Faculty perform at the Variety Show

Faculty and Staff

A-C | D-J | K-L | M-P | R-V | W-Z

Eliza Beardslee

Eliza Beardslee – Div 2 Science

BA, Biology, Brown University

MA, Spanish Literature, Middlebury College

Bio

Eliza lives in Brattleboro, Vermont with her family. She enjoys having adventures outside that include cooking local foods over a fire, biking, climbing on trails or running. One of her favorite spots to explore ecology is at the ocean. Eliza joined Four Rivers in 2009.


Dave Bradt

Dave Bradt – Div 3 Science

Dartmouth College – BS Environmental Science

Smith College – MAT, Secondary Geoscience

Bio

Dave lives in Putney Vermont with his wife and three sons. He enjoys being physically active and being outdoors, particularly when it involves snowboarding, basketball, or mountain-biking through the woods. He is an avid lover of food, including both the cooking and the eating, and he particularly enjoys wood fire BBQ and fresh, local produce. If he was not teaching, Dave would be fighting crime in a cape. He does that most nights, in fact.


Josh Breitner

Josh Breitner – Div 1 Wellness

BS Natural Resource Studies, Umass Amherst

Bio

Prior to joining Four Rivers in 2023, Joshua spent many years managing a popular Greenfield restaurant. He is the co-owner of Cocina Lupita, an authentic Salvadoran restaurant in downtown Greenfield. He is currently pursuing a Masters in Physical Education from Plymouth State University in Plymouth, NH.


Mike Bukowick

Mike Bukowick – Div 3 Social Studies

B.A. in Sociology, University of Virginia

M.L.A., UMass-Amherst; M.Ed., UMass-Amherst.

Bio

Over more than 25 years, Mr. Bukowick has taught History and English classes in several Middle and High School settings in MA, headed a Title 1 support and tutoring program here at Four Rivers, and taught Math and Science as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Solomon Islands. He has also been a dad, Landscape Architect, illustrator, paralegal, martial arts instructor, horse farm hand, professional drummer, line cook and coffee roaster. He has lived, worked and travelled in a variety of countries.


Sage Campbell

Sage Campbell – Div 2 Math

B.A. from Hampshire College with a focus in Math Instruction and Cognitive Science

Bio

Sage has been working as a Middle and High School Math Teacher in the valley for nine years. Sage joined Four Rivers in 2024.


Deborah Chamberlain

Deborah Chamberlain – Student Success Coach

B.A in Education; Massachusetts Teacher Certified; Special Education Trained MCLA/Collaborative for Educational Services

Bio

Deborah lives in Wendell. Outside of school her passions are gardening, mushroom foraging, and ancestral living skills. Her career as an educator started with Outward Bound. She worked at the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, Thompson Island Outward, and Outward Bound Wales, finishing her 10 year stint at the New York City Outward Bound Center. Her next 16 years were spent teaching Wellness at the Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School. She joined Four Rivers in 2013.


Lea Chiara

Lea Chiara – Div 2 Spanish & Advanced Spanish

B.S. Skidmore College

Bio

Lea Chiara joined the Four Rivers faculty in 2024, and has over eleven years of experience in teaching and curriculum development. Prior to Four Rivers, she taught and co-directed Language and Art programs at the Hartsbrook School, Atitlán Multicultural Academy, and the Robert Muller LIFE International School in Guatemala. Her love of languages, music and the arts has led her to live, work and study in Guatemala, Mexico, Spain and Italy.


Nikki Crosby – Div 2 English

B.A. in English, UMass

M.Ed., UMass

Bio

Nikki Crosby got her start as a peer tutor and lab instructor at Greenfield Community College. After graduating from UMASS Amherst, she taught in Springfield for eight years before joining the Four Rivers family in the fall of 2020. Nikki grew up in Franklin County and loves fishing, gardening, hikes with her dog and foraging for mushrooms.


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Mindy Dow

Mindy Dow – Div 2 and 3 Wellness

BA in English Literature, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

MFA in Creative Writing Poetry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Bio

Mindy is the new High School Wellness/Mindfulness Teacher at Four Rivers this year. She’s been teaching since 1994 and has taught as a middle and high school English teacher, a Montessori elementary school teacher, an assistant professor of creative writing and literature, and a visiting professor in various colleges and universities before switching careers. Mindy worked as an Outdoor Faculty at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, MA, for the past three and half years, and in 2020, she started her own business called NatureMind Coaching as an ICF Accredited Eco Life Coach. During her summers, she’s worked as a whitewater raft guide at Zoar Outdoor and Park Interpreter for the MA Dept. of Conservation and Recreation in Tolland State Forest, as well as Lodge Crew for the Appalachian Mountain Club at Bascom Lodge on Mt. Greylock. Mindy is a published poet and feels most alive outside in nature.


Bob Etzweiler – Nature

B.A. in Psychology, Penn State University

Bio

Mr. Etzweiler has over 15 years experience teaching nature through summer programs and other wilderness programs near his home in Putney, VT and in Pennsylvania where he is from. He joined Four Rivers in 2011.


Julia Fay

Julia Fay – Div 3 Math

B.A. Computer Science, Grinnell College with licensure in 5th-12th grade math

Bio

Julia joined Four Rivers faculty in 2020 as the 9th and 10th grade math teacher, assuming her current role in 2024. Prior to joining Four Rivers she served in the Peace Corps as a high school math teacher in Mozambique. Julia enjoys swimming upstream, chatting with fish and hiking tall mountains.


Anna Heidenreich – Div 2 Learning Specialist

BA Smith College

MAT Smith College

Bio

Anna brings more than 17 years of eclectic teaching experience to Four Rivers, with a background in English, Outdoor Education, and Special Education. Anna’s passion is for serving special needs students and ensuring equity and inclusion in education. When not teaching, Anna can be found on a nearby mountain top.


Melissa Herliczek

Melissa Herliczek – Div 1 Math

B.A., Geology, Smith College

M.Ed., 180 Days in Springfield, UMASS Amherst

Bio

Melissa worked most recently as a seventh grade science teacher at the Bancroft School, in Worcester, MA, and prior to that as both the seventh and eighth grade science teacher at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School in Franklin, MA. She has a deep passion for earth and environmental science, STEM education, place-based and project-based learning, with experience in both the EL model and the Massachusetts Science and Engineering Fair. Melissa is thrilled to return to the Pioneer Valley and joined Four Rivers in 2023.


Becky Jablonski-Gray

Becky Jablonski-Gray – Adjustment Counselor/Social Worker

BA, Westfield State University

Masters in Social Work, Springfield College

Bio

Becky began her academic journey in Social Work at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire, ultimately completing her undergraduate degree at Westfield State University. She then pursued a Master’s degree in Social Work at Springfield College. Over the past 20 years, Becky has worked in various mental health settings as a psychotherapist, assisting individuals and families in resolving issues, managing relationships, and identifying challenging patterns. For the last 8 years, she served as a school-based therapist in Springfield Public Schools, where she discovered her passion for education. Becky joined Four Rivers in 2023.


Zack Jakub – Music

B.M. Music Education, Keene State College

Bio

With over 20 years of teaching experience in various studio and school settings, Zack’s approach to music instruction is to encourage lifelong enjoyment and appreciation of music in his students. He sees music as a never-ending puzzle with all sorts of nooks and crannies to check out and explore.

Zack has performed with Royal Caribbean Cruises, George Kilby and the Road-dogs, Shokazoba, Lostdog, Crackin’ Foxy, and various pit orchestras and other bands.

He has studied with Lynn Klock, Mario Bernardo, David Jenkins, Craig Sylvern, and the renowned saxophonist Scott Mullett.

Outside of music, Zack enjoys spending time on his farm with his wife, 2 children, and many animals big and small! Outside of music, Zack manages the terrain park and snowboarding program at Berkshire East as well as training whitewater raft guides. Zack really enjoys tacos.


Peter Johnson

Peter Johnson – Athletic Director

B.A. History, Grove City College, PA

Bio

Peter Johnson joined Four Rivers as an Ultimate coach in 2018 after many years of experience with the sport and with working as a teacher. In 2021 he accepted the position of Athletic Director and currently works at Four Rivers in a variety of roles, athletic directing, coaching, and subbing.


Katie Johnson

Katie Johnson – Div 1 Learning Specialist

M.Ed, UMass Amherst, with licensure in History, English, and Special Education

Bio

Before working at Four Rivers, Ms. Johnson worked at Franklin County Technical School in the Pre-Employment Program for five years. She lives in the county with her dog Remy, and loves reading, going on walks, and baking sugary snacks for her friends and family.


Trey Jones

Trey Jones – Div 1 English

B.A. English and Music from Hampshire College

M.Ed. from UMass in English Education

Bio

Trey began his teaching career in the Woburn Public School District before serving as a High School English Teacher in Michigan and a Middle School Humanities Teacher at the Gateway School in Manhattan. Most recently, Trey taught Middle School English in the Northampton Public School District, joining the Four Rivers community in 2024.


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SiriNam Khalsa

SiriNam Khalsa – Special Education Coach

B.S. in Art Education and M. Ed in Special Education from SUNY@New Paltz.

Bio

SiriNam is a Nationally Board Certified teacher and a published author of several educational trade books. For 23 years, he served in the Springfield Public Schools as a teacher, Inclusion Coach and Instructional Learning Specialist. SiriNam is also the owner of GoBerry ‘n Cream in Amherst.


Senna Lauer

Senna Lauer – Div 1 Assistant Teacher

BA in Psychology and Aesthetic Relativism, Hampshire College

Behavior Technician, Autism Learning Partners

Bio

Senna Lauer is very excited to be joining the Four Rivers “Crew”. Before coming to Four Rivers, Senna worked as a private tutor in New York City (her hometown), at Greenfield Middle School as a special education paraprofessional/teacher/ advisor, and (most recently) at Cutchins Programs for Children and Families as a therapeutic support specialist. Senna loves to speak Spanish, spoil her puppy, and write short stories at the end of each day.


Matt Leaf – Assistant Principal of Crew and Culture

B.A. Anthropology, Kenyon College

M.S. Restorative Practices, The International Institute for Restorative Practices

Bio

Matt joined Four Rivers in 2003 as a member of the founding faculty. After teaching 7th grade Humanities for the first 5 years of the school, he transitioned to being the Dean of Students and then Assistant Principal of Crew and Culture.


Dan Lederer – Director of Technology

New Hampshire Vocational Technical College, Berklee College of Music in Boston, and City College of San Francisco

Bio

Mr. Lederer has had web design and systems administration positions in private industry. He has had technology and teaching roles at area schools, including 10 years at Hilltown Cooperative Charter School in Haydenville. He joined Four Rivers in 2005.


Emma Lehan – Sub Coordinator, Admin Support


Madeline Leue

Madeline Leue – Teaching Assistant

MA Public Policy and Administration

Bio

Madeline is a Teaching Assistant and Crew Leader with a Masters in Public Policy and Administration and a plethora of experience in different fields. With a background in social work, she is brings a strong skill-set to offer students to help them manage their emotions. As a writer, poet, and woodworker, Madeline empowers students to express themselves and invites creativity into every classroom she inhabits.


Mandy Locke

Mandy Locke – Div 1 Science

BA in Environmental Studies and Communication, Hamilton College

Masters in Environmental Education, Antioch New England

Bio

Ms. Locke comes to Four Rivers with a B.A. in Communication Studies with a minor in Environmental Studies from Hamilton College and a M.S. Environmental Education with Middle School General Science Certification from Antioch New England Graduate School. Perhaps her best training for teaching middle school is her experience as an Outdoor Educator, Life Skills teacher and Wilderness Trip leader with teens prior to joining Four Rivers as a founding faculty member in 2003. Nominated by her colleagues, she was honored to be a 2018 finalist for the KLINGENSTEIN TEACHER AWARD .


Liv Lohmeier

Liv Lohmeier – Teaching Assistant

B.S. in mathematics, UMass Amherst

Bio

Liv joined Four Rivers in 2023 and is a division 2 teaching assistant and 10th grade advisor. They enjoy running and music and coach the Four Rivers cross country team!


Felix Lufkin – Nature

B.A., botany and ecology, Hampshire College

Bio

Mr. Lufkin works with K-12 and adults at numerous schools and programs in the region, teaching nature literacy and organizing sustainable food-access initiatives. He joined Four Rivers in 2008, co-teaching Nature Tribs and club, with a focus on the campus permaculture gardens.


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Jackie MacNeish

Jackie MacNeish – Div 3 English

MA Environmental Leadership/Experiential Education from Naropa University

BA English from Grinnell College

Bio

Jackie is returning to Four Rivers as the Div 3 English teacher after three years as an Academic Coach working one to one with high school students, facilitating Parenting 4 Social Justice book groups, and being an online host for the Sojourner Truth School for Social Change Leadership. In her spare time, Jackie loves to read YA novels and graphic novels, cook Thai and Indian food, walk around the woods and rivers of Rattlesnake Gutter, fish and make art with her two children, and travel with her whole family.


Jenni Manfredi

Jenni Manfredi – Principal/Head of School

BS, Biology, UMass Dartmouth

M.Ed Psychology and Education, Springfield College

Bio

Jenni attended Springfield Technical Community College for two years then transferred to UMass Dartmouth where she studied marine biology earning a B.S. in Biology. At Springfield College, she served two years as an AmeriCorps volunteer in the Springfield Public Schools and earned her M. Ed. in Psychology and Urban Secondary Education. For 18 years, she served in the Springfield Public Schools as a teacher, advisor, STEM academy resource teacher, counselor, and administrator. During the three years prior to joining Four Rivers in 2022, Jenni was an administrator in the Northampton Public Schools.


Laura Markstein

Laura Markstein – Social-Emotional School Counselor

B.A. in Political Science from Kenyon College

Masters in School Counseling from University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Bio

Laura Markstein comes to Four Rivers with a background of supporting young people’s social and emotional growth in a variety of settings including as a high school counselor, after school supervisor, trail crew leader, and summer camp counselor. She joined Four Rivers in 2024.


Maki Matsui – Div 1 Teaching Assistant

BA in English, Williams College

MM in Vocal Performance, UMass, Amherst.

Bio

Prior to joining the Four Rivers team in spring 2022 as a one-on-one TA, Maki spent five years teaching music in public schools. She is also a singer, writer, and an avid doodler.


René McIntyre

René McIntyre – Math Interventionist

M.A., Castleton State College Educational Leadership, M.S., University of Vermont Mathematics

Bio

Ms. McIntyre comes to Four Rivers with 18 years of teaching experience in mathematics. Ms. McIntyre has experience with standards based grading and running advisory. She began her journey as a math teacher in a small school and is delighted to be at Four Rivers. One of her favorite things to experience in the classroom, or individually with students is seeing that moment when the math suddenly “clicks.”


Jazmin Miller

Jazmin Miller – School Nurse

BSN RN

Bio

Jazmin works as the school nurse. She was a school nurse in another district for 3 years. She has worked in health care for about 10 years. She enjoys going on hikes, reading a good book, and traveling to new places.


Joanna Morse

Joanna Morse – Div 2 Social Studies

BA, American Studies, Wesleyan University;

MA, History, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Bio

Joanna began her career in adventure education, working at Project Adventure and Farm and Wilderness. She trained teachers in a Burmese refugee camp in Thailand, and taught ESL to adults in El Salvador. In over two decades of teaching high school and middle school Social Studies, Joanna has taught at Amherst Regional High School, the Springfield Renaissance School, the Hilltown Charter Charter Public School, and has served as history department chair at South Hadley High School. Joanna joined Four Rivers in 2021. When she’s not teaching, she loves outdoor adventure and playing the fiddle.


Julio Neijens

Julio Neijens – Art

BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Bio

Julio has taught art and lead theater prop-making with the Multi-Arts programs for 8 years, focusing on kids ages 6-12. He also led the Approaches to Drawing through Nature workshops in Western Mass for two years, which was open to all ages and levels of experience. He joined Four Rivers as a substitute in 2023, and as an art teacher in 2024.


Leah Plath – College and Career Coach

B.A. English Literature, University of Massachusetts Amherst

M.A in English Literature, Southern New Hampshire University

Bio

Leah joined Four Rivers in 2007 after several years teaching in Springfield. She taught Div 3 English at Four Rivers for 17 years. In 2024, she shifted into the role of College and Career Coach. Leah has directed the annual Four Rivers drama productions since 2009, including Grease, Godspell, and Once Upon a Mattress. She is also a multi-published author. Leah enjoys most of the same hobbies as retirees, such as jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, baking, birdwatching, and talking to strangers in the grocery store. She is especially fond of pigeons.


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Foster Ranney – Div 3 Teaching Assistant

Bachelor’s in Cognitive Science, Vassar College

MA in Psychology, Simon Fraser University

MEd, UMass Amherst

Bio

Foster had a brief career in research psychology before switching to education. They completed a MEd program for teaching middle and high school English in 2023, and they worked as a substitute at Four Rivers last year before being hired on as an assistant teacher this fall. Before working at Four Rivers, they taught U.S. Literature as a student teacher at Greenfield High School. They’ve served in a wide range of educational roles over the years, notably as a teaching assistant for writing-intensive courses at Simon Fraser University.


Alison Rheingold

Alison Rheingold – Manager of Special Projects & Grants

B.A. Experiential and Environmental Education, Hampshire College

M.Ed. in Special Education, Lesley College

PhD. in Education, University of New Hampshire

Bio

Alison has worked as an Instructional Coach in the Holyoke Public Schools and as as an Instructional Coach and then Director of Professional Learning at the Christa McAuliffe Charter School. Alison has a deep background in and passion for EL, with initial training in outdoor/experiential education. Alison joined our team in 2020.


Bruce Ridge

Bruce Ridge – Reading Interventionist

B.A. English, Boston University

M.E.T. Charles Sposato Graduate School of Education

Bio

Bruce taught ESL for two years in South Korea before working as a high school English teacher in Boston from 2014-2020. During the height of the pandemic, he stayed home to raise his new daughter before moving to the Pioneer Valley and joining Four Rivers in 2022. He loves exploring the woods and streams around his home in Colrain.


Elizabeth Rodriguez-Salas

Elizabeth Rodriguez-Salas – Div 1 Spanish & Advanced Spanish

Bachelor degree with a Major in Spanish and Latin American Studies Certificate

Bio

Elizabeth is a native of Chile, where she maintains strong ties to her family and culture. She has traveled extensively throughout Latin America, enriching her understanding of Hispanic culture and expanding her teaching through diverse experiences. Immersing herself in various countries has allowed her to acquire a broad range of knowledge, which she brings into the classroom. Elizabeth is passionate about cooking, nature and wildlife photography, sewing, painting, and hiking. Her creativity and dedication shine through in everything she does, both inside and outside the classroom. A proud mother, friend, and active community member, Elizabeth has been a valued part of the Four Rivers community since 2018.


Peter Scherer – Div 1 Teaching Assistant

BA in Environmental Studies from Gustavus Adolphus College

Bio

Peter has worn many hats over the years: leading youth trail crews, coordinating waste reduction programs for rural municipalities, farming, volunteering with the Peace Corps, installing solar hot water systems and as an “actor-educator” for a theatre company in the Midwest. Peter enjoys outdoor activities, traveling and eating. He joined Four Rivers in 2022.


Robin Sidel – Front Office Manager

Certificate in Human Services, Holyoke Community College

B.A. Cultural Anthropology, UMass Amherst

Bio

Robin returned to Four Rivers in the summer of 2023 in the role of Front Office Manager after having worked in the middle school as an Advisor and Assistant Teacher a few years prior. Living and raising her 3 children between Greenfield and Bernardston for over 20 years, she has had the pleasure of working for some of our amazing local organizations like Stone Soup Cafe, Center for Human Development, Center for Responsive Classroom, and Diemand Farm. She is thrilled to be back at Four Rivers in this role and loves being able to connect with all of our school community.


Andy Stenson – Director of Student Services

B.A. Leeds University

Post Graduate Certificate in Education, Bristol Polytechnic , England

M.A., Education, Smith College

Bio

Mr. Stenson has extensive teaching experience in technology and special education, and he has also worked as an Outward Bound instructor. He joined Four Rivers in 2004.


Abigail Vondell

Abigail Vondell – Div 1 Social Studies

Bio

Abigail comes to Four Rivers from Southern VT. She has previously worked at Brattleboro Union High School and is happy to be back teaching middle schoolers! She lives in Guilford, VT with her husband and extended family nearby. She loves history, swimming (and all things water), traveling and cooking! She is excited to be joining the team at Four Rivers, and is looking forward to exploring Franklin County with all of her students!


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Amy Wales

Amy Wales – Director of Finance & Operations

BA, Environmental Studies, The Evergreen State College

MBA, University of Massachusetts

Bio

Amy has over 20 years experience working in the finance/accounting field at nonprofits & governments, including ten years as an Auditor. She serves on the Finance Committee in the Town of Charlemont. Amy joined Four Rivers in 2016.


Nikki Walk – Div 3 Teaching Assistant

A.A. in Liberal Arts, Greenfield Community College

B.A. in Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Bio

Ms. Walk is a graduate of Four Rivers and was a member of the founding 7th grade here in 2003. She returned to serve for several years as an Ultimate Frisbee coach, and worked at Sheffield School as an after school teacher. She joined the teaching staff at Four Rivers in 2019.


Emma Wall

Emma Wall – Div 2 Teaching Assistant

Associate Degree English & Poetry, University of Utah

Bio

Emma is originally from Park City, Utah. Her background is in fine dining and technology. Emma enjoys cooking and being outside with her 14 year old pitbull, Jasmine.


Alex Wilson

Alex Wilson – Instructional Guide

BA Political Science, Bates College

MA Teaching, Lewis and Clark College

Principal Certification, Curry College

Bio

Alex works with the Four Rivers faculty to help them become the teachers and change makers they want to be. He’s a longtime history teacher, for 13 years at Four Rivers and before that, in West Hartford CT, Portland OR and Marin County CA. Alex has worked on political campaigns in New England and California and he played professional basketball in Copenhagen, Denmark. Alex loves tinkering on his 1800’s farmhouse, gardening, and getting outdoors in all seasons. In addition to his work at Four Rivers, he coaches his daughters in a variety of youth sports in Shelburne Falls.


Carolyn Wood – Registrar and Special Education Clerk

B.A, English, Boston College

Bio

Carolyn has many years experience in office management and advertising research and teaching at Full Circle School in Bernardston. She joined Four Rivers in 2004 and subsequently developed the SPED Secretary role. She assumed the role of School Secretary in 2009 and became Registrar and Special Education Clerk in 2024.


Catherine Zacchilli

Catherine Zacchilli – Div 3 Learning Specialist

Elementary Education Special Education and Behavioral Studies, University of Hartford

Severe Special Education, Simmons University

Bio

Catherine has many years of experience in education ranging from early childhood to 21 years old. Before joining Four Rivers in 2024, Catherine was a 6th grade teacher. In her free time, she loves doing jigsaw puzzles.


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