Jennifer Borman
After graduating from Brown University in 1985, Jennifer began teaching English at School One. Four fulfilling years later, she left to pursue doctoral work in education at Michigan State University and then returned to Brown to work at The Education Alliance. There, she evaluated educational innovations focused on adolescent literacy, teacher development, technology and school improvement. “I loved my job at the Education Alliance,” Jennifer says, “but I saw how often good ideas in education failed in practice because of bureaucracy and lack of support. At School One, I see exceptional teaching practices every day.” Since coming to School One, Jennifer was selected for a Klingenstein Fellowship at Teachers College in New York where she spent several weeks studying with faculty from Columbia. In 2015, she was selected for a prestigious Fulbright-Hays Fellowship and traveled to China for a month to learn about Chinese education, culture and history.
- A.B. Brown University, English
- English Coordinator at School One 1985-1989; Head of School since 2007
Cary Honig
After growing up in New York City, where the kids who beat him up referred to him as “The Professor,” Cary was lured to Brown University. After Brown, he spent a miserable three years in law school and then entered the Master’s in Teaching program at Brown despite his parents’ objections. After teaching in public schools, Cary fell in love with School One students’ willingness to speak up and disagree and with the time and freedom the school granted him to figure out how best to teach students to read, write, punctuate, provide evidence and think for themselves. He also loves being able to evaluate students in a genuine and informative way rather than by comparing students through letter grades. After 30 years at School One, Cary still feels very lucky to be here. In addition to teaching, Cary serves as School One’s college counselor and oversees the school’s curriculum.
- A.B. Classics, Brown University
- J.D., Harvard University
- M.A.T. English, Brown University
- Assistant Head of School since 2002
Mary Norton Bobrowski
As our special education coordinator, Mary provides tailored support to our students with learning differences. Her long career spans 17 years as a resource teacher in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, as well as teaching on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Mary believes that “the role of an educator is to help each student identify and develop their unique gifts, talents, and passions.” Mary also has a law degree and practiced special education law. She then worked in policy and planning for the Massachusetts Department of Education. She is delighted to be back in the classroom
- J.D. Roger Williams University
- M.A. Education/Counseling, University of Rhode Island
- B.A. Psychology/Special Education, Regis College
Katie Caron
A recent graduate with a degree in secondary math education, Katie comes to School One after a summer spent teaching robotics and electronics. She often builds in opportunities for projects and hands-on learning in her algebra and geometry classes. A strong proponent of cooperative learning, Katie says that “Working together as a group leads to active learning and peer acceptance and that in turn leads to academic success.” In her spare time, Katie is an avid runner and a die-hard Boston sports fan.
- B.S. Broward College
Erin Egan
Erin began her career at School One as a part-time teacher and began full-time in 2000. Erin specializes in English Medieval History, but has taught courses in U.S. History, Western Civilization, Fashion and Décor, Hollywood History and Shakespeare. She appreciates good, robust debates and encourages them in all of her classes. Erin converts students from “I hate history” to “It’s my favorite class” on a regular basis. She is also a warm and caring advisor who can nonetheless deliver a “look” when students are cutting corners. She draws on her theater background in stage-managing to help organize School One’s unique graduation ceremony.
- B.S. Theatre, Emerson College
- M.A.T. Teaching, Brown University
- School One history teacher since 1995
Phil Goldman
Phil straddles many roles at School One: teacher, advisor, and international student coordinator, among others. With our international student program, he supports host families, communicates with parents in China, and helps with students adjust to a different culture. He also teaches a wide range of courses at School One, from Writing Workshop to Eastern Philosophy to Storytelling to Tai Chi. Phil’s classes combine thoughtful reflection with lively debate.
When he’s not teaching at School One, Phil runs the monthly community storytelling show “Live Bait” in Providence.
- B.A. Liberal Studies and Teaching Certificate, Providence College
- Producer/Host, Live Bait: True Stories from Real People, Providence
- Tai Chi Chuan Instructor, Community Tai Chi, Cranston
- School One teacher since 2010
Kristen Jones
As the Arts Coordinator, Kristen brings a background in the visual arts that includes 25 years experience working in a wide range of materials as well as a great deal of education and exposure to art history and aesthetics. Kristen’s education included Fine Art Painting and Art Education and she has taught in private schools, public schools, museum settings, and private lessons in Pennsylvania, New York City, Taiwan, the Middle East, and Mexico. While teaching internationally she has traveled all throughout Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. She enjoys art that includes technology and is very interested in New Media art and installations. For close to ten years she worked as a photographer and location scout in the New York City.
In addition to teaching, Kristen provides tailored help with portfolio preparation and art school applications to our seniors. She organizes several school art shows and installations each year.
- B.F.A. Painting, Kutztown University
- B.S. Art Education, Kutztown University
- School One Arts Coordinator since 2014
Siobhan Ritchie Cute
Siobhan grew up rolling her eyes at parents who dragged her along on trips to far-off lands like Turkey, Thailand and Tunisia. Somewhere along the line, she realized her good fortune, falling in love with cultures, places and peoples. She loves teaching languages and fostering many forms of communication.
Siobhan feels School One is a wonderful place for young people, because “students here get to step into and walk around in adult-sized academic shoes.” In addition to teaching Spanish, Siobhan’s Psychology class is a perennial favorite. Siobhan also helps organize our prom and brings great spirit to all our school events.
- A.B. Sociology, University of Chicago
- School One teacher since 2008
Megan Roppolo
With a doctorate in materials chemistry, Megan’s scientific background is both deep and broad. At School One, Megan teaches chemistry, forensics and physics. This year, she is also piloting a computer science curriculum developed at the University of Rhode Island. Megan wants students to truly connect to science: “My goal is for every student to find something interesting, relevant and fun in their science courses.” Her previous teaching experience includes SUNY Binghamton as well as Moses Brown. When not working, Megan practices chemistry in her kitchen and is a baking genius (according to her lucky colleagues and students).
- Ph.D. State University of New York at Binghamton
- B.S. St. Lawrence University
Laurie Spry
As School One’s math/science coordinator, Laurie organizes the department’s curriculum and administers the school’s math competency exam. She also teaches biology, environmental science and the occasional math class. Laurie loves getting students out into the world of nature to extend their scientific inquiry.
Laurie has also lived in Australia and Vermont, and has long been involved in agriculture and equine management. She enjoys trail riding, gardening and Zydeco music. She also runs an after-school science enrichment program “Sick Science” where students dissect, explore, and take trips to local exhibitions.
- B.S. Biology, Principia College
- 20+ graduate credits in science, math and education
- Summer studies include an 8-week MIT electron microscope lab placement, the two-week Harvard Stem Cell Institute Seminar and the two-week Biotechnology Workshop for Teachers at Amherst
- School One teacher since 1994
Pamela Stokinger
Pam discovered her love of teaching by working as math assistant while studying at Framingham State University. Then, after several years of raising children and serving as a foster parent, Pam began to teach math at Mansfield High School. She found a much better fit at School One: “Kids can be kids here. I can go more slowly and make sure the students really understand.” Pam is also a sought-after advisor who helps her students stay on top of every deadline.
Every winter, Pam teaches a free after-school SAT/ACT prep course at School One and is also in demand as a tutor for RI Tutorial and Education Services. Extensively trained in the SAT, Pam tailors her prep classes to each student’s needs.
- Framingham State University, B.S. in mathematics, minor in education
- Trained in SAT preparation
- Tutor for RI Tutorial and Education Services
- School One teacher since 2011
Maryann Ullmann
Maryann Ullmann’s expertise spans many disciplines. She teaches Spanish and has lived in Mexico and Argentina for several years. She also teaches U.S. history, Civics, and creative writing courses. In her Civics & Communications course, students participate in Generation Citizen where they research an advocacy issue, develop policy recommendations, and present at Civics Day at the RI Statehouse. As Maryann says, “I love seeing the amazing projects students come up with when they are given the freedom … to follow their passions and curiosities, and all the ways they learn from and support each other.”
Maryann also teaches a wide variety of creative writing classes. She leads School One’s National Novel Writing Month Project every November and runs after-school creative writing classes like Ghost Stories and Lit Lab with School One’s Literary Center.
- Antioch University New England, M.A., Environmental Advocacy and Organizing
- Chatham University, MFA, Creative Writing
- Antioch College, B.A., Cultural and Interdisciplinary Studies
Lida Brooke
Lida Brook serves as School One’s Office Manager, where she juggles phone calls, requests for bandaids, logistics and daily accounting. Lida moved to Providence with her family two years ago from the Boston area. She left her career in management to start her own sewing business, designing and creating custom handbags and accessories. Lida studied accounting at the University of Southern Florida. She loves getting to know our families when they walk in the door and staying busy with all of the tasks that keep us running smoothly.
- Studied accounting at the University of Southern Florida
- Office Manager since 2018
Diana Champa
Diana Champa is the Director of Literary Engagement at School One where she oversees literary arts programming and community engagement. Diana’s current projects include an inter-generational books club, after-school and evening creative writing programs and the WriteRI short story contest. She also works to foster partnerships with other writing organizations like Grub Street and Goat Hill Writers.
Before coming (back) to School One, Diana worked for Prime Cut Productions and the Van Morrison Rhythm and Blues Foundation in Northern Ireland. Previously, Diana worked as School One’s Director of Development and for several arts organizations in R.I.
She’s native to Rhode Island who makes friends easily. Despite ridicule, she believes in astrology.
- B.A. Liberal Studies, University of Rhode Island
- Seamus Heaney Centre, Queen's University Belfast
- School One since 2005-2009; 2015 to present
Robin Lansinger
After graduating from Amherst College, Robin moved to New York where she spent nearly 20 years in advertising and marketing communications. After too many “mad men” years, Robin left Madison Avenue to pursue more rewarding endeavors at United Cerebral Palsy of New York City. A true city girl but also a Rhode Islander at heart, Robin decided to “move home” in 2002.
Robin brings years of fundraising and non-profit marketing expertise to School One. In RI, she has served as Director of Development at the Genesis Center and at the Groden Center, as well as managing marketing communications at Slater Mill Museum. She also served as Marketing and Development Officer at Lifespan. At School One, Robin works with our parent group to organize School One’s annual Scholar Dollars fundraiser and oversees School One’s grant-writing, annual giving, and our ACCESS tax credit program.
- B.A. English, Amherst College
- M.B.A. Leonard Stern School of Business, New York University
- School One Development Director since 2012
Erica Mitchell, LICSW
In the course of her 11 year long career in social work, Erica has had experience working with diverse populations in many different settings such as adult corrections, child welfare, charter/public schools, outpatient counseling and home based services. She has always been drawn to school social work and enjoys working with an amazingly supportive team here at School One. The school’s commitment to fostering resiliency of youth, allowing creatives to create, and encouraging youth to reach their fullest potential are all things that will make her feel right at home.
In her spare time, Erica provides outpatient counseling services to undergrads, grads, and young professionals of color regarding transitional issues such as anxiety related to entering the workforce, adjusting to campus life, social anxiety/peer conflicts, time management, LGBTQ, and school/life balance.
- Bachelor of Social Work, Rhode Island College
- Master of Social Work, Rhode Island College
- Rhode Island Department of Education School Social Work Certification
- School One School Social Worker since August 2018
Michael Ruo
Michael brings nearly 40 years of expertise (mostly with non-profits) in finance, technology, systems analysis and human resources/benefits administration to School One. In addition, he has extensive experience in event planning.
Michael is School One’s go-to for technology snafus as well as accounting. In his “spare” time, he helps oversee our building renovations and upgrades.
- A.S. Electronics Engineering, Heald College, San Jose CA
- Business and Operations Manager at School One since 2015
Michaela O’Donnell
Michaela graduated from School One in 1987. She oversees our admissions office, international student program, our website, and our parent newsletter, while making sure that all our prospective families have a great experience with the admissions process.
- MEd. Curriculum Design: Creative Arts in Learning, Lesley University
- B.A. Studio Art: Ceramics, Rhode Island College
- B.S. Art Education, Rhode Island College
- Admissions and Marketing Coordinator at School One since 2006
Miles Cook
Miles teaches courses ranging from comics to illustration to digital design. A
comic book artist himself, he teaches students to create characters, map out
plots, and use visual communication whether on paper or using digital tools.
Miles comes to School One from Maine where he attended the Maine College of
Art.
- Maine College of Art, BFA Illustration.
Deb DeMarco
Deb DeMarco teaches ceramics at School One and runs our after-school
ceramics studio. Before coming to School One she has done numerous youth
arts projects with organizations like City Arts! and the Learning Brooke school. A
ceramics artist herself, her work has been shown the South County Art
Association, AS220 and Providence City Hall.
- University of Rhode Island, BA, Art.
- Continuing education in ceramics, printmaking, and design at Providence College and the Rhode Island School of Design.
Joni Johnson
Joni Johnson teaches jewelry classes at School One. Joni’s class combines design skills with technique and fabrication. Students learn metalsmithing through projects ranging from rings to pendants. Joni is a goldsmith and designer herself as well as an exhibited artist. She’s taught at the Rhode Island School of Design as well as in Berlin, Germany.
- Rhode Island School of Design, BFA Industrial Design
- Rhode Island School of Design, MFA in Jewelry and Metalsmithing
Eve Kerrigan
Eve Kerrigan teaches a wide variety of creative writing classes at School One, from Gothic Poetry to Intergenerational Book Arts. She is a writer herself and her short fiction has been published in The Oddville Press, FIVE2ONE Magazine and L’Allure des Mots. Prior to School One, Eve worked at the Woodshed Artists Community in Los Angeles where she acted in and produced a number of plays. Most importantly, Eve is herself a graduate of School One, class of 1991.
- Union Institute & University, B.A., Creative Writing
Nick Mazonowicz
Nick Mazonowicz is the founder of School One’s film and video program and has
taught classes since 2008. His courses focus on creative projects along
documentaries, and teach students the ins and outs of storyboarding, sound
design and editing. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Nick has made several short
films over the years. When not at School One, Nick is involved in several local
restaurants as a co-owner.
- Rhode Island School of Design, Film and Video.
Cindy Petruccillo
Cindy’s classes at School One introduce students to various media, including
painting, collage, photography, and printmaking. She often uses famous artists
as inspirations for original work. She has taught art in a wide variety of settings,
from elementary school through college.
- Tyler School of Art, MFA in Photography
- University of Rhode Island, BFA. Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture
Lon Plynton
Lon’s music classes at School One combine ensemble playing with musical
concepts and range in style from jazz to rock to blues to classical. Lon is a multi-
instrumentalist, composer, producer and performer, often playing with the band
Mystic Jammers. He also directs music and performs with Rites and Reason
Theater at Brown University.
- Brown University, B.A., Music and Africana Studies
Shannon VanGyzen
Shannon’s classes introduce students to many forms of artistic expression,
technique and experimentation, in two and three dimensions. Her own artistic
work includes painting, sculpture, video, and installations and can be viewed at
www.shannon-vangyzen.com
- School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University, MFA
- Massachusetts College of Art, BFA. Student Education/Painting
