Middle School Arts

List of 7 members.

• 

  Bill Jacob 

  Creative Arts Department Chair, Middle & Upper School Drama Teacher

  617-278-2330

  BIO

  As a teacher, Bill believes in progressive education that emphasizes a student-centered, constructivist approach to active learning that stresses teacher facilitation, cooperative problem solving, and individual reflection. He is convinced by Carol Dweck’s research that classroom environment and teacher attitudes toward intelligence and learning influence the classroom experience and learning outcomes, and subscribes to Gardner’s theories about multiple intelligences and the need to adapt teaching approaches to support individual learning styles. Bill believes that good teaching begins with personal connection, understanding, and care, and that an understanding of the cognitive and developmental sciences, as well as current best practices, provides the tools necessary for a growth-minded approach to education.

  
  Bill has taught theatre, public speaking, and creative writing at Brimmer for over 20 years. He is also a cooperating practitioner with Emerson College and an adjunct professor in Lesley University’s Creative Arts and Learning program. Bill grew up in Italy and Venezuela and worked in New York City as a professional actor for several years before moving to Boston to work as a theatre artist and educator in Boston and Provincetown. His plays have been produced by the Speakeasy Theatre Company, Stage One of Providence, Harwich Junior Theatre, and Emerson College, and he has received numerous grants to write plays collaboratively with students in area schools, among others. For the last few summers, Bill has worked for Johns Hopkins University as a site director for the Centers for Talented Youth program in Monterrey, Mexico, Great Barrington, Mass., and Princeton University. He has enjoyed associations with Joe Papp’s Public Theatre, Soho Rep, the Ensemble Studio Theatre, and Delaware Rep, among others. He has toured nationally with Los Titeres de Chaciporra, a Lorca farce, and internationally with the Royal Theatre of Spain’s production of Life Is a Dream, and was a founding member of the street theatre group, Commedia 'del I.R.T.

  
  Bill holds a Massachusetts Certification in Drama (K-12) and English (5-12) and is a member of the American Association of Theatre Educators (AATE), the National Network of Schools in Partnership (NNSP), and the Actors Equity Association (AEA). On behalf of Brimmer’s CAP Program in collaboration with the Charles Sumner School of Roslindale, Bill has accepted the ARTS | LEARNING (2017) Outstanding Community Arts Education Collaborative Award and an Outstanding Community Service Award from Parents in Independent Schools Network (PIN) in 2004, 2011, 2012 and 2015. Bill has also received a Boston City Council Resolution (2009) Recognition for Sustained Community Service in the Arts, and an Outstanding Arts Educator in Drama award by the Massachusetts Alliance for Arts Education (1998).
• 

  Kathryn Lee 

  Director of Innovation and Design, MS/US Arts Teacher

  617-278-2368

  BIO

  As a visual arts teacher, Kathryn aims to promote creative problem solving and foster creative confidence in her students. She works to create an environment where students are not afraid to take risks and are able to create things they never thought imaginable.

  
  Before joining the Brimmer team in 2010, Kathryn served as an art faculty member at St. George’s School in Newport, R.I., and Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, Conn., focusing primarily on photography, drawing, and jewelry making. Kathryn also spent several summers serving as art director for the American School in Switzerland’s Summer Language Program.

  
  Kathryn is passionate about the fine arts and loves nothing more than sharing her enthusiasm with her students and challenging them to instill creativity in their lives, both in the classroom and beyond. It gives Kathryn a tremendous sense of pride to encourage Brimmer students to see the world around them through a creative lens by using art history, cultural significance, and contemporary practices as inspiration.

  
  Outside of the classroom, Kathryn continues to express and develop her own ideas as a photographer and textile designer. She has found the work she does with her students at Brimmer inspirational to her own creative process and practices.
• 

  Max Holman 

  Middle & Upper School Music Teacher
• 

  Andrea Underhill-Curtin 

  Middle School Drama & English Teacher

  BIO

  As an Arts educator, Andrea is inspired by the power of a good story. Whether you are studying or making, it is a gift to examine the people, places, and cultures that transport us from one place to another. Andrea encourages the use of the imagination, creativity and supports her students by asking questions to coach them in their learning. Her goal is to ignite critical thinking that results in their discovery of how they want to impact the world around them. 

   

  The most effective teachers Andrea had while growing up were the ones who gave her opportunities to explore her strengths and growing edges because both can be helpful guides in life. She holds a Masters in Theater Education from Emerson College, and is looking forward to continuing her learning with the Brimmer community.

   

  Andrea was born and raised in New England, predominantly NH, and has a strong affinity to Vermont- she chooses to abstain from the maple syrup argument. Outside of work, Andrea enjoys a good work out, baking, and of course attending live performances.
• 

  Alex Ostergard 

  Director of After School Music, Music/Instrumental Teacher

  BIO

  Alex was born and raised in Florida. Their musical training began in middle school, when they joined the school band hoping to learn to play the music from their favorite video games. As nearly all of Alex’s role models were and are teachers, they wanted to be a teacher starting at an early age. Prior to joining Brimmer and May, Alex taught for the Music in General Studies department of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. 

  
  

  Alex believes that a music education can enrich every student, no matter their goals beyond school. They seek to broaden the musical horizons of their students by exposing them to music old, new, and from around the globe. Alex fosters each student’s creation of a unique musical identity by learning what music they enjoy, enabling student exploration, and incorporating their interests into programming. 

  
  

  Alex holds degrees in music theory, composition, and organ from Stetson University, the Eastman School of Music, and Indiana University. As a composer, they’ve won numerous awards, including the ASCAP/CBDNA Frederick Fennell Prize. They use their composing and arranging skills to prepare unique music for the bands at Brimmer and May. 

  
  

  Outside of work, Alex enjoys spending time with their partner, cooking, hiking, and composing. 
• 

  Christie DeNizio 

  Middle and Upper School Art Teacher

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• 

  Caitlin Johnson 

  Middle School English and Drama

  BIO

  Caitlin Johnson, born and raised in central Massachusetts, has been a theatre lover and maker for most of her life. She began her journey into theatre as a young student and followed the path which led her to a love of teaching. She holds a strong belief that theatre has the power to make someone a more empathetic and understanding person.

   

  Caitlin is a knowledgeable theatre artist, passionate about education, directing, and technical design. She has vast experience working with a variety of after-school programs throughout Massachusetts. She has worked as a head counselor at a summer theatre program for 6 years, teaching students ranging from 9-18 years old. Over the past 2 years, Caitlin has worked in the after-school drama program at Brimmer and May in both the Middle and Upper Schools. She has worked as a hair and makeup artist, costume design assistant, and recently assistant directed their production of Matilda Jr.

   

  Caitlin greatly admires the tight-knit community at Brimmer and has grown to love the welcoming environment it offers. She is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to teach at Brimmer and get to share her passion for the arts. She has always loved reading and writing and is enthusiastic about co-teaching 6th-grade English this fall with Carl Vallely. She believes that learning never stops, and is excited to grow alongside her future students.

   

  Caitlin is a recent graduate of Emerson College, majoring in Theatre Education with a concentration in Costume Design. She completed her student teaching at Framingham High School where she taught a variety of classes, including Honors Acting and Intro to Musical Theatre. She hopes to get a Masters's Degree in the future to continue her education in order to become the best teacher and artist she can be.