Meet the Seacoast Classical Faculty

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  'Ah-ha!' Moments Come to Life

 “The most important thing that I love about teaching is helping the students grow into independent thinkers and learners, which aligns perfectly with Seacoast Classical Academy’s mission,” says Pamela Borisko. As the Academy’s kindergarten teacher, a graduate of Rivier brings 13 years of experience in the education field, first as a paraprofessional in special education and then for the past four years as a kindergarten teacher. “The motto that I adopted during my educational journey was to always remember to teach with children, not at them. I am looking forward to helping the Academy’s new scholars become successful and seeing their ‘Ah-ha!’ moments come to life.” 

  Creating Meaningful Experiences 

“I’m thrilled to be a grammar school teacher at Seacoast Classical Academy this year,” says Jill Greene, a kindergarten teacher at Seacoast Classical Academy, who received her Elementary and Special Education degree from the University of New Hampshire. “I come with a lot of experience in managing the needs of diverse learners, including training focused on educating young children. I have a passion for the Academy’s mission of academic excellence in partnership with families. I believe that each child should have the opportunity to express themselves through their learning and be provided with experiences that are engaging and meaningful. I look forward to beginning this journey with Seacoast Classical’s staff, scholars and their families. I know this is going to be a great year!” 

'I Know Scholars Will Thrive Here'

“I am passionate about education and striving to uphold the highest standards of academic achievement, in particular, watching young scholars grow as readers and develop a true love of learning,” says Jessica Ferris, the first-grade teacher at Seacoast Classical Academy. “I strongly believe in the Academy’s mission, and I know scholars will thrive here.” She obtained her B.A. in Human Development and Education and Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, at Merrimack College. She is certified by both the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Elementary 1–6) and the New Hampshire Department of Education (Elementary K–6). Prior to joining Seacoast Classical, she spent seven years teaching in the Methuen Public Schools System in pre-K, first, second and third grades. She lives in Newton, NH, with her 2-year-old son, husband and many pets, and she loves to cook, travel and read. “I can’t wait to help cultivate a positive climate at Seacoast Classical Academy with the help of parents, staff and scholars.”

Looking Forward to Building Community

“I enjoy the excitement and wonder that second-graders convey when learning,” says Nanine Venetos. “And I love that Seacoast Academy promotes a classical education that focuses on teaching students to proficiency and beyond. I’m looking forward to building a community with my new students and coworkers.” A graduate of Rivier College, she has been teaching second grade for 14 years, most recently at Barrington Elementary School in Barrington NH, where she lives with her husband. They have three grown children. Prior to becoming a teacher, she was a sign-language interpreter, working with deaf students who were mainstreamed into public schools. She loves gardening, hiking and rock-hounding as well as baking and reading. Her approach to life is encapsulated in her favorite motto: "You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.”

Inspired by Family Engagement

“Throughout my experience working with and educating our youth, I have found my passion in teaching,” says Madison Lewis, the fourth-grade teacher at Seacoast Classical Academy. “What I love about the Academy is their emphasis on family rights, reinforcing parents as the primary decision-makers when it comes to their child.” A resident of Sandown, NH, she received a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Psychology from Keene State College, where she earned a master's degree in Special Education. “I also am intrigued by the Academy's mission to advance opportunities for creativity and inspired by its focus on critical thinking — which is crucial to young learners. The Academy will have a positive impact on every child that walks through those new school doors. My favorite quote is by Nelson Mandela, who said, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.’ Every day, it inspires me to make a difference in our future generation.”

Making the Past Come Alive

“I am excited to share my love for history in the classroom, making the past come alive for the scholars at Seacoast Classical Academy,” says Stephen Palmer, who will teach history to middle-school scholars in grades 5–8. Originally from New Hampshire, he recently returned home after receiving his bachelor's degree in Humanities this year from Boyce College in Kentucky. “To begin the journey of teaching on the right foot, I have spent weeks observing teachers over various subjects and have given lectures myself, all to build the skills and experience necessary. One of my favorite quotes from the Founding Fathers is from John Adams, who defended the British Soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre, demonstrating the importance of truth and justice: ‘Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.’” 

Challenging the Mind

“I am thrilled to begin teaching at Seacoast Classical Academy and to introduce our students to classical education, which will greatly benefit them,” says Kaitlin Martin, who will teach Mathematics to the Academy’s scholars in grades 5–8. After earning a bachelor's degree in Health Science from Merrimack College, she most recently served as a Mathematics and Science instructor at Sanborn Regional High School. Outside the classroom, she is actively engaged in sports as well as competitive games that challenge the mind. “Soccer has been a lifelong passion, and I currently coach two of my three sons. In my spare time, I also enjoy playing chess and the video puzzle game called Tetris, both of which sharpen the mind.” She also shared, “I am eagerly looking forward to meeting all the scholars and sharing with them the elegance of mathematics and its relevance to everyday situations.”

Back to Basics Approach

Arlene Quaratiello, who has joined Seacoast Classical Academy to teach English to scholars in grades 5-8, loves teaching because, as she explains, "There’s nothing more fulfilling and important than passing along truth and knowledge to our children.” She is excited about "implementing the back-to-basics approach of the Hillsdale College curriculum to empower the students at the Academy.” As an adjunct English instructor for 12 years, she taught freshman composition courses primarily at St. Anselm College. Originally from New Jersey, she received her bachelor's degree in English from Holy Cross College and a master's eegree in English Literature from the University of New Hampshire. She lives in Atkinson, NH, with her husband Mark, and they have three grown children. She is finishing a term representing her hometown in the NH House of Representatives during which she served on the Education Committee. Inspired by the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Life is a journey, not a destination," Arlene is looking forward to this next leg of her journey.

Seeing Truth, Beauty, and Goodness in Art

 “As a classical educator, I believe in helping scholars become well-rounded by teaching them to observe truth, beauty and goodness in others' art as well as their own,” says Mary Borne, the Music and Art teacher at Seacoast Classical Academy. With more than 10 years of teaching experience in the arts, she has taught general music and choir to students from pre-school through eighth grade as well as string-ensemble performance. Her primary instrument is violin, but she also plays other instruments including piano, guitar and ukulele. As a fine artist, Mary has delved into the mediums of drawing, painting and sculpting and even medieval illumination. In her free time, Mary loves spending time with her family, baking and playing Irish fiddle tunes. 

Journeying to Other Cultures and Peoples

  “I am excited to begin my first year teaching as a Latin instructor at Seacoast Classical Academy and share my passion for languages with our scholars,” says Evelyn Black, who will teach Latin to grades 6–8. Growing up in a military family, she lived and traveled to different states and countries, setting the trajectory to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from Cedarville University. “I love adventure and believe learning any new language creates extensive opportunities for embarking into the unknown and journeying to cultures and peoples so often connected to one’s native tongue(s), and Latin invariably has had immense influence on the English language and culture throughout history.” Her favorite quote, which is plastered on her family’s walls, is by J.R.R. Tolkien, author and philologist (historical linguist), who in his novel The Fellowship of the Ring wrote: “Not all those who wander are lost,” which to Evelyn intimates that whatever may appear to be on the outside for one’s wandering into other cultures and their peoples’ languages, there is a purpose. 

Creating a Fun and Safe Learning Environment

 “As an educator, I am committed to creating a fun and safe learning environment for all students,” says Brandon Barnard, who will teach Physical Education to all grades at Seacoast Classical Academy. “In the coming year, I look forward to enhancing physical education skills and also forming new relationships with classmates from a variety of different locations.” Most recently, he was a teacher in Lawrence, MA, but he also has been an educator in Windham, NH. When not in the classroom, he can be found recruiting/coaching football, playing golf, attending sporting events or traveling worldwide with his fiancé. He received his Bachelor of Science from Southern New Hampshire University and his Master of Business Administration from St. Thomas University in Miami, FL. In addition to working in school systems, he has been on various staffs including the University of New Hampshire, Anna Maria College, Fitchburg State University and St. John's Prep School. 

Amazing New Chapter

 “Doing new things can be a challenge,” says Anne Griffin, the Special Education Coordinator for Seacoast Classical Academy. “But like I often say to my children, use what you know to figure out what you don't know, and what seemed challenging becomes less so.” Whether in school, side jobs or extracurricular activities, she has worked with people with special needs and their families since the eighth grade, when she realized this would be her life calling. After earning her degree in Special Education and working in schools, now as a mother of three who has been homeschooling for a few years, she is getting back into education outside her home. “I am looking forward to this new chapter,” she says. “I like doing new things, love helping scholars and families get what they need to reach academic excellence, and love what Seacoast Classical Academy is all about. Change can be good, and I believe the Academy is going to be an amazing change for me, my children and the community.”