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meet our staff The following is a partial listing of our 2008 Intermediate Program faculty and staff. head of program Elliot Targum began working for Exploration in 1997. Prior to becoming the Head of the Intermediate Program, Elliot held many positions at Exploration, including Residence Director, Programming Director, and Dean of Day Students. Elliot was a founding teacher at a Boston charter school and taught math and science in the Cambridge, MA public school system. Elliot is known as an "idea factory" and one public school teaching colleague described him as "the most progressive teacher in the district." Elliot's interests and talents are broad. He was a math correlation specialist at Riverdeep, Inc., working on interactive mathematics software, and he worked with Games-To-Teach, a partnership between MIT and Microsoft's iCampus. In addition, he is the founder of EB Tutoring and juggles flaming torches during the summer at Exploration. Elliot is a graduate of Haverford College and earned his M.Ed. at the Harvard Graduate School of Education where he concentrated in technology and education. some of our 2008 summer administration Mary-Ann Dunne is a graduate of Northeastern University with a degree in Education/Human Services. She has worked in education for almost thirty years, starting in the Arlington and Lynn school districts in Massachusetts, where she designed and taught science and math curricula. She then spent a major part of her career at Boston's Museum of Science where she led and directed science education, implementing inquiry-based science and running professional development workshops and training for science teachers. Currently she works in the Cambridge public school district as a mentor for teachers, providing curriculum and instructional support. She is delighted to be joining the Intermediate Program this summer as the Director of Curriculum. Crystal Garneier graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges with a B.A. in international relations. Crystal worked as a host coordinator, tour guide, and senior intern for the Admissions Office, served as a resident advisor on campus, and interned at the Office of Intercultural Affairs. An active community service participant, she was a member of Students Organized for Service, a Jumpstart tutor, and an America Reads tutor. She now works year-round at Explo as an Admissions Officer and is the Financial Aid Coordinator. After working at the Senior Program, Crystal will be joining the Intermediate Program as the Main Office Director. Kurt Kleefeld graduated from Marietta College and later obtained his Masters of Education and Educational Leadership from Keene State College. He has devoted himself to education, working as an Academic Coordinator for the Hampshire County School, a math, science, and drama teacher at the Brandon Residential Treatment Center, and a Learning Specialist at the Hillside School. He is currently a Middle School Science Teacher and a dorm parent at the Cheshire Academy. His years of administrative experience include curriculum planning and implementation, as well as mentoring new teachers. He is returning for his tenth summer at Explo, and is excited to join the Intermediate Program as the Assistant Director of Curriculum. Conor O'Rourke earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Pomona College and is now finishing a master's degree in Higher Education Student Affairs from the University of Connecticut. At the University of Connecticut, Conor teaches courses in freshman and senior year transitions and peer mentoring. He also coordinates an academic support program for at-risk first year students and has presented assessment from this program at the Annual Conference on The First Year Experience. Conor is a former full-time employee of Exploration and will return to the Intermediate Program this summer as the Director of Programming. Quinn Snellings is a graduate of Hamilton College, where she majored in French and Comparative Literature. In addition to her work at Tilbury House Publishers, Quinn worked as a volunteer teacher at the Clinton Elementary School during her college years. An avid traveler, she has lived in France and recently returned from backpacking through East Asia. Last summer she was a part of the Dean's Office at the Junior Program. She now works year-round for Exploration as the Assistant to the Head of the Intermediate Program, and will work this summer as Assistant Dean at the Program. Tom White received his B.A. in theater arts from Case Western Reserve University. As an undergraduate he produced, acted in, directed, and designed sets for a variety of theater companies both on campus and in the greater municipal area of Cleveland. He even founded his own film and theater production company, Less Productions, which films and creates multimedia presentations. Currently, he is one of eight people selected from over a thousand to be a part of the Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Playhouse MFA program. This summer Tom returns to the Dean's Office as Assistant Dean of the Day Program. some of our 2008 summer faculty Roukiatou Aboubacar is an undergraduate at Brown University where she is majoring in history. She has worked as a Teaching Assistant for a French language course at Brown, and is currently spending a semester abroad in Istanbul. Roukiatou attended the Lycéee Français de New York where she was awarded the Prix d'honneur. She has lived in Cameroon, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Barbados, France, and the United States. She is a peer advisor and a volunteer at the Providence Animal Rescue League. Roukiatou returns to Explo as an Instructor. Lauren Angelo is a graduate of the College of Holy Cross, where she majored in biology and minored in biochemistry, and was a member of the women's crew team. Lauren recently taught chemistry at Wachusett Regional High School in Massachusetts and coached freshman girls' basketball and soccer. Presently, she is an Upper School Science Teacher at the O'Neal School. She is excited to be returning to Explo where she will once again serve as a Curriculum Advisor. Jessica Bell is graduating from Carleton College with a degree Sociology and Anthropology. In college, she has won awards with her mock trial team, and is a dancer and a choreographer for both Ebony II and the Whoa Hip Hop Dance Company. Additionally, she has served as a residential advisor at Carleton for three years. She returns to Exploration as a Residence Director. Kelly Brown is a fashion design major at Massachusetts College of Art where she is studying textile design. Kelly was the captain of the varsity cheerleading team in high school. She has worked as a peer leader and as a nanny, and she is the recipient of numerous awards, including being named as a finalist in the Boston Globe All Scholastic for Multimedia Art and the 2005 Drama Festival Gold Costume Design winner. This year Kelly returns to Explo as an Instructor. Federico Burlon is a political science and economics major at Macalester College. Originally from Argentina, Federico is fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian. He has worked as a tutor and a Boy Scout leader for middle and high school students. Federico was awarded a full scholarship by the Italian Ministry of International Affairs to study at the International Baccalaureate Program at the United World College of the Adriatic. He returns to Explo this summer as a Program Assistant. Christi Conkling is an undergraduate at Carleton College where she is majoring in geology. She has worked as a youth referee for soccer and is currently a member of Carleton's Women's Rugby Football Club. Christi is a Sam Walton Foundation Scholarship Recipient as well as a recipient of the Coca-Cola/MTS scholarship. Her passion for geology has lead her on several geological excursions including a trip to the Badlands, South Dakota. Christi returns to Explo as an Instructor. Lydia Cuffman is an upperclassman at the University of Virginia where she is a double major in History and American Studies. She has served as the Outreach Co-chair for the University Guide Service as well as the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team. She is a National Merit Finalist, a Jefferson Scholar at the University of Virginia, and Tennessee's Junior Miss 2004, as well as America's Junior Miss 2004 Overall Scholastic Winner. Lydia has won the Optimist Oratorical Contest from 1998-2001. She returns to Explo this summer as an Instructor. Simone Fried is an undergraduate at Swarthmore College. A passionate dancer, Simone has studied jazz, ballet, and modern, as well and choreography, and she currently dances with Swarthmore's Terpsichore. She has put these dancing talents to use choreographing and dancing in numerous theater productions in high school and college. Simone is also a passionate cook and practices the Brazilian martial art of capoeira. She is excited to join the Intermediate Program this summer as an Instructor. Andrew Gallagher is currently studying animation at Massachusetts College of Art. Andrew is an accomplished animator, having produced and edited his own animated morning show. His achievements in his school's marching band earned national attention in 2005 when they marched in the Presidential Inaugural Parade. They were crowned division 2 world champions. Andy will be returning as the AV coordinator. Dan Goldstein is a first-year at Rutgers University, having spent the last year at the Hebrew University in Israel, majoring in Jewish studies. He was chosen as an ambassador for the 2006 Israel Youth Exchange and has worked as a teacher's assistant for kindergarten students. Dan is returning to the Intermediate Program as a Program Assistant. Sara Goldstein is a senior at Smith College where she is double majoring in government and Italian. Besides studying abroad in Florence last year, she is actively involved with her school's government and also serves as a committee member for Smith's Civil Rights Board. Sara has been an assistant kindergarten teacher and also taught English at Kumon Reading and Writing Center. In addition, she speaks Italian, Spanish, French, and Italian, and is currently studying German. Sara will return to Explo as a Residence Director. Marc Igdalsky is an underclassman at the University of Connecticut, where he is majoring is Human Development and Family Studies. He has served as a paraprofessional in the West Hartford Schools, which led him to work as a Special Needs camp counselor during the summer. In his spare time he works at the athletic center supervising rock climbing, and also plays the trombone. This summer Marc will work as a Program Assistant. Deja James is a math major at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. At college, she serves the community by acting as a tutor for America Counts and also the Boys and Girls Club of Geneva. Deja's is a part of the Hip-NotiQ's Step Team, and has studied with the Stomp! company. Additionally, she is the treasurer of the Black Student Union. This summer, Deja will work as an Instructor. Besjona Kreka is an undergraduate at Macalester College, where she is majoring in Economics and Mathematics. As a native of Albania, she is fluent in English, Albanian, French, and Italian, and was one of four people from her country chosen to study at the United World College. At Macalester she is a member of Pluralism and Unity and the International Organization, as well as a Board Member of the Model United Nation. She is excited to join Exploration as an Instructor. Cora Meginsky is an art education major at Massachusetts College of Art. She has worked for the Springfield Public Schools for several years as a teacher's aide and currently works as a Community Advisor for freshman at Mass Art. Cora spent a year volunteering at an elementary school in Harlem as part of City Year, and has taken years of comedy classes at the Improv Asylum-Boston. Cora is returning to Explo as an Instructor. Jackie Pateguana is an upperclassman at Hampshire College where she is majoring in economics. Before arriving at Hampshire, Jackie lived in many diverse locations, including Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, and Illinois. At her college she coordinates visitor's programs for the admissions office and chairs the school's African American student union. Jackie returns to Explo this summer as an Instructor. Joseph Reynoso is a creative writing major at Florida State University. An avid participant in the performing arts, he has been a player in the Starlight Mirage Mime group, a movement specialist at the Florida State Theatre Conference, a playwrite and player at La Cosa Nostra Productions, and a technical theater director at Raquette Lake Summer Programs. As a result, he is not only an experienced performer himself, but has had the opportunity to mentor hundreds of other performers as they polish and frame their artistic expressions. He will return to the Intermediate Program this summer as an Instructor. Matt Peal is a graduate of the University of Georgia where he majored in history. Matt is in his second year of teaching history at a high school, and also coaches baseball, a sport he has played for over fifteen years. During his college years, Matt was the lead Instructor with the Green Acres Daycare, an after school program for elementary and middle school students. Matt will return to Explo this summer as a Residence Director. Zaidee Rose graduated from Davidson College with a degree in English and recently obtained her Masters in Language and Literacy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Post-college, Zaidee spent several years in book publishing before moving into the world of education. She is currently teaching English in St. Etienne, France. This summer she will return to Explo to serve as a Curriculum Advisor. Federico Segura is currently working towards a degree in International Studies and Human Rights at Macalester College. Having grown up in Columbia and attended high school in Singapore, Federico is fluent in English, French, Spanish, and some Portuguese. In college, he has worked as a Residential Advisor, a Spanish tutor, and a fundraising assistant for the Nonviolent Peaceforce. This summer, Federico returns to work in the Programming Office. Soukeyna Sylla is an International Studies major at Macalester College. A native of Senegal, she is fluent in English, French, and Wolof. In the two summers she has returned to Senegal, first as a lab assistant in a biology lab, and then as an intern in the National Program Against HIV/AIDS. At Macalester, she is the Events Coordinator for Afrika!, a student organization on campus. She joins Explo this summer as an Instructor. Shayna Times is an upperclassman at Hobart and William Smith Colleges where she is completing her degree in mathematics. In high school she was the varsity captain of the track team, and in college she is a member of the Black Student Union as well as a mentor for both Learn to Read and America Reads. She returns to Exploration this summer as a Residence Director. Thu Tran is an International Relations major at Carleton College. In college she has assisted the Director of Campus Activities and worked with the WomenCircle, mentoring local teenage girls. Her passion for journalism has led her to devote time to first her high school and then college newspapers, and she is now a copy editor at Carleton. She also speaks fluent Vietnamese. Thu joins the program this summer as an Instructor. Kristina Young is a graduate of Pomona College where she earned a degree in psychology. She is a passionate singer who performed with her college gospel choir. Currently she works as an assistant teacher at the Bright Horizons - Montessori at Greenwood Plaza in Colorado. She is returning to Explo for her fifth summer and will work as a Residence Director.

faculty hiring In preparation for each summer, we spend months interviewing hundreds of prospective faculty members and reviewing their applications. As a result, we hire some of the best faculty imaginable from around the country. Click here to find out more about becoming an Exploration faculty member.

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