We are thrilled to announce the following hires for the 2016-2017 school year. As more are confirmed, we will update this post. When we make our hires, we are looking for people who are passionate about our mission, exemplars of Christian character, and phenomenal teachers and scholars. God has graciously provided people who fit that profile perfectly. To fulfill the high calling God has given us to proclaim “the unity of all truth under God” (Frank Gaebelein, The Pattern of God’s Truth), we need talented people like those you see below, people who are willing to commit their hearts, souls, minds, and strength to serving God at The Stony Brook School.
Willnetta Ball – Chemistry
Willnetta Ball joins us from Buckingham, Browne, and Nichols School, one of the top-ranked private schools in the Boston area. Willnetta has taught in both public and private schools since 2007. Prior to that, she worked for the EPA as a fellow at the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. Willnetta holds master’s degrees in teaching from Pace University and Chemistry from the University of Michigan. She did her BA in chemistry at the Douglass College of Rutgers University. Willnetta also contributed to three scientific publications. Willnetta’s mastery of chemistry and her love for students will make an immediate impact in our science department next year. Willnetta joins us with her husband.
Richard Cowan – Director of Upper School
Richard Cowan joins us from Nashville, Tennessee, where he has been studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. Prior to completing his M.Ed at Vanderbilt, he studied Religious Studies at the University of Virginia and earned an M.A. in Theological Studies from Covenant Theological Seminary. Richard has held many positions that will make him the perfect fit for our Director of Upper School position, including Staff Youth Minister with YoungLife, Teacher, Assistant Head of School, and Upper School Division Head at St. Paul Christian Academy, Teaching Assistant at Vanderbilt University, and Executive Coordinator at the Nashville Psychotherapy Institute.
In reflecting on his decision to join the Stony Brook School community, Richard wrote:
I walked onto Stony Brook’s campus with very little idea or expectation of what I getting into. I was happy to explore a possibility, see what was around the corner or behind door number three, consider something new. I’ve been doing that a lot in my life… the most recent iteration was that I purchased a pair of skinny jeans. The jury is very much still out on that one. But after meandering in conversation with so many folks at Stony Brook when I first visited, I felt welcome and at ease. And that was essential for my next thought, “I wonder if I could put roots down in this place? I wonder if I could come to love these folks, these students, the larger community surrounding this campus? I still don’t even know what to pack or what to put in the garage sale, but I’ve got peace about this next step to the community at Stony Brook School. And that is enough… just to know one step. I imagine the Lord smiling at that thought… just one step after me. Make plans, sure, but don’t squeeze your fingers around them. I’m the one who does that. You can just focus on enjoying the view, picking up your foot, putting it down at someplace that looks good to you.
The wild thought is that our students and their parents, especially our boarding families, are experiencing something very similar. They are having to trust, keep their palms open, and just take one step. It’s fun to imagine that a 17-year-old and a 37-year-old may be feeling the same fear, the same sadness, the same excitement or anticipation. How great if we also both felt the same leading from the Holy Spirit who dwells within. Now that is something to get excited about.
Richard joins us with his wife, Katie, and his two girls, Jane (6) and Ouisey (3).
Deborah Davis – English 9 Literature
Deb Davis rejoins us from the Pomfret School, where she taught English and chaired the Religion department over a span of 26 years. At Pomfret she has chaired several committees, headed the Girls’ Residential Life program, and served as a dorm parent. She received her BA in English from Gordon College. Deb has written a children’s book, won the Pomfret School’s SooHo Cho Award for inspiring her students, and the Murbach Award for excellence in teaching. A C.S. Lewis scholar, Deb has been invited to speak at several conferences dedicated to his work. Deb and her husband, Brad (see below), taught at SBS for one year in the 1980’s. Deb brings a wealth of experience, and infectious love of learning, and a palpable love for students to SBS. She will be teaching our freshmen English literature next year.
Deb wrote: “When I first heard the phrase – “Character Before Career” – twenty-nine years ago, it took root in my heart and mind. Certainly, this commitment is more timely than ever, and I look forward to returning to equip and encourage another generation of SBS students to “be the good infection” (C. S. Lewis) in a world that desperately needs them.”
Brad Davis – Dean of Faculty Care
Brad Davis joins our faculty as the Dean of Faculty Care. Brad has served as a teacher, chaplain, dorm parent, and coach at the Pomfret School since 1987. He has also taught creative writing at College of the Holy Cross and Eastern Connecticut State University. At Stony Brook, Brad will focus on caring for and equipping our faculty to grow in their craft. With an M.Div from Trinity School for Ministry to go along with his MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and a BA in Sociology from Gordon College, Brad will be providing both professional and pastoral council to those under his care.
Nathanael DiMauro – English and History
A Magna Cum Laude English graduate of Gordon College, Nate DiMauro joins The Stony Brook School from Rumsey Hall School, a junior boarding school in Washington Depot, Connecticut. Nate has taught English and French, served as a dorm parent, and coached cross country, basketball, and lacrosse at Rumsey Hall. He has also been involved with summer camps for FOCUS, a Christian ministry to colleges and independent schools. In addition to being a voracious reader, Nate has played guitar and percussion in a variety of arenas, most recently with the band, Doctors and Lawyers. Nate will be teaching English and History courses for us next year, coaching sports, and living in Hegeman Hall.
Allison Felix, EdD. – Earth Science, Middle School Robotics, and Simons Dorm Head
Allison Felix, fresh off completing her Doctor of Education in Integrative STEM Education, Curriculum and Instruction from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, joins the Stony Brook faculty from Westmont Hilltop School District in Johnstown, PA. She holds a certificate in Integrative STEM Education from VPI and another in Biology, Secondary Education from St. Francis University, as well as a Master of Science in Biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. Prior to her work as an 8th grade Physical Science teacher and STEM Coordinator at Westmont Hilltop School District, she served as Lead Instructor for the Environmental Health and Safety program at Cambria County Area Community College and as the founding director of the Science Outreach Center at Saint Francis University. Active in the promotion of STEM outreach education, Allison has received several grants, published numerous articles, and received awards for her work. Importantly for Stony Brook, she brought FIRST Lego League competitions to her region in Pennsylvania. She has also won several Flying Scot championships as a competitive sailor. We are blessed to have her join our faculty. Allison and her husband, Don, have three children, the youngest of whom will be a sophomore Brooker.
Allison wrote: “I am thrilled to become part of the Stony Brook School team and have the opportunity to reach students’ hearts and minds through Christian education! My husband and I feel the Lord’s hand in the calling to Stony Brook. It is an honor and a blessing to become part of an institution that has such a strong history and wonderful strategic vision for leading students in their academic achievement and spiritual walk. I also look forward to the privilege of becoming part of a community of colleagues and professionals who work in concert to bring out the most in each student’s character and integrity.”
Yuri Francis – Director of Admissions
Yuri Francis, a graduate of St. Paul’s School and Williams College, will be leading our Admissions team next year as Director of Admissions. Yuri brings twelve years of admissions experience with him. He started his career in admissions as the Director of Multicultural Enrollment and planning at St. Paul’s School, a boarding school in Concord, New Hampshire. For the past five years years, he has been Associate Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Montclair Kimberley Academy, a college preparatory day school in New Jersey. We are thrilled to have such an experienced and successful admissions leader taking the reins. Yuri was attracted to SBS by our excellence in Christian education. He wrote, “I am joining SBS because of the school’s focus on faith-based learning. It was great to see a school emphasize the Gospel of Jesus Christ and not be afraid to expose students to the Word.”
Chad Hardison, LMFT – Director of Counseling Services
Chad Hardison joins us from Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. With a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Liberty University and a B.A. in Youth Ministry from Central Bible College, experience as a preclinical fellow with the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, and many years as a family and youth pastor, Chad brings excellent expertise and experience to our Counseling department.
Dustin Mones – Director of Residential Life
Kylie Mones – Director of Student Activities and Community Service and Barnhouse Dorm Head
A Journalism major and field hockey player at University of Massachusetts and graduate of Northfield Mount Hermon (boarding school), Kylie joins us as Director of Student Activities and Community Service and Barnhouse Dorm Head. She leaves her work as Graphic Design teacher, Residential Life Advisor, and Track and Field coach at Monte Verde Christian School. Like her husband, Dustin, Kylie has taught at boarding schools her whole career, including several summer sessions. At Eaglebrook School, she taught 7th,8th, & 9th Grade English and Digital Photography and coached soccer, squash, skiing and track and field while serving as a dorm parent and Christian Fellowship advisor. She owns her own photography business and has worked in journalism during her career. Kylie’s passions are photography, writing, travel, and sports. We are thrilled to have her overseeing student activities and caring for our young boarders in Barnhouse.
Anna Nott – Teaching Fellow
Tricia Rushton – Geometry and Calculus
Tricia Rushton brings 20 years of teaching in a variety of contexts with her to Stony Brook. She has taught mathematics at Kennesaw State University, Central Carolina Technical College, and Richland School District One, and math and computer science at Midlands Technical College, the Ben Lippen School, and Richland School District Two. She currently teaches math at nearby Smithtown Christian School. Tricia earned her Master’s in Secondary Mathematics from Converse College and a BS in Applied Mathematics from the University of South Carolina. She lives in East Setauket with her husband, Dr. Greg Rushton, a professor in the Chemistry Department and the Institute for STEM Education at Stony Brook University, and her two kids, Isabella (11) and Ethan (9).
Tricia reflected, “When I first researched the Stony Brook School, I was very pleased to hear of its rich heritage both academically and spiritually and am excited to be part of its growing commitment to STEM education. The Stony Brook School values “Character before Career” and I am looking forward to joining a faculty which shares this common vision.”
Rachel Stone – English 11
Author of Christianity Today Book Award Winner, Eat with Joy: Redeeming God’s Gift of Food, Rachel Stone joins our faculty from Friends School Mullica Hill in New Jersey. Rachel has an MA in English from Loyola University Chicago and a BS (magna cum laude) in Biblical Studies from Cairn University. She has taught at Zomba Theological College in Malawi and Shasta Bible College in California. In addition to Eat with Joy, she has authored Continuing Jesus’ Story and The Unexpected Way, and has contributed numerous articles to outlets such as Books and Culture, Christianity Today, The Christian Century, The Washington Post, and more. Rachel joins our faculty with her husband, Tim (below). They will be living in the dorms with their two sons, Aidan (10) and Graeme (8).
Rachel wrote, “I am delighted to be joining in the common life and work shared by faculty, staff, and students of The Stony Brook School, which in its history and vision embodies values I cherish: the pursuit of character formation, Christian maturity and academic excellence as joyful, serious responsibilities.”
Dr. Timothy Stone – World History 8 and European History
Dr. Tim Stone has been teaching Old Testament and Biblical Theology at Eastern University near Philadelphia and Zomba Theological College in Malawi for the past four years. Prior to that, he taught courses at Messiah College, St. Mary’s College at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, Wisconsin Wilderness Campus, and Shasta Bible College. Tim earned his PhD in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. His MA was in Biblical Exegesis from Wheaton College and his BS was in Biblical Studies from Cairn University. At Cairn he also played basketball and won Academic All-American awards twice. Tim has authored two books, The Compilational History of the Megilloth and The Shape of the Writings along with many peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and reviews. Tim’s interests and abilities are wide-ranging. He has done research in Germany, coached Women’s basketball at St. Andrews, pastored a church, run a wilderness program, learned five languages, and, perhaps most impressively, designed some amazing Lego sets from scratch. Tim will be teaching World History 8 and European History for us next year. He will join us with his wife, Rachel (above), and their two boys.
Tim wrote, “With its commitment to vibrant community life, and its proven record in educating students in matters of the mind, body, and heart, and challenging them to become men and women of integrity and virtue, The Stony Brook School embodies the educational virtues I hold in highest regard.”
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One Chapman 