Grades K-9 Application Deadline Feb15!
Joe’s life’s work has been dedicated to constructively and meaningfully addressing the educational needs of youth as well as their development as positive adults with a virtue-based foundation.
Joe has served as a teacher, high school principal for many years and an executive director of youth development nonprofits. His wide range of experiences has made him a results-oriented, problem-solving, and collaborative leader. As a result of his success as a leader in education, Joe was nominated Massachusetts Principal of the Year in 2004; as a leader in the nonprofit arena, Joe was honored as Madison Square Executive Director Emeritus in 2017. His in-depth experience, innovative approaches, and strong leadership have catalyzed transformative changes within schools and nonprofit organizations.
Joe’s background includes a Master’s Degree in Education from Harvard and the Advanced Leadership Program in Executive Leadership at the University of Michigan. He consults with schools and nonprofit organizations and serves as an Interim Executive Director or Principal where needed.
'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!”
Passion for Early Learning
"My name is Nicole Carleton. I am excited to begin at Seacoast Classical Academy and become part of a community that values academic excellence and commitment to family rights. My bachelor's in early childhood education from UNH along with many years of practice have given me the knowledge and skills necessary to teach and inspire young scholars. I am a dedicated educator with a passion for early literacy and numeracy. I am trained in the Science of Reading LETRS program for early childhood and have been working as a reading and math interventionist for grades K-5. Previously, I began my educator journey in 1999 as a homeschooling parent. During that time, I engaged in numerous co-ops and led small and large group instruction. Throughout that time, I created a nurturing learning environment that emphasized individualized instruction. In addition to homeschooling, I ran a successful childcare and preschool program from home until 2020. I am looking forward to meeting you and your 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.”
I could not be more excited or thankful for the opportunity to teach 3rd grade at Seacoast Classical Academy! I began working at Strafford school in Strafford, NH as a paraprofessional when I decided to take a leap and began working on a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education at Plymouth State University. Discovering Seacoast Classical Academy has been such a gift both personally and professionally. After choosing SCA to educate my own child, I was convinced it was the school I wanted to begin my career in. The school’s vision, mission, virtues, curriculum, and transparency with parents aligned perfectly with my own values. Encouraging your children to strive everyday for wisdom, truth, fortitude, and excellence while also creating a safe and structured environment that delivers a rigorous education are my priorities here at SCA.
All Learners Can Achieve their Goals
Christina is an experienced teacher with a passion for education. She has fond memories of her childhood teachers, which led to her choosing to become an educator. She earned her bachelor’s of science degree to teach German language and culture from Penn State University. Immediately upon graduation, she earned her master’s of science degree in elementary education at the University of Pennsylvania. With her degree in hand, she jetted off for her first teaching position in Honolulu, Hawaii where she taught Kindergarten and second grade, and met her husband. They lived in NY, CT, and then NH, where they raised 3 children. For the previous 6 years she worked as a literacy specialist. Today she is honored to work at SCA where academic excellence and family engagement are valued, and she greatly enjoys convincing her scholars: with hard work, a plan, and support, anyone can achieve anything.
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.’”
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.
Inspiring Curiosity
“I am honored to be a science teacher at Seacoast Classical Academy,” says Ms. Kelam, who combines a strong background in STEM with a passion for inspiring curiosity. With a Master’s in STEM College Teaching, Ms. Kelam brings both knowledge and energy to her classroom. “Science isn’t just a subject—it’s a way to explore and understand the world,” she says. “I want my students to feel the excitement of discovery through hands-on learning.”
Ms. Kelam’s teaching style emphasizes curiosity, independence, and critical thinking. She encourages students to ask questions and embrace challenges, helping them grow in confidence and knowledge. “At Seacoast, I’m grateful to work with a dedicated team, supportive families, and eager students,” she says. “Together, we’re creating a community where learning and growth come alive.
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.”
Be Successful In and Out of the Classroom
“I am thrilled to be working with scholars in an academic setting that values critical thinking, academic rigor, and respects family rights,” says Tammy MacNeil, who received her MEd in Education and CAGS in School Psychology from UMass Boston CAGS. “As the guidance counselor at Seacoast Classical Academy, I will be supporting the development of academic and scholar skills, helping students be successful in and out of the classroom. I’ll also be a resource for families, and I will assist staff in planning and executing IDEA Section 504 accommodations, identifying students’ unique needs and developing behavior-management strategies as needed. I am super excited to share the monthly community-building themes and activities that I’ve planned for our school. Get ready to be ‘Adaptable in August’ and then go ‘Soaring into September!’”