Our Team
Caroline
Thompson
Head of School
Education: Johnson State College, BA; Franklin Pierce University, M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction.
Why Riverside? I treasure the feeling of family I get from being a Riversider, with supremely supportive parents and colleagues, different outdoor spaces to learn and grow, and because compassion and rigor exist in the same space. The students are motivated to reach their greatest potential, and they know their caring and compassionate teachers will help them get there.
Personal: Caroline lives in Lyndonville with her husband Dan. They love hiking, kayaking and spending time with their children and their grandchildren.
Krystal
Ingalls
Director of Finance and Operations
Experience: 20 years of bookkeeping and financial experience.
Why Riverside?
I love working at Riverside because I have many opportunities to step away from my desk and involve myself with students and learning activities.
Personal: Krystal lives with her husband, Chris and two daughters in West Glover. She is a dedicated supporter of the Northeast Kingdom Skating Club and enjoys being active in her free time with weight training.
Joel
Gilbert
Dean of Students,
Middle School Science,
Elementary Science Support,
7th Grade Advisor
Education: Cornell University; BS in Science
Why Riverside? I chose Riverside because of the environment of curiosity and love of learning in the community.
Personal: Joel lives in East Burke with his wife, son, Jim ‘15 and daughter, Aurora ‘18. His hobbies include martial arts, sports, and strategy games
Cornelia
Rath
Assistant Head of School,
8th Grade World Issues
Education: Colby College, BA in Spanish and Anthropology; Antioch University, M.Ed in Integrated Learning.
Why Riverside? I am glad to be part of the small community at Riverside, a place where she sees students truly engaged in their learning.
Personal : Nelia lives in a historic home in Kirby with her husband, Dave, daughter, Cora, and two beloved labradors.
Nathan
Gair
Latin, Ancient History
Education: Dartmouth College, B.A.
Why Riverside?
I like teaching at Riverside because of my fond memories of going to school here, the students’ high level of engagement, and the extremely supportive culture.
Personal: In his free time Nathan enjoys music and theater. He plays the trumpet; chess; and a game called "Cosmic Wimpout". He also enjoys skiing and making quesadillas.
Tyler
Hartshorn
Middle School Math
Education: Johnson and Wales, MA Teaching; U-Maine Farmington, BA Political Science
Why Riverside:
After my two children attended Riverside for their first year; I was amazed to find such a caring, creative and connected community. Riverside has a culture that values diversity and allows for students and teachers to learn and teach as their authentic selves.
Personal:
Ty lives in St. Johnsbury with his wife, Jennifer and two kids. He enjoys soccer, camping, board games, reading and biking.
Will
Albritton
Middle School English and American History
Education:
University of South Florida, BA, Mass Communications
Why Riverside? Everyone is so nice and it looks like everyone is having fun. I want to be part of the fun at Riverside!
Personal : I’m so excited to have just moved to beautiful Vermont from Florida with my wife, her parents, two children and our dog. I love watching movies, musicals and the latest Netflix documentary about crazy people.
Karin
Welch
K-8 Spanish, 6th Grade Advisor, Middle School Team Leader
Education: University of New Hampshire, BA in Spanish and Sociology; Middlebury College, MA in Spanish with a concentration in teaching methodology
Why Riverside? I am looking forward to working at Riverside because of how engaged and passionate the students are. I also love the strong sense of community and the fact that the school values the learning of other languages.
Personal: In my free time, I enjoy skiing, practicing yoga, and going for walks. I also like to read.
Kathleen
Haines
Math Interventionist
Education: NVU Lyndon, BA in Mathematics
Why Riverside? I love the autonomy the teachers have to do what’s right for each student, and the outdoor activities and spaces that the campus provides and the teachers utilize.
Personal: Kathleen lives in St. Johnsbury with her husband, son and two dogs. She likes to walk, cook, and read in her spare time.
Deandra
Early
Academic Support Coordinator
Education: BA in Biology with a concentration in Environmental Science, Minor in Mathematics from Colby College. M.Ed. in Educating for Sustainability from Antioch University New England. Currently in a 2-year program through Vermont Higher Education Collaborative to become a licensed Special Educator.
Why Riverside? I am so excited to join Riverside in this new role as Academic Support Coordinator. I love the students, faculty, culture, and community at Riverside. I feel like everyone here is valued for being exactly who they are.
Personal:
I love traveling, mountain biking, skiing, cows & green pastures, and adventuring with my two kiddos.
Abby
Johnson
Art
Education: College of Wooster, BA in Studio Art
Why Riverside? I'm excited to explore different ways of making art with this creative community! It seems like a very supportive and open setting for teaching, and I'm looking forward to working with all of the age levels.
Personal: Abby lives in St. Johnsbury with her husband, their two kids and their dog. She loves to be outside and to play music.
Hanna
Wheeler
5th Grade
Education : Oberlin College, BA in English/ Creative Writing, minor in Environmental Studies; Antioch University New England, M.Ed. in science education
Why Riverside?: The emphasis on outdoor and project based learning and the sense of community spoke to me.
Personal : Hanna and her family are fixing up a farm in Peacham, VT and raising two wonderful little boys. She also enjoys reading, felting, and romping around the hills of Vermont.
Renee
Piernot
4th Grade
Education: University of California at Davis, BA in English and French Literature; University of Vermont, M.Ed in Curriculum & Instruction
Why Riverside? I watched my daughter grow and thrive socially and academically as a Riverside student. Staff members help students to learn to lead and support each other, and they celebrate each student for their unique contributions. I am looking forward to being part of such a thoughtfully designed school community.
Personal: I live in Kirby with my husband, Jim, daughter, Maaike, and two lovable cats. I like to read, cook, garden, take walks, and kayak.
Natalie
Dalpe
3rd Grade
Education: Saint Michael's College, BA in Elementary Education and English, Southern NH University M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Special Education
Why Riverside? I fell in love with the atmosphere and sense of community here and quickly realized that Riverside fostered student curiosity, collaboration, and communication, while exploring outdoor education.
Personal: I enjoy horseback riding, reading, gardening, and being outside with my two sons and husband as much as possible.
Carrie
Albritton
2nd Grade
Education: University of South Florida, BA in Political Science; California State University, Teaching Credential
Why Riverside? I chose to join Riverside because after meeting the community, I realized that it was what I was looking for in a school. I appreciate the emphasis on place-based learning and fostering relationships.
Personal: I enjoy being outdoors, and I am loving trying all kinds of new outdoor winter activities.
Emily
Spring
1st Grade
Education: University of Vermont, BA in Studio Art and Environmental Studies; Antioch University New England, MEd in Science and Place-Based Elementary Education
Why Riverside? I am drawn to Riverside’s emphasis on nature-based and child-centered learning. To find academic rigor and close knit relationships amidst the cedars and along the banks of the stream, is a dream come true both professionally, and as a parent.
Personal: Emily enjoys exploring the outdoors, hiking, kayaking, camping, swimming, and gardening with her family in Craftsbury.
Marie
Vaine
Music, Outdoor Education, and Preschool Assistant
Education: BS Mountain Recreation Management: Adventure Leadership, Northern Vermont University
Why Riverside? As soon as I saw students climbing trees and practicing dance routines in the field, I was thrilled with the the excitement and self-motivation. Studying Adventure Education and helped me connect the trifecta of my favorite things: Music, Science, and Outdoor Ed. Creating lessons that keep students involved helps them to take control of what they are learning and continue their excitement after class is over.
Personal: I love to bake, play music, mountain bike, ski, hike, rock climb and spend time outside.
Sean
Fortier
Wellness, Soccer Coach
Education : Keene State College B.A. Social Science. Concentration: Sociology
Why Riverside? : After hearing a lot from Laryssa about the philosophy and environment at Riverside, and then experiencing it myself while teaching orienteering for Birch Buddies and at last year's Oktoberfest event, I knew that I wanted to be a part of this wonderful, supportive community.
Personal : loves to mountain bike, snowboard. like spicy food and his dog, Zoe
Jamie
Robinson
Kindergarten
Education: NVU - Lyndon, BS in Liberal Studies and Early Childhood Education; Southern New Hampshire University, M.Ed.
Why Riverside? At Riverside we don't have a traditional playground and I absolutely love what that leads to. Students use their imaginations as they create and act within the trees. They build strength and courage as they climb trees, and they establish relationships through all of this play. It's something I love to witness and be a part of everyday.
Personal:
Jamie loves exploring with her family, skiing, mountain biking, and camping. When she needs to slow down, she hides in a hammock with a good book and coffee.
McKenna
Earl
Preschool Director
Education: BA Environmental Studies, St. Michael’s College (working toward) MEd Early Childhood Education, Antioch University New England
Why Riverside? The large outdoor space and family involvement attracts me
to work here. My first visit to the school was during the Spring yard sale and I loved the tucked-away feeling of the campus and the coziness represented by the yurt, the stump circles, and the meadow, along with its connection to the larger community. I'm grateful for the amazing families and felt at ease with all the Riverside staff.
Personal:I love to hike, backcountry ski, mountain bike, do yoga, and hang with my dogs.
Katie Baker
Associate PreK Teacher
Education: Miami University, BS in Family Studies; University of Cincinnati, M.Ed in Applied Behavior Analysis
Why Riverside? Because this is a school where teachers care equally about social and emotional growth and love of nature and the world around as they do about academic development inside the classroom. Everybody here understands and embraces the massive responsibility we have as we help shape these young people into the best students and humans they can possibly be.
Personal: Katie and her husband David have three kids. She loves being outside in the beautiful Northeast Kingdom, and plans to learn to ski this winter! She is also a birth doula, a childbirth educator at NVRH, and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Laura
Goldshein
Academic Supports
Education: BS in Sustainable Agriculture, University of Maine Orono
Why Riverside? Riverside's emphasis on parental involvement and nature-based learning is a perfect fit for our family. Our son has thrived in the enriching environment fostered here, and we knew we wanted to be a part of this supportive community from the first time we visited.
Personal: Laura and her husband own Rocky Valley Farm in Concord, where they raise grass-fed beef, lamb, and pastured poultry. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
Kate
Murphy
Art Teacher
Education: Columbia College Chicago, BFA in Fine Arts, minor in Art History
Why Riverside?
I’m so excited to be starting at riverside this year because this seems like a thoughtful, supportive learning environment with a strong sense of community!
Personal: I love making things, gardening, and spending time outside with my family.
Kristen
Langlais
Associate Preschool Teacher
Education: University of Connecticut, BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of New Hampshire
MS in Natural Resources
Why Riverside? In my almost 30 years of teaching in various places, I have witnessed Riverside's magic and the positive impact of its tight community and long-standing traditions. I've rarely seen kids so happy and thriving, teachers given so much autonomy and support, and the outdoor environment so wisely utilized. I'm so excited to be with the preschoolers this year!
Personal:
Kristen lives on a farm in West Burke with her husband, a menagerie of animals, and thousands of Christmas trees. She has college age daughters, and enjoys felting with wool, spending time in nature, and playing her grampa's fiddle.
