1190 Liberty Street, Springfield MA 01104
413-788-0300
Academy Hill Faculty
Mrs. Murphy - Kindergarden
Ms. Schickler - Grades 1 & 2
Ms. McNierney - Grades 1 & 2
Ms. Desjarlais - Grades 3 & 4
Mr. Dugre - Grades 3 & 4
Ms. Heinrichs - Grades 5 & 6
Mrs. Rosenthal - Grades 5 & 6
Mr. Bowman - Grades 7 & 8
Mrs. Bulissa - Grades 7 & 8
Madame Coursey - French
Señora Flower - Spanish
Ms. Lamonica - Latin
Mrs. Goebel - Art
Mrs. Marks - Music
Ms. LaBelle - Phsyical Education
Mrs. Marks
Coming soon!
Mrs. Goebel
B.A. Art Education, Elms College
Elizabeth Goebel is not unlike her classroom: aesthetics ranging from craft to high art, a million projects in a million stages, and color everywhere. Visit the art room and you'll find students deep in concentration, vivid materials filling every nook and cranny, and Elizabeth Goebel dispensing warmth and expert advice.
Ms. LaBelle
Coming soon!
Anne Lamonica
L.L.M. (candidate), Western New England College J.D., Western New England College M.A.T. Latin and Classical Humanities, UMass-Amherst B.A. Latin and Ancient Greek, Saint Anselm College
Anne LaMonica developed our Latin program in 2004. It has become a linchpin of the Academy Hill Middle School experience, with connections to our English, Spanish, French, art, and history curricula. Most recently, she has developed a pre-Latin experience for 5th and 6th grade, focusing on the culture and history of the classical world.
Señora Flower
B.A. Spanish/Secondary Education, Elms College
Sandra Flower commutes nearly an hour each way, through Hartford traffic, to work with Academy Hill students. Schools closer to home have courted her, but she can't imagine walking away from the curricular freedom and engaged students at Academy Hill.
Madame Coursey
B.A. Secondary Education/French, Elms College
Margaret Coursey studied French in Quebec before beginning her teaching career at a boarding school in rural Fontainebleau, France. She is known here for her wildly creative instructional units, including one where students produced an French-language instructional video starring escargot.
Mrs. Bulissa
Bachelor of Arts, Mount Holyoke College, M.ED University of Massachusetts
Jillian began her teaching career in the Amherst MA school system. She brings her love of learning and literature and her vast knowledge of books to Academy Hill. Fiber Art is Jillian’s passion when it comes to relaxing. She enjoys knitting, crocheting and needlepoint.
Mr. Bowman
M.Ed. Education, Lesley University M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University
After eight years designing computer control systems for automobiles and three years designing and producing custom bicycle frames (including a pedal powered soap factory), Eric went back to school to become a teacher. His ability to explain math and science brings them to life.
Mrs. Rosenthal
B.S. Elementary Education, Lesley College
Carol Rosenthal has been with Academy Hill since its founding 25 years ago. She has taught at most grade levels, served as Head of School, served on the Board of Directors, and sent her own children to Academy Hill.
Mrs. Heinrichs
M.Phil. Comparative Religion and European/Russian History, Columbia University M.A. Comparative Religion and Russian, Columbia University B.A. Williams College
In her world travels, Beatrice Heinrich has attended Kindergarten in Japan, assisted with Poland and Hungary's conversions to democracy, translated the complete works of a Russian intellectual, and helped a defector evade Soviet police and escape to an American university post.
Mr. Dugre
B.A. Liberal Studies, Rivier College
Thomas Dugre's hearty handshake and easy manner hint at what makes him an effective teacher. Whether around a table solving a math puzzle or outside practicing Civil War semaphore, Tom's students echo his industry and charisma.
Ms. Desjarlais
M.Ed. Elementary Education, Westfield State College B.A. Social and Rehabilitation Services/Elementary Education, Assumption College
Entering her second decade of teaching, Sharon Desjarlais once served as Shuttle Commander at Space Camp, has nearly a black belt in Kung Fu, and has traveled in China.
Ms. McNierney
B.S. Recreation and Leisure Studies, SUNY Cortland
With more than 20 years in early childhood education, Gwen McNierney comes across as—and is—a pro. Her classroom crackles with intellectual energy and hums with warmth and civility.
Ms. Schickler
Coming soon!
Mrs. Murphy
B.A, Elementary Education, University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Maybe it's the way she reads stories from her rocking chair, maybe it's the way she turns everything into a teachable moment, maybe it's the way she makes each child feel like the center of her attention. Whatever it is, Lynn Murphy's students thrive; they take pride in their work and achievements; and, yes, they do say the funniest things.
