.
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about Meet Meghan Clark
Meet Anna Curtis
Associate Director of Pre and Lower School Admissions and Assistant Director of Financial Aid
There is a passion that is palpable at Packer. The faculty and staff are incredible, brilliant, engaged, and driven.
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about Meet Anna Curtis
Meet Linda Weiss King
Lower School Learning Specialist
One of the most valuable lessons I hope to teach my students is that it’s okay to make mistakes. We all have things we’re really good at and things we need to work on.
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about Meet Linda Weiss King
Meet Katharine Hill
Middle School Learning Specialist
I hope to teach students that curiosity about the world and about other people is a great way—or maybe the only way—to develop empathy and love of learning.
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about Meet Katharine Hill
Meet Lisa Shambaugh
College Counselor
As a college counselor, I feel incredibly lucky to get to know juniors and seniors individually. I am inspired by their willingness to take risks, their abundant positivity, and their ability to recognize how they have grown and changed.
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about Meet Lisa Shambaugh
Meet Patricia Runcie-Rice
Middle School Theatre Teacher
I hope that through exploring characters from other times, lands, life experiences, etc. students will gain a visceral sense of understanding so that they can empathize with all people.
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about Meet Patricia Runcie-Rice
Meet Courtney Sockbeson
First Grade Teacher
It's so rewarding when parents tell you about projects that their child has started at home that were inspired by something in the classroom.
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about Meet Courtney Sockbeson
Meet Hardeep Juttla
Second Grade Teacher
Building a happy classroom community in which we can laugh, share our struggles, and enjoy each other’s successes is paramount.
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about Meet Hardeep Juttla
Meet Tamara Machac
Upper School Science Teacher
The fellowship among my colleagues not only helps elevate my own teaching, but also makes me feel like a part of the community.
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about Meet Tamara Machac
Meet Dio Hernandez
Upper School French and Spanish Teacher
Every time I see students having conversations in the target language just because it's fun and useful, it is very rewarding to me, professionally and personally.
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about Meet Dio Hernandez
Meet Kofi Donnelly
Science Department Head
I hope to teach my students that learning is lifelong and there really is value in trying to figure things out.
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about Meet Kofi Donnelly
Meet Sarah Strauss
Upper School History Teacher
I love teaching students how to conduct original research—whether in the Packer archives, for a documentary film, or their 10th Grade research paper.
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about Meet Sarah Strauss
Meet Ramon Thompson
Technology Services Coordinator
I love that my colleagues and I all have the same mission: to help the Packer community through the use of technology.
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about Meet Ramon Thompson
Meet Nila Fortune
College Counselor
Choosing the right college is less about its reputation and much more about finding a place that will support you as you grow into the person you hope to become.
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about Meet Nila Fortune
Meet Erin Schmitz
Independent Science Research Program Coordinator
The Independent Science Research Program is my favorite thing at Packer. I love seeing students go from having an interest in science to becoming so confident and knowledge about their research topic.
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about Meet Erin Schmitz
Meet Sameer Shah
Upper School Math Teacher
Many adults see math as cold and sterile and formulaic. I think a lot about how to help my students find the joy, beauty, and creativity in math.
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about Meet Sameer Shah
Meet Aaron Heflich Shapiro
Manager of Development Services
My colleagues truly embody the spirit of Packer’s Mission Statement and are some of the kindest, warmest, and smartest people I’ve ever worked with!
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about Meet Aaron Heflich Shapiro
Meet Jamie Lilly
Lower School Literacy Coordinator
It is essential that we teach students to understand different perspectives. Reading is a great way to facilitate this because books can serve as mirrors and windows.
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about Meet Jamie Lilly
Meet Chad Austino
Latin Teacher
I hope to teach my students to be self learners. We are all students for life, and the more curious and engaged we are in the world, the more rewarding our lives will be.
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about Meet Chad Austino
Meet June Alpert
Middle School Math Teacher
Some of the best times in math class happen when students have a “lightbulb” moment, and they exclaim, “Oh, now I get it!” It is very satisfying for them and me.
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about Meet June Alpert
Meet Sadelle Chain
Middle School Core Teacher
In both the intellectual and personal realms, I hope my students will continue to always ask themselves the questions we base our 6th Grade Core course on: Whose perspective am I hearing? Whose may be left out?
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about Meet Sadelle Chain
Meet Chris Natale
Math Specialist (K-6)
One of my favorite parts of the curriculum is helping kids to think about how to be good problem solvers. It’s hugely important to teach them how to start with a plan and work from there.
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about Meet Chris Natale
Meet Rashad Randolph
Upper School Spanish Teacher
I always hope to teach my students how to have respect and appreciation for all members of our community. Everyone plays a huge role in their education.
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about Meet Rashad Randolph
Meet Patrick Kieffer
Middle School Core Teacher
All my colleagues work hard to engage fully with our students and they're always looking to improve their practice and their kids' experiences.
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about Meet Patrick Kieffer
Meet Jonathan Farmer
Fourth Grade Teacher
One of the most important things I hope my students come away with as they go off to Middle School is that with a growth mindset, the impossible becomes possible.
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about Meet Jonathan Farmer
Meet Patrick Sandiford
Maintenance Team Member
Knowing that my day will be filled with humor, no matter how hard the task may be, is very satisfying. I thank my colleagues for that.
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about Meet Patrick Sandiford
Meet Kate Meyer
Middle School History Teacher
My colleagues are really talented educators, and my students are some of the finest kids I've ever worked with.
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about Meet Kate Meyer
Meet Sandra Fahy
Upper School History Teacher
I love teaching all of my electives, but I think I like Cultural Anthropology the most. This is partly because it's my background, but I also enjoy seeing students respond to a new disciplinary approach to studying the world.
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about Meet Sandra Fahy
Meet Semeka Smith-Williams
Director of Diversity and Equity
When I watch our student leaders take a topic and bring their ideas to it, and witness their readiness to explore challenging questions with others in our community, it brings me joy and appreciation for being an educator.
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about Meet Semeka Smith-Williams
Meet Sheila Bogan
Middle and Upper School Admission Director and Director of Financial Aid
I take great pride when the kids that we accept into this community make a major impact, from presenting their findings from years of research in the Science Research Program to choreographing a piece in the Dance Concert.
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about Meet Sheila Bogan
Meet Pippa Mayell
Physical Education Teacher
One of the greatest things about working at Packer is the opportunity to learn from colleagues. The energy, the enthusiasm, and the dedication to be found across all disciplines and divisions are inspiring!
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about Meet Pippa Mayell
Meet Mandy Stallings
Dance Teacher
It's always such a thrill when Dance Concert season comes along. Being able to work with the Upper School choreography class and help the dancers to bring their artistic visions to life is such a joy.
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about Meet Mandy Stallings
Meet Bruce Dennis
Head of School
I love my colleagues' dedication and commitment to their students. I am constantly impressed by the faculty and staff's work ethic and their high level of engagement with our students.
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about Meet Bruce Dennis
Meet Vidya Misra
Middle School History Teacher
It is always rewarding when my students speak knowledgeably and passionately!
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about Meet Vidya Misra
Meet Shanique Hollis
Food Services Team Member
Students feel comfortable talking to me about anything. Sometimes I give them creative ideas for how to go about things. Once, an Upper School soccer player was having a hard time. She was worrying: "We're not going to win [our game], we're not going to win!" I encouraged her, and the team ended up winning!
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about Meet Shanique Hollis
Meet Jeremy Udden
Instrumental Music Teacher
My students never cease to amaze me — the way they look at a problem or find a solution in a way that I could never have anticipated. Their creativity drives me.
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about Meet Jeremy Udden
Meet Rita Pavia
Permanent Substitute Teacher
My favorite thing about Packer is the way that students from different divisions engage with each other. I love that they have the opportunity to do so through activities that facilitate reaching outside their normal circles of interaction.
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about Meet Rita Pavia
Meet Dallas Rico
Spanish Teacher
I like the diversity of the student body. I believe that diversity enhances the educational experiences of everyone involved because we learn about each other's backgrounds and perspectives.
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about Meet Dallas Rico
Meet Andrew Parson
Library Department Head
Packer is a place where I can help students do anything from researching why the Mayan empire collapsed to hanging drywall in a Baltimore Habit for Humanity site.
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about Meet Andrew Parson
Meet Stephanie Rapciak
Middle School Science Teacher
I most enjoy the times when students are engaged in design work in my classroom, such as developing experiments to explore force. It is rewarding and inspiring to see students take creative control and think of new and interesting solutions.
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about Meet Stephanie Rapciak
Meet Alicia White
Dance Teacher
The relationships that I've made with both my colleagues and my students are the most memorable. Having space and time to create and collaborate with one another allows you to see each other through a different lens.
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about Meet Alicia White
Meet George Snook
Upper School History Teacher
My favorite thing about Packer is our diversity. People sense it when they enter the building. We encourage and respect each other for our differences as well as our similarities.
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about Meet George Snook
Meet Yvonne Menard
Pre and Lower School Admissions Coordinator
My favorite things about Packer are our vibrant community and our commitment to diversity.
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about Meet Yvonne Menard
Meet Lutz Holzinger
Upper School Science Teacher
My favorite moments are the times my students take charge of the class and have insightful discussions about a topic or problem, while I observe their discourse from the sidelines.
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about Meet Lutz Holzinger
Meet Joanna Festa
Third Grade Teacher
I am always in awe of what our students bring to class discussions on topics such as identity, literacy, math, social studies, our classroom community, and beyond—I am always learning from them!
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about Meet Joanna Festa
Meet Nick Griffith
Security Team Member
My favorite thing about Packer is the friendly interactions among the faculty, staff, students, and parents. I have a unique perspective of the school from the front desk.
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about Meet Nick Griffith
Meet Louis Rios
Hallmaster
I totally love my mornings at Packer. Getting to watch the students grow and mature year after year is just awesome.
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about Meet Louis Rios
Meet Dorothy Gurreri
Physical Education and Health Teacher
I am happy every day coming to work, and I am very fortunate to have chosen a field that brings me such pleasure.
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about Meet Dorothy Gurreri
Meet Paul Riggio
Instrumental Music Coordinator
One of my favorite things about Packer is the myriad of simply lovely and interesting people with whom I have had more than passing relationships: students, faculty, staff, and parents alike.
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about Meet Paul Riggio
Meet César Ayala
Middle School Administrative Assistant
One of my favorite things to do at Packer is learn about the lives of all of our students. I love talking to them about things that are not related to school. We don't talk politics; we talk about everything else—and that fills me with energy.
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about Meet César Ayala
Meet Lydia Monzio
Administrative Assistant for Student Services, College Counseling
I love our caring community, our wonderful students, the friends I have made, and the way I have grown as a person here.
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about Meet Lydia Monzio
Meet Tené Adero Howard
Director of Global Outreach, Service, and Sustainability
My favorite event is probably the Dance Concert. It is such an amazing example of student leadership and creativity. I also feel deeply connected to this Packer tradition because it was such an important event to me while I was a student here.
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about Meet Tené Adero Howard
Meet Luciean Bennett
Facilities Staff Member (and Packer DJ)
My favorite thing is being around the kids and my coworkers. The atmosphere and the environment at Packer — it's just nice.
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about Meet Luciean Bennett
Meet Esther Liu Harris
Middle and Upper School Choral Director
My favorite thing about Packer is that it supports teacher professional growth, creates space for community members to discuss important social issues, and encourages students and faculty to challenge themselves.
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about Meet Esther Liu Harris
Meet Tim Jensen
Fourth Grade Teacher
I love the cycle of each school year, and it never bores me. Students and teachers start in September as relative strangers, getting to know one another as we begin working together.
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about Meet Tim Jensen
Meet Bessie Oster
Middle School Dean of Student Life and Health Teacher
I think I am always striving to create experiences for our Middle Schoolers that I wish I'd had as a kid — and I love that many of my students and colleagues at Packer are up for the adventure.
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about Meet Bessie Oster
Meet Ali Boag
Chair of the Arts Department
My favorite thing about Packer is the people. And the amazing courses students follow. Oh... and the garden area at the back.
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about Meet Ali Boag
Meet Irene Turner
First Grade Teacher
I love working in a PreK to 12 school where I have the opportunity to see my former students grow and develop into such caring, reflective, open, and confident individuals.
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about Meet Irene Turner
Meet Monika Johnston
History Department Chair
I am in awe of our students. Their energy, motivation, and sense of agency are an inspiration to me as both a teacher and a life-long learner.
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about Meet Monika Johnston
Meet Louis Minsky
Upper School Computer Science Teacher
There's something incredibly satisfying about watching a student who has been struggling with a problem and seeing the moment that they get it to work.
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about Meet Louis Minsky
Meet Chris Rush
Lower School Librarian
I really enjoy being with the students. Their energy and excitement inspire me and I learn so much from them every day.
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about Meet Chris Rush
Meet Ann Martinez
Food Services Member
My favorite thing about Packer is when kids come here at age three and I watch them grow up! I feel close to them and bond with them.
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about Meet Ann Martinez
Meet Rich Domanico
Physical Education Teacher and Coach
Through the years, my favorite thing about Packer has been the students that I have had the privilege to coach. Whether on a soccer field or a basketball court, our student athletes conduct themselves with class and a remarkable work ethic.
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about Meet Rich Domanico
Meet Todd Johnson
Middle School English Teacher
I love the fact that individuality is embraced at Packer. I would be hard pressed to describe the typical Packer student (or teacher, for that matter) because everyone is encouraged to be themselves.
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about Meet Todd Johnson
Meet Lynnette Arthur
Preschool Teacher
The relationships with fellow teachers, staff, parents, and children that we at Packer encounter every year are monumental, and extend beyond the classroom.
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about Meet Lynnette Arthur
Meet Eric Baylin
Upper School Art Teacher
My favorite thing about Packer is the enthusiasm and creativity of the students. I am inspired by their willingness to test the boundaries of their own ideas and their readiness to explore new possibilities.
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about Meet Eric Baylin
Meet Su-Ling Huang
World Languages Teacher
My favorite thing about Packer is the diversity in the faculty and student body. Packer offers a wealth of opportunities for students to explore a variety of languages and cultures.
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about Meet Su-Ling Huang
Meet Alice Lurain
Upper School Science Teacher
I love that every day as I walk through the halls of Packer, I exchange greetings with students, faculty, and staff. It is a wonderfully welcoming and affirming feeling to be seen and acknowledged with warmth, and often, with enthusiasm.
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about Meet Alice Lurain
Meet Cameron Lemley
Upper School Math Teacher
Mathematics is a universal language and a powerful investigative tool, and it can be used to effect positive social change. It provides a very discerning lens through which we can inspect our world.
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about Meet Cameron Lemley
Meet Anne Montero
Kindergarten Teacher
Last year, a group of Middle School students led our Kindergartners in an art project and discussion about identity. The confidence, patience and tenderness with which the Middle School students led the activity reaffirmed for me why it's so fantastic to be a member of this community.
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about Meet Anne Montero