Inspiring Mentors

Our "Gold Standard" Faculty
The Explo faculty and staff have often been described as setting the "gold standard" for summer programs. This does not happen by accident. Recruiting, training, and retaining creative, energetic, responsible, and engaging people is a high priority for Explo.

Teachers Who Are Involved in All Aspects of Student Life
Explo looks for adults who can be exceptional role models, can inspire students to new heights, and people who genuinely enjoy spending time with young people. We travel across the United States each year recruiting an extraordinary group of people. Almost all Explo faculty and staff live on campus throughout the summer so that they become part of the extended Explo family. Students see faculty and staff not only in the class, but in the dining halls, on the playing fields, and on field trips.

A Rigorous Selection Process
Explo faculty and staff is primarily comprised of exceptional college and graduate students, supported and supervised by experienced teachers, educational administrators, and professional practitioners. All Explo faculty and staff go through a rigorous hiring process that includes lengthy written applications, personal interviews, reference checks, and background checks for criminal history and sexual offender history.

Top Notch Professional Development
Explo has a particular philosophy about teaching and learning and we can't assume that because someone has been working in education that they will understand our approach. Consequently, once Explo hires someone, there is a lengthy professional development program that is required of all faculty and staff, regardless of previous experience. Because substantive learning is tied to good teaching, Explo has put into place an extensive professional development program that continues through the summer, including regular classroom observations, feedback, and evaluation.

Heading the Program

David Torcoletti is the Head of all Explo programs on the campus of St. Mark's. David has worked at Explo for more than ten years. He works for Exploration year-round and moves to campus each summer with his family so that he can personally oversee the operations of the program. David is intimately involved in the hiring of each staff member, with curriculum planning, and with the development of all policies and procedures used at the program. Prior to working at Explo, David was the Dean of Students at Milton Academy, and a School Dean, teacher, House Head, and teacher at Northfield Mount Hermon School. He is often called on to do consulting work with private day and boarding schools regarding student life issues. David is a summa cum laude graduate of Ohio University and earned his M.F.A. at Bard College as a Milton Avery Scholar.

Meet Some of Our Summer Faculty

The following is a partial listing of our 2012 Explo at St. Mark's faculty and staff.

Tim Watson is Explo’s Director of Admission during the academic year. He serves as a committee chair for alumni interviewing for the Bowdoin College admission office. Tim is a graduate of Bowdoin College with a degree in government and legal studies and a minor in education. During his time at Bowdoin, Tim played varsity football and intramural softball, student-taught fifth grade at the Longfellow School in Brunswick, and studied political science for a semester in Florence, Italy. He will return this summer as the Dean of Students.

Andrew Smith graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a degree in English and adolescent education. While in college, Andrew spent a semester teaching elementary students in Ghana, and worked as a substitute teacher for a local high school. Recently he taught eighth grade English and reading in the West Irondequoit Central School District. He has worked at Explo as a theater teacher, lifeguard, residential advisor, and this past year joined the Norwood office as the Assistant to the Director of Curriculum. This summer, he will return as the Director of Programming.

Kielynne Banker teaches high school biology at Sacred Heart High School. She majored in biology at Hobart and William Smith Colleges where she also earned her teaching certification. Kielynne taught dance at the Valley School of Dance and was a teaching assistant at Hobart for the Common Ground class for incoming college students. Kielynne returns to Explo at St. Mark’s as the Director of Curriculum.

Kerry Cahill currently works for Explo year-round as an Admission Officer and as the Financial Aid Coordinator. She received her bachelor's degree in anthropology from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, with a double minor in history and environmental studies. Kerry has experience working for the Center for Teaching and Learning as an Anthropology Teaching Fellow. Along with her involvement in the America Reads literacy program and the local historical society, she served as a student athletic trainer and Coordinator of Geneva Heroes, a service and mentorship program for local middle and high school students. After working last summer as the Main Office Director with the Explo at Wellesley Program, Kerry returns in the same role to the Explo at St. Mark’s Program.

Jonathan Beck majored in political science at Ithaca College. During his time in college, he studied abroad in London, held a position as a study abroad ambassador, and volunteered at the Beverly J. Martin Elementary School as a teaching assistant. He is an avid lacrosse player. He has also served as a corps member for City Year in Rhode Island. Jon is currently completing his Masters in Elementary Education at the University of Pennsylvania. He returns to Explo this summer as the Assistant Director of Programming.

Adam Van Der Sluis is Assistant to the Head of Explo at St. Mark’s. Adam is a graduate of Macalester College where he studied applied mathematics and statistics, and geography. As an undergraduate he was active in the college’s residential life programs, serving as an RA for two years and shaping policy as a member of the Student-Staff Advisory Board. Adam is an avid singer, singing tenor in Chorus Pro Musica, the choir of choice for the Boston Philharmonic, and bass for the Boston Choral Ensemble. At Explo, he has been an instructor and a Residence Director, and will return this summer as the Assistant Dean of the Focus Programs and West Campus.

Sarah Dewey is a teacher at the Pine Cobble School in Williamstown, Massachusetts. She graduated from Williams College with a degree in art history. During her time in college she played volleyball and lacrosse, sang in an a cappella group, gave tours for the admissions office, and was a tour guide for a local art museum. She spent part of her junior year studying abroad in Spain. She returns to the Dean’s Office as the Assistant Dean of the Day Program.

Allie Jane is a graduate of George Washington University, where she majored in studio art. She now works at Westborough High School. She studied art in Florence, Italy, and spent many summers working at camps. After three summers as an art instructor, Allie returns to Explo as a Residential Director.

Ghariza Sujak Bakir is studying anthropology at Macalester College on the Kofi Annan Scholarship. A native of Singapore, Ghariza attended the United World College in Norway, where she was a house coordinator for the student council and secretary-general for the Model United Nations. She has worked as a media intern for the Malay News and Current Affairs and at the Discovery Vacation Day Camps. At Macalester, Ghariza stays busy as the lead singer of the African Music Ensemble while somehow juggling her duties as the group's manager. After two years as an instructor, Ghariza returns to Explo at St. Mark's as a Main Office Manager.

Sizhao Wu is studying physics and engineering at Swarthmore College. He serves as Secretary of the Swarthmore Chinese Society, and serves as a volunteer tutor for A Better Chance, a non-profit college access program. A self-proclaimed “science nerd,” Sizhao loves all sports, with a particular passion for Basketball. This summer, he will be a physics instructor.

Carly Rushford attends Colby College, where she is majoring in International Studies and Government. She keeps a busy schedule between writing for the Colby Echo, the varsity Swim Team, and serving as a leader for the Colby Outing Club. Carly spent recently spent a semester in Geneva, Switzerland, studying French and International Relations. Before that, she traveled to Ghana for six weeks to teach English and Math. This summer, Carly will be an instructor.

Reid Johnson is a pre-med student majoring in philosophy at St. Olaf College. He is captain of the lacrosse team, and is an accomplished racquetball player. As a member of the Electric Strings Ensemble, a string quartet, Reid uses his cello to put a “pop” spin on a classical music instrument. This past summer, Reid interned at the Washington University Medical Center. This summer, Reid will teach woodworking and anatomy courses, as well as the canoeing and kayaking workshop.

Xavier Loving is majoring in East Asian Studies at Colby College. Xavier has a passion for Chinese language and culture. Fluent in Mandarin, Xavier spent a summer as an intern for an NGO called China Development Brief. He recently furthered his studies of Mandarin as part of a semester abroad in China. He has a talent for Improv comedy, and has worked at Harvard University’s Crimson Summer Academy. This summer, Xavier returns to his role as part of the Explo English program.

Sebastian Bamba is double-majoring in economics and gender and Women’s Studies at Bowdoin College. Sebastian stays very busy at Bowdoin, from DJing for the college radio station and working in the school library, to serving as a Residential Assistant and as Programming Director for one of the college houses. In past summers, Sebastian has worked at the Bowdoin College Day Camp. This summer, he will be the instructor for the stock market course.