Cedarhurst School Staff

B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Kent State University; M.A., Yale University ; Professor of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine; At Yale since 1984; At Cedarhurst since 2000; Hobbies: Sailing, kayaking, photography, and road trips; Quote: "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." - Theodore Roosevelt

BA in Psychology, Barnard College, Columbia University; MSW, Smith College School for Social Work; Sixth year Certificate in Educational Leadership, Southern Connecticut State University; At Cedarhurst since 2003; Leads Transitions Group; Hobbies: Cold water swimming, hiking, reading, cooking

B.S. in Elementary Education and Mathematics, Central Connecticut State University; M.S. Special Education, Southern Connecticut State University; Sixth year certificate in Educational Leadership, Southern Connecticut State University; At Cedarhurst since 2008; Leads Project Team Group; Hobbies: Sports, Poker, Darts, Stand Up Comedy, Family Time; Quote: “You must take the first step. The first steps will take some effort, maybe pain. But after that, everything that has to be done is real-life movement.” – Ben Stein

BA in Psychology and Spanish, Duke University; Masters of Social Work, University of North Carolina; At Cedarhurst since: 2015-2017, 2021; Leads DBT and Yoga Groups

B.A. in psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara; Master of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin; At Cedarhurst since 2021; Teaches DBT, coping skills, interpersonal skills, certified PEERS for Young Adults facilitator (social skills); Hobbies: Hiking, reading, traveling, cooking; Quote: “The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are” – C.G. Jung

Currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education

At Cedarhurst since 2023

Teaches Middle School English, Math, Social Studies, Science

Hobbies: Reading, baking, crafting

Quote: “Do the best you can. No one can do more than that” – John Wooden

B.S. in History and Teacher Certification, Master of Arts-History; At Cedarhurst since 2021; Teaches Physics, Digital Literacy, STEM: Matter and Motion, English 9^th and 10^th, Topics in Math; Hobbies: Hiking, Fishing, camping, music; “Though the course may change sometimes, rivers always reach the sea” – Robert Plant

B.S. in Physical Education, Southern Connecticut State University; M.S. in Special Education, Southern Connecticut State University; Sixth year Certificate in Educational Leadership, Sacred Heart University; At Cedarhurst since 1998; Teaches Physical Education (Middle and High School), Health, French levels 1-3, Veterinary Case Studies, English; Hobbies: Traveling, Fitness, Animals, Sports, Native French Speaker; Favorite Quote: “Life is like a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” – Albert Einstein

B.S. in Cross Categorical Special Education, University of Arizona

At Cedarhurst since 2025

Teaches Middle School English and Math, Art and Resource, High School Digital Literacy and Pre-Calculus

Hobbies: Kayaking and hiking with my dogs

Quote: “People may say I can’t sing, but no one can ever say I didn’t sing.” -Florence Foster Jenkins

Course Work in Sociology, Southern Connecticut State University

At Cedarhurst since 2019

Internship development and Facilitates: Independent Living Skills Group

Hobbies: movies, live music, Gunpla (modeling kits), camping and board games

Quote: “If you surrender to the air, you could ride it.” -Toni Morrison from Song of Solomon

BS in Psychology, Yale University 2024; Certificate in Education Studies, Yale University 2024; At Cedarhurst since 2024; Teach Executive Functioning and College Seminar; Hobbies: cooking, outdoors, photography

Southern Connecticut State University – Major: Recreation and Leisure concentration in Community and Youth Development and Minor in Psychology; At Cedarhurst since 2020; Runs school store, Sunshine Club, Facilitates Musical Intervention Club; Hobbies: Spending time with my family, soccer, hiking and watching football - Go Birds!; Quote: “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” -Clare Pooley

At Cedarhurst since 2024; Hobbies: Gardening, Reading, Puzzles, Swimming

B.S., Virginia Tech; M.A. in Education, University of Connecticut; At Cedarhurst since 2022; Teaches Spanish 1, 2; Art, Art History, STEAM, Middle School Social Studies, Computer Design, ASL Club; Hobbies: Interior Design, sewing, visiting museums and galleries

B.A. Haverford College, MSW Smith College School for Social Work

At Cedarhurst since 2025

Facilitates: DBT, Creative Expressions, Coping Skills Groups

BA Psychology | Special Education | Elementary Education, Marist College; M.S. in Social Emotional Disabilities and Learning Disabilities, Southern Connecticut State University; At Cedarhurst since 2002; Teaches Psychology, Biology, Chemistry, Executive Function; Hobbies: Traveling, running, reading, golf, tennis

MSW from Hunter College; BS and BA from Syracuse University; At Cedarhurst since 2024; Leads DBT, TAG, and Coping Skills groups, Literary and Art Magazine Advisor; Hobbies: Cooking, Reading, Travelling, and hiking; Quote: “Vulnerability is the foundation of all human strength.” – Steve Burghardt

BS – Counseling and Human Services, University of Scranton; MSW – Master of Social Work, Widener University; At Cedarhurst as an MSW Fellow July 2020 – June 2022. August 2024; Leads Healthy Relationships and Coping Skills; Facilitated GSA; Hobbies: Reading, watching sports; Quote: “Do all things with love.”

B.S. Mental Health and Human Services, University of Maine at AugustaumHum; M.S. Special Education/EBD, Southern Connecticut State University; At Cedarhurst since 2012; Teaches World History, Middle School Science, STEM: The Science of Fabrication, Effective Communications, Games Club Advisor; Hobbies: My family rocks! Fishing is my passion; and I do so from shore, kayak, and on boats; Quote: “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us” – G. Mithrander

Bachelor of Arts, City University, New York; Master of Divinity, Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University; At Cedarhurst since 2018; Hobbies: Reading, music/singing, coloring, watching TV, playing word games/mind games; Quote: Never give anyone the pen to write your story.

B.A. Psychology, Hampton University; M.A. Psychology, Southern Connecticut State University; At Cedarhurst since 2021; Teaches Passage Program, Independent Living Skills, Internship Development; Hobbies: Sailing, paddleboarding; Quote: “Young people are our greatest strength. Not for what we can make them do, but for where they can lead us.” – Bell Hooks

B.A., Grinnell College; M.A., University of Washington; PhD, Yale University; At Cedarhurst since 2021; Teaches College Seminar, College Exploration, English 11 and 12, Film and Media Studies, Movies and Anime Club; Hobbies: Movies, Music, Running, Community Organizing; Quote: “If something doesn’t exist, make it.” – Ruth Wilson Gilmore

B.A. in English Literature, Yale University; M.S. in Teacher Leadership, Quinnipiac University

At Cedarhurst since 2025

Teaches Civics, Current Events, U.S. History, Black and Latino Studies, English 11 and 12

Hobbies: exploring new places, walking on the beach and in the woods, kayaking, reading, knitting, gardening

Quote: “All that you touch, you change. All that you change, changes you.” - Octavia Butler from the Parable of the Sower

Business Management, Albertus Magnus College; At Cedarhurst since 2024; Extensive Background in Management; Hobbies: Traveling, Skiing

B.S. in Special Education Certification; M.S. in Special Education; At Cedarhurst since 2007; Teaches Middle School, Language Arts, Math, Art, High School Health, Student Council Advisor; Hobbies: Crafting, Live Music, Hiking;

MSW, Southern Connecticut State University; At Cedarhurst since 2019; Hobbies: Spending time outdoors and making Art; Quote: “If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree it will spend it’s whole life believing it is stupid” – Unknown (frequently misattributed to A. Einstein)