Jennifer Guo, '14
As the hallways fill with fresh and returning faces for the school year, Holton welcomes eight new faculty members into its classrooms and onto its sports fields.
Middle school French teacher Julia Payot arrives at Holton after teaching in France. Originally from Michigan, Payot decided to move to France after receiving her master’s degree in French. Since then, she, her husband, and three children have lived in various French cities. The family only recently relocated to the Washington, D.C. area. “I enjoy helping students learn about another culture…and how culture is embedded in language,” Payot noted.
Joining the Science Department is sixth grade science teacher Margaret Harrison, who previously taught for six years in Georgia (where she was born and raised). “I very much look forward to getting to know a great group of girls and exploring with them the joys, intricacies, and mysteries of our scientific world,” she expressed. The opportunity to teach science at an all-girls’ school drew Harrison to the Holton community.
Another Georgia native, new middle school math teacher Katie Lavelle taught at her alma mater The Westminister Schools for six years before arriving at Holton. She originally worked at a tax consulting practice before deciding to pursue teaching. Lavelle stated, “When I visited Holton, the middle school had such a warm, inviting feeling to it. I could tell that Holton would be a great fit with my background.”
New sixth grade language arts teacher Lydia Fields noted that “the school’s philosophy and positive approach to teaching and learning really grabbed [her] attention” when she visited. Originally from Oregon, Fields has taught in independent schools both in her home state and in Virginia. “My very first group of students consisted of eight girls and one boy, and we had an amazing year learning and growing together,” she reminisced. Passionate about reading and writing as well as animals, she said that she often talks and writes about her dog and two cats.
In Upper School, Moriah Petersen will teach Honors Physics classes. Growing up in Asheville, North Carolina, she later moved to Connecticut to work at the Taft School, where she taught physics and coached volleyball, basketball, and lacrosse. She admitted, “I never thought that I wanted to become a teacher until I was actually filling in as a substitute. When I helped a student reach an ‘Ah ha!’ moment, it was the greatest feeling.” While maintaining a strong passion for Physics, Petersen also loves to play basketball as she used to be a member of a Division I team.
Maryland native Hannah Krug knew she wanted to teach at an all-girl’s school after her years of graduate school at the University of Maryland. She explained, “I grew dismayed when I realized just how bad the gender gap in math and science is at the upper levels of academia…I want to help girls build confidence in science, math, engineering and technology (STEM).” As a new member of the Upper School math department, she teaches Geometry and Functions of Precalculus. Krug noted, “I’m most excited about getting to know the girls, both inside and out of the classroom.” An avid basketball fan, she also loves to cheer on UMD sports.
Sandi Takis joins the Math Department after years of working in Arlington County public schools, teaching various levels of high school mathematics, and working as a mathematics specialist.
Originally performing financial and statistical analysis for an environmental consulting firm, Takis later decided to pursue a teaching degree. “While I loved the analytical part of my job, I wanted to find a field about which I really felt passionate,” she stated.
A Maryland native, Julie Huang will serve as the new accompanist and teaching assistant for the Lower, Middle, and Upper School Choruses as well as the Swing Choir. Huang’s interest in music education stems from the mutual exchange between teachers and students.
“[We] impart technical skills, knowledge, and facility but more importantly enjoyment of music and a sense of community in music-making, of being part of something larger than [ourselves],” she explained. Besides teaching, Huang also loves to stay active as she used to play Division I field hockey and wrestled competitively in graduate school.
A new member of Holton’s Fine Arts Department, Ben Ferry previously taught painting at the Corcoran College of Art and Design, Georgetown University, American University, and George Mason University.
He said, “What I enjoy most about teaching is the opportunity to relay to the student the passion and joy I have come to experience through making and enjoying art.”
In addition to teaching drawing and painting, he will coach varsity soccer. Ferry was drafted by D.C. United in 1999 and subsequently played for three years in the A-League before a career-ending injury.
In the Advancement Office, Toyia Nash will be the Director of Major Gifts.
For more infomration view the New Faces directory.