Meet the Team
The Woodward school is led by a group of committed and experienced educators who work together to educate and empower every girl that passes through our historic halls. Below some of our team members’ contact information, you will see an anonymous quote provided by a student to show their appreciation of their teachers! We’d love for you to meet them. Learn more about them below, or better yet, come visit us!
DEBRA ALPERT
Information Technology
MAT, Brown University, Social Studies
UMass-Boston, Computer Science
dalpert@thewoodwardschool.org
Contact Debra Alpert by email
“Thank you for all your help! You have taught so many students a love of technology and keep our tech going!”
ELIZABETH BERSELL, RN, BSN
School Nurse
BS, Nursing, Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professionals
BA, Business, Saint Anselm College
ebersell@thewoodwardschool.org
Contact Elizabeth Bersell by email
“She is always kind and caring, and always in your corner no matter what.”
ERIN CHAGNON
All School Science & Assistant Softball Coach
BA, Science BM, University of Massachusetts-Boston,
Minor in STEM Ed
echagnon@thewoodwardschool.org
Contact Erin Chagnon by email
“I love Ms. Chagnon's energy, adaptability, and creativity makes her science classes fun and engaging. She is caring and supportive of her students and incorporates exciting and interesting activities into her lessons. I appreciate her lightheartedness and her humor.”
ZHANEY CLACHAR
Front Office Manager
AS, Information Technology, Excelsior Community College
zclachar@thewoodwardschool.org
Contact Zhaney Clacharby email
“I appreciate Ms. Z because she helped me when I had a cut and I appreciate her thoughtfulness and her leadership for running the front desk.”
GREGG COHEN
Director of College Counseling / Campus Bound
BA, Union College
MBA, Babson College
gcohen@thewoodwardschool.org
Contact Gregg Cohen by email
JENNIE DONEGAN
Director of Enrollment
BS, Psychology, Wheelock College
MS, Sociology, Wheelock College
jdonegan@thewoodwardschool.org
Contact Jennie Donegan by email
“Thank you Ms. Donegan for always trying to help our school grow and keeping a smile every time I see you.”
MIRIAM FINE
Middle School English
BA, English & French, Tulane University
M. Ed, Secondary English Language Arts
mfine@thewoodwardschool.org
Contact Miriam Fine by email
“Ms. Fine's ability to keep lessons engaging and interesting while being informative and staying on track makes her a very effective teacher. Her patience and willingness allow me to better grasp concepts and present my best work, and her sense of humor and enthusiasm is motivating and makes classes fun.”
CAMI FURLONG
Upper School Science, Director of Summer Program, & Dance Instructor
BA, Education, Biological Sciences, Smith College
cfurlong@thewoodwardschool.org
Contact Cami Furlong by email
“I appreciate Ms. Furlong for her fun labs she has us do during class and for the wonderful dance program and encouragement that she provides for everyone.”
STEPHEN GILDEA
Upper School History & IMPACT Learning Coordinator
BA, Holy Cross
MA, Klingenstein Center, Columbia University
sgildea@thewoodwardschool.org
Contact Stephen Gildea by email
“I appreciate how excited he gets when we have celebrations of knowledge, and I appreciate how his class prepares me for the real world.”
BOB GIORDANO
Director of Athletics
US Air Force
bgiordano@thewoodwardschool.org
Contact Bob Giordano by email
“I appreciate that during sports, Mr. G always puts the players above the game, and ensures that we are okay before putting us in a game.”
TODD GUDGEL
Dean of Students & All School Latin
BA, Classical Languages & Civilizations, Uni of Chicago
MA, Classical Languages & Civilizations, Uni of Chicago
tgudgel@thewoodwardschool.org
Contact Todd Gudgel by email
“I’d like to sincerely thank Mr. Gudgel for bringing so much joy and energy to Latin class. His clever jokes and spontaneous singing not only made the lessons more enjoyable, but also created a fun, welcoming atmosphere that made learning truly memorable.”
ALEX MAGAY
Head of School
BFA, UMass-Amherst
M.Ed. Admin, UMass-Amherst
amagay@thewoodwardschool.org
Contact Alex Magay by email
“We appreciate his enthusiasm for girls education and learning, and his recognition for the power of girls.”
KAYLIE MCDONALD
Alumnae Relations & Annual Fund Coordinator
BFA, Film & Animation, Rochester Institute of Technology
kmcdonald@thewoodwardschool.org
Contact Kaylie McDonald by email
“I appreciate that she always does what is best for us students: no questions asked.”
JESSICA MCNAMARA
Director of STEM & All School Mathematics
BS, Tufts University
MS, UNC-Chapel Hill
jmcnamara@thewoodwardschool.org
Contact Jessica McNamara by email
“I appreciate whenever I need help with math homework or have a lot of questions in class she is willing to take the time to answer and take me through step by step.”
GRETCHEN PETERSEN
Associate Head of School, Registrar & SEVIS Coordinator, College Counseling
BS, Psychology, Framingham State University
MSW, Simmons College
gpetersen@thewoodwardschool.org
Contact Gretchen Petersen by email
“I appreciate how she aims to help each student discover their full potential, and help us grow.”
ADDISON POLLARD
All School Spanish
BA, Spanish, College of Charleston
MA, Teaching, Modern Foreign Language, Wheelock
apollard@thewoodwardschool.org
Contact Addison Pollard by email
KRISTEN RUSSELL
Business Manager
BS, Marketing, Bentley College
businessoffice@thewoodwardschool.org
Contact Kristen Russell by email
“I love that she ALWAYS has a smile on her face and always has a positive attitude.”
TANYA SAAR
All School Visual Arts
BA, Arts, Human Services, Uni of Massachusetts-Boston
MA, Arts, Teaching Art Education, Tufts University
tsaar@thewoodwardschool.org
Contact Tanya Saar by email
“I appreciate Ms. Saar for teaching me that there are no mistakes in art, neither is there perfection, but there will always be room for improvement!”
HEALY SAMMIS
All School Theater
BA, Liberal Arts / Theatre, New York University
info@breakalegtheater.com
Contact Healy Sammis by email
“Thank you, Kyle and Healy, for giving us the opportunity to be choreographers. This experience has helped me become more adaptable and has taught me how to work with others by recognizing and adjusting to their unique strengths and abilities.”
KERRY LYNCH TWOMEY
Artistic Programming Director & Upper School English
BA, Boston College
M.Ed., Eastern Nazarene College
ktwomey@thewoodwardschool.org
Contact Kerry Lynch Twomey by email
“I appreciate Ms Twomey, because she's always supportive, is an amazing teacher and makes me feel understood.”
TRAMAINE WEEKES
All School Mathematics
BS, Biology, Colby College
MS, Science, Northeastern University
tweekes@thewoodwardschool.org
Contact Tramaine Weeks by email
“Ms. Weekes' talent for applying concepts to real-life situations and explaining lessons thoroughly makes math clear and straightforward. Her ability to prioritize learning and to go the extra mile to ensure a student understands lessons is valuable and encouraging and keeps her class engaging.”
AARON WILLETTE
All School Computer Science
AD, Computer Science, NHTI Concord Community College
BA, Computer Science, Southern New Hampshire Uni
awillette@thewoodwardschool.org
Contact Aaron Willette by email
KYLE WRENTZ
All School Theater
BA, Theatre, University of Hartford-The Hart School
info@breakalegtheater.com
Contact Kyle Wrentz by email
“Thank you, Kyle and Healy, for giving us the opportunity to be choreographers. This experience has helped me become more adaptable and has taught me how to work with others by recognizing and adjusting to their unique strengths and abilities.”