Skip to main content
search

Faculty Directory

Name Position Phone Number
Head of School
 401.849.4646 x201
Assistant Teacher
 401.849.4646
Assistant to Head of School; Front Desk
 401.849.4646 x103
Grade Four
 401.849.4646 x134
Coordinator of Student Life; Science, Primary and Grades 6-8; Theatre, Grades 6-8
 401.849.4646 x221
Communications Manager
 401.849.4646
Assistant Teacher
 401.849.4646
Kindergarten
 401.849.4646 x124
Pre-kindergarten
 401.849.4646 x117
Spanish Grades 4-8
 401.849.4646 x225
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Justice; History, Grade 7
 401.849.4646 x205
Head of External Affairs; Director of Admission & Financial Aid
 401.849.4646 x147
Pre-kindergarten
 401.849.4646 x114
Mathematics, Grades 6-8; History, Grade 6
 401.849.4646 x217
Grade Three
 401.849.4646 X133
Assistant Teacher; Theatre, K-5
 401.849.4646
Grade Two
 401.849.4646 x132
Library Preschool - Grade 4; Spanish Preschool - Grade 3; Technology Grades 1-3
 401.849.4646 x209
Athletic Director; Physical Education; Technology; Maker Space, Grades 3-8
 401.849.4646 x151
School Nurse
 401.849.4646 x104
Grade Five
 401.849.4646 x131
Head of Lower School; Supervisor of Extended Day; Preschool Teacher
 401.849.4646 x119
Head of Upper School; English, Grades 6-8
 401.849.4646 x206
Physical Education; Assistant Teacher
 401.849.4646
Maintenance
 401.849.4646
Resource Teacher
 401.849.4646 x121
Assistant Teacher; Maker Space, K-2
 401.849.4646
Property Manager
 401.849.4646 x152
Art, Kindergarten - Grade 8
 401.849.4646 x144
Resource/Student Services; SSAT Coordinator
 401.849.4646 x215
Music Teacher; Summer Camp Director
 401.849.4646 x141
Kindergarten
 401.849.4646 x124
Accounts Payable; Advancement Associate
 401.849.4646 x106
School Social Worker
 401.849.4646
Science K-5; History, Grade 8; Sustainability, 6-8
 401.849.4646 x126
Business Manager
 401.849.4646 x106
Grade One
 401.849.4646 x123
Events Coordinator
 401.849.4646 x153
Director of Technology
 401.849.4646 x207

Paul Amadio

Head of School

  • Appointed in 2023
  • B.F.A. Roger Williams University
  • M.F.A. Wayne State University
  • 401.849.4646 X201
  • pamadio@pennfield.org

Diana Ackerman

Assistant Teacher

Diana is in her third year at Pennfield. She has over 12 years experience as a preschool teacher. She worked for Shannon D’Eramo for several years at another area preschool where she taught children ages three to five. Upon her arrival at Pennfield she was excited to learn that yoga class was a part of the Pre-K curriculum as she is certified in children’s yoga and enjoys practicing yoga outside of school as well.

In her leisure time Diana enjoys the outdoors, whether it’s spending time with friends and family at the beach, dining Al fresco at a local restaurant, or walking with her husband and Goldendoodle, Wally. She also enjoys exploring both the Norman Bird Sanctuary and the Aquidneck Land Trust trails and is a member of both organizations. Travel is another interest, and Diana is especially fond of New England trips. As a result she can often be found reading Yankee Magazine and discussing or recommending towns to visit and restaurants to try.

Iris Bohensky

Assistant to Head of School; Front Desk

Meredith Botelho

Grade Four

  • Appointed in 2015
  • B.A. University of Rhode Island
  • M.A.T. University of Rhode Island
  • 401.849.4646 x134
  • mbotelho@pennfield.org

Meredith joined The Pennfield School in 2015, becoming our fourth-grade teacher. Prior to her tenure here, she held the position of Education Director at the Newport Boys and Girls Club. Meredith has a passion for nurturing students to reach their fullest potential while addressing their social-emotional needs. She strives to challenge her students academically through engaging hands-on learning experiences, and she constantly seeks for ways to seamlessly integrate technology to enhance her lessons, particularly through the use of Google Classroom.

In 2022, Meredith accepted an additional role as the coordinator of our Buddy Program. In this capacity, she collaborates with fellow faculty and staff to craft engaging monthly experiences for students across all grades to enjoy together. Meredith is also the very proud mother of two children who attend Pennfield.

Outside the classroom, Meredith enjoys spending quality time with her family and loves relaxing on the beach.

Mathew Bottone

Coordinator of Student Life; Science, Primary and Grades 6-8; Theatre, Grades 6-8

Mathew has continuously taught Upper School science since beginning at Pennfield in 1997. In addition, he has served as Yearbook Editor (20 years), Upper School Play Director (10 years), Technology Coordinator (6 years), Upper School Head (2 years), and most recently as Student Life Coordinator since 2006. His 27 years of teaching Middle School science expanded when he also started instructing Primary Students – Pennfield’s “Bookend Science Experience.” He enjoys having 8th grade students he taught a decade earlier in preschool.

Before teaching, he worked as a professional actor in Colorado, San Francisco, Newport, Providence, and Boston. His broad experience includes children’s theatre, Astor’s Beechwood, Perishable Theatre, commercials, and film. However, inspired by a trio of stellar educators from his own junior high and high school experience, Mr. B. knew he was destined to teach science. So along with his MFA he minored in EPO Biology.

His daughter Sabine, and son Sebastian both attended Pennfield. With his wife, Sharon Rust, as Pennfield’s social worker, Mathew’s entire family has shared in the Panther experience.

Diane Campagna

Communications Manager

Diane’s journey with The Pennfield School began in 2004 when she first joined as a parent, bringing three children into the Pennfield family over the years. Like many parents, her involvement snowballed, from volunteer to Board member to  substitute teacher. With a wealth of experience in the realm of social media marketing dating back to 2009, Diane’s enthusiasm soared when the opportunity to become the school’s Communications Manager emerged. Even though she now calls Georgia home, Diane is grateful that she can still promote Pennfield through the magic of technology.

Diane is also a seasoned dance instructor, theatre director, and choreographer, amassing a remarkable 25+ years in these creative fields and providing her the opportunity to share her love for the arts in several Pennfield productions.

In her leisure time, Diane enjoys baking, traveling, and soaking up cherished family moments.

Pat Carbotti

Assistant Teacher

Emilie Cherau

Kindergarten

  • Appointed 2023
  • B.A. Catholic University of America
  • M.Ed. George Washington University
  • 401.849.4646 X124
  • echerau@pennfield.org

Shannon D’Eramo

Pre-kindergarten

Peter Dorrien Traisci

Spanish Grades 4-8

Mattie Edwards-Kemp

Director of Diversity, Equity, and Justice; History, Grade 7

  • Appointed in 1995
  • B.S. University of Tennesse
  • B.S. Salve Regina University
  • M.Ed. Rhode Island College
  • 401.849.4646 x205
  • mkemp@pennfield.org

Kristin Emory

Head of External Affairs; Director of Admission & Financial Aid

  • Appointed in 2011
  • B.A. University of Colorado
  • M.A.T. University of San Francisco
  • 401.849.4646 x147
  • kemory@pennfield.org

Kristin started teaching in San Francisco at The Katherine Delmar Burke School.  She began as an assistant teacher and after finishing her graduate degree became a lead teacher and worked there for 8 years. In 2005 Kristin moved to Rhode Island to raise her family. She substitute taught at The Pennfield School, which led to the Director of Admission job. A few years later she also became the Head of External Affairs, heading up the admission, events, marketing, and advancement offices.  All three of Kristin’s boys attended Pennfield.

Kristin is an avid sailor.  Her first real summer job was teaching sailing to young children, which she did through most of her college summers. Post college, Kristin worked for an environmental newspaper written by underserved students from the Boston public schools. After one year she realized she wanted to head out west, so she moved to California and ran the membership department at the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito for a short stint before finding her way into a traditional classroom.  

Sarah Evans

Pre-kindergarten

  • Appointed 2022
  • B.A. Salve Regina University
  • RI Certification in Early Childhood Education
  • 401.849.4646 x114
  • sevans@pennfield.org

Sarah grew up in New Jersey. She attended Salve Regina University where she studied education. After graduation, she stayed in Rhode Island and began teaching preschool, a career that has lasted over 16 years. 

Sarah has two daughters. As the oldest began preschool at Pennfield, Sarah found herself here as well, first as a substitute teacher and teaching assistant. She was thrilled with the opportunity to be the lead teacher in one of the pre-k classrooms. Her younger daughter started school this year, so Sarah and both her girls are Pennfield Panthers. Sarah’s biggest joys are her family and teaching young children. She feels extremely fortunate to enjoy both of these things daily working at Pennfield.

On her days off, Sarah is often found spending quality time with her family and her Pennfield friends. She loves heading off to the beach, not just during summer vacations but in the winter as well. Sarah also enjoys traveling and finding new places to explore on the weekends with her husband and daughters.

Alex Fernandez

Mathematics, Grades 6-8; History, Grade 6

Danielle Frawley

Grade Three

Alexis Gibbs

Assistant Teacher; Theatre, K-5

  • Appointed 2023
  • B.S. Northern Arizona University
  • 401.849.4646

Veronica Hardy

Grade Two

  • Appointed 2021
  • B.A. University of New Hampshire
  • M.A.T. Rhode Island College
  • 401.849.4646 x132
  • vhardy@pennfield.org

Michelle Hodes

Library Preschool - Grade 4; Spanish Preschool - Grade 3; Technology Grades 1-3

  • Appointed 2021
  • B.S. Franciscan University
  • RI Certification in Elementary Education
  • 401.849.4646 x209
  • mhodes@pennfield.org

Eddie Jewel

Athletic Director; Physical Education; Technology; Maker Space, Grades 3-8

Patricia Johnson

School Nurse

Jane Kirkpatrick

Grade Five

Karen Lambert

Head of Lower School; Supervisor of Extended Day; Preschool Teacher

  • Appointed in 2000
  • B.A. Salve Regina University
  • R.I. Certification in Early Childhood Education
  • 401.849.4646 x119
  • klambert@pennfield.org

This is Karen’s 24th year in her dream job at Pennfield. She began as the preschool teacher, and while she still holds that title, she became the Head of Lower School in 2018. She graduated from Salve Regina University with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a minor in Special Education. After graduating she began teaching in a child care center and realized this was the career she was meant for. She became certified in Early Childhood Education which led to a Director position, and then as a consultant in the opening of a brand new center. 

 Karen is also the Director of Religious Education at her church, a position she’s held for 26 years while teaching the second grade First Communion class. 

Karen lives in a log cabin with her husband, two sons, and three cats. She’s often found in the kitchen trying recipes, reading new books, or watching movies. Karen’s love of theatre began in high school, although you’ll likely find her in the audience, rather than on stage.

Dr. Marianne Lawless

Head of Upper School; English, Grades 6-8

  • Appointed 2014
  • B.S. Fairleigh Dickinson University
  • M.A.T. Fairleigh Dickinson University
  • Ed.D. Northeastern University
  • 401.849.4646 x206
  • mlawless@pennfield.org

Marianne joined Pennfield in 2014 as a 5th-grade teacher, bringing a decade of experience as a middle school English teacher in NJ public schools. She transitioned to Upper School, teaching  6th-8th grade English for a year before returning to 5th grade and serving as the Lower School Head. Marianne briefly stepped away from teaching to pursue a doctorate in education at Northeastern. During that time she worked at Houghton Mifflin training teachers in curriculum and engaged in corporate training at Electric Boat. She remained connected to Pennfield as a substitute and served on the school’s board for two years.

In 2020, Marianne rejoined Pennfield as an Upper School English teacher and assumed the role of Head of Upper School in 2021. She loves the sense of community and belonging at Pennfield, making her return to teaching here a joyful choice.

Beyond school, Marianne enjoys making homemade ice cream, reading the latest bestsellers, and sewing. She and her husband, John, share their home with two Boston-beagles, Emma and Ellie, and a cat named Veeta.

Allegra Lovoy

Physical Education; Assistant Teacher

Rich McMorrow

Maintenance

Kristina Michelson

Resource Teacher

After receiving a master’s degree in Elementary Instruction and Curriculum from the University of Colorado, Kristina began her career teaching kindergarten in Colorado before moving to 4th grade. When she met her husband, Drew, they moved to Connecticut where she continued teaching 4th grade. Her family grew, and Drew and Kristina had 3 boys. The family ultimately moved to Rhode Island where Kristina received her certification in Orton-Gillingham and taught using the approach as a 2nd grade teacher, Orton- Gillingham tutor, and 5th and 6th grade English teacher. In 2017 Kristina joined Pennfield as the Lower School Resource Teacher.

Kristina was an avid figure skater until switching to hockey; she played on the Brooks School’s first girls ice hockey team. In college Kristina spent a semester in London England studying play writing and wrote a play for school.

These days Kristina loves the mountains and enjoys skiing with her family. Kristina loves watching her boys play soccer as they all play for their schools. 

Emily Moulton

Assistant Teacher; Maker Space, K-2

  • appointed 2023
  • B.S. Plymouth State University
  • 401.849.4646

Paul Murphy

Property Manager

  • Appointed in 2017
  • B.S. Roger Williams University
  • B.S. Rhode Island College
  • 401.849.4646 x152
  • pmurphy@pennfield.org

Blayney Norton-Hayes

Art, Kindergarten - Grade 8

Dawn Pigott

Resource/Student Services; SSAT Coordinator

  • Appointed in 1988
  • B.S. University of Maine
  • Graduate Study Harvard University
  • 401.849.4646 x215
  • dpigott@pennfield.org

Moriah Ramos

Music Teacher; Summer Camp Director

  • Appointed 2019
  • B.A. Rhode Island College
  • M.A. Longy School of Music of Bard College
  • 401.849.4646 x141
  • mramos@pennfield.org

Kimberly Ripa

Kindergarten

  • Appointed 2023
  • B.A. Roger Williams University
  • 401.849.4646 X124

Abby Rowe

Accounts Payable; Advancement Associate

Sharon Rust

School Social Worker

  • Appointed 2022
  • 401.849.4646
  • B.A. Salve Regina University
  • M.S.W. Rhode Island College
  • Adolescent Treatment Specialty, Harvard University

Sharon has been associated with Pennfield for 27 years, initially as the spouse of the beloved Mr. Bottone, then as the proud parent of Sabine and Sebastian who both attended Pennfield, and most recently as the part-time school social worker, a position that was introduced in February of 2022.

Sharon has over thirty years experience working as a Masters level clinical social worker and supervisor. She has directed clinical programs in Rhode Island in various capacities such as leading the mobile treatment team at Newport County Mental Health Center, Director of School Based Services for Child and Family Services of Newport County, and creating and directing The Ophelia Programs and most recently the ARTEMIS programs.

Sharon is incredibly excited to expand her role at Pennfield this year, as well as continuing with her therapeutic private practice and directing the innovative ARTEMIS programs, which includes operating a one of a kind antique/vintage store in the historic Tiverton Four Corners that offers area youth their first employment experience.

Sam Schreiber

Science K-5; History, Grade 8; Sustainability, 6-8

After receiving his Masters in Education (k-12) from Tufts University, Sam Schreiber worked around greater Boston schools for several years teaching both science and art. He has taught courses in biology, physics, chemistry and visual arts at both the high school and middle school level.

Aside from teaching, Sam’s passion lies in nature and he believes the preservation of our planet is tied to the classroom and our future generations. He teaches Science at Pennfield (k-5), History(8), and heads the school’s sustainable practices with the help of the highly dedicated, student based, Green Team. He combined his love of nature and education by working on boats during the summer months, taking students to the Boston Harbor Islands and organizing sustainable fishing trips and eco tourism adventures.

Fishing is one of Sam’s favorite hobbies. When he’s not in the classroom and the weather is good, you can find Sam South of the Vineyard pursuing tuna.

Allison Serina

Business Manager

Dana Staats

Grade One

  • Appointed 20o8
  • B.A. Roger Williams University
  • M.A. Roger Willams University
  • RI Certification in Early Childhood Education
  • 401.849.4646 x123
  • dstaats@pennfield.org

Jessica Stadel

Events Coordinator

Frank Tito

Director of Technology

  • Appointed in 2013
  • A.S. Thames Valley State Technical College
  • 401.849.4646 x207
  • ftito@pennfield.org