Our teachers bring unique passions and personalities to their classrooms. And yet they share some important qualities: a deep belief in the value of childhood as an integral part of life, an authentic respect for the hearts and minds of children, and an ability to gently guide young people through a process of continually discovering and rediscovering their best selves.
It was during Sue Friborg’s seventh grade U.S. history class that MARSHALL JOHNSON first fell in love with history, inspired by a lecture style he describes simply as “cinematic.” It was in the same classroom that he sat on Sept. 11, 2001, a profound moment in history for his generation. Today, it is his classroom.
“The reason I got into teaching is because I love building and forming relationships. By the end if my students feel they are confident and able to interact with a teacher one on one, I feel I’ve done my job.”
“The reason I got into teaching is because I love building and forming relationships. By the end if my students feel they are confident and able to interact with a teacher one on one, I feel I’ve done my job.”
Program developer, community builder, relationship nurturer, sounding board and friend, JODY SHELDON effortlessly moves through her day supporting colleagues, mentoring apprentices and listening to the joyful discoveries of the children.
“I remember her as my teacher in Extended Day. She always greeted us by the double doors at the end of the hallway with a big smile. Now fast forward to when I showed up on the NCCS campus as a first-year apprentice and I was nervous that Mrs. Sheldon wouldn’t remember me! She immediately gave me a hug and welcomed me home. I spent that next year working in Thacher beside her, and I could always go to her when I needed help, comfort or advice.” —Carrie Merrill ’08
Creativity is her middle name. Unconventional to some, a dreamer to others,
KRISTIN QUISGARD helps her students see a world without bounds.
“My enduring memory of fourth grade in Mrs. Quisgard’s class will always be the Friday bread baking. We would gather and eat freshly baked bread drizzled in honey. Mrs. Quisgard would choose one person each week who had done something helpful or kind for another student and highlight it in front of the entire class. This was a time everyone looked forward to and closed out each week on a high note.” —Henry Lanier ’04
The first in his family to have graduated from high school, BART FREDO started and then quit college before joining the U.S. Marines, where he developed habits of self-discipline. When he returned to college at Duke University, he brought a renewed focus and determination.
“I can’t teach curiosity, but I can enhance it by making the curriculum challenging while stimulating. Moreover, I try to show them on a daily basis how curious I am.”
Woodworker, maple sugar maker, sailor, fiddler and jeweler, CHRIS LAWLER is a master craftsman of many disciplines. He enjoys working outside in all four seasons, whether building and launching boats or constructing bridges, sugaring or making jewelry.
“As I’ve settled into a career in publishing, an industry driven by both lofty ideas and hard, fast deadlines, I have found the creative process to be an unerringly calm, steadying force. I think back on my time in the woodshop and recall the same sense of calm. Even as a kid, there was something kind of magical in the creative escape. I admit the technical skills have faded, but the mental space that Mr. Lawler built for us in that workshop — the space to create something from scratch quietly, attentively and with pride — has stayed with me for the long haul. And hey, maybe the technical skills took root, too … occasionally, I whip up a piece of furniture in my free time!" Mackenzie Craig "01
“As I’ve settled into a career in publishing, an industry driven by both lofty ideas and hard, fast deadlines, I have found the creative process to be an unerringly calm, steadying force. I think back on my time in the woodshop and recall the same sense of calm. Even as a kid, there was something kind of magical in the creative escape. I admit the technical skills have faded, but the mental space that Mr. Lawler built for us in that workshop — the space to create something from scratch quietly, attentively and with pride — has stayed with me for the long haul. And hey, maybe the technical skills took root, too … occasionally, I whip up a piece of furniture in my free time!" Mackenzie Craig "01
MARIA SETTE '92 has been a Country School fourth-grade teacher since 2003. She served as a peer-elected faculty representative to the Board of Trustees from 2010 to 2012.
“EVEN AFTER 20 YEARS, I get excited for September. The fresh start of the school year, meeting new families and, most of all, allowing the children to help determine which roads we will take in our learning.
Ask anyone for help, and if there’s a way, they will help, no questions asked. This is not something you can teach; it is in the fabric of who we are and who joins our school. Everyone here is all in. From the kitchen staff, to the administrators, to the facilities team, to the teachers, everyone wants the children to love learning and will go above and beyond in their roles to support that goal.”
Ask anyone for help, and if there’s a way, they will help, no questions asked. This is not something you can teach; it is in the fabric of who we are and who joins our school. Everyone here is all in. From the kitchen staff, to the administrators, to the facilities team, to the teachers, everyone wants the children to love learning and will go above and beyond in their roles to support that goal.”
BRUCE LEMOINE has worked at Country School since 1980 in a number of different roles. Currently he is the Director of Academic Records and an Upper and Middle School technology teacher.
“I HAVE SPENT THE BETTER PART of my ‘working life’ here at New Canaan Country School. When I was Director of the Apprentice Teacher Training Program here at NCCS, aspiring teachers often asked me ‘What makes NCCS special?’ My answer never wavered. NCCS does not treat children like adults; however, teachers do treat children with a wonderful adult-like respect to which our students respond wonderfully well. As a result of this respect for children, our students learn to trust the adults in their lives. With that comes a unique sense of confidence that takes root in our students and serves them well throughout their lives.”
ABBY CALI has been a Country School Middle School Spanish teacher and coach since 2012. Abby is currently chair of the world language department.
“I LOVE COMING TO WORK EVERY DAY. Since I started working at NCCS I have been a teacher in the classroom, a coach for athletics, a leader of clubs, a chaperone of international field trips and, of course, a bus driver! I think that seeing teachers outside of their classroom shows the students that we are more than our subject area.”
In 2015, I had the opportunity to co-lead a trip to Panamá with my colleague Liz Pepe. The newly graduated ninth-graders stayed with host families who spoke no English. They were pushed out of their comfort zones and truly learned lessons in those 10 days that we could never teach in the classroom. I know that those students were inspired to take their language learning further, to explore the world and to see things from a new perspective.”
MARK MACRIDES began his career at Country School in 1985 as an apprentice teacher, and during his time has worn many hats including archivist, visual arts teacher and department chair, and events manager.
“I’m fortunate to interact with many different constituencies of the school community—with students in the classroom, with faculty and staff, with parents and trustees supporting projects and events, and with alumni through my role as archivist. In all of these interactions, I am constantly moved by the strong ties everyone has to Country School. From a historical perspective, I know quite well the dedicated and consistent support the Country School community has given to the school over the past 100 years. Each day, I appreciate my own chance to be able to contribute to and to receive from this great community. Each day I spend here promises more challenge, more opportunity and more hope for the future.”
New Canaan Country School
New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.
