New Upper School Faculty

List of 12 items.

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  Cecilia Devetski, Upper School Parents Desk Receptionist

  Cecilia holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Spring Hill College, a Master in Education from Delta State University, and a Master in Health Administration from Tulane University. Her experience includes managing projects in both the medical and home construction industries.
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  Sagari Bellamkonda, Computer Science

  Sagari earned a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science and Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, a Master of Science in Computer Science and Engineering from Bradley University, and a Master of Science in Business Analytics from Southern Methodist University. Her experience includes working as a senior data analytics engineer and developer in the energy and healthcare sectors. In addition, she served as a math instructor in the Dallas area.
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  Alexandra Carter, English

  Alexandra earned a Bachelor of Arts in Medieval and Renaissance Studies from New York University and a PhD in English Literature from Tufts University. She has taught upper school English both locally and at a Boston area boarding school and served as a faculty advisor to a literary magazine. In addition, Dr. Carter is a published author and has served as a JV volleyball and a squash coach.
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  Catherine Faler, Science

  Catherine holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh and a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania. Most recently, she worked as a chemist at a large oil and gas company in the Houston area and has filed numerous patents. Dr. Faler has taught chemistry labs in a Philadelphia area school, has led chemistry workshops and is a published author.
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  Esther Galo, Spanish

  Esther holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (Education) from the University of Houston-Downtown and a Master of Spanish Language and Culture from the University of Salamanca. She is certified in AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Spanish Literature and IB Spanish. Her recent experience includes teaching AP Spanish and Spanish I at the secondary and higher education levels at Houston area schools.
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  Lisa Hirschmann, History

  Lisa earned a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University, a Master of Arts in Spanish from Princeton University, and a Master of Arts in History from the University of Oregon. Most recently, Lisa taught college level history courses at the University of Oregon. She also has experience teaching and designing curriculum for Spanish I, I and III and preparing students for IB Spanish exams.
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  Caroline Hussey, Science

  Caroline holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology from Stanford University where she played Field Hockey for four years and was awarded Rookie of the Year. She subsequently earned a Doctor of Medicine from the McGovern Medical School at UT Health in Houston. Caroline is also a proud alumna of St. John’s, where she coached field hockey and lacrosse for four years. Most recently, Dr. Hussey has worked as a resident physician at a Houston area hospital and is also a published author.
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  Natalia Ismail, Mathematics

  Natalia earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from the University of Richmond. She also holds a Master of Education in Curriculum Instruction and Secondary Mathematics from the University of Houston College of Education. Her recent experience includes teaching upper and middle school mathematics in Dallas and Houston area schools, and integrating technology and collaborative learning in the classroom.
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  Katherine Keller, Science

  Katie holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Louisiana State University, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Philosophy in English from the University of Houston. Katie has taught English courses and designed programming for writing at a local Houston school and in Louisiana. She has also founded a writing lab in collaboration at a Houston school in connection with Rice University and has coached swimming, diving, and water polo.
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  Kay Kubena, Mathematics

  Kay earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Rice University and a Master of Education in Mathematics from the University of Houston. She has most recently taught upper school Mathematics and served as the department chair at a Houston area school and has also worked as a Master Teacher with Rice University. In addition, Kay has experience training AP mathematics consultants and teachers on new policies and programs as directed by the College Board.
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  William Lam, History

  William earned a Bachelor of Arts from Colgate University and a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Pennsylvania. His professional experience includes teaching upper school history and coaching JV and Varsity football at a school in Maryland, along with teaching history courses at a school in New Hampshire. He has also served as a pedagogical partner to Colgate University, serving as a panelist for student-faculty dialogue.
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  Charlotte Pattison, English

  Charlotte holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Creative Writing from Northwestern University, a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Cornell University, and a Master of Arts in Teaching in Adolescent Education from Binghamton University. She has experience as a creative writing and English lecturer at Cornell University. Charlotte’s most recent experience includes teaching upper school English literature and serving as an upper school college essay advisor at a school in Santiago, Chile, and New York.