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meet our staff The following is a partial listing of some of our 2008 Senior Program faculty and staff. head of program GEOFF THEOBALD is the Head of the Senior Program. Geoff brings a wealth of experience to the Senior Program. Prior to leading the Senior Program, Geoff was the Academic Dean at Milton Academy where he was responsible for the direction and review of the academic program for 680 students in grades 9 through 12. During his 13-year tenure at Milton Academy, in addition to teaching math and acting as a student advisor, Geoff served as Admissions Director, Financial Aid Director, Assistant Dean of Students, and the Director of the Community Service Program. He also spent seven years as a dorm parent, coached varsity golf, and as head coach for girls varsity soccer, led his team to three Independent School League Championships and one New England Championship. Geoff was a Morehead Scholar at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (UNC), where he majored in history and earned his B.A. cum laude. He also earned his masters of social work at UNC. some of our 2008 summer administration GREG COOPER received his B.A. in political science from Brown University and recently earned his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Before going to law school, Greg spent three years teaching U.S. government, journalism, and Latin at The Avon Old Farms School in Connecticut, where he also coached squash and tennis and served as a dorm parent. While in law school, Greg taught a workshop on current events in the law at a high school in Philadelphia, and he also served as a teaching assistant for two undergraduate political science classes. Greg now works full-time for Explo as an Assistant to the Head and will return to Explo for his fifth summer. Greg taught at Explo's Junior Program in 1998 and 1999, and he will return for his third summer at the Senior Program, now as Associate Dean of Students. KEN HANSBERRY received his M.A. in education from Stanford University and graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College where he studied government and education. Ken has extensive curricular and pedagogical training and has worked with a vast array of students, teachers and administrators. He has served as chair of a history department and college counselor. Over the past sixteen years Ken has served as a humanities and history teacher on four continents. He has visited more than 45 countries, and has experienced adventure travel in Africa and South America. In the past he has functioned as a soccer, basketball and tennis coach. Ken has also been heavily involved in community service projects and served a one-year term for Americorps where he created the Youth Service Initiative for Hands on Atlanta, a volunteer clearing house. This summer, Ken will return to Explo as the Assistant Head. ALISON NITZSCHE graduated from Denison University where she studied sociology/ anthropology and art history. At Denison she served as resident assistant, vice president of the sociology/anthropology forum, and principle clarinetist for the university orchestra. Alison has also interned for the Museum of African Art in New York City and completed a study abroad program in Cape Town, South Africa where she researched the first international biennale of contemporary African art. At Denison Alison worked with a Columbus public school to develop and curate a collaborative photography project exploring Columbus's immigrant community. Alison now works full-time for Explo as an Assistant to the Head and will return to the Dean's Office as an Assistant Dean. MICHAEL O'DONNELL is a graduate of Dartmouth College where he majored in classics. While at Dartmouth he worked as an undergraduate advisor and was general manager for the college's radio station. He also spent a semester teaching Latin at the Mountain School in Vershire, Vermont. Before beginning his position as Associate Dean of Students at St. Mark's School, he was a Latin and social sciences teacher at Ransom Everglades School in Florida. Mike will return as Dean of Students. MEGAN ORWIG is a graduate of Carleton College and is currently working on her MFA in Physical Theatre at the Dell'Arte School of Physical Theatre in California. Megan has worked for the Cambridge Public Schools as part of the Cambridge Performance Project, bringing arts teachers into the public school system. While in college, she spent a semester studying at the National Theater Institute in Waterford, Connecticut, and after graduating, she traveled to West Africa, New Zealand, Scotland and Ireland studying lullabies while on a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship. After several years at Explo's Intermediate Program, Megan joins the Senior Program as Director of Programming. JUSTIN SNIDER holds graduate degrees from Harvard University, the University of Vienna and the University of Chicago; he received his B.A. in English and German literature from Amherst College and is currently pursuing a degree from Columbia University. Justin has experience teaching at the secondary and university levels in the United States, Austria and Japan. Justin will return for his fifth summer at Explo as Main Office Director. some of our 2008 summer faculty ARIELLE AVENIA is studying printmaking at the Rhode Island School of Design. Arielle has functioned as a teacher's assistant for a local middle school art class and apprentice to a fulltime artist. In 2004 the Education Center for the Arts awarded her the Outstanding Achievement for Printmaking award. Arielle will return to Explo, serving as instructor of drawing and printmaking, as well as Residential Advisor. JONATHAN BROWHER is a history major at Bates College, where he has served as staff writer for The Bates Student and executive committee member for his graduating class. Jonathan is the editor-in-chief and founder of Pachyderm Press, a statewide political newspaper. He will return to Explo to teach Civil War military history and campaigns and elections, and he will serve as a Residential Advisor. RIGEL BYRUM-RIDGE graduated from Vassar College with a degree in drama. In college Rigel was a community fellow with the Office of Residential Life as well as the president of his dorm. Rigel was a member of Woodshed Theatre Collective, a teacher/farmer at the FARM Institute where he designed curriculum and an avid musician, having gone on tour with musician Kate Taylor. Rigel will join Explo as a Resident Director. JUSTIN CARMEL is a Chemistry Education major at Nazareth College of Rochester, where he serves as a laboratory assistant and student leader. While in school, Justin is actively working toward his teaching certification through observation and training at a local high school. At Explo, Justin will teach forensic science and will serve as a Residential Advisor. MORGAN DERBY is majoring in international studies at Macalester College. Morgan has served as writer and editor for the Babel International Magazine, and she is currently participating in Earlham College's U.S.-Mexico Border Studies Program. Morgan has also served as a residential assistant at Macalester, and is fluent in four languages. At Explo, Morgan will return as a Residential Advisor and will teach cross-cultural studies. MEREDITH EVES is a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire majoring in mass communication and journalism. She has experience working with high school students as a YMCA counselor and has served as a student leader for high school girls in the Students with Disabilities Office. Meredith has served as a girls' soccer coach, swimming instructor and is an award-winning varsity team soccer player. This summer Meredith will return to Explo as Main Events Coordinator. SARAH FECH is a political science and French student at the University of Lincoln-Nebraska. Sarah has taken part in the speech team, student government and has performed in several theatrical performances. Sarah has tutored high school students in speech and debate and has interned for the ACLU and US Senator Ben Nelson. This summer Sarah will return to Explo to teach public speaking and speechwriting. She will also be a Residential Advisor. STEVE GISMONDI is studying Public Relations and Human Resource Management at Albion College, where he serves on the Student Senate. Steve is a mentor for first-year students at Albion, and he is also a mentor in the Step Ahead program, which is designed to help students overcome academic and social difficulties. Steve is also a DJ and radio show host for his college radio station. At Explo, Steve will teach business management and will serve as a Residential Advisor. STEPHEN HENRICK is studying history and political science at Boston University. He has served as president of Spectrum, BU's Gay-Straight Alliance, and he volunteers at a local homeless shelter. Stephen founded a mock trial program at BU, for which he served as president and chief prosecutor. Stephen returns to Explo to teach mock trial, and he will also serve as a Residential Advisor. MATT HILL is majoring in English at Brown University where he is an editor for Post-, the campus arts and culture magazine. He is also a writer for a humor magazine and an actor, writer, and director of Brown Film Production. After Hurricane Katrina, Matt volunteered his time in Mississippi doing relief work. He will return to Explo as a Residential Advisor and teacher, this year to teach screenplay writing andHistory and Hollywood.  TOM KETCHAM attends Temple University where he studies Mathematics and Economics. Tom is the team captain for his intramural flag football team, a guitarist and bassist, a math and science tutor for inner-city students and a semi pro/amateur skateboarder. This summer Tom will instruct discrete math and serve as a Residential Advisor. ADAM KRETZ is pursuing a degree in political science from Colorado College, where he is a residential advisor, serves as co-chair of the Honor Council, and is a vice-president for the Student Government Association. Adam was a 2005 national champion in extemporaneous speaking and parliamentary debate and was a semifinalist in the 2007 National Parliamentary Debate Tournament. He also coaches high school debate. Adam will return to Explo to teach courses in law and debate, and he will be a Residential Advisor. SAM MCHALE graduated from Skidmore College with a degree in American Studies. Sam has studied abroad in South Africa, where he taught Shakespeare and grammar to high school students. At Skidmore, Sam was a volunteer ESL tutor, and he is currently teaching English and American Studies in Slovakia, as a 2007 Fulbright Scholarship recipient. This summer, Sam will return to Explo as a Residential Director. LAURA PELZ is studying language arts at Spring Arbor University where she serves as a peer advisor, mentor, and counselor to first-year students. She has extensive experience working with youth in summer camp environments, including serving as a camp counselor for three summers and an assistant program director for two summers. Laura will return to Explo as a Residence Director. JOLI REICHEL studies painting at Temple University's Tyler School of Art. At Temple, Joli has been involved in the student government and is a core member of both Project Mexico and the Produce Exhibitions Gallery. She has served as a residential advisor to high school students and has been recognized for outstanding community service. After spending a year studying in Italy, Joli will return to Explo to teach public art and found object art, and to serve as a Residential Advisor. TYSON REUTER is studying Psychology and Philosophy at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where he serves as president of the Pride Alliance and is a literacy tutor with the Boys and Girls Club and the America Reads program. He also serves as both a teaching assistant and research assistant, and has worked as a facilitator and caregiver at a residential treatment facility for children with emotional and behavioral difficulties. Tyson joins the Explo faculty as a teacher of philosophy and as a Residential Advisor. LAUREN RINGDAHL studies painting at the Massachusetts College of Art. Lauren has been an active participant in the arts, taking part in various aspects of theater and dance. She has also been a peer counselor and has extensive experience working with children on diabetes education and empowerment. Lauren will return to Explo this summer as a Residence Director. DAVID ROSENBAUM is a graduate of Vassar College, where he majored in drama. David is currently an instructor for Northwest Children's Theatre and School, in addition to teaching acting classes at local elementary schools and community centers. David has also acted as the technical director, designer and technician for Sunset High School in Beaverton, Oregon. David will return to Explo to teach acting and directing and serve as Residential Advisor. CARLY ROMEO is pursuing a degree at the University of Virginia in women's and gender studies. At the university she has served as co-founder/co-president of Feminism is for Everyone, founder and editor of slhe said Feminist Zine. She has also interned at a local publishing firm and for Uva's Women's Center. Carly will return to Explo, teaching digital imagery and gender studies and serving as Residential Advisor. LAURA SCOTT is pursuing a degree in English at the University of Virginia. She has volunteered at public schools and after-school programs assisting teachers and served as the vice president of publicity for U.Va's FilmMakers Society, managing two large-scale student film festivals. Laura has also been the executive editor for her college magazine where she coordinates fundraising, sales and the general public image of the magazine. Laura will return to Explo as the Assistant Coordinator of Main Events. JENNIE SEIDEWAND is an English major at Hobart and William Smith Colleges where she serves as an editor for the Crux literary magazine and as a writing colleague, tutoring first-year students and leading writing workshops. Jennie is also an active member of the Women's Collective and is a lead organizer for the Progressive Student Union. Jennie will return to Explo to teach creative writing and children's literature. She will also be a Residential Advisor. DEVIN TOOHEY is pursuing studies in English and classics at Tufts University. At Tufts he has functioned as managing editor of the Zamboni humor magazine, editor in chief of Helicon magazine and an abroad columnist and pop culture columnist for the daily newspaper. Devin is currently studying abroad in London. Devin will return to Explo to teach 80s pop culture and mythology and function as a Residential Advisor. LISA TORREY is studying English, studio art and secondary English at the University of Virginia. As a volunteer for Computers4kids, she has experience developing lesson plans that focus on teaching practical computer skills to youth. Lisa has also worked for an educational enrichment firm that works with Virginia schools to help raise their standardized test scores and has observed and instructed a high school English class. This summer Lisa will teach painting and adventure literature and serve as a Residential Advisor. ANNE MARIE WILHELMY is studying at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where she is an education major, specializing in secondary English education. She is currently student teaching at a local middle school and involved in implementing an interdisciplinary project involving the lakes of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Annie will return to Explo to teach creative writing and criminal psychology. She will also serve as aResidential Advisor. STEVE ZAREMBKA is majoring in accounting at Assumption College. Steve is a varsity baseball and football player and has served as a volunteer-mentor for Assumption College Reach Out Center. Steve also volunteers at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. Steve will return to Explo as the Athletic Director and a Residential Advisor. JASON ZOLLE studies music at the University of Pennsylvania. Jason has been a tutor for the West Philadelphia Tutoring Project, an executive editor and writer for Penn's Soapbox political magazine, and the electric bassist in a jazz combo. He also spent a year as a student teacher for the AVID program in Colorado, preparing students for success in high school and college. At Explo Jason will return to teach rock bands and music theory and composition. Jason will also be a Residential Advisor.

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