An inclusive, independent boarding high school
C.J. committed his professional life to Rock Point School. After graduating from St. Michael's College he has worn many hats at the school: Dorm Staff, Director of the Dorm, Dean of Students, Assistant Headmaster, and now Head of School. He is starting his 30th year at RPS, 9th as the Head of School. C.J. finds meaning in calling the community together and guiding students and families during the tender and vulnerable times in their lives. He thrives on supporting the underdog and finding light wherever we can, whether that is helping struggling students find their voices, coaching families to improve communication, or creating Wiffle ball fields where people can play together. C.J. loves working with students to co-facilitate Reflections, a 45-minute student gathering to consider what we can wonder about and how we can best live our lives.
Ryan came to work at Rock Point School as a dorm staff. After four years she became the Director of the Dorm and then in 2011 became the Dean of Students. Ryan loves working at Rock Point School because the interesting, challenging and funny kids constantly keep her on her toes. She especially enjoys helping young people to identify their passions and their strengths and to develop them. Outside of RPS, Ryan enjoys skiing, playing and watching sports, listening to live music and being outside. She lives on campus with her husband Bryan and sons, Isaac and Oliver.
B.A. Psychology with a minor in Sociology, Skidmore College
Hillary joined Rock Point School after working for years in the legal field and with youth in a social services setting. She has loved working with teens and families and is very pleased to be continuing that work here at Rock Point School, accompanied by her little dog Bosley – king of the admissions department! Contact her with any questions about admissions at hkramer@rockpoint.org.
B.A. Political Science, University of Vermont
J.D. Hastings College of Law, University of California
After college at Dartmouth, Hans moved out West to begin a career in science education, which found him teaching field courses in Sequoia, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Redwood, and Rocky Mountain National Parks. Hans returned to New England for his Master’s, then moved to Burlington to help open Vermont Commons School, where he designed the Environmental Science and Math curricula. After 13 years, he left VCS and started SoYo Frozen Yogurt in Burlington’s South End. Hans began his work at Rock Point in 2019 as a Math Teacher, and for five years, he brought lots of creativity, compassion, and excitement to the classroom. We are thrilled to have that same energy and experience in the Admissions Department. Outside of work, he loves skiing in the winter, paddleboarding in the summer, hiking all year, and watching his kids grow up.
B.S. Earth Science, Dartmouth College
M.S. Environmental Geochemistry, Dartmouth College
Mary is joining the Rock Point School community having spent many years volunteering and working at Vermont Commons School. She left VCS to start a business, but ultimately determined this just wasn’t the right time. Having learned all kinds of wise and salient lessons, she is now really excited to have colleagues again and be a part of a community with high-school-aged students and their journeys as a shared passion. She hopes her experience and humor will provide opportunities for growth and laughter both for RPS and herself. When not in the front office, Mary is hiking with her dogs, cooking up a storm, hanging with her twenty-something kids, and reading.
B.A. Northern Studies, Middlebury College.
B.S.R.N. University of Vermont
Megan has practiced Emergency Medicine for 12 years in various settings. In this capacity, she specializes in Adult, Adolescent and Pediatric forensic exams, as well as pediatric advanced life support. She also has maintained a 15-year military career. Currently, Megan serves as a Flight Nurse with the New York Air National Guard, providing aeromedical evacuation support worldwide. In the summer and fall, Megan enjoys is gardening. In the winter and spring, her passion is skiing and cozy nights with my family and beloved dogs. Megan hopes to teach RPS students to care for their own medical and spiritual needs as they enter the adult world, including basic health hygiene, healthy eating, and healthy bodies.
B.S. in Nursing
Certified Emergency Nurse
Credentialed Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
American Heart Association Instructor: Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support
Charles is a classically trained chef, a graduate of the New England Culinary Institute, and a veteran of hotel, restaurant, food truck, and college dining operations. Most recently, he was the Head Chef at the renowned Single Pebble Restaurant in Burlington, followed by managing dining operations at the University of Vermont. Charles values a seasonal approach to cooking and using fresh, local, and minimally packaged ingredients. If at all possible, he likes to pick his ingredients up directly from the field! In the kitchen, he employs practical techniques to achieve approachable dishes. He continues to experiment and grow his repertoire with a firm reliance on the disciplines he learned in his training. Charles lives in Burlington with his family and enjoys biking, running, home improvement projects, and reading.
B.A. University of Delaware
New England Culinary Insitute
Gibson is an ex-Peace Corps devotee, having served as a volunteer in Romania, worked at the headquarters office in Washington DC, and then at an administrative post on the island nation of Kiribati in the Pacific. Since moving to Vermont, he has satisfied his affinity for mission-based organizations by performing financial management for non-profits and educational institutions. Gibson enjoys the intimate and supportive community at Rock Point and looks forward to advancing strategic initiatives to ensure its growth and success. Gibson also enjoys hiking, skiing, and sailing in Vermont’s great outdoors, as well as time spent with his wife and two daughters.
B.S., M.B.A Tulane University
Molly started as a Residential Educator and became the English Teacher in 2006. After many years as a classroom teacher, Molly’s role began to shift and in 2014 she decided to take on Marketing and technology work at the school. Molly loves being outside and reading novels, often at the same time. She lives in Winooski with her husband, their two young daughters, and dogs.
B.A. English Literature, College of William and Mary
Abbey started teaching English at Rock Point in 2014, and before that spent eight years working as a writing tutor. She has enjoyed bringing together her love of creative writing, literature, and working with young people. Some highlights of her job at Rock Point have included developing the Visiting Writer Series, running the school's Gender & Sexual Alliance, working with the Vermont Young Playwrights' program, and launching a zine-making elective for students to publish and showcase their creative work. As the Academic Coordinator, Abbey works with students on their Personal Learning Plans, helps them figure out life after high school, and works with teachers to support each student. Outside of school, she loves spending time with family, exploring Burlington, and trying to keep up with her students' pop culture recommendations.
B.A. English, Rhode Island College.
MFA in Creative Writing, Lesley University
Marika has taught science in many different venues, including teaching undergraduates at Bates College, Johnson State College, and Michigan Tech. She’s also taught summer youth classes in engineering and outdoor adventure. As a geologist and researcher, Marika has traveled all over the world visiting volcanoes, most recently to Iceland! She loves getting outside whenever she can, hiking, skiing, and kayaking. She can’t wait to get students outside to explore science in the natural world.
AB Vassar College
MS and Phd from Michigan Technological University
John is thrilled to return to Rock Point School, having previously spent two years as a Residential Educator. He has also worked as a Children's Farmyard Educator at nearby Shelburne Farms, as a Private Investigator, and as a private high school tutor. John is a native Vermonter, who loves sharing his passion for the cultural and natural landmarks of his home state with students. He is an avid reader, sports enthusiast, and aspiring horologist. John is passionate about the intersection of psychology and education; he is currently pursuing an MA in Clinical Psychology at Saint Michael's College. John looks forward to tapping into each student's passions as engines for their academic success!
B.A., St. John's College, Annapolis
Leda comes to Rock Point School on a long and circuitous route of teaching and advocacy. She has coordinated education programs and taught environmental ed on a farm in Poughkeepsie, NY, taught math and science in Switzerland, and spent a few years working with carbon offsetting projects and an advocacy group for learning-disabled adults in Madagascar. Leda lived in Zambia between 2013 and 2021, raising her two sons, Luke and Jake, while working in an international school in Lusaka. Most recently, Leda taught Math and English during long-term subbing positions at Vermont Commons School. When she’s not working, Leda likes to go hiking and walking with friends and dogs, to drink coffee, and read books. Above all else, Leda wants to help kids enjoy what's hard for them in school - to help them feel successful and to never give up, and she is excited to bring this passion to Rock Point.
BA Middlebury College, Environmental Studies - Northern Environments
MPhil University of Cambridge, Quaternary Science/Paleoecology
Mark Spigos is thrilled to be joining Rock Point School this year as a History Teacher. Having grown up attending a small, independent school in Columbus, Ohio, he personally experienced the benefits of learning in a tight-knit, inclusive setting. Before starting his teaching career, he worked at a farmstead goat creamery in Southern Vermont. After a three-year stint as a vegetable researcher, he decided that it was time to go back to school. Mark completed the Master of Arts in Teaching and taught at a large public school in Vermont. He enjoyed building meaningful relationships with his students and finding ways for their unique voices and perspectives to be clearly heard and seen in the classroom. Mark lives with his wife, and two children in Winooski, where he can be found taking daily walks along the river, tending to his community garden plot, or mixing dough for weekly family pizza night.
B.A. History, Ohio State University
M.A. Teaching, University of Vermont
Jeannie, an artist whose work has been well received in the greater Burlington area for over 15 years, teaches art history by introducing her students to prominent artists with colorful lives, and incorporates a hands-on art assignment, emulating that period in art history. A self proclaimed retro home and fashion aficionado, she also spearheads the set, props, and costumes for the annual play. Save the date for the Annual Rock Point Art Show, the first Friday in May!
B.A. Humanities and Fine Arts, Burlington College
Sloan joined Rock Point School after years of working with youth in a variety of social service settings, most recently at an outdoor educational program in Scotland. Along the way, Sloan has been a coach, counselor, and youth mentor who carries a notorious reputation for telling bad jokes. As an artist and advocate for alternative education, Sloan hopes to encourage the creative spirit within each student at Rock Point School. In his spare time, Sloan is a passionate amateur archeologist who researches and explores ancient ruins around the world.
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Lucia Liencres is a recent college graduate with a passion for empowering and teaching teenagers. She finds strength in social justice advocacy and hopes to inspire and help youth in their fight for the change we so desperately need in this world. Lucia spends her summers working at a summer camp under the massive redwood trees in California where she grew up. She loves everything and anything that happens in the outdoors. After spending much of her childhood in California, Lucia moved to western Massachusetts where she attended a boarding school for high school. She credits the residential educators who worked at her high school with shaping who she is now. Lucia also has a passion for art, specifically ceramics, and hopes to make and create with the Rock Point students.
B.A. Outdoor Education & Social Justice, UVM
Justin came to Vermont after learning and adventuring out west! He has been a camp counselor and outdoor adventure leader for teens in several different settings and earned his degree in nursing. Justin is also a certified EMT! He enjoys rock climbing, being on rivers and creeks, being outside and getting dirty. He loves hanging out with RPS students, supporting them, and joking around. One of his favorite activities is making brunch with our students, especially making crepes.