“The arts are a vital and integral part of the education here at Besant Hill and have been since the school’s founding. I can’t imagine a better place than here to inspire and encourage students to be creative and confident in their artistic pursuits.”

Lis Austin

Arts Chair
Performing Art Teacher
Residential Life

Credentials
B.A. Theatre Studies, University of Surrey
M.A. Performance Studies, University of Roehampton, London
PhD University of Roehampton, London

“The arts are a vital and integral part of the education here at Besant Hill and have been since the school’s founding. I can’t imagine a better place than here to inspire and encourage students to be creative and confident in their artistic pursuits.”

Lis Austin

Arts Chair
Performing Art Teacher
Residential Life

Credentials
B.A. Theatre Studies, University of Surrey
M.A. Performance Studies, University of Roehampton, London
PhD University of Roehampton, London

laustin@besanthill.org

Tom Bennett

Director of Students & Residential Life
Philosophy Teacher
Administrator on Duty

Credentials
Chelsea College, Brighton University, UK. B.Sc (Hons)
St Luke’s, Exeter University, UK. PGCE
Open University, Milton Keynes, UK. B.A. (Hons)

tbennett@besanthill.org

“A good education, not least the study of literature, inspires the empathy we need to make the world a better place. Besant Hill's focus on life-time learning turns "I wish" into "I will."”

“A good education, not least the study of literature, inspires the empathy we need to make the world a better place. Besant Hill's focus on life-time learning turns "I wish" into "I will."”

Tom Bennett

Director of Students & Residential Life
Philosophy Teacher
Administrator on Duty

Credentials
Chelsea College, Brighton University, UK. B.Sc (Hons)
St Luke’s, Exeter University, UK. PGCE
Open University, Milton Keynes, UK. B.A. (Hons)

tbennett@besanthill.org

“I am very happy to be working at Besant Hill where the focus on global citizenship and sustainability allows students to develop a positive view of the world and evaluate a range of strategies to make a real difference.”

Anna Bennett

History & Environmental Science Teacher
Humanities Chair
Sustainability Education Coordinator
Experiential Education Coordinator
Sports & Fitness Coach
Residential Faculty

Credentials
Exeter University, UK. B.A.
Bristol University, UK. PGCE

“I am very happy to be working at Besant Hill where the focus on global citizenship and sustainability allows students to develop a positive view of the world and evaluate a range of strategies to make a real difference.”

Anna Bennett

History & Environmental Science Teacher
Humanities Chair
Sustainability Education Coordinator
Experiential Education Coordinator
Sports & Fitness Coach
Residential Faculty

Credentials
Exeter University, UK. B.A.
Bristol University, UK. PGCE

abennett@besanthill.org

Renee Chartier

Digital Arts & Photography Teacher
Bookmaking and Publishing Teacher
Sports & Fitness Coach
Administrator on Duty

Credentials
B.A. Studio Art, Rhode Island College
M.F.A. Studio Art, Cal State Long Beach
M.S.W., Rhode Island College

rchartier@besanthill.org

"The emphasis on creative expression and intellectual curiosity at Besant promotes critical thinking and a deep inquiry into each student’s purpose in the world. I’m grateful to be part of this journey of self-discovery."

"The emphasis on creative expression and intellectual curiosity at Besant promotes critical thinking and a deep inquiry into each student’s purpose in the world. I’m grateful to be part of this journey of self-discovery."

Renee Chartier

Digital Arts & Photography Teacher
Bookmaking and Publishing Teacher
Sports & Fitness Coach
Administrator on Duty

Credentials
B.A. Studio Art, Rhode Island College
M.F.A. Studio Art, Cal State Long Beach
M.S.W., Rhode Island College

rchartier@besanthill.org

“What I love about Besant Hill is the kindness that everyone shows to each other.”

Richard Ellwood

Director of Technology

Credentials
University of Southern California, B.S.

“What I love about Besant Hill is the kindness that everyone shows to each other.”

Richard Ellwood

Director of Technology

Credentials
University of Southern California, B.S.

rellwood@besanthill.org

Néstor Gerónimo Morales

Spanish & French Teacher
Sports & Fitness Coach
Residential Faculty

Credentials
Universidad de Michoacán, B.A.

ngeronimo@besanthill.org

“Learning a new language opens the door to opportunity. This opportunity includes cultural relativism, and with that comes a new perspective for seeing the world.”

“Learning a new language opens the door to opportunity. This opportunity includes cultural relativism, and with that comes a new perspective for seeing the world.”

Néstor Gerónimo Morales

Spanish & French Teacher
Sports & Fitness Coach
Residential Faculty

Credentials
Universidad de Michoacán, B.A.

ngeronimo@besanthill.org

“One reason I came to Besant Hill was because the school supports the whole child and respects each student’s individual learning style. I look forward to supporting the students here and helping them become independent learners who can effectively advocate for themselves”

Jody Gray

Director of Instructional Support Program
Administrator on Duty

Credentials
B.A University of Rhode Island, Psychology
M.A. Boston University, Special Education

“One reason I came to Besant Hill was because the school supports the whole child and respects each student’s individual learning style. I look forward to supporting the students here and helping them become independent learners who can effectively advocate for themselves”

Jody Gray

Director of Instructional Support Program
Administrator on Duty

Credentials
B.A University of Rhode Island, Psychology
M.A. Boston University, Special Education

jgray@besanthill.org

Tracy How

Director of Admissions & Financial Aid

Credentials
California Lutheran University, MBA
California Lutheran University, B.S.

thow@besanthill.org

“With so much history, Besant Hill is a place that is committed to honoring the past but focused on the future. It's exciting to be part of a school where the only constant is change.”

“With so much history, Besant Hill is a place that is committed to honoring the past but focused on the future. It's exciting to be part of a school where the only constant is change.”

Tracy How

Director of Admissions & Financial Aid

Credentials
California Lutheran University, MBA
California Lutheran University, B.S.

thow@besanthill.org

“My favorite part of teaching English is exposing students to different ways of thinking and living around the world and throughout time. It allows us to live the Portrait of a Graduate everyday in class.”

Portia Johnson

Head of School
English Teacher

Credentials
University of New England, M.S.Ed.
West Virginia University, B.A.
Besant Hill School (Happy Valley School), 2000

“My favorite part of teaching English is exposing students to different ways of thinking and living around the world and throughout time. It allows us to live the Portrait of a Graduate everyday in class.”

Portia Johnson

Head of School
English Teacher

Credentials
University of New England, M.S.Ed.
West Virginia University, B.A.
Besant Hill School (Happy Valley School), 2000

pjohnson@besanthill.org

Natasha McNair

Director of Academics
Residential Administrator on Duty

Credentials
B.S. University of North Carolina at Greensboro
M.S. North Carolina A&T State University

nmcnair@besanthill.org

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”

Natasha McNair

Director of Academics
Residential Administrator on Duty

Credentials
B.S. University of North Carolina at Greensboro
M.S. North Carolina A&T State University

nmcnair@besanthill.org

"As you make a living, don't forget to live."

Nick O’Brien

Mathematics Teacher
Math and Science Department Chair
Residential Faculty
Cross Country and Soccer Coach

Credentials
Emmanuel College B.S.

"As you make a living, don't forget to live."

Nick O’Brien

Mathematics Teacher
Math and Science Department Chair
Residential Faculty
Cross Country and Soccer Coach

Credentials
Emmanuel College B.S.

nobrien@besanthill.org

Leah Sellers

Athletic and Outdoor Education Director
Psychology Teacher
Administrator on Duty

Credentials
California State University, Fullerton, B.A.
Grand Canyon University, M.S. Psychology

lsellers@besanthill.org

“Besant Hill School offers a unique opportunity to introduce dance to students from around the world and offer an all inclusive, judgment free environment for all to dance freely.”

“Besant Hill School offers a unique opportunity to introduce dance to students from around the world and offer an all inclusive, judgment free environment for all to dance freely.”

Leah Sellers

Athletic and Outdoor Education Director
Psychology Teacher
Administrator on Duty

Credentials
California State University, Fullerton, B.A.
Grand Canyon University, M.S. Psychology

lsellers@besanthill.org

“At Besant Hill School, we encourage students to develop their individual passions and to cultivate a lifelong love of learning. As I support students on their college journeys, I aim to help them find not just the “best” colleges and universities, but the best for them.”

Lara Shalson

Director of College Counseling

Credentials
B.A. University of California, Berkeley
M.A. City University of New York, Graduate Center
Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley

“At Besant Hill School, we encourage students to develop their individual passions and to cultivate a lifelong love of learning. As I support students on their college journeys, I aim to help them find not just the “best” colleges and universities, but the best for them.”

Lara Shalson

Director of College Counseling

Credentials
B.A. University of California, Berkeley
M.A. City University of New York, Graduate Center
Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley

lshalson@besanthill.org

Matt Sabin Smith

English and History Teacher

Credentials
Western Colorado University B.A., M.A.
Pacifica Grad Institute PhD

msmith@besanthill.org

"Every student arrives with something unique to offer the world. At Besant Hill, we don't shape students to match society—we help them become more fully themselves."

"Every student arrives with something unique to offer the world. At Besant Hill, we don't shape students to match society—we help them become more fully themselves."

Matt Sabin Smith

English and History Teacher

Credentials
Western Colorado University B.A., M.A.
Pacifica Grad Institute PhD

msmith@besanthill.org

"It's never too late to become what you always wanted to be!"

Joseph St. Clair

Mathematics Teacher
Weight Lifting
Basketball
Residential Faculty

Credentials
Morehouse College, B.S.
Illinois Institute of Technology, M.S.

"It's never too late to become what you always wanted to be!"

Joseph St. Clair

Mathematics Teacher
Weight Lifting
Basketball
Residential Faculty

Credentials
Morehouse College, B.S.
Illinois Institute of Technology, M.S.

jstclair@besanthill.org

Daniel Varvel

Studio Arts Teacher
Ceramics Teacher
Sports & Fitness Coach
Residential Life

Credentials
B.A. Communication Texas State University

dvarvel@besanthill.org

"We are like the dreamer who dreams and lives inside that dream…but who’s the dreamer?"

"We are like the dreamer who dreams and lives inside that dream…but who’s the dreamer?"

Daniel Varvel

Studio Arts Teacher
Ceramics Teacher
Sports & Fitness Coach
Residential Life

Credentials
B.A. Communication Texas State University

dvarvel@besanthill.org

"I believe every student has the natural curiosity and intuition to be a scientist."

Rachel Zeppetello

Science Teacher
Sports & Fitness Coach
Residential Faculty

Credentials
B.S. Binghamton University, New York
M.A. Oswego University, New York

"I believe every student has the natural curiosity and intuition to be a scientist."

Rachel Zeppetello

Science Teacher
Sports & Fitness Coach
Residential Faculty

Credentials
B.S. Binghamton University, New York
M.A. Oswego University, New York

rzeppetello@besanthill.org

© Copyright 2026 Besant Hill School of Happy Valley